Crucial: Difference between revisions

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|writer(s)                = [[Prince]]
|writer(s)                = [[Prince]]
|producer(s)              = [[Prince]]
|producer(s)              = [[Prince]]
|previous song            = [[Cross The Line]]
|previous song            = [[The Cross]]
|next song                = [[Crystal Ball]]
|next song                = [[Crystal Ball]]
|introduction              = '''Crucial''' is the fifth track on the second disc of [[Prince]]’s 20th album [[Album: Crystal Ball|Crystal Ball]] (his fourth using the name [[File: SymbolSmallerBlue.png|link=Alias: Symbol]]). The album is not clearly divided between [[Prince]] tracks and [[File: SymbolSmallerBlue.png|link=Alias: Symbol]] tracks, but the liner notes' discussion of this track state “All instruments and vocals by [[Prince]]”. The original lyrics version (with the later [[Clare Fischer]] arrangement) was released as the tenth track of ''Vault Tracks part 2'', one of the discs with previously unreleased tracks included with the [[Album: Sign O’ The Times Deluxe|Sign O’ The Times ''Super Deluxe Edition'']] in September 2020.
|introduction              = '''Crucial''' is the fifth track on the second disc of [[Prince]]’s 20th album [[Album: Crystal Ball|Crystal Ball]] (his fourth using the name [[File: SymbolSmallerBlue.png|link=Alias: Symbol]]). The album is not clearly divided between [[Prince]] tracks and [[File: SymbolSmallerBlue.png|link=Alias: Symbol]] tracks, but the liner notes' discussion of this track state “All instruments and vocals by [[Prince]]”. The original lyrics version (with the later [[Clare Fischer]] arrangement) was released as the tenth track of ''Vault Tracks part 2'', one of the discs with previously unreleased tracks included with the [[Album: Sign O’ The Times Deluxe|Sign O’ The Times ''Super Deluxe Edition'']] in September 2020.

Revision as of 18:38, 19 November 2022

The Cross   < < < Non-Prince Songs All Prince Songs Unreleased Songs > > >   Crystal Ball
Crucial

from the album Crystal Ball 		Sign O’ The Times Super Deluxe Edition
from the album
Sign O’ The Times Super Deluxe Edition
Song details
Performer: Prince
First Released: 29 January 1998 - Crystal Ball album
Album(s): Crystal Ball

Anthology: 1995-2010
Sign O’ The Times Super Deluxe Edition

Writer(s): Prince
Producer(s): Prince
Live Appearances
First and last live appearance:
  • This track is not believed to have been performed live by Prince
Performed regularly on tour:
  • none
Performed occasionally in shows:
  • none

Crucial is the fifth track on the second disc of Prince’s 20th album Crystal Ball (his fourth using the name ). The album is not clearly divided between Prince tracks and tracks, but the liner notes' discussion of this track state “All instruments and vocals by Prince”. The original lyrics version (with the later Clare Fischer arrangement) was released as the tenth track of Vault Tracks part 2, one of the discs with previously unreleased tracks included with the Sign O’ The Times Super Deluxe Edition in September 2020.

Basic tracking took place on 13 September 1986 at Prince’s Galpin Blvd Home Studio in Chanhassen, Minnesota (four days after the end of the Parade Tour in Japan, the day before recording The Cocoa Boys). Two days later Prince worked further on the song recording almost completely new lyrics for it.

Eric Leeds added a saxophone part on 8 November 1986, at Sunset Sound in Hollywood, California, at Prince’s request, but when Prince heard it, he let Leeds know that the main saxophone solo was in place of the guitar solo, so the saxophone solo was discarded. Leeds then recorded a different sax part the next day.

Along with When The Dawn Of The Morning Comes and The Cocoa Boys, the song was written specifically for the planned musical The Dawn. Other songs recorded earlier (Heaven, God Is Everywhere, Others Here With Us and All My Dreams) were also considered for the film, but the project was ultimately abandoned, and the song was never intended for any of Prince’s many late-1986 album projects (although the album notes in Crystal Ball state that it was intended for Sign O’ The Times and was replaced by Adore). The title is mentioned in an early 1987 draft of what would become Graffiti Bridge. The song (with its original lyrics) was also mentioned in the movie script from October 1987. It was not included on any known configuration of the Graffiti Bridge album.

It is believed that the version used for release on Crystal Ball was edited in 1997, although this has not been confirmed.


Recording Information
Recording Sessions
Date Studio Additional info
13 September 1986 Galpin Blvd Home Studio,
Chanhassen, MN, USA 		Tracking, overdubs, vocals, mix
15 September 1986 Galpin Blvd Home Studio,
Chanhassen, MN, USA 		Vocal overdubs (new lyrics), mix
15 September 1986 Galpin Blvd Home Studio,
Chanhassen, MN, USA 		Edit, mix
8 & 9 November 1986 Sunset Sound,
Hollywood, CA, USA 		Saxophone overdubs (Eric Leeds) (8th) & saxophone overdubs, mix (9th)
12 January 1987 Mad Hatter Studios
Los Angeles, CA, USA 		Orchestra overdubs by Clare Fischer
January 1987 (assumed) Galpin Blvd Home Studio,
Chanhassen, MN, USA (assumed) 		Orchestra mix
Recording Personnel
  • Prince - all vocals and instruments

Crucial (Alternate lyrics)

  • Prince - all vocals and instruments, except where noted
  • Clare Fischer - Orchestral arrangements (uncertain)

1986 Unreleased version

1987 Unreleased version


Versions
Released Versions
Title Length Released Version Additional info
Crucial 5:05 Crystal Ball Studio
Crucial 5:08 Anthology: 1995-2010 Studio / edit Fade-out
Crucial (Alternate Lyrics Version) 6:14 Sign O’ The Times Super Deluxe Edition Studio


Unreleased Versions
Title Version Additional Info
Crucial Original version before saxophone and guitar solo overdubs
Crucial Studio Longer recording with some vocal and musical mixing differences, and lengthy saxophone solo by Eric Leeds
Crucial Studio Longer recording with some vocal and musical mixing differences, and lengthy guitar solo
Crucial Studio Version with Clare Fischer Orchestra overdubs (possibly the same as above)
 
Additional Information
See also Trivia
References
The Cross   < < < All Songs Unreleased Songs > > >   Crystal Ball
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