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Thread started 01/04/19 4:58pm

lonelyalien

Which musicians Prince worked with were better at there instruments than prince?

I'd be interested to hear your opinions.

I'm just like everybody else I need love.....and water.
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Reply #1 posted 01/04/19 5:00pm

EmmaMcG

Maceo Parker.
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Reply #2 posted 01/04/19 5:06pm

rdhull

avatar

EmmaMcG said:

Maceo Parker.

lol

"Climb in my fur."
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Reply #3 posted 01/04/19 7:05pm

donnyenglish

Anyone that played horns
John Blackwell
Michael B.
Larry Graham
[Edited 1/4/19 19:05pm]
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Reply #4 posted 01/05/19 7:13am

Empress

Sheila
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Reply #5 posted 01/06/19 9:57pm

peggyon

Sonny Thompson and Mark Brown on bass.

John Blackwell

Michael Bland

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Reply #6 posted 01/07/19 5:23pm

violetcrush

It has been said that Prince was enamored with the way Lisa Coleman played Piano/Keys. While Prince was a fantastic player he did not have the ethereal sound that Lisa could capture. Prince talked about it during the second to last P&M show when he told the story of how he met Lisa.

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Reply #7 posted 01/07/19 5:34pm

pinkcashmere23

violetcrush said:

It has been said that Prince was enamored with the way Lisa Coleman played Piano/Keys. While Prince was a fantastic player he did not have the ethereal sound that Lisa could capture. Prince talked about it during the second to last P&M show when he told the story of how he met Lisa.

I would agree. i just watched the Detroit show and Lisa's playing at the end of Another Lover was magical. I thought his story about meeting her was very sweet. I had read about that in a few books and it was nice to hear him tell the story himself.

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Reply #8 posted 01/07/19 5:40pm

violetcrush

pinkcashmere23 said:

violetcrush said:

It has been said that Prince was enamored with the way Lisa Coleman played Piano/Keys. While Prince was a fantastic player he did not have the ethereal sound that Lisa could capture. Prince talked about it during the second to last P&M show when he told the story of how he met Lisa.

I would agree. i just watched the Detroit show and Lisa's playing at the end of Another Lover was magical. I thought his story about meeting her was very sweet. I had read about that in a few books and it was nice to hear him tell the story himself.

Yes, it was such a sweet moment during that show. Wendy and Lisa did an interview recently with The Revolution, and they were talking about how Prince would not tolerate drinking, smoking, drugs, etc with the band. The reporter asked how Lisa got away with smoking (she was a heavy smoker back then), and Wendy said, "Lisa got away with a lot, because she was the only one who could play their instrument better than Prince." smile

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Reply #9 posted 01/07/19 7:13pm

pinkcashmere23

violetcrush said:

pinkcashmere23 said:

I would agree. i just watched the Detroit show and Lisa's playing at the end of Another Lover was magical. I thought his story about meeting her was very sweet. I had read about that in a few books and it was nice to hear him tell the story himself.

Yes, it was such a sweet moment during that show. Wendy and Lisa did an interview recently with The Revolution, and they were talking about how Prince would not tolerate drinking, smoking, drugs, etc with the band. The reporter asked how Lisa got away with smoking (she was a heavy smoker back then), and Wendy said, "Lisa got away with a lot, because she was the only one who could play their instrument better than Prince." smile

It really was. Aww I missed that interview. I recall Susan Rogers talking about when Prince fined Wendy for having a beer in the hotel after a show and how upset and angry she was over it.

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Reply #10 posted 01/07/19 7:16pm

violetcrush

pinkcashmere23 said:

violetcrush said:

Yes, it was such a sweet moment during that show. Wendy and Lisa did an interview recently with The Revolution, and they were talking about how Prince would not tolerate drinking, smoking, drugs, etc with the band. The reporter asked how Lisa got away with smoking (she was a heavy smoker back then), and Wendy said, "Lisa got away with a lot, because she was the only one who could play their instrument better than Prince." smile

It really was. Aww I missed that interview. I recall Susan Rogers talking about when Prince fined Wendy for having a beer in the hotel after a show and how upset and angry she was over it.

Yes, although I did read that she said that even though he was strict about those things, that particular time she knew there was something else going on, because no one saw her with the beer. I believe she was walking down the hall of the hotel going from one room to another. I think that was the beginning of the end for the band sad

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Reply #11 posted 01/07/19 7:23pm

pinkcashmere23

violetcrush said:

pinkcashmere23 said:

It really was. Aww I missed that interview. I recall Susan Rogers talking about when Prince fined Wendy for having a beer in the hotel after a show and how upset and angry she was over it.

Yes, although I did read that she said that even though he was strict about those things, that particular time she knew there was something else going on, because no one saw her with the beer. I believe she was walking down the hall of the hotel going from one room to another. I think that was the beginning of the end for the band sad

Yes,I read about that incident in one of the biographies. There was a lot of tension during that time from what was said.

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Reply #12 posted 01/12/19 6:52am

paulludvig

peggyon said:



Sonny Thompson and Mark Brown on bass.



John Blackwell



Michael Bland



I don't think MarkBrown is better on bass. Sonny Thompson maybe. Not sure about Bland either.
The wooh is on the one!
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Reply #13 posted 01/12/19 6:53am

paulludvig

violetcrush said:

It has been said that Prince was enamored with the way Lisa Coleman played Piano/Keys. While Prince was a fantastic player he did not have the ethereal sound that Lisa could capture. Prince talked about it during the second to last P&M show when he told the story of how he met Lisa.



That's more about style and what you prefer.
The wooh is on the one!
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Reply #14 posted 01/12/19 7:13am

violetcrush

paulludvig said:

peggyon said:

Sonny Thompson and Mark Brown on bass.

John Blackwell

Michael Bland

I don't think MarkBrown is better on bass. Sonny Thompson maybe. Not sure about Bland either.

Per Prince - from the 1985 Rolling Stone interview:

*

What sound do you get from different members of the Revolution?

Bobby Z was the first one to join. He’s my best friend. Though he’s not such a spectacular drummer, he watches me like no other drummer would. Sometimes, a real great drummer, like Morris, will be more concerned with the lick he is doing as opposed to how I am going to break it down.

Mark Brown’s just the best bass player I know, period. I wouldn’t have anybody else. If he didn’t play with me, I,d eliminate bass from my music. Same goes for Matt [Fink, the keyboard player]. He’s more or less a technician. He can read and write like a whiz, and is one of the fastest in the world. And Wendy makes me seem all right in the eyes of people Watching.
*

Mark stated that after he left the band Prince asked him if he would come back and play for the NPG.

*

And Michael Bland is an incredible drummer one of his best.

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Reply #15 posted 01/12/19 8:19am

violetcrush

paulludvig said:

violetcrush said:

It has been said that Prince was enamored with the way Lisa Coleman played Piano/Keys. While Prince was a fantastic player he did not have the ethereal sound that Lisa could capture. Prince talked about it during the second to last P&M show when he told the story of how he met Lisa.

That's more about style and what you prefer.

WRONG. Having the ability to play classical pieces and/or use your hands in a way to capture a unique or layered sound, is not just a "style" - it is a skill that is practiced and learned.

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Reply #16 posted 01/12/19 9:08am

paulludvig

violetcrush said:



paulludvig said:


violetcrush said:

It has been said that Prince was enamored with the way Lisa Coleman played Piano/Keys. While Prince was a fantastic player he did not have the ethereal sound that Lisa could capture. Prince talked about it during the second to last P&M show when he told the story of how he met Lisa.



That's more about style and what you prefer.


WRONG. Having the ability to play classical pieces and/or use your hands in a way to capture a unique or layered sound, is not just a "style" - it is a skill that is practiced and learned.



Of course it's a skill. And Prince has that skill too. Who's skills you prefer is a matter of taste.
The wooh is on the one!
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Reply #17 posted 01/12/19 9:57am

jjam

paulludvig said:

peggyon said:

Sonny Thompson and Mark Brown on bass.

John Blackwell

Michael Bland

I don't think MarkBrown is better on bass. Sonny Thompson maybe. Not sure about Bland either.

What?!? Michael Bland is hands down the best drummer he ever had.

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Reply #18 posted 01/12/19 9:57am

violetcrush

paulludvig said:

violetcrush said:

WRONG. Having the ability to play classical pieces and/or use your hands in a way to capture a unique or layered sound, is not just a "style" - it is a skill that is practiced and learned.

Of course it's a skill. And Prince has that skill too. Who's skills you prefer is a matter of taste.

Hmmm, you should probably go back and listen to the first Atlanta P&M show. Here's Lisa's story of first meeting Prince. She has also confirmed that she would play classical pieces for Prince and his Dad, because they did not play classical music. Prince has also confirmed that he did not read music - he learned to play by ear.

*

LISA COLEMAN: He sent for me to come out to Minneapolis. I was fresh out of high school. Prince picked me up at the airport in his little Fiat sports car. He even let me smoke in his car. I don’t think his ashtray had ever been used. He was really romancing me.

We got to his house and went downstairs. He pointed me to the piano and said, “You can go play, and I’ll be right back.” I knew he was spying on me. I had been working on a Mozart concerto, so I started playing some of that. He came bounding down the stairs. Then he picked up a guitar, and we started jamming; I think he actually played “Party Up.”

I stayed the weekend in a spare bedroom. When I looked around the house, he had the “A Star Is Born” poster — Kris Kristofferson and Barbra Streisand — on his wall in the bedroom. I thought that was so cute — boy rock ‘n’ roll.

*

A synopsis of Prince's words about Lisa at his first Atlanta P&M show:

*

"I'd like to show some love for Wendy and Lisa. I met Lisa first when she came to MN to join the band, and she introduced me to Wendy. She wouldn't look me in the eye....I guess, you'll have to ask her why. I told her to go down to the basement. There was a piano there. I called my manager to tell him I didn't think it was going to work out. Then I heard her playing. I told him nevermind...."

*

He then began to play a soft, ethereal sounding piece, and said, "she told me her favorite pianist was Bill Evans....he then says to the crowd, "I know, right?? - as in, who the hell is Bill Evans??. Then he says, "I'm trying to play like her".

*'

So, yeah, I think it's safe to say that she had some skills that Prince did not have.

[Edited 1/12/19 9:59am]

[Edited 1/12/19 10:04am]

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Reply #19 posted 01/12/19 10:07am

paulludvig

violetcrush said:



paulludvig said:


violetcrush said:



WRONG. Having the ability to play classical pieces and/or use your hands in a way to capture a unique or layered sound, is not just a "style" - it is a skill that is practiced and learned.



Of course it's a skill. And Prince has that skill too. Who's skills you prefer is a matter of taste.


Hmmm, you should probably go back and listen to the first Atlanta P&M show. Here's Lisa's story of first meeting Prince. She has also confirmed that she would play classical pieces for Prince and his Dad, because they did not play classical music. Prince has also confirmed that he did not read music - he learned to play by ear.


*


LISA COLEMAN: He sent for me to come out to Minneapolis. I was fresh out of high school. Prince picked me up at the airport in his little Fiat sports car. He even let me smoke in his car. I don’t think his ashtray had ever been used. He was really romancing me.


We got to his house and went downstairs. He pointed me to the piano and said, “You can go play, and I’ll be right back.” I knew he was spying on me. I had been working on a Mozart concerto, so I started playing some of that. He came bounding down the stairs. Then he picked up a guitar, and we started jamming; I think he actually played “Party Up.”


I stayed the weekend in a spare bedroom. When I looked around the house, he had the “A Star Is Born” poster — Kris Kristofferson and Barbra Streisand — on his wall in the bedroom. I thought that was so cute — boy rock ‘n’ roll.



*


A synopsis of Prince's words about Lisa at his first Atlanta P&M show:


*


"I'd like to show some love for Wendy and Lisa. I met Lisa first when she came to MN to join the band, and she introduced me to Wendy. She wouldn't look me in the eye....I guess, you'll have to ask her why. I told her to go down to the basement. There was a piano there. I called my manager to tell him I didn't think it was going to work out. Then I heard her playing. I told him nevermind...."


*


He then began to play a soft, ethereal sounding piece, and said, "she told me her favorite pianist was Bill Evans....he then says to the crowd, "I know, right?? - as in, who the hell is Bill Evans??. Then he says, "I'm trying to play like her".


*'


So, yeah, I think it's safe to say that she had some skills that Prince did not have.














[Edited 1/12/19 9:59am]

[Edited 1/12/19 10:04am]



And vice versa.
The wooh is on the one!
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Reply #20 posted 01/12/19 10:11am

violetcrush

paulludvig said:

violetcrush said:

Hmmm, you should probably go back and listen to the first Atlanta P&M show. Here's Lisa's story of first meeting Prince. She has also confirmed that she would play classical pieces for Prince and his Dad, because they did not play classical music. Prince has also confirmed that he did not read music - he learned to play by ear.

*

LISA COLEMAN: He sent for me to come out to Minneapolis. I was fresh out of high school. Prince picked me up at the airport in his little Fiat sports car. He even let me smoke in his car. I don’t think his ashtray had ever been used. He was really romancing me.

We got to his house and went downstairs. He pointed me to the piano and said, “You can go play, and I’ll be right back.” I knew he was spying on me. I had been working on a Mozart concerto, so I started playing some of that. He came bounding down the stairs. Then he picked up a guitar, and we started jamming; I think he actually played “Party Up.”

I stayed the weekend in a spare bedroom. When I looked around the house, he had the “A Star Is Born” poster — Kris Kristofferson and Barbra Streisand — on his wall in the bedroom. I thought that was so cute — boy rock ‘n’ roll.

*

A synopsis of Prince's words about Lisa at his first Atlanta P&M show:

*

"I'd like to show some love for Wendy and Lisa. I met Lisa first when she came to MN to join the band, and she introduced me to Wendy. She wouldn't look me in the eye....I guess, you'll have to ask her why. I told her to go down to the basement. There was a piano there. I called my manager to tell him I didn't think it was going to work out. Then I heard her playing. I told him nevermind...."

*

He then began to play a soft, ethereal sounding piece, and said, "she told me her favorite pianist was Bill Evans....he then says to the crowd, "I know, right?? - as in, who the hell is Bill Evans??. Then he says, "I'm trying to play like her".

*'

So, yeah, I think it's safe to say that she had some skills that Prince did not have.

[Edited 1/12/19 9:59am]

[Edited 1/12/19 10:04am]

And vice versa.

Sorry, but I don't think there was too much more that Prince could have taught Lisa about playing her instrument. Other aspects of music/recording/performing yes....playing keyboards? Not so much. Hence, the reason he began giving W & L basic tracks to add to or finish in 1985.

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Reply #21 posted 01/14/19 3:33pm

woogiebear

Jesse Johnson on Guitar

Sonny Thompson on Bass

Dr. Fink & Lisa on Keys

Sheila E/Michael Bland/John Blackwell Jr. on drums

cool cool cool

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Reply #22 posted 01/14/19 9:38pm

paulludvig

woogiebear said:

Jesse Johnson on Guitar


Sonny Thompson on Bass


Dr. Fink & Lisa on Keys


Sheila E/Michael Bland/John Blackwell Jr. on drums


cool cool cool



Disagree with most of these. Blackwell was a better drummer I suppose, Sheila I imagine was a better percussionist, but not necessarily a better drummer. The rest? No.
The wooh is on the one!
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Reply #23 posted 01/14/19 11:58pm

Sydney

Jesse, Sheila E & Michael Bland (well he was louder at least!)

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Reply #24 posted 01/15/19 5:11pm

woogiebear

paulludvig said:

woogiebear said:

Jesse Johnson on Guitar

Sonny Thompson on Bass

Dr. Fink & Lisa on Keys

Sheila E/Michael Bland/John Blackwell Jr. on drums

cool cool cool

Disagree with most of these. Blackwell was a better drummer I suppose, Sheila I imagine was a better percussionist, but not necessarily a better drummer. The rest? No.

U disagree about Jesse Johnson??? Okay........

eek eek eek

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Reply #25 posted 01/23/19 7:19am

paulludvig

woogiebear said:



paulludvig said:


woogiebear said:

Jesse Johnson on Guitar


Sonny Thompson on Bass


Dr. Fink & Lisa on Keys


Sheila E/Michael Bland/John Blackwell Jr. on drums


cool cool cool



Disagree with most of these. Blackwell was a better drummer I suppose, Sheila I imagine was a better percussionist, but not necessarily a better drummer. The rest? No.

U disagree about Jesse Johnson??? Okay.....


eek eek eek



Definitely. JJ's playing is a lot more generic.
The wooh is on the one!
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Reply #26 posted 01/23/19 7:56am

TheTruth123

violetcrush said:

It has been said that Prince was enamored with the way Lisa Coleman played Piano/Keys. While Prince was a fantastic player he did not have the ethereal sound that Lisa could capture. Prince talked about it during the second to last P&M show when he told the story of how he met Lisa.



Prince was very humble in that way and L&W obviously still meant a lot to his life always.
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Reply #27 posted 01/23/19 8:47am

violetcrush

TheTruth123 said:

violetcrush said:

It has been said that Prince was enamored with the way Lisa Coleman played Piano/Keys. While Prince was a fantastic player he did not have the ethereal sound that Lisa could capture. Prince talked about it during the second to last P&M show when he told the story of how he met Lisa.

Prince was very humble in that way and L&W obviously still meant a lot to his life always.

Yes, special relationship for sure. Lisa was with Prince from almost the beginning and through his pivotal years while he was moving up the "rock star" ladder. Wendy provided great chemistry on stage and addeda lot to the music as well.

*

Hans Martin Buff told a cute story during his recent interview with The Violet Reality. He said, during the sessions for compiling the Crystal Ball record, Prince had him isolate Wendy and Lisa's backup vocals on Pop Life, and he said to Hans, "listen to that - they are one person".

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Forums > Associated artists & people > Which musicians Prince worked with were better at there instruments than prince?