On the Toure Show podcast

https://art19.com/shows/toure-show/episodes/45c88483-3baa-436d-b572-3408842a2489

Andre has a different POV on some of the popular myths about Prince's life growing up.

It seems like a lot of the time he's downplaying how 'special' Prince was compared to the rest of the band coming up..or maybe he's just telling it like it is in his experience. You be the judge.

EDIT: Toure also has an interview with Susannah Melvoin which I found more enlightening and revealing.

[Edited 6/7/18 10:10am]

Andre never wanted to acknowledge that Prince was more special or talented or gifted than he (Andre) was.

Genesia said:

Andre never wanted to acknowledge that Prince was more special or talented or gifted than he (Andre) was.

Right. From what I understand he's a talented musician as well but I can't help but feel like he wants to let it be known that prince was no better than him he just happened to be the one to get big. But it still sounds like there was a lot of love and respect in their relationship at the end so that's a good thing.

Andre can suck it. All these ASSociates are riding the purple $$ train.

I appreciate that when Andre was first approached he declined, according to Toure, saying something like he had an understanding with Prince. I also appreciated that he took the time to share his experiences during the years, it was refreshing to hear from someone who had actual first hand observations. I'm sure there are some things which he will never speak of, but I found the information he provided about Prince's pre-teen to young adulthood years refreshing and clarifying. I believed that he was sincere in not wishing to "destroy" anything that may have been put out as part of the Prince persona and mystic. I don't want to knock anything he said, because he didn't have to say anything at all, but I did not find his observations and take on how Prince went from being just a member of a band, to a break out, signed solo artist, as refreshing and revealing (ok, candid if I'm being honest) as other parts of the interview. Is it ok that he felt/feels like he's just as outstanding and awesome as Prince; I don't have a problem with that either. If you don't think you're amazing, who else will. Thanks Andre for the interview and thanks OP for the link.

[Edited 6/9/18 22:27pm]

PennyPurple said:

Andre can suck it. All these ASSociates are riding the purple $$ train.

People want to know these things, so people ask for interviews. If you think you get paid to go on a radio show or podcast then you're stoned. Andrea knew Prince in ways hat no one else did. Granting an interview isn't riding a gravy train. Someone who cleaned the toilet at Paisely Park doing interviews might be looking for a gravy train, but Andre lived with Prince and has information people want and ask for. There's a difference.

steakfinger said:

PennyPurple said:

Andre can suck it. All these ASSociates are riding the purple $$ train.

People want to know these things, so people ask for interviews. If you think you get paid to go on a radio show or podcast then you're stoned. Andrea knew Prince in ways hat no one else did. Granting an interview isn't riding a gravy train. Someone who cleaned the toilet at Paisely Park doing interviews might be looking for a gravy train, but Andre lived with Prince and has information people want and ask for. There's a difference.

I'm not talking about just this interview. What he needs to say is why is wasn't there when Prince needed a friend the most? In these interviews the associates need to be asked the hard questions, not the kissing of the ass questions. Nobody would even know who they are if it wasn't for Prince.

I've seen Andre perform live more than a few times before and after Prince transitioned and his stage presence phenomenal! His charisma live rivals Prince.

ChocolateBox3121 said:

I've seen Andre perform live more than a few times before and after Prince transitioned and his stage presence phenomenal! His charisma live rivals Prince.

And yet...he'll never be Prince and never the superstar that Prince was.

What did he say? I don't have the heart to listen to a friend belittle his talent..a talent that may have been in its infancy at the time but grew to something quite exceptional because of his exceptional hard work. A friend who according to P's sister was told that Prince was going to die two years ago..but the issue is never addressed. I am tired of Prince anniversaries (death/birthday) being platforms for others' talents. Prince is not a f'ng figurehead. Yes, there are people almost as gifted as Prince in the Minneapolis scene (maybe some that started off more gifted) but Prince was it. I have listened to some Andre..He is talented..but that shouldn't really be the focus right now, now should it? Prince by the way was a better singer. At the very least, that should be acknowledged. And dance electric sounds like a more fleshed out and shorter version than the old demo that was recently released with Purple Rain Deluxe. The idea of not wanting to shatter the illusion while P was alive because they had an arrangement..But now that Prince is dead, he no longer cares about the arrangement??--Isn't that what spilling the beans now that P is dead implies? That is an odd thing to do. He should have been honest all along.

Asenath said:

I appreciate that when Andre was first approached he declined, according to Toure, saying something like he had an understanding with Prince. I also appreciated that he took the time to share his experiences during the years, it was refreshing to hear from someone who had actual first hand observations. I'm sure there are some things which he will never speak of, but I found the information he provided about Prince's pre-teen to young adulthood years refreshing and clarifying. I believed that he was sincere in not wishing to "destroy" anything that may have been put out as part of the Prince persona and mystic. I don't want to knock anything he said, because he didn't have to say anything at all, but I did not find his observations and take on how Prince went from being just a member of a band, to a break out, signed solo artist, as refreshing and revealing (ok, candid if I'm being honest) as other parts of the interview. Is it ok that he felt/feels like he's just as outstanding and awesome as Prince; I don't have a problem with that either. If you don't think you're amazing, who else will. Thanks Andre for the interview and that's OP for the link.

[Edited 6/6/18 17:17pm]

[Edited 6/6/18 17:28pm]

PennyPurple said:

ChocolateBox3121 said:

I've seen Andre perform live more than a few times before and after Prince transitioned and his stage presence phenomenal! His charisma live rivals Prince.

And yet...he'll never be Prince and never the superstar that Prince was.

Andre walked away from the industry for YEARS! Maybe he didn't want to be a "superstar". He DEFINITELY has the talent and the looks to be.

Also Andre is still here on earth. So don't speak too soon MISSY!

Genesia said:

Andre never wanted to acknowledge that Prince was more special or talented or gifted than he (Andre) was.

He didn't have to his talent spoke for itself.

But Prince is some second rate musician who stole from everyone around him? And everyone else made him who he was..taught him how to be sexy, wrote his baselines, told him how to dress, picked out his guitars, taught him about jazz, beatles, folk etc, ...Dude, is he just a fraud??? I get that musicians don't live in a vacuum and prince didn't do everything alone. But in folks' attempts to bring prince's image a bit down to earth, they are forgetting to talk about what was special about him in the first place...and that is belittling him.

ChocolateBox3121 said:

PennyPurple said:

And yet...he'll never be Prince and never the superstar that Prince was.

Andre walked away from the industry for YEARS! Maybe he didn't want to be a "superstar". He DEFINITELY has the talent and the looks to be.

Also Andre is still here on earth. So don't speak too soon MISSY!

Whose talent??

ChocolateBox3121 said:

Genesia said:

Andre never wanted to acknowledge that Prince was more special or talented or gifted than he (Andre) was.

He didn't have to his talent spoke for itself.

purplerabbithole said:

But Prince is some second rate musician who stole from everyone around him? And everyone else made him who he was..taught him how to be sexy, wrote his baselines, told him how to dress, picked out his guitars, taught him about jazz, beatles, folk etc, ...Dude, is he just a fraud??? I get that musicians don't live in a vacuum and prince didn't do everything alone. But in folks' attempts to bring prince's image a bit down to earth, they are forgetting to talk about what was special about him in the first place...and that is belittling him.

ChocolateBox3121 said:

Andre walked away from the industry for YEARS! Maybe he didn't want to be a "superstar". He DEFINITELY has the talent and the looks to be.

Also Andre is still here on earth. So don't speak too soon MISSY!

Andre has spoken highly of Prince on MANY occasions and he knew Prince before ANYBODY did. I attended a tribute he gave to Prince singing S.I.S.I.A. and it wasn't a dry eye in the house.

[Edited 6/6/18 18:06pm]

But Prince is some second rate musician who stole from everyone around him? And everyone else made him who he was..taught him how to be sexy, wrote his baselines, told him how to dress, picked out his guitars, taught him about jazz, beatles, folk etc, ...Dude, is he just a fraud??? I get that musicians don't live in a vacuum and prince didn't do everything alone. But in folks' attempts to bring prince's image a bit down to earth, they are forgetting to talk about what was special about him in the first place...and that is belittling him.




Very well put. Prince’s phenomenal four decade career was not accidental, dependent on anyone else or fraudulent. He was more talented, a better songwriter and more disciplined than anyone in his musical orbit or on the pop music landscape for the last 30 years...ask Jimmy Jam or better yet Miles Davis, who knows a thing or two about Genuises.

And not to belittle Andre’s gifts as a musician and producer, but his SOLO stuff is very average.

What particular "Musical" abilities did he talk about where Prince was concerned? I don't mean general..statements about liking WHEN DOVES CRY and the 1999 album. But what abilities..his voice, his melodies, his guitar playing???? I will admit that he complimented the 1999 album after finally listening to it in its entirety after his death. He also said he was great live (with 3rdeyegirl). But most of the other interviews I have read have contained admissions of his own talents and P's less than savory ways...He did acknowledge their friendship when they were younger and did state that P was funny. But all the nice things were said right after P died (right after) or a couple years before he died.. Lately, his interviews feel like Eric Leeds'. I read the Quietus one and it was mostly about his own music and P's more cutthroat ways. Dude, that shit should have been aired out years ago -- not on the anniversary of his death after his dead body is featured in tabloids. Like lala escarzega stated, it is like they forgot about the actual real-life human being they are "celebrating" and what made him as individual talent special.. I am being hard on Andre and I am probably beig unfair... But I don't know if he realizes what juxtaposition means and how it can come off...

ChocolateBox3121 said:

purplerabbithole said:

But Prince is some second rate musician who stole from everyone around him? And everyone else made him who he was..taught him how to be sexy, wrote his baselines, told him how to dress, picked out his guitars, taught him about jazz, beatles, folk etc, ...Dude, is he just a fraud??? I get that musicians don't live in a vacuum and prince didn't do everything alone. But in folks' attempts to bring prince's image a bit down to earth, they are forgetting to talk about what was special about him in the first place...and that is belittling him.

Andre has spoken highly of Prince on MANY occasions and he new Prince before ANYBODY did. I attended a tribute he gave to Prince singing S.I.S.I.A. and it wasn't a dry eye in the house.

[Edited 6/6/18 17:56pm]

Sometimes it snows in April...Good grief. I bet Wendy and lisa appreciated that--since they co-wrote it with him. I am glad you were moved. Sorry for my bitchiness. But fans reactions are not indicative of what the performer feels. Unless, andre was crying himself.

ChocolateBox3121 said:

purplerabbithole said:

But Prince is some second rate musician who stole from everyone around him? And everyone else made him who he was..taught him how to be sexy, wrote his baselines, told him how to dress, picked out his guitars, taught him about jazz, beatles, folk etc, ...Dude, is he just a fraud??? I get that musicians don't live in a vacuum and prince didn't do everything alone. But in folks' attempts to bring prince's image a bit down to earth, they are forgetting to talk about what was special about him in the first place...and that is belittling him.

Andre has spoken highly of Prince on MANY occasions and he new Prince before ANYBODY did. I attended a tribute he gave to Prince singing S.I.S.I.A. and it wasn't a dry eye in the house.

What I want to know is Andre is an ASSociate, why isn't this thread in the ASSociate forum?

ChocolateBox3121 said:

PennyPurple said:

And yet...he'll never be Prince and never the superstar that Prince was.

Andre walked away from the industry for YEARS! Maybe he didn't want to be a "superstar". He DEFINITELY has the talent and the looks to be.

Also Andre is still here on earth. So don't speak too soon MISSY!

Face it, Andre couldn't cut it.

PennyPurple said:

steakfinger said:

People want to know these things, so people ask for interviews. If you think you get paid to go on a radio show or podcast then you're stoned. Andrea knew Prince in ways hat no one else did. Granting an interview isn't riding a gravy train. Someone who cleaned the toilet at Paisely Park doing interviews might be looking for a gravy train, but Andre lived with Prince and has information people want and ask for. There's a difference.

I'm not talking about just this interview. What he needs to say is why is wasn't there when Prince needed a friend the most? In these interviews the associates need to be asked the hard questions, not the kissing of the ass questions. Nobody would even know who they are if it wasn't for Prince.

OK listen, you gotta take a breath. Not everyone is riding the purple train. These are Prince's friends, that have known him. If I wanna hear from anyone, it is those who were close to him before his fame and during it. No one's getting paid for interviews, so it's not like they are capitalizing on his death. There is no gravy train, as steakfinger mentioned. Y'all act like no one ever can talk about Prince, play his music, or even mention him unless it clears the fanbase first. It's ridiculous and hyperbole. It's always hysterics when someone speaks. "Who the fuck does Mayte think she is? She's his EX for a reason!" "Why is Kim Berry running her mouth? She poofed his afro at best." etc etc. Just unnecessary vitriol. Andre was where Prince went when he got kicked out. Andre was the first in his band. Iron sharpens iron. People should be happy for people like Morris, or Andre being in Prince's life back then. His friendly competition with them is what made him strive to be even better.

purplerabbithole said:

What particular "Musical" abilities did he talk about where Prince was concerned? I don't mean general..statements about liking WHEN DOVES CRY and the 1999 album. But what abilities..his voice, his melodies, his guitar playing???? I will admit that he complimented the 1999 album after finally listening to it in its entirety after his death. He also said he was great live (with 3rdeyegirl). But most of the other interviews I have read have contained admissions of his own talents and P's less than savory ways...He did acknowledge their friendship when they were younger and did state that P was funny. But all the nice things were said right after P died (right after) or a couple years before he died.. Lately, his interviews feel like Eric Leeds'. I read the Quietus one and it was mostly about his own music and P's more cutthroat ways. Dude, that shit should have been aired out years ago -- not on the anniversary of his death after his dead body is featured in tabloids. Like lala escarzega stated, it is like they forgot about the actual real-life human being they are "celebrating" and what made him as individual talent special.. I am being hard on Andre and I am probably beig unfair... But I don't know if he realizes what juxtaposition means and how it can come off...

ChocolateBox3121 said:

Andre has spoken highly of Prince on MANY occasions and he new Prince before ANYBODY did. I attended a tribute he gave to Prince singing S.I.S.I.A. and it wasn't a dry eye in the house.

[Edited 6/6/18 17:56pm]

He said Prince could copy any lick. He was like a sponge.

He did have the looks. He is talented. I am trying to diminish him. He is charismatic. He did contribute to PRince's success, did some good stuff with Jody Watley and making it in the business is tough. But Prince did more than the Minneapolis Sound. He was smart enough to branch out. I am starting to realize more and more his need to not look back. I don't understand, for example, why Wendy and Lisa need to do Revolution reunions. Why don't they just throw themselves head first into focusing entirely on the being the female versions of John Williams. Not everyone has the same degree of rock star charisma. You can't get the past back. Think about this ... there are 55 female hollywood composers listed in wikipedia (compared to 1700 males). These ladies are two of them. Damn, that's an honor and much more impressive than being known for helping Prince flesh out his sound and co-writing a handful of songs. I remember reading how impressed Prince was when he watched W and L come up with music for scenes in a tv show. This is a very respectable thing to do for a living.

PennyPurple said:

ChocolateBox3121 said:

Andre walked away from the industry for YEARS! Maybe he didn't want to be a "superstar". He DEFINITELY has the talent and the looks to be.

Also Andre is still here on earth. So don't speak too soon MISSY!

Face it, Andre couldn't cut it.

[Edited 6/6/18 18:33pm]

He's an autistic savant copycat with no original ideas... that is how one could construe that compliment. Its all technique..no creative musical ideas. Even Wendy complemented some of the unique ways P played guitar. (flipping his pick in and out of his fingers while playing, for example.)

ChocolateBox3121 said:

purplerabbithole said:

What particular "Musical" abilities did he talk about where Prince was concerned? I don't mean general..statements about liking WHEN DOVES CRY and the 1999 album. But what abilities..his voice, his melodies, his guitar playing???? I will admit that he complimented the 1999 album after finally listening to it in its entirety after his death. He also said he was great live (with 3rdeyegirl). But most of the other interviews I have read have contained admissions of his own talents and P's less than savory ways...He did acknowledge their friendship when they were younger and did state that P was funny. But all the nice things were said right after P died (right after) or a couple years before he died.. Lately, his interviews feel like Eric Leeds'. I read the Quietus one and it was mostly about his own music and P's more cutthroat ways. Dude, that shit should have been aired out years ago -- not on the anniversary of his death after his dead body is featured in tabloids. Like lala escarzega stated, it is like they forgot about the actual real-life human being they are "celebrating" and what made him as individual talent special.. I am being hard on Andre and I am probably beig unfair... But I don't know if he realizes what juxtaposition means and how it can come off...

[Edited 6/6/18 17:56pm]

He said Prince could copy any lick. He was like a sponge.

[Edited 6/6/18 18:27pm]

purplerabbithole said:

Sometimes it snows in April...Good grief. I bet Wendy and lisa appreciated that--since they co-wrote it with him. I am glad you were moved. Sorry for my bitchiness. But fans reactions are not indicative of what the performer feels. Unless, andre was crying himself.

ChocolateBox3121 said:

Andre has spoken highly of Prince on MANY occasions and he new Prince before ANYBODY did. I attended a tribute he gave to Prince singing S.I.S.I.A. and it wasn't a dry eye in the house.

According to Jerome(whom was there when Prince first wrote S.I.S.I.A) Wendy & Lisa was nowhere near.

I believe they helped flesh out and tweek its sound and added the instrumental music at the beginning and ending. Jerome might have seen him come up with the melody and lyrics. But sometimes, it feels like Rev members believe that P's melodies and lyrics made no sense and were musically so simple they could have been written by a chimp before the band got together with him and sometimes without him to make the songs great (Let's Go Crazy, Purple Rain, Kiss.)

ChocolateBox3121 said:

purplerabbithole said:

Sometimes it snows in April...Good grief. I bet Wendy and lisa appreciated that--since they co-wrote it with him. I am glad you were moved. Sorry for my bitchiness. But fans reactions are not indicative of what the performer feels. Unless, andre was crying himself.

According to Jerome(whom was there when Prince first wrote S.I.S.I.A) Wendy & Lisa was nowhere near.

[Edited 6/6/18 18:36pm]

TrivialPursuit said:

PennyPurple said:

I'm not talking about just this interview. What he needs to say is why is wasn't there when Prince needed a friend the most? In these interviews the associates need to be asked the hard questions, not the kissing of the ass questions. Nobody would even know who they are if it wasn't for Prince.

OK listen, you gotta take a breath. Not everyone is riding the purple train. These are Prince's friends, that have known him. If I wanna hear from anyone, it is those who were close to him before his fame and during it. No one's getting paid for interviews, so it's not like they are capitalizing on his death. There is no gravy train, as steakfinger mentioned. Y'all act like no one ever can talk about Prince, play his music, or even mention him unless it clears the fanbase first. It's ridiculous and hyperbole. It's always hysterics when someone speaks. "Who the fuck does Mayte think she is? She's his EX for a reason!" "Why is Kim Berry running her mouth? She poofed his afro at best." etc etc. Just unnecessary vitriol. Andre was where Prince went when he got kicked out. Andre was the first in his band. Iron sharpens iron. People should be happy for people like Morris, or Andre being in Prince's life back then. His friendly competition with them is what made him strive to be even better.

Look Andre is riding the purple $$ train, do you think he's performing with NPG for free?

I wouldn't mind a TRUTHFUL interview, but all these ASSociates are trying to change the narrative, and Prince isn't here to knock them back in their place. You notice they didn't say this crap when he was alive.

Stop giving these people a purple pass & start asking REAL questions from them.

They did say some of this when PRince was alive...Andre did mention some stolen basslines and Do me baby being stolen when P was alive. But he is dead now and therefore people should also remember what made his "brother" special and unique..and it shouldn't be some kind of affirmation of P's autistic ability to copy others.

PennyPurple said:

TrivialPursuit said:

OK listen, you gotta take a breath. Not everyone is riding the purple train. These are Prince's friends, that have known him. If I wanna hear from anyone, it is those who were close to him before his fame and during it. No one's getting paid for interviews, so it's not like they are capitalizing on his death. There is no gravy train, as steakfinger mentioned. Y'all act like no one ever can talk about Prince, play his music, or even mention him unless it clears the fanbase first. It's ridiculous and hyperbole. It's always hysterics when someone speaks. "Who the fuck does Mayte think she is? She's his EX for a reason!" "Why is Kim Berry running her mouth? She poofed his afro at best." etc etc. Just unnecessary vitriol. Andre was where Prince went when he got kicked out. Andre was the first in his band. Iron sharpens iron. People should be happy for people like Morris, or Andre being in Prince's life back then. His friendly competition with them is what made him strive to be even better.

Look Andre is riding the purple $$ train, do you think he's performing with NPG for free?

I wouldn't mind a TRUTHFUL interview, but all these ASSociates are trying to change the narrative, and Prince isn't here to knock them back in their place. You notice they didn't say this crap when he was alive.

Stop giving these people a purple pass & start asking REAL questions from them.

purplerabbithole said:

They did say some of this when PRince was alive...Andre did mention some stolen basslines and Do me baby being stolen when P was alive. But he is dead now and therefore people should also remember what made his "brother" special and unique..and it shouldn't be some kind of affirmation of P's autistic ability to copy others.

PennyPurple said:

Look Andre is riding the purple $$ train, do you think he's performing with NPG for free?

I wouldn't mind a TRUTHFUL interview, but all these ASSociates are trying to change the narrative, and Prince isn't here to knock them back in their place. You notice they didn't say this crap when he was alive.

Stop giving these people a purple pass & start asking REAL questions from them.

I know, they make me sick.