independent and unofficial
Prince fan community
Welcome! Sign up or enter username and password to remember me
Forum jump
Forums > Prince: Music and More > In defence of Emancipation
« Previous topic  Next topic »
Page 3 of 4 <1234>
  New topic   Printable     (Log in to 'subscribe' to this topic)
Reply #60 posted 01/23/18 8:52am

leecaldon

AhPook said:

IstenSzek said:

y'all a bunch of lightweights. imo emancipation just needs an extra disc lol


disc 4:


01. 20/20

02. Slave 2 The System
03. Feel Good
04. Love (Never Has 2 Say Goodbye)
05. Stone
06. Playtime
07. She Gave Her Angels
08. Van Gogh
09. Journey 2 The Center Of Ur Heart
10. Eye Am The DJ
11. (Excuse Me Is This) Goodbye


bitch, i could even do with a 5th and a 6th disc. cool dancing jig

Disc 4 is Newpower Soul. Those outtakes are disc 5.

Newpower Soul and Emancipation have very different sounds.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #61 posted 01/23/18 11:49am

stpaisios

IMO - Da, Da, Da would be o.k. without Scrappy D. rap. Prince's part is a bit camp & saccharine -- 'loving one another is the only way', that guitar had potentional...

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #62 posted 01/23/18 11:59am

stpaisios

And i didn't mentioned sond Da, Da, Da has one of my favorite lines, like ever: "Ask yourself your destination, What the source of your inspiration be" , man, that whole bridge is great.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #63 posted 01/23/18 12:28pm

Genesia

avatar

42Kristen said:

I did not get the whole Emancipation. I know what it stood. Free yourself from someone's bondage. I always thiught it might that not only Prince was trying to free himself under Warner Brothers graps. But also away from Mayte Garcia. I faintly recall that this album was released on Nov. 12, 1996. This is Mayte birthday. It rose my suspicions on what hidden messages that Prince had in his music. confused


Yeah...no.

I'm the last person anyone would characterize as a Mayte fan, but even I will admit that Emancipation was a love letter to her and their unborn child. You do know that Sex in the Summer incorporates the child's heartbeat...right?

It was about his emancipation from WB and the obligations of a recording contract. Period. End of.

We don’t mourn artists because we knew them. We mourn them because they helped us know ourselves.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #64 posted 01/23/18 2:26pm

TrivialPursuit

avatar

stpaisios said:

IMO - Da, Da, Da would be o.k. without Scrappy D. rap. Prince's part is a bit camp & saccharine -- 'loving one another is the only way', that guitar had potentional...


I have a version without Scrap D that I did. It's solid.

"eye don’t really care so much what people say about me because it is a reflection of who they r."
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #65 posted 01/23/18 4:01pm

EddieC

stpaisios said:

And i didn't mentioned sond Da, Da, Da has one of my favorite lines, like ever: "Ask yourself your destination, What the source of your inspiration be" , man, that whole bridge is great.

Agreed. I mean, there are truly terrible (and embarrassing, even if I'm in no way connected to them) moments earlier in the song, but then that section kicks in, and I'm a very happy guy.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #66 posted 01/23/18 4:04pm

EddieC

Genesia said:

42Kristen said:

I did not get the whole Emancipation. I know what it stood. Free yourself from someone's bondage. I always thiught it might that not only Prince was trying to free himself under Warner Brothers graps. But also away from Mayte Garcia. I faintly recall that this album was released on Nov. 12, 1996. This is Mayte birthday. It rose my suspicions on what hidden messages that Prince had in his music. confused


Yeah...no.

I'm the last person anyone would characterize as a Mayte fan, but even I will admit that Emancipation was a love letter to her and their unborn child. You do know that Sex in the Summer incorporates the child's heartbeat...right?

It was about his emancipation from WB and the obligations of a recording contract. Period. End of.

Yeah, I don't know what you can do with Disc 2 if you want this to be a Mayte dis album. It seems pretty clear this album is pretty much the opposite of that.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #67 posted 01/23/18 4:10pm

bonatoc

avatar

stpaisios said:

And i didn't mentioned sond Da, Da, Da has one of my favorite lines, like ever: "Ask yourself your destination, What the source of your inspiration be" , man, that whole bridge is great.


Yep. There's another thread about single songs redeeming albums considered somewhat meh.
With Prince, we even get short parts that can redeem an entire song.

We can't be too harsh on Emancipation. It was the first attempt to self-production with a record company handling just the distribution, it was a pretty risky move.
You could say it's disappointing coming from an artist who rewrote the definition of being a maverick, of being the ultimate pop outsider for so many years.
I think it was 50/50 when it comes to the flavours of Rap and New Jack dispersed on the record,
it was part staying relevant with the times, and part assuring a minimum of exposure.

He managed that while adding more entries to his own realm.
"Style", "Big White Mansion", "Slave", "Joint 2 Joint" and some others, they belong to Prince and no one else.
I mean he could have given away "Human Body" to another artist and have a dance hit.
I think the redeeming quality of the album is that he's not trying the "me against the world" attitude he went with during the Warner Wars.

While it was great, he felt it was time to move on, else he would have been trapped in there forever.
Think about it: our knowledge of the Vault has been pretty gradual (at least for the majority of us).
The masterpieces we got to know through the years, they were already in the past for him, musical excesses and all ("Love and Sex", "Purple Music", all the radical stuff). When he mentions "fifth soul" in the Love Symbol album segue, you have to think about all that was already behind him.
We didn't have a clue, I mean yes we did, but we were pretty far from the vastness of it.

I think he earned the right to settle down and just enjoy being a musician without wearing the Genius baseball cap.
He had already given lots of strong, provocative, pushing-the-envelope moments.
Maybe Emancipation was a way to let go of the anger as a source of creation, and an attempt not to be seen as the Lone Ranger anymore.
I mean, he must have felt pretty lonely from time to time, I mean musically. Like he was his own musical genre.
Not to mention his battle with the industry, foreseeing years in advance what would happen to it,
and be the only one to have the courage to pinpoint the majors dark sides, while being the mockery of the whole business (and sometimes us included).

Maybe he was trying to be part of the world again, he got tired of the mountain top.
The pregnancy of Mayte surely played a role in all of this.

But his down-to-earth days would have to wait. The tragedy pushed him right back in isolation, and Larry sure didn't help.
At the same time, becoming a JW was a mixed bag. It's kind of a sect, but he had to do the door-to-door thing,
which I'm sure did him good and paved the way for the beginning of his openess. But that's another story.


[Edited 1/23/18 16:16pm]

The Colors R brighter, the Bond is much tighter
No Child's a failure
Until the Blue Sailboat sails him away from his dreams
Don't Ever Lose, Don't Ever Lose
Don't Ever Lose Your Dreams
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #68 posted 01/23/18 5:28pm

stpaisios

Sometimes i think - if that rap part in Da, Da, Da was delivered by some more known rapper, lets say Prince somehow got Andre from Outkast to lay that part - would this song be more popular? Its not that rapper ever tried to be a singer, so i'm pretty sure that rapping itself is not the biggest problem here, huh? Scrap D. goes pretty straight and hard here. So, production, delivery, groove? Music is intresting - it has funky layers, you can dig out some momemnts focusing just on instrumental part, intentions are very clear - so it benefits from having straight positive message... like 'LoveSign' with Nona.

Usually, the case is that devoted fans like their Prince alone, so having some other voices in his space kinda ruins the flow, its almost on the edge to be blasphemous. Tony M. is still problem for a lot of ppl, Scrap D. is just another name...

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #69 posted 01/23/18 5:54pm

bonatoc

avatar

Keep in mind they were folks from Minnie, for the most part.
You gotta give Prince credit for that, he was faithful to his hometown.

The Colors R brighter, the Bond is much tighter
No Child's a failure
Until the Blue Sailboat sails him away from his dreams
Don't Ever Lose, Don't Ever Lose
Don't Ever Lose Your Dreams
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #70 posted 01/23/18 6:12pm

stpaisios

bonatoc said:

We can't be too harsh on Emancipation. It was the first attempt to self-production with a record company handling just the distribution, it was a pretty risky move.

We are too harsh on Prince. Expecting somone to deliver 3 hours of impeccable music in one year, its similar to idea that someone can deliver lets say - 3 paintings a la Leonardo Da Vinci in one year, or write 3 books a la Thomas Mann in one year... Hello people, we are talking about 3 standard disks of music in one year... that is unseen in recent history of music. Next time with Emancipation set in my hands, i'll get on my knees and kiss it... cuz its sacred.

[Edited 1/23/18 18:15pm]

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #71 posted 01/23/18 6:45pm

billymeade

avatar

leecaldon said:



AhPook said:




IstenSzek said:


y'all a bunch of lightweights. imo emancipation just needs an extra disc lol


disc 4:


01. 20/20


02. Slave 2 The System
03. Feel Good
04. Love (Never Has 2 Say Goodbye)
05. Stone
06. Playtime
07. She Gave Her Angels
08. Van Gogh
09. Journey 2 The Center Of Ur Heart
10. Eye Am The DJ
11. (Excuse Me Is This) Goodbye


bitch, i could even do with a 5th and a 6th disc. cool dancing jig





Disc 4 is Newpower Soul. Those outtakes are disc 5.




Newpower Soul and Emancipation have very different sounds.



I disagree. Emancipation "sounds" are all over NPS, from the obvious Push It Up connection, the "Slave/Ain't No Place Like U" connection to When U Love Somebody, the White Mansion synths on Shoo-Bed-Ooh, Newpower Soul's connections to Big Fun/Good Life and Right Back Here in My Arms... The albums are definitely from the same mindset.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #72 posted 01/23/18 6:48pm

billymeade

avatar

stpaisios said:



bonatoc said:


We can't be too harsh on Emancipation. It was the first attempt to self-production with a record company handling just the distribution, it was a pretty risky move.




We are too harsh on Prince. Expecting somone to deliver 3 hours of impeccable music in one year, its similar to idea that someone can deliver lets say - 3 paintings a la Leonardo Da Vinci in one year, or write 3 books a la Thomas Mann in one year... Hello people, we are talking about 3 standard disks of music in one year... that is unseen in recent history of music. Next time with Emancipation set in my hands, i'll get on my knees and kiss it... cuz its sacred.

[Edited 1/23/18 18:15pm]


Purple Rain, Glamorous Life, Ice Cream Castle would like a word.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #73 posted 01/23/18 10:19pm

SanDiegoFunkDa
ddy

great album despite the loud mixing. In This Bed I Scream could have been even greater but the vocals aren't mixed well with the instruments. You can tell he had to edit songs like Right Back Here In My Arms to get everything to fit on 3 CD's. I think he should have released Emancipation I then release Emancipation II in '97 to put everything out unedited

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #74 posted 01/24/18 1:27am

dodger

TrivialPursuit said:

stpaisios said:

IMO - Da, Da, Da would be o.k. without Scrappy D. rap. Prince's part is a bit camp & saccharine -- 'loving one another is the only way', that guitar had potentional...


I have a version without Scrap D that I did. It's solid.

THis I would like.

But for fucks sake let's not tell databank

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #75 posted 01/24/18 1:29am

dodger

billymeade said:

leecaldon said:

Newpower Soul and Emancipation have very different sounds.

I disagree. Emancipation "sounds" are all over NPS, from the obvious Push It Up connection, the "Slave/Ain't No Place Like U" connection to When U Love Somebody, the White Mansion synths on Shoo-Bed-Ooh, Newpower Soul's connections to Big Fun/Good Life and Right Back Here in My Arms... The albums are definitely from the same mindset.

The obvious link is Kirk Johnson.

[Edited 1/24/18 1:31am]

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #76 posted 01/24/18 7:17am

leecaldon

dodger said:

billymeade said:

leecaldon said: I disagree. Emancipation "sounds" are all over NPS, from the obvious Push It Up connection, the "Slave/Ain't No Place Like U" connection to When U Love Somebody, the White Mansion synths on Shoo-Bed-Ooh, Newpower Soul's connections to Big Fun/Good Life and Right Back Here in My Arms... The albums are definitely from the same mindset.

The obvious link is Kirk Johnson.

[Edited 1/24/18 1:31am]

I think most songs on NPS would feel out of place on Emancipation. The One would work sonically. The rest, really not so much. They are clearly from the same period, but have a different feel. Just like you can draw a line on the production from Graffiti Bridge to D&P to Symbol, but they each feel unique to the others.

As an example, Push It Up may sample the chorus line of Jam of the Year - but as songs they sound completely different.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #77 posted 01/24/18 1:25pm

214

bonatoc said:

214 said:

WTF did you say? eek Burn this witch, heresy.


Here, take my matchbox.


lol lol lol No, you go first light a match.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #78 posted 01/24/18 1:26pm

214

bonatoc said:

MattyJam said:

^^ Oh, come on! You know that's the best single disc Emancipation configuration you've ever seen. wink


Without "Big White Mansion", "Style" and "My Computer", it clearly ain't.


Without My and White is not the same.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #79 posted 01/24/18 2:21pm

SoulAlive

"Emale" is my favorite song on this album music it has a dark,hypnotic sound/vibe.....I imagine that it would have made an excellent video.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #80 posted 01/25/18 2:25am

databank

avatar

214 said:



databank said:


214 said:


WTF did you say? eek Burn this witch, heresy.



Some people speak first, think later (if at all) lol

Do you always take everything to heart?


Er... I was with you here, so I'm not sure what to say?
A COMPREHENSIVE PRINCE DISCOGRAPHY (work in progress ^^): https://sites.google.com/...scography/
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #81 posted 01/25/18 2:25pm

214

databank said:

214 said:

Do you always take everything to heart?

Er... I was with you here, so I'm not sure what to say?

Ohhh!! my bad, I misunderstood your comment.

[Edited 2/28/18 13:17pm]

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #82 posted 01/26/18 7:24am

Nasalhair

TheFman said:

Still puzzled how P thought this album could sprout singles a whole year.
There isn't even 1 single on it. The Holy River is the worst song he ever did.

Odd - that's the only song on the entire set that I like.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #83 posted 02/28/18 8:14am

AhPook

avatar

leecaldon said:

AhPook said:

Disc 4 is Newpower Soul. Those outtakes are disc 5.

Newpower Soul and Emancipation have very different sounds.

No they don't.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #84 posted 02/28/18 9:07am

emesem

Always thought this set contained some of his most mature lyrics as he dealt with a grown up sort of love and impending fatherhood.

We can only imagine what sorts of songs he would have written if Amir and lived and his marriage to Mayte had lasted.

[Edited 2/28/18 9:08am]

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #85 posted 02/28/18 12:45pm

rusty1

I always felt in this bed i scream was
one of the best songs on that set
BOB4theFUNK
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #86 posted 02/28/18 2:27pm

Shebanubi

bobgeorge77 said:

I still remember how amazing it felt to buy this when it came out! To be able to haev 3 cds of new Prince music was incredible!!!


.


There are a few tracks that I don't go out of my way to listen to, but this will always have a special place in my heart! There are some classic songs on here including "The Love We Make", "Soul Sanctuary," "Savior," and "Holy River."


.


Plus I loved the Betcha By Golly video...you could really see a side of him in this video that was so loving and sweet!


.


But, "Dreamin' About U" ...wow!!!..... is one of my Top 10 Prince songs ever! music music



Totally agree with everything you've said and song choices BBGW SS SITS DBU are my favs too plus many others. This is a beauty of an album. All I will say is Prince said himself this is an album you are hearing of a man in a complete state of freedom. That's what i hear when i play it.
"When a man screams, you must learn to whisper" Aura ~ GB
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #87 posted 02/28/18 3:59pm

bonatoc

avatar

billymeade said:

stpaisios said:

We are too harsh on Prince. Expecting somone to deliver 3 hours of impeccable music in one year, its similar to idea that someone can deliver lets say - 3 paintings a la Leonardo Da Vinci in one year, or write 3 books a la Thomas Mann in one year... Hello people, we are talking about 3 standard disks of music in one year... that is unseen in recent history of music. Next time with Emancipation set in my hands, i'll get on my knees and kiss it... cuz its sacred.

[Edited 1/23/18 18:15pm]


Purple Rain, Glamorous Life, Ice Cream Castle would like a word.


I just got 1986 on the phone.
Man she's pissed.


The Colors R brighter, the Bond is much tighter
No Child's a failure
Until the Blue Sailboat sails him away from his dreams
Don't Ever Lose, Don't Ever Lose
Don't Ever Lose Your Dreams
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #88 posted 02/28/18 5:21pm

Bodhitheblackd
og

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

Prince's Emancipation does not need defending.

EXACTLY!!!!! It stands ALONE as a total expression of a special moment in time when he was in love,at peace and filled with joy and the anticipation of the birth of his first child. To me, it's the most sacred part of all of his work.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #89 posted 02/28/18 7:05pm

littlemissG

avatar

databank said:

There's about 100 threads about this, with every possible tracklist and even some impossible ones. My Emancipation has 36 songs on it.

So does mine

No More Haters on the Internet.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Page 3 of 4 <1234>
  New topic   Printable     (Log in to 'subscribe' to this topic)
« Previous topic  Next topic »
Forums > Prince: Music and More > In defence of Emancipation