Prince and the Revolution: Live | ||||
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Video by Prince and The Revolution | ||||
Released | July 29, 1985 | |||
Recorded | March 30, 1985 | |||
Venue | Carrier Dome Syracuse, New York, United States | |||
Genre | R&B, pop, rock, New wave | |||
Length | 116:00 | |||
Label | Warner Music Video, Paisley Park | |||
Director | Paul Becher | |||
Prince chronology | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Pitchfork | 8.7/10 [1] |
Prince and the Revolution: Live is a live concert video by Prince and the Revolution. Released after the Purple Rain Tour was complete, the video is a recording of the March 30, 1985 concert at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York. The concert was also broadcast live throughout Europe as the final act of the 15th "Rock Night", an all-night show of four concerts staged by West German public broadcaster Westdeutscher Rundfunk as part of its Rockpalast series that was simulcast by the Eurovision network of European TV stations. [2]
First released on VHS on July 29, 1985, [3] a DVD version was later released with the 2017 deluxe edition of Purple Rain . [4] An audio companion of the concert was released digitally on May 15, 2020. [5] On June 3, 2022, Legacy Recordings, in association with NPG Records, reissued the project for the first time in physical audio format (CD and vinyl) and Blu-ray video with remastered video and the audio being remixed by Chris James for both 5.1 surround sound and Dolby Atmos (with the Atmos mix also being issued digitally through select streaming platforms on the same day). [6]
In 1984–85, to capitalise on his growing success with the Purple Rain album, Prince toured the United States extensively to promote the album and sales increased accordingly. Though not on the video, the tour was opened by Sheila E.
Unlike Prince's past tours, which usually opened with older material, Prince now had some #1 hits and chose to open the tour with Purple Rain album opener, "Let's Go Crazy". This segued into a triple-dose from the 1999 album. "Delirious" contained a bit of the extended version of "Let's Go Crazy". "1999" followed. Next came "Little Red Corvette" and audience participation with "Take Me with U".
The pace was slowed down with "Do Me, Baby", introduced by a bit of "Purple House", Prince's take on Jimi Hendrix's "Red House". The ballad was jolted into the funk of B-side, "Irresistible Bitch". The shortened version segued into "Possessed" (which was dedicated to James Brown in the credits). Another audience tease came with "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore" before a mostly-spoken "Let's Pretend We're Married". A brief "International Lover" was followed by the lengthy ode to the Divine, "God".
The remainder of the concert was dedicated to Purple Rain material. "Computer Blue" (which was heavily based on the original uncut version found on the special deluxe edition of Purple Rain) was followed by "Darling Nikki." On the album, "Darling Nikki" is suffixed by a backward message over rain and storm sounds effects. In the concert, the backward message is played forward. In a twist, a bit of backwards "The Dance Electric" (a Prince-written song for former bandmate André Cymone) introduced "The Beautiful Ones". The song flowed immediately to "When Doves Cry". In post-production, a mirrored camera effect was added to the song to mimic the mirroring in the video for the song. The last three songs followed the album's track listing for side two. Serving as the first of two encores, "I Would Die 4 U" and "Baby I'm a Star" were drawn out into an extended jam session. Sheila E. and her band, Apollonia 6 and Eric Leeds) were also in this section of the show. The last encore was "Purple Rain." Prince played this over 18 minutes which included a longer intro, Wendy encouraging the audience to sing the song's post-chorus "ohh ohh" vocals, and lengthy guitar solos on two of Prince's guitars (both seen in the movie and in videos), including the white Cloud guitar.
No. | Title | Album release(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Let's Go Crazy" | Purple Rain | 5:30 |
2. | "Delirious" | 1999 | 2:46 |
3. | "1999" | 1999 | 4:15 |
4. | "Little Red Corvette" | 1999 | 5:10 |
5. | "Take Me with U" | Purple Rain | 4:15 |
6. | "Yankee Doodle Dandy" (Interlude) | N/A | 6:10 |
7. | "Do Me, Baby" (includes "Purple House" spoken intro) | Controversy | 4:40 |
8. | "Irresistible Bitch" | B-side of "Let's Pretend We're Married" The Hits/The B-Sides | 2:00 |
9. | "Possessed" | 1999 Deluxe Edition (1982 version) Purple Rain Deluxe Edition (1984 version) | 4:24 |
10. | "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore" | B-side of "1999" The Hits/The B-Sides | 5:05 |
11. | "Let's Pretend We're Married" | 1999 | 4:15 |
12. | "International Lover" | 1999 | 1:00 |
13. | "God" | B-side of "Purple Rain" The Hits/The B-Sides | 8:30 |
14. | "Computer Blue" | Purple Rain | 4:30 |
15. | "Darling Nikki" | Purple Rain | 4:00 |
16. | "The Beautiful Ones" (includes backwards "The Dance Electric" and wind chime intro) | Purple Rain | 7:30 |
17. | "When Doves Cry" | Purple Rain | 8:15 |
18. | "I Would Die 4 U" | Purple Rain | 3:50 |
19. | "Baby I'm a Star" | Purple Rain | 10:00 |
20. | "Purple Rain" | Purple Rain | 18:24 |
No. | Title | Album release(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Let's Go Crazy" | Purple Rain | 5:30 |
2. | "Delirious" | 1999 | 2:46 |
3. | "1999" | 1999 | 4:15 |
4. | "Little Red Corvette" | 1999 | 5:10 |
5. | "Take Me with U" | Purple Rain | 4:15 |
6. | "Yankee Doodle Dandy" (Interlude) | N/A | 6:10 |
7. | "Do Me, Baby" (includes "Purple House" spoken intro) | Controversy | 4:40 |
8. | "Irresistible Bitch" | B-side of "Let's Pretend We're Married" The Hits/The B-Sides | 2:00 |
9. | "Possessed" | 1999 Deluxe Edition (1982 version) Purple Rain Deluxe Edition (1984 version) | 4:24 |
10. | "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore" | B-side of "1999" The Hits/The B-Sides | 5:05 |
11. | "Let's Pretend We're Married" | 1999 | 4:15 |
12. | "International Lover" | 1999 | 1:00 |
13. | "God" | B-side of "Purple Rain" The Hits/The B-Sides | 8:30 |
14. | "Computer Blue" | Purple Rain | 4:30 |
No. | Title | Album release(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Darling Nikki" | Purple Rain | 4:00 |
2. | "The Beautiful Ones" (includes backwards "The Dance Electric" and wind chime intro) | Purple Rain | 7:30 |
3. | "When Doves Cry" | Purple Rain | 8:15 |
4. | "I Would Die 4 U" | Purple Rain | 3:50 |
5. | "Baby I'm a Star" | Purple Rain | 10:00 |
6. | "Purple Rain" | Purple Rain | 18:24 |
Source: [7]
Prince and the Revolution
| Guests
|
Chart (2022) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australian Albums (ARIA) [8] | 96 |
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) [9] | 15 |
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [10] | 5 |
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) [11] | 4 |
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) [12] | 4 |
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [13] | 8 |
Japanese Albums (Oricon) [14] | 20 |
Japanese Hot Albums ( Billboard Japan ) [15] | 26 |
Portuguese Albums (AFP) [16] | 16 |
Scottish Albums (OCC) [17] | 6 |
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE) [18] | 27 |
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [19] | 7 |
UK Albums (OCC) [20] | 21 |
UK R&B Albums (OCC) [21] | 1 |
US Billboard 200 [22] | 22 |
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [23] | 11 |
Prince Rogers Nelson was an American singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, record producer, and actor. The recipient of numerous awards and nominations, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest musicians of his generation. He was known for his flamboyant, androgynous persona; his wide vocal range, which included a far-reaching falsetto and high-pitched screams; and his skill as a multi-instrumentalist, often preferring to play all or most of the instruments on his recordings. His music incorporated a wide variety of styles, including funk, R&B, rock, new wave, soul, synth-pop, pop, jazz, blues, and hip hop. Prince produced his albums himself, pioneering the Minneapolis sound.
Purple Rain is the sixth studio album by the American singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Prince. It was released on June 25, 1984, by Warner Bros. Records as the soundtrack album to the 1984 film of the same name. Purple Rain was musically denser than Prince's previous albums, emphasizing full band performances, and multiple layers of guitars, keyboards, electronic synthesizer effects, drum machines, and other instruments.
"When Doves Cry" is a song by American musician Prince, and the lead single from his sixth studio album Purple Rain. According to the DVD commentary of the film Purple Rain (1984), Prince was asked by director Albert Magnoli to write a song to match the theme of a particular segment of the film that involved intermingled parental difficulties and a love affair. The next morning, Prince had composed two songs, one of which was "When Doves Cry". According to Prince's biographer Per Nilsen, the song was inspired by his relationship with Vanity 6 member Susan Moonsie.
Musicology is the twenty-eighth studio album by American recording artist Prince. The album was given to concertgoers at his Musicology Tour, from March 27 to September 9, 2004, in North America. A digital release followed two days after his tour started on March 29, 2004. The physical retail version was released on April 19, 2004 (Europe) and April 20, 2004 (US) by NPG Records and distributed by Columbia Records. Musicology was the first album in five years that Prince released through a major label and, being partially recorded in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, was his first to be recorded outside Minneapolis in many years. Musicology is R&B-themed.
1999 is the fifth studio album by the American singer-songwriter and musician Prince, released on October 27, 1982, by Warner Bros. Records. It became his first album to be recorded with his band the Revolution. 1999's critical and commercial success propelled Prince to a place in the public psyche and marked the beginning of two years of heightened fame via his following releases.
Live Baby Live is the first live album by Australian rock band INXS. It was released on 11 November 1991 and features tracks recorded during their Summer XS Tour in Paris, New York, Chicago, London, Dublin, Glasgow, Rio de Janeiro, Montreal, Spain, Switzerland, Melbourne, Sydney, Philadelphia, and Las Vegas. The album peaked in the top 10 on both the Australian and United Kingdom albums charts. It has sold over one million copies in the United States, earning a platinum certification by the RIAA. A single, "Shining Star", was released from and ahead of the album on 21 October. It became the group's ninth Top 40 single on the UK Singles Chart, but failed to appear on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, despite reaching the top 20 of the rock charts.
Batman is the eleventh studio album by American recording artist Prince and the soundtrack album to the 1989 film Batman. It was released on June 20, 1989, by Warner Bros. Records. As a Warner Bros. stablemate, Prince's involvement in the soundtrack was designed to leverage the media company's contract-bound talent as well as fulfill the artist's need for a commercial revival. The result was yet another multi-platinum successful cross media enterprise by Warner Bros., in the vein of Purple Rain.
Diamonds and Pearls is the thirteenth studio album by American recording artist Prince, and the first with his backing band The New Power Generation. It was released on October 1, 1991, by Paisley Park Records and Warner Bros. Records. The album produced several hit singles, including "Gett Off", "Cream", "Money Don't Matter 2 Night", "Insatiable", and the title track. Dancers Lori Werner and Robia LaMorte, known as "Diamond" and "Pearl" respectively, appeared on the holographic cover. Diamond and Pearl also appeared in the music videos for "Cream", "Strollin'", "Gett Off", and the title track, and also participated in Prince's Diamonds and Pearls Tour.
Love Symbol is the fourteenth studio album by American recording artist Prince, and the second of two that featured his backing band the New Power Generation. It was released on October 13, 1992, by Paisley Park Records and Warner Bros. Records. It was originally conceived as a "fantasy rock soap opera" with various spoken segues throughout, and contains elements of R&B, funk, pop, rock, and soul.
Around the World in a Day is the seventh studio album by American recording artist Prince, and the second release on which his backing band the Revolution is billed. It was released on April 22, 1985, by Paisley Park Records and Warner Bros. Records. Departing somewhat from the commercial sound of his previous release, the massively successful Purple Rain (1984), the album instead saw Prince experimenting with psychedelic styles and more opulent textures. In compliance with Prince's wishes, the record company released the album with minimal publicity, withholding accompanying singles until almost a month after the album's release.
"Purple Rain" is a song by the American musician Prince and his backing band the Revolution. It is the title track from the 1984 album of the same name, which in turn is the soundtrack album for the 1984 film of the same name starring Prince, and was released as the third single from the album. The song is a power ballad that combines rock, R&B, gospel, and orchestral music.
The Revolution is an American band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1979 by Prince, serving as his live band and later as his studio band. The band's sound incorporated rock, pop, R&B, funk, new wave and psychedelic elements. Along with Prince's other projects, the Revolution helped create the Minneapolis sound. By the time of their 1986 breakup, the Revolution had backed Prince on two studio albums, two soundtracks and two videos.
Parade is the eighth studio album by American recording artist Prince, and the third and final album where the Revolution is billed. It also was the soundtrack album to the 1986 film Under the Cherry Moon, directed by and starring Prince. It was released on March 31, 1986 by Paisley Park Records and Warner Bros. Records.
The Hits/The B-Sides is a box set by American recording artist Prince. It was released on September 10, 1993, by Paisley Park Records and Warner Bros. Records. The album is a comprehensive three-disc set consisting of many of his hit singles and fan favorites.
"Let's Pretend We're Married" is a song by American musician Prince from his 1982 album 1999. It was the final US single from the album and peaked at number 52 in the US.
Sign o' the Times is the ninth studio album by the American singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Prince. It was first released on March 30, 1987, as a double album by Paisley Park Records and Warner Bros. Records. The album is the follow-up to Parade and is Prince's first solo album following his disbanding of the Revolution. The album's songs were largely recorded during 1986 to 1987 in sessions for releases Prince ultimately aborted: Dream Factory, the pseudonymous Camille, and finally the triple album Crystal Ball. Prince eventually compromised with label executives and shortened the length of the release to a double album.
We Are the World is a 1985 album that contains USA for Africa's "We Are the World", a superstar charity recording for famine relief efforts in Ethiopia. The album was released on April 1, 1985, by Columbia Records.
The Purple Rain Tour was a concert tour by American recording artist Prince and the Revolution following up on the success of his sixth studio album Purple Rain and his 1984 film Purple Rain. According to Spin, the tour sold over 1.7 million tickets.
Prince's albums discography consists of forty studio albums, five live albums, and numerous compilations. Two albums of demo material have been released posthumously. Prince also released several albums under various group names. See Prince singles discography for his singles and extended plays, and Prince videography for his music videos and video albums.
4Ever, also known as Prince 4Ever, is a greatest hits album by American recording artist Prince, released on November 22, 2016, by NPG Records and Warner Bros. Records. It is the first Prince release following the musician's death on April 21, 2016.