The Sun (England)

March 17, 2006 Friday
SECTION: SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND; MUSIC
LENGTH: 866 words
HEADLINE: Prince: More than a number
BYLINE: Simon Cosyns
BODY:

THE artist formerly known as symbol has long been a master of musical mystery.
Interviews with Prince are as rare as an arctic penguin.

The great man's every move is shrouded in rumour and counter-rumour.
However, it doesn't take Hercule Poirot to detect that his latest creation represents a consummate comeback by the author of seminal works including Sign O' The Times and Purple Rain. It's sexy, inventive. It exudes class. It's accessible, radio-friendly without being bland and a perfect vehicle to show off his dazzling array of vocal, guitar, keyboard and production skills.

His first album for Universal finds him rekindling a unique ability to blend smooth R&B, freaked-out rock, soulful gospel and the merest whiff of hip-hop.
Typically he gives his listeners a classic Prince conundrum from the outset.
Why call the record and opening song 3121?

His career is littered with "number" tracks such as 1999, 1+1+1 Is 3, 17 Days, 319, Love 2 The 9's and, perhaps most significantly in this case, 7.
The theorists can have a field day with 3121, so here are a few suggestions...
The individual digits add up to 7, a Christian lucky number. (Add 7 to 1999 and you get 2006 which happens to be this year.) Perhaps it's a house number (his LA home) or a hotel room number.

The song goes: "This is where the party be...U can come if u want to, but u can never leave."

Sleuths My favourite idea, for what it's worth, is that Jehovah's Witness Prince got the number from the Bible.In the 19th Century, Dr James Strong took the King James Version and constructed a list of the original Hebrew words and their meanings, giving each a number.

The Strong's Number 3121 stands for "yaven." It appears in Psalms and translates into the English word "mire." Continuing the religious theme, could the number refer to a biblical chapter and verse? The only possible books would be Genesis, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Job, Psalms, Proverbs and Jeremiah. Proverbs Chapte 31, Verse 21, for instance, reads: "She is not afraid of the snow for her hosehold; for all her household are clothed in scarlet."

Or maybe it's something else. Maybe we'll never know.

Maybe some of you sftw- reading sleuths out there have a different theory?
The hour-long album follows 2004's partial return to form, Musicology, and comes just a month after the purple pop dandy's spectacular success at The Brits when he gave the best performance of the night ...by a mile. It features long-time sidekicks including singer/percussionist Sheila E and jazz sax player Candy Dulfer.

Also appearing re soul sax legend Maceo Parker and gorgeous newcomer Tamar, who lends her silky, seductive tones to proceedings.So here's is our track-by-track verdict on 12 prime Prince cuts.

3121: Driven by a pounding, dirty bass line, this funked-up, enigmatic number (no pun intended) begins the album with a bang. The song closes with the star rocking out on guitar.

LOLITA: The heavy beats continue, this time underscoring some Eighties-style synths. Here Prince conjures up the image of a '56 pink Caddy as passion wagon.
His spiky, come-hither vocal informs the object of his affection: "You're sweeta and I won't misead ya."

TE AMO CORAZON: Sumptuous strings, a crooning voice, a simply beautiful love song with a title that translates to I Love You, Sweetheart.
The mellow side of the man.

BLACK SWEAT: The next single (due March 27) is an angular, contemporary sounding affair. Fractured vocals redolent of Jacko in his prime are kept on track by purposeful rhythm.

INCENSE AND CANDLES: The Sexy MF of yore returns on an smooth, exotic duet with Tamar. The atmosphere's so hot you can almost feel the heat.

LOVE:The soulman vibe is carried on with this slice of retro R&B made new by Prince's echoey spoken word passage and urgent instrumental fade-out. At times his vocal styling on this one takes you into Stevie Wonder land.

SATISFIED: A languid, gospel-tinged love song marked out by euphoric horns.
There's a chat-up line only Prince could get away with. "Turn off your cellphone, I just wanna get you satisfied."

FURY: Given an airing at the Brits, this loose-limbed, upbeat rocker finds the singer hollering: "Ain't no fury like a woman scorned." There's a ragged, live-in-the-studio feel, providing the album with a necessary change of direction.

THE WORD: A multi-layered marvel providing some standout moments. The rallying cry of "Get up, come on, let's do something" echoes the late great Marvin Gaye's Let's Get It On.

BEAUTIFUL, LOVED & BLESSED: Relaxed and blessed with the extraordinary voice of Tamar, who takes lead vocals at the start. Prince sounds like he's really enjoying himself as he turns the song into a smoochy duet.

THE DANCE:The pace slows still further for a track that floats on air. Subtle strings, jazzy piano, handclaps and horns are all given the lightest of touches.
Vocal gymnastics near the end betray genuine emotion.

GET ON THE BOAT: Coming on like some long-lost Atlantic Soul classic from the Sixties, it's a rousing finale. He cues Maceo for an ace sax break and lets his own fingers dance over the piano keys.

VERDICT

NEVER mind that he calls himself Prince again, a king among musicians has reclaimed his crown. 3121 deserves to be No1.
[Edited 3/17/06 11:15am]

That's a surprisingly informed and positive review from the rag that is The Sun, apart from spending too long on what the name means.

metalorange said:

It was interesting to read the theory behind 3121 as presented in the article, imho..

IT GOT 5 OUTA 5 BTW!

PurpleRein said:

With all the barmy theories that have been put about, it is simply the address of his LA home where he holds parties, hence the lyrics about going to a party at his place. Or do you think he thought of the number first for some other reason, and then went and found a house with that address after?! Well in that case he was jolly lucky to find 3121 Mulholland Drive!

someone needs to send this postive and very well stated review to the EW writer that gave it a C+

2020 said:

Nah, we can't rub it in their face unless the album does well commercially. That's the only proof they'll accept.

metalorange said:

But has been discussed MANY times there is no 3121 Mulholland Drive so unless he lives on a different street that is not the reason behind the numbers.

2020 said:

Reviews are your PERSONAL opinion mind you.

lovemachine said:

Well, I would be surprised if there was a house with such a large number, but it is in the FAQs so I reckon greater people than me have confirmed it:
section 2.4
http://www.prince.org/msg/7/145050

metalorange said:

The FAQ is wrong then and the numbers on Mulholland are actually bigger.

Here are some of the addresses of other celebs who live on Mulholland and the numbers are much higher and if you use any map service it does not recognize 3121 Mulholland as exisiting.

http://www.seeing-stars.c...mulholland

I believe that Prince probably lives on a offshoot of Mulholland where the numbers are 3121 but NOBODY has been able to give his actual address.

lovemachine said:

I think anybody who actually believes Prince would publically broadcast his private home address is gullible and/or naive.

There IS no 3121 Mulholland. Even the US Postal Service says there is "no such address".

WillyWonka said:

Ever listen to Zannalee?

lovemachine said:

What do you mean? I am not familiar enough with that song...

WillyWonka said:

The police are called to a disturbance on Galpin (which is his street and if you know the street you could easily find his house.)

lovemachine said:

Oh, yes. You're right. I remember that now. I forgot that was in that song.

Tuesday, baby.

Tuesday.

I'm psyched.

metalorange said:

Isn't is just! I read that half stunned to be honest!