Apparently all previous leaks were mono ones, but now there is a leak circulating of a stereo recording of the 3 August 1983 benefit concert for the Minnesota Dance Theatre at First Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

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It sounds okayish, but it is obviously sourced from a cassette tape that has its deficiencies.

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For the n00bs (and also everybody else): please read the text at the top of https://prince.org/msg/7 and stick to the rules. Don't bother asking me for links.

I heard a leak from a few weeks ago that sounds mono to me? A definite improvement over anything else I heard, but I wasn't getting that stereo feel. Apparently an upcoming 4DF release is being touted as having a stereo source.

I could be dumb and have bad ears, it's possible the earlier leak is the same source as the new 4DF one... haven't heard the latter so I can't compare.

Baby steps. We all know there were recording trucks outside the venue, and a video team inside. Unless the truck stopped recording the rest of the show, we pretty much know we can expect better than a stereo dub off a cassette.

Wolfie87 said:

So what's the big deal with this concert?

Isn't there a rumor that this is getting an official CD/DVD release at the beginning of the year from Warner along with the Apple TV documentary that's been waiting in the can?

It doesn't sound a good as the best previous mono mix. It lacks a lot of the punch.

Sourced from the videographers' equipment, not soundboard.

Wolfie87 said:

So what's the big deal with this concert?

for one it was Wendy's first show... And he did a few songs no one had ever heard... some really meh ones like: "Let's Go Crazy" "Computer Blue" "Baby I'm a Star" "I Would Die 4 U" and some obscure song called "Purple Rain" *the last three would be used as the basis for the actual album releases. It had the full version of "Purple Rain" with an extra verse in it...

Also "Electric Intercourse" A cover of "A Case of You" "DMSR" "Automatic" "When You Where Mine"


There are few shows from this time that rival this: June 7 1984... and Sept 23 at Bogart's

Wolfie87 said:

So what's the big deal with this concert?

To add to what's been said, this was the live show they used for the audio to recreate most of the performances in Purple Rain and an intresting show anyway. It's a benefit for a local dance company at Uptown and you can see he's ready to claim superstardom.

[Snip - luv4u]

Wolfie87 said:

So what's the big deal with this concert?

It's historic. As noted, it's the base tracks for the last 3 songs on Purple Rain. It's interesting to compare the live takes versus the overdubs on the album. "Electric Intercourse" and "A Case of U" were also historic in that neither were released offically for another 25 years or so (the latter), with "Electric Intercourse" finally seeing the light of day since his death. "Electric Intercourse" was on PR until "The Beautiful Ones" was written, and it got removed from the soundtrack.

It's interesting when watching the video to see the people sorta look like "What is this?" when he performs the new songs (which included the last 3 tracks, plus "Let's Go Crazy" and "Computer Blue"). They don't know the songs so the reaction is less than when he does known stuff like "When U Were Mine" or "DMSR."

Besides Houston 1981, it was one of the earliest shows to leak out years ago. Eventually other earlier stuff started leaking, too. It definitely ties for first place with the Birthday 1984 show. New material in both, high energy, unreleased material ("Roadhouse Garden" and "Our Destiny" being standouts in the birthday show, plus "All Day, All Night"). The infamous warehouse video is the rehearsal for the birthday show, too.

But the 1983 show. He was just on the cusp of taking over the world. Did you know there were only six albums that made it to #1 in 1984? Only SIX! These days, an album is lucky if it gets a month or six weeks at #1. Purple Rain wasn't just a hit movie and soundtrack, it dominated the charts that whole year, and into 1984 with the singles. So the 1983 show is the precursor to all that. Just before the dawn...

So is it the video sound, or the actual soundboard (even if it's an inferior cassette - and what isn't in the mid 80s)?

I don't know about the source, although it does say 'raw soundboard'. What I can say is that it sounds way better than that old chewed up videotape source we had before and that always sounded 'off' to me. I can't wait for 4DF's magic touching up.

TrivialPursuit said:

TrivialPursuit said:

I just wanted to chime in and say that I am mega grateful for the new soundboards that we have had lately, and mega props to those who have generously shared

yeahronimo said:

I can't wait for 4DF's magic touching up.

You won't be waiting long, it's out now.

^Indeed it is, very nice

[Edited 9/7/20 7:10am]

WOW!!! [Snip - luv4u]

a couple new 84 soundchecks as well....

lustmealways said:

In 2020 there are places to get Prince audio files, just like there were twenty years ago. Do not ask me where (and follow the rules), but rest assured: they are available for everyone.

Furthermore: to anyone reading this, and being fooled into buying audio files from people making profit: think twice. There are plenty of fan releases which were made by fans, for fans, no money involved whatsoever. Strictly a labour of love.

PurpleMusic7689 said:

TrivialPursuit said:

So is it the video sound, or the actual soundboard (even if it's an inferior cassette - and what isn't in the mid 80s)?

It's a soundboard (still unsure if it's an actual soundboard recording or a mix off the multitrack tapes from a few weeks later at Sunset Sound...)

One thing 4 sure.....this is not from ur Vault

lustmealways said:

a couple new 84 soundchecks as well....

Couples of Demos with better sources or not circulating from this Era would B great too !!!

lustmealways said:

a couple new 84 soundchecks as well....

Could you provide more details? Dates?