I'm really interested to know what a straight-up gospel song from Prince would be like, with choir and all. Given his strong religiousity, you'd think this would be a natural.

He has songs that have that gospel soul, I'm talking about the genuine article.

Is anyone aware that he's done anything like this?

altavista said:

Ever heard of Everywhere?

I think it could be argued that he's already written plenty of gospel music. "Lovesexy" was described by Prince as a gospel album. I don't think he'd ever record a traditional, by-the-numbers gospel album, though I think "Everywhere" is a nice example of what it could sound like if he did.

Anxiety said:

Yeah, and don't forget the stuff he's written/produced for Mavis Staples. I think that most of the songs on The Voice are a pretty good example of his ability to write this more "straight-up" kind of material and give it his own twist.

Personally, I prefer it when he just does his own thing. Maybe it's that his own stuff--when it's good--incorporates all of those influences, but has his personality stamped on it. When he tries to limit it to just one element (say, by doing "a jazz album", "a piano album", etc) it doesn't work as well as when he just does his own thing, but in a jazz-influenced (e.g. And God Created Woman) or piano-led (e.g HCUDCMA) form. I imagine it would be the same if he did "a gospel album" - there wouldn't be the same scope for it to be as inventive as the way he's used gospel influences in his own work.

Maybe not. Maybe it would focus his songwriting, and force him to dig deep (something which he really needs to do a bit more of....)

More gospel songs ;

Last december (infact almost the whole "Rainbow children" album)
The ladder
Anna stesia
God
4 the tears in your eyes
The holy river
The cross
One of us
Eye know

I probably left a few out

Honestly , i think that's enough songs about god already !
The man should get back to playing nasty guitar !
Tho i must say he's on the right track again i.m.o
[Edited 11/12/04 17:37pm]

"Everywhere" is a 100% gospel song.

i read this on Housequake:
Reporter: Do you plan to release a spiritual album?
Prince: eye have. it's called Lovesexy.

i never considered it spiritual until then.

Dear God... no.

Ok although I know he is intensely spiritual and have written plenty of spiritual songs and I love Gospel music, the idea of Prince writing straight up GOSPEL music is creepy to me. At least, maybe the gospel I listen to *James Hall, John P Kee, etc.*
[Edited 11/12/04 21:17pm]

NO MORE EDITS edit
[Edited 11/12/04 21:18pm]

i love the sound of "willing & able" -- wish he'd do more with gospel choirs

Dewrede said:

"The Cross"
"The Christ"???

Stripe said:

You had to go THERE? This song is an insult to the original!

TheBatman said:

How? The message of the song is the same. Who do you think was the bearer of The Cross to begin with? I'm really interested in your response.
[Edited 11/13/04 20:16pm]

how do U stipulate 'gospel'? are U speaking contemporary or traditional? a remake of a gospel standard(dont wait 4 it)truly he speaks of/on/to God N a number of cuts...
yo deebee, i co-sign on this quote "it would focus his songwriting, and force him to dig deep (something which he really needs to do a bit more of....)"
Being more True would surely ring through!!!!

TheBatman said:

'Twas just a question! (I meant that...)
I was wondering what you're thinking about that... I never mentioned that it's better than the original...

When I posed the question I was thinking of more traditional type of gospel. Some old school stuff, spare with organ lines and drum. I think he could really do a lot with that. As someone mentioned, with a choir would be very interesting.

Thanks for pointing out the work that he's done with Mavis and Rosie, which I honestly haven't heard. I've also just recently found out about the Rainbow Children. From what I've read on the web, it's a commercial for the Jehovah's Witnesses.

Anyway....

My thinking is that he may move more toward that direction as he gets older. I remember back in the 80s when I was in my teens and just getting heavily into Pricnce.. I wondered what his music would be like once he got tired of singing about sex and writhing on stage. I think it'd be something special.

psykosoul said:

Geez... where do I begin? Let's see... oh: "somebody lied about the way somebody died."

So let's:

1. Change the lyrics to fit our new beliefs instead of writing a new song.

2. Larry Graham. Let's give him a singing part, so he can back up my new belief.

3. The message of the song is NOT the same, if you understand why he changed it, and what the new lyrics mean.

4. After singing "The Cross" for 11 years, he wants to force a change? WTF?

I'm sure I can go on and on, but why?

TheBatman said:

...yeah... there's no point in you going on and on...

I'm not into gospel,but if he'd be playing the Christ in church,I'd go!!
It would tear the roof of any church!The only thing I don't like about Prince is his religious stuff,but if he would be making gospel music instead of pop music,he'd definitely would make something new and interesting out of it!!(like 'The Christ'..)Gospel with screaming electric guitars...Great!!

what's this "started" crap?

He did already - "Still would stand all time", and many others.

I don't think he ought to push this any further ('tho it's more listenable than his jazz attempts).

Maybe he should move to Nashville, wear a big stupid hat, eat some meat and write country music.

TheBatman said:

1. Change the lyrics to fit our new beliefs instead of writing a new song.

It's his song, he can do pretty much anything he wants with it.


2. Larry Graham. Let's give him a singing part, so he can back up my new belief.

see above answer

3. The message of the song is NOT the same, if you understand why he changed it, and what the new lyrics mean.

see above

4. After singing "The Cross" for 11 years, he wants to force a change? WTF?

see above

psykosoul

Ifsixwuz9

TheBatman said:

...and your point is?

I have wished for a gospel album too, as opposed to song here and there on each album. It would probably have the same feel as Madonna's "Like a Prayer" that choir could "sang".

It would be pretty cool to hear Prince music at church.

TheBatman said:

Keep strivin' for the things you believe

TheBatman said:

In other words you have nothing to say. Bear in mind I never commented one way or another on his choices.

He did record music for a JW hymns album - together with George Benson and Larry Graham supposedly. There is some music circulating and the very track that is said to have princely involvement (it's an instrumental) sounds like it could be legit.

psykosoul said:

So true!