I am not a fan of pitting folks against each other. So take this as you will.

I was randomly watching "Baby I'm A Star" video on YouTube. Eddie did his sax solo. Then I thought about Eric coming on around that time, too.

Eddie was on ATWIAD, and Eric was on Parade forward.

I personally think Eric was a better choice. He was more versatile, and his jazz influences played a lot into the horn arrangements on songs. I don't much know about Eddie's ability for horn arrangement, but it always seems like he struggled a bit while playing.

So my question is this: was Eric the right choice to use in his music from about 1985/6 onward, or should Eddie have stayed?

A fair question. I agree with your thoughts. I was always impressed with Eddie M's solo on Temptaion, that being said, the muscular groove that Eddie M could not compete with the versatility of Eric Leeds (as you intimated).

I felt that he was a pivotal part of Prince's sound and helped feed Prince's creativity with what he brought to the table.

He had the had the love of Jazz as well as R and B (Ray Charles horn player David "Fathead" Newman, Maceo Parker James Brown). That being said I was disappointed when he said he was not a fan of some of the music he played on, but hey you can't fault him for honesty, and I think that was all it was. He seemed to respect Prince as an artist and for his work ethic and approach to music.

The only thing I can't figure out is why his music sounded so good in Prince music but the closer he went to being a solo artist (His solo album on Paisley Park, the Madhouse stuff the F Deluxe stuff (still technically Prince) ) was so disappointing for me. I mean I like a range of Jazz music, but I could never get into his stuff beyond Prince (that being said I have not sought it out to much) I mean we all Prince music on the org (well I think so), so it is only natural to find an artist not as good without the Prince contribution. I would equate it (and am not being insulting) to a role player who excelled playing with a superstar like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Magin Johnson or Lebron James and who struggled when they went to another team without open looks.

Could anyone suggest any Eddie M stuff or Eric Leeds stuff to listen to please?. Eddie M was on Around the World in a day, part of the Purple Rain tour, and the first couple of Sheila E albums (I assume since I thought he was from the Bay area and part of her band.)

No disrespect to Eddie, but I have to go with Eric Leeds all the way here. Not only for his playing, but for his arranging skills and his nerd-cool persona. The dude is a living legend.

I take Maceo or Candy over either of them.

Eric all the way. No disrespect for Eddie, but his playing was always a bit frantic for my tastes. Eric's more lyrical.

I think you could make a very fair argument for Eric Leeds being Prince's best collaborator - I certainly would.

Having said that, Eddie is also amazing - I saw him a couple of years ago with Sheila E and he was the absolute highlight of the show. The 1985 Worcester show really shows off a "what could have been" with Prince.

Good Q. Eddie was great actually, but for me it's Eric all the way. He broight something unique to Prince and together they were fantastic. I'd also pick Eric before Candy or Maceo. I also like Eric's Bariton here and there too lwhich just worked so well for Prince. Prince has had some amazing sax players, another was Mike Phillips who was on the 2007 shows in London and had exceptional technique. But back to the question - Eric all the way for Prince, wish he kept him around longer.

Leeds.

robertgeorge said:

Could anyone suggest any Eddie M stuff or Eric Leeds stuff to listen to please?. Eddie M was on Around the World in a day, part of the Purple Rain tour, and the first couple of Sheila E albums (I assume since I thought he was from the Bay area and part of her band.)

Eric Leeds and Paul Peterson had project together that I bet sounded great. LP Music No Words. But where it's at it beyond me. I don't think they ever got a distribution deal and the record was shelved. This was done on the synergy of fDeluxe's Gaslight and AM Music albums. I wish it had come out.

TrivialPursuit said:

robertgeorge said:

Could anyone suggest any Eddie M stuff or Eric Leeds stuff to listen to please?. Eddie M was on Around the World in a day, part of the Purple Rain tour, and the first couple of Sheila E albums (I assume since I thought he was from the Bay area and part of her band.)

Eric Leeds and Paul Peterson had project together that I bet sounded great. LP Music No Words. But where it's at it beyond me. I don't think they ever got a distribution deal and the record was shelved. This was done on the synergy of fDeluxe's Gaslight and AM Music albums. I wish it had come out.

The No Words project did come out. I got it from the PledgeMusic site back in Jan 2018. It has nine songs.

TrivialPursuit said:

robertgeorge said:

Could anyone suggest any Eddie M stuff or Eric Leeds stuff to listen to please?. Eddie M was on Around the World in a day, part of the Purple Rain tour, and the first couple of Sheila E albums (I assume since I thought he was from the Bay area and part of her band.)

Eric Leeds and Paul Peterson had project together that I bet sounded great. LP Music No Words. But where it's at it beyond me. I don't think they ever got a distribution deal and the record was shelved. This was done on the synergy of fDeluxe's Gaslight and AM Music albums. I wish it had come out.

Thank you for that.

I might do a little bit of internet fishing and see what turns up.

Eric Leeds meshed so well with Prince. I guess at his peak era, anything that Prince touched turned to gold (and sometimes platinum). I do like what the hornheadz contributed to Prince's music too though.

There must be at least a dozen Leeds related gems in the vault somewhere gathering mould and oxidation.

motherfunka said:

The No Words project did come out. I got it from the PledgeMusic site back in Jan 2018. It has nine songs.

Hmmm, I guess I lost track of it, because I never saw it for sale anywhere online.

I really like the baritone sax of Leeds better, so cool.

But sometimes I dig the fast Alto sax (?) of Eddie M in songs like

"Merci for the Speed of a Mad Clown in Summer" or "I would die 4 U" 12"

[Edited 5/9/21 9:31am]

Eddie for the energy, Eric for the improv

James Brown - Maceo Parker

Bruce Springsteen - Crarence Clemons

Prince - Eric Leeds

Eddie M and Candy are close seconds

I love both.

Eddie has really grown a lot since the PR days. I've seen him with Sheila live many times and he's much more advanced and sophisticated than back then. During the Baby I'm A Star dual-sax-solos it always sounded like Eddia kept hitting these weird "squeak" notes. Wasn't sure if that was intentional or not, but it sounded weird.

.

Eric is amazing, hands down. His playing fit Prince's songs perfectly. And his work on the Family album is legendary.

.

Eddie did a solo album and did a nice re-arrangement of Sheila's amazing and underrated ballad, Hold Me. (I like both versions actually)..

.

I guess YouTube links not working:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX5jEUHlV-A

[Edited 5/9/21 14:59pm]

They're BOTH Great!!! BTW: Eddie M played on Jesse Johnson's 1988 "Every Shade Of Love" Album as well!!! And as recently as a couple Years ago, was LIVE ON STAGE w/Sheila E.!!!

woogiebear said:

They're BOTH Great!!! BTW: Eddie M played on Jesse Johnson's 1988 "Every Shade Of Love" Album as well!!! And as recently as a couple Years ago, was LIVE ON STAGE w/Sheila E.!!!

He came from her band anyway, or ended up in it, didn't he? She calls out Eddie a lot on Romance 1600.

Anyhoo - Every Shade of Love is my favorite Jesse album, by far. It's a little "in the moment" in its production, but it's still a solid record. Probably the heaviest R&B of his first three.

purplethunder3121 said:

Eric. His tone is unique.

Zannaloaf said:

Eric. His tone is unique.

i agree.

Eric is famous for being Prince's saxman.

The others are famous for playing in someone else's band...

Much as I love Eric, I really don't like what he played on D. Parker - it made the song sound too normal. Once more I'm impressed by what a smart editor Prince was; he certainly knew what too take out of a song. Same deal with Forever in my Life and, most famously, WDC.

donnyenglish said:

I take Maceo or Candy over either of them.

Maceo was his own 'lead' artist though. He didn't bring about any actual definative 'Prince' sound or style. Candy idk

I will always take both of them. Their styles fit well with the Gemini Prince