Received a splendid package in the mail yesterday courtesy of my man DW: a DVD of Prince live in August of '83, first show with Wendy Melvoin in the band, playing what would end up being the main source tracks of many songs on Purple Rain . I haven't given it a proper look yet but casual flipping thru revealed a heavy, heavy document I can't wait to sit and go bananas over.

Thunder.

Along with the DVD came eight CD's of pristine Stones outtakes, backing tracks and demos from the early 60's thru the Goat's Head Soup period. Especially excellent listening on this muggy, stormy Wednesday. The backing tracks for His Satanic Majesty's Request are so Dervish Fairyland pastoral, so far removed from the Blues/Chuck Berry/yadda... in places, that it's difficult to imagine Keith sat through the making of that entire album without walking out at least once in disgust. Give 'em enough Owsley ,I guess.