Prince's Black Album

I remember the fervor around this in 1988 and was with a friend when he spotted a vinyl copy in a store. He knew it was probably a bootleg, but hid it and ran home to 'break open his piggy bank' to buy it. I guess I wasn't aware that even the CD that was released in 1994 was only in print for a short time.

I stumbled across this site to help ID fakes.

The Black Album.info - HOME »

 

Not once but twice in my life I've come across the cd in the used bins. Foolishly never actually purchased the album.

 

I have a copy, but never realized how rare it was. I assumed that after all that initial limited edition hype subsided, it was released as a 'regular' CD.

 

I unwisely made the mistake of selling my CD copy when my interest in Prince was at an all-time low about fifteen years ago. I can't say I regret it per se because it was either sell CDs or not make rent back then. I imagine prices will come down after the appropriate amount of posthumous gouging.

I really dug "Dead On It," "When 2 R In Love," and - for the sheer absurdity of it - "Bob George."

 

Have an "original" bootleg LP from 88 and the 94 CD.

 

I remember the reaction vividly when he saw the first copy. I thought I was going to have to call an ambulance. In 1988 it was a big deal to hold even the bootleg in your hand. I'll have to ask him if he remembers what he paid for it.

 

Hopefully Warners can work out a deal with whoever is in charge now and re-release it.

 

I have the cd from 1994.
It was a big thing in 1988 because Prince was by then the most important artist on the planet.
I do not think it deserves its legendary reputation.

 

I have the bootleg LP issued by Erotic City Records that was a Christmas present from a friend in 1988; haven't listened to it in ages, though.

 

Ebay has a listing in France for what they say is a real/original copy for $1500...

 

I bought three bootlegs of it--vinyl first, then cds that got progressively better.

I really like it, never got into When 2 R in Love, Bob George is a novelty song. 2 Nigs United 4 West Compton is a great car song, even if it is just a jam.

IMO, this is as funky a record as Prince ever did--he really seemed to be out to show he could stand with Funkadelic (tho I guess it's a matter of opinion if he succeeded).

 

Love that album. It's one of his most funkiest. Yes it's dark, but it's so much better the Lovesexy

 

I didn't realize it had escalated in value so much, either. My own first experience with the album was a cassette copy of the bootleg that I bought (!) at a stall in London on a fondly remembered vacation. The eventual official CD sounded much better, but never provided quite the same thrill I felt whenever I listened to that illicit tape.

 

A bit about the album here:
Former Warner Bros. CEO Mo Ostin Recalls His Long Relationship With Prince: 'He Was a Fearless Artist' »

 

I'm no Prince expert, but very much like Bowie, no matter what genre he was representing at the time he always sounded like himself.

 

I picked up the official CD when it appeared. It's OK, there's some dense funk on it but I have hardly ever gone back to it since it came out. I'm listening to the NPG album Gold Nigga as I write, so maybe The Black Album will be next up.

 

I won't dispute The Black Album's appeal, but I think Lovesexy shouldn't be underestimated either. It's a terrific album in its own right, which sometimes gets overlooked due to falling under the shadow of The Black Album's legend.

Also, Prince didn't do any favors to Lovesexy by insisting the CD was indexed as a single track. Did later CD pressings change that? I might have to re-buy the disc if so.

 

Thanks, I have tremendous admiration for Chairman Mo.

 

Currently in print (ok, now temporarily out of stock) releases are tracked. But you could export the WAV file and split it:

track1- 00:00 / track2- 05:45 / track3- 11:25 /track4- 16:30/ track5- 21:30/ track6- 25:14 / track7- 31:04/ track8- 35:03/ track9- 37:46

then burn a CD-R

 

Thanks!

 

In 1988 I bought what I thought was a bootleg CD of Prince's 'Black Album' that turned out to be a re-recording by someone completely different.

No Artist - The Black Album »

Later on I found a boot CD of the actual thing. In 1994 when they released it officially on CD, I bought that one as well.

 

Who would have thought an album featuring completely black packaging would result in so much confusion?

 

I don't think so. But I could be wrong. I ripped it and re-indexed it myself.

He also didn't do himself any favors with that ridiculous album cover. I'm sure there was a segment of his female fan base who found it sexy, but most of the rest of the world just laughed at it and wished it was solid black instead.

 

For all of our 'complaints' about the way Prince titled, released, covered, sequenced etc. his albums, the man knew exactly what he was doing and why. Hard to fault a guy for that.

 

"anna stasia" from 'lovesexy" is one of prince's best songs ever. and it never gets the credit it deserves.