Hey everyone.

So, I was curious and decided to ask these questions;

First, who is buying the Musicology retail version?

Do you already have a copy per download/attending the show?

Yea, I have the download and I will buy the retail version too.

Of course. The sound quality will be superior, and besides I need the proper artwork no matter how photoshopped it is.

When I got TRC, the CD, it was quite obvious the mp3s were way low on sound quality.
[This message was edited Mon Apr 12 20:53:42 2004 by Aerogram]

I got the Musicology CD at the concert. Can anybody tell me what the difference is in the retail version? I might want to buy it if there is more to it.
More songs? Diffferent versions? Anything like that?

Regardless of any musical differences I will buy the CD simply for the real version (as opposed to promo), with art and stuff.

So, you think there will be differences between the CDs handed out and the ones that will hit the shelves?

I don't.

I'll be buying it from the store, yep.

althom said:

Co -

The only difference is the booklet and the "Musicology" video as far as I know...but it seems to me "Dear Mr. Man" fades out a lil bit early. Am I the only one who feels this way?


I am asking who is buying it because a few people in the industry are wondering about this CD.

Retail is watching this CD to see if the concert giveaway is going to increase or decrease sales.

Others are saying it would be a suprise if it cracks top 20.

You have Mario Winans new cd dropping next week as well.

I am a fan and perhaps my vision it totally biased but I would be more suprised if this CD doesn't chart top 20.

Guess my promotional instincts are taking over on what to do to help sales.

i'm still buying the retail version even tho i bought it from npgmc..there's nothing like having the actual cd ...also i am pretty sure a top 20 debut is a cinche from what ive been hearing

Mazerati said:

I agree . . . nothing like having the actual CD . . . I just wish that Prince's latest CD's (TRC & NEWS) were in proper jewel cases. Usually I put them in jewel cases and put the cardboard away for safekeeping.

But Musicology will soon have a home right after NEWS on my shelf, and the concert-promo-disc will be stored away (the 2nd copy being unopened).



(also hoping for extended versions or alternate tracks on final release of Musicology)

Aerogram said:

TRC sounded pretty good to me as MP3, obviously not CD-quality but if that's all that was offered, I'd be happy.

What I loved on the CD-release was that it was tracked . . .

I got a copy at Reno, but I'll be buying the retail version for the artwork and also out of curiosity, to see if there's any difference between the two versions.

don't have a choice i got to wait until 27th to buy one.

NEFRETIRI said:

Co-sign I have the download too. I want the retail version too.

Looks like the better question would have been:
Who's NOT buying the retail version?
Count me in for the purchase, probably more than one
time too.

I'll be buying the retail CD.. I'm holding off from downloading it, because I want that 'new CD' experience, which I haven't had for a few years.

This is what I wanted ot hear.

I do wonder if the casual fans have an interest in buying it.

I'm not sure what everyone else has been offered.. if u are part of that NPGmusicClub which offered downloads (guessing here) or bought a concert ticket and got a promo... but I am waiting until retail releases it (as always).

CinisterCee said:

Same here. I still din't have it. waiting to go to the store and buy it. Old school's in!!!!

Yes I will be buying the retail one, I have the download version. I just want the whol package booklet and all.
I just got back from my Musicology-store-watch. It was reported by Sony Music Holland that the single would be in stores today, so far no luck. But I found out that the whole album could be available on Friday.

Can't wait.

I am going to try and get it on vinyl if it becomes available.

I bought the download but I want artwork! I'm also hoping there is no space between songs like Musicology and ICPC.

Well, I guess I'll probably buy it...although I would love to think that I can resist. I have the promo, and in my opinion it is NEVER worth buying a Prince CD for the (ahem) "artwork" or "liner notes" - since the artwork is usually cringe-worthy and the liner notes are rarely useful or inclusive.

I can't imagine that the promo giveaway wouldn't drastically hurt sales.....I'm not surprised to see so many people on here who have the promo or the download and are still going to buy the CD...but what about the other 100,000 or so people who already got the promo at the concert?

If the only "extra" is the Musicology video, I can't imagine that any one of them would buy it....plus, I know that many of us have received multiple copies of the promo (or will receive multiple copies). I can't speak for anyone else, but I've been passing them on to family members - all of whom love the album, but again I don't see any of them needing to get another copy of the same exact CD just to get a kinda creepy picture of Prince on the front.

I'm still kinda shocked that the retail release is the same. Ah, who'm I kidding, I'll buy it...but hell, I bought GCS2000.

i'd like to say i'll pass, but i won both TC Ellis's and Larry Graham's albums.


so i'll probably be buying it.

theblueangel said:

depends on what you mean by sales. if you're talking about Soundscan numbers, yes, it'll hurt that. but since the price of the CD is included in the concert ticket, it's already been sold. he's made his money off of it.

I won't, unless there are new songs/longer versions. I already paid my promotional fee at the concert.

i'm buying it only because I would have paid the same price to see him without the promotional cd. I'll give him some mo of my money.

I love that little negro.

We talked about this already while waiting in line at the LA gig J7, and I must say that I'm curious if this cd will sell well. I mean, Prince is giving away about 10.000 free copies each city the tour hits. And one would think the people going there r also the people who buy his cd's...so will they buy the retail version? I wonder how his deal with Sony came 2gether while knowing his new cd would b available 4 free at the tour that lasts from March-August all over the country...that's a lot of cities and a whole lotta free cd's!

Anywayz, I got 5 copies of the promotional issue from the concerts I saw...and will most definitely buy the retail version as soon as it hits the stores. In fact I ordered the import "digipack" version as soon as it was listed at my wreckastow, and also the Japanese pressing...which will b released the 19th of May. If Musicology gets a vinyl release then I'll buy that 2, just like every cd-single or possible 12inch release. My orders have been made, got the $ ready...and I'm looking forward 2 see what the booklet and dvd part is like. Somewhere I read it'll have 28 pages, hopefully there's lotsa pics...here's a sample:

yes i will b at my wrecka stow also on the 20th. I didn't bother downloading because its 2 much hassle. I will also be going to his concert so I'll have the free 1 too, but 4 some reason I get the feeling that there is a surprise waiting on the 1 in the wrecka stows that isn't on the 1 u get 4 free.

Hope my instincts r right!!!!