BlaqueKnight said:

I thought that was a given!

Question 13 from Jestyr
Your book describes your impression of Wendy Melvoin's gradual development within the band as 'climbing', which indicates that there were some hard feelings there, at the time. This was an important transition for all of you; for Prince, for Wendy and for you as well. Having clearly grown so much since then, how do you feel about the end result for both you and Wendy today?

In reality, there were no hard feelings then or now. I just saw it for what it was- she was being opportunistic, and that was not then, and is not now, my style. In the end, it was time for me to move on, and she had positioned herself to move in when I did. It seems to have been a good move for her, but I’ve never actually talked to her about it, so I don't know how she feels about it. For me, it was the most important thing I’ve ever done-in walking away from it, I was able to become a real person, not just a rock star caricature. I feel like the most blessed man alive for having had the opportunity to experience the ride, and still have a normal life afterward.

Dez!!!! Dez

vainandy said:

Dez by a TRILLION miles!

Dez for guitar- Wendy (as a musician and ears) for overall growth of Princes sound. Flame away...

vainandy said:

Vain, who u think wrote all of After Hi School and the lyrics to Cool? Folks have different taste. There are many folks on here who don't even like Prince himself before the Purple Rain album. Many jumped on the bandwagon during that movie, tour, etc. So u know their going to favor Wendy. I don't even have to say who I favor.

Dez! I was disappointed when he left,just before the 'Purple Rain' era.

Zannaloaf said:

Yes, pretty much so I guess. While it is obvious that Dez (at least at that time) was (is?) a better guiter player in every sense, I think wendy brought something else to the band. She fitted in wonderfully - and yes even helped form and personify - with the more psychedelic sound ("artsy-fartsy"...? - I think not) that Prince was persuing at the time. While some of us might not count that period among our favorites, it is what it is, and When you listen to the (wonderful!) music Wendy helped write and produce after her period with Prince, I guess it is very obvious what her ( and Lisa's! - although I think her much more versatile) contribution was to Prince's sound... and the band for that matter. But I agree that it was not as purely a guitarist.
But with this thread it's the same as the "Kirky J" thread... it's hard not to confuse our own personal preference or dislike of Prince's music and sound during certain periods with the individual craftsmanship of the players in his bands as musicians. A great player might contribute to a sound that you do not particularly favor - as with Kirky J for many people and the other way round here with Wendy or Dez. Is the question wich songs, music, sound you preferred during their periods with Prince respectively, or who is technically a better player...? And even then... like somebody on the other thread said - if sounds cool to you, it's cool, right?

I Would have to say Wendy, only because when she came into the band a real shine came through Prince when he was on stage with her. He didnt have it with Dez, Sorry dez

thebanishedone said:

I have been saying she was overrated for years. Dez never got the credit he deserved - Vanity6, The Time, Little Red Corvette - he did much to form Prince's career.

As a straight up guitarist I think it's tought to argure the case for anyone but Dez. But if you look at the career Wendy has carved out from her general musicianship- I think her lesser ability on guitar certainly did not hinder her career. I actually think of all the associates that Wendy and Lisa have had the most inspiring and coolest career track. I personally dug their solo work, but their production and soundtrack work shows how well rounded and talented these individuals are. I would argue their career hs been every bit as strong as Prince - just in a more underground way. And in a way you don't have to worry about public persona...which is far easier on the lifestyle....
[Edited 9/11/07 7:03am]

Zannaloaf said:

exactly my point.

Dez would have played circles around Wendy so I think I am going to say DEZ from now to eternity and I do dislike how some of the org act as if Prince had no music before Wendy n Lisa.

jimmyrogertodd said:

Lisa was there from pretty early on. So you can't lump their involvement together. I just think most people who dig the era of their involvement loved the musical twists and turns and maturation of Prince's music that happened with their participation. Certainly other people have different favorite eras. But most see these two women (whether you liked that period of music or not ) as a solid influence on Prince as opposed to a passing fad.

I like both but I have to go with Dez on this one.

Zannaloaf said:

Yeah but to some it is only when these two are with him that he is the "best" and it makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. They were good together but he is still Prince with or without them. There have been times when some orgers have said that these two turned him on to this style or that style like he cannot discern what his own musical taste are without these two.

JudasLChrist said:

Dez was a part of The Revolution

Respect to Dez, gotta choose Wendy

jimmyrogertodd said:

He's done very good stuff without them, but I think he definitely benefited from their involvement. Frankly- I think he really is better when he has other ears he can trust. I do not personally think he has these anymore...at least that's what his last few albums have told me.
I do believe that other musicians hipped him to music he was not aware of- I don't think that is a slam at all to Princes abilities or sound. How do you learn or grow without other people in your life? You can't be all things to all people all the time - or in this case know all music;-)

well i like wendy because i love the way she play and sing.

i look at wendy as more of a acoustic player and dez is a rock guitarist their style isnt the same i never seen wendy do a solo like dez and i never seen dez play a song like sometimes it snows in april so i dont think its a question of who better cuz they both got at what they do

GangstaFam said:

Agreed. She was what, 18, 19, back then, and with her arrival, Prince's band hit the heights, Prince was at the peak of his creative powers, and I damn near fell in love with her.

She brought more than just her musicianship to the band and with Lisa, helped to take the Revolution to the next level.

SoulSexy said:

Wendy.

Not only does she completely nail things like "Kiss" with that dirty chicken scratch back in the day, but she's still at it. Not sure what Dez is up to these days, but Erykah, Sheryl Crow, Eric Clapton and the like still come out of the woodwork to play with Wendy. Nothing to sneeze at.

wendy

dpg4life said:

sexxydancer said:

sexxydancer said:

Alliasan said:

that's right