Almost every thread contains opinions on which kind of Prince fans are looking for. The fact is: We cant have them all at once. Not any more.

Some of us want new radio friendly Prince like 3121. In hopes of recapturing some form of chart relevance.

Some of us want "screw radio" experimental Prince like The Rainbow Children. In hopes of discovering a new sound.

Some of us want 80's linn drum sounding Prince like Rave. In hopes of recapturing the sound and passion that led to his emergence, creativity, and famous minneapolis sound.

Some just want any form of music that he can put out. As fast as possible regardless of sound just too have as much music from the man as possible. (I fall into this category) Hell, he could do a 2 hour CD of burps and farts and I would be excited.


Basically, all im saying is that Prince is all of those things for all of his fans, but not all at once. Reaching every fans needs is lightning in a bottle. Albums like Purple Rain, Machael Jackson's Thriller, U2's Joshua Tree, Nirvana, The Beatles....okay scratch that one. They captured greatness several times. Anyways, Im rambling. In a nutshell, whather you are happy or frustrated with his direction just sit back and enjoy the ride. Whatever Prince you like, he will be back sooner or later.

DarkKnight1

I just want Prince standin' naked wit nuttin but a smile on!

DarkKnight1 said:

The Wright brothers cant fuck with that"-Morris

I agree. It would be nice to see a halt to the hodgepodge of styles and have an album sticking closer to one, and then seeing the next release move to another and so on...I mean he is attempting and succeeding as being a jazz musician in release styles (large catalogues with several" musical periods" if you will). TRFC was consistnet, Rave a mess etc.

I dont know what the consensus for 3121 is yet, Ive only heard one of 2 of the unreleased songs but form all accounts it seems consistent as a well made pop/experiemntal hybrid rather then a big mess.

And of course let me say the now almost needed obligatory disclainmer that "of course Prince is free to do whatever he wants and it's always his choice"

DarkKnight1 said:

Some of us want "screw radio" experimental Prince like The Rainbow Children. In hopes of discovering a new sound.

Exactly. 'Screw radio, Prince. Without change, there can be no true future. Without the future, there can be no real change.

DarkKnight1 said:

People always think they know what they want until something new is defined for them. The Prince some "want back"...maybe that won't come back (but you have the work he created when he crossed that road). I personally hope he doesn't "return to". If he's supposed to go on and define his own new territory, let him do it.

Wanting him to revisit past work is like saying you want a childhood friend to forever remain 5 because you had the most fun with him best in kindergarten. Of course, you continue to grow, though.

If he's left alone, he may, one day, descend the steps, the way Trane , did with A Love Supreme. It will be his own Love Supreme, whatever it is.

Miles said:

Without promoted radio Prince, he wouldnt have the cash to live his lifestyle and produce TRC music. Thats why his musical styles will always go in cycles.

DarkKnight1 said:

By your calculations, Mr. Knight, when will be the next installation of TRC-type music?

I'm also in the same "buy-whatever-Prince-produces" clique as you, I was just wondering if you had the same idea as me on this "cycle" thing!

I think it's 14 years.
unless there is a half-life considered.

DarkKnight1 said:

Then he can change his "lifestyle". How much money does it cost to eat? I'm not sure about that theory.

If he really had to chose between a better lifestyle and a "purer one", I'd hope he'd move up to a little cabin somewhere and make the music he wanted. I don't think that's it.

Something you said earlier, though "..Basically, all im saying is that Prince is all of those things for all of his fans, but not all at once. Reaching every fans needs is lightning in a bottle..." is interesting. Perhaps he is trying to reach his fans. Perhaps he does care too much about them.
He shouldn't. Not in that way, anyway."

Thread of the Year.....(after the one about Salty Man Spice).

this is my thoughts as well. It's a an all rounder and really, i'd like for him to rock out more and funk out more...but he's just gonna do what he does...which is everything.

let the music play!

anon said:

You think his "lifestyle" involves eating Ramen noodles like the rest of us? Hell, he spends more on hair pieces, designer clothes, makeup, and shoes then he made on actual CD sales for TRC. Im just saying, in order to continue living the eccentric life and make 3121 M&M's for Paris Hilton, he has to make average fan friendly CD's and tours every so often. The TRC's and NEWS CD's will be back eventually.
[Edited 3/17/06 15:25pm]

DarkKnight1 said:

I'm sure life can get pretty eccentric in a small cabin on some mountain. And I know what you're saying but why do people assume that his "best/real" work will not be fan friendly?

anon said:

Depends on what you define as "best/real". If you define TRC as "real" then it is not average fan friendly. I think you are overestimating the musical intelligence of the average fan. Almost anything new or original would confuse the fm radio listener. They want more Black Eyed Peas and Nelly, not anything that may push the creative envelope.
[Edited 3/17/06 18:10pm]

luv4all7 said:

DarkKnight1 said:

I was referencing your comment. You say he does this "commercial" work to support work that won't be as "commercially" successful. My question to you is, Why do you feel that it won't?

Yes I do agree with you, In any of the arts if you want to go commercial you really do have to dumb things down. Those who get that know that dumbing down is not about making something dumb...but about making the language simple.

It's very much like speaking to a child. But within these limitations, great works are still created. Look at Sendak and Seuss.

But who knows. Maybe his next work will be so ahead of its time that people wont get it for a few decades. But then maybe it will be a pop masterpiece (that has nothing to do with Nelly or Black Eye Peas) that they get immediately.