I just got my New York Times today (Saturday) and it includes several of the Sunday sections. The Sunday Arts and Leisure section includes a one page article and interview with the Artist by Anthony DeCurtis entitled "He's Back - But don't Call it a Comeback".



It's a very solid positive piece and includes two great photographs as well as quotes from Clive Davis ("This is a poet, a renaissance man, an iconoclast"), Sheryl Crow ("It's not only his ability to play so many instruments, it's the level at which he plays them") and Ani DiFranco ("Any instrument he picks up he speaks through. Also, he's sexy. I certainly haven't been immune".)



At the end of the interview, The Artist played the single - "The Greatest Romance ever Sold" for DeCurtis.



Quote: "Tell me that's not a hit" he insisted as the swelling choruses and Arabic scales of "TGRES" washed over us. I turned to look at him. His chest was puffed out and he was smiling. His hips and shoulders were moving. But in his dark eyes beneath the bravado, there was a vulnerability he refused to acknowledge, as well as a hope that the answer would be what he needed to hear" End Quote.



An excellent article: it should be available tomorrow on the NYT website: http://www.nytimes.com

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adavide@erols.com adds:



There is a long, two page (pgs 89 and 92-Arts section)
article about the Artist in the Sunday edition of The
New York Times(9/12). It also includes two new Parke photos
(one with him bending down and holding two birds;he is wearing a
striped suit and berets in his hair, the second photo,
he is wearing a shirt and tie and holding his walking cane on his
shoudlers).



The article is titled "He Back - but Don't Call It A
Comeback" by Anthony De Curtis (He wrote an article on
the Artist in 1996 upon the release of Emacipation for the
NY Times).



Some highlights from the article:



1. "Rave" will defintely be released on Nov. 2.

2. "The Greatest Romance Ever Sold" is described as a
powerful ballad with swelling choruses and Arabic scales.
The Artist tells the writer while they are listening to it
"Tell me that's not a hit."

3. Sheryl Crow sings and plays harmonica on a ballad called
"Baby Knows."

4. Ani Di Franco plays guitar on an unnamed track.

5. He is putting the final touches on "Rave" at Jimi
Hendrix's Electric Ladyland studio (Also, of note, this is
where D'Angelo recorded his new album, "Voodoo", out Nov. 23.

6. The article mentions that Mayte is sitting with him in the studio.

7. There are some very positive quotes from Clive Davis and
Ani Di Franco, and Sheryl Crow.

8. The article mentions the fact Prince is the producer several
times to show that "Rave" is different from his 90s and newer
works.

9. The Artist says, "He answers to know one except God" when
discussing his problems with Warner Bros. and his distrust of
contracts.

10. Clive Davis describes him as "a poet, a renasissance man,
an iconoclast."

11. The Artist will tour in support of "Rave." The tour will
be extensive and international.



Also, I attended Maxwell's concert on Friday (9/10)at the MSG Theatre.
He put on an excellent show. He and his band (including the superb
ex-prince drummer Michael B.) played a 2 hour funky and very
PRINCEly like show. Maxwell has much improved his dance moves
and stage presence since his 97 tour. I highly recommend it!



Update: russell.bailey provides the following URL for the article, noting that the pictures were not posted with the article:



http://www.nytimes.com/li...music.html