Am I the weaker man
Because I understand
That love must be the master plan?

Introducing 2 new (dancers/singer) Diamonds & Pearls, incl Mayte Garcia

revamped NPG band

Levi Seacer jr being the last of the 1980's Purple Soldiers

& the Sunshine Cloud guitar

rel October 1. 1991

1.Thunder
2.Daddy Pop
3.Diamonds & Pearls
4.Cream
5.Strollin'
6.Willing And Able
7.Gett Off
8.Walk Don't Work
9.Jughead
10.Money Don't Matter 2 Night
11.Push
12.Insatiable
13.Live 4 Love

Great that you start this thread!

i remember getting the album and never really getting into it ...

it had commercial success obviously .... i remember "get off" used to be played on the radio alot (before the album came out) ....

today , i probably would just listen to the first 3 songs . i never liked "cream" (to me its a rip off of bang a gong" ) - "jughead" , "live for love" , and some of the other songs ...

for some reason i really really love push, and walk dont walk is great

uuhson said:

for some reason i really really love push, and walk dont walk is great

I still love Strolling & Money Don't Matter 2 Night

OldFriends4Sale said:

uuhson said:

for some reason i really really love push, and walk dont walk is great

I still love Strolling & Money Don't Matter 2 Night

those too, i listened to strollin on repeat the other day for like an hour

Prince & The New Power Generation
Prince
Mayte Garcia (dancer)
Levi Seacer Jr, (g)
Sonney Thompaon (b)
Rosie Gaines (key)
Tommy Barbarella (key)
Michael Bland (dr)

The Game Boyz
Kirk Johnson ( dancer, percussion)
Tony Mosley ( dancer, Rapper)
Damon Dickson ( dancer)

NPG Horns Heads

Brian Gallagher ( tener sax)
Kathy Jensen ( baritone sax)
Dave Jenson ( trumpet)
Steve Strand ( trumpet)

Horn Heads (Prince's NPG Horns), Horn Section

This group of extraordinarily talented horn players has been gathering international acclaim from artists and critics alike since 1991. Members of The Horn Heads have performed and/or recorded with artists such as Prince, Janet Jackson, Rod Stewart, Babyface, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Lenny Kravitz, Ray Charles, Tony Bennet, Dizzy Gillespie, Doc Severinson, just to name a few. They have appeared on over 100 commercial releases.

As members of Prince and the NPG, the group has contributed to over 20 CDs and performed from more than 2 million people worldwide.

As a solo ensemble the Horn Heads covering the music of American Masters from Duke Ellington and Miles Davis to Leonard Bernstein and Rogers and Hammerstein.

The Horn Heads are Mike Nelson on trombone, Kathy Jensen and Kenni Holman on sax and trumpeters Dave Jensen and Stever Strand.

What makes this album a favourite of mine (apart from personal memories) is songwriting. Certainly, it isn't groundbreaking as the best stuff of the 80's, and it has Tony Mierda shitting here and there, but it has many fantastic, well-crafted melodies.

This period also has very interesting protegé-releases: Ingrid Chavez, Martika, Eric Leeds...

such a badass haircut/facial hair combo. i wish i could pull that off

http://www.thedawnexperie...es/mbn.jpg

TE) How did the NPG Hornz / Hornheads come together ?

MBN) I guess this is technically a 2 part question. We all knew each other from working together in different combinations as freelance musicians in the Twin Cities. The NPG Hornz came out of Brian, Steve and I working on a Michael Bland solo project. Later that year Michael asked us to add a couple of horns to the section and do an instrumental thing with the NPG.
They were currently rehearsing for the Diamonds & Pearls tour, but had some down time because Prince was in Paris. My understanding was that it was a possible warm up act for that tour. I did some 5 horn arrangements of some Madhouse material and we rehearsed a few times at paisley. (I will continue this story as the answer to the next question). The Hornheads were created around the end of the Act II tour. We had some down time and decided to get together twice a week to keep tight. We were also concerned about the always uncertain work situation at Paisley Park and wanted to put together a demo of some sort for future work possibilities with other artists if the need arose. Brian started working on a solo project for NPG records and decide he didn't have time for this project, so we replaced him with our current tenor sax, Ken Holmen.

TE) How did approach you to work for him ?

MBN) The Madhouse thing we did with the NPG was being taped and sent to Prince in Paris. When he returned from Paris, he called us in to rehearse with the band. We jammed on the Madhouse stuff for a while and the started working on some new material which turned out to be for the "O{+>" album. Our first day with him was a 12 hour rehearsal and recording day. We did that a few more times, then started rehearsing with him for the D&P tour and later with Carmen Electra as well.

TE) Who thought of using "Intermission" and "New Dell Inn" during some of the concerts played in 1993-1995 ? (ie "New Dell Inn" at the end of "Billy Jack Bitch"). Was it yourself, the band or ?

MBN) "Intermission" was actually the first Hornheads thing I wrote. It wasn't intended to have rhythm section on it. We played it for sound check at a rehearsal once while Prince was out of town and Levi decided to extend it and record it for possible use on the 1st NPG album. Prince decided the NPG album was complete, but continued using a portion of it at the end of some club shows. For "BJB", we were recording some stuff for The Gold Experience, and while they were changing tapes, we played Prince "Well You Needn't" and "New Dell Inn" which I had recently completed. Later on he decided to use them in "BJB". "Well You Needn't" didn't make the final version.

TE) What kind of musical background do you have ? Obviously we know Kathy and Dave in the Hornheads are related but does your family have a musical background ?

MBN) Kathy and Dave are married. Both my parents families were musical and we listened to a lot of music in my house. My siblings and I all had piano lessons at a fairly young age, but I didn't stick to it for very long. I studied music through high school and 2 years of college before moving to Mpls. I think I'm the only member of the Hornheads that doesn't have a music degree.

TE) How do you think the 2nd Hornheads album differs from the first? How have you advanced?

MBN) They had different purposes. The 1st one was a demo to show off the section. We didn't really intend on selling it. I think the 2nd one is more musical and intended for a wider audience. (It's also quite a bit longer.)
I think I have a better idea how to write for this ensemble now. It was a lot of trial and error at first since this is somewhat of a unique concept. I also have a better idea how to make the arrangements playable live without killing us. The music on the first CD is very difficult to pull off live.

TE) If you had to choose one album or one song to listen to over and over on a desert island, what would it be ?

MBN) That's an impossible question to answer. I suppose the best way to answer is by listing some of the CDs I've played to death over the years. "Kind Of Blue" and "In A Silent Way" - Miles Davis, "Bien Sabroso" - Poncho Sanchez, "Blues And The Abstract Truth" - Oliver Nelson, "Saxophone Colossus" - Sonny Rollins, various Tower of Power, Earth Wind And Fire, Chicago, and Blood Sweat and Tears. I love horn bands. I also have listened to a lot of big band. Stan Kenton's band was very important to me growing up. He had my 2 favorite trombone players as members over the years, Frank Rosolino and Carl Fontana. Also Count Basie and Duke Ellington. I can't leave out Ray Charles either. The more I think about this, the more names I come up with. If I were heading to an island, I'd have to throw them in a pile, let fate decide and just close my eyes and grab one.

TE) If you had to choose one album or song by or Prince , what would it be ?

MBN) That's tough too. I'd probably grab the "O{+>" album. That one has the most horns and some of my favorite songs.

TE) How do feel when you are touring with ? Tired, excited, frenetic??

MBN) YES!

TE) What has been the high point, for yourself, of touring with The Artist/Prince & the NPG ?

MBN) The shows that stand out in my mind are the very 1st one at the Tokyo Dome, the 1st show in Australia, the outdoor and last show in Australia, and the Wembley Stadium show. I forgot what my starting note was at Wembley!
TE) Do you feel jazz is an important musical philosophy in todays techno/acid/speed garage/handbag generation ?
MBN) I don't know. As you can tell by my list of favorite CDs, I don't follow the pop music scene very closely. I just do what I do and hope there is a place for it.

TE) Is there any musician living or dead that you (solo or as a group/ensemble) wish to work with? Why?
MBN) Alive, maybe Sting. He's a great song writer and musician and his music works well with horns.
Dead, probaly Miles or Ellington. They were both so amazingly creative. I feel very fortunate to have done so much with The Artist. I think history will hold him in similar regard once time lets the quirkiness of his personality fade away and lets the music stand on it's own merit. So to be part of such an amazingly creative enviornment is quite an honor.
TE) Have you heard Emancipation? What did you think of it, and what's your favorite song from it?
MBN) There is a lot to take in on those 3 discs. I really haven't sat down and absorbed it all. My favorite song is of course one with horns on it. I really like "Sleep Around" and was very pleased with the horn arrangement
I did on that one.
TE) Have you heard Crystal Ball? What did you think of it, and what's your favorite song from it?
MBN) I've only heard "Rippop" and "2morrow" which I did the horns for. I think they're both cool.

TE) Do you plan on working with The Artist in the future?
MBN) We've done about 10 or 12 tracks in the last 2 months (that's all I'm saying!)
TE) Do you play any other instruments? What do you find special about the trombone and why is it your main instrument of choice?
MBN) I play a little piano and some trumpet. I had a lot of success on trombone when I was young, so I guess I just ended up staying with it. It's one of those choices you make as a child that probably doesn't have any specific
reasons.

Great information. I love this ablum for Money Don't Matter; Walk, Don't Run, Stollin, Insatible, cream. & Push.

OldFriends4Sale said:

Well this with out a doubt made my day

What would i do with out your threads OldFriends4Sale?

Is that Duane by the limo?

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ItsGonnaBLonely said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Well this with out a doubt made my day

What would i do with out your threads OldFriends4Sale?

Is that Duane by the limo?

Duane on the left and Joey on the right.

MutherFunka Oh just stop the teasing with those pics not funny

Oh & thanks 4 the info, thought it was Duane

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Singles are great. Not really any other good songs though

Prince had confidence with this album. As far as I know, there aren't tracks from the vault here, everything is new. The record is completely the sound of the new Prince, with many strenghts... and some flaws.

Diamonds And Pearls

While specific recording details are not known, initial tracking took place in the last week of December, 1989, at Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA (during the same session as Live 4 Love). The track features Rosie Gaines (co-lead vocals) and Michael B. (drums), who had just joined Prince's band rehearsing for the Nude Tour, as well as Tommy Barbarella (keyboards) and Sonny T. (bass guitar), both of whom Prince had recruited to play for Flash, a backing band for Margie Cox.

Sheila E. also played on the song, adding synth drum fills. The track was included as the sixth track on the December, 1990, configuration of Diamonds And Pearls, but was moved to become the third track on the 1 March, 1991 and 8 May, 1991 configurations, where it remained for release.

This will be the day
That U will hear me say
That I will never run away

I am here 4 U
Love is meant 4 2
Now tell me what U gonna do

If I gave U diamonds and pearls
Would U be a happy boy or a girl?
If I could I would give U the world
But all I can do is just offer U my love

Which one of us is right
If we always fight?
Why can't we just let love decide? (Let love decide)

Am I the weaker man
Because I understand
That love must be the master plan? (Love is the master plan)

If I gave U diamonds and pearls
Would U be a happy boy or a girl?
If I could I would give U the world
Cuz all I can do is just offer U my love

D 2 the I 2 the A 2 the M
O 2 the N 2 the D 2 the pearls of love
D 2 the I 2 the A 2 the M (2 the M)
O 2 the N 2 the D 2 the pearls of love

There will come a time (There'll come a time)
When love will blow your mind (Your mind)
And everything U look 4 U'll find (Take a look inside, yeah)

That will be the time (That'll be the time)
That everything will shine (Oh yeah)
So bright it makes U colorblind (U will be colorblind)

If I gave U diamonds and pearls
Would U be a happy boy or a girl?
If I could I would give U the world
But all I can do is just offer U my love

{repeat CHORUS again}
(Pearls, yeah yeah)
(Give U the world)
(All I can do)

If I gave U diamonds and pearls (Diamonds)
Would U be, would U, would U a happy boy or a girl? {fade out}
(Would U, would U, would U be happy little baby)
If I could I would give U the world

© 1991 Controversy Music - ASCAP

Diamonds and Pearls" is the title track to Prince and The New Power Generation's 1991 hit album.The song is an upbeat ballad, given a rock edge with guitar and heavy drumming. The song also features the powerful vocals of NPG member Rosie Gaines. The ballad is an expression of love and not lust, as is the theme on some of the other singles from the album. The song was a Top 10 hit, reaching #3 in the U.S. and the top spot on the R&B charts.

Love Prince's look around this era and those pics with him and the yellow guitar...so cool!

Javi said:

Prince had confidence with this album. As far as I know, there aren't tracks from the vault here, everything is new. The record is completely the sound of the new Prince, with many strenghts... and some flaws.

i thought live 4 love was recorded in the 80s?

^ Doubt it as the lyrics are mostly about the Gulf War, unless u mean an instrumental demo of it, who knows?

The album which I bought for the first time.

TheFreakerFantastic said:

^ Doubt it as the lyrics are mostly about the Gulf War, unless u mean an instrumental demo of it, who knows?

According to princevault.com, it's a track composed specifically for Diamonds and Pearls, therefore not a vault track: http://princevault.com/in...ive_4_Love.

As far as I know, Prince used some extracts of vault tracks (I'm thinking now of the chorus in Walk Don't Walk, which comes from Rebirth Of The Flesh), but he did not use entire tracks from the 80's in this album. To my eyes, this makes the album more valuable: Prince wanted to look ahead, to create a new sound; a sound which, apart from some flaws, is brilliant in my opinion.

I read in Per Nilsen's The Vault that the lyrics of Live 4 Love aren't actually about the Gulf War, since they were already written when the conflict started. That said, the lyrics make a lot of sense when thought in the context of the war.

Nilsen states that the Gulf War is the subject of the last part of Money Don't Matter 2Night and that it could have inspired Thunder.

[Edited 9/22/11 13:21pm]

^ Thanks Javi. It is certainly war themed though, talking about a pilot going to war. The war officially started in August 1990 around the time the sessions would have started.

That said, a countdown sample from this track (? from a 60s film, Barbarella?) was taken from We Got The Power which he recorded in 88 i believe.

TheFreakerFantastic said:

^ Thanks Javi. It is certainly war themed though, talking about a pilot going to war. The war officially started in August 1990 around the time the sessions would have started.

That said, a countdown sample from this track (? from a 60s film, Barbarella?) was taken from We Got The Power which he recorded in 88 i believe.

Yeah, I think that, although the war didn't inspire the song, it's inevitable that they are linked when one thinks about the whole era.

The example of the countdown of Live 4 Love is akin to the one in Walk Don't Walk which I mentioned earlier: vault extracts incorpored to new songs.

Other interesting aspect, also brought by Per Nilsen. There are several lyrics in the album about the individual and his/her ability to overcome difficulties and the pressure of society: listen to Daddy Pop, Cream, Willing And Able, Walk Don't Walk and Push.

Interesting also because it can reflect what Prince was going through artistically After the not-so-brilliant Batman and Graffiti Bridge, which was composed mainly of vault songs and protegé-tunes, he needed to reinvent himself, at least partially, to give new strength and vitality to his music, and to be commercially successful. In my opinion, he succeded, although I know there are many fans who dislike the new sound Prince introduced with Diamonds And Pearls.