I am not going to do this an a regular basis, but this time I feel I need to join this conversation and this is because I feel slightly disappointed and agree with almost everything you guys said. I am not a musician, but I've been surrounded by music most of my life and can differentiate good quality vs. bad quality, talent vs. aboslutely no clue about music (hence I am a Prince/NPG fan). Yesterday I saw the french performance and there was one thing crossing my mind: AM IN THE ONLY ONE HERE WHO IS GUTTED ABOUT THIS GIRL? And then the next one: Is this the New Power Generation I grew to love, keen to listen to, having goos bumps each time any member of the team is doing a solo or just jamming on stage completely loose? Each time Prince points out one member, be that the bass, the drumer, the vocalists, they bring something extremely unique to the show giving the impression that them alone could hoast the whole night witout the audience being bored for one second. When it was this girl's turn to show her unique ability, all I could hear is a not working guitar and a very thin, shy girlish voice. I was like what??? I mean, if Prince wants something from that girl, he should really leave it "off stage" and invite her out to dinner, buy her flowers, take her to the Caribbeans, I DO NOT CARE! But bringing her onstage, making her a member of NPG and put her in the spotlight like she is some kind of a genius in making is completely stupid of him. I mean, he made her ex or not ex-girlfriend a musiscian and she was his protégée, probably to get closer to her, but she wasn't touring with him, wasn't on stage with him. So whoever liked her music, could listen to her music, and whoever thought she is a bit overrated by his mentor, had the option not to listen to her...

MJMia said:

I am not going to do this an a regular basis, but this time I feel I need to join this conversation and this is because I feel slightly disappointed and agree with almost everything you guys said. I am not a musician, but I've been surrounded by music most of my life and can differentiate good quality vs. bad quality, talent vs. aboslutely no clue about music (hence I am a Prince/NPG fan). Yesterday I saw the french performance and there was one thing crossing my mind: AM IN THE ONLY ONE HERE WHO IS GUTTED ABOUT THIS GIRL? And then the next one: Is this the New Power Generation I grew to love, keen to listen to, having goos bumps each time any member of the team is doing a solo or just jamming on stage completely loose? Each time Prince points out one member, be that the bass, the drumer, the vocalists, they bring something extremely unique to the show giving the impression that them alone could hoast the whole night witout the audience being bored for one second. When it was this girl's turn to show her unique ability, all I could hear is a not working guitar and a very thin, shy girlish voice. I was like what??? I mean, if Prince wants something from that girl, he should really leave it "off stage" and invite her out to dinner, buy her flowers, take her to the Caribbeans, I DO NOT CARE! But bringing her onstage, making her a member of NPG and put her in the spotlight like she is some kind of a genius in making is completely stupid of him. I mean, he made her ex or not ex-girlfriend a musiscian and she was his protégée, probably to get closer to her, but she wasn't touring with him, wasn't on stage with him. So whoever liked her music, could listen to her music, and whoever thought she is a bit overrated by his mentor, had the option not to listen to her...

i agree, this lineup is the most unremarkable, uncharismatic yet. it sounds like he's using jay leno's house band, total lounge music.

robertgeorgeakabob said:

MJMia said:

I am not going to do this an a regular basis, but this time I feel I need to join this conversation and this is because I feel slightly disappointed and agree with almost everything you guys said. I am not a musician, but I've been surrounded by music most of my life and can differentiate good quality vs. bad quality, talent vs. aboslutely no clue about music (hence I am a Prince/NPG fan). Yesterday I saw the french performance and there was one thing crossing my mind: AM IN THE ONLY ONE HERE WHO IS GUTTED ABOUT THIS GIRL? And then the next one: Is this the New Power Generation I grew to love, keen to listen to, having goos bumps each time any member of the team is doing a solo or just jamming on stage completely loose? Each time Prince points out one member, be that the bass, the drumer, the vocalists, they bring something extremely unique to the show giving the impression that them alone could hoast the whole night witout the audience being bored for one second. When it was this girl's turn to show her unique ability, all I could hear is a not working guitar and a very thin, shy girlish voice. I was like what??? I mean, if Prince wants something from that girl, he should really leave it "off stage" and invite her out to dinner, buy her flowers, take her to the Caribbeans, I DO NOT CARE! But bringing her onstage, making her a member of NPG and put her in the spotlight like she is some kind of a genius in making is completely stupid of him. I mean, he made her ex or not ex-girlfriend a musiscian and she was his protégée, probably to get closer to her, but she wasn't touring with him, wasn't on stage with him. So whoever liked her music, could listen to her music, and whoever thought she is a bit overrated by his mentor, had the option not to listen to her...

i agree, this lineup is the most unremarkable, uncharismatic yet. it sounds like he's using jay leno's house band, total lounge music.

hello ,Good day everybody, I was also at the SDF and the aftershow as well..I think U are a bit harsh and untolerant with Andy, sure she's quite young, and comparing to an Artist as Prince is, she's not on the same level, neither she is on the same vibe, but You can say that she's got talent, not a perfected one, 'cause she needs to make her way into the field, she needs to work hard to reach A Summit..

IMO, this girl has got something inside, though she's got a hard job to do to come up..

Her guitar playing: as a "listenner" an a "hearer, I can say that it's obvious she likes Prince's way of playing and wants to do the same, she's imitating for the moment, as a painter might try to copy a Masterpiece..This is a "normal" way of starting! You copy, because you get inspired, then you make your own style little by little..

Her voice is much interesting than her guitar playing, she needs to synchronise both..

But heyyy, she's young,Beautiful, and Blessed!! if she is a perfectionnist, she might give something out of herself one day!

We need to figure out that, whenever someone plays guitar or sings with Prince, we can't help ourselves to compare with the Master himself, noooo, this is a mistake, everyone has got a position..Definetely, Prince wanted to give her a "chance, still wants to, it's beneficial for anyone who starts into the Music Field, to get a chance to perform with Prince!!

Please PurplePPl, try to be less strict

BTW: she's a melted one, so sometimes she dances as a "white girl"( this is funny as an expression!!), sometimes she moves as a "colourful one"!!

Cut her a break. It's not like his original band were virtuosos in their fields either and according to the org census that was the 'golden age of Prince'. Everyone deserves a chance to grow and shine.

Hmm Prince is hiring female guitarists who play with rudimentary skills?

Turns on meta intercom:: CHHHHHH *static*

India Arie to the stage, please. India Arie.......... you have now been recruited to be in the NPG stage band

*Trickology INC where it's keen to be mean*

HonestMan13 said:

Cut her a break. It's not like his original band were virtuosos in their fields either and according to the org census that was the 'golden age of Prince'. Everyone deserves a chance to grow and shine.

No, we won't cut her a break. Who the hell does she think she is? Expressing yourself artistically strumming a guitar doesn't make you an artist. What makes you an artist is a well funded marketing promotion brand group that boldly declares "A artist to be heralded for some time to come" Followed by select quotes from industry professionals. What the hell is wrong with you?

JBK said:

She can't dance as well. Did you noticed How she moved while "playing" guitar yesterday at the Stade de France? She was out of sync with the music. She dances like a White girl

Not only does she have trouble dancing, she can't balance a check book. Jesus christ, what is prince thinking? Who is going to be the accountant in the band? Sweet jesus

I am sure that, with practise and time, she will be a fine player. She should ABSOLUTELY NOT be in Prince's band at this point in her journey. It cheapens the work any competent musician puts into their passion to have such an obvious amateur (regardless of how nice she may be, or how sweet her ass may be) put into such a prominent and underserved position. I'm sure he could get a piece of her whether or not he put her onstage, so I am wondering at this point if he has lost his mind. Also, it seems apparent from the responses in this thread that from a musician's point of view, she just can not cut it.

thebanishedone said:

She played rhythm guitar on the verse of Peach but she didn't play turn around

because it's way too hard for her

She didn't play "Peach" because it was above her. Backstage she was playing classical guitar working through Bach exercises. Andy doesn't want Prince to fire her for being a guitar virtuoso.

ganesh said:

robertgeorgeakabob said:

i agree, this lineup is the most unremarkable, uncharismatic yet. it sounds like he's using jay leno's house band, total lounge music.

hello ,Good day everybody, I was also at the SDF and the aftershow as well..I think U are a bit harsh and untolerant with Andy, sure she's quite young, and comparing to an Artist as Prince is, she's not on the same level, neither she is on the same vibe, but You can say that she's got talent, not a perfected one, 'cause she needs to make her way into the field, she needs to work hard to reach A Summit..

IMO, this girl has got something inside, though she's got a hard job to do to come up..

Her guitar playing: as a "listenner" an a "hearer, I can say that it's obvious she likes Prince's way of playing and wants to do the same, she's imitating for the moment, as a painter might try to copy a Masterpiece..This is a "normal" way of starting! You copy, because you get inspired, then you make your own style little by little..

Her voice is much interesting than her guitar playing, she needs to synchronise both..

But heyyy, she's young,Beautiful, and Blessed!! if she is a perfectionnist, she might give something out of herself one day!

We need to figure out that, whenever someone plays guitar or sings with Prince, we can't help ourselves to compare with the Master himself, noooo, this is a mistake, everyone has got a position..Definetely, Prince wanted to give her a "chance, still wants to, it's beneficial for anyone who starts into the Music Field, to get a chance to perform with Prince!!

Please PurplePPl, try to be less strict

BTW: she's a melted one, so sometimes she dances as a "white girl"( this is funny as an expression!!), sometimes she moves as a "colourful one"!!

Hi there... You're right, she can be inspired by Prince, she can grow to become a good guitar player, but she should do that BEFORE going on stage with him, not while... That's my opinion. I am looking forward to the German gig, I will be there and I am very curios what she'll do there, and if my opinion stays the same, I'll be even more dissapointed, if I'll see progress, I'll reopen this discussion and tell you all up front: I AM SORRY, I WAS WRONG!! SHE GOOD! ( If she'll make it till then! )

Trickology said:

HonestMan13 said:

Cut her a break. It's not like his original band were virtuosos in their fields either and according to the org census that was the 'golden age of Prince'. Everyone deserves a chance to grow and shine.

No, we won't cut her a break. Who the hell does she think she is? Expressing yourself artistically strumming a guitar doesn't make you an artist. What makes you an artist is a well funded marketing promotion brand group that boldly declares "A artist to be heralded for some time to come" Followed by select quotes from industry professionals. What the hell is wrong with you?

Okay, it seems I am surely not the only pissed off fan here.

armpit said:

OzlemUcucu said:

Yes but he likes his protegees, and we know how Elixir and everything else sounds like. Anyway, I think the intro of Andy on telly may not necessariy mean anything, and hopefully I won't isten to her horrible voice wasting half an hour of gig time. Add another half an hour Shelby rapping some shit...and an hour is gone...good times!

Yeah but when it comes down to who he allows onstage with him with an actual instrument in their hand...it's a different story entirely, his standards are pretty high then.

So I think it's safe to say that if he has Andy up on stage with him wielding an ax, it's because she's a hell of a guitar player.

By your logic that means, Tony M was an awesome rapper,Kirky J could hold his own with Sheila E,The Twins were dancing prodigies,Shelby J can scat to the level of Ella..

I guess what I am trying to say is.....I have some land on the moon to sell you, are you interested?

MJMia said:

Trickology said:

No, we won't cut her a break. Who the hell does she think she is? Expressing yourself artistically strumming a guitar doesn't make you an artist. What makes you an artist is a well funded marketing promotion brand group that boldly declares "A artist to be heralded for some time to come" Followed by select quotes from industry professionals. What the hell is wrong with you?

Okay, it seems I am surely not the only pissed off fan here.

When I woke up I wanted to punch the first person in the nuts who argued that Andy Alllo (What the hell? that name sounds like a failed BBC sit com of a naive frenchman who raises a ruckus with the british locals) was an accomplished guitarist.

In fact, I think that should be the rule. If you have the gall to suggest that Andy Allo can fill the part of say a "Mike Scott" "Levi Seacer" "Miko" then you deserve to either be punched in the nuts or tits. (We are not gender bias on the org)

Hey Andy Allo apologists, here comes the fist. Take your medicine.

JBK said:

She can't dance as well. Did you noticed How she moved while "playing" guitar yesterday at the Stade de France? She was out of sync with the music. She dances like a White girl

Ummm in 2011 that statement don't work anymore, I know way to many Black girls that can't dance and a large number of white girls that can throw down.

Watching P Diddy's Making the Band (the girl group) one of the comments he and the judges were making during the auditions were that the black girls could dance and white girls could

Nobody would give a shit if Andy looked like Precious. You know why? Because she wouldn't be on stage even if she played like Stanley Jordan meets Wah Wah Watson meets Benson.

I am sooo tired of hearing excuses because a girl is pretty that she must be an accomplished musician because Prince is fine tuned. Do you know what Prince's fine tuning is? Hocking shoddy fourth rate perfume and convincing the public in r&b lounge coffee table love ballads that all the girls have wronged him. That's the fine tuning of Prince.

Adressing to MJMia:

Ok, I doubt honestly that she'll do better guitar playing at the German' show..Of course she should have practicised before coming to us, but Prince has decided to give her a chance though, as he has given to Frederic Yonnet who wasn't appreciated much by Prince's fans, but he has showed and proved being talented!!

Prince can't definetely! can't step back..

I think that she really, really needs to improve to show her "gutts" show and exhale her hidden talent, but I truly believe that's she's got something special, not only her physical beauty...

ganesh said:

Adressing to MJMia:

Ok, I doubt honestly that she'll do better guitar playing at the German' show..Of course she should have practicised before coming to us, but Prince has decided to give her a chance though, as he has given to Frederic Yonnet who wasn't appreciated much by Prince's fans, but he has showed and proved being talented!!

Prince can't definetely! can't step back..

I think that she really, really needs to improve to show her "gutts" show and exhale her hidden talent, but I truly believe that's she's got something special, not only her physical beauty...

Prince wouldn't give one fuck if Andy Allo looked like Precious meets Divine from Pink Flamingoes.

Please understand this one painful truth: Prince is trying to find stage gimmicks for the listener to pay attention. That's why he has a bald headed vocalist hypewoman,european slapaholic bassist and now a woman who can play rudimentary chords and wear dashikis or jumpsuits with her bohemian accented style Let Love Rule knock off sunglasses. Prince is trying to hard to appeal to the earthy types.

We must utter these painful truths. We are building a New Power Soul constitution. And in this constitution we will not tolerate obvious bullshit. That means by default we must oust Prince from our doctrine immediately.

You guys are harsh! What is all this based on, just the French TV performance, or live shows you've seen her at too?

It's amazing how you folks just keep on going.

You all rip somebody to shreds based on just one performance that went wrong.

And who said this girl is in the band now?

Maybe she was just guest appearing.

By the way, how many of you bitches can play a guitar, let alone sing?

Oh that many huh?

Sheeesh. Some of you fuckers really need to get a life.

NouveauDance said:

You guys are harsh! What is all this based on, just the French TV performance, or live shows you've seen her at too?

We base this from truth. Madonna can play better than Andy Allo. She is getting a free ride because she's pleasing to the eyes. (shocker!) I'd be angry if I was a heavy set woman that had guitar chops. And if Andy Allo's promotion/marketing team are here lurking and trying desperately to prevent damage control, understand this. *YOU* have too many yes men and hype men around her. You aren't helping her improve her abilities. That's a sobering fact to consider above anything else.

Dogsinthetrees said:

I am sure that, with practise and time, she will be a fine player. She should ABSOLUTELY NOT be in Prince's band at this point in her journey. It cheapens the work any competent musician puts into their passion to have such an obvious amateur (regardless of how nice she may be, or how sweet her ass may be) put into such a prominent and underserved position. I'm sure he could get a piece of her whether or not he put her onstage, so I am wondering at this point if he has lost his mind. Also, it seems apparent from the responses in this thread that from a musician's point of view, she just can not cut it.

If Tony M and Brooks can be in the band then Andy Allo is in good company. Let's not pretend Prince is addicted to gimmicks because he is insecure of losing the public's interest.

Tremolina said:

It's amazing how you folks just keep on going.

You all rip somebody to shreds based on just one performance that went wrong.

And who said this girl is in the band now?

Maybe she was just guest appearing.

By the way, how many of you bitches can play a guitar, let alone sing?

Oh that many huh?

Sheeesh. Some of you fuckers really need to get a life.

How many of you "Bitches"? Do you know how to make a convincing rational debate? Stop being so emotionally invested in anything Prince is attached to. Relax, it's a community board with strong opinions & entertaining snarky opinions. And if you can't handle that, go take some medication, talk to the walls for a few minutes and come back with a reasonable dialogue.

[Edited 7/1/11 8:25am]

I, for one, CAN play and sing. Much better than Andy, apparently. Also, I like Ida as a bassist. She's not Brown Mark, but then again, who is? She will not last long. He DOES come here occasionally, and there have been a few times in the recent past where he has made choices that seemed to be partially for placating angry/wistful fans. Talk shit all you want, but she will most likely not be around this time next year.

Trickology said:

Tremolina said:

It's amazing how you folks just keep on going.

You all rip somebody to shreds based on just one performance that went wrong.

And who said this girl is in the band now?

Maybe she was just guest appearing.

By the way, how many of you bitches can play a guitar, let alone sing?

Oh that many huh?

Sheeesh. Some of you fuckers really need to get a life.

How many of you "Bitches"? Do you know how to make a convincing rational debate? Stop being so emotionally invested in anything Prince is attached to. Relax, it's a community board with strong opinions & entertaining snarky opinions. And if you can't handle that, go take some medication, talk to the walls for a few minutes and come back with a reasonable dialogue.

[Edited 7/1/11 8:25am]

So you feel I was adressing you eh?

"Reasonable dialogue". You call collectively crapping all over this girl "reasonable dialogue"?

Oh and you can´t play or sing shit yourself?

[Edited 7/1/11 8:35am]

Dogsinthetrees said:

I, for one, CAN play and sing. Much better than Andy, apparently. Also, I like Ida as a bassist. She's not Brown Mark, but then again, who is? She will not last long. He DOES come here occasionally, and there have been a few times in the recent past where he has made choices that seemed to be partially for placating angry/wistful fans. Talk shit all you want, but she will most likely not be around this time next year.

Perhabs by next week already. Who cares if she can't play that well? She sure can sing. No need for the org to immediately go and fucking trash her.

When you strap a guitar around your neck and get onstage with somebody of Prince's caliber in public, you ABSOLUTELY are going to be judged based on your talent and skills (or lack thereof). She embarrassed herself, period. We all have the right as music consumers to express our opinions, and if you are going to be in the NPG, you should measure up to the other members. She simply does not. I will concede that she looks the part, and honestly, I wish she WAS good because she really does look good as a guitarist. Too bad she either A: choked onstage, or B: can't play. I wish her the best of luck, though. It sure took guts to get on the stage like that.

Dogsinthetrees said:

When you strap a guitar around your neck and get onstage with somebody of Prince's caliber in public, you ABSOLUTELY are going to be judged based on your talent and skills (or lack thereof). She embarrassed herself, period. We all have the right as music consumers to express our opinions, and if you are going to be in the NPG, you should measure up to the other members. She simply does not. I will concede that she looks the part, and honestly, I wish she WAS good because she really does look good as a guitarist. Too bad she either A: choked onstage, or B: can't play. I wish her the best of luck, though. It sure took guts to get on the stage like that.

I think it took guts of her too and I applaud her for keeping her head up.

I also think people are assuming all kinds of stuff here that may very well not even be true. If you ask me this girl is not `Prince´s new guitar player´ AT ALL: girl´s got her own SINGING carreer going and can sing great. Why in god´s name would Prince let somebody be his guitar player if they really aren't good enough for it?

My point about the people bitching at her on this thread is, that just having the option to judge somebody´s performance doesn´t have to mean that you should inmmediately shredding them to pieces in public like a pack of wolves when it wasn´t that good. Especially not based on just one performance. Have some style and decency.

Tremolina said:

Trickology said:

How many of you "Bitches"? Do you know how to make a convincing rational debate? Stop being so emotionally invested in anything Prince is attached to. Relax, it's a community board with strong opinions & entertaining snarky opinions. And if you can't handle that, go take some medication, talk to the walls for a few minutes and come back with a reasonable dialogue.

[Edited 7/1/11 8:25am]

So you feel I was adressing you eh?

"Reasonable dialogue". You call collectively crapping all over this girl "reasonable dialogue"?

Oh and you can´t play or sing shit yourself?

[Edited 7/1/11 8:35am]

We, or to whomever you addressed your "nice" comment can finish a sentence without cursing and bashing other board members. We weren't attacking you, just expressing our concern about Prince's new band member. Unless she's your sister or best friend do not take this personally. Peace!

P.S. You just proved my point. We do not play the guitar, and that is the reason why we don't perform with Prince.

ganesh said:

Adressing to MJMia:

Ok, I doubt honestly that she'll do better guitar playing at the German' show..Of course she should have practicised before coming to us, but Prince has decided to give her a chance though, as he has given to Frederic Yonnet who wasn't appreciated much by Prince's fans, but he has showed and proved being talented!!

Prince can't definetely! can't step back..

I think that she really, really needs to improve to show her "gutts" show and exhale her hidden talent, but I truly believe that's she's got something special, not only her physical beauty...

ganesh: I know, I am just trying to give her the benefit of the doubt...