Why is it that when I come to the org, I feel like I'm at a funeral? I feel like there is this sense of mourning in this place. People here seem to be going after each other over silly stuff. NEWSFLASH: Prince isn't dead yet and there is still new music to come. For all we know, something big might be brewing up in the studio but who knows? One thing is ture, no one knows where Prince is in his life right now and that's not a bad thing. If anyone in here truly cares about Prince, then pray for him. Support the dude in whatever way you want to. That's all.

purplecam said:

I don't doubt there is new music to come; in fact, I know it's in the works. I am simply stating a sense that, underneath it all, he appears to be drifting... spiritually, emotionally, relationally, and musically. But that, unlike his search in previous years, he appears to be somewhat lost on his journey right now.

I get the sense that, spiritually, emotionally, relationally, and musically, P is lost; in a veritable quagmire of sorts. This is not necessarily a new thing for P; however, unlike '82, the search - that fire in his belly - seems to have gone, too. It's understandable that people mature and change with age, experience, and love, but with P there still seems to be something of a lonely picture emerging underneath the glossy veneer of his much celebrated musical legend.

cue the music: The Grand Progression
[Edited 9/8/08 12:05pm]

Many of P's fans I think EXPECT P to be the same cat that he has always been. That's impossible. P has been a professional in the biz for 30 years. 30 years. That's a long time to be in the game. There is no telling what all has happened to that man. And the effect it has had on him. And it's NOT our place to know. We haven't walked in the man's shoes. Sure Prince has changed. He has matured. He has learned a lot. Not just as a person but from being in this music biz. I think P is at his best when he feels challenged musically. Or when he has something to prove. I think P felt he had a lot to prove when he was younger. So that motivated him. Once he became successful, I think it kinda scared P. P was in his comfort zone being the outsider. Being the rebel. Being the freak. P liked being looked upon like that. Dirty Mind/Controversy/...even 1999. BUT he wanted more people to be aware of his talent so the film was born. THAT threw him into the mainstream in a huge way. That kinda went against P's sensibility as an artist. NOW P was in the inside. Not the outside, where he had been. I think he enjoyed having a cult following.

I get the sense that, spiritually, emotionally, relationally, and musically, P is lost; in a veritable quagmire of sorts. This is not necessarily a new thing for P; however, unlike '82, the search - that fire in his belly - seems to have gone, too. It's understandable that people mature and change with age, experience, and love, but with P there still seems to be something of a lonely picture emerging underneath the glossy veneer of his much celebrated musical legend.

cue the music: The Grand Progression
[Edited 9/8/08 12:05pm]

Many of P's fans I think EXPECT P to be the same cat that he has always been. That's impossible. P has been a professional in the biz for 30 years. 30 years. That's a long time to be in the game. There is no telling what all has happened to that man. And the effect it has had on him. And it's NOT our place to know. We haven't walked in the man's shoes. Sure Prince has changed. He has matured. He has learned a lot. Not just as a person but from being in this music biz. I think P is at his best when he feels challenged musically. Or when he has something to prove. I think P felt he had a lot to prove when he was younger. So that motivated him. Once he became successful, I think it kinda scared P. P was in his comfort zone being the outsider. Being the rebel. Being the freak. P liked being looked upon like that. Dirty Mind/Controversy/...even 1999. BUT he wanted more people to be aware of his talent so the film was born. THAT threw him into the mainstream in a huge way. That kinda went against P's sensibility as an artist. NOW P was in the inside. Not the outside, where he had been. I think he enjoyed having a cult following.

It's called mid-life crisis ....

He is confused and conflicted ....

blackguitaristz said:

But at the same time, he wanted as big of a cult following he could have. And it just doesn't work that way. PR, the album, the film, etc..was commercial bigtime. It HAD to be to become as successful as it did. In the 80's, P was probably the most driven artist of that decade. But things change and P changed, to a degree. That's what happens. P is not a robot. If he gets cut, he will bleed just like you and I. Perhaps P isn't as challenged as he was in the 80's. There's a good chance he feels he has nothing else to prove. That combined with his status in the industry...he's seen as a living legend and he knows this. Coming from a creative place, this is totally different from the cat from Uptown who wants to take on the world with his brand of freedom. That drove Prince then. To take over. Once he took over, it was a different battle. P is STILL one of the greatest living performers. NO ONE can out perform Prince STIIL. Prince can take over a stage from anybody that's out there right now. As far as the cat's recent outputs, I think some of the things I mentioned has played a hand in that. But I think P has accepted that if that is the case. What drove P in the past was having something to prove. And the desire of truly getting over. Once he got that, he had to find new mountains to climb. P right now, just might not feel like he HAS to climb a new mounatin.
[Edited 9/8/08 14:45pm]

Yes.

He needs to cross path with a kindred.

You know, iron sharpens iron.

He is surrounding himself with highly skilled musicians, but to sharpen I think you need to really vibe and feel "connected."

I'm sorry marriage hasn't worked out for him. And I don't think his band are "friends" or "kindreds" not in the way past members have been.


I think artists, in particular, are very sensitive to the energy they exchange with like minds and can't create or live passionately and authentically without it.

I know this is an esoteric answer. But I'm in a mystical state of mind.

There's no way to tell if he's lost or if he's the happiest man on earth and he just likes fucking with his fans and the press cause he has a unique sense of humor.

Conjecture. Pure conjecture.

Many of P's fans I think EXPECT P to be the same cat that he has always been. That's impossible. P has been a professional in the biz for 30 years. 30 years. That's a long time to be in the game. There is no telling what all has happened to that man. And the effect it has had on him. And it's NOT our place to know. We haven't walked in the man's shoes. Sure Prince has changed. He has matured. He has learned a lot. Not just as a person but from being in this music biz. I think P is at his best when he feels challenged musically. Or when he has something to prove. I think P felt he had a lot to prove when he was younger. So that motivated him. Once he became successful, I think it kinda scared P. P was in his comfort zone being the outsider. Being the rebel. Being the freak. P liked being looked upon like that. Dirty Mind/Controversy/...even 1999. BUT he wanted more people to be aware of his talent so the film was born. THAT threw him into the mainstream in a huge way. That kinda went against P's sensibility as an artist. NOW P was in the inside. Not the outside, where he had been. I think he enjoyed having a cult following.

It's called mid-life crisis ....

He is confused and conflicted ....

Byron said:

I don't get the impression that he's lost at all, I think he's probably more at peace with himself than he's ever been. I'm sure he's doing exactly what he WANTS to do, whatever it might be... I think he just wants some peace and freedom at the moment, some time out .. but what do I know, really...

blackguitaristz said:

But at the same time, he wanted as big of a cult following he could have. And it just doesn't work that way. PR, the album, the film, etc..was commercial bigtime. It HAD to be to become as successful as it did. In the 80's, P was probably the most driven artist of that decade. But things change and P changed, to a degree. That's what happens. P is not a robot. If he gets cut, he will bleed just like you and I. Perhaps P isn't as challenged as he was in the 80's. There's a good chance he feels he has nothing else to prove. That combined with his status in the industry...he's seen as a living legend and he knows this. Coming from a creative place, this is totally different from the cat from Uptown who wants to take on the world with his brand of freedom. That drove Prince then. To take over. Once he took over, it was a different battle. P is STILL one of the greatest living performers. NO ONE can out perform Prince STIIL. Prince can take over a stage from anybody that's out there right now. As far as the cat's recent outputs, I think some of the things I mentioned has played a hand in that. But I think P has accepted that if that is the case. What drove P in the past was having something to prove. And the desire of truly getting over. Once he got that, he had to find new mountains to climb. P right now, just might not feel like he HAS to climb a new mounatin.
[Edited 9/8/08 14:45pm]