Prince: A royal idealist

The stylish one survives to exact substance from his industry

07:05 PM CDT on Friday, June 18, 2004

http://www.dallasnews.com...640d1.html
By ROB CLARK / The Dallas Morning News

There's something strange and wonderful about riding in a golf cart with Prince.

He's just finished sound check for his June 11 show at American Airlines Center. It's two hours before the arena will be quaking, a crowd of more than 19,000 dancing for hours. A driver takes us whizzing through the halls on the way to Prince's dressing room, earning a trail of stares from the arena personnel.

It is startling, but so is the rest of a first impression: Prince is disarmingly normal. Maybe some of his mystery comes from his reluctance to do interviews. They're still rare. But lately, he has opened himself up more. Good thing, too. There's a lot to talk about.

This is Prince's year. It started in February, when he opened the Grammys with a stunning performance of hits from Purple Rain with Beyoncé. In March, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His Musicology album is his best-reviewed and best-selling disc in forever. And the tour has sold out arenas across the country, including AAC in April.

The attention calls to mind the '80s run in which Prince made some of music's most memorable albums – Dirty Mind, 1999, Purple Rain, Sign O' the Times and Lovesexy.

Such flashbacks may be why many in the media call the current buzz a "comeback." But Prince has toured and released albums consistently. And he makes it clear he hasn't gone anywhere. "It's ultimately laziness on the part of the writer," he says, "to regurgitate a term that's not true."

But this tour does feel different. Prince is on a mission: He's now a teacher of sorts, a mentor hoping to inspire younger artists and listeners with real music by real musicians. You'll see more kids and teens at his concerts than in years past. And you can hear his influence in at least a dozen promising soul and rap stars.
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What they see in him is what made him such a revolution in the '80s: That unmatched mix of funk, soul, rock and pop. The audacity of making the semiautobiographical movie Purple Rain when he was still a young artist, then seeing it win Grammys and an Oscar. Or that androgynous look that got people wondering the same thing he sang in "Controversy": "Am I black or white? Am I straight or gay?" And, especially, the songs that seemed impossible to resist: "Let's Go Crazy," "Raspberry Beret," "Little Red Corvette."

Musicology is Prince's most mainstream disc since 1999's Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic. "Mainstream" isn't a dis in this case; it's just a more straightforward album. His previous discs have been complex: the all-instrumental N.E.W.S. and the ultra-conceptual Rainbow Children. Both were so intricate, even difficult, that some casual fans stayed away. So maybe "comeback" really refers to them.

The silver ring on his finger hints at another facet of his evolution. He's a married man now, to Manuela Testolini. It's his second marriage. (The first was to Mayte Garcia in the late '90s.) But personal questions are off-limits. It's strictly about the music.

Prince gets comfortable on a red plush couch in his dressing room. A large keyboard is nearby. There's a fragrance in the air, like incense already burnt.

And he's as tiny as you've heard. He's dressed in all black, an NPG chain dangling from his neck. Though he just turned 46, he's barely aged in 15 years. He's still a "pretty man," as he once sang, hair and makeup all in place, like a little funky porcelain doll.

His speaking voice is so deep it's hard to believe it hits the high notes in "Kiss." He talks in measured tones. Yet he's animated, ending several statements with a wheezy-voiced sarcasm. He cracks himself up, and sort of throws himself about the couch for the punch line.

The Musicology tour is a more family-oriented one. The old guard is there, as always: An elderly gentleman, coordinated to extremes in a white tux, white gloves and white Kangol hat, was grooving in his seat in Dallas. But the youngsters – some even wearing purple – are getting their first exposure to the Prince songbook.

Prince appears to be energized by the youth. He eagerly recounts a concert days before. During "Life O' the Party," crowd members (mostly attractive women) are invited to dance around him and the band onstage. In San Antonio, a girl, maybe 8, was among the revelers, singing along and whacking a cowbell. A similar scene happened in Dallas on June 11.

"It's their first experience at a concert, period," Prince says. "What an initiation. ... It's a real blessing for me. Like the first time I saw James Brown. I was 10 years old."
Backstage with the band

The five guys in the New Power Generation are hanging out in their dressing room. It's big enough for them to all fit in, and there's a little living area. (The women, saxophonist Candy Dulfer and bassist Rhonda Smith, get their own rooms). They fall into laughter easily, usually after wisecracks from sax man Mike Phillips. He's planning a prank on the road manager, something silly about buckteeth and peanuts, and he spends about a minute imitating a squirrel.

There's John Blackwell, the thunderous drummer who grew up drumming along to Controversy and 1999 in his room, so loud the neighbors would gather around to hear it. Mike Scott, with his Yankees hat tilted just so, on guitar. Chance Howard and Renato Neto on keys. And sax legend Maceo Parker, who never takes his sunglasses off during this interview.

When it comes to playing with Prince, there's nothing but reverence. It's expected, sure, but still heartfelt.

Mr. Phillips: "We're part of a revolution."

Mr. Scott: "It's very rewarding."

Mr. Blackwell: "It's a great honor for me."

Mr. Howard: "He's a great songwriter. A true songwriter."

"To be a part of this," Mr. Parker says, "is more than words can really say."

Considering that source, it's high praise. Mr. Parker has played with the best, from James Brown to P-Funk, and he compares Prince's popularity with Elvis and the Beatles.

The younger members seem in awe of Prince's talent, but not in a we're-not-worthy way. The confidence they have together leads to the identity of the NPG as more than just Prince's backing band. "Although we're all individual artists, collectively we're a group," Mr. Parker says.

"He's painting a portrait, and we're each a color," Mr. Scott says. "We don't see it, but he already sees it all. Then we see it all together, and it's like, 'Oh!' "

Later, in sound check, it's time to work. The NPG is playing an extended funk jam in the empty arena. Prince is on bass, and he can't help but dance a bit when the feeling strikes him. He even air-drums a few times. The band members watch him. He could throw a head nod and change directions at any time. He often does that in concert, making a dramatic stop in a song and then starting it again a second later with his trademark "Good-God!"

Next they work on a cover of Eddie Floyd's standard "Knock on Wood." This is Mr. Howard's chance to shine, and the hulk of a man has a powerful voice. He and Prince dance together in an old-school shimmy, and Prince nearly disappears behind him.
'The true funk soldiers'

A line from "Musicology" may best sum up the Prince quest these days: "Don't you miss the feeling music gave you back in the day?" That calling – getting back to real music, not prepackaged pop or meaningless songs about clubbin' – gets him going.

"Making music about alcoholism – is that the one topic?" he asks in frustration. "Is that it? If I grew up on that music, I wouldn't be here."

What he did grow up with sparks a river of references. James Brown. Earth, Wind & Fire. Stevie Wonder's masterpieces, Innervisions and Fulfillingness' First Finale. Weather Report. Herbie Hancock's Head Hunters album. "That," he says, "was my Ludacris."

For all of his issues with some of today's pop, there is a young crop of soul and rap artists raised on Prince who now hoist him up as their Hendrix, their Lennon, their Dylan.

You can hear it, feel it, smell it in the manic-funk-creativity in OutKast, the piano soul of Alicia Keys, the ballads of D'Angelo, Musiq and Maxwell.

"Alicia Keys gives me hope," he says. "D'Angelo gives me hope. Beyoncé, she's just an incredible singer."

When community involvement by Dallas' hometown soul hero Erykah Badu is mentioned, he's even more spirited.

"Can I ask you a question? Can we elect her alderman? Why is it always somebody who doesn't inspire you? Elect her as a state official."

He laughs at his idealism.

"Can we dream sometimes?"
Beyond "Darling Nikki"

Prince mentions the word "morality" several times. And that may surprise some. After all, this is the man who had specialized in sex appeal with songs such as "Sister," "Erotic City," "P Control" and "Darling Nikki," but balanced those with the spiritual "God," "Anna Stesia," "Thunder" and "The Holy River."

He doesn't play the naughty songs in concert anymore. And he downplays the significance of that decision, saying there are only five explicit tracks in his 25 albums. (It's more like a dozen, but no use quibbling.)

It's another reason why more kids are at his shows. But there are those longtime fans who are dying to hear "Nikki" one more time, maybe trying to hold onto that moment.

"I'm not mad at them," Prince says. "I feel for them. It takes all kinds."

His new single, the ballad "Call My Name," is far from that.

"It's about monogamy, OK," he says. "There's nothing on TV about that. It's about marriage. There's a proposal and a wedding in the video. One-on-one love that works. This is the real deal."

Whether MTV will play it is another question. The network put his "Musicology" video in heavy rotation, sandwiching it between the same J-Kwon-Britney pap that the song is trying to fight.

"It's sad," he says. "That's our commentary. But it's their joint. It's their house. I'm also free to turn it off. It's not Clockwork Orange : They can't staple my eyes open."

Even without the explicit material, a Prince show is still a sensual experience. Thousands of screaming women pant at every gyration and coy look. It's the way he moves, that swagger that straddles the line between debonair loverman and pimp daddy. He starts his classic love song "Adore" and then stops, teasing the masses while the howls grow louder, desperate for more.

But, he insists, it's not just him.

"It's music," Prince says simply. "Here, I'll show you."

He pops up and walks over to his keyboard in the corner. He starts to play a simple but lovely tune. It's not recognizable; he's just plinking away. But such an unexpected and generous display – a brief private concert to illustrate his point – is a pinch-yourself kind of moment.

"If Renato plays something like this, and John just touches the cymbals, you don't have to say anything," he explains while he plays. "It's just a mood. To know that, you have to study music. If Erykah was here and she heard this, her pen would just start goin'.

"Now," he says, "you're painting."

E-mail rtclark@dallasnews.com
PRINCELY UTTERANCES

On his musical growth: "I'm older now. Older in the sense I'm more experienced. Always trying do something I haven't done before. You're dealing with a grown man, and I see a whole different perspective."

On Stevie Wonder: "Music is in his bloodstream. If he didn't do it, he would perish."

On Ani DiFranco: "So smart. You can just listen to her all day. Wow."

On Erykah Badu joining him onstage in Dallas on April 2: She was just pregnant!

On speaking your mind in music after the Dixie Chicks backlash: "Have you heard anything? It's pretty silent on the artistic front. That's not profitable. Rock 'n' roll is different now. It's not profitable to have an opinion."

On politicians and "Dear Mr. Man" on Musicology: "It's aimed at lies, liars and mendacity. The absurdity. You don't inspire me. Why am I listening to you right now?"

On sex-sex-sex in pop music: "You can be racy sometimes. But you got anything else?"

On being spoofed by Dave Chappelle on Chappelle's Show: "Loved it. He's a friend of mine. They wanted me to be in it."
[This message was edited Sat Jun 19 9:33:53 2004 by DorothyParkerWasCool]

"His Musicology album is his best-reviewed and best-selling disc in forever"
- Not exactly true...

Very nice interview! Thanks for posting!

"It's music," Prince says simply. "Here, I'll show you."

He pops up and walks over to his keyboard in the corner. He starts to play a simple but lovely tune. It's not recognizable; he's just plinking away. But such an unexpected and generous display – a brief private concert to illustrate his point – is a pinch-yourself kind of moment.

"If Renato plays something like this, and John just touches the cymbals, you don't have to say anything," he explains while he plays. "It's just a mood. To know that, you have to study music. If Erykah was here and she heard this, her pen would just start goin'.

"Now," he says, "you're painting."

thats a cute way of putting it...gotta use that one day..

GustavoRibas said:

No... it's true. Keyword is "and".

Aerogram said:

- I know what you mean, Aero...well, we are Prince fans, but.....the way those words are put mean that those copies were SOLD.....and we know it isn´t exactly true.
If it depended on ´Musicology´ song and video, the album wouldn´t be on Billboard Top 5. It´s not like ´Gett Off´ or ´Cream´.
Maybe ´Call my name´ gets to be a major hit if well promoted, but until now, it ddint happen.

GustavoRibas said:

Musicology has sold 500,000 copies without the concert tie in. The CD may not have stayed in the top ten this long but it went gold without the concert tickets. Therefore it is his most successful CD in a long time.

GustavoRibas said:

Just counting retail sales, the album was a top 5 Billboard album and has been top 10, 20 or 40 since it was released and went gold despite the concert copies and downloads cannibalizing retail sales. I understand why some people view the practice of adding concert copies as illegitimate, but to be fair, you'd have to assume that at least a certain percentage of those would have been bought in stores and acknowledge more than half a million copies were bought in stores. 2004 is already a wildly successful year for Prince. Don't be surprised if he opens the Grammies for the second time in a row.

So, Gustavo.. I don't know what it will take for you... Perhaps you are letting this alleged chart-padding issue ruin your enjoyment of a great year in the career of Prince Rogers Nelson?
[This message was edited Sat Jun 19 17:07:18 2004 by Aerogram]

already said: there's only one prince. period
prince = music
the best of the best!

Aerogram said:

Unfortunately, some fans on this site have let this concert thing ruin the fun of Musicology and everything else in 2004. And for those that are in that predicament, I'm glad I'm not U, cause I'm having the time of my life with Prince.

Sly said:

yeah
that brought tears to my eye

condescending wanker!

I am one of the fans that got the CD thru concert, I didn't buy it in the store because I knew I would get it at the show, If the CD was not included in the ticket I would have bought it in the store, Now I am sure that out of all the 100 of thousand people that has attended the tour, some of them would have bought it in the store just like me. So so assume that Prince would not see a lot of CD if it was not for the included in the Ticket prince is not fair. I think the CD would be just as successful. I have bought just about every Prince Record at least twice. This one would be o exception, Some People is never satisfied, always trying to rain on someone's Parade.

Aerogram said:

- Hey, Aero...I am not that negative....I am really enjoying 2004. I loved the Grammy (I was so happy to see Prince was the highlight there), the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.....it´s so great to see good reviews of Musicology on brazilian newspapers and magazines (something very rare), great to see Prince producing a great video (Musicology clip is one of his best)...believe me, I open a big smile everytime I think about it. And I really like the album.
My point is: Prince ALWAYS sold massive tickets to concerts. In 97 (correct me if I am wrong) he was number 7, in the same list that had U2 and Rolling Stones. So, if he gave a copy of ´Emancipation´ or ´Chaos and Disorder´ back then, these albums would reach the Top 5 too. Lots of people that go to concerts wouldn´t necessarily buy the album. I have several friends that went to the Living Colour concert with me and they didnt (and wont) buy a copy of Collideoscope. They went there for the hits, or only to have fun and watch great musicians playing. That´s why I consider it illegitimate. Believe me, if Justin, Michael Jackson or Mariah Carey did it, some people here would be mad.
I think Musicology wouldn´t sell so much only because of the title track. It´s the kind of song that doesn´t reach MTV audiences, different from ´Gett Off´ in 91.
However it´s great to see it sold 500 000 copies at stores I would like ´Call my name´ to be a big hit too. Love that song.

GustavoRibas said:

Well, Musicology did not need concert copies to reach top 5, so that at least is legitimate. I don't take the charts that seriously because their rules are already less than sound and downright anachronistic. It's not like Prince deflowered a sacred institution. He just got lucky with the Billboard/Soundscan people, like MJ was lucky to have millions of copies of unwanted cds shipped just to boost his sales figures. As far as chart padding goes, Musicology's actually quite wholesome.

OK lets look at it like this. The record industry have been padding radio airplay 4 artist that we could give hoot about by legitamizing that video spins on MTV and various other video channels b counted towards radio play/spins. There4 creating the perception that this song is sooooo hot. If the MUSICOLOGY video was being forced down our throats and MTV news kept telling people how hot the album is then the Robotic retail fans who watch MTV would go out and by it bcuz the source 4 credability 2 them(MTV) told them that it was hip 2 buy it. BRAINWASHED!!!!! There is no free will when u request a new song 2 b played from Prince or TTD or RAD or P-FUNK and they tell u that it does'nt fit their format. Back in the day i could request a song off of the album that was'nt a single and get 2 hear it even if it was only 1 time. The media is full of hypocritical BS that they help perpetuate! They gettin PIMPED by the Big label giants. F'em!!!!! Prince is just shining the light on these ROACHES!

The recording industry isn't always on the up and up with what they report as sales thru Soundscan and the pre-Soundscan era either. So it's not as if their tactics have been noble. And they've encouraged this loophole for years and years by their own actions. Prince is just exploiting what they leave up for grabs - and making some of the stiff suits angry they're not getting their cut because he's not signed to a recording contract. They can cry me an ocean.

Just counting retail sales, the album was a top 5 Billboard album and has been top 10, 20 or 40 since it was released and went gold despite the concert copies and downloads cannibalizing retail sales. I understand why some people view the practice of adding concert copies as illegitimate, but to be fair, you'd have to assume that at least a certain percentage of those would have been bought in stores and acknowledge more than half a million copies were bought in stores. 2004 is already a wildly successful year for Prince. Don't be surprised if he opens the Grammies for the second time in a row.

So, Gustavo.. I don't know what it will take for you... Perhaps you are letting this alleged chart-padding issue ruin your enjoyment of a great year in the career of Prince Rogers Nelson?
[This message was edited Sat Jun 19 17:07:18 2004 by Aerogram]
[/quote]

AMEN!

Lol....I have Yet to See Call My Name on Tv..Kinda Funny being that it's on Marriage and I Haven't seen it..My Biggest NIGHTMare..LOL.. I Like what Prince says here. Clockwork Orange huh Prince The Karova Milk Bar....YES!!!!! LOL>>>> Making me Crack Up... Boy that Malcolm used to be the One..As we Know his Other Famous Flick with Dogs that eat Delicious Delicacies..LOL. For those who Know>>>Kinda Really Disgusting...