Eye Records 1 CD Label : “Eye” Records Catalogue : #64 1Disc Length : 90:12 Source : Soundboard Recording Date/Venue : Earls Court, London 15th June 1992 Sound Quality : EX+ Year Of Release : 2008 |
Comments
Fink's
Comments (rates this release 5.0/5.0)
Previously released by both Sabotage on 'Live
4 Love' and Fullasoul on 'The Greatest Show On Earth Vol. I', and as good as
they were, this release really makes both obsolete. Sabotage's release was
decent enough, but was missing around 10 minutes of the show, so can be
discounted. Fullasoul's release was better with the only problems being the
intro to 'Dead On It' being missing, and certain audio issues throughout
'Jughead'. "Eye" Records have attempted to correct the 1 1/2 minutes of
'Jughead', and whilst it's not perfect (far from it), it is a very decent
attempt which thankfully occurs at a time when Prince isn't onstage. Likewise
they have included the beginning of 'Dead On It' which was missing from both
previous releases - hence making this the most complete of the three soundboard
releases. One last thing worth mentioning is their addition of the spoken
"countdown launch" over the opening sound FX on the show - very clever, very
effective and one more reason why this is the best particular version.
The soundboard itself is above any criticism and is an impressive, clear
recording. Alas, as with all other version of this show it is incomplete and
ends abruptly during 'Insatiable', as with the video recordings - which all
these are sourced from. As to the show itself, it is an extremely fast-paced
'Diamonds And Pearls' show from the opening night of 8 in London. Whilst the
set-list is very typical of the tour, this is a great performance and a very
high energy show. Packaging-wise this release is also pretty special with a
fold-out digipack and 6 page booklet with stunning graphics and great attention
to detail. Lastly, it should be noted that this pressed disc exceeds 90 minutes
- itself something of a milestone and makes this the first of it's kind in the
Prince world of unofficial releases. All in all one can't help but be floored by
this release from the excellence of the audio and the work gone into mastering
it, to the packaging and artwork, and onto the 90 minute pressed disc. Really
rather sexy indeed.