Part of the appeal of Prince to all of us is how varied his output has been over the years. We all have favorites from different eras/times etc. It seems as though almost all of us agree that before 1989 he had as great an output as anyone could imagine. Post 1989 is where it seems most debates get sparked up.

I would personally like to cast a vote for what may be my favorite album of all post 1989 albums, (certainly in the 2000s), One Nite Alone Piano.

It doesn't necessarily shock me that this album isn't for some folks out there. But it AMAZES me that some of his most ardent supporters refer to this album as a bunch of demos and/or give it a 2 out of 10 star rating.

I've always found this album to be very intimate, not overproduced, but not demoish. Just right. I have extremely few criticisms of this album. Unfortunately my one major gripe has to do with my favroite song. I think the content of the first verse of Avalanche lyrically is just that, an avalanche. But that second verse with the backgrounds vocals is just heavenly.

I have the sense that I am in the minorty of folks who think this album is master class material. Am I wrong?

Fenwick said:

How different tastes can be...with th exception of Arbouretum which is beautiful...I hate and detest this album. I think it may be tainted by the fact it was an NPGMC release at a time when new 'albums' were promised, funky samples teased us and then Prince gave us something that was by his OWN admission(i believe) a collection of demos. I also dont like it as it part of his 'ram my opinion down your throat' phase where music took a back seat for 'controversial' opinions (as this phase ended?)

Nope not for me


Its different, i'll give him that
[Edited 4/3/10 6:39am]

demo or not, Prince cared enough about this collection of songs that he put them on an album for fans w/ what I think a great album cover. The album really showcases his voice & piano. Some people just want funk Prince, some want rock & some of us like variety. I think it`s a great album & an intimate listen. People go on & on about how it`s a demo but they`ll praise demos if they`re bootlegs. Sometimes I don`t even get what us fans like or want. Not all the songs on this album r for me but I enjoy the majority of what`s on it!

Inho, one of the weakest albums in his entire career.

Only 'Avalanche' does it for me.

I really like it....

nosajd said:

...or, like the rereleasing of horny pony, thieves in the temple etc, it was just a tickbox exercise to at least partly fulfil the membership obligations with minimum fuss and cost.
[Edited 4/3/10 8:52am]

I think it's a beautiful album (with the exception of Avalanche). Besides that, it's great.

purpledoveuk said:

Aw man.... and here I was thinking you were one of the smart ones...

No seriously, that's what makes the world go round right? Whenever I see folks heaping praise on albums like 3121, I get the same feeling you do from this album. I just don't get it.

I find 3121 to be a bunch of uninspired retreads but One Nite Alone to be brilliant.

Go figure...

Efan said:

Interesting. Do you dislike Avalanche in its' entirety or because of the lyrics?

Fenwick said:

I'm not a fan of the lyrics, but I've gotten quite good at ignoring his lyrics in many songs. But I also don't like the vocal delivery here, and while I always find his piano work impressive, there's just nothing that grabs me about this song. It has three strikes for me.

If only he played the piano better. Play the fucking thing like you do the guitar. We know you can do it,.

Fenwick said:

it's unique in Princes discography so I think, for many it will be seen as inspirational, beautiful etc. But like all music is supposed to do, it vacuums up emotions, moments intime, where youare at etc....andfor me it was a time when my rose-tinted glasses for Prince came off once and for all...after NPMGC, it was a wonder icould sit down after the number if times I'd been butt-fucked by that website, so for me pretty much everything from
that projects 2nd year is loathed....NEWS, Xpectation(2nd year) etc... Loved some of the first year stuff line High, Supercute etc...thestuff with effort, hated the repackaging of old sings as new, livid about the world tours that never left USA/Canada and fuming aboutbthe ona gig ticket fiasco (8 years on!!! Get over it!!!)
[Edited 4/3/10 10:24am]

His worst album for me. I played it recently before I listened to the Peach and Black podcast. It's not all bad, but it lacks everything truly great.

Goods songs

One Nite Alone
U're Gonna C Me
Avalanche
Pearls Before The Swine

OK

Case Of U
Have a Heart
Ojects in The Mirror

Not Good

Here On Earth
Aboretum

Awful

Young And Beautiful

5/10.

It's been in my top ten Prince albums since he released it. Absolutely stunning. The title track is a masterpiece. Yes, Avalanche is divisive in it's "look what I just read" lyrics, but the music delivered in that song is stellar.

Gets a 9/10 from me. Prince is perfect on the piano. It's that guitar that bugs me. I wish he'd play more piano.

it's lovely. and was the soundtrack in my mind the week i fell in love with the person who gave it to me.

Beautiful Record

squirrelgrease said:

Its in my top ten 2, i really like this album, and if it IS a collection of demo songs...i dont care.

squirrelgrease said:

i totally co-sign

im amzed at how little musical tste some people have on here


its fucking AMAZING-the melodies..the musicianship..the lo key approach....some of princes BEST lyrics

if you realy think this album is "crap" you dont know shit about music

Eh, I find it to be a below average Prince album. The songs don't seem very distinctive to me. It sounds nice enough while it is playing but once it is over I have trouble remembering what the songs sound like.

MikeyB71 said:

Cool. Couple of top ten votes.

When I think of this album one of the things that stands out to me is that I have never hit the skip button once. The only other albums I can say that about all come before '89. It's a pretty short album that completely captures a mellow vibe.

Rialb, to your comments about the songs not being memorable, that's just so strange to me. The entire album sets such a mood that every song is memorable to me. Funny how this stuff grabs each of us differently.

Purpledove - I suppose if this album came out at a bad time between you and Prince then I can see your point. I hope some day the fog on that clears because I obviously think you're missing out on a gem of an album.

And Squirrel on Avalanche I totally agree. It's my favorite song on the record despite the lyrics tripping all over themselves. The build up in the second verse/chorus is master class.

I really, really like it. One or two songs I could do without but the rest, especially the title track are great.

But I could kick him in the nuts for those cheap ass keyboard sounds, especially this CRAPPY fake flute at the end of "objects" (forgot the title at the moment).

jonylawson said:

Oh yeah! GOD has spoken... (If you don't like what I like, then you don't know shit).

For me, this album is a collection of hardly finished, unfocused , boring songs (except Avalanche, though he fucks it with the lyrics). I can hardly distinguish one 'song' from another.

They don't show Prince's proficiency at the piano AT ALL. The circulating piano rehearsals from 82 and 83 are infinitely better.

And, again, all lies from Prince: it's NOT a 'Solo Piano And Voice' album as stated on the cover. Not only because many tracks feature electronic keyboards in the background but it also includes a fully instrumented song (Pearls B4 The Swine) which is doing NOTHING on that album.

It's proved to be impossible from him to deliver what he promises. It's his trademark.


To think what he could've done and what he actually did in the end is cringeworthy.

The first 4 songs are Amazing..... the rest is ok. i love the piano on One night Alone.

vitriol said:

Well I obviously strongly disagree with your assessment of this album, but agree that name calling each other is a silly way to go about trying to make a point.

Furthermore, I know many people here who know a heck of a lot about music that worship 3121 and thoroughly dislike One Nite Alone. I personally find that unimaginable, but again, that's what makes the world go round.

Anyway, Phisanga you literally had me laughing out loud with the "I could kick him in the nuts" comment.

Good times...

Y&B and Pearls B4 The Swine are two of my favourite tracks from the 00s.

Have A Heart is up there too, almost forgot about that.

.
[Edited 4/4/10 8:32am]

Great album, wish he did more like this. I put Silver Tongue on the end after Arberetum. Works.

Beautiful and sophisticated album

I fully agree with ONA Piano being one of the best things he is done. Surely the best of 2000s. I believe 'u're gonna c me,, a case of u and one nite alone' are absolutely magic.

As for it being rate 2 out of 10 for some people. Let them enjoy Planet Earth and MPLSound (ugh!)...

Haven't experienced this album in a long time but I put ONA and Xpectation in my top 20.