Here's the story about the press conference from VirginMegaMagazine.com:
http://www.virginmegamaga...sp?aid=B9D

Prince's Surprising Announcements

Although he has sold more than 100 million records, Prince has not toured from coast to coast in six years. The monumentally talented performer came out of seclusion at this year's Grammys to perform the opening slot with diva Beyonce. Today (2/24), Prince came out again in a very big way to play in Los Angeles at a private 11am show at the El Rey Theater, where he officially announced some radical plans for the distribution of his latest album, Musicology, and to talk about his upcoming tour plans.

In between performing older songs (a rarity for Prince!) with his New Power Generation band for an hour, he explained that this tour will go "around the world--maybe twice." He promised that it will feature his older music being played to the best of his ability, but that it will be the last time he will perform the music "for a very long time." Explaining, "We need to make room for new music."

"We'd like to ask for your help in promoting the Musicology experience -- Musicology is very important to us to help people understand that 'music' comes before the 'ology.'" He went on to explain that "God comes first in all things," then music, then the business of music. Adding, "We try and let the music dictate what we do in business," which is what shaped the unusual plans laid out for this album. Dressed in a neutral colored Italian-styled suit, and starched black shirt with a high collar, the illusive star sat in front of the mostly industry audience to lay out his plans. He appeared at ease, as though he was being prompted by a higher purpose, as he explained how he would get his music into the hands of those who loved it in this "shaken industry."

Prince revealed a highly unusual plan for the market share of sales concerning this record by "sharing" the record with all of the existing distribution companies, instead of picking just one, which is customary. The record will come out through all of them on the same day. That way, Prince and his people can judge who can do the best job. "It depends on who is the most excited about the music," he added later when challenged in a question and answer portion of the event. He also expressed distaste for music businesses that claim they can't predict, firmly stating, "Well, I can! I know what my music will be like." He then referred to the fact that he and his band could spend months and months on an album but it only took a label a week and a half to "f**k it up."

In another shocking announcement Prince promised that everyone who bought a concert ticket to one of his shows on this tour will get a copy of the new album, "because those people have been with me for a long time -- it's a thank you for them." He then went on to say that the goal of this tour is ultimately "to bring live music back" to generations who don't have a fundamental understanding of it. In that vein, he expressed gratitude at having the opportunity to play at this year's Grammy ceremony, "It was a chance to show a new generation what we do."

When asked about working with Beyonce, he said with ease that she was a real talent. "She really cares about music and really knows it -- she relates to the music the way we do -- really naturally." He added that when the music comes on she just starts moving and that her rhythm and pitch are "impeccable."

Prince finished off the day's performance with a jam session of songs onstage, inviting everyone up to dance, a la Prince fashion. An inspiring time was had by all.

- Kim Taylor
February 24, 2004

rachael said:

did he really curse? they have it in quotes.
Thank you rachael for posting the article for us!

LOL! He did not curse. Those mofo's were taking liberty right there

And it's funny how they said that it was mostly an "industry" audience. Please! No doubt the club members outnumbered the industry folks. We took up the whole floor!

This is a very accurate account except for the cursing

It was absolutely amazing. He explained that they were going to play the hits in a new way. they did play Kiss, Let's Work, Sign O'The Times, The ? of U (instrumental) which merged flawlessly into The One (he sang this) which merged flawlessly back into The ? of U. He has the best band right now. They are flawless and ruthless to boot.

All the songs were fleshed out, and the songs did sound fresh and amazing. When Sign O' the Times started I just said "Oh my God!". I missed the heyday years and this was one song I never thought I'd ever hear live and he literally became possessed when he played and sang that song! Initially I thought maybe he would be played out on such an old song and he sang and played it like he just wrote it. I was stunned and it made me cry because as hard as that song was kicking my ass, I realized it was that gift of music that has made such a difference in all our lives. It goes beyond simply being about music. It's about the god given gift and what it does for him and what it does for us. I'm so happy to have had this gift in my life....

the repo'ter gets a whoopin....

rachael said:

rachel rachel rachel--whats up with that?--Prince did not say "f*** it up!---you are trippin girlfriend----while your review is appreciated but get it right---how would you like to be mis-quoted?? in this case the only who F***** it up is you? Excuse my french, but your remark is offensive and just downright untrue! iF YOU CANT BE TRUE TO YOURSELF THEN WHO?

npgdiva4u said:

Um, who exactly are u attacking?

I think Rachel posted a magazines account.

Thank you everyone for your sharing your experience. That would have been amazing to be there. Was a drum machine used for Sign of the TImes? Have they hinted at what the ticket prices will be for the tour?

I can't wait for the Tonight Show.

npgdiva4u said:

tell all that to the journalist who wrote that article, as opposed to the person who merely posted the article here for us to read.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Thanks Supa, for a real and accurate review! You rock!

JediMaster said:

That is just cool of cool.

Can anyone describe the Musicology single?
I've read he performed it but nothing more. Is it upbeat (please please no more slow lead off singles)? Is it a good kick-off single?

rachael said:

Well, that sounds radical... and - I wonder - a little bit impractical? Can I apply in distributing the record as well? Hey, I would shop the shops and radio stations here....

How is this gonna work? Different covers? Different areas?

Well, but at least a surprising move... Maybe the industry will try to outdo themselves, as now there is competition as to who can promote best... Maybe we get a chart such as "Time Warners 25.000 copies sold this week, Sony 12.000 copies, EMI 140.000, BMG 123.000" etc...

Smart...

Krid said:

No, this won't work and I fail to see how it is smart. Maybe he can arrange something with two labels (which is not entirely uncommon), but not more.

In another shocking announcement Prince promised that everyone who bought a concert ticket to one of his shows on this tour will get a copy of the new album, "because those people have been with me for a long time -- it's a thank you for them."

That's so sweet of him.

mochalox said:

The whole thing sounds very complicated. Is it just me or does this sound like a really crazy idea and has anyone even bite yet? I really hope that I can go to a concert and get the album for free. As he anounced anymore dates other than the five or six that have been posted?

Jazz said:

I've heard people describe it as a mix between the Work and Return of the Bumpsquad. I don't hear Return of the Bumpsquad at all. However it does sound like a much better and superior versio of The Work (What the work should have been). It's not groundbreaking but I like it

I wonder if he can still fill those arena shows. And I wonder WTF he was thinking with this multiple record company arrangement.

Since I love his music and wish it was reaching a wider audience, one area where I'm really critical of him is in his bad business decisions that keep it from happening. Prince's problem is that he's never in his career had anyone to tell him, "No, that's a stupid idea." When he was a new talent his record company and management saw a quirky genius and gave him free reign, banking on the millions he'd make them. At his peak, he surrounded himself with yes men who'd agree with any hare-brained scheme he hatched. And now that he has earned his wealth, he is above petty financial concerns and doesn't worry himself with trifles such as whether a project will be a spectacular failure.

Out of curiousity, is there somewhere I can hear the single? Or was everybody that responded (Thank you by the way) at the Press Conference?

I've said this before, this is like Chinese whispers - you might as well not bother with a press conference because we don't get to hear accurately what was said anyway!

Look, all these reports say this is the first time he has toured America in 6 years - we all know that the ONA tour toured America only 2 years ago! And people who say, that wasn't a proper tour, well it sure seemed like one to me - they had TOUR books, TOUR t-shirts, a video and cds of the TOUR came out for goodness sake!

Also they say Prince is coming out of seclusion - hello, he tours every 2 or so years, he hasn't been hiding away at all!

I'm probably just as confused as most people here - did he say a) that he was going to release the new album on all the labels, or b) he was in talks with all the labels and would decide which one was most enthusiastic about it...?

Releasing it on multiple labels just won't work. If you go into a record shop, what you gonna buy? The Warner Bros version, or the Universal version, or the Sony version, all sitting there on the same shelf?! See, it just can't work, and if it did somehow, you'd get collectors trying desperately to get a copy of each label's version despite them all sounding identical!

It's all sounds very weird, but in the end the truth is this: Prince is doing a major tour of his hits, and a new album is coming out... sometime somehow.

That's all I really need to know!

Actually, I think the idea is NOT to have "different" versions from the different labels, but to have one CD with a copyright that shows the names of all labels (that would join in on the plan).

calldapplwondery83 said:

Well that might work... Except, think about it. In that case, you might get one label not bothering to work so hard to promote it, thinking, "Hey, let Sony spend thousands promoting it, we'll pretend to promote it but in fact only spend hundreds, we'll still get an equal share of the pie but won't have to work as hard to get it" One label could basically end up doing all the work for the other labels! And then think if they all assume the other is gonna do the work, it might not get promoted at all!

What I'm trying to say, is how do you make sure all the labels promote it equally if all their names are on it and they are all promised an equal share of however many are sold in total?

I love cursing.

metalorange said:[quote]I've said this before, this is like Chinese whispers - you might as well not bother with a press conference because we don't get to hear accurately what was said anyway!

Look, all these reports say this is the first time he has toured America in 6 years - we all know that the ONA tour toured America only 2 years ago! And people who say, that wasn't a proper tour, well it sure seemed like one to me - they had TOUR books, TOUR t-shirts, a video and cds of the TOUR came out for goodness sake!

Also they say Prince is coming out of seclusion - hello, he tours every 2 or so years, he hasn't been hiding away at all!

I'm probably just as confused as most people here - did he say a) that he was going to release the new album on all the labels, or b) he was in talks with all the labels and would decide which one was most enthusiastic about it...?

Releasing it on multiple labels just won't work. If you go into a record shop, what you gonna buy? The Warner Bros version, or the Universal version, or the Sony version, all sitting there on the same shelf?! See, it just can't work, and if it did somehow, you'd get collectors trying desperately to get a copy of each label's version despite them all sounding identical!

It's all sounds very weird, but in the end the truth is this: Prince is doing a major tour of his hits, and a new album is coming out... sometime somehow.

That's all I really need to know! well, i only want to buy my music from the NPG.anyway, glad i dont have that worry.....may peace b with u.....

gyro34 said:

but this won't work and happen either. (but you and/or others will go to the concert in hopes of getting the new cd for free) Sweet promotion would be the better term me thinks.

I cant wait for him to play the uk and 2 be honest it doesnt bother me if i get the CD for free just as long as i get the CD Fullstop.And i have'nt seen him live since he last played scotland in 1994 so i am excited beyond belief as the real king of music will be on tour.If u ask me he is better than elvis and all the other fake idols.James Brown,sly,lenny Kravitz and prince i respect for there musical ability but all the pop trash out there i detest beyond belief.after prince appeared on Jay Leno all i can say is "down with computer music.The funkiest man is back in town with real musicians and real songs.praise the lord".also does anyone have a release dte for the cd in the shops???.

Why'd they censor him saying "fork"?