-

Beautifully summed up review from Pitchfork :

-

https://pitchfork.com/rev...originals/

-

I couldn't agree more.

-

I'm happy with this besides all the detailed bitchin' here (and there).

Quality or not.

These songs are much better the way they sound and are presented to us this way.

-

I sometimes love the poor quality bootleg versions over the right now released cleaned up demo versions. Why ? You get used to what you've heard over and over again.

Hiss and cracks can become part of a listening experience, part of you and how you hear a song, combined with the context, era, place, whatever you were in at the time.

-

I'm happy to hear all this. I really do.

The excitement is certainly not like back in the days, but I'm glad we can listen to the 'work in progress'-Prince and especially the fastness of this uncomparable purple wizzard of weirdness.

-

I do hope Grace JOnes picks up this collection! She should for sure make her own version of the unbelievable excellent 'MAKE UP' ! Just imagine that !!

And for Bruno Mars : "Wouldn't You Love To Love Me", or "Holly Rock"... Imagine that too.

-

Like the review says :

"How wild that a chronicle of a lost era can feel so modern when all over it are musical markers of the ’80s: synths and drum machines and clap tracks and extended breakdowns and of course, sax solos. Nostalgia, even rendered fresh, works on the ear in invisible ways, as does the sequence of these songs."

-

Dear Estate, nearly too late... And now More & Faster !!!

-

And here's another great review :

https://themuse.jezebel.c...1835379614

"THAT THESE SONGS IN THEIR DEMO FORMS SOUND SO FULLY EXECUTED IS EVIDENCE OF STUNNING PERFECTIONISM"

-

Genesia said:

Priceless.

.

Priceless does not describe the reasons for muddy drums, nor thedarkness I sense in the recording.

It adds to the unevenness.

And did we have the bangles mention why they made the song a bit brighter?

I guess not.

So they simpy duplicated the music.

Why then is the Prince 'orginal' darker? Muddy even?

udo said:

Genesia said:

Priceless.

.

Priceless does not describe the reasons for muddy drums, nor thedarkness I sense in the recording.

It adds to the unevenness.

And did we have the bangles mention why they made the song a bit brighter?

I guess not.

So they simpy duplicated the music.

Why then is the Prince 'orginal' darker? Muddy even?

Damn dude, just take your L and keep it movin'.

rdhull said:

udo said:

.

Priceless does not describe the reasons for muddy drums, nor thedarkness I sense in the recording.

It adds to the unevenness.

And did we have the bangles mention why they made the song a bit brighter?

I guess not.

So they simpy duplicated the music.

Why then is the Prince 'orginal' darker? Muddy even?

Damn dude, just take your L and keep it movin'.

Dude is orgnoting me his defensive bullshit, too - even though I told him to stop. He just cannot take a hint.

-

By the way, 'Love Thy Will Be' done sounds very out of place in this collection to me.

It was also recorded way later than the bulk of this material I believe...

Am I they only one not so excited about this track ?

Whatever...

-

And once more, this version of 'Wouldn't You Love To Love Me' is COOL as FUCK !

-

Another thing, I love how he sings female lyrics from his point of view. It's the later Camille in him that makes this weird idea so brilliant.

-

Genesia said:

rdhull said:

Damn dude, just take your L and keep it movin'.

Dude is orgnoting me his defensive bullshit, too - even though I told him to stop. He just cannot take a hint.

See? These are some of the people the estate are supposed to consider? lol

rdhull said:

Genesia said:

Dude is orgnoting me his defensive bullshit, too - even though I told him to stop. He just cannot take a hint.

See? These are some of the people the estate are supposed to consider? lol

If I were Michael Howe, I'd spend 24/7/365 with headphones on and email off.

Genesia said:

rdhull said:

See? These are some of the people the estate are supposed to consider? lol

If I were Michael Howe, I'd spend 24/7/365 with headphones on and email off.

Which would be great advice in a perfect world. If we get the Original Joy In Repetition, but get Tony M and TC Ellis pasted in, it will be the fault of those who say we should just let them do their job lol.

stillwaiting said:

Genesia said:

If I were Michael Howe, I'd spend 24/7/365 with headphones on and email off.

Which would be great advice in a perfect world. If we get the Original Joy In Repetition, but get Tony M and TC Ellis pasted in, it will be the fault of those who say we should just let them do their job lol.

That's just stupid. Michael Howe is not operating in a vacuum or without knowledge of Prince. Has anything they've released, so far, featured any artist but Prince? No. So why would they do it it in the future?

And to blame those who are not being loud, bossy know-it-alls for the decisions about what is released is just moronic.

Genesia said:

stillwaiting said:

Which would be great advice in a perfect world. If we get the Original Joy In Repetition, but get Tony M and TC Ellis pasted in, it will be the fault of those who say we should just let them do their job lol.

That's just stupid. Michael Howe is not operating in a vacuum or without knowledge of Prince. Has anything they've released, so far, featured any artist but Prince? No. So why would they do it it in the future?

And to blame those who are not being loud, bossy know-it-alls for the decisions about what is released is just moronic.

You can have your opinions. If you couldn't why would there even be a forum. It's obvious that those in charge don't have much of an emotional interest in the material as we do. And that leaves it wide open for someone to alter the recordings, or do a hack job on the mastering.

stillwaiting said:

Genesia said:

That's just stupid. Michael Howe is not operating in a vacuum or without knowledge of Prince. Has anything they've released, so far, featured any artist but Prince? No. So why would they do it it in the future?

And to blame those who are not being loud, bossy know-it-alls for the decisions about what is released is just moronic.

You can have your opinions. If you couldn't why would there even be a forum. It's obvious that those in charge don't have much of an emotional interest in the material as we do. And that leaves it wide open for someone to alter the recordings, or do a hack job on the mastering.

Yall dont even enjoy the music.

stillwaiting said:

Genesia said:

That's just stupid. Michael Howe is not operating in a vacuum or without knowledge of Prince. Has anything they've released, so far, featured any artist but Prince? No. So why would they do it it in the future?

And to blame those who are not being loud, bossy know-it-alls for the decisions about what is released is just moronic.

You can have your opinions. If you couldn't why would there even be a forum. It's obvious that those in charge don't have much of an emotional interest in the material as we do. And that leaves it wide open for someone to alter the recordings, or do a hack job on the mastering.

How do you even know that? Do you know Michael Howe personally? Have you discussed this process, the music, or his relationship to Prince with him?

Well that was satisfying.

First time since Art Official Age that I've felt like I was listening to an actual album release of new music from P

I needed that...

9/10

[Edited 6/12/19 14:37pm]

tomds said:

When we were asked to name the project that we all would love to see released, I thought the "originals" concept scored very high. So actually we got what most of us wanted. To hear Prince's versions of songs from The Time etc. So why are we bitching about this ? And sure lots of songs are not on this cd. But it is still a single disc. So not everything can be chosen. I am certain there will be more volumes to come.

I agree - I like the set and am happy to look over whatever manipulation was done to get it in what was considered "release quality." None of it sounds fake and there's something here for casual and diehard fans. I'd gladly pay for a volume 2.

rdhull said:

Yall dont even enjoy the music.

It's strange. Within a hour of Originals releasing, there were people dismissing the entire release. So many gems have dropped in the bootleg scene since Prince died and it's all "yawn, what else you got?" the same day it comes out.

Do people not give a disc multiple listens anymore?

(That said, Michael Howe is a dope who's in way over his head but it seems like he's learning while on the job. Let's hope he continues to grow.)

This bullshit Howe keeps talking about WYLTLM being of lesser sound quality because it was recorded on a 16 track shows his lack of technical understanding.

Strive said:

rdhull said:

Yall dont even enjoy the music.

It's strange. Within a hour of Originals releasing, there were people dismissing the entire release. So many gems have dropped in the bootleg scene since Prince died and it's all "yawn, what else you got?" the same day it comes out.

Do people not give a disc multiple listens anymore?

(That said, Michael Howe is a dope who's in way over his head but it seems like he's learning while on the job. Let's hope he continues to grow.)

Not so strange – the org is filled with experts on Prince's catalogue (i.e. Neversin, Databank, etc…) so it is of course baffling and truly sad to witness the utter ignorance of someone like Michael Howe making such uninformed decisions on the music that is being released to the wider public. All this BS – of it having to appeal to all fans. Who are those fans? The ones that only really know about Purple Rain, When Doves Cry and Kiss? When growing up in the 80’s – Prince was always the outlier among those 3 80’s super pop stars (Madonna & Michael Jackson). I dare to say not as popular maybe, but he was polarizing, and he was a greater and more gifted artist in terms of his skillsets than those two others combined. Now that he is passed everybody (the bigger audience) all of the sudden is recognizing his legacy. That group needs to be properly educated of what that legacy actually really entails. Not only the greatness that is still locked away in the vault but his entire recording process is extremely interesting. Which people like Per Nilsen and Duane Tudahl for example have attempted to preserve, document and share APPROPRIATELY. Many of us have been lucky enough to get a glimpse of what is inside the vault and to have these half-assed releases like PR Deluxe, P&M 83 and Originals doesn’t actually showcase his legacy– they all seem to be rushed productions, technically inadequate, just to get something out. It’s in fact watering Prince’s legacy down. I would’ve been keen to wait a couple of years so they could really sort out the vault and make a proper plan in response. Why isn’t Michael Howe doing this with a team of scholars, Prince experts? Why aren’t they reaching out to the elite collectors to collaborate and ensure his musical legacy is properly represented/preserved? No, instead Jay-Z gets in there and demands “Love…They Will Be Done” to be included. Just so they can attach Jay-Z’s name to it and reach that so-called “wide audience”. I am sure he only heard it once when randomly dropping in. There’s no respect here for Prince’s music. Yeah and I know the Estate, Comerica Bank bla bla – not all up to Michael Howe of course – but as a main curator he could also demand a team to support him in this massive and extremely important job.

But my frustration doesn’t negate that I have enjoyed moments of the releases so far – it’s just having to deal with the realization and knowledge that it could’ve been a million times better, if the person in charge had done his homework properly.

[Edited 6/12/19 19:00pm]

Strive said:

rdhull said:

Yall dont even enjoy the music.

It's strange. Within a hour of Originals releasing, there were people dismissing the entire release. So many gems have dropped in the bootleg scene since Prince died and it's all "yawn, what else you got?" the same day it comes out.

Do people not give a disc multiple listens anymore?

(That said, Michael Howe is a dope who's in way over his head but it seems like he's learning while on the job. Let's hope he continues to grow.)

They should release hardly anything because no matter what, people don't appreciate it. Folks were clamoring for the long vers of Computer Blue and it gets release and folks are on to the next one etc. It doesn't matter if it's Howe or BVH who was charging the release content. Once it's released, folk are like you said, on to the next one without giving songs or albums time to marinate or be appreciated. I've meant to make a post about this for quit some time but didnt have the cajones as I knew Id get locked and mocked lol. Prince fans are the absolute worse. And this has nothing much to do with whats out there and in what quality etc. They could release Wally in its original version and a week later people would be whining about 'whats next gimme gimme" lol.

Prince has one of the highest criticlly acclaimed albums of the year according to Metacritic. Only a John Coltrane boxed set and the recording of Beyone's Homecoming concert received higher so far. Here is the link to the 5 reviews included.

https://www.metacritic.com/music/originals/prince

[Edited 6/12/19 21:47pm]

[Edited 6/12/19 21:48pm]

gandorb said:

Prince has one of the highest criticlly acclaimed albums of the year according to Metacritic. Only a John Coltrane boxed set and the recording of Beyone's Homecoming concert received higher so far. Here is the link to the 5 reviews included.

https://www.metacritic.com/music/originals/prince

5 critics ain't much. Some movies on RottenTomatoes achieve 100%... with 3 critics. But not sure if that means more critical acclaim than, say, a movie with 150 reviews and a 92% score.

However, I doubt we'll see any negative review about Originals. Except for the apparent problems we have to solve here about the authenticity of some tracks, what's there to say about such a release? I can't imagine any critic saying "we didn't need this, these domos suck, they'd rather be left in the vault". Originals is an interesting historical document that any critics should praise unless they're aware of the authenticity issues (and they are not).

databank said:

gandorb said:

Prince has one of the highest criticlly acclaimed albums of the year according to Metacritic. Only a John Coltrane boxed set and the recording of Beyone's Homecoming concert received higher so far. Here is the link to the 5 reviews included.

https://www.metacritic.com/music/originals/prince

5 critics ain't much. Some movies on RottenTomatoes achieve 100%... with 3 critics. But not sure if that means more critical acclaim than, say, a movie with 150 reviews and a 92% score.

However, I doubt we'll see any negative review about Originals. Except for the apparent problems we have to solve here about the authenticity of some tracks, what's there to say about such a release? I can't imagine any critic saying "we didn't need this, these domos suck, they'd rather be left in the vault". Originals is an interesting historical document that any critics should praise unless they're aware of the authenticity issues (and they are not).

No, 5 critics aren't many and this could change some over time. However, even here all the fans who have bothered to actually rated the songs have been positive. It has been pretty amazing that even the worst rated song is still above a 7. This is not to invalidate your points but just to say that most people are enjoying the hell out of this release.

After listening to this, I believe that other people are putting their two cents into Prince's music.

rdhull said:

ofofoffjoff said:

Strive said:

It's strange. Within a hour of Originals releasing, there were people dismissing the entire release. So many gems have dropped in the bootleg scene since Prince died and it's all "yawn, what else you got?" the same day it comes out.

Do people not give a disc multiple listens anymore?

(That said, Michael Howe is a dope who's in way over his head but it seems like he's learning while on the job. Let's hope he continues to grow.)

Not so strange – the org is filled with experts on Prince's catalogue (i.e. Neversin, Databank, etc…) so it is of course baffling and truly sad to witness the utter ignorance of someone like Michael Howe making such uninformed decisions on the music that is being released to the wider public. All this BS – of it having to appeal to all fans. Who are those fans? The ones that only really know about Purple Rain, When Doves Cry and Kiss? When growing up in the 80’s – Prince was always the outlier among those 3 80’s super pop stars (Madonna & Michael Jackson). I dare to say not as popular maybe, but he was polarizing, and he was a greater and more gifted artist in terms of his skillsets than those two others combined. Now that he is passed everybody (the bigger audience) all of the sudden is recognizing his legacy. That group needs to be properly educated of what that legacy actually really entails. Not only the greatness that is still locked away in the vault but his entire recording process is extremely interesting. Which people like Per Nilsen and Duane Tudahl for example have attempted to preserve, document and share APPROPRIATELY. Many of us have been lucky enough to get a glimpse of what is inside the vault and to have these half-assed releases like PR Deluxe, P&M 83 and Originals doesn’t actually showcase his legacy– they all seem to be rushed productions, technically inadequate, just to get something out. It’s in fact watering Prince’s legacy down. I would’ve been keen to wait a couple of years so they could really sort out the vault and make a proper plan in response. Why isn’t Michael Howe doing this with a team of scholars, Prince experts? Why aren’t they reaching out to the elite collectors to collaborate and ensure his musical legacy is properly represented/preserved? No, instead Jay-Z gets in there and demands “Love…They Will Be Done” to be included. Just so they can attach Jay-Z’s name to it and reach that so-called “wide audience”. I am sure he only heard it once when randomly dropping in. There’s no respect here for Prince’s music. Yeah and I know the Estate, Comerica Bank bla bla – not all up to Michael Howe of course – but as a main curator he could also demand a team to support him in this massive and extremely important job.

But my frustration doesn’t negate that I have enjoyed moments of the releases so far – it’s just having to deal with the realization and knowledge that it could’ve been a million times better, if the person in charge had done his homework properly.

[Edited 6/12/19 19:00pm]

Come on, now. These releases aren't hurting his legacy or watering it down at all. Sure, some hardcore fans are complaining about them, but I'd say a majority of hardcore fans are enjoying them (as evident from the Originals poll), and casual fans seem to be enjoying them as well. 4Ever, Purple Rain Deluxe, Piano & a Microphone 1983, and Originals all have high ratings at RateYourMusic, much higher than almost all of the releases from before 2016.

Here are how his studio albums are rated there post name change:

Come: 3.18
The Gold Experience: 3.61
Chaos and Disorder: 2.95
Emancipation: 3.16
Crystal Ball: 3.35
Kamasutra: 2.25
The Truth: 3.24
New Power Soul: 2.86
The Vault... Old Friends 4 Sale: 3.13
Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic: 2.71
Rave In2 the Joy Fantastic: 3.05
The Rainbow Children: 3.45
One Nite Alone: 3.45
Xpectation: 2.83
NEWS: 3.08
The Chocolate Invasion: 3.02
The Slaughterhouse: 2.89
Musicology: 3.33
3121: 3.35
Planet Earth: 2.94
Lotusflow3r: 3.24
MPLSOUND: 3.02
20Ten: 2.81
Art Official Age: 3.13
Plectrumelectrum: 2.88
HitnRun Phase One: 2.82
HitnRun Phase Two: 3.48
Piano & a Microphone 1983: 3.65
Originals: 3.90

Both Piano & a Microphone 1983 and Originals rate more highly than anything since 1993. In fact, they rate higher than anything outside of the 1980-1987 studio albums. Originals only has 59 ratings so far, but I expect it to still remain above 3.6 with more ratings.

As far as compilations go, 4Ever has a higher rating than any comp outside The Hits/The B-Sides.

Sometimes it's good to step outside of the hardcore bubble and have a look around, and all I've seen has been a positive response to each release. I appreciate concerns over authenticity, Frankenstein mixes, etc., but most people either don't know or don't care about these things - they are just hearing music that they are enjoying. And while concerns about particular mixes, effects and so forth may be valid, it's not like some of the posthumous MJ releases that saw non-MJ vocals being passed off as MJ vocals and so forth.

rdhull said:

Strive said:

It's strange. Within a hour of Originals releasing, there were people dismissing the entire release. So many gems have dropped in the bootleg scene since Prince died and it's all "yawn, what else you got?" the same day it comes out.

Do people not give a disc multiple listens anymore?

(That said, Michael Howe is a dope who's in way over his head but it seems like he's learning while on the job. Let's hope he continues to grow.)

They should release hardly anything because no matter what, people don't appreciate it. Folks were clamoring for the long vers of Computer Blue and it gets release and folks are on to the next one etc. It doesn't matter if it's Howe or BVH who was charging the release content. Once it's released, folk are like you said, on to the next one without giving songs or albums time to marinate or be appreciated. I've meant to make a post about this for quit some time but didnt have the cajones as I knew Id get locked and mocked lol. Prince fans are the absolute worse. And this has nothing much to do with whats out there and in what quality etc. They could release Wally in its original version and a week later people would be whining about 'whats next gimme gimme" lol.

I think more people enjoy this release than not and I don't think it's about that people not apreciate a new release but some mistakes (in teh case of Computer Blue and the sound issues/drop out) are to obvious and amateur when fans expect a certain standard of excellence regardng Deluxe Editions especially when it comes to Prince.
With this new release I enjoy it (but I really want my CD/LP instead of digital becuase I think holding and reading the cover or liner notes is part of my enjoyment of it.) but when people easily point out the mistakes on it it can frustrate fans and the enjoyment of what could have been.
Don't dismis all fans man, there are some, like you and me who do enjoy the music and I think when everything was handled better most hardcore fans would to.

rdhull said:

Strive said:

It's strange. Within a hour of Originals releasing, there were people dismissing the entire release. So many gems have dropped in the bootleg scene since Prince died and it's all "yawn, what else you got?" the same day it comes out.

Do people not give a disc multiple listens anymore?

(That said, Michael Howe is a dope who's in way over his head but it seems like he's learning while on the job. Let's hope he continues to grow.)

They should release hardly anything because no matter what, people don't appreciate it. Folks were clamoring for the long vers of Computer Blue and it gets release and folks are on to the next one etc. It doesn't matter if it's Howe or BVH who was charging the release content. Once it's released, folk are like you said, on to the next one without giving songs or albums time to marinate or be appreciated. I've meant to make a post about this for quit some time but didnt have the cajones as I knew Id get locked and mocked lol. Prince fans are the absolute worse. And this has nothing much to do with whats out there and in what quality etc. They could release Wally in its original version and a week later people would be whining about 'whats next gimme gimme" lol.

100%

This is a society thing that P touched on in Clouds.

Plus maybe the BFTP sets turned some into spoilt brats.

[Edited 6/13/19 2:11am]

rdhull said:

Strive said:

It's strange. Within a hour of Originals releasing, there were people dismissing the entire release. So many gems have dropped in the bootleg scene since Prince died and it's all "yawn, what else you got?" the same day it comes out.

Do people not give a disc multiple listens anymore?

(That said, Michael Howe is a dope who's in way over his head but it seems like he's learning while on the job. Let's hope he continues to grow.)

They should release hardly anything because no matter what, people don't appreciate it. Folks were clamoring for the long vers of Computer Blue and it gets release and folks are on to the next one etc. It doesn't matter if it's Howe or BVH who was charging the release content. Once it's released, folk are like you said, on to the next one without giving songs or albums time to marinate or be appreciated. I've meant to make a post about this for quit some time but didnt have the cajones as I knew Id get locked and mocked lol. Prince fans are the absolute worse. And this has nothing much to do with whats out there and in what quality etc. They could release Wally in its original version and a week later people would be whining about 'whats next gimme gimme" lol.

i've written about this before. and although i'm ready to move on to the next album (i found
it's because i'm just thirsty for NEW prince material, which i always relish and treasure), it is a little
bit weird that people want stuff so bad and once they get it they hardly even talk about it.

songs like 'coco boys' and 'come elektra tuesday' or 'red scarlet' etc. it's like we never even got them
in the first place. they seem to have fallen into a big black hole

meanwhile, i've created little playlists for myself (well, a huge one for all the official and non official
85/86/87 tracks, sort of like a big sparkling fantastic crystal ball extravaganza) and others like a
neat little 88/89 era one, which i enjoy every other day or so. i can't get enough of those new songs.
and no, i don't tire of them. it's like getting a new album was in 1988 or (for me) in 1997 or 2006,
i listen to it all.the.time.

i'm pacing myself with the stuff on "originals" that i don't really know (like 'you're my love') because
i want a few songs to discover and enjoy in case there's a long spell of no new material now.

IstenSzek said:

songs like 'coco boys' and 'come elektra tuesday' or 'red scarlet' etc. it's like we never even got them
in the first place. they seem to have fallen into a big black hole

.

Probably because they were part of this extremely large leak/release. It's like when you enter a store to buy cookies and have to choose between dozens or even hundreds of options: whatever you pick, you'll always end up thinking that you might have missed out on something else that was better.

.

There's also the fragmentation. You need to invest a lot of time to check which leaked version is the best one, to compile a playlist, etc. This involves looking through decades of bootlegs, an uphill battle if you haven't properly curated such a collection. Ideally fans could collaborate on this, but due to the legal hassle this is impossible.

.

What is missing is a properly curated set of releases that would present such songs in their proper context etc.

JorisE73 said:

With this new release I enjoy it (but I really want my CD/LP instead of digital becuase I think holding and reading the cover or liner notes is part of my enjoyment of it.)

.

I hate to say this, but there are lots of signs indicating that the regular releases won't have much in the way of a booklet, and that only the deluxe edition contains lots of essays and liner notes etc. And that set isn't getting released until late July. And I wouldn't be surprised if much of the contents of that set's liner notes have already been revealed via the interviews with Peggy McCreary and Susannah et al.