Difference between revisions of "Album: The Black Album"
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|album name = ''"The Black Album"'' | |album name = ''"The Black Album"'' | ||
|album image = [[File:blackalbum.jpg]] | |album image = [[File:blackalbum.jpg]] | ||
− | |date = [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/November_21|21 November | + | |date = [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/November_21|21 November 1994]] (Germany, UK)<br> |
+ | [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/November_22|22 November 1994]] (USA) | ||
|length = 44:44 | |length = 44:44 | ||
|label = [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Bros._Records Warner Bros. Records] | |label = [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Bros._Records Warner Bros. Records] | ||
− | |studios = [[Sunset Sound]], Hollywood, CA, USA; [[Galpin Blvd Home Studio]], Chanhassen, MN, USA; [[ | + | |studios = [[Sunset Sound]], Hollywood, CA, USA; [[Galpin Blvd Home Studio]], Chanhassen, MN, USA; [[Washington Avenue Warehouse]], Eden Prairie, MN, USA; [[Paisley Park Studios]], Chanhassen, MN, USA |
<!------ ALBUM CHRONOLOGY --------> | <!------ ALBUM CHRONOLOGY --------> | ||
|previous year = 1994 | |previous year = 1994 | ||
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|next album link = [[Album: The Gold Experience|The Gold Experience]] | |next album link = [[Album: The Gold Experience|The Gold Experience]] | ||
<!-------ALBUM TEXT -------> | <!-------ALBUM TEXT -------> | ||
− | |introduction = <b>''"The Black Album"''</b> is the 16th full-length studio album by [[Prince]]. Officially, it has no title and no credited artist. It's known as '''''"The Black Album"''''' due to its plain black sleeve, which contains no information apart from the catalogue number printed on the spine in peach letters. The sticker on the 1994 release labeled it "The legendary Black Album". It was originally intended to be released on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/December_8|8 December 1987]], but was canceled at [[Prince]]'s request just prior to release (on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/December_1|1 December | + | |introduction = <b>''"The Black Album"''</b> is the 16th full-length studio album by [[Prince]]. Officially, it has no title and no credited artist. It's known as '''''"The Black Album"''''' due to its plain black sleeve, which contains no information apart from the catalogue number printed on the spine in peach letters. The sticker on the 1994 release labeled it "The legendary Black Album". It was originally intended to be released on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/December_8|8 December 1987]], but was canceled at [[Prince]]'s request just prior to release (on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/December_1|1 December 1987]]). It was finally given a limited release in November 1994 (just three months after his previous new release [[Album: Come|Come]]). |
<br> | <br> | ||
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The album is essentially a compilation of individual tracks; it was not recorded as a thematic album. | The album is essentially a compilation of individual tracks; it was not recorded as a thematic album. | ||
− | The track, [[Superfunkycalifragisexy]], was the first to be recorded in September | + | The track, [[Superfunkycalifragisexy]], was the first to be recorded in September 1986. The bulk of the tracks were recorded between October 1986, and March 1987. |
− | The final track recorded, [[When 2 R In Love]], came much later, in October | + | The final track recorded, [[When 2 R In Love]], came much later, in October 1987. Thematically the song is very different to those recorded earlier, perhaps prompting [[Prince]]'s decision to keep it for use on [[Album: Lovesexy|Lovesexy]]. |
<br> | <br> | ||
<b>1987 cancellation</b> | <b>1987 cancellation</b> | ||
− | While [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Bros._Records Warner Bros.] were concerned about releasing the album in December | + | While [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Bros._Records Warner Bros.] were concerned about releasing the album in December 1987, only nine months after [[Album: Sign O' The Times|Sign O' The Times]], the album's original cancellation was solely [[Prince]]'s decision. He felt the album was too negative and hateful, and not the message he wanted to release. He has spoken of a "dark night of the soul" where everything came to a head, prompting his cancellation of the album (close associates have discussed that this was a result of a one-time use of the drug [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MDMA ecstasy] by [[Prince]] and the hallucinations caused by it). |
Following the cancellation, [[Prince]] immediately began work on [[Album: Lovesexy|Lovesexy]], which is commonly viewed as a direct response to '''''"The Black Album"'''''. [[Prince]] kept the track [[When 2 R In Love]] for [[Album: Lovesexy|Lovesexy]]; it was kept on '''''"The Black Album"''''' for its eventual release also, giving the track the distinction of the only recording to appear on two separate [[Prince]] studio albums in exactly the same form. | Following the cancellation, [[Prince]] immediately began work on [[Album: Lovesexy|Lovesexy]], which is commonly viewed as a direct response to '''''"The Black Album"'''''. [[Prince]] kept the track [[When 2 R In Love]] for [[Album: Lovesexy|Lovesexy]]; it was kept on '''''"The Black Album"''''' for its eventual release also, giving the track the distinction of the only recording to appear on two separate [[Prince]] studio albums in exactly the same form. | ||
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*[[Eric Leeds]] - saxophone on [[Le Grind]], [[Cindy C.]] and [[Rockhard In A Funky Place]] | *[[Eric Leeds]] - saxophone on [[Le Grind]], [[Cindy C.]] and [[Rockhard In A Funky Place]] | ||
*[[Atlanta Bliss]] - trumpet on [[Le Grind]], [[Cindy C.]] and [[Rockhard In A Funky Place]] | *[[Atlanta Bliss]] - trumpet on [[Le Grind]], [[Cindy C.]] and [[Rockhard In A Funky Place]] | ||
− | *[[Boni Boyer]] - background vocals on [[Le Grind]] | + | *[[Boni Boyer]] - background vocals on [[Le Grind]] & [[Cindy C.]] |
*[[Cat]] - background vocals on [[Le Grind]], [[Cindy C.]], chant and spoken word on [[2 Nigs United 4 West Compton]] | *[[Cat]] - background vocals on [[Le Grind]], [[Cindy C.]], chant and spoken word on [[2 Nigs United 4 West Compton]] | ||
*[[Sheila E.]] - background vocals on [[Le Grind]], sampled line ("badder than a wicked witch", uncredited) on [[Dead On It]], drums on [[2 Nigs United 4 West Compton]] | *[[Sheila E.]] - background vocals on [[Le Grind]], sampled line ("badder than a wicked witch", uncredited) on [[Dead On It]], drums on [[2 Nigs United 4 West Compton]] | ||
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{{ChartLine| | {{ChartLine| | ||
| Date = 12 Dec. 1994 | | Date = 12 Dec. 1994 | ||
− | | Chart (Country) = '''Germany''': | + | | Chart (Country) = '''Germany''': Musikmarkt Top 100 Albums |
| Peak Position = 9 | | Peak Position = 9 | ||
| Weeks in chart = 11 | | Weeks in chart = 11 | ||
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}} | }} | ||
| certifications = | | certifications = | ||
− | {{noCertification|format=album|Country= | + | {{noCertification|format=album|Country= the USA}} |
| awards = | | awards = | ||
− | {{noAwards|format=album|Country= | + | {{noAwards|format=album|Country= the USA}} |
}} | }} | ||
|releases = | |releases = | ||
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|CatNr = 25677 DJ | |CatNr = 25677 DJ | ||
|Comment = Promotional | |Comment = Promotional | ||
+ | |Front = Princevaultsinglecover.png | ||
+ | |Back = Princevaultsinglecover.png | ||
+ | |LabelA = Princevaultsinglecover.png | ||
+ | |LabelB = Princevaultsinglecover.png | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{SingleLine| | ||
+ | |Country = Canada | ||
+ | |Format = LP | ||
+ | |CatNr = 92 56771 | ||
+ | |Comment = | ||
|Front = Princevaultsinglecover.png | |Front = Princevaultsinglecover.png | ||
|Back = Princevaultsinglecover.png | |Back = Princevaultsinglecover.png | ||
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|Courtesy = | |Courtesy = | ||
}} | }} | ||
− | |album promotion = German and USA press adverts:<br>[[file: Theblackalbum_advertgermany.jpg|x200px|German advert published in Hamburger Morgenpost]] [[file:Blackalbum-promoadvert-usa-PV.jpg|x200px|USA press advert published in Billboard]] | + | |album promotion = German and USA press adverts:<br> |
− | * French pre-order coupon mentioning album availability until 27 January | + | [[file: Theblackalbum_advertgermany.jpg|x200px|German advert published in Hamburger Morgenpost]] [[file:Blackalbum-promoadvert-usa-PV.jpg|x200px|USA press advert published in Billboard]] |
+ | * French pre-order coupon mentioning album availability until 27 January 1995:<br> | ||
+ | [[File:Blackalbum-preordersheetFrance.jpg|x200px]] | ||
|alternative = | |alternative = | ||
|trivia = Before its official release in 1994, '''''"The Black Album"''''' was widely considered to be the most bootlegged album of all time by any artist. | |trivia = Before its official release in 1994, '''''"The Black Album"''''' was widely considered to be the most bootlegged album of all time by any artist. | ||
* The planned 1987 release carried the catalogue numbers (9)-25677-1 (for the vinyl), (9)-25677-2 (for the CD) and WX 147 (in the UK). | * The planned 1987 release carried the catalogue numbers (9)-25677-1 (for the vinyl), (9)-25677-2 (for the CD) and WX 147 (in the UK). | ||
*Some copies exist from the original 1987 pressing. | *Some copies exist from the original 1987 pressing. | ||
− | * UK Press release published on 14 Nov. 1994 by Wea Records, London, UK:<blockquote>''<small><b>PRINCE<br>black In black</b><br><br>After seven years, [[Prince]]'s infamous lost classic, '''The Black Album''', is about to see the light of day. To be released on 21st november, '''The Black Album''' (shelved in 1987 just days prior to it's original release date) has been the subject of endless discussion, achieving mythical status in the process.<br><br>The Lp itself features some of the heaviest funk workout's of [[Prince]]'s career, "[[Rockhard In A Funky Place]]", "[[Superfunkycalifragisexy|SUPERFUNKYCALIFRAGISEXY]]", and [[Le Grind]]", the brutally funny "[[Bob George]]", the low-down "[[2 Nigs United 4 West Compton]]" and the perfect pop of "[[When 2 R In Love]]" (a totally different version of the track featured on the "Lovesexy" Lp).<br><br>The album will only be available until 31st january 1995. After that, it's history.<br>Going down.</small>''</blockquote> | + | * UK Press release published on 14 Nov. 1994 by Wea Records, London, UK:<blockquote>''<small><b>PRINCE<br>black In black</b><br><br>After seven years, [[Prince]]'s infamous lost classic, '''The Black Album''', is about to see the light of day. To be released on 21st november, '''The Black Album''' (shelved in 1987 just days prior to it's original release date) has been the subject of endless discussion, achieving mythical status in the process.<br><br>The Lp itself features some of the heaviest funk workout's of [[Prince]]'s career, "[[Rockhard In A Funky Place]]", "[[Superfunkycalifragisexy|SUPERFUNKYCALIFRAGISEXY]]", and [[Le Grind]]", the brutally funny "[[Bob George]]", the low-down "[[2 Nigs United 4 West Compton]]" and the perfect pop of "[[When 2 R In Love]]" (a totally different version of the track featured on the "[[Album: Lovesexy|Lovesexy]]" Lp).<br><br>The album will only be available until 31st january 1995. After that, it's history.<br>Going down.</small>''</blockquote> The claim that [[When 2 R In Love]] is "a totally different version of the track features on [[Album: Lovesexy|Lovesexy]] is incorrect. |
− | |references = [[Book:_The_Vault|'''The Vault: The Definitive Guide to the Musical World of Prince''']] ''by Per Nilsen & | + | |references = [[Book:_The_Vault|'''The Vault: The Definitive Guide to the Musical World of Prince''']] ''by Per Nilsen & jooZt Mattheij, with the UPTOWN Staff'' (Uptown, 2004) |
|categories = [[Category:1994]][[Category:Albums (Prince)]][[Category:Studio albums (Prince)]] | |categories = [[Category:1994]][[Category:Albums (Prince)]][[Category:Studio albums (Prince)]] | ||
}} | }} |
Revision as of 13:31, 22 November 2019
1994: Come ◄ | All Prince Albums | All Related Artists Albums | ► 1995: The Gold Experience |
"The Black Album" |
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Additional Information
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1994 Come |
All Albums | All Related Artists Albums | 1995 The Gold Experience |