For this summer’s 25th anniversary of Prince’s classic movie and album Purple Rain, SPIN is excited to announce the release of Purplish Rain, a tribute album made up of nine tracks commissioned by the editors of SPIN.
One very special note: Among the nine songs is a version of “When Doves Cry” performed by the Twilight Singers, featuring Apollonia, who costarred with Prince in the movie, and Greg Dulli — check out SPIN.com’s exclusive stream of the track below!
The entire album will be available as a free download for SPIN magazine readers and subscribers via SPIN.com/prince starting June 23. (Return to the site on that date for instructions about how to get your free download.)
Purplish Rain was produced to accompany the July cover story, an oral history of Purple Rain, for which contributing writer Brian Raftery spoke to most of the key people involved in the creation of the movie and album.
While being interviewed for the cover story, Apollonia mentioned that she had performed Prince songs with Greg Dulli, the ex-Afghan Whigs frontman who’s also recorded with Mark Lanegan as the Gutter Twins. She then contacted Dulli about covering a Prince track for SPIN’s tribute.
“It was a fun challenge,” says Dulli. “I can guarantee you that what we do sounds nothing like what you expect. The only thing you’ll recognize is the lyrics.”
Hear the song below, and check out the full tracklist for Purplish Rain:
1. “Let’s Go Crazy” RIVERBOAT GAMBLERS
2. “Take Me With U” SHARON JONES & THE DAP-KINGS
3. “The Beautiful Ones” FOL CHEN
4. “Computer Blue” OF MONTREAL
5. “Darling Nikki” CHAIRLIFT
6. “When Doves Cry” THE TWILIGHT SINGERS
7. “I Would Die 4 U” MARIACHI EL BRONX
8. “Baby I’m a Star” CRAIG WEDREN
9. “Purple Rain” LAVENDER DIAMOND
Listen: The Twilight Singers, “When Doves Cry”
This track is no longer available
Availability and lineup are subject to change without notice and subject to the sole discretion of SPIN Media LLC. This offer expires 9/30/2009 and is only available for legal residents of the U.S. and Canada. If a user cannot download songs in the manner described, SPIN Media LLC is under no obligation to provide replacement or alternate downloads. Void where taxed, prohibited, or restricted. All songs composed and arranged by Prince, except “Computer Blue,” words by Prince, music by Prince, John L. Nelson, Wendy Melvoin, Lisa Coleman, and Matthew Fink. Copyright owner/administrator, Controversy Music c/o Universal Music Corporation and WB Music Corporation c/o Warner Chappell Music, Inc. SPIN allows the distribution of this album with respect to the compulsory license obtained to do so. By downloading the album, users agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless SPIN Media LLC and its affiliates, subsidiaries, and their respective officer, directors, and employees from any and all third party claims, losses, costs, or expenses (“Claims”) which any of the foregoing might incur by reason of any claim or action arising out of or relating to the use or distribution of this download in a manner not covered under the compulsory license that spin obtained to record and distribute the original performances of the Purple Rain songs.
