Diamonds And Pearls

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Diamonds And Pearls

Diamondsandpearls.jpg
from the album Diamonds And Pearls
Diamondsandpearls single.jpg
single art for Diamonds And Pearls
Song details
Performer: Prince and the New Power Generation
First Released: 1 October 1991 - Diamonds And Pearls album
Album(s): Diamonds And Pearls

The Hits 1
The Hits / The B-Sides
The Very Best Of Prince
One Nite Alone... Live!
Ultimate
4Ever

Writer(s): Prince (credited to Prince and the New Power Generation)
Producer(s): Prince (credited to Prince and the New Power Generation)
Live Appearances
First and last live appearance:
Performed regularly on tour:
Performed occasionally in shows:

Diamonds And Pearls is the third track on Prince's 13th album Diamonds And Pearls, the first album to be credited to Prince and the New Power Generation. Seven weeks after the album's release, Diamonds And Pearls was released as the album's fourth worldwide single. In 1993, the track was included as the 17th track on The Hits 1 (also included as the first disc of The Hits / The B-Sides). In 2001, the track was included as the 16th track on The Very Best Of Prince. A brief live version of the track (titled Diamonds & Pearls) was included on the 2002 release One Nite Alone... Live! (along with Xenophobia, Extraordinary, Avalanche, Family Name, Raspberry Beret, The Everlasting Now, EyeBlue.png Wanna B Ur Lover, The Beautiful Ones, Nothing Compares 2 U and How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore from the same show). In 2006, the studio version of the track was included as the twelfth track on the first disc of Ultimate.

While specific recording details are not known, basic tracking took place in the last week of December 1989, at Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota (during the same session as Live 4 Love). The track features Rosie Gaines (co-lead vocals) and Michael B. (drums), who had just joined Prince's band rehearsing for the Nude Tour, as well as Tommy Barbarella (keyboards) and Sonny T. (bass guitar), both of whom Prince had recruited to play for Flash, a backing band for Margie Cox. The song is the earliest "Prince" studio recording to feature each of the four musicians, all of whom recorded with Prince for many years subsequently (Rosie Gaines had recorded vocals on the Prince-written track I Want U earlier in the month for The Pointer Sisters, but this was produced by Levi Seacer, Jr.). Sheila E. also played on the song, adding synth drum fills. The track was included as the sixth track on the December 1990, configuration of Diamonds And Pearls, but was moved to become the third track on the 1 March 1991 and 8 May 1991 configurations, where it remained for release.


Recording Information
Recording Sessions
Date Studio Additional info
Late December 1989 Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA Basic tracking
Early 1991 (assumed) Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA (assumed) Additional recording
Recording Personnel
  • Prince - all vocals and instruments, except where noted (liner notes state "insatiable")
  • Rosie Gaines - co-lead vocals (liner notes state "co-lead backing vox, Purpleaxxe™ sampler and organ")
  • Michael B. - drums
  • Sonny T. - bass guitar (credited for "bass and backing vox")
  • Tommy Barbarella - keyboards (liner notes state "Purpleaxxe™ sampler, other various keys and sex symbol")
  • Sheila E. - synth drum fills (uncredited)

Versions
Released Versions
Title Length Released Version Additional info
Diamonds And Pearls 4:43 Diamonds And Pearls

Diamonds And Pearls single
The Crown Jewels promo

Studio
Diamonds And Pearls (Edit) 4:20 Diamonds And Pearls single

The Hits 1
The Hits / The B-Sides
The Very Best Of Prince
Ultimate
4Ever

Edit
Diamonds & Pearls 0:40 One Nite Alone... Live! Live 30 April 2002, Portland Center for the Perf. Arts - Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, OR, USA
Video Versions
Title Length Released Version Additional info
Diamonds And Pearls 4:30 Diamonds And Pearls Video Collection VHS/DVD

The Hits Video Collection VHS/DVD

Studio See Diamonds And Pearls video for details
Broadcasts/streaming (only)
Title Length Released Version Additional info
Diamonds And Pearls ?:?? Live performance TV broadcast Live 20 July 1991 (matinee), Special Olympics, The Metrodome, Minneapolis, MN
Diamonds And Pearls / Let's Go Crazy ?:?? Live performance TV broadcast Live 4 September 1991, Arsenio Hall Show, Paramount Studios, Hollywood, CA, USA; Diamonds And Pearls intro only
Sampled, Referred to, Quoted in...
Title Length Released Version Additional info
Purple Medley 11:03 Purple Medley single Studio medley See Purple Medley for more details
Purple Medley (Edit) 3:14 Purple Medley single Edit See Purple Medley for more details
Unreleased Versions
Title Version Additional Info
Diamonds And Pearls Studio Version without Rosie Gaines, placed on the 27 November 1990 configuration of the Diamonds And Pearls Album
 
Additional Information

See also Trivia


References
Diamond Eyes   < < < All Songs Unreleased Songs > > >   Die