Diamonds & Pearls or the Gold Experience...bit of everything for everyone on those albums and,in my opinion,the last time Prince showed any real indication of teh label 'genius'....like a good coffee, it has just the right blend

One Nite Alone...Live! is the natural progression from the Madhouse tendency that has preoccupied Prince for nearly thirty years. So go for that as well.

Highly recommended.

.

"Lovesexy" and "Sign O' The Times" would also be considered "classic" Prince...just a "weaker" kind of "classic". Maybe you meant to say those of us that can't get over the "old Prince".
[Edited 12/14/04 11:25am]

vainandy said:

Weaker classic??? there may be some debate on that...

but by the same token, I never understood why Symbol isn't classic either..

in the sense of songs that are iconic and "keepers", it surely has as many "classic" songs as any other album...

Dirty Mind
1999
Parade

These are my personal favorites and things every P fan should know. I too am a relatively new fan. I was a little young for P in his prime, since I was born in 1988, but was a fan at age 2. I always have been a fan, but just this past year, also, I became a Prince FANATIC!!! you should definetly get Sign O the Times, it is great and you'll love it !!! Good Luck!!!

Parade

Then maybe:

SOTT
Purple Rain
1999 and
Lovesexy

I think what everyone is trying to say is... get what you can and enjoy diggin'!

giotto said:

Giotto's version? And how does that differ from the others? Are you talking 24th June, or 15th June 1992 footage?

I'm a relatively new Prince fan myself; I'm 24 and I started listening to him (I mean REALLY listening to him) a little over three years ago so I'm new in comparison to some of the orgers on here. But I'd have to recommend Emancipation if you're looking for some of his slow stuff (ESPECIALLY disc 2, which is the highlight of the album).

1. Sign 'O' the Times ['87] - ***** - Considered P's best work, and I would have to agree. His creative peak, as he dabbles with just about every genre there is in this 2-disc set. Key tracks: the entire album.
2. Purple Rain['84] - ***** - The album that brought P from promising superstar to megastar. Highly ranked Grammy winner. Key tracks: the entire album.
3. 1999 ['83] - ***** - Album that gave P his first Top 10 single, along with a few others. 5th album, considered to be his party album, brought P his first of many commerical successes. Key tracks: the entire album.
4. Dirty Mind ['80] - ****1/2 - Critically hailed 3rd album that featured some pretty risqué subjects about sex and incest, even. Funk, rock and sex! Key tracks: Dirty Mind, Uptown, Sister, Head, When You Were Mine.
5. Lovesexy ['88] - ****1/2 - Underrated gem, released after S'O'TT. If P ever had a sex/gospel album during his 80s run, this would be it. Key tracks: Lovesexy, Alphabet St., Dance On, Glam Slam, Anna Stesia, Eye No, When 2 R In Love, I Wish U Heaven
6. Around the World In A Day ['85] - ****1/2 - Curveball to fans that expected a Purple Rain 2, since this is it's successor. Psychodelic 60s style album, very creative work. Key tracks: Raspberry Beret, Pop Life, The Ladder, Temptation, Around the World In A Day, Condition of the Heart
7. Controversy ['81] - ****1/2 - Follow-up to Dirty Mind, not as racey, but just as brilliant. A more socio-political P during this time period. Key tracks: Controversy, Do Me Baby, Let's Work, Sexuality, Annie Christian, Ronnie Talk to Russia
8. Parade ['86] - ****1/2 - P's second soundtrack-album, a unique funky album. Has a European vibe to it that I can't put my finger on, but's a big +. Last album with The Revolution before disbanding. Key tracks: Kiss, Mountains, Anotherloverholenyohead, Sometimes It Snows In April, Girls and Boys, Under the Cherry Moon
9. The Gold Experience ['95] - ****1/2 - P's rival to S'O'TT in the 90s. Best album of the era. Key tracks: Gold, Endorphinmachine, The Most Beautiful Girl in the World, P Control, Billy Jack Bitch, Eye Hate U
10. ['92] - ****1/2 - Dawned the beginning of the era, his 3rd album with the New Power Generation. Hardcore funk in alot of places, with rap mixed in. Commonly referred to as "The Love Symbol Album," due to the unpronouncible symbol of a name. Key tracks: Sexy MF, 7, My Name is Prince, Love 2 the 9's, Damn U
11. Diamonds and Pearls ['91] - **** - P's most successful commerical album of the 90s, a more pop friendly album than it's previous predecessor (Graffiti Bridge). Nice jam CD. Key tracks: Cream, Gett Off, Money Don't Matter, Insatiable, Diamonds and Pearls, Thunder
12. Batman ['89] - **** - Soundtrack to the movie, Tim Burton suggested P do the album, since he was a big fan. Key Tracks: Batdance, Scandalous, Arms of Orion, Partyman, Trust.
13. Prince ['79] - **** - Sophomore album - and 1st platinum album - showed more promise for P in the future. Written, produced and performed by P all at age 19. Key tracks: I Wanna Be Your Lover, Sexy Dancer, Bambi
14. For You ['78] - **** - P's debut album. All performed by a young anxious Prince. Key tracks: Soft and Wet, Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?, I Feel for You.
15. Graffiti Bridge ['90] - **** - P's 4th soundtrack-album to a forgettable movie. Marked the 1st appearance of his New Power Generation band, along with a few performances from Morris Day and the Time. Key Tracks: Joy In Repetition, Thieves In the Temple, The Question of U, Love Machine (Morris Day & The Time), New Power Generation.
16. Emancipation ['96] - **** - 4-Disc collection of songs, marking his first post-Warner Bros. record on his NPG record label. Features some great tracks with a few fillers in between. 3 hrs worth of music. Key Tracks: Curious Child, Somebody's Somebody, The Holy River, The Love We Make.
17. The Black Album ['88] - **** - Scrapped album (replaced with Lovesexy) that was scheduled to follow S'O'TT. While a very funky album, it does have it's darker moments. Traded often in bootleg before being official released in '94. Key Tracks: Le Grind, Cindy C., When 2 R In Love, Rockhard in a Funky Place, Bob George.
18. The Rainbow Children ['01] - **** - Funk mixed with a smooth jazzy feel. A nice album to relax to for a P fan. Key tracks: 1+1+1 is 3, The Work, Pt. 1, Digital Garden, Muse 2 the Pharrow.
19. Musicology ['04] - **** - P's return to the pop charts. Nice introductory album to new Prince fans. Nice close to his classic 80s albums, though. Sounds inspired. Key tracks: Musicology, Dear Mr. Man, A Million Days, Call My Name, Cinnamon Girl, Illusion, Coma, Pimp & Circumstance
20. N.E.W.S. ['03] - **** - Features only 4 tracks: North, East, West, and South - all 14 minutes each. Jazz album.
21. Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic ['99] - **** - A fine album w/ guest appearance, but still a far cry from his previous work. Key tracks: Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic, Undisputed, The Greatest Romance Ever Sold, I Love U But Don't Trust You Anymore
22. Crystal Ball ['99] - ***1/2 - 4-Disc album set that features outtakes from Emancipation.
23. Come ('94) - ***1/2 - Dark album during P's dispute with Warner Bros. records. Seems to have affected his songs, as well.
24. Chaos & Disorder ['96] - ***1/2 - Contains a few fillers, but it's a far cry from his best work.
25. New Power Soul ['98] - ***1/2 - So average for such a talented musician. Never really could get into this album all that well.

Whew! That took a while to put together. Hope you enjoy it! Hope I didn't scare ya, either...

I know I'm missing a few, but I could give a shit.

You missed "The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale" I think.

Great review! I don't agree with the order but nevertheless, great review! Excellent job!

I usually find that most artists have a "holy trinity", that regardless of how good the rest of their oeuvre is, there are always three albums that nearly everybody amongst both critics and fans agree are there absolute best. For Sly and the family stone it was:Stand, There's a Riot Going On and Fresh, For Stevie Wonder it's:Talking Book, Innervisions and Songs in the key of life. Prince is different in that there are really only two albums that are his undisputed best (nearly anyway): Purple Rain and Sign O the times. The list I'd recommend is

Dirty Mind-His artistic breakthrough, overrated but still important
Controversy-Like dirty mind but more political, more weird, and downright funkier
1999-Somewhat dated production but every song and groove are among his best
Purple Rain-His tightest collection of songs ever
Around the world in a day-Beatles-esque psychedelia and funk, some of his best pure pop tunes ever
Parade-Once again, a bit overrated but important. More orchestration in the background, interestingly eclectic (cocktail jazz/period pieces, psychedelia, funk once again)
Sign O' The Times-Encompasses everything Prince is good at, though in need of a remaster and song for song a tad weaker than Purple Rain
Lovesexy-His last great album, and perhaps his most rhythmically and sonically dense/busy (but I don't think that's a bad thing)
Love Symbol-There's some pretty cheesy quasi-public enemy/early 90s hip-hop, but there's also a lot of great music of great variety. Has among the best songs of his 90s career
Gold Experience-Song for song tigher than the Love Symbol
Emancipation-The best microcosm of Prince's career. Tons of music, lots of greatness, but lots of mediocrity as well
Rainbow children-Disregard all the "smooth jazz" accusations. This is prince's most inventive music outside of his prime. Lyrically it's lame as hell, but one can easily tune that out and appreciate the music. The title track is one the best fusion tunes I've ever heard, I don't care what anybody says and the last two songs (everlasting now, last december) are among his best ever.

aminah80 said:

I am a fan of over 20 years, I also recommend Emancipation. You are now an official member of the New Power Generation, Welcome to the dawn...

vainandy said:

I never got around to hearing "The Vault." But now I'll make sure I do.

Thanks for the compliment!

thebumpsquad said:

Both.

And yes, in terms of picture quality there is a huge difference from what is currently circulating and what I have.

Most collectors will tell you that the Diamonds And Pearls tour is one of the worst documented Prince tours ever as far as video footage is concerned, which is certainly true. The picture quality of what is available is decidedly horrid.

My own transfer to DVD format comes from video footage sourced directly from the screen mix of what was shot at Earls Court during the two gigs.

.

giotto said:

Where do I get the 1s u listed??

THE GOLD EXPERIENCE THATS IT

cinnamonjo said:

You mean the boots? Are we allowed to tell you?

just get it all because you never know what you will and won't like....


something tells me that I'm about to make giotto my bestest org friend !!!
[Edited 12/15/04 10:38am]

I am a relitavlly new prince fan also well... 3 years at least... and the thing that really got me on my feet was Watching Purple Rain(i cried ) and the sound track also "The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale... " and the Prince Hitst th B sides...

sextonseven said:

according to me-- yes
According to zee ruilles-- I dont know.

good 2 c u on here fonzy.

did u get ur ftp sorted yet?

i would recommend getting emancipation. i love that album (yeh, all 3 cd's!)

UndercovaBrotha said:

For someone who doesnt know all of his albums- This is much appreciated

Minneapolis Genius - A must have prince album for the Begginer!

Wow. You guys are really knowledgable. I considered myself above-average in terms of knowledge of Prince. Based on what I'm reading in this thread, I need to be considerably more humble. I've never even heard (not to mention heard of) about 30% of what y'all have listed here.

I'm going to save all of your comments so I can round out my own knowledge. Looking forward to my education. THANK YOU


Newbies may also want to see the following site which gives detailed reviews of each of his albums. http://www.warr.org/prince.html