I've been thinking about this lately, as I've been waiting for something new to drop from the paisley pipeline...is the next project going to take Prince's work to a new level, or is he done trying to raise the stakes now that he's proven himself as an amazing recording artist, songwriter and live performer?

I think after last year, he upped the ante for himself as a live performer with the Musicology tour. In my opinion, out of all the live stuff I've seen - and some of it has been incredible beyond belief - last year's tour was the apex of his career. I know folks will disagree, and that's cool. But he put himself on the map with non-fans as being a great live performer, and not just that weirdo gay lookin' guy with the ruffles and lace who changed his name to a squiggle and hasn't done anything for years (their perception, not mine). Not only was the performance aspect of the tour a triumph, but the business aspect of the tour was a huge success as well. It was an event. It was managed in a way that was unique and exciting. He kept it fresh. He found a way to stay on the charts by touring. He made a splash and put himself back on the map.

So, okay. Great. What next, if anything?

I'd love to see Prince put himself on the map again as a recording artist. 'Musicology' was good, but not great. I don't think he even intended it to be a great album. I think it was just meant to be a harmless, fun pop album that he could tour with. I'd love to see him come out with something completely ambitious and groundbreaking that would buck all the expectations of an artist at his age, rather than trying to make a "Rave" type album that parrots the success of Santana's comeback or a project that follows the template of anyone else's success as a pop artist. Dylan's been able to do this several times over the past decade or so - it's possible. But after the amazing run of albums in the 80s, and with the increasing attention being paid on his '90s output, is this something that even matters to him anymore?

What would be a fitting achievement after last year? A clear-cut top ten single? A concept album that sets the critics' ears on fire? Or just a patchwork of where his head's been over the past year, letting the pieces fall where they may?

I dunno. Dude could quit now and I think he'd leave a pretty strong footprint on modern music and pop culture. What's left?

I think that Prince will next develop as a writer. I think his arrangement and production will become more organic and typically 'soulful' sounding and he will start to 'write' songs. By this, i mean, more story to them, more realism to them.

hate 2 say it (dont get mad) but his next "legenday" move would be when he dies. the fans already no how good he was, is and will b...but once someone dies, u can expect a whole new group of bandwagon jumpers. u'll hear nothing but how great this album was and how much of a masterpiece THAT album was, when most folks left prince high and dry, cuz he didnt appeal 2 the masses or never had "another" hit. they always say, best carrear move is 2 die. (elvis, 2pac, johnny cash, morrison, hendrix, ray charles...etc.)
sorry 2 offend if i did...but, c'mon yall...u no its truth!!

i dunno. dylan keeps coming back with career-defining work. so does springsteen. so has bowie. prince may never be able to re-capture his glory days of super-mega-stardom, but then again, why would he want to? his teen sex idol days are long past, and i'm guessing he'd look kinda silly in a purple glitter cape holding a flower these days anyway.

i do know what you mean, though - unfortunately, the death of a famous artist of any kind does seem to bring about a renewed frenzy of interest. i'm hoping that won't be his next comeback, however.

Groundbreaking Electronica.

Not that he couldn't 'prove' () anything by a really deep, Dylan-style acoustic album.

Or cover all of The Proclaimer's hits.

Anxiety said:

JJJACK SSSQUAAAAT!!!

Ever since his "Emancipation" I have been waiting for that album that makes me go and say "what the hell Rainbow Children came really really close but at the end of the day it's an album you can realistically say Prince was able to create. I wanna hear an album I never expected from Prince. Something that scares me, but in a good way.

I'd settle for groundbreaking electronica tho

Nothing

After making a comeback in american and being the #1 Tour in america with no smoke & mirors. Just talent and everything is plugged in.

Whats left?

Nothing

There's nothing left 4 Prince 2 prove, however, he is working hard on a dream of his....

The record has been designed 2 recapture the hearts of older fans of his music, n eye would say, most importantly, his own 'heart'. It ndeed features associations from his past, but somewhat frustratingly, the album's CONtent keeps changing, almost weekly. Just when u think it's finished, he realises there's another song/theme that is needed, which requires a different kind of nspiration. Sometimes, he realises he just can't CONjure this kind of magic, ALONE. Thus, he's been taking his time. Some would say it's been 20+ years n the making.

Who wouldn't njoy a 'revolutionary' sound from the new album?
But until he says it's ready, we'll just have 2 wait n c.

love

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

i personally feel that prince hasnt really put a priority on "crafting" his songs.....he talks about music being first, but it isnt....

so hopefully he will get back to the art of making mindblowing emotional music...it doesnt have to be groundbreaking...just emotional.

and cut the sappy r&b bullshit OUT!!!

Anxiety said:

If anything, I don't think that Prince has "up the ante" on himself but rather, we have up the ante on him. I also think that we as "true" Prince fans are the ones that have something to prove to him. We have to prove wether or not we will stand by him, after his mega year last year. People like Springsteen, and Dylan, are always trying to re-create themselves due to their genre of music. There is only so far one can take folk music. Bowie on the otherhand, is the only one who can get away with re-inventing himself and his music because like Prince, Bowie is not afraid of losing his fan base due to the musical changes he may make. Springsteen and Dylan can't really stretch their musical arms that much. At this stage of the game, Prince can afford to do music for his enjoyment. As I said before, it will be up to us, to prove our loyalty to him.

shorttrini said:

I think we've done that many times already. Need I mention O+> ???

.
[Edited 7/6/05 11:46am]

shorttrini said:

i respectfully disagree...

bowie
bjork
meshell
neil finn
dolly pardon
radiohead

and many many other artist probably have achieved long-term creative momentum...

prince is just stuck in a creative rut right now...one he will hopefully come out from and re-join the above mentioned acts.

Slightly off-topic but:

Based on what shorttrini says, do you think Prince's grasp of different genres and musical eclecticism has helped or hindered his career? Or both?

I only ask because - for me - one thing I love about his music is that it is so varied. I love the fact he's touched on so many sytles, mastered them, spat them out and made them in his own 'Prince' way. Just look at 'Sign 'O' The Times' for evidence.

On the other hand, I think - sometimes - we have ridiculous expectations of what Prince tries to achieve. It's almost as if we expect every album to be ground-breaking and challenging. Is that possible? Only if the inspiration isd there, I guess.

I'd freakin' LOVE an album that challenges me and pulls the rug from under me. Don't get me wrong. But sometimes I'm just happy for an album of well-crafted songs. If that's what we get, well - I'll be satisfied.

Just interested to see what you all think...

he never won a gold medal in the olympics

maybe he could try that next

onenitealone said:

interesting question.....i think it helped....prince's music only became boring for me when the songs became soo darn repetitive.....

like wendy said, "if it sounds like something you've done before....dont put it on the album". and thats my beef with his music of late. and his lyrics no longer contain that flare that would excuse the repetition....Sade is a perfect example of an artist who's sound doesnt vary..but her skill is in her lyrics....each song has its own life and tells its own story....

nothing.

shorttrini said:

great response. i don't know that i necessarily agree, but i was really hoping to get the full spectrum of responses from this thread, from those who are completely satisfied with everything he's ever done, to those who have criticism for his every move...and everyone in between. i really value your perspective.

i agree that the fans kinda have to give him some space to make changes and reinvent, but i also think that has to be balanced with the artist realizing he's a vendor creating a product that has to sell to some particular market in order to be successful. we need to be able to accept something like N.E.W.S., but at the same time, if he's gonna take a risk with an album of instrumental jazz jams, he of course has to realize it probably isn't gonna sell through the roof (and i'm sure he was aware of that) - and the payoff was some critical acclaim and a grammy nomination. and maybe that was gratification enough for him on that particular project, i dunno.

Anxiety said:

I think that at this stage of the game, Prince is doing music, just for the joy of doing it. N.E.W.S., is a great example, Stevie Wonders, "Journey throught the secret life of plants" is another example. There comes a time in every artist's life when they will do a piece of music, that they know deep down, just might not do well. This is when I think, they truly have made it as a musician. They are doing what they want to do and not not really conforming to society's expectations. This is where I think we as true fans have to just let it be. There are too many artist nowadays who are afraid to "push the envolope". Prince, is not one of them. One of Maxwell, cd's Embrya, was a commercial flop. When they asked him why he did such an album, he said that it was just something that he had to do. He had to get that out of him. In my opinion, Prince is at this stage of his career. He is finally doing the music that he wants to do.
[Edited 7/6/05 13:57pm]
[Edited 7/6/05 13:58pm]

I remember when "1999" the album, came out I thought, how can he possibly top this? hes been amazing me ever since.

shorttrini said:

Completely off-topic, but that's an unbelievable record. If Prince wants to get as deep and liquid as that gem, then be my f'ing guest, ol' boy!

In a word "nothing". He reached a point by '88 where he pretty much earned the right to do what he wants when he wants. Every major artist has a Golden period and what follows after gives mere hints to that period, in Princes case his golden period lasted ages.

Anji said:

And you would know this HOW? By mental telapathy?

4nowneway said:

I thought the same thing. I remember when the critics were saying that Purple Rain was going to be huge. I was thinking, "Yeah, right. Nothing can be better than 1999." He's actually surprised me several times since then, and the last time wasn't that long ago. I'm looking forward to some more surprises. Not that he needs to prove anything. If Prince would just be Prince and not try to be what he thinks others would like him to be, then that'd be cool with me. If you're an artist, then make something that'll make people stop and take a look... at least. It doesn't have to be mind-blowing; it can be calm and contemplative too. Whatever. Prince, just be Prince. Letitgo.

I think it will be hard for Prince to match the success he had last year. It's almost as if the stars were all perfectly aligned for him - He could do no wrong in 2004.

I think no matter what he puts out next, it will be considered somewhat a dissapointment to the mainstream. He has a habbit of rebelling against/challenging his own success (Dirty Mind after the initial success of For You and Prince; ATWIAD after Purple Rain; Lovesexy after SOTT; after Diamonds & Pearls etc).

I believe he'll put out something a little different and personal, but still firmly within the Prince cannon - something like ATWIAD, The Truth or Xpectation. I can't see him coming out with something really experimental. I mean, let's face it, sure he has evolved and tried new things, but he's always been rooted in that 1960s-70s soul/pop/funk/rock tradition (with a little jazz and psychodellica thrown in).

INSATIABLE said:

How is this off the topic? I was simply saying that Prince has nothing left to prove and that he can release whatsoever he wants. Just because a record does well commercially, does not mean that it is a great record.
[Edited 7/6/05 19:11pm]

Interesting! I'm not sure though. All I hope is that Prince follows what he wants to do...when he tries to conform to the norm it usually backfires in his face. I mean I know in the past he had to compromise a little...like recording a poppy bubblegum song like U got the look and putting it on Sign of the Times I mean I understand he had to produce a hit...but Sign of the Times was kinda what he wanted to do at least the songs were. But I always thought some of his best music was when he really followed his heart like Lovesexy. I like EVERY SINGLE SONG on there.

Are you asking if he'll have a big comback like he did with Diamonds and Pearls again? Probably not. He was younger than and that was just a different era. People wanted to be tantailised and shocked by him...he was known for being sexy. I can't see him appealing to that younger crowd anymore. I guess younger people are just interesed in sex more. He should just stick to being a cult figure and do the music he wants to do...who knows maybe by doing that he will reach the top ten again! After all when he did what he really wanted to do musicaly that is when he made the best music...at least in my eyes.

shorttrini said:

*whispers* Psst. I think he was referring to his comment on Embrya when he said "completely off-topic."

TheBigBang said:

Thank you.

shorttrini, I meant bravo. Embrya's got its own spot in my heart.