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One-Off Performance

Grand Palais, Paris + Others

11th October 2009

2 CDR

Label: NPR Records

Cat No:  #NPR-P 028

Running Time: 65:41 / 80:02

Source: Audience Recording

Quality: EX- / EX+

Released: December 2009

*Review*

 

Another day and another release appears containing the Paris performance from October 2009. We’ve had both Eye Records’ listed here and Sabotage’s listed here already so does this have anything new to offer? Well, the main reason for listing this one stems from the claims in the liner notes that this version of the second show comes from a new source and taper and one not previously heard. The problem we have here is that, personally, I’m not 100% convinced. What makes the process a little harder is that you need to look passed the initial quality differences associated with two different groups mastering techniques and try and look out for those subtle, ingrained differences or indeed, similarities.  But after listening over and over, to me this sounds very close to the source used by Eye Records. Unfortunately, without being able to compare both masters (pre-work) this is going to remain a bone of contention (Ok, the tapers could have been in the same, round about area, but that seems an all to easy answer for the similarities.) What I can tell you and comment on is the overall sound comparisons. For me, this version is just a little too quiet and is lacking the power and ‘ooomph’ of the ones from the pressed releases. It’s clear enough and there’s good clarity at the lower end of things but I find myself having to really turn up the volume to fully enjoy it. Because of this, it loses its sparkle and appeal somewhat, which is a shame because I think it could have been a decent alternative to Sab’s or Eye’s but as it stands, I find myself popping on theirs rather than this one.

 

I’ve commented on the show itself already so won’t repeat myself. You can check that out within the review of Eye Records one (link above). Disc 2 of this set contains a pretty nice selection of material from various other performances and TV appearances during Prince’s visit to Paris and fills out the disc nicely without ever feeling like filler material.  Overall, this remains a curiosity more than anything else and people, no doubt, will continue to agree/disagree as to its true origins. Regardless of that, the release is solid enough to check out but, due the to the reasons I mention above,  falls short of being the stellar release I feel NPR Records wanted it to be.

Disc 1

 

Show #2, Grand Palais, Paris - 11th October 2009  EX- (Part 1)

 

01. Intro  02. 1999  03. I Feel For You  04. Controversy (part 1)  05. Sexy Dancer - Le Freak  06. Controversy (part 2)  

07. Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?  08. Take Me With U  09. Anotherloverholenyohead (incl. Rock Lobster)  10. Guitar   

11. Raspberry Beret  12. All Day, All Night*  13. I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man*  14. The One U Wanna C*  

15. Sometimes It Snows In April*  16. Mountains  17. Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground))  18. Everyday People  19. I Wanna Take You Higher)  20. Long Train Runnin’  21. Play That Funky Music

 

*acoustic set

 

Disc 2

 

Show #2, Grand Palais, Paris - 11th October 2009  EX- (Part 2)

 

01. Purple Rain  02. Kiss (incl. Miss You - Theives In The Temples - Partyman - All Day, All Night - Honky Tonk Women)  

03. All The Critics Love U In Paris  04. A Love Bizarre

 

Show #2, Grand Palais, Paris - 11th October 2009 (soundboard) EX+

 

05. Thunderstorm Intro - 1999

 

Le Grand Studio RTL, Paris - 12th October 2009 (soundboard)  EX+

 

06. Feel Good, Feel Better, Feel Wonderful  07. Mountains  08. Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)

 

Le Grand Journal Canal+, Paris - 12th October 2009 (soundboard)  EX+

 

09. No More Candy 4 U  10. 1999  11. I Feel For U (aborted)

 

Rehearsal, Paisley Park - 21st September 2009 (soundboard)  EX+

 

12. Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?

 

La Cigale, Paris - 12th October 2009  EX-

 

13. Crimson & Clover