Now that #SOTTSuperDeluxe has been officially released, there is so much I can (and should) finally talk about.

So much to praise.

But instead of typing ALL DAY, I decided on ONE track I must recommend to everyone on Twitter (not just Prince fams!) for today.

Power Fantastic.

Power Fantastic” was *officially* released in 1993 as part of ‘The Hits/B-Sides’ collection.

At the time of *that* release, fams went WILD for it. It was quite honestly one of the most-mentioned songs whenever I would ask fellow Prince lovers for obscure-r tracks they loved during the late 90s and early 00s.

THEM: I really love “Power Fantastic”...

ME:

And then... Prince actually PERFORMED it live during the NYC NPGMC pre-show soundcheck in 2002 and most fams’ heads exploded.*



*But thankfully we put them back together in time for his scorching rendition of “Joy In Repetition” at the after-show. https://open.spotify.com/track/5DJbH0MAjmN8RACGgNqqYk?si=Hyob_JfUQvmqO8fi3JvVlw

And yes, I just mentioned a pre-show, show, AND after-show.

That was Prince.

(If he’s NOT your favorite artist already, go look in the mirror and truly ask yourself... why is that?)

Getting back to “Power Fantastic”...

The version that was released today as part of the #SOTTSuperDeluxe is markedly different from the version on ‘The Hits’ package back in 1993. https://open.spotify.com/track/4HOdpUC2AkEWzekIfIHNRP?si=783Ubsq8T3eW5OWmJEGyqg

Another thing that made Prince so stellar (besides the aforementioned pre-shows, shows, and after-shows), was his alternate versions of songs.

And how each one was individually incredible in its own right.

Which I could explain if/when I find a free million days to do so.

For instance, “Somebody’s Somebody” is an AMAZING track off the ‘Emancipation’ album.

However, fams usually mention the Rosie O’Donnell performance version whenever the track is cited because it took the song to another level.

Thankfully, Prince released a ‘Livestudio Mix’ version as part of a “Somebody’s Somebody” remix promo (which also appeared on “The Holy River” single) to mirror that same arrangement and energy.

Another example involves my favorite Prince track: “Electric Intercourse”.

To clarify, the version I consider my favorite is the live/unreleased version.

The live/unreleased version circulated underground amongst the fam community for decades (in addition to various rehearsal versions) before an unearthed “Studio Version” dropped as part of the ‘Purple Rain Deluxe Expanded Edition’ package in 2017. https://open.spotify.com/track/1JXP1QK92F7NWgwissQmRA?si=iGjF0L0nTa-tEjjkH3sskA

I enjoy the studio version too - because I do admire the song and am positively enamored by the lyrics - but it doesn’t compare to the live arrangement.

And now for “Power Fantastic”.

As I have mentioned, Prince lovers far and wide have cherished ‘The Hits’ version and the live versions for years.

However, this new and exciting #SOTTSuperDeluxe era has unearthed an even jazzier “Live in Studio” version. https://open.spotify.com/track/0Ewx7uHVVWZ4GfbMmEXP3q?si=TOdYBCJCRnaXDaSPVmVe4Q

THIS “new” version was recorded live in March 1986 as part of the set that began to yield material for the unreleased ‘Dream Factory’ project. https://open.spotify.com/track/3pGhReOq7iS6u0nEazc2ly?si=SW5ZMyMLSG2YJl1qG7yV5Q

“Power Fantastic” was added/removed to that set before DF was eventually abandoned altogether as Prince instead forged ahead with ‘Sign O’ The Times’.*

*7 tracks from the original DF configuration remained on SOTT in various formations.

Me if I took the time to discuss that:

And when you experience the ethereal nature of THIS version, it makes perfect sense that it was floated for inclusion on ‘Dream Factory’ when you consider the tone for that project.

You don’t listen to it. You experience it.

It takes over your body and invades your dreams.

What I find exceptionally special is that Prince toyed with the idea of a jazz-infused project very early on, but didn’t get around to it entirely until the 2001/2002 ‘ONA’/‘Rainbow Children’ era...

...because he was simply busy dominating every other genre. | #Princerversaries