I personaly think this LP wouldn't worth anything without the extended joints IMO. Damn, how could somebody go wrong with the hypnotic rawer 12-inch version of Computer Blue or the extended Beautiful Ones(which is way waaay waaay betta than the released one) or even the 30's minutes long version of "I Would Die 4 U"(Which I love unlike the released version) or even Draling Nikki(which is darker & edgier than the released). Damn man, come 2 think of it. The extended joints are ALL betta than the released but def RAWER 4 a commercial release!

But I'm starting 2 think that WB didn't wanna overwhelm the public by the extendeds. Hell, listening 2 the 12-inch of "Computer Blue" I can understand clearly why they think this joint(or any other extended joint 4 that matter) would fit in such a commercial release. LOL I don't even think the people on the streets were ready 2 hear the REAL raw version of The Purple Rain LP. I don't think they would get it,,,imagine the look on their faces while listening 2 the extended version of "Darling Nikki" or "Computer Blue"!

But damn that would make one of the finest works eva if it was indeed released.

I don't know about hte public, but personally I can understand the shortened version of Computer Blue. For me, the edited version better highlights some truly classic guitar work that gets a little drowned out in the extended version. Still, you're probably right that the extended songs would've been less commercial.

see next year what happens.If he just allows a remaster i'm gonna be so

i reckon this might happen minus the 30 minute IWD4U, that'd just be plain silly.

Universaluv said:

You didn't get into the guitar work in the extended version of Computer Blue? You're the 1st one who said that to me

I personaly think that Jimi would be mighty proud if he heard the extended version

Marrk said:

It least the 12-inch version would be enough!

I neva cared 4 the release version 2 be honest, the non-released version on the other hand is def a special treat

Where do u get the extended versions from?? Ive been looking for ages with no luck!

Harlepolis said:

Don't misunderstand me, I enjoy the guitar work in the extended version, I just think that the exquisite (imo) solo that's highlighted in the short version gets buried a little in the longer version.

I think the album stands the test of time perfectly as-is. Keep in mind, not everyone who admires that album is a hardcore Prince fanatic like most of us, and a little dab of his genius will do 'em. Still, I can't deny the brilliance of the extended versions, both commercially released and otherwise, and I do think that for me, they've augmented the album wonderfully as I've encountered them over the years.

I resent this. The album the way it was released kicked ass and rocked worlds, in 1984. the extended jam of let's go crazy changed the world back then. perhaps you weren't alive then? so how could u know which was better?

Well, look at it this way: WB most likely didn't want him to release consecutive double albums (right after 1999). That type of thing isn't common. According to Prince they made him slightly change a lyric in "Let's Go Crazy", so who's to say they didn't spread their authority (as much as they could with someone who had creative control) elsewhere? They were already risking a movie on all unknown/unproven ummm, actors except for Clarence Williams III.

Not that a double album would not have been successful, but along with everybody else's attention he got, that was the mtv generation he broke thru to also. Attention spans of that demographic were probably taken into account when marketing to the pop audience. Then again, I don't know that the longer versions (sans any 30 minute song) would not have gone over well in the movie either. At that point with his hardcore fans they still would have bought the album - the radio would have played edited versions of singles anyway. But it was a POP venture, and the last time the mainstream really bought a lot of long versions of singles was during the Disco era when singles were longer than the typical duration of a pop single.

£
[This message was edited Wed Sep 10 18:02:17 PDT 2003 by Supernova]

I disagree,
Purple Rain is perfect the way it is.

I love the long versions of the Purple Rain tracks. The extended
version of Computer Blue is one of my favorite Prince tracks
ever! But as an album, Purple Rain is one of the most perfectly
constructed ones he's ever made. It's a great shame that
the extended version of Computer Blue never surfaced on a
12" b-side or something, but I don't think it would have worked
in the context of the album.

Also, WB had nothing to do with the non-inclusion of any of the
extended versions, this was totally Prince's decision. He never
intended Purple Rain to be a double album, and never seriously
considered including any of the extended cuts.
[This message was edited Wed Sep 10 0:25:27 PDT 2003 by BorisFishpaw]

Of course the full length Computer Blue is a gem, but as a movie soundtrack he did the right thing by cutting it right down.

Purple Rain's genius is it's commercial viability as a soundtrack and a vehicle for increasing Prince's profile in pop music and culture at the time.

1999 wouldn't have worked since it's a) too long, a double LP (price is a factor to the wider non-record buying public), and b) the length of the tracks themselves.

You never hear a casual listener/ non-fan mention Lady Cab Driver or Automatic as their favourite Prince tracks, but you will here them mention Take Me With You.

The 3 minute pop song is an art.



- typo edit -
[This message was edited Wed Sep 10 0:34:24 PDT 2003 by Romance1600]

LadyCabDriver said:

Keep in mind that my post was based on my opinion only, not a fact nor a common sense. Just an opinion, I don't think I was wrong 4 stating that

It would be great to have a remastered version of Purple Rain
with an extra disc of all the extended versions tho!

BorisFishpaw said:

The album is perfect.Extended versions are for fun and for fans like us.Those would have made the album sloppy,in my opinion.I love every alt. version I've heard ,but P knows how to edit well.

It's fun for me ,but the album would've suffered from a longer version of "take me with u" and the "beautiful ones",etc.Although,for some reason,that extra verse gives me the chills.It's pretty powerful.

These are the xtended versions and alt mixes I've heard:take me with u,darling nikki,beautiful ones,computer blue,i would die 4 u, baby i'm a star,let's go crazy,then there's 17 days,erotic city,god and god,...then the avenue version of purple rain.I think that covers it.