Free Prince Album Sparks Internet Bidding Frenzy

[The One]

Free Prince Album Sparks Internet Bidding Frenzy

http://www.contactmusic.com/pics/md/prince_060710/prince_2915257.jpg

<!--INFOLINKS_ON-->PRINCE may regret his decision to give away his new album (http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/free-prince-album-sparks-internet-bidding-frenzy_1152266#) for free with British newspapers - entrepreneurial readers are selling copies online for more than $20 (£13.30).

The Purple Rain hitmaker struck a deal with the U.K.'s Daily Mirror and Daily Record to hand out his new disc 20TEN with copies of the newspapers on Saturday (10Jul10).

He insisted it was the right move as it would circumvent internet (http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/free-prince-album-sparks-internet-bidding-frenzy_1152266#) piracy and would cause him "no stress".

But the singer (http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/free-prince-album-sparks-internet-bidding-frenzy_1152266#) might already be ruing his decision - hundreds of copies of the CD have gone onsale on various websites, attracting bids of more than $20.

One star who won't be bidding on the record is Sir Elton John - the Daily Mirror reports he ordered five copies of the paper to be sent to his home (http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/free-prince-album-sparks-internet-bidding-frenzy_1152266#) by courier on Saturday to ensure he got hold of the album.

http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/free-prince-album-sparks-internet-bidding-frenzy_1152266

[The One]

Saturday's Daily Mirror becomes collector's item after Prince's 20TEN album giveaway


By Kate Mcmahon 12/07/2010 (http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/prince/2010/07/12/)
Fans scramble to get a copy of album given away in The Mirror

http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m4/jul2010/8/5/prince-image-1-92582190.jpg

Saturday's Daily Mirror has become an instant collector's item, as the historic giveaway of Prince's album 20TEN sparked a global bidding war.
Copies of the free album were being touted for $22 - £14.60 - last night on the internet, as fans tried to get their hands on one.
From dawn, as 2.5 million copies of the Daily Mirror hit newstands, newsagents had people queueing for their copy, with many buying three or four to give to friends and family.

And international demand for the album sent internet auction sites Amazon and eBay into meltdown, as entrepreneurial readers flogged their free album online.

Even megastar Sir Elton John made sure he got his album early, ordering five copies to be couriered from Daily Mirror HQ to his home.
A source close to Sir Elton revealed the Crocodile Rock singer thought the album of 10 tracks with a secret hidden bonus song, was one of Prince's best. "Elton especially loved the opener Compassion and also picked Future Soul Song as an instant hit," the pal said.

Critics across the globe have given it rave reviews, with top music blogger Chris DeLine declaring: "20TEN is a remarkable step towards recapturing both the style and energy of an artist from years-gone-by."

Torquay's Kate Gibbs, 21, said: "I have been waiting for this album for weeks and was so excited on Friday I could hardly sleep. It has been so worth the wait." Others bombarded Twitter to share their joy at the giveaway.

One wrote: "I love this album. Prince is back at his best. Compassion is a classic." Another added: "I've just bought five copies of the Daily Mirror - two for me and three for friends."

Frenzy around the launch reached fever pitch on Friday night, with Absolute Radio DJ Ben Jones waiting at the Mirror's printing presses to snatch the first copy off the production line.
Ben wasted no time in racing back to the station for an exclusive preview.

Soul legend Beverley Knight also gave a big thumbs-up, saying: "It's a return to Prince's original Minneapolis sound with choppy guitars and infectious riffs."

Read more: http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/prince/2010/07/12/saturday-s-daily-mirror-becomes-collector-s-item-after-prince-s-20ten-album-giveaway-115875-22407421/#ixzz0tUV1UFUS