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A review by whether
Prince and the Purple Rain Era Studio Sessions: 1983 and 1984 by Duane Tudahl
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
The journalistic sleuthing necessary to assemble a volume like this is staggering. Aside from conducting his own personal interviews with essential characters from the period, Tudahl examined studio logs, work orders, and over 2000 podcasts, articles, and other interviews to nail down dates and content for each studio session. That raw data is woven with personal recollections from the relevant personnel to form a collage that contained insights and revelations I haven't found in any of the other dozen-or-so books about Prince I've read. This is one of a kind.
I listened to this as an audiobook, but even though Ron Butler narrates it perfectly, I think the print version would be superior for two reasons:
1. There are points at which the lists of venues / studios are not intertwined with story, and, if reading, I would have just skipped to the next section. Instead, I had to spend a couple minutes listening to dry information that didn't interest me.
2. The audiobook seems to be based on the hardcover edition, but the paperback edition is apparently much expanded and improved, to the point that it's almost a different book (according to reviews I've read). For that reason, I'll probably buy that version.
I listened to this as an audiobook, but even though Ron Butler narrates it perfectly, I think the print version would be superior for two reasons:
1. There are points at which the lists of venues / studios are not intertwined with story, and, if reading, I would have just skipped to the next section. Instead, I had to spend a couple minutes listening to dry information that didn't interest me.
2. The audiobook seems to be based on the hardcover edition, but the paperback edition is apparently much expanded and improved, to the point that it's almost a different book (according to reviews I've read). For that reason, I'll probably buy that version.