zxcvbnmmnbvcxz said:

prince had a habit of working on music at the piano in his house. he had an old school rectangular cassette deck. he'd play and sing into this thing.. mouthing drum rhythms and guitar melodies and whatnot. then, he'd bring the cassette deck to the studio, play it, and futher illustrate what he was looking for..

as far as "shhh" goes, he pretty much came up with the spaces for the drumming, and i chose what to do with the spaces, if that makes sense..

michael b.

Michael B
thanx again 4 being so gracious and answering all of these questions.

One Question just came 2 mind that I have had 4 years.

Who is the female voice on the "Goldnigga" CD?

She sings/speaks on most of the Segues and I think all the Parts
of the song "Goldnigga"

There is also a (different?) female on "Johnny"

that album is great 2 hear because of all the *live* instruments.

She is Uncredited on the cd.

Also - U spoke a few times about how U record much more than U release.
Is there any specific song that U *KILLED* in the studio but NEVER saw the light of day?

7
[Edited 3/11/06 21:09pm]

thaCONcept said:

I'm sure Michael will correct me if this isn't the case, but I seem to remember reading somewhere when the New Power Generation band album was being touted as something that would be coming out from Paisley Park/Warner Bros. that members of SWV and possibly Mary J. Blige did backing vocals on the record.

I THINK 1 of the girls U hearin'on Gold Nigga cd is Carmen Electra.

ebonyrhythmbuddha said:

Oh so it was YOU on the drums making me feel all tingly inside when I hear that intro!

Hi Michael,

I've got nothing deep to say, no questions to ask.

I just want to thank you for your dedication and passion for your instrument, and thanks for coming on here and taking the time. You may or may not feel so, but you're a great example to other musicians out there.

Have a cool Saturday,
Jace

Thanks for getting back and answering my question on the Mineapolis album, interesting, it's great to go into a record store and browse pick up something which you know nothing about, stick it in the player (with tender loving care of course lol) and just enjoy. Guess I am an oldie on the Download versus CD 'cos you cant beat the feeling of browsing through the store and getting excited when you find something interesting and then rushing home to play it lol

You know that whole Prince era was amazing Gold/Exodus and talking about the drum solo on shhhh well it still send shivers up and down my spine every time I hear it . It was indeed a great period of time (yeah even the crazy costumes lol)

Do you think that this is lacking today in music, sure there are some great musicians but as far as entertainers go, someone who can woo the crowds both with their talent and stage presence

Hey Michael Bland!!
What was it like performing "Maybe Your Baby" with Stevie Wonder on June 26, 1994 at Glam Slam LA after the first VH1 Honors show?

thaCONcept said:

i don't recall who that was, the female voice on that record.. again, once my parts were solid, i usually didn't hear any track again until it was complete.. by then, any number of people would have been involved..

i keep speaking about the volume of unreleased material because the fans keep inquiring about it.. they need to understand that i haven't been under prince's gainful employment for 10 years, basically.. there's not a whole lot, specifically, that i can recall about any number of random recording sessions that took place during all hours of the night, and morning..
so they will have to get used to the idea that certain works may never surface.. and there are a multitude of reasons why.. some songs were prototypes for others.. here's an example:

the first recording session i did for prince was for a song called "the grand progression".. it was supposed to be on the "graffiti bridge" soundtrack.
it was replaced at the last minute by "still would stand all time"..

things like that happened, often.. there's a rock trio version of "solo", from "come", that got replaced by the version you are familiar with..
the only real similarities were the title, and a couple of lines of the lyrics.. some things come out, and some don't.. some are re-written.. some are failed experiments, or don't fit into a larger context.. different reasons...

michael b.

dori said:

the music business, to me, isn't really about that, anymore.. talent is no longer the criteria, nor mystique, or doing your own thing.. youth is king, with or without abilities.. celebrity is more important than going on your own artistic path.. it's just a different time.. but truthfully, even when we were doing our thing, there wasn't really anyone else attempting anything similar, that i can recall.. and that's what made prince,and working with prince, so great.. you were following him down a road less travelled.. and it's dangerous, but it's fun.. y'know?

michael b.
[Edited 3/11/06 23:01pm]

Hey Michael. It's Michelle again. What's up?
If you don't mind, I just had another question or two to ask you. I actually thought of it later after the first question that I posted earlier in the week.

Just curious, could you see or would you be doing anything else besides music?
If I'm am not mistaken, I know that back in the day before the whole Prince thing you were in college studying theology (if I'm wrong, please forgive me).
Have you or would you go back to college if you just wanted too?

Nothing major, just a question.

I hope I didn't bore you with it. Thanks for answering.

Peace,

Michelle

ebonyrhythmbuddha said:

Wow, thanks for the cool stories Michael B. It's such a refreshing change from the "I want Prince's ta-tas" threads.

2 more questions if you don't mind.

What type of books do you read? I've heard you say a couple things that the average person doesn't and that led me to think you might be into philosophy?

What's the one thing you learned with Prince that you couldn't have learned anywhere else?



I wish you were coming to Miami, but I suppose I'll just have to make my way to Minnie instead.

Hi Michael. I've, eh, heard somewhere that you and Sonny are the rhythm section on the 3121 title track, which to my ears bears more than a passing resemblence to the way you guys used to play Days Of Wild live. Just wonmdering if this was an intentional nod to the past or whether Prince has maybe sampled you both from a live performance. Thanks for taking the time to answer our silly wee questions on here, man.

Michael B!!! (I like typing that-it makes me feel like the NUDE TOUR!)

I know I'm asking U a ton of questions, so if it gets bothersome just tell me 2 "pass the mic" and I'll stop.

I just want 2 say again how much I appreciate U taking the time and I'm positive I can get everyone reading, HERE (www.prince.org) 2 co-sign on that!

A lot of what U have discussed, is why the original NPG is so well respected. Not only was that his Funky-est band but it was one of his most productive time periods.


Somewhere else here on the ORG someone brought up the song "Hide the Bone". That track is amazing. The drums and guitar R so funky I cannot see any1 not liking it. My question, U may or may not know.....

The lyrics are attributed to Brenda Lee Eager and Hilliard Wilson (who also co-wrote SOMOBODY'S SOMEBODY)
I never heard ANYTHING about these people. Are they from MPLS? Is this a songwriting team i should know? Do U have any info on them?

2nd Question: Most of all the songs that ended up on "The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale" were recorded by the NPG but the credits R very vague and general. Did U play DRUMS on the track "When the lights go down"? There is some percussion plus drums so it sounds like possibly U and Kirk? Is it even from the Time U were with him? Do U have any recollection of this song?

BTW...."She Spoke 2 me (Xtended)" and "Its Abbout That Walk" R 2 AMAZING documents of how the NPG sounded live. How do u just put a song like that in the vault?

Question 3: This may be a bit niave but can a drummer get writing credit? Do U actually write a drum part? I know, for example, in Prince's case he either "beatboxes" what he wants or lays down a basic track. When U work on a song 2gether in the studio or live, Do U or Can U recieve a writing credit and most importantly, Royalties? (just lookin out 4 your bank account)

thanks again

7
[Edited 3/12/06 9:09am]

thaCONcept said:

1. i never met those people.. i never saw them at paisley park, either, to my knowledge..
prince went through a period where he was cowriting with people, but never while we were around.. i believe someone also cowrote "solo" with him..

2. some of the material on "the vault" was recorded for the soundtrack to a movie called "i'll do anything", starring julie kavner and nick nolte, if i'm not mistaken.. songs like "i'll do anything", obviously, "when the lights go down".. also songs like "don't talk to strangers", and "she spoke to me"..
the producers told prince that the cast was gonna sing the songs in the movie.. he says, "what? the woman that plays the voice of marge simpson is gonna be singing my music.. no, she's not.." and pulled his work from the film.. so, the material was just laying around until "the vault" came out..
and yes, that's me and kirk on "she spoke to me".. and, we recorded "it's about that walk" on a sunday afternoon, in paris.. i think prince was just bored, so they found a studio, and we just played around until something started to happen.. and, it did..

3. ir's very rare for a drummer to receive writing credit for a beat.. beats are public domain, for all practical purposes.. we did, however start a publishing company in 1993, i think.. npg publishing.. so, we do all receive SOME residuals/royalties from stuff like COME, THE GOLD EXPERIENCE, EXODUS, GOLDNIGGA, and some other things..
doesn't amount to alot, at all.. but still, we were happy to be considered..

michael b.

Hey Mr. Bland! I saw you at Prince's aftershow at Paisley Park on February 25th. Mambo's Combo is rocking and I hope you play at paisley park again for the 3121 tour (with Prince, maybe .
[Edited 3/13/06 13:39pm]

ebonyrhythmbuddha said:

mike,
couldja just picture Kavner singin' " i'll do anything... to have you like me.... i'll do double. just bacauuuuuse" awww heeeeeyulllll nawwwww

Michael Bland is the only drummer in the Zildjian Company History (& known to man)to crack a 22" EarthRide cymbal.

This has been brought 2 u by Goo's moments.

Peace

Michael Bland is the only drummer in the Zildjian Company History (& known to man)to crack a 22" EarthRide cymbal.

This has been brought 2 u by Goo's moments.

Peace