Jill Jones told me that Prince was actually listening to the Cocteau Twins for some musical inspiration. Well, this is good since they've just reunited. I guess he's due for some more musical inspiration.

Prince is just the coolest, man.

So I'm assuming this is a recent comment from Jill, eh?

I don't think we can expect to hear any Cocteau influences in Prince's music, although I would certainly love for that to happen. I remember reading an article in People back in the Lovesexy era in which either Cat or Sheila E. mentioned that he was listening to a lot of Cocteau Twins (among other artists) at that time. He was probably digging Blue Bell Knoll, which was out about that time, but I didn't hear any of the Cocteau's influence in his music at the time.

I think it would be interesting to hear Prince imitate Liz Frazier's vocal impressionism (as heard in "Carolyn's Fingers," etc.) and try to make his voice swoop and swoon like she does. But then again, no one should EVER try to imitate Liz; she's in a class of her own, and her voice is amazing!.

Don't hold your breath for a Cocteau Twins reunion. I heard they were regrouping for a one-time performance at some music festival, but then Liz called it off. From what I read on the Cocteau's Web site, there are no plans for any new music. The festival performance was as close to a reunion as we were going to get, and now that ain't gonna happen.
[Edited 5/5/05 6:03am]

who the hell are the Cocatoo twins????

beret1022 said:

Oh my God! You've honestly NEVER heard of Cocteau Twins? You're missing out, I must say.

The Cocteau Twins have been hailed as one of the most influential alternative groups of the '80s. The lead singer, Elizabeth Frazier, has a very distinct style of singing--it's as if the sounds of the words are more important than the actual words she sings. As a result, many of their song's lyrics aren't easily comprehendible, and there are lots of Web sites out there with people's interpretations of the song lyrics, which have been debated for years. (CT albums never come with lyric sheets.)

More notable than Liz Fazier's lyrical styling, however, is her AMAZING voice. Her singing can send chills down my spine, and I'm not that easily impressed.

Prince has mentioned the Cocteau Twin's music several times over the years. Do yourself a favor and try to find the songs "Carolyn's Finger's" and "Iceblink Luck." These aren't necessarily the best songs in their body of work (so, please, no flames from the Cocteau purists out there), but they are the most "poppy" and easily accessible. They're good "starter" songs.

Take my advice. You'll thank me for it later!

beret1022 said:

Probably one of the greatest Indie-rock bands from the 80s/90s when they were in existence.do a search on www.allmusic.com if you're curious. I remember back in the day that it was rumoured that Prince wanted to work with them but they politely turned him down.

PicassoFace said:

The lyrics on the Cocteau Twins' later albums are all nonsense. They are not supposed to mean anything.

I thought I read somewhere that Wendy & Lisa got Prince into them. I always considered "Christopher Tracy's Parade" to be Prince's version of the Twins' "Ivo". Maybe I'm crazy.

The opening to Prince's "Pop Life" & Cocteau Twins "Fotzepolitic" (from Heavan or Las Vegas) sounds exactly the same..

PicassoFace said:

Well said! I love the CT, as well as Dead Can Dance and This Mortal Coil (and a few other of those 4AD acts).

beret1022 and all other CT-deprived orgers...note there is a CT collection called "Stars and Topsoil." It's a good one-disc introduction to their first 8 years (when they were on the 4AD label), and includes the tracks PicassoFace mentioned:
http://www.amazon.com/exe...35-8135310

NWF said:

The next thing you're gonna tell us you're having an affair with Jill Jones.

Yes, Prince said he did like the Cocteau Twins.

He also likes the british indie band The Sundays.

And when it comes to classical music, Jill once said she and him both liked Igor Stravinsky, because of the unpredictability in his music (refering to the orchestral arrangements used on songs like Mia Bocca).

I bet Prince likes the classical composer Gustav Mahler too. He refered to him on the song Good Love ('Gustav Mahler, no 3 is jamming on the box) and i read an interview with Dr. Fink that Prince did use samples of Gustav Mahler, compressed them, and incorporated them with the music on Graffiti Bridge.

I consider this one of Prince musical strengths.... being open to influences from all directions: wether its disco and soul (his first two records), new wave and funk (dirty mind and controversy), european and american dance music (influences ranging from Africa Bambaata to Kraftwerk and the Talking Heads on 1999), beatlesque pop (Around the world in a day), european music (french chansons and german cabaret music on Parade), keeping those influences seperate (on Sign of the Times) or incorporating them into one unified sound (on Lovesexy)...after that flirting with dance (on Batman), Hiphop (on Diamonds and Pearls and the symbol album)...
What did come after that is a bit blurry, but still, its a sign of (musical) openmindness that gives me 'faith' in the musician Prince, and i hope the well isnt dry allready...

Riverpoet31 said:

This decade Prince seems to be really big on instrumentals. Three albums--C-Note, Xpectation and N.E.W.S.--in the last four years.

And not very good ones....jazz-fusion just isnt his thing...

Novabreaker said: