Lately I've found myself listening almost exclusively to soundchecks and rehearsals. My favorite playlist at the moment is made up of songs that seem to hover around 15-20 minutes (if not longer) and which have names like "Instrumental Jam" and "Groove in A".

Few of them have many lyrics (other than Prince giving directions to the band, or the lighting guy) and most do not have more than a tenuous connection to released material. (My playlist has a few exceptions, like the "Peach" Jam from One Nite... and a few sort of deconstructed instrumental takes, like "Controversy" from Purple Underground 3. The Purple Underground releases have been great for this material.)

I can't get enough of the stuff, it really represents the best of Prince to me right now. I can leave it on all day.

I'm not being super strict here, in terms of definition -- songs like "Lisa #1" and "Soul Pyschadelicide" are on my list -- but am just wondering what others think are the classic grooves and jams worth seeking out. A lot of times they don't really get discussed, because they are simply one-offs or have pretty generic names, but man they are great.

dustoff said:

Lately I've found myself listening almost exclusively to soundchecks and rehearsals. My favorite playlist at the moment is made up of songs that seem to hover around 15-20 minutes (if not longer) and which have names like "Instrumental Jam" and "Groove in A".

Few of them have many lyrics (other than Prince giving directions to the band, or the lighting guy) and most do not have more than a tenuous connection to released material. (My playlist has a few exceptions, like the "Peach" Jam from One Nite... and a few sort of deconstructed instrumental takes, like "Controversy" from Purple Underground 3. The Purple Underground releases have been great for this material.)

I can't get enough of the stuff, it really represents the best of Prince to me right now. I can leave it on all day.

I'm not being super strict here, in terms of definition -- songs like "Lisa #1" and "Soul Pyschadelicide" are on my list -- but am just wondering what others think are the classic grooves and jams worth seeking out. A lot of times they don't really get discussed, because they are simply one-offs or have pretty generic names, but man they are great.

Yes, I’ve always loved rehearsal recordings. I’ve been listening to the SOTT and Lovesexy era rehearsals a lot recently. I’ve always loved the combination of IGBABN and Six, and some the performances of Forever In My Life are superb with those extended guitar jams. Equally, the performances of I Wish You Heaven are great. As you say, he often de-constructs and reworks these well known tracks in a way that takes them to completely new places.

Regarding the kind of material that you’re referring to (that do not correspond to studio tracks), Fuck It Up Jam is great, as is the Feline rehearsal (that scorching guitar work). The 80s Medley from the Lovesexy sessions always makes me laugh (the gentle dig at Micheal Jackson ). I’ve also always loved the brief performance of “Murph Drag” from the 89’ Nagoya show. There are too many.

fen said:

dustoff said:

Lately I've found myself listening almost exclusively to soundchecks and rehearsals. My favorite playlist at the moment is made up of songs that seem to hover around 15-20 minutes (if not longer) and which have names like "Instrumental Jam" and "Groove in A".

Few of them have many lyrics (other than Prince giving directions to the band, or the lighting guy) and most do not have more than a tenuous connection to released material. (My playlist has a few exceptions, like the "Peach" Jam from One Nite... and a few sort of deconstructed instrumental takes, like "Controversy" from Purple Underground 3. The Purple Underground releases have been great for this material.)

I can't get enough of the stuff, it really represents the best of Prince to me right now. I can leave it on all day.

I'm not being super strict here, in terms of definition -- songs like "Lisa #1" and "Soul Pyschadelicide" are on my list -- but am just wondering what others think are the classic grooves and jams worth seeking out. A lot of times they don't really get discussed, because they are simply one-offs or have pretty generic names, but man they are great.

Yes, I’ve always loved rehearsal recordings. I’ve been listening to the SOTT and Lovesexy era rehearsals a lot recently. I’ve always loved the combination of IGBABN and Six, and some the performances of Forever In My Life are superb with those extended guitar jams. Equally, the performances of I Wish You Heaven are great. As you say, he often de-constructs and reworks these well known tracks in a way that takes them to completely new places.

Regarding the kind of material that you’re referring to (that do not correspond to studio tracks), Fuck It Up Jam is great, as is the Feline rehearsal (that scorching guitar work). The 80s Medley from the Lovesexy sessions always makes me laugh (the gentle dig at Micheal Jackson ). I’ve also always loved the brief performance of “Murph Drag” from the 89’ Nagoya show. There are too many.

That isn't a rehearsal of course.

Lust U Always. Thats the cut.

The SOTT early rehearsals, before he started adding other songs and IGBABN was still the album tempo, are great stuff. There are some Nude Tour run-thrus equally nice.

The cut of "DMSR" where he calls out "hot dogs, pizza, root beer, pussy - that's a perfect weekend" is an orgy of funk on one song.

And while it's an actual show, Small Club's opening "Rave" instrumental is magic.

fen said:

fen said:

Yes, I’ve always loved rehearsal recordings. I’ve been listening to the SOTT and Lovesexy era rehearsals a lot recently. I’ve always loved the combination of IGBABN and Six, and some the performances of Forever In My Life are superb with those extended guitar jams. Equally, the performances of I Wish You Heaven are great. As you say, he often de-constructs and reworks these well known tracks in a way that takes them to completely new places.

Regarding the kind of material that you’re referring to (that do not correspond to studio tracks), Fuck It Up Jam is great, as is the Feline rehearsal (that scorching guitar work). The 80s Medley from the Lovesexy sessions always makes me laugh (the gentle dig at Micheal Jackson ). I’ve also always loved the brief performance of “Murph Drag” from the 89’ Nagoya show. There are too many.

That isn't a rehearsal of course.

All great stuff, from what I've heard. Sometimes he'd stretch out Head forever, as well. Love it.

Sadly it doesn't look like I have the Fuck It Up Jam (or Funk It Up Jam, or Feel U Up Jam, as it appears to be called on various releases, based on a previous thread). Based on the name, though, I'm sure it's awesome.

Listening to the Nagoya Murph Drag now, it'll fit nicely on the playlist. (I guess I'm basically just talking about songs or tracks where he holds a groove for a bit.) Also love "Toe Jam," for what it's worth. Another short one.

rdhull said:

Lust U Always. Thats the cut.

This is great. Usually I think of these extended jams as a band thing, but this is a good example of him doing it all himself!

dustoff said:

rdhull said:

Lust U Always. Thats the cut.

This is great. Usually I think of these extended jams as a band thing, but this is a good example of him doing it all himself!

Ya. Love the linn mixed with live drums (I presume) and those classic purple era synths.

TrivialPursuit said:

The SOTT early rehearsals, before he started adding other songs and IGBABN was still the album tempo, are great stuff. There are some Nude Tour run-thrus equally nice.

The cut of "DMSR" where he calls out "hot dogs, pizza, root beer, pussy - that's a perfect weekend" is an orgy of funk on one song.

And while it's an actual show, Small Club's opening "Rave" instrumental is magic.

Rave is perfect. You happen to remember which show the DMSR is? Would save me from listening through DMSRs for hours, though I suppose that wouldn't be the worst day ever.

dustoff said:

Rave is perfect. You happen to remember which show the DMSR is? Would save me from listening through DMSRs for hours, though I suppose that wouldn't be the worst day ever.

To my knowledge, it's a one-off track out there, but it clocks pretty long (maybe 12:50 minutes or so?). It's likely from the 1999 tour rehearsals in 1983. He also shouts out "Kool and the gang" at the beginning because of the leadline sounding like KATG's music (probably). The song also goes through a lot of key changes near the latter half; he pushes the band through probably 6 or 7 key changes.

"Sex, hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, root beer, PUSSY! That's a perfect weekend."

TrivialPursuit said:

dustoff said:

Rave is perfect. You happen to remember which show the DMSR is? Would save me from listening through DMSRs for hours, though I suppose that wouldn't be the worst day ever.

To my knowledge, it's a one-off track out there, but it clocks pretty long (maybe 12:50 minutes or so?). It's likely from the 1999 tour rehearsals in 1983. He also shouts out "Kool and the gang" at the beginning because of the leadline sounding like KATG's music (probably). The song also goes through a lot of key changes near the latter half; he pushes the band through probably 6 or 7 key changes.

"Sex, hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, root beer, PUSSY! That's a perfect weekend."

Ah yeah, found it. The one where he quotes the Talking Heads' Once in a Lifetime Thanks for reminding me of this.

mynameisnotsusan said:

There's a Lovesexy rehearsal version of Alphabet Street that goes for about 30 minutes that I absolutely love

Sounds like it's time to track down some Lovesexy rehearsals, for sure.

From Can I Play With U? Slow Groove In G Major.