What do you think are the most interesting examples of minimalism in Prince's music?

Sign of the times, the song, would be a good one, imo.

I think IT is a good example, a masterpiece with just a few
instruments.

?
[This message was edited Wed Feb 26 1:40:48 PST 2003 by IstenSzek]

?
[This message was edited Wed Feb 26 1:41:00 PST 2003 by IstenSzek]

i actually think 'the truth' could've used LESS arrangement! but the ultimate minimal prince song is of course "kiss" duh!

I don't think Prince really does minimalism. He always tends to over-engineer any project since he is just such a perfectionist. I agree, even "The Truth" could have done with being less polished and perfect than it was!

I was thinking more in terms of unexpectedness, of course "Kiss" is a fine example, but what about - do I dare to mention this track - "Wherever U Go, Whatever U Do". In my humble opinion what saves this unbelievably cheesy rip-off-of-a-Police-song are those damn fine demo like arrangements. The LM1 beat, those grinding guitar lines. It's a weird juxtaposition in terms of pop music, but it seems to work. At least for me. It's like "the lyrics are simpler than simple let's not overindulge this track with Mariah Carey style orchestral backings". Which is the way it should be actually. It's bizarre how

But Ian, minimalism doesn't have to be overtly present. Say a track like "New World" is yet another interesting example. I've tried to dissect the sounds and the arrangements for years and years now and still I'm marvelling the way he managed to make all these elements work together. Of course it was basically early 80's type of electro cut done with the new wave of digital analog modeling synthesizers, but there's just something highly unique about that track. Minimalism can also refer to the choice of sounds (think of a clear crisp synthesized kick drum) and the way the rhythmic tracks work together, not just to tempo, space and how many tracks there were used (which is what most people associate with minimalism). And Princey-boy certainly don't use as many tracks as others do today. I don't think what kind of conversation he could hold with, say, the guys from Garbage.

"New Position/I Wonder U" is a great example. "New Position" is pretty obvious, but it's a great thing you mentioned "I Wonder U" as well. I think most people would miss that.

johnnyarseknocker said:

How about Had U or Solo?

New Position

Tribute to Miles...

I win!

Aerogram said:

cute

joeycoco said:

Not that good examples. They exist in that form because the process craved for that style. I wouldn't call that even necessarily minimalism. If you decide to record a song with just an acoustic guitar and sing over it - it's just a simple way to produce music, but it doesn't automatically equate with the said art theory. The Truth has it's moments but it's quite self-eplanatory - in fact in my own warped opinion "Fascination" is far more minimalist song than most of the others on that set.

Has anyone else noticed "Had U" is sort of similiar to NIN's "Eraser"? Of course the form is the same, but it's pretty darn obvious, isn't it?
___
What "Tribute to Miles"? Am I missing something here? "Letter To Miles"? Certainly not that... what is it? Must have missed an NPGMC download which I didn't manage to hark down with a filesharing program.
[This message was edited Mon Jul 15 4:17:03 PDT 2002 by Novabreaker]

Forever in my life/i love u but i dont trust u anymore

Forever In My Life and SOTT

IstenSzek said:

I agree

2 others:

tambourine

&

it

May I add, keeping with the topic, your replies are all refreshingly minimalist.

Wht about SOTT, HCUDCMA, ILUBIDTUA? or FIL? And the whle ONNN albm was an incrdbly mnmlst 2.

The Cross, Doves Cry (a guitar, synth, and drum machine)...

"The Cross" is yet another very interesting case. He could have easily rocked out the whole song like he did on concerts, but the version is more sedate, considerate. I love the way the second part ended up in the studio version.

i think the fact that every song can be played if not composed on a piano is simplicity in itself.

a basic melody.

It really depends on the song, but for the most part, I normally like the original stripped down version. Examples i think represent his 'minimalist' approach:

Kiss
I love u in me
How come u don't call me
Most of ONAlone
It
Dorothy Parker
Do me, baby.
Forever in my life

...They seem to have a freshness many of his other songs don't. The Gold Exp is an example of what happens when the songs get overproduced, IMO.

I Love U In Me and Forever In My Life.

Hell, "One Nite Alone", the album is a pretty good example, too.

SOTT, When Doves Cry, Kiss - It's a shame that he doesn't do more stripped down stuff - It is what he does best.

When Doves Cry
Paisley Park
Tamborine
New Position
Kiss
SOTT
The Ballad of Dorothy Parker
Forever In My Life
If I was Your Girlfriend
Alphabet St.

What about the videos for SOTT and One Song, they're pretty minimalist!

forever in my life

how about "bob george"? which pulls off the incredible feat of using the drum beat to function also as a sawn-off blues progression.

now that's econominimical!
[This message was edited Mon Jul 15 11:11:30 PDT 2002 by tiger2]