Diggin’ In My Own Collection – CDs of Questionable Legality

Diggin’ In My Own Collection is a nine-part series where I’m taking a look at some of the rare, and incredibly unique, albums in my CD collection. 

While looking up CDs on Discogs that I thought might be rare I came across an interesting note under “Marketplace” for one of them

“This release has been blocked from sale in the marketplace. It is not permitted to sell this item on Discogs.”

Say whaaaat???

I texted my buddy Paul, who’d inspired this search for rarities in my collection, and he said he’d never seen that for any album before.

As I continued to look up CDs, the note came up again for another album I own. So for this edition of Diggin’ In My Own Collection I’m going to take a look at those two CDs that seem to be of questionable legality.

 

 

Cam’ron vs. Prince – Purple Reign 

If you’ve ever thought – Cam’ron’s lyrics set to the music of Prince would be a match made in Heaven – Purple Reign is the project that proved you right.

I’m pretty sure I came into possession of this CD because it was included in a gift bag I received at a listening party, and I think that listening party was for the 2006 Grits album Seven.

Purple Reign is a damned cool concept that turned out great, but it involved using Prince’s music without his permission, so it’s pretty easy to see why Discogs won’t allow anyone to sell the album.

Interestingly, while plenty of other not altogether legal releases can easily be found on resale sites, this CD is impossible to find anywhere on the internet.

 

 

Pearl Jam – No Fuckin’ Messiah 

Much like with Prince, you don’t see many unauthorized Pearl Jam albums floating around, which is why when I came across No Fuckin’ Messiah in a box of $2 CDs at my local library’s annual book (and media) sale, I was intrigued.

For starters, the entire look of it screams “bootleg!” to the point where I almost thought it was a mix made by a fan. Then I noticed the note on the back – “MADE IN ITALY.”

So now you’re telling me it’s a foreign bootleg of one of the biggest bands of all-time? You’re damned right I’m interested!

I leafed through the CD booklet and was stoked to see the content was all live songs, and demos. Foreign, bootleg, live songs, demos – that’s a head-exploding combination of awesomeness.

I bought No Fuckin’ Messiah along with a bunch of other CDs (and books!), and while it can’t be resold on Discogs (and I wouldn’t sell it anyway), it goes for anywhere from $40 to $80 on sites like Amazon and eBay.

 

With No Fuckin’ Messiah being an album I found while digging through discount CDs, the next installment of this column will take a look at four more rare CDs I’ve found while digging through discount bins.

Until then, keep digging!