mrdespues said:

- Well...he is blame for that too. While ´recognized´ musicians such as Steve Vai, Herbie Hancock, George Benson and Thelonius Monk were always seen with their instruments, Prince spent good part of the time dancing, singing, etc.
How many great piano solos Prince ever recorded on studio?

GustavoRibas said:

Not many
not many
but he's made phenominal syth lines!, alot of them
but piano solos?
not many

Luv4oneanotha said:

Sexy Dancer is the only piano solo I can think of.

I don't think Prince has the chops of a Herbie Hancock, nor can he play drums like John Blackwell, or play guitar like Steve Vai, or sing like Stevie Wonder. But his playing on all these instruments is effortless, interesting, and perfectly suited to whichever song he's playing at the time. He's the master of wellroundedness.

andyman91 said:

you don't need to be herbie, steve val or stevie
on instrumentation or voice
but he had visions of songs
thus he can incorporate his musicianship to create those visions

.
[Edited 10/29/04 18:52pm]

Prince has a great feel on the piano but he is no virtuoso in my opinion. I love his playing on One Nite Alone (the song) though, I think this is really good. Also his piano work on A Case Of U is good I think...

I once heard him play a boogie woogie then changed it to stride piano in one of his after hours jam session boots.

I don't pay no mind to technique at all. I want to hear a PIANIST not a robot!

Sure, he can't keep up with the "one-on-one" jazz thing but I give him the credit for being a good listener to his OWN playing, thats a big deal and thats exactly what taught him to play.

The song "Condition Of The Heart" is the true testimony of how a soulful pianist Prince is.
[Edited 10/31/04 11:00am]

Harlepolis said:

...and there it is!

say that Harlepolis, co-sign it SammiJ & from this one a BIG 10-4 on "Condition of the Heart"....it says it all!!! there are some really great runs on the album he did 4 'Taja Seville' - "if i could get your attention i'd tell ya so " like i said B4; i always listen 2 Madhouse 2 get my piano/instrumental
fix on P...

The thing I like about Prince on the piano is the timing - I mean, the way he plays piano to accompany himself singing is fabulous. It's not about technique or head stuff - it's just music happening and he's doing what he has to do with whatever instrument however he has to do it. Of course there are other musicians who can do this too - I don't want to get into a debate about who is better than who - all I know is that Prince is damn good.

The piano medley on the ONA tour which I saw live and the version on the CD (which I know has its critics... ) both brought a tear to my eye (in a good way!!)

true that on all these opinions! perhaps comparision & competition is an illusion when its really about each one authentically expressing what the Creator gives an individual 2 share - if we really do that then what we give as our best is added 2 all the colors of the hue-man rainbow