Trying to avoid listening to 1999 until I can gorge on the release of the super deluxe, so that's led me to his live stuff and especially these two concerts. Which do y'all like more? 1983 is more obviously iconic and important but the other perfomance has this dirty, gritty, funky essence. So idk.

March 1982 is better than either of them.

Genesia said:

March 1982 is better than either of them.

whoa! i've never heard of anyone riding for that show. i like it but i haven't to returned to it often, gonna have to go back

For me they are just two very different shows.
1983 is raw, literally sweaty, electric

the 1987 show was exciting, raw and fun

Y'all are missing the fun of the pre-Parade show in March 1986.

But in reality, all the shows have their own charm. Seeing him perform PR songs in 1983 and everyone's like "WTF is this?" is fun.

4TOUOV is interesting because of the new band, some new arrangements, a different energy. The days of purple Prince were sort of put behind him for a while. The first phase of Prince ended during Parade. Hair & styles were different (although still nods to the past w/ the cloud guitar, buttons on the pants, half shirts), and the Revolution was disbanded. Valium was a reinvention. Phase II started.

It's apples and oranges.

Tough call between the 82 and 87 shows... 83 just doesn't compare. Even though I stepped in as a fan during the Purple Rain days, it just isn't anywhere near his most interesting era, afaic.

mediumdry said:

Tough call between the 82 and 87 shows... 83 just doesn't compare. Even though I stepped in as a fan during the Purple Rain days, it just isn't anywhere near his most interesting era, afaic.

The show where Purple Rain, Let's Go Crazy, Computer Blue, Electric Intercourse etc were premiered?
That show was off the charts. 'Innovative'

That seems to be pushing it extra 'it just isn't anywhere near his most interesting era'? come on

you, and many others, may feel the Purple Rain era is the most innovative and magical, to me, it's a very well executed exercise in trying to be the biggest star ever. (not that the two necessarily exclude eachother). It's the only album where he spent a long time "perfecting" tracks, quite different from his usual "first take trumps all" approach. On some songs it works, on others it doesn't. Also, the songs are rockier than is my preference. Especially the song Purple Rain is one that I simply dislike. A lot.

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To me, the albums where he didn't seem to be chasing more fame, but tried to do just artistic statements are more interesting.

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So Rainbow Children instead of Diamonds & Pearls, The Black Album instead of Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic and the 82 and 87 First Avenue shows instead of the 83 one.

mediumdry said:

you, and many others, may feel the Purple Rain era is the most innovative and magical, to me, it's a very well executed exercise in trying to be the biggest star ever. (not that the two necessarily exclude eachother). It's the only album where he spent a long time "perfecting" tracks, quite different from his usual "first take trumps all" approach. On some songs it works, on others it doesn't. Also, the songs are rockier than is my preference. Especially the song Purple Rain is one that I simply dislike. A lot.

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To me, the albums where he didn't seem to be chasing more fame, but tried to do just artistic statements are more interesting.

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So Rainbow Children instead of Diamonds & Pearls, The Black Album instead of Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic and the 82 and 87 First Avenue shows instead of the 83 one.

I didn't say it was 'the most innovative' but it sure was innovative.
You post was just disrespectful to the work Prince and the camp put into that 1983-1984 period lol

Just because you dislike (for reasons not mentioned) Purple Rain doesn't mean it wasn't a great song.

He spent a lot of time on the music because it was connected to a movie Purple Rain. He was working on pieces for a 'soundtrack' which included protege, so no he wasn't going to do a 'first take trumps all' approach, even though he never really did that with other album either

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Plus the OP was just asking about the two shows, not every album and off night show in his career

and I'm with U on the Rainbow Children and the Black Album

the 1982 show was not a 'premiere' night like the 1983 and 1987 shows

Genesia said:

March 1982 is better than either of them.

could you tell me the best version circulating of this show? not sure i've heard it either!