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on June 23, 2017
This entire setup is amazing, especially for the price. My only issue is that they compressed it and more importantly, there's some glitches. *sigh*
Beginning of "Erotic City" extended version you can hear the tape warble. There's some other little things here and there. This was a big release. Shame on Warner Brothers and whoever is responsible at Paisley Park for quality control.
Still - anything from The Vault in this high of resolution is welcome even with the glitches. I'm still grateful and still think this is essential for all Prince fans.
See the attached photos. The first is the original CD "Baby I'm A Star". Second is the new version.
Beginning of "Erotic City" extended version you can hear the tape warble. There's some other little things here and there. This was a big release. Shame on Warner Brothers and whoever is responsible at Paisley Park for quality control.
Still - anything from The Vault in this high of resolution is welcome even with the glitches. I'm still grateful and still think this is essential for all Prince fans.
See the attached photos. The first is the original CD "Baby I'm A Star". Second is the new version.
on June 23, 2017
The long awaited remastered deluxe edition is here. First promised in 2014 comes with some truly jaw-dropping moments.
First, the Orginal Album has been cleaned up somewhat and it does sound better. But it seems it was a digital clean up and not the old fashion painstaking analog methods of old,
Also is the CD of edits and extended versions and B-sides. Most of these have been released on CD but a few gems are here for the first time. Including the longer version of "Another Lonely Christmas" and the instrumental "God" AKA "Love theme from Purple Rain). Now, this is fine, however, given there are longer and versions of all the songs on the album (some by a few seconds some double the length or more, I would have preferred some of those as opposed to redundant edits followed by their longer counterparts.
Also on the set is DVD of the March 1985 concert in Syracuse. Released in 1985 on VHS this DVD has much-improved sound but the original source is still video and it shows. But it is an experience.
But the real meat is the 2nd CD of Vault material. This disk of 11 tracks and 12 songs shows Prince at some of his raw and raunchy best. With songs like "Possessed" (which is performed live on the DVD) and "We Can F... " A personal standout for me is "Love and Sex" with Pince scream-singing the lyrics. And the rest take the listener into the vault and gives us a taste as to what some mean when they say some of his wildest stuff it unreleased.
First, the Orginal Album has been cleaned up somewhat and it does sound better. But it seems it was a digital clean up and not the old fashion painstaking analog methods of old,
Also is the CD of edits and extended versions and B-sides. Most of these have been released on CD but a few gems are here for the first time. Including the longer version of "Another Lonely Christmas" and the instrumental "God" AKA "Love theme from Purple Rain). Now, this is fine, however, given there are longer and versions of all the songs on the album (some by a few seconds some double the length or more, I would have preferred some of those as opposed to redundant edits followed by their longer counterparts.
Also on the set is DVD of the March 1985 concert in Syracuse. Released in 1985 on VHS this DVD has much-improved sound but the original source is still video and it shows. But it is an experience.
But the real meat is the 2nd CD of Vault material. This disk of 11 tracks and 12 songs shows Prince at some of his raw and raunchy best. With songs like "Possessed" (which is performed live on the DVD) and "We Can F... " A personal standout for me is "Love and Sex" with Pince scream-singing the lyrics. And the rest take the listener into the vault and gives us a taste as to what some mean when they say some of his wildest stuff it unreleased.
on June 23, 2017
Finally. This truly is a long-awaited project as it was announced some three years ago as "coming". We'll never know for sure what the original configuration might have been but what we have is worth every penny and beyond. There's going to be a lot of disagreement on the merits of remastering but the "2015 Paisley Park Remaster" of the main album sounds great to me. A little crisper to my ears but the original was already great so the real interesting aspect is of course...unreleased material!! Disc 2 is a bit puzzling to me at first because there are several well-known Purple Rain-era outtakes not included ("Wednesday", "All Day All Night") so right off the bat we know this is not an exhaustive set or complete set of outtakes. Nevertheless what is here is just glorious.."The Dance Electric" (later given to Andre Cymone), the "Hallway Speech" version of "Computer Blue", "Father's Song", "Electric Intercourse" and more. Bloody fantastic stuff that proves there's gold in dem vaults. One can only hope (Prince's estate and record company rights rife with uncertainty) there's an avalanche of expanded reissues to come. As for this moment I am thankful and excited about Purple Rain Deluxe.
on June 23, 2017
The greatest album of all time by the greatest musician of all time! This album is everything I could have ever asked for! Nothing sweeter than hearing a clean cut version of my all time favorite song "Wonderful A$$", and the remastered "The Beautiful Ones" - Both inspired by the legendary Prince girl Vanity. All songs were amazing and unique but Electric Intercourse is Prince at his most Prolific... Erotic City extended is an eye popping feast. Thank you Purple One. Rest in paradise.
on June 23, 2017
Simply awesome in every way. A big improvement over the original. More bass, more definition, and louder with--for this type of music--the perfect degree of compression. I simply cannot understand the audio quality whiners. I'm listening to the Vault disc on a pair of Sennheiser 800s through a Lynx reference D/A converter, and the sound is superb. Incidentally, these Vault songs are every bit as good as any of Prince's commercial releases. Worth the price just to hear the first 30 seconds of "Purple Rain." That first drum strike--wow! Buy it. What a genius.
on June 27, 2017
Taking a look at each disc: #1, the remastered version is very nice. I find it to be less muddy than the original. Enough to go out and buy the new version? Not unless you're a purist like me. #2, the vault stuff. Several of these tracks have been available on the bootleg circuit for some time but there were still some nice surprises. The extended version of "Computer Blue" is not the "what the f--- is wrong" version that has been circulating for several years, but it makes me appreciate the song all the more. The disc also gives us "Obsessed" which is featured in the background in the movie so that is a nice addition. I'm still wondering when/if "Modernaire" will ever be released. It's the only thing that's part of the soundtrack that is not available anywhere (besides the incidental music that is also not officially available). Disc #3, the 7's, 12's and b-sides. Awesome, of course, so now we have all of it on CD. His b-sides are the stuff that most artists aspire to release. Many seem better than a-side material. Disc #4, the video. It was awfully shot when it was first broadcast, the VHS was bad and the DVD isn't much better. Can't argue much because the source material was bad to begin with. It's obvious that the director had no clue how to shoot this show. Too many dark screens and blurry shots. It's a mess but at least it's a record of this important time in the history of Prince. But what a show! It's nice to have it on DVD. All in all, I love it (as a Prince fan) and the collection makes me want more from the vault and it makes me miss him all the more.
on June 27, 2017
Most "remasters" are pure rip offs. A crappy rerelease at an inflated price with a rare track or two tacked on.
I am pleased to say the deluxe Purple Rain is an exception. It kicks ass! 3 CDs PLUS a live DVD of Prince and the Revolution at the heighth of their powers in concert.
For the content and the price you cannot beat this package. Well done, Warner Bros.
Now, which classic Prince album is next for the deluxe release? My vote? Dirty Mind.
I am pleased to say the deluxe Purple Rain is an exception. It kicks ass! 3 CDs PLUS a live DVD of Prince and the Revolution at the heighth of their powers in concert.
For the content and the price you cannot beat this package. Well done, Warner Bros.
Now, which classic Prince album is next for the deluxe release? My vote? Dirty Mind.
on June 27, 2017
Man I love this cd, I love the unreleased tracks, especially Road House Garden, I keep on playing it over & over, plus the extended version of Computer Blue, This stuff is off the chain, I haven't listened to the third cd or watched the concert dvd yet, but I"ll get around to it. This is an must have, I have all formats of Purple Rain including the original vinly album, the purple wax vinly, regular cd, couple of 12 inch single on vinly and now this re_release to add to my collection.
on June 24, 2017
Twas summer of 1984...
I just graduated HS, prepping to attend university, hell-raising with my friends, and I saw Purple Rain at the cinema with my girlfriend. Ah, memories! I still have the first issue vinyl and purchased the CD, somewhere in the early-90's. The Prince 3-CD Hits, B-sdies came out soon after - I essentially forgot about the PR album. I've always loved this CD - it was (for the lack of a better statement), a Soundtrack (one of many) in my life. To be transparent to readers, I enjoyed about 50% of this Album. As I grew older (and hopefully wiser) I dusted off the PR soundtrack and listed to it in its' entirety - from start to finish - the way albums should be heard. My mature ears picked-up the true musician-ship and how his talent went much further than his pop-hits. Over the past few years I have amassed all his CDs, I may have missed 2-online releases, but nonetheless I have all or most his stuff. I hesitated on purchasing this CD, but did it anyway. Regrets? Non whatsoever! Did I compare/contrast of the first release CD to this deluxe edition? No! Why should I. I know full well that they have remastered CD1. Did I complain about tape noise on 'Erotic City'? No! I can barely hear it! Did I complain about the non-HD quality of the DVD? No. HD was non-existant in '84. They could have 'remastered' the vide, similar to Criterion Collection films. But, if they did, this deluxe edition would be double the cost. For $24 or so bucks (at the time of release) - I'm feel quiet satisfied. Yes, I do notice a huge difference in CD1. Loudness wars for the conspiracy folks? Who cares! My 51 year old ears enjoys this package. Opinions may vary... but these are mine! Cheer for now!
I just graduated HS, prepping to attend university, hell-raising with my friends, and I saw Purple Rain at the cinema with my girlfriend. Ah, memories! I still have the first issue vinyl and purchased the CD, somewhere in the early-90's. The Prince 3-CD Hits, B-sdies came out soon after - I essentially forgot about the PR album. I've always loved this CD - it was (for the lack of a better statement), a Soundtrack (one of many) in my life. To be transparent to readers, I enjoyed about 50% of this Album. As I grew older (and hopefully wiser) I dusted off the PR soundtrack and listed to it in its' entirety - from start to finish - the way albums should be heard. My mature ears picked-up the true musician-ship and how his talent went much further than his pop-hits. Over the past few years I have amassed all his CDs, I may have missed 2-online releases, but nonetheless I have all or most his stuff. I hesitated on purchasing this CD, but did it anyway. Regrets? Non whatsoever! Did I compare/contrast of the first release CD to this deluxe edition? No! Why should I. I know full well that they have remastered CD1. Did I complain about tape noise on 'Erotic City'? No! I can barely hear it! Did I complain about the non-HD quality of the DVD? No. HD was non-existant in '84. They could have 'remastered' the vide, similar to Criterion Collection films. But, if they did, this deluxe edition would be double the cost. For $24 or so bucks (at the time of release) - I'm feel quiet satisfied. Yes, I do notice a huge difference in CD1. Loudness wars for the conspiracy folks? Who cares! My 51 year old ears enjoys this package. Opinions may vary... but these are mine! Cheer for now!
on July 1, 2017
I hate the cheap flimsy packaging for such an important album/CD. Good luck keeping discs free of finger prints and scratches. Smh....At any rate, I loved CDs 1&2, and a few tracks from CD3. The DVD video quality isn't enhanced at all (it's like they transferred the old VHS without cleaning it up!), but the Booklet is VERY NICE. Also, since the DVD isn't secure in the sleeve, place your disc in a thin CD envelope for a much needed layer of protection. Also, store your copy of 'Purple Rain Deluxe' in resealable plastic (pictured).
