Shelby "Put your hands up" Johnson??

She's a good singer. No denying that. Her renditions of "Crazy" and "Nothing Compares" are always a highlight.

I'm not a huge fan of her "craaaazy miss positive" persona, but it works well at the stadium shows. She keeps the crowd going while Prince is on the other side of the stage. So, strategically, she's good, but she can be a bit annoying too sometimes. But she's certainly not as bad as many claim. Prince has always had a sidekick at his live shows. If fans aren't used to that by now, then I suspect they never will be.

toejam said:

Shelby "Put your hands up" Johnson??

She's a good singer. No denying that. Her renditions of "Crazy" and "Nothing Compares" are always a highlight.

I'm not a huge fan of her "craaaazy miss positive" persona, but it works well at the stadium shows. She keeps the crowd going while Prince is on the other side of the stage. So, strategically, she's good, but she can be a bit annoying too sometimes. But she's certainly not as bad as many claim. Prince has always had a sidekick at his live shows. If fans aren't used to that by now, then I suspect they never will be.

I want to hear the original PR era sounding version of Nothing Compares 2 U, and I want Prince & Susannah Melvoin to duet it

OldFriends4Sale said:

toejam said:

Shelby "Put your hands up" Johnson??

She's a good singer. No denying that. Her renditions of "Crazy" and "Nothing Compares" are always a highlight.

I'm not a huge fan of her "craaaazy miss positive" persona, but it works well at the stadium shows. She keeps the crowd going while Prince is on the other side of the stage. So, strategically, she's good, but she can be a bit annoying too sometimes. But she's certainly not as bad as many claim. Prince has always had a sidekick at his live shows. If fans aren't used to that by now, then I suspect they never will be.

I want to hear the original PR era sounding version of Nothing Compares 2 U, and I want Prince & Susannah Melvoin to duet it

not me. I prefer almost every other version to the original 1985 version by the Family. dull as dishwater. and that corny "oh oh oh oh oh" business...

errant said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

I want to hear the original PR era sounding version of Nothing Compares 2 U, and I want Prince & Susannah Melvoin to duet it

not me. I prefer almost every other version to the original 1985 version by the Family. dull as dishwater. and that corny "oh oh oh oh oh" business...

the original ends with a fantastic Eric Leeds sax solo. That's what makes the song, and it's not in the other versions. Certainly not Prince's oversinging it live version. I think Prince is a great vocalist, but that is an occasion where he tries to do something vocally he is just not gifted in. Rosie smokes him as a duet partner. Call out Teddy Pendergrass for that kind of thing...
In this day and age of far cornier non lyrical pseudo melodies "oh oh oh oh" is hardly offensive.

Zannaloaf said:

errant said:

not me. I prefer almost every other version to the original 1985 version by the Family. dull as dishwater. and that corny "oh oh oh oh oh" business...

the original ends with a fantastic Eric Leeds sax solo. That's what makes the song, and it's not in the other versions. Certainly not Prince's oversinging it live version. I think Prince is a great vocalist, but that is an occasion where he tries to do something vocally he is just not gifted in. Rosie smokes him as a duet partner. Call out Teddy Pendergrass for that kind of thing...
In this day and age of far cornier non lyrical pseudo melodies "oh oh oh oh" is hardly offensive.

I think certain Prince fans hate ANYTHING that isn't just Prince by himself or the old band. When I saw Prince at the Welcome to America in NY. She was BARELY seen. She did 'hype' the crowd but I didn't mind it at all. Larry G was OK, though he didn't have the songs to get the party started. Sheila had much more time on stage solo and I LOVED THAT:faint: I was annoyed by Sinbad as a host. BUT I am not fan of comedians who yell all the time like the yelling makes the joke funnier.

Shelby is a talent I enjoyed her. She serves a purpose - keep your attention for Prince to change clothes.

OldFriends4Sale said: I want to hear the original PR era sounding version of Nothing Compares 2 U, and I want Prince & Susannah Melvoin to duet it

errant said: not me. I prefer almost every other version to the original 1985 version by the Family. dull as dishwater. and that corny "oh oh oh oh oh" business...

OldFriends4Sale: I'm not talking about the album cut. The Revolution version with Susannah & St Paul. It sounds something like Another Lonely Christmas. PR era sound, electric guitar in all. I like the Family album cut too, perfect feel with an after breakup feel.

[Edited 2/6/13 6:53am]

I like her

fantasticjoy said:

Not pointless. I think she's a great singer. Although unless she's an opening act, I don't need to hear her do a bunch of lead vocals at a Prince show.

This! She is fantastic, but background vocalists should not get more than one song where they can take the spotlight.

BEAUGARDE said:

Shelby give P's music a soulful gospel feel that you would get from people like Mavis Staples or The Pointer Sisters, whom I love so Shelby's doing just fine.

funkaholic1972 said:

BEAUGARDE said:

Shelby give P's music a soulful gospel feel that you would get from people like Mavis Staples or The Pointer Sisters, whom I love so Shelby's doing just fine.

I agree. I think some people are too hard on her. She has a lovely voice.

Well, she wasn't pointless, She's got such a Vibrant voice, she was there also to cover songs Prince wouldn't because of the 'rights"

Her real presence on stage suffice to make the temperature rise before Prince appears;

She's got such an Attitude and her Body looks so strong that Prince doesn't need any bodyguard when she's around..I mean, when she was around..

ganesh said:

Well, she wasn't pointless, She's got such a Vibrant voice, she was there also to cover songs Prince wouldn't because of the 'rights"

Her real presence on stage suffice to make the temperature rise before Prince appears;

She's got such an Attitude and her Body looks so strong that Prince doesn't need any bodyguard when she's around..I mean, when she was around..

Agree. Shelby is definitely a beneficial organism!!

Ole girl should've been gone! I mean give her an album or project and send her on her way. When I pay to see Prince-I wanna see Prince only!

Shelby J is the best & loyal backup singer/Hype person Prince has ever had....

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