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Surprised this hasn't been mentioned yet.

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Text provided with the download says:

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Work Tape: October 17 1983A 4DaFunk release - 4DF097
The songs on this release are sourced directly from a ‘work-in-progress’ cassette tape that Prince compiled on October 17th, 1983 in order to help him evaluate various song sequences and transitions (most likely while listening to it in his car). In certain cases, there are subtle changes and edits that differentiate them from the officially released songs*, but for the most part, they are very similar to the released versions, so if you’re not a truly obsessive fan you can probably skip this release.
However, if you’re the kind of fan who revels in having every iteration of every song and seeks out historic purple curios, then this release is for you. It’s a snapshot of a moment in time where Prince was in the midst of creating his seminal album.
The track sequence has been left as per the original tape. The only changes have been to clean and restore the audio as best as possible, though please bear in mind the limitations caused by a decades-old cassette tape.
*Some of the differences include:
• Computer Blue - intro and outro of ‘Hallway Speech’ version, but shorter edit.
• Baby I’m A Star - longer intro.
• Darling Nikki - shorter edit, no segue with Computer Blue.
• Purple Rain - includes extra verse, shortened guitar solo.

Interestingly, it opens with Irresistible Bitch, which was totally unexpected.

You can also hear the beginning of LRC (from the same show) at the end of BIAS: this was obviously made hastily by Prince, just to get a feeling of what it could sound like in sequence.

Uh, any chance of a tracklist?

jaawwnn said:

Uh, any chance of a tracklist?

IB

CB

IWD4U

BIAS

DN

TBO

PR

I have my doubts that this was ever considered to be an actual sequence - more likely it was just stuff he had worked on recently. This version of Irresistible Bitch was just a few weeks old when the tape was made (and was released less than a month later), so I'll bet he was just grooving on it.

Still - very cool to have, and amazing artwork as usual!

[Edited 10/27/20 6:04am]

TwiliteKid said:

I have my doubts that this was ever considered to be an actual sequence - more likely it was just stuff he had worked on recently. This version of Irresistible Bitch was just a few weeks old when the tape was made (and was released less than a month later), so I'll bet he was just grooving on it.

Still - very cool to have, and amazing artwork as usual!

[Edited 10/27/20 6:04am]

It's possible yeah. What I find incredible is that there's no mention of it in Duane's book. Meaning we need an updated, third edition.

Pretty good. Listening now.

Crap. Not in the 'usual' places.

Mindbells9 said:

The tape this was sourced from comes from the collection of a former band member.It was labeled "PRINCE 10-17-83 Movie Songs".

Good intel!

Interesting, perhaps such a sequence on a cassette did exist, but here it is compiled from different bootlegged sources (and IB ripped directly from The Hits), with each song individually tinkered with by traders in terms of noise reduction/editing/playback speed/etc. Almost certainly a fake, but a convenient jumble of cleaner versions of this material than most collectors have ready access to. I'd wager that the CB, IWD4U, DN, TBO, and PR edits are the handiwork of the traders/leakers, who have the 'full-length' copies.

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[Edited 10/27/20 9:13am]

imprimis said:

Interesting, perhaps such a sequence on a cassette did exist, but here it is compiled from different bootlegged sources (and IB ripped directly from The Hits), with each song individually tinkered with by traders in terms of noise reduction/editing/playback speed/etc. Almost certainly a fake, but a convenient jumble of cleaner versions of this material than most collectors have ready access to. I'd wager that the CB, IWD4U, DN, TBO, and PR edits are the handiwork of the traders/leakers, who have the 'full-length' copies.

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[Edited 10/27/20 9:13am]

Wrong. Mindbells9 was right. But hey, you're going to believe what you want to believe.

Reverend said:

imprimis said:

Interesting, perhaps such a sequence on a cassette did exist, but here it is compiled from different bootlegged sources (and IB ripped directly from The Hits), with each song individually tinkered with by traders in terms of noise reduction/editing/playback speed/etc. Almost certainly a fake, but a convenient jumble of cleaner versions of this material than most collectors have ready access to. I'd wager that the CB, IWD4U, DN, TBO, and PR edits are the handiwork of the traders/leakers, who have the 'full-length' copies.

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[Edited 10/27/20 9:13am]

Wrong. Mindbells9 was right. But hey, you're going to believe what you want to believe.

I concur. From what I know of the origin and history of the tape, it's totally authentic.

databank said:

imprimis said:

Love it!

Whether or not this represents the authentic tracklisting/sequence written on the label of an October 1983 tape, 'Irresistible Bitch' here is not sourced from any WIP cassette.

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And the remaining tracks, even if ultimately drawn from a single source, have been edited down capriciously by the leakers.

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On the positive side, it still contains some rare alternate mix material, and in better quality than widely circulating previously, particularly 'Baby, I'm a Star'.

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The same source of 'Purple Rain' has already previously leaked, in slightly lower quality but with less editing ("Purple Rain #3" on some boots). In fact, this is probably about the third or fourth time this (or something derived from this) version has "leaked" in the past 6 years.

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I don't doubt the authenticity of such a vintage cassette from Mr Safford or another insider; I question the completeness and sourcing of this leak. It's only part of the real article.

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I suppose, however, it is your prerogative to withhold the goods, if you so desire. But there's a certain danger in suggesting these should all be taken unchallenged as official, previously unknown edits.

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[Edited 10/27/20 13:04pm]

JBC62 said:

imprimis said:

Interesting, perhaps such a sequence on a cassette did exist, but here it is compiled from different bootlegged sources (and IB ripped directly from The Hits), with each song individually tinkered with by traders in terms of noise reduction/editing/playback speed/etc. Almost certainly a fake, but a convenient jumble of cleaner versions of this material than most collectors have ready access to. I'd wager that the CB, IWD4U, DN, TBO, and PR edits are the handiwork of the traders/leakers, who have the 'full-length' copies.

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[Edited 10/27/20 9:13am]

And you're entitled to make such an assertion because... ???

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Because this has routinely occurred with the most desirable rareties among bootleggers for the past 30-35 years without fail?

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[Edited 10/27/20 12:05pm]

databank said:

Reverend said:

Wrong. Mindbells9 was right. But hey, you're going to believe what you want to believe.

I concur. From what I know of the origin and history of the tape, it's totally authentic.

I'm moderately surprised, given your suspicion of the various-configuration DF sources, which are more competently glued together than this one.

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[Edited 10/27/20 12:15pm]

LoveGalore said:

LoveGalore said:

Very clearly not actually a PR sequence.

Well yeah, it's noted as "work tape." I tend to agree with the idea that Prince was just grooving on stuff, thinking out what could work and what wouldn't. Like the segue from "Computer Blue" into "Darling Nikki" isn't there, but knowing how it'd play in the movie, it was changed. I think "Baby, I'm A Star" was cut down for time and that the "party in here tonight" line wasn't really necessary as a song for the movie.

October 1983 is pretty early in the process, especially when talking about Prince and how quickly he works and got some things out. Interesting that "Let's Go Crazy" isn't on there but was recorded at First Ave and considered for the album. Same with "Computer Blue" but he re-recorded that one.

Overall, it's sorta boring in some ways, but definitely an interesting piece of Princestory.

PS I do believe the first track is there as a placeholder.

imprimis said:

JBC62 said:

RODSERLING said:

BS

What, specifically?

let it be known i am in possession of an early purple rain config that opens with "jam of the year"