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Thread started 03/09/11 10:04am

nursev

Prince as a Background Vocalist

So I'm sitting here listening to "Halls of Desire" by Tevin Campbell and of course the song is great because of Prince and Tevin has a great voice, but you can't help but hear Prince singing background vocals lol I was wondering besides Halls of Desire how many other songs has Prince sung back-up on? lol eek

[Edited 3/9/11 10:08am]

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Reply #1 posted 03/09/11 10:14am

Genesia

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Ummm...every single one he wrote? confuse

We don’t mourn artists because we knew them. We mourn them because they helped us know ourselves.
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Reply #2 posted 03/09/11 11:20am

HonestMan13

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If you're going beyond the obvious (songs his proteges did or his own written material for others) then I'd go with these two standouts...

Ani Difranco - Providence

Kate Bush - Why Should I Love You?

I've always liked both of them.

When eye go 2 a Prince concert or related event it's all heart up in the house but when eye log onto this site and the miasma of bitchiness is completely overwhelming!
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Reply #3 posted 03/09/11 11:25am

2freaky4church
1

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Boyfriend is his own choir. He needs to go back to that. It's like he got lazy.

All you others say Hell Yea!! woot!
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Reply #4 posted 03/09/11 12:11pm

Nothinbutjoy

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It's actually one of the things I dig about Prince. giggle

When he's singing background, since I've listened to him so much the past 25+ years, I cannot help but hear him and know that it's him, but he does a great job of being back-up.

There are some, names escape me now, that cannot sing back-up because they're too accustomed to being center.

I like his background on "Love Bizarre". He's there, you know he's there, but it's still Sheila E's song.

[Edited 3/9/11 12:40pm]

I'm firmly planted in denial
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Reply #5 posted 03/09/11 12:21pm

freakdogg

"Waiting Room" by No Doubt. I love that song. I like to drive my fast car with that song bumpin loud. lol

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Reply #6 posted 03/09/11 12:36pm

Giovanni777

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This is one of my fav topics, on Prince's musicality.

From the simple to the sublime, his vocal layering is completely unparalleled. He takes harmonic and rhythmic chances that work so well, they're not chances at all... they're unique, they're huge. From uptempo R&B, Ballads, "Rock Operas", and nearly every other type of music Prince does, his vocal layering is truly amazing.

Back in D.C., I once played some P for some other musician friends of mine, and one couldn't believe he wasn't using a harmonizer...

I was like, "Listen to the different parts, and tell me what harmonizer could do that."

Case closed, when Federico Pena backed me up, and said, "Yeah. That's all him, tracked out".

~G

"He's a musician's musician..."
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Reply #7 posted 03/09/11 12:42pm

CallMeCarrie

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Giovanni777 said:

This is one of my fav topics, on Prince's musicality.

From the simple to the sublime, his vocal layering is completely unparalleled. He takes harmonic and rhythmic chances that work so well, they're not chances at all... they're unique, they're huge. From uptempo R&B, Ballads, "Rock Operas", and nearly every other type of music Prince does, his vocal layering is truly amazing.

Back in D.C., I once played some P for some other musician friends of mine, and one couldn't believe he wasn't using a harmonizer...

I was like, "Listen to the different parts, and tell me what harmonizer could do that."

Case closed, when Federico Pena backed me up, and said, "Yeah. That's all him, tracked out".

~G

I would love to listen to Prince with you, Giovanni! It was a person like you who got me into Prince...really into Prince - beyond just his pop hits. The vocal layering, harmonizing, and hell - all those nuances that once you notice, you can't help but recognize the amazing artist that he can be.

cool

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Reply #8 posted 03/09/11 12:46pm

NouveauDance

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2freaky4church1 said:

Boyfriend is his own choir. He needs to go back to that. It's like he got lazy.

nod

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Reply #9 posted 03/09/11 12:56pm

muirdo

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Forever In My Life.

What I love about that is that the backing vocals are singing the line before the lead vocal.

So simple but totally amazing IMO.

Fuck the funk - it's time to ditch the worn-out Vegas horns fills, pick up the geee-tar and finally ROCK THE MUTHA-FUCKER!! He hinted at this on Chaos, now it's time to step up and fully DELIVER!!
woot!
KrystleEyes 22/03/05
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Reply #10 posted 03/09/11 12:58pm

andykeen

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Ani Difranco - Providence

He makes that song sooooo amazing!


Keenmeister
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Reply #11 posted 03/09/11 1:07pm

Giovanni777

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CallMeCarrie said:

Giovanni777 said:

This is one of my fav topics, on Prince's musicality.

From the simple to the sublime, his vocal layering is completely unparalleled. He takes harmonic and rhythmic chances that work so well, they're not chances at all... they're unique, they're huge. From uptempo R&B, Ballads, "Rock Operas", and nearly every other type of music Prince does, his vocal layering is truly amazing.

Back in D.C., I once played some P for some other musician friends of mine, and one couldn't believe he wasn't using a harmonizer...

I was like, "Listen to the different parts, and tell me what harmonizer could do that."

Case closed, when Federico Pena backed me up, and said, "Yeah. That's all him, tracked out".

~G

I would love to listen to Prince with you, Giovanni! It was a person like you who got me into Prince...really into Prince - beyond just his pop hits. The vocal layering, harmonizing, and hell - all those nuances that once you notice, you can't help but recognize the amazing artist that he can be.

cool

Aw, thanks, Carrie. That's a real compliment, and maybe it can happen somehow. I'll tell you what... I'm a musician's musician... love to hear everything. I've always been that way. It's a huge part of why I appreciate Prince's music so much. He's a musician's musician, with a natural ear... and YEAH - the nuances in nearly every instrument and voice are profound. You have a great ear, Carrie... but you probably already know this. wink

"He's a musician's musician..."
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Reply #12 posted 03/09/11 1:20pm

Genesia

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Giovanni777 said:

This is one of my fav topics, on Prince's musicality.

From the simple to the sublime, his vocal layering is completely unparalleled. He takes harmonic and rhythmic chances that work so well, they're not chances at all... they're unique, they're huge. From uptempo R&B, Ballads, "Rock Operas", and nearly every other type of music Prince does, his vocal layering is truly amazing.

Back in D.C., I once played some P for some other musician friends of mine, and one couldn't believe he wasn't using a harmonizer...

I was like, "Listen to the different parts, and tell me what harmonizer could do that."

Case closed, when Federico Pena backed me up, and said, "Yeah. That's all him, tracked out".

~G

And that he did the best stuff in the days of putting tracks together with a razor blade and tape is insane. faint

We don’t mourn artists because we knew them. We mourn them because they helped us know ourselves.
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Reply #13 posted 03/09/11 2:06pm

DaphneLovesPR1
NCE

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I love Prince doing background. I like to see him just step back and does his thing on vocals, guitar, or piano, but let someone else shines. It says alot about his character. He suprisingly, though not suprisingly, is a great background vocalist. Not everyone can do it..

Prince is GORGEOUS. I'm inspired. GOD is GREAT. Is there anything else to say? lol
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Reply #14 posted 03/09/11 2:14pm

Giovanni777

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Genesia said:

Giovanni777 said:

This is one of my fav topics, on Prince's musicality.

From the simple to the sublime, his vocal layering is completely unparalleled. He takes harmonic and rhythmic chances that work so well, they're not chances at all... they're unique, they're huge. From uptempo R&B, Ballads, "Rock Operas", and nearly every other type of music Prince does, his vocal layering is truly amazing.

Back in D.C., I once played some P for some other musician friends of mine, and one couldn't believe he wasn't using a harmonizer...

I was like, "Listen to the different parts, and tell me what harmonizer could do that."

Case closed, when Federico Pena backed me up, and said, "Yeah. That's all him, tracked out".

~G

And that he did the best stuff in the days of putting tracks together with a razor blade and tape is insane. faint

Most definitely, but the great thing about the layered vocals, is he just overdubs over the previous tracks, and I've heard that he will sometimes not want to hear the previous tracks, while laying down a new one. These aren't revolutionary recording techniques, but the harmonies, rhythms, call and response, and melodic harmonies are truly unique.

I don't think he had to edit too much, but he may have chosen which vocal tracks to have in the mix, and which ones to mute, if any.

"He's a musician's musician..."
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Reply #15 posted 03/09/11 2:23pm

Genesia

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Giovanni777 said:

Genesia said:

And that he did the best stuff in the days of putting tracks together with a razor blade and tape is insane. faint

Most definitely, but the great thing about the layered vocals, is he just overdubs over the previous tracks, and I've heard that he will sometimes not want to hear the previous tracks, while laying down a new one. These aren't revolutionary recording techniques, but the harmonies, rhythms, call and response, and melodic harmonies are truly unique.

I don't think he had to edit too much, but he may have chosen which vocal tracks to have in the mix, and which ones to mute, if any.

Listen, I was a radio reporter back in the 80s - and I know what I had to go through just to run crowd noise under a flippin' voicer. I can't even imagine how li'l guy worked his magic. lol

We don’t mourn artists because we knew them. We mourn them because they helped us know ourselves.
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Reply #16 posted 03/09/11 4:27pm

Giovanni777

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Genesia said:

Giovanni777 said:

Most definitely, but the great thing about the layered vocals, is he just overdubs over the previous tracks, and I've heard that he will sometimes not want to hear the previous tracks, while laying down a new one. These aren't revolutionary recording techniques, but the harmonies, rhythms, call and response, and melodic harmonies are truly unique.

I don't think he had to edit too much, but he may have chosen which vocal tracks to have in the mix, and which ones to mute, if any.

Listen, I was a radio reporter back in the 80s - and I know what I had to go through just to run crowd noise under a flippin' voicer. I can't even imagine how li'l guy worked his magic. lol

Nice! My Dad was a radio announcer, but that was way back.

"P.S.": I've been watching your matching comments... dead on every time. Nice that you dug the Blues...

"He's a musician's musician..."
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Reply #17 posted 03/09/11 4:32pm

jonylawson

i dig his background vocals on the beautiful

TIME WAITS FOR NO-ONE

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Reply #18 posted 03/09/11 5:53pm

KCOOLMUZIQ

Giovanni777 said:

This is one of my fav topics, on Prince's musicality.

From the simple to the sublime, his vocal layering is completely unparalleled. He takes harmonic and rhythmic chances that work so well, they're not chances at all... they're unique, they're huge. From uptempo R&B, Ballads, "Rock Operas", and nearly every other type of music Prince does, his vocal layering is truly amazing.

Back in D.C., I once played some P for some other musician friends of mine, and one couldn't believe he wasn't using a harmonizer...

I was like, "Listen to the different parts, and tell me what harmonizer could do that."

Case closed, when Federico Pena backed me up, and said, "Yeah. That's all him, tracked out".

~G

nod

eye will ALWAYS think of prince like a "ACT OF GOD"! N another realm. eye mean of all people who might of been aliens or angels.if found out that prince wasn't of this earth, eye would not have been that surprised. R.I.P. prince
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Reply #19 posted 03/09/11 6:22pm

nursev

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Giovanni777 said:

This is one of my fav topics, on Prince's musicality.

From the simple to the sublime, his vocal layering is completely unparalleled. He takes harmonic and rhythmic chances that work so well, they're not chances at all... they're unique, they're huge. From uptempo R&B, Ballads, "Rock Operas", and nearly every other type of music Prince does, his vocal layering is truly amazing.

Back in D.C., I once played some P for some other musician friends of mine, and one couldn't believe he wasn't using a harmonizer...

I was like, "Listen to the different parts, and tell me what harmonizer could do that."

Case closed, when Federico Pena backed me up, and said, "Yeah. That's all him, tracked out".

~G

nod

x's 2 nod

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Reply #20 posted 03/09/11 6:23pm

nursev

Nothinbutjoy said:

It's actually one of the things I dig about Prince. giggle

When he's singing background, since I've listened to him so much the past 25+ years, I cannot help but hear him and know that it's him, but he does a great job of being back-up.

There are some, names escape me now, that cannot sing back-up because they're too accustomed to being center.

I like his background on "Love Bizarre". He's there, you know he's there, but it's still Sheila E's song.

[Edited 3/9/11 12:40pm]

I love that song and the fact that Prince is singing background makes it even more special razz

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Reply #21 posted 03/09/11 6:24pm

nursev

andykeen said:

Ani Difranco - Providence

He makes that song sooooo amazing!

I need to take a listen to this song eek

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Reply #22 posted 03/09/11 6:25pm

nursev

DaphneLovesPR1NCE said:

I love Prince doing background. I like to see him just step back and does his thing on vocals, guitar, or piano, but let someone else shines. It says alot about his character. He suprisingly, though not suprisingly, is a great background vocalist. Not everyone can do it..

Agreed cool

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Reply #23 posted 03/09/11 6:26pm

nursev

jonylawson said:

i dig his background vocals on the beautiful

TIME WAITS FOR NO-ONE

Damn isn't that the Jacksons? lol

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Reply #24 posted 03/09/11 6:50pm

KCOOLMUZIQ

nursev said:

DaphneLovesPR1NCE said:

I love Prince doing background. I like to see him just step back and does his thing on vocals, guitar, or piano, but let someone else shines. It says alot about his character. He suprisingly, though not suprisingly, is a great background vocalist. Not everyone can do it..

Agreed cool

Agreed x's 2 lol

[Edited 3/9/11 19:30pm]

eye will ALWAYS think of prince like a "ACT OF GOD"! N another realm. eye mean of all people who might of been aliens or angels.if found out that prince wasn't of this earth, eye would not have been that surprised. R.I.P. prince
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Reply #25 posted 03/09/11 6:50pm

nursev

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

nursev said:

Agreed cool

Agreed x's 2 lol

highfive lol

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Reply #26 posted 03/09/11 7:34pm

HonestMan13

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jonylawson said:

i dig his background vocals on the beautiful

TIME WAITS FOR NO-ONE

Fine example!

When eye go 2 a Prince concert or related event it's all heart up in the house but when eye log onto this site and the miasma of bitchiness is completely overwhelming!
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Reply #27 posted 03/09/11 11:06pm

kenkamken

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The Scandalous Sex Suite is a masterpiece backing vocals wise
"So fierce U look 2night, the brightest star pales 2 Ur sex..."
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Reply #28 posted 03/09/11 11:24pm

thedance

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Prince's voice is in the background to "Yellow" by Sheila E. (1985)

I love this little song.

Prince 4Ever. heart
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Reply #29 posted 03/10/11 8:17am

DAV123

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muirdo said:

Forever In My Life.

What I love about that is that the backing vocals are singing the line before the lead vocal.

So simple but totally amazing IMO.

I've made people listen to that song over and over again just for that reason.....this to me is a masterpiece in vocal abilty...this is a work of art.....Prince paints with his voice vocally when he does these types of layers.....This song is so unique and one of his best contibutions put out there.

There is a part in Elixer when he first comes in he goes from this deep throaty sound to his high sexy tone and it just gives me goose bumps all of the time....no one does this better than him.

"A Man Can't Ride Your Back Unless It's Bent" MLK 4/3/68
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