I know people will just call me a zombie etc etc becuse i have loved princes work 99% of the time since i became a fan.The Minneapolis Genius could still astonish and surprise the masses yet.some albums do take time to warm up too and in the last decade Musicology was probably the best from my Idol.

Riverman37 said:

I do not have any hopes for (the quality) of this album whatsoever.

Based on the Las Vegas-like liveshows he gave this year, the images of him wearing a golden suit, the throwaway character of 20ten, and his silly interviews about women in burqa's, i think its safe to it will probably be another collection of formulaic R&B / lite funk with toned down, but equally silly, JW-lyrics.

So, anything better then that will just be a plus... lol

You busted my optimistic bumble because I think you are basically spot on.

DIAMONDGEEZA said:

Even a collaberation with GA-GA would be interesting

DIAMONDGEEZA said:

Even a collaberation with GA-GA would be interesting

Please, don't let this happen.

Creussonino said:

DIAMONDGEEZA said:

Even a collaberation with GA-GA would be interesting

Please, don't let this happen.

Prince would BURN his instruments before that ever happened.

Graycap23 said:

Creussonino said:

Please, don't let this happen.

Prince would BURN his instruments before that ever happened.

I don't think Prince really likes Gaga.

Creussonino said:

DIAMONDGEEZA said:

Even a collaberation with GA-GA would be interesting

Please, don't let this happen.

Giovanni777 said:

BartVanHemelen said:

If that's the case, than why didn't Prince perform those songs live, promote these albums... and KEPT THEM IN PRINT?

Well, I can't argue with that... But this has been consistent through most of his career, with some notable exceptions.

Bullcrap. He played UNRELEASED music during the PR-gigs, back when he was a pop star. Go look at his 1980s tours: each featured lots of music from his current album. Nude Tour: hits but alos plenty of current and new material. D&P: focused on the album. Act I & II: lots of hits (especially Act II), but he still played plenty of new shit. 1994-95: new stuff and B-sides.

And THEN it changed. Starting in 1996 Prince focused on the hits, except for the TRC tour -- yet that one also shifted towards hits territory during the tour.

Going back further, (the famous) not touring the U.S. for 'Sign O' The Times'.

Which was unbelievably stupid, but that still doesn't change the fact that HE TOURED THAT ALBUM and played VIRTUALLY EVERY SONG from it.

In terms of the recent albums dying off in the retailers and going out of print... That's just bad. The recent releases distributed by a major label will likely last in print - '3121' and 'Planet Earth' as examples. But the idea of 'The Rainbow Children' dying disturbs me.

They are already dead. OOP. The only reason there are still copies around is because they printed far too many of them in the first place. But that's not keeping something in print. How many of Prince's independent albums are still in print? How many fo the downloads are still working? How many of those downloads are still legally available?

If I were an artist, I'd make sure my music was available on every music service. I wouldn't hand out free CDs with a couple of European newspaper and never bother with releasing it anywhere else. If these songs are so great, how come Prince is doing ZILCH to keep those songs alive? He doesn't play them (regularly), you can't really buy them...

What does Prince play and what doesn't he play: that's how simple it is. If those songs were as good as his 1980s output, he'd be playing it and people would love it. But they aren't as good (and they aren't very good at all) and people don't care about them -- and neither does Prince.

There is absolutely no indication that Prince gives one iota about 90-95% of what he has released in the past 15 years. And that's because he knows fully well that his output isn't up to par.

DIAMONDGEEZA said:

I know people will just call me a zombie etc etc becuse i have loved princes work 99% of the time since i became a fan.The Minneapolis Genius could still astonish and surprise the masses yet.some albums do take time to warm up too and in the last decade Musicology was probably the best from my Idol.

[img:$uid]http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lfalmvwlsi1qacnr6o1_400.gif[/img:$uid]

That album was just too hit and miss for me..no more of that sound....

bobbyperu said:

And I have no problem with that! Sounds like you want him to play songs from abums that you don't like and leave out songs from albus that you do like and that makes no sense to me.

YESSS! I hate when people complain about him not playing his newer work when they don't even care for the songs to begin with. Now if the reason is that they like when the new material is being performed live better, THAT I can understand.

paisleypark4 said:

DIAMONDGEEZA said:

[img:$uid]http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lfalmvwlsi1qacnr6o1_400.gif[/img:$uid]

That album was just too hit and miss for me..no more of that sound....

I agree..

Bravo, Bart!! I wholeheartedly 100% agree!!!

BartVanHemelen said:

Giovanni777 said:

Which was unbelievably stupid, but that still doesn't change the fact that HE TOURED THAT ALBUM and played VIRTUALLY EVERY SONG from it.

In terms of the recent albums dying off in the retailers and going out of print... That's just bad. The recent releases distributed by a major label will likely last in print - '3121' and 'Planet Earth' as examples. But the idea of 'The Rainbow Children' dying disturbs me.

They are already dead. OOP. The only reason there are still copies around is because they printed far too many of them in the first place. But that's not keeping something in print. How many of Prince's independent albums are still in print? How many fo the downloads are still working? How many of those downloads are still legally available?

If I were an artist, I'd make sure my music was available on every music service. I wouldn't hand out free CDs with a couple of European newspaper and never bother with releasing it anywhere else. If these songs are so great, how come Prince is doing ZILCH to keep those songs alive? He doesn't play them (regularly), you can't really buy them...

What does Prince play and what doesn't he play: that's how simple it is. If those songs were as good as his 1980s output, he'd be playing it and people would love it. But they aren't as good (and they aren't very good at all) and people don't care about them -- and neither does Prince.

There is absolutely no indication that Prince gives one iota about 90-95% of what he has released in the past 15 years. And that's because he knows fully well that his output isn't up to par.

Thanks's Just knob-rot bart, he's disillusioned with the music industry not his music.

so many assumptions and so little insight.

BartVanHemelen said:

Giovanni777 said:

Which was unbelievably stupid, but that still doesn't change the fact that HE TOURED THAT ALBUM and played VIRTUALLY EVERY SONG from it.

In terms of the recent albums dying off in the retailers and going out of print... That's just bad. The recent releases distributed by a major label will likely last in print - '3121' and 'Planet Earth' as examples. But the idea of 'The Rainbow Children' dying disturbs me.

They are already dead. OOP. The only reason there are still copies around is because they printed far too many of them in the first place. But that's not keeping something in print. How many of Prince's independent albums are still in print? How many fo the downloads are still working? How many of those downloads are still legally available?

If I were an artist, I'd make sure my music was available on every music service. I wouldn't hand out free CDs with a couple of European newspaper and never bother with releasing it anywhere else. If these songs are so great, how come Prince is doing ZILCH to keep those songs alive? He doesn't play them (regularly), you can't really buy them...

What does Prince play and what doesn't he play: that's how simple it is. If those songs were as good as his 1980s output, he'd be playing it and people would love it. But they aren't as good (and they aren't very good at all) and people don't care about them -- and neither does Prince.

There is absolutely no indication that Prince gives one iota about 90-95% of what he has released in the past 15 years. And that's because he knows fully well that his output isn't up to par.

BartVanHemelen said:

Starting in 1996 Prince focused on the hits, except for the TRC tour -- yet that one also shifted towards hits territory during the tour.

True, but from then on he also toured much less than before.

[Not touring the US with SOTT] was unbelievably stupid, but that still doesn't change the fact that HE TOURED THAT ALBUM and played VIRTUALLY EVERY SONG from it.

True, but why didn't he tour the US with SOTT? What is the complete story there?

How many of Prince's independent albums are still in print? How many fo the downloads are still working? How many of those downloads are still legally available?

I agree that Prince should have a website with all his (independent) material on it. Downloads, CD's, vinyl, whatever he has or can get rights to. Albums, concerts, new and previously unreleased material, videos etc. As much as possible, for a reasonable price, offered by a simple but decent webshop, that always delivers.

He actually appeared to make some sort of a start with that when he launched the npgmc, but it was limited and he found out he couldn't make as much with it as he wanted. Moreover he couldn't control it completely either. Then he also got pissed off by all the negative reactions when he (once again) failed to follow up on his promises and after that he eventually got bored with it and closed it. A little later came the total bummer that was lotusflower and now for 2 years already completely nothing.

Shame, BIG shame, I agree, but does that really mean Prince gives "zilch" about his music, old or new? I don't think so. In fact, I think it's pretty much the complete opposite. Prince is addicted to music, money and fame, plus he has a very controlling personality. His music that he loves so dearly, to the point of not being able to live without it, is also his means to make the money and receive the fame he so badly needs. Three addictions keeping eachother alive.

This has basically always been the case, he can't really do it any other way. Because of this combination of a controlling personality and a music, fame and money addict, he is probably more against any form of infringement of his work and cares more about his music than the general artist. Perhabs so much that he has become obsessed with controlling it. But what artist wouldn't really if they had the same ego, talent, super star status and back catalogue as Prince does?

The worst kind of copyright owner you can find basically. One who starts to argue in TV interviews about people covering his songs and who harrasses and sues fansites so they close. Who (if necessary publically) wages war with basically anybody that doesn't follow his rules, including his long time record company. Even possibly one who would intentionally let some of his work that wasn't selling to great to begin with, just go out of print, simply to minimise his own costs and the opportunity for others like record companies to profit from it. Just to "make a point". Lay down the rules on how Prince plays. (see also the youtube and itunes arguments)

BTW: he did play quite a lot of post 95 stuff on his latest tours in the US and Europe. Including songs from 20ten, LF, PE, 3121 and Musicology. Check the thread on it in the concerts forum. http://prince.org/msg/12/...?&pg=2

Sure, it's not the main part of the show, the 'golden oldie' hits are. Of course they are. What do you really expect from a major artist with his kind of addictions and a carreer spanning more than 3 decades and 30 albums, but who hasn't had a major hit in 15 years? Most people who come to see him live, really only know some of the hits and besides he doesn't tour that often anymore either. It's not realistic, nor sound business sense if he would not mostly play hits. You know that too.

Lastly, I also think that the latest tour setlists proves that he does play a lot of unknown and obscure stuff, but that this is mostly limited to opportunities like aftershows, jazz festivals and one off club performances.

Like it always was.

[Edited 9/9/11 6:29am]

One thing I do think he really should change about his live performances is the enromous amount of covers he plays. I guess however that is also some sort of way of Prince to "make a point".

^ Yes, i don't like him playing covers either, he doesn't need to, he's got so much of his own material....

^ for real

One more thing I forgot to mention to bart:

re: albums going out of print. We also cannot exclude the possibility that there are contractual agreements at play there, NOR that this is (also) the work of the record companies who released those albums and/or the big record store chains who, you and I know full well, by now have almost cut down completely on selling CD's.

What incentive really is there for them to still try and sell an "independent" Prince album that never even sold well to begin with?

^ Yes i agree, I'm sure Prince has nothing to do with whether the albums are kept in print. This is down to the record companies which in turn are only responding to anticipated demand.

TheFreakerFantastic said:

^ Yes i agree, I'm sure Prince has nothing to do with whether the albums are kept in print. This is down to the record companies which in turn are only responding to anticipated demand.

well... I am not so sure. Rather I think it's all of them.

And us consumers are to blame. Of course!

DIAMONDGEEZA said:

I know people will just call me a zombie etc etc becuse i have loved princes work 99% of the time since i became a fan.The Minneapolis Genius could still astonish and surprise the masses yet.some albums do take time to warm up too and in the last decade Musicology was probably the best from my Idol.

You are 100% correct! Prince rocks, always did, always will!!

Fabiana said:

You are 100% correct! Prince rocks, always did, always will!!

That really depends quite a bit.

I mean, we all know he can.

But even the hits get cheesy and boring after a while...

I was having a discussion with a friend saying I'd like to get several copies of Prince CDs to have on hand as gifts for friends, etc. for the upcoming holiday season. I thought there's got to be some kind of "wharehouse" place where you can get CDs wholesale, etc. for bargain basement prices.

He says, no you have to go directly to the music company to get old CDs.

I don't believe this, with so much being done through internet sales and with the state of the Industry, there must be some sort of distribution outlet for Artists' CDs? And please no Ebay!

Does anyone know anything about this stuff?

sweething said:

I was having a discussion with a friend saying I'd like to get several copies of Prince CDs to have on hand as gifts for friends, etc. for the upcoming holiday season. I thought there's got to be some kind of "wharehouse" place where you can get CDs wholesale, etc. for bargain basement prices.

He says, no you have to go directly to the music company to get old CDs.

I don't believe this, with so much being done through internet sales and with the state of the Industry, there must be some sort of distribution outlet for Artists' CDs? And please no Ebay!

Does anyone know anything about this stuff?

I don't know what you mean. Record companies only produce a certain amount of CDs. If they over produce, they would sell to an outlet in order to try to get rid of them. The problem is that most outlets also deal in used CDs.

I don't see the point though because you can get a used CD for less and have it basically in the same condition as a new CD from internet sites like ebay, half, amazon, etc. (Amazon and Half both have a section for brand new.)

buist said:

sweething said:

I was having a discussion with a friend saying I'd like to get several copies of Prince CDs to have on hand as gifts for friends, etc. for the upcoming holiday season. I thought there's got to be some kind of "wharehouse" place where you can get CDs wholesale, etc. for bargain basement prices.

He says, no you have to go directly to the music company to get old CDs.

I don't believe this, with so much being done through internet sales and with the state of the Industry, there must be some sort of distribution outlet for Artists' CDs? And please no Ebay!

Does anyone know anything about this stuff?

I don't know what you mean. Record companies only produce a certain amount of CDs. If they over produce, they would sell to an outlet in order to try to get rid of them. The problem is that most outlets also deal in used CDs.

I don't see the point though because you can get a used CD for less and have it basically in the same condition as a new CD from internet sites like ebay, half, amazon, etc. (Amazon and Half both have a section for brand new.)

Oh, I see. Thanks, you answered my question.

Tremolina said:

TheFreakerFantastic said:

^ Yes i agree, I'm sure Prince has nothing to do with whether the albums are kept in print. This is down to the record companies which in turn are only responding to anticipated demand.

well... I am not so sure. Rather I think it's all of them.

And us consumers are to blame. Of course!

FYI, I probably misunderstood TheFreaker and Tremolina. I like what I wrote, but it is rude, and not likely much to do with the meaning of the post. I am sorry. The only reason I felt it was necessary to leave the negative comment in ...is this...Unless I really go over the top, I feel it is necessary to leave in most comments I make. That means the Good ones, the Bad ones, the smart ones, and the dumb ones that make me look like an ass.

What? Nothing to do with if they are in print? Could you possibly not know or understand so little about the business side of things? He owns the masters to everything post 1996. Since he owns them, he can make distribution deals with any company he wants, even make multiple deals for the same album. Prince can make the music that he owns available for download, or print up his own physical cds. He can give them to The Daily Mirror, Rolling Stone, or put them in Damb Cereal Boxes. He can have Sony Distribute 3121, and then have Best Buy distribute it if the original ever sells out, or even have another company distribute another version of 3121 to compete with the original. Prince retains all rights in his deals..... Every single U2 and Springsteen album is in print. Even the ones that did not sell very well. Of course U2 doesn't really have a true official release that sold under a million, and Bruce probably doesn't either. Of course U2 and Bruce don't do whatever they can do to hurt their own careers. U2 and Bruce allow taping of their shows, and they don't sue their fans. Prince comes up with ideas like Tony M, releasing too many albums, and live shows where you might get 10 cover songs and Background girls singing 4 or more songs.

Does anybody with half a brain think that Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis, Bruce Springsteen, or U2 would let Tony M within 400 miles of their Stage or Studio? Please. I think Prince is way more talented than U2 or Bruce, but he has the business sense of a Dead Frog. The thing that makes it funny, is that Prince understands the business side of things to some degree. Then he goes out and does something so stupid, it backfires. There is a reason Prince gets sued all the time. There is a reason he has lesser musicians in his band. Oh, I forgot. Andy Aloe is a world class guitarist. I just am too stupid and negative to hear her brilliance.

Where do I differ from the negativity king, Bart? I think Prince's studio work is still amazing. I just think he goes a bit overboard with releases. If Prince gave 3 years time between every single album after Purple Rain, he might have had a much better result. He could've released huge box sets of outtakes every 8 or so years to satisfy our Prince cravings. I think there are at least 3-5 Super songs every single album. Lotus Flow3r is near perfect to me. MPLSsound is perhaps my least favorite.

Where do I differ from those fans who think his studio albums stink, but his live work is incredible? Well, despite loving nearly every single studio release, I think his live work has been pretty lackluster, other than ONA and Musicology. I think most of the tours since 1990 have been too medley heavy, have lacked passion, and have way too many cover songs, and way too much damn Shelby. She can sing, but I don't pay $300 for a VIP ticket to hear her sing lead on 3-8 songs.

[Edited 9/9/11 20:23pm]

[Edited 9/9/11 21:01pm]

sweething said:

I was having a discussion with a friend saying I'd like to get several copies of Prince CDs to have on hand as gifts for friends, etc. for the upcoming holiday season.

Okay, why would you wanna inflict your love for Prince on other people? If they were such fans of his anyway, wouldn't they have the CDs of his they wanted already? That's just like if I had a friend who was a Justin Beiber nut give me and everybody else random Beiber albums and paraphernalia as gifts. Why, I'd slap the muthafucka silly for that shit!

sweething said:

I was having a discussion with a friend saying I'd like to get several copies of Prince CDs to have on hand as gifts for friends, etc. for the upcoming holiday season. I thought there's got to be some kind of "wharehouse" place where you can get CDs wholesale, etc. for bargain basement prices.

He says, no you have to go directly to the music company to get old CDs.

I don't believe this, with so much being done through internet sales and with the state of the Industry, there must be some sort of distribution outlet for Artists' CDs? And please no Ebay!

Does anyone know anything about this stuff?

If you live in the U.S. and have a Borders in your town, you might go check out what they've got before they go out of business at the end of the week. The store in my neighborhood is now selling everything at 80% to 90% off. I did see a couple of Prince CDs in there a few weeks ago, although almost everything is gone now.

stillwaiting said:

Tremolina said:

well... I am not so sure. Rather I think it's all of them.

And us consumers are to blame. Of course!

What? Nothing to do with if they are in print? Could you possibly not know or understand so little about the business side of things? He owns the masters to everything post 1996. Since he owns them, he can make distribution deals with any company he wants, even make multiple deals for the same album. Prince can make the music that he owns available for download, or print up his own physical cds.

I know I sounded a little harsh here. I didn't mean to be. Every single deal Prince signed since "Emancipation" in 1996 gives him the full rights to all the masters, and can have them distributed by any means he wishes. This really does mean he can have label A release the album, and have a condition that it is only exclusive to that label for a specific period of time, or not agree to have it exclusive at all. Prince let Arista release Rave in 1999, and then less than a year later, he put the alternate version out himself.

It may seem hard to believe, but he really could have Label A release an album, have it go out of print, and then have Label B release it years later, and then give it away with every copy of USA Today for free, and then have Label C release it again, should he wish.

Sadly, by flooding the market, and by career self-sabotage, there is no shortage of Prince cds.

Even though they are out of print, all of the releases since Emancipation are easy to find. Even the ONA Piano cd is easy to find, but thanks to its limited pressing, you have to pay $50-$200 to get a copy. Prince has constantly made enemies, burned down bridge after bridge. He craps on his own friends like The Family, and The Time, and doesn't let them use their own names. Oh gosh, we wouldn't want Prince's legacy ruined if the Time and the Family got to use their names. Just by using the other names helps people see what an ASS Prince is. I love Prince more than anybody could believe, but I refuse to kiss his ass, and will tell my truthful opinion both the positive side and the negative. I truly believe he is the most brilliant pop musician ever, and one of the most self-destructive ever.

[Edited 9/9/11 20:36pm]

[Edited 9/9/11 20:38pm]