OK this is sort of a deep question but one I think is fun as well.

Do Prince's band members give him his inspiration OR does he choose them specifically to help convey his already concieved musical vision?

We all know Prince likes to work by himself, playing all the instruments etc, but I believe Prince has always been inspired the musicians he has worked with at the time.

First there were Dez and Andre who helped Prince towards a more hard rock/new wave sound. Then Lisa & Wendy added a more psycodelic and softer sound (ATWIAD, Parade etc. and even in SOTT their presence is felt even if it was an after effect). Eric Leeds and Sheila E were huge factors in the complex arrangements heard on the SOTT and Lovesexy tours. Tony M, The Game Boyz and Levi Seacer Jr all help contribute to the hip-hop sounds on Diamonds & Pearls & . Michael B, Sonny T and Morris Hayes were the perfect people for that rock/gospel sound of the mid 90s. Since then, Kirk Johnson and Larry Graham took the helm as Prince's most trusted musicians, and now it seems John Blackwell, Rhonda Smith and Renato are becoming and amazingly versitile rhythm section.

It seems every musician Prince has worked with has had their own sound. Matt Fink, Morris Hayes and Renato aren't just keyboard players - they each have their own sound and are irreplaceable to the overall sound of their respective lineups. I can't imagine Fink playing in todays lineup nor can I imagine Renato playing in the Revolution!

Anway, enough rambling... what y'all think?!

I think you're a pretty perceptive person.

I can't help but recall a time when Prince once said he "changes" musicians from time 2 time. Yeah - "change", my ass!!! I guess he was just trying 2 be tactful.

Anyway, I think Prince knows what he wants and expects his band 2 follow his vision, otherwise he wouldn't hire them in the first place. If you're a musician looking 2 play 4 him, u have 2 anticipate that and realize that as he continues 2 grow musically, his styles will change - and therefore so will his band.

I think you're right on point.

But IMO it goes towards more than just fashioning a sound. I honestly believe Prince was challenged more in his songwriting during his time with the Revolution than in any other.

Good post, toejam.

I think it's a symbiotic thing -- or at least it should be. Prince impresses me as one who definitely knows what he wants at a given time, and I'd imagine he hires people to get it.

But music -- that is, real music unencumbered by single mindedness, trendy modernisms, reliance on technology and hitmaker overproduction -- is such an organic phenomenon that I'm sure Prince often gets as much from his players as he gives. It often takes him to places I'd guess he never expected, and it's then that he's at his most interesting, I think.

I suppose it's the difference between watching a couple that's truly in love or in an arranged marriage. The latter is always more fun to be around.

violator said:

I absolutely agree. Most post-Revolution bands have been far technically superior. But astonishing skill doesn't necessarily equal wildly inspired artistry.

violator said:

perhaps, although it's interesting that what's widely claimed to be his best album (SOTT) occured post-Revolution.

Universaluv said:

But most of it was made BEFORE they disbanded.