In reference to NEWS and the NPGMC soundchecks, I have determined that there are some questions that consistently prevail. The real questions are (1) How many fusion jazz albums do you own? and (2) Is it a genre that who appreiciated PRIOR to Prince moving in that direction? Prince does several different types of music. If you are not into all of them, you probably wont appreciate all of his work. That only makes sense. Prince appeals mostly to the pop/rock audience which - for the most part - has little knowledge or appreciation of jazz in any form. This is one reason that far more pop records are sold than jazz records. Even the best selling jazz artists like Wynton Marsalis or Diana Krall will tell you that you dont go into jazz - REAL jazz - to get rich and famous. What is good about this point of Prince's career is that he can assume the posture that many jazz musicians maintain: he can jam with whoever he wants; he can surround himself sidemen with greater skills and range; he can play smaller venues; he doesnt have to worry as much about sales, chart position or MTV; he can rely on a dedicated, well-versed, veteran fan base that has been there for years; and he doesnt have to sweat the marketing that overshadows any substance as it does in today's popular music scene.

These facts coincide with his more laid back, low key persona. He probably figures that he doesnt have to jump off the piano and do splits with the assless pants when he laying down the heaviest music of his career. It is more about the music than the show - even though he still proves to be the best live act that you can see today. It is the most definitive musicial revelation he has ever shared with the public. It not only requires a certain amount of talent and skill to do this; it also requires some courage and artistic bravado - something that Prince has always had. (Kurt Loder can be heard making comments to this effect in "Props n Pounds".)

This album is not for the fan who is longing for the next Prince and the Revolution era (which has been gone damn near 20 years so get over it). This is easily the best group of musicians that Prince has ever enlisted. It is also his most prolific work ever - The Rainbow Children album stands among the best work of a career that has touched four different decades now. We have the brilliant live album that we have all wanted for years. Last year's Xenophobia was a tour de force and a mind boggling display of his genius over a seven day period. If you were there, you know what I am talking about.

NEWS, Xpectation, and the soundchecks are all some exciting changes in direction for Prince - even if you don't dig them. We still have the funk. The new DVD proves that if you missed the last tour. The prospect of having the full exposure of another other aspect of Prince's genius will prove to interesting at the very least.

LaMont said:

I like your post, but can you please clarify to me the sidemen that he hangs around that have greater skills and range?

I'm sure you know this as well LaMont, but for other readers, isn't it true that the greatest selling jazz album of ALL TIME is Kind Of Blue?

And, I believe its sales figures are 6 million, over a period of 45 years.

i agree with u wholeheartly lamont. Stick to your guns here on the org. U stand for a lot of people who don't voice their opinion as often as u do. U are what i term a true fan (like me) in that u are enjoying the moment with prince right now. Too many people can't let the past go. And get hung up on petty things.

i agree with u wholeheartly lamont. Stick to your guns here on the org. U stand for a lot of people who don't voice their opinion as often as u do. U are what i term a true fan (like me) in that u are enjoying the moment with prince right now. Too many people can't let the past go. And get hung up on petty things.

tricky99 said:

You can say that again.