Sowhat said:

he probably sensed it.. but, when i'm forced to do it, on a consistent basis, i don't mind as much. it's just an area that i've never really been into, as far as drumming goes.. i just feel self conscious, and like i'm pandering for attention, when i do it. it feels cheap.. like when male r and b singers come down off the stage, and start singing to one woman in particular..
it just comes off cheap, and unnecessary..

michael b.
[Edited 7/21/06 6:03am]

Sowhat said:

i honestly enjoy both, equally..
they are different experiences, but very similiar, for me. mainly, because i did so much of it, at the same time, when i was working for prince. we would tour, and record the next album, at the same time.. the two contexts strengthen each other, if you're constantly going back and forth.. it can make you a more complete musician.. the live context keeps you fresh, improvisational, and in the moment.. and, the studio context forces you to be more judicious, and accurate..


michael b.

I'm always struck by bands like U2, who have had the same four members since the late '70s (although they have worked with many, many guests on individual tracks over the years) - would you like to be part of a cohesive group for so much of your professional career, or do you prefer to switch between artists and settings? It seems from your answers, you think of yourself as a session musician, but I can imagine the other side might be a lot of fun too.

Do you remember an upbeat instrumental that you all played occasionally after Morris Hayes' organ finale from the song Dark on the 1994 club tour? Lots of solos by Sonny especially. If you remember it, do you remember a name for the track? Did you ever record it in the studio?

Hi mike.

Why did Tony M get the chance to ruin so many great songs?

ebonyrhythmbuddha said:

Man, that is so true. I just went to a Roots show last night (here in Columbus, OH) and though Amir's solo really got the crowd going, it kinda felt pointless in the overall scheme of the concert. In fact, every member of the band took long solos that night. It was a great show, but it smelled a little cheesy after awhile, to be honest.

Hi Michael,

1.-You once mentioned the existence of an unreleased track called "Laurianne". She is on the credits to the Diamonds & Pearls album. Who is she?

2.-In 1998 you said that Prince was basically rehashing old material. What material were you referring to?

3.-Do you remember if you recorded any other tracks on the day when "Betcha by golly wow" was committed to tape? Whose idea was it to add a hi-hat shaker to your drum kit on "Betcha by golly wow"?

4.-Most memorable and most infamous live "Purple Rain" when you were in the NPG?

5.-Last studio track recorded for Prince?

Thank you,

booyah said:

it doesn't matter what the situation is.. i only stay on as long as it's interesting to me, or until i'm fired.. whichever one comes first.. LOL
after that, it's time to do something else.


michael b.

booyah said:

i have no idea what piece of music you're talking about..

michael b.

mikek1 said:

he didn't get anymore of a chance than the rest of us..

michael b.

zxcvbnmmnbvcxz said:

1. an actress, probably. however, to my knowledge, her name is not laurianne. her name is just lori.

2. i don't remember saying that, even though that's probably how i felt.. i would have to better know the context which this quote was lifted from, to tell you specifically what i was talking about..

to tell the truth, because of the fact that i have perfect pitch, and a really good memory, no matter who i work with, afterwhile, it all sounds the same. just like someone who reads scripts for a living can tell a francis ford coppola movie, or a spielberg movie by way of the dramatical devices they use, the same goes for music, for me. i have an easy time identifying redundancy..

3. i don't recall if we cut anything else, that day. the fact that we recorded that song, alone, was a totally unexpected thing. prince just gave us a list of covers to learn, and walked in while we were rehearsing that one. the next thing i remember is an engineer being called in to set up the tie line from studio A to the soundstage..
if there's a shaker on that track, it was probably prince's idea. i rarely did percussion overdubs.

4. arseno hall show- 1991.

5. before being fired, into the light/i will..
after, some stuff with maceo, greg, and rob(i think his name was rob.. a trumpet player..).. sonny was on bass, and prince played piano..

michael b.
[Edited 7/21/06 19:48pm]

Bland, you are one cool dude, for sticking around at the org shooting the shit.



I am more interested in the ideas presented during the recording of 3121 title track, and the jam sessions at that time. I always feel, and from hearing bootlegs the band's greatest songs are often left off albums. Hence the title track 3121, had that it feel to it, and then there was nothing even close to the title track on the rest of the album.


1.How did you feel when you guys meet up again? Where you anxious, exicted, unsure, etc.

2.Do you get the feeling that the group will be called up for some more projects?

3. Could you go into more detail about the jam session? What kind of tempos, what stood out for you during the jam?

4. How do rights work for things that are recorded in a Jam Session?


5. What about the groupies?

workingupahiyellasweat said:

1. all three, actually..

2. not necessarily. prince seems pleased with the rhythm section he's got, to me.

3. it was 11 songs. some were more structured ideas, musically, and others were sorta free form, where prince just calls out changes and breaks. he just said he wantyed to record an alubm in one evening, and there was no such thing as mistakes. so, we just went for it.

4. not sure how the rights work, for most people in a situation like that. for us, we came to an understanding before we started recording that it was a close ended situation, as far as legalities and whatnot were concerned. we did our work, and we were paid, and we were perfectly happy with how things went down. if you're asking for advice, discuss it with whoever you're working with before anyone presses the record button.

5. what about the groupies?

michael b.

Do u remember the other covers that u learned that was on the list, were any others ever recorded in the studio that remain unreleased? Thanx!

ebonyrhythmbuddha said:[quote]

zxcvbnmmnbvcxz said:

5. what about the groupies?

michael b.[/quote]


From what alan leeds said there was no interaction with groupies. Prince thinks he is above 'normal' people!

He doesn't have the balls to pull groupies; lol

1. So NPG got no groupie love?





Thanks for the answers, man I bet them 11 tracks is banging yall did.

NPG2045 said:[quote]Do u remember the other covers that u learned that was on the list, were any others ever recorded in the studio that remain unreleased? Thanx!

ebonyrhythmbuddha said:

i honestly don't recall what else was on that list.
that might have been around the time we learned "you got the love", the santana medley, and "one of us".. i think this process is what inspired prince to remake "la la la(means i love you..). from time to time, he mentioned wanting to make an album of covers. i remember once, walking into studio A to get something, and seeing the lyrics to "thankyoufalettinmebemicelfagin" laying on the console.. i never got the nerve up to ask about it. i bet he made a funky remake of that, and stuffed it in the vault..

michael b.

mikek1 said:

From what alan leeds said there was no interaction with groupies. Prince thinks he is above 'normal' people!

He doesn't have the balls to pull groupies; lol[/quote]

which begs the question.. are groupies 'normal' people?

michael b.

Is it tiring working with Prince? I've read he can do straight 24 hour recording sessions without a break.

Hello, again, Mr. Bland!

Thanks for staying on so long!

1- Do you remember what other songs might have been considered for the SNL 15th Anniversary Special besides "Electric Chair?"

2- Could you perhaps elaborate on the inspiration for covering "Honkey Tonk Women?" (while we're on the subject of 'The Undertaker,' who's this "Scotty" and why should he "shake somethin'" when you and Sonny were the ones clearly holdin' the fort???)

3- Why, in your opinion, was there less focus on extended versions and b-sides after Prince changed his name to . Wasn't the whole point of that to be free to deliver his music without corporate constraints?

4- Were you involved in the re-recording of Princes entire catalogue?

Thanks again for hangin' out!

(a german beer for you)->

ebonyrhythmbuddha said:

which begs the question.. are groupies 'normal' people?

michael b.[/quote]

Yes.. groupies are normal people(some obviously aren't)..
It's normal for people to want to have sex with good looking humans; prince is good looking(i'm straight btw)!

goosebumps said:

yes, it's tiring..

michael b.

nayroo2002 said:

1. no other songs were discussed.
2. nope. it was just something that happened during a jam session..
scottie was my drum tech. he was being asked to participate, by way of tambourine..
3. probably because there were less singles, since there was no record company involved. i don't really think prince was preoccupied with trying to get on the radio or anything like that, during that time.. which means, no one was making regular requests for such things, for promotion and whatnot.. also, not to necessarily be argumentative, but the exchange of products for money is a corporate constraint, by nature. the buyer has to feel like they are getting their money's worth.. this effects both art and commerce, in my opinion. also, i don't believe that was the reason for the name change. i'm pretty sure prince covered this territory in an interview, somewhere..
4. no, i was not..

michael b.
[Edited 7/23/06 23:35pm]
[Edited 7/24/06 12:06pm]

Thanks so much for all of your informative responses!

OK, here are a few more questions:

1. What is your favorite Prince drum part which you did not play on the studio recorded version?

2. Did Prince usually have a theme regarding the lyrics of a song prior to the writing of the lyrics (i.e. "I'm gonna write a song about..."?

3. How much pressure was there to conform to Prince's belief systems including religion, food choices, etc.?

4. At any given time, approximately how many songs was the band expected to know by heart so that a quick cue to lead to that song being performed live without any advance notice (i.e. not on the set list)?

Thanks again!!

jsb23nc said:

1. there are no such parts in existence.

2. i have no idea.

3. he was not a jehovah's witness, during my tenure. so, there was no pressure to conform to his religious beliefs. but, in general, you have to conform to his beliefs.. professionally, socialogically, and economically to be effective in that working environment. he tried to preach the ills of consuming red meat to me and sonny. we didn't really listen.

4. maybe 5..

michael b.

Hi Michael, what made you want to be a drummer and who were your influences? How did you become Prince's drummer?

Hi Mr B. Can u remember how many takes the 'Dolphin' video took? It's a 1-shot video right?
[Edited 7/24/06 13:14pm]

goosebumps said:

a guy named jeff corbett, who played in a band that rehearsed across the alley from where i lived... he was the first drummer i got a chnce to watch. in southeast mpls, they have basements in houses. you can see from outside, through the window, and down. hr had his drums set up, right beneath the window. so, i paid attention.

we met at bunker's. he sat in. there were several jam sessions between, and a couple of visits to paisley park. short answer = he picked up the phone, and called me at my mom and dad's house..

michael b.

rlittler81 said:

more than three.. i dunno.
yes, it was a 1-shot video..

michael b.

Thanks mike your great SHHH = GREATEST INTRO EVER!!!!!

I was wondering if you noticed any change in Prince around Mayte?

Did you think she was hot?

I have read a couple of books and they said he was immensely controlling of her; did you see this?