Prince And The Revolution – Purple Rain

This US press is the one to get.
The Japanese press sounded very bright, flat and fatiguing, The European press sounded a bit dull with less detail. This US press has better soundstage, balance and detail with great dynamics and depth.

Released alongside the film of the same name, it catapulted him to superstardom, and it's easy to see why. This record is a whirlwind of raw emotion, infectious funk, and guitar heroics, all wrapped up in Prince's unique brand of rock and roll.

From the opening chords of "Let's Go Crazy" to the fading echoes of the title track, Purple Rain takes you on a journey. It's a rollercoaster ride through love, loss, and redemption, with Prince as your guide. His vocals are raw and powerful, shifting from a seductive falsetto to a gritty growl in the blink of an eye. And his guitar playing? Forget about it. The man shreds.

The Revolution provides a rock-solid foundation, with Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman's keyboards adding layers of texture and depth. The songs are incredibly catchy. "When Doves Cry" with its stripped-down, almost minimalist production, still sounds fresh and innovative today. "I Would Die 4 U" is a synth-funk masterpiece that'll have you dancing in the streets. And then there's "Purple Rain" itself, a power ballad for the ages, with Prince's guitar solo soaring into the stratosphere.

Sure, some of the lyrics might be a little cheesy in retrospect, and the album's definitely a product of its time. But that's part of its charm. Purple Rain is a snapshot of Prince at his creative peak, a raw and unapologetic expression of his artistic vision. It's an album that continues to resonate with fans today, reminding us of the power of music to move us, to inspire us, and to transport us to another world.

What's up, Prince fam! I have an early copy of the LP without a cover. Is anyone parting ways with one I could purchase?

I've learned to like Prince and after a couple of listenings of the and the album grows on me. You obviously love the song Purple Rain. What lowers my rating is that sometimes it feels like there is excessive shouting in some of the songs.

This pressing sounds incredible. You hear every element that went into it. Prince and the revolution were truly one of a kind.

I've owned various Prince cds, cassettes mostly best of's and streamed his music. Growing up I feel like I've heard Prince music so often I got to the point of changing stations when they'd play his hits. My friend annually would loyally go see him live every year and I just didn't get it hiw she was so captivated and dead set on never missing a show. So I actively collect vinyl and have a system that I'm too embarrassed to it how much I've spent on it but you get the idea(I'm going somewhere w all this)... So a few weeks ago realized I hadn't owned Prince on vinyl and hadn't heard his music for a while so it made sense. One thing with vinyl collecting is I try and avoid best of albums for obvious reasons. So I bought this album, and today i sat and listened and suddenly I realized something... it was the first time I'd ever heard this album entirely. I also realized something else...I was right, ididn't get it, everyone else did but I didn't bcs I missed it my whole life. The pressing and mastering on this release is amazing. The entire album energy feels like it was recorded live. The sound quality is so good every emotion in the music didnt just hit me but knocked me flat in my butt. Sadly I was now hearing Prince for the first time in my life and all I could think the entire time was how I should have went with my friend to see him live when he was still alive. If you like his music you will love this pressing. Or if your like me and you think it's just the same old Prince I've heard a million times before, treat yourself to a great album with a sound quality your cd, cassette radio or streamer failed to convey. I promise you you'll never be the same again.

People that say this album is ''trash'', knows nothing about music. Your opinion is invalid. If it's so trash, why did you even buy it? Why leave a comment if you don't like it?? Something I will never understand.

For the "record", I absolutely love this album. To me, this the pinnacle of an incredible artist, and every song is amazing. For the production of Purple Rain, Prince emphasized more full band arrangements and a deeper use of instrumentation. The album has a theatrical quality to it, much like the film it serves as the soundtrack for. Prince expertly fuses experimentation with traditional instrumentation to create what is certainly his magnum opus. Rolling Stone ranks this as the #8 album of all time, and it is hard to argue against it being a top 10 album in rock history. This pressing is absolutely wonderful and is an excellent presentation of a stellar record. No need to get some later 180g reissue, this is the one to get.

Album Revolution #4:

Dearly Beloved!!!!

Yeah, Yeah, I know I'm going to get the BOOOOO's for this one, but I'm sorry, this is not "Prince's" best album.....Now, that's not to say that "Purple Rain" is not still THE BOMB!!!!!!!, and it WAS the album that put "Prince" into the STRATOSPHERE!!!!!

Every song is the BOMB, PERIOD, and it was a great system for the "Motion Picture".... This also ushered in "Prince & The Revolution" OFFICIALLY!!!! "Prince" had the Band since 1980, but because the group was a vital part of "1999's" success, I am sure he felt compelled to finally give them the billing they deserved!!!!

The band was modified a little though..."Andre' Cymone" left after "Dirty Mind", and got signed to "Columbia Records" and had a MASSIVE HIT in "Kelly's Eyes"...."Dez Dickerson" (no relation), also left, and started his own Band, "Dez Dickerson & the Modernairies"....That left "Lisa Coleman" (Keyboards), "Dr. Matt Fink" (also Keyboards), and "Bobby Z." a/k/a "Robert B. Rivkin" (Drums)....They were ed by "Brownmark" a/k/a "Mark Brown" (Bass) and the one and only "Wendy Melvoin" (Guitar), who became a very vital piece to the Band....

The album starts off on an incredible note in "Let's Go Crazy".....The outright POWER of that t it just incredible, especially with one of "Prince's" greatest Guitar solos of all time!!!! It STILL puzzles Me that People didn't realize how TERRIFIC a Guitarist "Prince" was....REALLY!!!!!, what Planet did they live on!!!!!!!!!

"Take Me With U" (featuring "Appollonia") is a nice offering, not really powerful, but very nice all the same...

The Crown Jewel in "The Beautiful Ones" is in the class of those Slow Jams that "Prince" started to perfect....

"Computer Blue" just "Rocks", while "Darling Nikki" just puts your mind in the gutter...

The classics "I Would Die 4 U" and "Baby I'm A Star" are ABSOLUTE STANDOUTS!!!!!

The last 2 Crown Jewels are as follows...

"When Doves Cry"....

I will like to ask a question... Doesn't "When Doves Cry" sends SHIVERS down your spine?

Prince did this one (I believe) all by Himself....The keyboards and Air Drums sets up one of the BEST Guitar Solos EVER!!!! Again, I don't understand WHY People thought He wasn't that Guitar Guy!!!! After listening too this, WHO would QUESTION IT!!!!!!

Then last, but certainly not least, "Purple Rain"....Just wait!!!! Yeah, It's like that!!!!!!

Even though "Prince" wrote this MASTERPIECE all by himself, it was cool that he trusted "Lisa" to help with the Arrangements....Even having classic String players in, "Novi Novog", "Suzie Katayama" and "Lisa's" Brother "David Coleman" help, makes it a PURE Family affair (they also help with "Take Me With U" and "Baby I'm A Star")....

This album made "Prince" the MEGASTAR that I'm sure he was craving...I am glad he never tried to duplicate this though, because that would be straight up IMPOSSIBLE!!!!!

So, even though I don't consider this his best, IT IS A PRINCE CLASSIC!!!!

PS: 6/28/2024: HAPPY 40TH ANNIVERSARY TO "Purple Rain"!!!!!!!! Even though I STILL don't consider this "Prince's" best album (to Me it's "Sign O The Times"), IT WAS the album and Soundtrack that put "Prince" into the STRATOSPHERE!!!!, and OUR HEARTS!!!!!!

Exceeded my expectations. This is the way record should sound.