Husky said:

I think that 'hate' is a big word, but i notice some people on here indeed not being very fond of him.

My issue with that is, that part of the dislike seems to have to do with his looks and (lack of?) charisma. I mean: people here are calling him too old (while he indeed is a lot younger then Prince) and find him 'boring' for some reason.

I havent seen him live myself, but judging from the video's i have seen of him, this man really can play. And i also have seen some great, funky solo's by him. He shows definitely more 'edge' then the unanynomous Vegas player some people make him out for.

And was Dr. Fink really that much of a 'personality'? I mean, after he did take his surgeons gown of i was seeing a rather every day life looking car-salesman... lol

[Edited 12/2/11 10:01am]

For some its looks but I know for me, its his playing. His lack of charisma is in his playing. He's technically a great keyboardist but his style is VERY, VERY jazz fusion-like and Prince is NOT a jazz fusion artist, no matter how much he tries to cross genres.

Well, you can't deny that Prince has been on a jazz-fusion roll for quite some time this millenium (The Rainbow Children, NEWS, ONA...), so should you blame Renato for that?

I don't like Jazz-fusion myself, but it has been obvious to me, that Prince for quite some time has been preferring technically skilled, Vegas-like type of bandmembers over musicians who play more on gut-level / from the soul.

What i was trying to say is that i think that Renato is actually one of the 'least' Vegas-like players in his band: i can still hear a lot of grit in his solo's. While someone like John Blackmore is way too flashy / showmanlike for my taste: more about showing off then hitting it hard and deep (like Michael Bland did, Sheila E. can probably be placed somewhere in the middle of these two).

[Edited 12/2/11 11:08am]

You really think those CDs are jazz-fusion?

I don't think anyone is denying his talent on this thread. I know I'm certainly not. He just doesn't seem to fit. Neither does John. Both of them are actually capable of playing more advanced material. Its just that Renato seems more "by the book" to me.

Prince's material changes when he changes band members. That would explain the more jazzy-sounding material.

The pie is big enough for both to get a slice. As for Mr. John Blackwell, that's another baad brother. Lawd, Prince knew/knows how to pick'em. Carry on.

I like Renato and his style but of course the number one keyboard player in a Prince band will always be Dr.Fink. It´s not about his looks or his stage charisma ( which is definitely there, regardless of whether he looks like a car salesman or not ..I think he has tons of charisma). Fink´s been there since day one and who knows exactly how much he´s contributed to Prince´s sound...not only that, he´s also quite witty and funny and a veteran player. Totally agree with Blaqueknight here.

But let´s also not forget that Renato Neto has been in the Prince "inner circle" for quite some time now, not just since the ONA days. I loved how he re-arranged Sheila E´s music for her E-Train tour in 1994. Back then I didn´t even know it was him until Eric Leeds told me so (Renato had very long hair back then).

I like him in the band, and I´d much rather see him and Morris than any other "new" keyboard player but of course he can´t replace Dr.Fink but I think all band members are very aware of who means what as far as band member popularity or skills are concerned.

Maceo for instance is a legendary, talented and charismatic sax player but do I like him in Prince´s band? Not really because my personal favorite sax man in Prince´s bands is Eric Leeds....not because of his technique because I don´t know much about that but because he has a certain sound that I connect with Prince, a sound that has become a trademark sound.

They´re all great in their own way but we all have our personal preferences (or acquired tastes).

I'm sure that Renato's very nice and doesn't kill puppies in his backyard. But his playing is very pedestrian, unengaging, without personality and unmemorable. It's like a cumshot of smooth jazz all over Prince's music. Yuk.

I think Renato plays on another level than Prince, but I prefer the playfulness and mastery seen during the intro of UTCM. Prince was killing. I don't remember hearing him play so "powerfully" in a long time.

Yeah, Renato has chops for days, but I also hear the same lack of spark others have referenced. I think Prince plays piano best for his compositions.

2freaky4church1 said:

What's with you guys? He is a wonderful keyboard player--at least he doesn't noodle around like Prince does on keys--he plays the damned thing, like on Elixir from Montreux.

He certainly outplays both Fink and Tommy Booberella.

him

I especially loved hearing him play those in between sets solos. I was almost sorry that he had to stop because it was time for the next set.;

2freaky4church1 said:

I've never heard Doctor Fink ever do any great solos.

Never heard "Get It Up"? or "The Stick"? or "Head"? That was Fink on all of those solos.

I don't get the Fink-Nato comparisons.

Two totally different cats with totally different vibes.

ThreadBare said:

I don't get the Fink-Nato comparisons.

Two totally different cats with totally different vibes.

ThreadBare said:

I don't get the Fink-Nato comparisons.

Two totally different cats with totally different vibes.

Hey bro,both are keyboard players playing the same songs with the same band leader.

Before i thought Rebato us amazing,cream of the crop.

Now days i think Renato is overrated with his pseudo jazz solos and very corny effects,i think Cassandra suits Prince's sound much better

thebanishedone said:

ThreadBare said:

I don't get the Fink-Nato comparisons.

Two totally different cats with totally different vibes.

Hey bro,both are keyboard players playing the same songs with the same band leader.

Before i thought Rebato us amazing,cream of the crop.

Now days i think Renato is overrated with his pseudo jazz solos and very corny effects,i think Cassandra suits Prince's sound much better

I get the shared context. It's just futile to compare, say, Renato's piano mastery with Fink's synth wizardry.

Yes, a shared role and instrument are at the crux, but they represent totally different head spaces (for Prince) and approaches.

A more conceivable comparison, for me, would Lisa and Renato. Heck, I'd love to see a thread comparing them. Because I think they have closer roles and styles.

thebanishedone said:

Cassandra suits Prince's sound much better

I agree. Seeing Prince in the UK this year with Cassy, I much preferred her style and how it sat with the overall sound to when Prince was last here in 2007 with Renato.

No knocks on Renato, he's a helluva player - but I agree with the folks saying it's a bit too jazz fusion style.

Renato is astonishing. Each and every keyboard player Prince ever had was great (u don't end-up in his band if u aren't a high profile professional), but Renato has a style of his own, very much unique among all the others. He certainly brought some interesting sounds and approaches to KB playing in Prince's music, and I love him for doing so! See his short solo during Montreux's When Eye Lay My Hands On U: it says it all, no other Prince KB player'd have done that!

Other faves of mine would be Fink (way underused IMO, he should have had many more solo parts back then) and, of course, the amazing Morris Hayes.

But when all is said and done, Prince's best keyboard player ever is... Prince

I love Renato all the way!

It is true that Renato had more solos over the years then any other keyboard player for Prince.

That doesn't mean that he is the best Prince keyboardist

In 2002 i thought Renato iz amazing addition to Prince's band,but i was a stupid kid back then.

i'll say it now that i think Cassandra is much better for Prince's sound.

She had tons of those funky sounds and she likes to play those chords stabs that are so minneapolis sound.

Cassandra is the best keyboard addition to Prince since Matt left the band.

And Matt did at least 10 great keyboards solos over the time he was in the band.

He is a skilled jazz player also.