Have Prince and Meshell ever worked together?

Her music is just brilliant, and is clearly heavily influenced by Prince's work - but subtly and imaginatively. I have just re-visited her album 'Bitter' and introspective Cd, superb work, and there are so many Prince influences throughout. Alos her latest recording 'Comfort Woman' could easily be mistaken for Prince, in fact one of the trax is just so similar it is frightening, it could have been penned by Prince it is so similar.

By the way, Wendy Melvoin plays on 'Bitter' and you can hear her playing a mile off, very distinctive.

If you haven't heard any of Meshell's work, try starting with Comfort Woma, then Bitter, then Plantation Lullabies.

Anyway, has she ever worked with Prince, does anyone know?

yes they did.

for EMANCIPATION.

she is not mentioned in the album booklet with her own name, but as Shiva. had to do with legal things.

They should do a complete album together, she is just so damn talented and so is he of course. I'm sure they have a lot of the same acts that inspire them. MeShell's first two albums were produced so well, using such good musicians, that they blow most of Prince's albums out of the water IMO.

I guess it can be told now.

Yes she did in New York. Prince, then the symbol, was in town doing the Letterman show. He performed Dinner with Delores. Later that night MeShell was invited to work on some songs. When she arrived he was halfway done with The Love We Make. When he finished they worked on and she sang on "emale" , but the version on "emancipation" is a re-recorded version without Me-Shell. The songs is based on a jam played by o(+> and Me'shell in New-York.

A friend of mine participated in the Emancipation sessions at Paisley Park. He was there to play with the hornheadz. He told me that Meshell was present the entire week that he spent at PP. They would work on horn arrangements during the day(without Prince), and jam afterwards. When the jammed, Prince played as usual whatever instrument and Rhonda, Kirk, Morris and ->Meshell were there. If you read the booklet, you know my friends name(-;

I am not sure to hat extent, but there is some MeShell on 'When The Lights Go Down', one of P's best songs ever. Maybe some other orgers have more details, but i've heard that she played bass on the song or that the song came as a result of them two jamming together.

Chasing said:

I heartily agree. People keep looking for Prince's would-be "heir apparent" among the men. But he's a she. Me'Shell is the best talent out there today. While the first two albums are great, the last 3, Bitter, Cookie, and Comfort Woman, are as good a trio of albums as anyone has released since, well, Prince.
[Edited 9/17/04 7:30am]

namepeace said:

i was thinking that she is probably the musician i respect most of this new generation. she follows her own muse and seems to be very in tune with her music. i think comfort woman was criminally slept on. that album just flows so well.

how weird...i stumbled across this thread while listening to "bitter" for the first time in ages!

i always thought prince was an uncredited guest on "cookie" - there's a long jazz kinda song on there that has guitar that sounds just like his style...i've only listened to "cookie" a few times, but i remember that song as not sounding out of place on TRC musically...maybe i should bust that one out and give it a listen next, hmmm...

and "comfort woman" is an amazing album. it sounds like she recorded it on some other planet.

dawntreader said:

Someone's reading books.

LIBRA said:

Yes, thank you. Very kind of you.

namepeace said:

You are right Meshell is it. But I was hoping that D'Angelo would be, but he only comes out with an Album every 5 years so the work ethic isn't there.

YES! Meshell is truly the light, the passion, the beauty, and the way!

It is amazing how real music and true passion slips by generations, and people like Britney Spears and Paris Hilton can make it!

MeShell has something that entertainers in this business will never have...and that's a since of self and inner peace! Music is her passion and no matter what happens she will continue her struggle to give us what she loves the most and that's music...REAL MUSIC!

Keep the faith MeShell and know that your fans support and love you!

With love,

Peace!

Chasing said:

I totally agree about Me'Shell, however, for someone who hasn't heard her work, I would suggest Plantation Lullabies first...it is a masterpiece!

Soulchild82 said:

So true, Me'Shell has the passion...sometimes, it seems that D'Angelo is just trying to "get over" with his music...like it is just something to do to keep his name out there..Voodoo Child was just a re-hashed Prince album...

Jamzone333 said:

I think Voodoo was a great Lp. I don't think that it was re-hashed Prince. I do think that to of the best cuts were D'Angelos best Prince imitation. (ie. Send it On and Untitled which I would love to see cover both)

Jamzone333 said:

That's the one.

Meshell is just awesome....theres is no other artist out now that can touch her ! Been a diehard fan since the beginning. If you love her recordings, u can not miss her live. truly an experience. She and PRince are the only artists that i will travel to see perform.
i still think peace beyond passion is one of the funkiest albums she's done.

Chasing said:

How can you NOT mention Lisa too?? She plays on most of the album, her piano work on Fool of Me is BRILLIANT!!! Wendy plays chorus guitar on Beautiful and that's it.

when d angelo played the orphium theatre here in minneapolis he wrecked shop! kept making refernces like "i got to put it down this is the mans (prince) house!".

Mar10world said:

Well, at least he recognized that he had to come wit it when it played Minnie City...maybe there is redemption for the guy after all...

Hey everybody!!!



I've ALWAYS said they needed to work together. I just assumed they didn't because of his homophobia and/or insecurity working with a woman so talented that doesn't look like a Vanity or something.

But see what I get for assuming???


Can anyone tell me where I can hear their work together? I have Old Friends 4 Sale with "When The Lights Go Down" and I have the official release of Emancipation.

They need to do more together because I do think she is the heir BUT wouldn't his complete heir dance and have a more colorful stage presence??? Meshell is more low-key and laid back live. She is the best and ALL of her albums are slept on classics. Meshell is definitely the nowfuture of the funk.

Anybody want to inform me more about their work together feel free to e-mail me off the board.

Thanks for starting this thread.

Five