What the heck was P trying to do with this album?

Well it took me a while to get it and I only have it now because it was included on Revelation 2.1 along with two others I would've probably never had such as C-Note and X-what is it Xpectation. I'm not the biggest Jazz fan in the world and I haven't listened to much of any of them i'm just trying to figure out is that all all of them are just jazz recordings? Just curious because that's really the one type of music I just about don't like at all.

I'd hate to have 3 albums and never give them a listen though.....so is that all all of them are just P playing Jazz?

I'm not really a big jazz fan, so coincidentally I don't have NEWS

but I think this was just his attempt to experiment with a full instrumental album
We all know how he likes to dabble in different styles

What was he trying to do? Make some good jazz music! I love it.

i like it. i think it was kind of a stop-gap album because he was focusing a lot of energy into re-evaluating his career and preparing for the big 2004 comeback, but it was a nice little bauble of an album.

I love when he puts these albums in the mix. It makes me appreciate his talents even more. I live in a small town with many talented musicians, and when I play some of this stuff(cd's)they love it. My step father is into the Greatful Dead, Richard Thompson, ect,. He's never shown any intrest in Prince, or anything that remotely sounds like Prince. One day I was painting a mural that my step dad, and mother, wanted in the stairway of their home. He heard me playing the N.E.W.S cd, and wanted a copy. That was a year ago, and he still talks about how he enjoys it. Prince has a diverse style, that covers a whole spectum of sounds,and so he is able to reach a diverse spectrum of people.

I also like NEWS. Just listen to North; this is very good music. Slowsexy! He and NPG are very skilled musicians and I prefer to listen to these instrumentals than all those falsettosung ballads and boring pop/rock tunes he has offered during the last 10 years.

I would love a cabaret style album, a salsa album, it's all brilliant ! Why bother about the style ? Maybe you miss something to DANCE on ?

andykeen said:

My sentiments exactly!!!

NPGDiva said:

I just listened to this cd this morning. I really like it. My favorite tracks are East and South. I think I like it because it is so different for him. I love many types of music and it's cool that no matter what music mood I am in, there is a Prince cd that fits.

If I'm not mistaken, N.E.W.S. was up for a Grammy in 2003!

it's a cool album, i like it. i like all of Prince's jazzy albums.



but after playing it, I flip on Dirty Mind for some real prince

PurpleKnight said:

Actually, I think that's kind of the point of the album. For me, NEWS is an extension of the One Nite Alone Tour sounchecks where they would just improvise on a groove for ages. You can just lose yourself in the groove - it's great!

My impression is that Prince got the band together and recorded all these jam sessions in the studio and then edited them nicely into four 14min tracks adding overdubs and turning repeated riffs into short melodies etc. Listen closely with headphones and you can hear all the tiny little subtlties in the music.

Love2tha9s said:

The moment you say you "don't like Jazz" is the moment you shut your mind from some amazing music from the last century. Be open to all music, not just what you think it's about. Besides, how can you define Jazz or funk or pop or whatever?

Love2tha9s said:

His intention was to create a soundscape/atmospheric conceptual piece, with four cuts, all of them equalling 14 minutes exactly...that is the only thing i can't figure out. Basic Tracks were recorded all in one night session, and he was counted down as to when the 14 minute point was near.
Everyone had a blast playing, as they were given so much freedom, and his guitar work, was mostly live. The themes, while not in his usual style, should indicate what a diverse musician he is, and how he refuses to stick to any one genre.

thekidsgirl said:

Sorry, but this CD is absolute genius. Prince has added jazz pieces before N.E.W.S. just listen to his incorporation of Charlie Parker's "Now's the Time" into SOTT. Also, "Old Friends For Sale" also have a jazz feel. You need N.E.W.S.

Thanks for all the feedback. I'll have to give it a thorough listen and see what I think.

toejam said:

Well maybe I have just heard bad jazz. I suppose there is bad jazz just like everything else. I do like some of Prince's just musical stuff and try and listen when he adds a jazz feel to it so maybe this will be good jazz instead of what I consider to be the bad jazz i've heard.

I like the N.E.W.S. kind of jazz a whole lot better than the Madhouse kind of jazz

4nowneway said:

And probably what's more important than anything anyone thinks, he thinks it's one of the best things he's ever done !! Hows a bout that!

toejam said:

I certainly don't discount that possibility. Unfortunately, it's a horrible idea.

It's not that I'm against the idea on paper of Prince doing an instrumental album.

I happen to absolutely adore Arboretum, for example.

Love2tha9s said:

REAL GOOD music, as never b4!

I can't believe how some of u can b!!! NEWS is Prince at his best, experimenting new directions, the coordination between musicians thru imrovisation on NEWS is AMAZING! Any musician would tell u that this record is just a goddamn masterpiece!

Pop music & rock'n'roll isn't everything that is about music, guys! 4get the Beatles these guys meant nothing

JessS said:

He has said that before, and knowing his attention span like you do, you know he'll say it again!

Great post Jess!

Love2tha9s said:

Not trying but doing GREAT music!

W.E.A.K

lilgish said:

PurpleKnight said:

I can't really add any more to that other than

I just don't understand you people. AAAAARRRRRGH!

Don't you get the fact that there are several moments of great inspiration on NEWS?

How about the soft ending of North, with atmospheric keyboard?

What about the second section of East, with the blistering "Miles Davis on acid" guitar/sax riff-off? That alone is worth the money. It was what the npg site played on one of the pages when NEWS was being promoted, and it hooked me from word one.

How about the gentle (sweet) introduction to West?

What about the last seven or so minutes of South, from the breakdown, which is hypnotice like only a Prince track can be.

If you can listen to this album with an open mind and heart, then you'll enjoy them. If not, I feel sorry for you. Almost.