Originally Posted by unique:
“the video posted was from 1983 where the main backing tracks to purple rain, i would die 4 u and baby i'm a star were recorded (the whole show was recorded to multitrack). there was a lot of overdubbing and editing involved, he rerecorded wendys guitar part for example (it was her first public performance with the band). the album and movie came out the following year. whilst that show in 83 was also video taped, it's not the performances from the movie which were shot at the same venue, first avenue, but mimed a few times filmed at different angles for the cameras - as was most of the SOTT live movie as they used the wrong type of film and it came out dark, so he mimed his performance in the studio to the live backing. personally he should have just filmed a performance at paisley park instead
as for creep, there were a bunch of youtube videos shot by audience members at the time, but he put proshot clips (in the wrong aspect ratio!) of some of the tracks inluding creep, on his official website at the time, but not on youtube. it was a pay site so he wasn't happy with material appearing elsewhere for free viewing
he has had a number of websites over the past few years with forgettable URL's and has posted material on a number of sites including youtube, and soundcloud, and has split various tracks between itunes, spotify and tidal. tidal is the main source for material at the moment but contrary to what he said himself about removing all his music from all streaming services etc, some music at least was still legally available on spotify and itunes and soundcloud, and i mean music uploaded from official sources
did you see the recent article from ebony that was pulled down within hours of being published? prince claimed he told the journalist off the record, whilst the journalist denies that was the case, and i'm sure that the journalist wasn't wrong”
That's very interesting that he did the show to premier new songs from his forthcoming album, Purple Rain before going back into the studio to tweak them, like you say. I didn't know that.
I was always aware of his websites and the fan clubs that got access to exclusive songs and albums if they subscribed. He once had a close relationship with his fans and would let them record his material at his concerts and gigs before changing his mind. I do know that he was also one of the first artists to release his music online. He would have done that partly because he wanted the fans to be able to listen to his songs, without the record label being involved and that was pioneering at the time. Nowadays, artists have been put in a position where "they" have to have a close relationship with their fans on social media because of declining record sales and like you know, release material on SoundCloud, YouTube or even somewhere like Tidal. I have come across this lovely female singer who has been able to release her own music; managed to produce an EP independently and uploaded live performances and a couple of live music videos on YouTube. Very few artists are now capable of still being able to sell music.
I had forgotten you could still get some material on Spotify - I know that because I have an account with them.

When I made the point about Tidal it was because that is where his full back catalogue is, plus the albums that were once only able for those who subscribed to his fan club. I'm sure I am right about the latter.

He has made Tidal the only place on the Internet where you can listen to his music, including new albums like
Hit N Run Parts 1 & 2 both released last year; although Part 1 after a couple of months did receive a CD release - that was always the plan, according to his young producer in an interview I read on the BBC News website - and a download release on iTunes.