The brass section is missing in so much of today's music - including that of Prince. It is hard not to associate the "real" horn sound with some of his classics. So, I am wondering which horn player, in your opinion, was "better." There was Eric Leeds, Najee, Atlanta Bliss (Matt Blistan), Michael B. Nelson, Greg Boyer, Steve Strand, Ray Monteiro, Lee Hogans, Candy Dulfur, Brian Gallagher, Kenni Holmen, Dave Jensen, Kathy Jensen, Jerry Martini, Maceo Parker, and Mike Phillips. Why did he switch-out these players so much and why hasn't he returned to using real horns in his recent music?

In fairness, he's still using horns - the Montreux performances (July), New York City Winery appearances (August) and Paisley Park show in October all featured the 11-piece horn section, for example. Arrangements of tracks such as 'Big City' and 'Old Friends' suggest Prince is still very much interested in featuring horns.

As to personal preferences, I have always enjoyed appearances by the likes of Eric Leeds, Candy Dulfer and Maceo Parker.

I suspect that the variety of horn players must be for various reasons - not least because Prince likes to change things up - but essentially that isn't different to his approach with band line-ups overall.

langebleu said:

In fairness, he's still using horns - the Montreux performances (July), New York City Winery appearances (August) and Paisley Park show in October all featured the 11-piece horn section, for example. Arrangements of tracks such as 'Big City' and 'Old Friends' suggest Prince is still very much interested in featuring horns.

As to personal preferences, I have always enjoyed appearances by the likes of Eric Leeds, Candy Dulfer and Maceo Parker.

I suspect that the variety of horn players must be for various reasons - not least because Prince likes to change things up - but essentially that isn't different to his approach with band line-ups overall.

Mike Phillips is a fav of mine cuz i love the vocoder thing and he laid down some nasty grooves during the musicology and 3121 shows..cant forget the trubadoar (sp) shpow in LA severla years back as well

My favorite horn players with Prince will always be Eddie Minninfield and the one and only Eric Leeds, just because I like their distinct sound and style the most. I also like Atlanta Bliss in combination with Eric Leeds but I prefer the sound of just one brass instruments, i.e. the saxophone.

Big horn sections are not my cup of tea even though the original NPG horns were tight, and the others (Maceo, Candy, Najee etc. ) are all great musicians with a unique style but in my opinion they are too famous as solo musicians to be in Prince´s band.

I wish Eric and Prince could settle their differences one day and work together again but I doubt it.

KoolEaze said:

My favorite horn players with Prince will always be Eddie Minninfield and the one and only Eric Leeds, just because I like their distinct sound and style the most. I also like Atlanta Bliss in combination with Eric Leeds but I prefer the sound of just one brass instruments, i.e. the saxophone.

Big horn sections are not my cup of tea even though the original NPG horns were tight, and the others (Maceo, Candy, Najee etc. ) are all great musicians with a unique style but in my opinion they are too famous as solo musicians to be in Prince´s band.

I wish Eric and Prince could settle their differences one day and work together again but I doubt it.

Yeah, what's up with that? Why is there a rift between Eric and Prince? Does it stem from Alan Leeds too?