I find this song simply stunning - 7:14 of pure heaven. Beautiful piano, a simple melody, serene synths and a lovely electric guitar. It's rare that we get something like this from Prince. It has a feel to it that is hard to describe. Simple, relaxed and yet majestic and masterful. And what's best is, on this outtake, he left it unadorned. Too often, we get something that has been tinkered with, retooled and embellished, disrupting the beauty that had been there. It works nicely on Eric Leeds' album ("Once Upon A Time") although the sax and horn overdubs add more than is needed in my opinion. I prefer Bobbi Jo.

I would put Bobbi Jo up there with Father's Song as one of Prince's most brilliant musical statements.

I have a question though: on Blast 3.0 we got something called Once Upon A Time that was more of a rough sounding (although very good) piece, just piano. And the main melody (lead line) was the same as Bobbi Jo. I presume this is the first version (solo piano) that Prince recorded in late 1987 and gave to Ingrid Chavez. According to princevault, he rerecorded it in 1988 and I presume this is what has just surfaced on Closer to God and Blast 6.0.

Anyone have any insight on this (or informed, educated speculation) to share?

for some reason it reminds me of 'with you'. as if, when speeded up, you could just
sing along 'i've held your hand, so many times' to it.

fms said:

I find this song simply stunning - 7:14 of pure heaven. Beautiful piano, a simple melody, serene synths and a lovely electric guitar. It's rare that we get something like this from Prince. It has a feel to it that is hard to describe. Simple, relaxed and yet majestic and masterful. And what's best is, on this outtake, he left it unadorned. Too often, we get something that has been tinkered with, retooled and embellished, disrupting the beauty that had been there. It works nicely on Eric Leeds' album ("Once Upon A Time") although the sax and horn overdubs add more than is needed in my opinion. I prefer Bobbi Jo.

I would put Bobbi Jo up there with Father's Song as one of Prince's most brilliant musical statements.

I have a question though: on Blast 3.0 we got something called Once Upon A Time that was more of a rough sounding (although very good) piece, just piano. And the main melody (lead line) was the same as Bobbi Jo. I presume this is the first version (solo piano) that Prince recorded in late 1987 and gave to Ingrid Chavez. According to princevault, he rerecorded it in 1988 and I presume this is what has just surfaced on Closer to God and Blast 6.0.

Anyone have any insight on this (or informed, educated speculation) to share?

Actually the original piano version has also leaked a few days ago. Or has it?

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I have 2 piano versions: the one from BFTP 3 is 6:06 and the other one that's recently leaked is 3:25. Only, whatever the BFTP piano solo, I fail to see how it's the same composition because as far as I can tell the melody has nothing to do with Bobbi Jo/Once Upon A Time, save maybe the chords progression. It could be a fake (you never know with Eye records) but it sounds very much like Prince's playing so I'd assume it's genuine, only it's another, entirely different composition. If anyone recognizes it (who knows it may be something known that I don't recognize) or knows what it is, it would be great to know what this piano instrumental is. I'll add that in terms of sound, both piano instrumental sound very much like they're from the same original tape/recording session, meaning there might be more than those 2 waiting to be leaked.

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Pretty cool that you've spotted this because I had totally forgotten about this Once Upon A Time instrumental on BFTP 3. Whatever it is, it's beautiful.

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So we have the 3 versions of BJ/OUAT identified on Pvault (including the final release) AND an unidentified piano instrumental on BFTP 3 that may be but most likely is not BJ/OUAT.

Another question (sorry if it's been answered elsewhere and I've missed it): why "Bobbi Jo"? The only Bobbi Jo I know is a character in Evil Dead 2: https://www.youtube.com/w...YhgRCAuVGk

I have yet to hear it. Have it, but cant get past Yo Mister just yet. Playing the hell out of his version. Get to it soon. Thanks for the reminder!!

^ Don't "have it", but can hear it. Once Upon A Time is a bit "repetitive", but maybe stripped down it might sound better/different. Don't know haven't got around 2 it. Title is , also curious why he chose that 1 .

purplepolitician said:

^ Don't "have it", but can hear it. Once Upon A Time is a bit "repetitive", but maybe stripped down it might sound better/different. Don't know haven't got around 2 it. Title is , also curious why he chose that 1 .

It is a very nice peace of music.

paisleypark4 said:

purplepolitician said:

^ Don't "have it", but can hear it. Once Upon A Time is a bit "repetitive", but maybe stripped down it might sound better/different. Don't know haven't got around 2 it. Title is , also curious why he chose that 1 .

It is a very nice peace of music.

It's nice. That straight piano version is stunning tho .