Have you people not learned by now that this is a ride in the dark? You're on it but you don't know where it's going until it gets there.

Sometimes you like the ride and sometimes you don't, but either way the whole ride is going to be in the dark.

If you can't handle that kind of ride, then find another artist to follow.

SpiritOtter said:

Giovanni777 said:

I think I'm done with this crap.

Giovanini777,

What has happened to you? You seem to be consistently derailing towards a really negative attitude.

Perhaps it's worthwhile bearing in mind that all these 'news' items are just what they are; nothing more, nothing less (except to say, it's more trivia than we have ever had, certainly before the age of the Internet). I am quite positive you still enjoy the music, so don't let this trivia tire you. It's just meant to be a touch of fun.

I appreciate your perspectives regarding the 'physical' product and, whilst many would agree with how frustrating it is to keep up with his haphazard/lacklustre distribution methods, there are ways and means of collecting Prince's product via other means than following 24/7 of the 'news' items.

It's simply a time of change for Prince and the creation/distribution of his work; who knows if, or how long, it will last, so hold on to your wig.

love,

Spirit

Hello.

Yes, I do indeed feel some disappointment, but I'm at Peace with whatever semi-chaotic events occur. Like Buddha, I am a Taurus, and can let these things pass.

After Prince stating that he will no longer release albums, then to see chaotic methods of single releases (via non-secure websites asking for personal information), I've been a bit frustrated.

Ultimately, I'm fine. I have my own music to tend to. I can patiently wait for the possibility of Prince releasing either CD, Vinyl, DVD, or Blu-Ray.

On another note, I've noticed that we have similar musical tastes with regard to Prince.

We both highly value the following:

Rainbow Children

N.E.W.S.
Xpectation
Planet Earth
Lotusflow3r

errant said:

trax said:

Donna playing guitar on his music is great in my opinion. From what I heard on the live version on Screwdriver she kicked Prince's butt on that song and really made it GREAT!! Prince's guitar style is pretty repetitive and having her play the guitar parts is exciting to me as it will have a different sound to it. Great news to me and I am excited to hear it. It is surprising that he puts all this promtion in the new all girl band and then just dumps them for another band. That has to be disheartening to the girls. For everyone mad about it just don't support him. Its pretty simple really. Thats whats great about what he is doing with the downloads. You don't have to buy it. Just get the ones that you like. I hope their material is like the Screwdriver live style. That song really rocked!!

I found that live version of Screwdriver to be more subdued and less entertaining than either of the 2 studio versions.

Same here. The lyric video version is my fav, and I'm pretty damn sure that is all Prince. Now that version is gone. The "live video" version doesn't touch the lyric video version.

RodeoSchro said:

Have you people not learned by now that this is a ride in the dark? You're on it but you don't know where it's going until it gets there.

Sometimes you like the ride and sometimes you don't, but either way the whole ride is going to be in the dark.

If you can't handle that kind of ride, then find another artist to follow.

This is totally true, and almost always been this way.

Well put, indeed.

paulludvig said:

trax said:

Donna playing guitar on his music is great in my opinion. From what I heard on the live version on Screwdriver she kicked Prince's butt on that song and really made it GREAT!! Prince's guitar style is pretty repetitive and having her play the guitar parts is exciting to me as it will have a different sound to it. Great news to me and I am excited to hear it. It is surprising that he puts all this promtion in the new all girl band and then just dumps them for another band. That has to be disheartening to the girls. For everyone mad about it just don't support him. Its pretty simple really. Thats whats great about what he is doing with the downloads. You don't have to buy it. Just get the ones that you like. I hope their material is like the Screwdriver live style. That song really rocked!!

??

I know! I read that and i was like "Security! Someone needs removal from the premises!"

#4. I really have no interest in listening to guitar on a Prince record that isn't played by Prince.

Now, from what little I know about Donna and have seen of her guitar skills, I like her. But I'd prefer Prince be the predominant influence/sound. If he trusts her though, which is rare, then maybe I can be persuaded to accept her a bit more over time.

P.S. Can't wait for Fallon!

And I like that he's prepping a promo clip for LOL. Hope this can get wider exposure and perhaps go viral so it gets beyond the fan base into the general public.

[Edited 2/16/13 9:29am]

electricberet said:

I think he does realize how important his legacy is and how much he is beloved by those who appreciate music. He wants to put that to use in service of a goal that has been important to him for decades, which is to change the industry by taking power away from executives and middlemen and giving it to the musicians. He has not yet figured out a way to do that, but at least it is an understandable goal.

GREAT point, electricberet. I, too, accept and appecriate that he is negotiating with regards to his legacy, behind the scenes. From his perspective, the stakes are understandably high, perhaps as high with regards to any of his worldy motivations, in terms of his Warner Brothers product. I think it is shame for all lovers of his work that he is facing a, largely hidden, monumental battle with industry standards/contracts he was a part of in the past, and it perhaps makes it understabale with regards to his current reticence, anger and indignation with such statements akin to the idea that "it will never happen" or that it will likely be settled after his passing.

love,

Spirit

rdhull said:

Either Way: this is kind of a strange manner in this day and age for the MUSICIAN OF OUR TIME..to be presented. No dis to jeremy, Hanna, Allo, Ida, Shelby, Elisa or whomever he uses to get the word out about his ideas..but for a legendary musican of our time..maybe THE one of our time....it is ..lets say...an extremely weird way to do so.At times Im like..'don't you respect how you present yourself and your works to the world?"..I mean if all he is worried about is walking with a pimp walk and a cane at the gramys..then so be it, but Inwold think someone somewhere in his stead would try to present some of this whole shit with some dignity and pride that goes beyond "ah that nukka is funky/cool!"

Somebody holla if ya hear me..somebody give me an amen..somebody, anybody, even if its just one person, please let me know that you feel what I am saying. I invested years in this purple madness, please tell me Im not wrong in expecting more thana proverbial Parker Bros Game Of Life end result.

At first after I read your long spiel, I thought you'd been drinking. But then I realized you have a point.

I frankly had never focused on how disproportionate the public relations style was to the stature of the artist. I just accepted this because, you know, Prince is strange, controlling and he does things his own way ... so I expect him to be odd in making his announcements and doing his marketing.

But this is all rather small, unprofessional, and trite for a living legend like Prince. It screams amateur and is unfitting for him; it cheapens and minimizes him.

I understand his desire to reject the establishment, but I want him to get top level, kick-azz management and public relations that is fit for a king. An agency that is adept at all the latest tricks and marketing coordination. He needs an efficient PR machine that's going to make a real impact.

Right now, it seems all these events and releases are scattered and disconnected without an overall long-range masterplan to create an escalation of steady interest/buzz and culminate in some big album, event, etc. I think people are making it up as they go.

Really he's just playing to a small audience -- us. MOst of his news hits the Org and diehard fans and doesn't go much further. Even if media finds out, they print one story and he's soon forgotten again. This is poor handling. And he deserves more.

.

[Edited 2/15/13 12:09pm]

RodeoSchro said:

Have you people not learned by now that this is a ride in the dark? You're on it but you don't know where it's going until it gets there.

Sometimes you like the ride and sometimes you don't, but either way the whole ride is going to be in the dark.

If you can't handle that kind of ride, then find another artist to follow.

Good point, too, RodeoSchro.

It's probably best to accept being in the dark.

Cue the music: The Darkness (rehearsal) with those horns, to take the blues away.

love,

Spirit

Giovanni777 said:

SpiritOtter said:

Giovanini777,

What has happened to you? You seem to be consistently derailing towards a really negative attitude.

Perhaps it's worthwhile bearing in mind that all these 'news' items are just what they are; nothing more, nothing less (except to say, it's more trivia than we have ever had, certainly before the age of the Internet). I am quite positive you still enjoy the music, so don't let this trivia tire you. It's just meant to be a touch of fun.

I appreciate your perspectives regarding the 'physical' product and, whilst many would agree with how frustrating it is to keep up with his haphazard/lacklustre distribution methods, there are ways and means of collecting Prince's product via other means than following 24/7 of the 'news' items.

It's simply a time of change for Prince and the creation/distribution of his work; who knows if, or how long, it will last, so hold on to your wig.

love,

Spirit

Hello.

Yes, I do indeed feel some disappointment, but I'm at Peace with whatever semi-chaotic events occur. Like Buddha, I am a Taurus, and can let these things pass.

After Prince stating that he will no longer release albums, then to see chaotic methods of single releases (via non-secure websites asking for personal information), I've been a bit frustrated.

Ultimately, I'm fine. I have my own music to tend to. I can patiently wait for the possibility of Prince releasing either CD, Vinyl, DVD, or Blu-Ray.

On another note, I've noticed that we have similar musical tastes with regard to Prince.

We both highly value the following:

Rainbow Children

N.E.W.S.
Xpectation
Planet Earth
Lotusflow3r

Hi, Giovanni777,

I am glad to hear, except to say back in the days of collecting bootlegs of studio material, I know very little was as high quality as the downloads we receive nowadays, providing a glimpse into his studio work. It's clearly not as high in terms of quality as it could be, but it is better than the studio bootlegs of a bygone era.

Yes, I appreciate we have similar musical tastes, with a particular appreciation towards Prince's unquestionably strong "musically themed" offerings. In this respect, I would highly encourage you to revisit both Milk and Honey, Elixir, Superconductor, and dare I say it, 20Ten (which I find a GREAT 'little' album showcasing his musical chops). Nothing groundbreaking, but excellent musicianship/ideas, executed extremely well.

love,

Spirit

SynthiaRose said:

rdhull said:

Either Way: this is kind of a strange manner in this day and age for the MUSICIAN OF OUR TIME..to be presented. No dis to jeremy, Hanna, Allo, Ida, Shelby, Elisa or whomever he uses to get the word out about his ideas..but for a legendary musican of our time..maybe THE one of our time....it is ..lets say...an extremely weird way to do so.At times Im like..'don't you respect how you present yourself and your works to the world?"..I mean if all he is worried about is walking with a pimp walk and a cane at the gramys..then so be it, but Inwold think someone somewhere in his stead would try to present some of this whole shit with some dignity and pride that goes beyond "ah that nukka is funky/cool!"

Somebody holla if ya hear me..somebody give me an amen..somebody, anybody, even if its just one person, please let me know that you feel what I am saying. I invested years in this purple madness, please tell me Im not wrong in expecting more thana proverbial Parker Bros Game Of Life end result.

At first after I read your long spill, I thought you'd been drinking. But then I realized you have a point.

I frankly had never focused on how disproportionate the public relations style was to the stature of the artist. I just accepted this because, you know, Prince is strange, controlling and he does things his own way ... so I expect him to be odd in making his announcements and doing his marketing.

But this is all rather small, unprofessional, and trite for a living legend like Prince. It screams amateur and is unfitting for him; it cheapens and minimizes him.

I understand his desire to reject the establishment, but I want him to get top level, kick-azz management and public relations that is fit for a king. An agency that is adept at all the latest tricks and marketing coordination. He needs an efficient PR machine that's going to make a real impact.

Right now, it seems all these events and releases are scattered and disconnected without an overall long-range masterplan to create an escalation of steady interest/buzz and culminate in some big album, event, etc. I think people are making it up as they go.

Really he's just playing to a small audience -- us. MOst of his news hits the Org and diehard fans and doesn't go much further. Even if media finds out, they print one story and he's soon forgotten again. This is poor handling. And he deserves more.

[Edited 2/15/13 8:55am]

The ironic thing, SynthiaRose, is that I quite enjoy the fact that he really is actually 'entertaining' only his hardcore fanbase during this era. It's a touch like The Rainbow Children era, where only a few of us were in on the musical ride. It's akin to the most intimate secret of a rather strange, but bizarrely fascinating, relationship. Thus, I tend to prefer the little independent man approach, even though I fully appreciate his stature does deserve world-class presentation and marketing. But inevitably, I find that we, the hardcore, are almost always left more on the sidelines during those years he decides to go mainstream/big.

love,
Spirit

Giovanni777 said:

errant said:

I found that live version of Screwdriver to be more subdued and less entertaining than either of the 2 studio versions.

Same here. The lyric video version is my fav, and I'm pretty damn sure that is all Prince. Now that version is gone. The "live video" version doesn't touch the lyric video version.

lyric video is the single version. lyric video just didn't have very good sound quality.

SynthiaRose said:

rdhull said:

Either Way: this is kind of a strange manner in this day and age for the MUSICIAN OF OUR TIME..to be presented. No dis to jeremy, Hanna, Allo, Ida, Shelby, Elisa or whomever he uses to get the word out about his ideas..but for a legendary musican of our time..maybe THE one of our time....it is ..lets say...an extremely weird way to do so.At times Im like..'don't you respect how you present yourself and your works to the world?"..I mean if all he is worried about is walking with a pimp walk and a cane at the gramys..then so be it, but Inwold think someone somewhere in his stead would try to present some of this whole shit with some dignity and pride that goes beyond "ah that nukka is funky/cool!"

Somebody holla if ya hear me..somebody give me an amen..somebody, anybody, even if its just one person, please let me know that you feel what I am saying. I invested years in this purple madness, please tell me Im not wrong in expecting more thana proverbial Parker Bros Game Of Life end result.

At first after I read your long spill, I thought you'd been drinking. But then I realized you have a point.

I frankly had never focused on how disproportionate the public relations style was to the stature of the artist. I just accepted this because, you know, Prince is strange, controlling and he does things his own way ... so I expect him to be odd in making his announcements and doing his marketing.

But this is all rather small, unprofessional, and trite for a living legend like Prince. It screams amateur and is unfitting for him; it cheapens and minimizes him.

I understand his desire to reject the establishment, but I want him to get top level, kick-azz management and public relations that is fit for a king. An agency that is adept at all the latest tricks and marketing coordination. He needs an efficient PR machine that's going to make a real impact.

Right now, it seems all these events and releases are scattered and disconnected without an overall long-range masterplan to create an escalation of steady interest/buzz and culminate in some big album, event, etc. I think people are making it up as they go.

Really he's just playing to a small audience -- us. MOst of his news hits the Org and diehard fans and doesn't go much further. Even if media finds out, they print one story and he's soon forgotten again. This is poor handling. And he deserves more.

[Edited 2/15/13 8:55am]

He wants the respect and luxuries that go along with being a living legend who is also a multi-millionaire.

He wants the public perception that he's the underdog, the upstart, with grass-roots start-up indie cred.

Schizo as ever.

SpiritOtter said:

Genesia said:

I think you make a good point. But personally, I think that Prince is (in his head) still 27 years old. To become a legend requires accountability, and Prince has never wanted to be accountable to anyone - including himself. He doesn't want to abide by contracts. He doesn't want to abide by the unwritten laws of relationships. He wants to be footloose and horny, bare-assed and free.

Now, I'm not saying there's anything wrong with being 27 in your head - most of us, no matter how old we get to be chronologically, still feel young inside. But for most people, those young feelings are tempered by a knowledge that there are appropriate ways to behave at any given age. Prince may flout convention, of course (he's pretty much based his entire career on it). But at some point, he has to realize that instead of coming across as quirky and charming, he's eventually just going to look senile.

Both of you make excellent points. There is little further to add, except to say, I don't expect much of anything will change so long as Prince prefers his independent (read: amateur) style of presentation (which has almost ALWAYS been the case, unless other professionals have been at the helm). But those days of professional marketing, largely Warner Brother-influenced, are long, long gone. So, it is unfortunately just what it is; a legacy left to effectively obliterate in the proverbial gutter and gather dust, unless of course Prince decides to FUNDAMENTALLY straighten his act out for the benefit of the presentation of his own legend. It may yet happen, as he is a mercurial creature, but I think it's highly unlikely at this stage, not least of which being because the financial terms with third parties are clearly unsatisfactory to him to make it worth his while to preserve the presentation of his work to the high standards it really should be in this day and age. Bottom line, I think he is too busy living in the present, showcasing "fun" in his own impish way.

love,

Spirit

These bolded are things of note:

Thats my point. All this promotion in th epast year seems amateurish. And as you stated it was always the case..KIND OF...yes WB had there full on marketing team to make him the great one he is..but since then his pay days have cut out the middle man so he has much money and much CLOUT to get a professional marketing team to market and promote his works. Thats why I said maybe this reent shit is just his way of doing a minimalist fan club type of promotion for little thingsd, for ideas or whatever. If not, then the marketing scheme is wack. I mean its ok for us 3000 onl;ine P Orgers I guess. I guess.

And the second bolded part of note regarding showcasing fun living in the present:

balderdash I say..promoting and giving your work some well deserved dignity has nothing to do with living in the past present or future. And what younstate is a cop out that many have said for a while and continue today, even in this thread, and thats is "Oh prince and his impish ways..oh prince has always done it weird.." yadda yadda yadda (shout out to Elain Bennis). Thats a cop oput because decent promotion is decent promotuion. Saying oh prince is weird so of course it should be confusing, frustrating, off kilter, demanding of you, etc etc etc..MUST STOP. BECAUSE ALL OF THAT SHOULD TAKE PLACE IN THE MUSIC.

Its been reversed like Wendys period. Put that playfulness, impish ways, future forward thinking IN THE MUSIC...not in the wacked out promotion. Thats what folks have comopklained about in the past decade. The music has lost all those elemements as he has put those elements into promotion, websites, interviews. Put that shit back in the music where it belongs..that way we get more Computer Blues, Large Rooms With No Lights cause ya didnt pay the bill, Beautiful Strange's,..you know, the music that pulled us all in and made us fans.

Sometimes I wonder if some of yall are true fans or even really know Prince music.

.

[Edited 2/15/13 10:28am]

SynthiaRose said:

But this is all rather small, unprofessional, and trite for a living legend like Prince. It screams amateur and is unfitting for him; it cheapens and minimizes him.

.

Some time ago, Prince made a comment along the lines of "I will continue performing as long as I look like this..." I have the feeling that he will stick to his coltish ways as long as he can until the illusion of youth can no longer be perpetuated in public...

Prince!!!!!

Ain'tnobodygottimefothat!!!

I'm a grown ass man with committments. Is it too much to ask to just release music and videos?

Why all the bullshit?

errant said:

I really have no interest in listening to guitar on a Prince record that isn't played by Prince.

Fuck that Little Red Corvette. Just fuck it, that Dez, How dare he? etc

Have faith sir.

someone mentions Dez. someone mentions Wendy.

we're a long way past those days. nobody honestly wants to listen to some random session musician who'll be gone in 3 weeks playing solos on Prince's songs.

errant said:

someone mentions Dez. someone mentions Wendy.

we're a long way past those days. nobody honestly wants to listen to some random session musician who'll be gone in 3 weeks playing solos on Prince's songs.

Doesn't matter how long ago that was. They could have been classed as session musicians way back when too. Point is still valid. Besides, there's no way P isn't going to play too, no way.

I want him to be pushed, maybe these girls are really shit hot and will push him to new hights too.

Genesia said:

what is the point of handing the solos to Donna in the studio? She can do them on the stage, What's next is, Hannah going to be singing co-lead? LOL is the song? A bit late on cashing in on that trend.

It will be interesting if Prince performs on Jimmy Fallon because Questlove is such a male groupie, he could make Prince uncomfortable. I can imagine, that the condition is that Prince doesn't do an interview and has a little contact with the Roots as possible. Questlove is the type to corner Prince at the alley entrance of the NBC Studio and beg for life to have Prince on the D'Angelo record.

SmiggyG said:

TikiColadas said:

serpan99 said: Exactly! 2013 looks and sounds very promising But, I am curious about item #3. I wonder what that means as I was under the assumption that Hannah Ford is the drummer. (?)

I've been thinking/saying that the whole 3rdeyegirl thing is 1 of 2 separate projects. I see "3rdeyegirl" is to Prince as "Tin Machine" is to Bowie. (I know some folks here like to compare Prince to Bowie) That might be a bad eample but I think you know what I'm getting at. My guess is that RBJ will be part of the NPG which will focus more on playing Prince's hits for a tour??? Then again will he take the 3 girls out on the road too? Obviously the latter for the jazzy funky stuff and the 3 girls for the gritty rock sound.

All speculation at this point.

I agee with the bolded part of your post. I think having an extended NPG family on tour, would make for an interesting show, and depending ob what part of the world, he tours, would more or less depend on what type of sound he feels would work for that audience, musically.

At the same time, I could definitely see him using the new members as well as the already, established NPG band members, on the same tour, for each show, and mixing up the performance numbers, using both of those groups, for whatever type of music, he would like each to perform with them, during the show.

Just based on the recent, and various, flavored-tracks he's been releasing for purchase, surely shows his continued interest in embracing various forms of music, instead of just one form. Makes it more interesting.

bashraka said:

It will be interesting if Prince performs on Jimmy Fallon because Questlove is such a male groupie, he could make Prince uncomfortable. I can imagine, that the condition is that Prince doesn't do an interview and has a little contact with the Roots as possible. Questlove is the type to corner Prince at the alley entrance of the NBC Studio and beg for life to have Prince on the D'Angelo record.

Actually...Quest and P are friends...And have played together at various shows...In fact, Quest is the reason P will be coming to Carnegie Hall for that tribute show...

Let's slow down on the silly slights, homie...

[Edited 2/16/13 10:46am]

murph said:

bashraka said:

It will be interesting if Prince performs on Jimmy Fallon because Questlove is such a male groupie, he could make Prince uncomfortable. I can imagine, that the condition is that Prince doesn't do an interview and has a little contact with the Roots as possible. Questlove is the type to corner Prince at the alley entrance of the NBC Studio and beg for life to have Prince on the D'Angelo record.

Actually...Quest and P are friends...And have played together at various shows...In fact, Quest is the reason P will be coming to Carnegie Hall for that tribute show...

Let's slow down on the silly slights, homie...

[Edited 2/16/13 10:46am]

Prince has agreed to attend the tribute because the it's a charitable cause for music education for young people. I should have clarified, that I noticed he likes to keep even friends in the industry at a distance. All, I was saying is that Questlove appears to be a cat that is overzealous about his admiration for Prince, which can be intepreted as being a male groupie. That's part of the reason Prince prefers working with female artists and why it has taken Prince 4 years to perform on Fallon.

bashraka said:

murph said:

Actually...Quest and P are friends...And have played together at various shows...In fact, Quest is the reason P will be coming to Carnegie Hall for that tribute show...

Let's slow down on the silly slights, homie...

[Edited 2/16/13 10:46am]

Prince has agreed to attend the tribute because the it's a charitable cause for music education for young people. I should have clarified, that I noticed he likes to keep even friends in the industry at a distance. All, I was saying is that Questlove appears to be a cat that is overzealous about his admiration for Prince, which can be intepreted as being a male groupie. That's part of the reason Prince prefers working with female artists and why it has taken Prince 4 years to perform on Fallon.

Prince likes working with female artists cause he likes pussy and enjoys female company. Not because he is runnin from males lol.

.

[Edited 2/16/13 12:15pm]

bashraka said:

murph said:

Actually...Quest and P are friends...And have played together at various shows...In fact, Quest is the reason P will be coming to Carnegie Hall for that tribute show...

Let's slow down on the silly slights, homie...

[Edited 2/16/13 10:46am]

Prince has agreed to attend the tribute because the it's a charitable cause for music education for young people. I should have clarified, that I noticed he likes to keep even friends in the industry at a distance. All, I was saying is that Questlove appears to be a cat that is overzealous about his admiration for Prince, which can be intepreted as being a male groupie. That's part of the reason Prince prefers working with female artists and why it has taken Prince 4 years to perform on Fallon.

This is where it helps to have an insiders view on things...Questlove has been involved with the "tribute" before all the news came out...Who do you think is pulling in the "talent" for the show?

Again...saying dumb shit like Prince being afraid of males makes for a cute laugh...But it doesn't make it true...

In fact, Prince needs more friends like Questlove...He's one of the only folks I know (that's cool with him) brave enough to tell dude that his shit doesn't smell like roses...

murph said:

bashraka said:

Prince has agreed to attend the tribute because the it's a charitable cause for music education for young people. I should have clarified, that I noticed he likes to keep even friends in the industry at a distance. All, I was saying is that Questlove appears to be a cat that is overzealous about his admiration for Prince, which can be intepreted as being a male groupie. That's part of the reason Prince prefers working with female artists and why it has taken Prince 4 years to perform on Fallon.

This is where it helps to have an insiders view on things...Questlove has been involved with the "tribute" before all the news came out...Who do you think is pulling in the "talent" for the show?

Again...saying dumb shit like Prince being afraid of males makes for a cute laugh...But it doesn't make it true...

In fact, Prince needs more friends like Questlove...He's one of the only folks I know (that's cool with him) brave enough to tell dude that his shit doesn't smell like roses...

amen