Camille first appeared in Erotic City. After EC, Prince made a couple of incredibly artistic albums (ATWIAD & Parade) and Camille was absent from both albums. Then you had Wendy & Lisa leaving the band and in comes Sheila E and what do ya know, Camille makes a return (Black Album, Sign & to some degree Lovesexy).

Wendy & Lisa's influence on Prince's music was distinct. So was Sheila's. With Wendy and Lisa, the music was focused on melody using the piano and synth as a center point. With Sheila, the music was more focused on percussion. Look at songs like Merci for the Speed of a Mad Clown in Summer & 2 Nigs United for West Compton. Sheila brought out the competitor in Prince. The mad bass and drums both competing for center stage is what I LOVED about their collaboration. I loved Wendy & Lisa's contributions and influence but I really miss Prince throwing down like there's no tomorrow.

The 'Camille' pseudonym first appeared on the "Sign O The Times" album. Don't get it twisted - there's a difference between the character and the recording effect.

Mmmm... Interesting theory, SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy, and I believe you may have pointed to a crucial factor in Prince's modus operandi as an artist, chiefly: how he gets motivated or inspired by certain people to adopt any one of his musical personas, Camille being one of his most intriguing, not to mention most musically satisfying (the Camille album was a bravura tour-de-force). And yes, you are right about the music around this period being focused on percussion.

As far as Sheila is concerned, I really rate her as not much more than one of the finest percussionist the world has ever seen. On top of that she did have a little presence onstage - On the other hand, she was a weak vocalist and could never write a decent tune to save her life. However, she appears to have, indirectly, pushed Prince to great artistic heights during the period you are now concentrating on.

Maybe Prince was motivated by lust. After all, they were said to have been romantically involved on more than one occasion, especially during the 'Purple Rain' period onwards.

The Wendy and Lisa thing really throws me off sometimes, as it was definitely motivated by a decidedly HIPPIE vibe (what can you expect from a couple of uncomplicated Valley girls like those two???), but I'm sure Susannah had a significant imput in the way Prince behaved and responded artistically during this period.And she couldn't sing either!

I personally hold her responsible for getting Prince into F. Scott Fitzgerald ('The Great Gatsby') and Duke Ellington in the first place, which resulted in that black and white phase nee 'Under The Cherry Moon'(which was really 'The Great Gatsby' in reverse, wasn't it?)

I understand the difference between the character and the recording technique. Don't even tell me that you think that Erotic City wasn't Camille's first appearance. Camille's MO is straight out funk and that is exactly what is delivered on Erotic City.

Before we become sidetracked, and whilst we're still on the subject, do you think that Prince had anything to do with 'Too Sexy' (b-side of 'Sheila E.'s 'The Belle Of St. Mark')?

To my ears, that track bears the unmistakeably Prince guitar ethic, so I believe he was heavily involved in the recording of that song. The most valid reason for me thinking so is that it features Prince's moaning portion at the beginning of 'Erotic City', but in real time (not slowed down, as in 'Erotic City')

In fact, I have just given it another spin and I'm more convinced than ever.

erm...yes.

speaking of slowed down sped up music...

The guitar solo from part 3 on the Scandalous Sex suite is the same solo from Dear Michaelangelo. It's slower than on Dear Michaelangelo. It took me about 13 years to figure that out. The guitar always sounded sooo familiar but I could never place it.

What a little fireball Sheila E is. Prince could not help but be inspired by her.
She was one of the highlights of the Xenophobia Celebration for me. She's an angel that one.

For all you LA freaks, Sheila E is playing a free concert in Marina Del Rey on Saturday 7/20. Go to the following link for details:

> http://groups.yahoo.com/g...bumpsquad/

Sheila was definitely one of the biggest Highlights of the ONA tour in LA. I was about 5 feet from the stage at the aftershow and she was right directly in front of me. To see the camaraderie between her and Prince on the stage at the aftershow was incredible. You could see how they inspired each other to excel in their musicianship.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

No she/he didnt --Camille first appeared on 1999

1999 the song or the album?? I can't for the life of me fgure out where she appeared!

Jestyr said:

Ill buy that technicality-but his/her voice first cropped up on the 1999 album. He gave it a name on SOTT

The only thing I can think of is All the Critics??...

Shelia E is Badd&was long before She hooked up with Prince IMHO.now She doesn't have the Best of Voices IMHO but the Lady Can Flat out Play&Knows how to Find Great Talent to Play with.think of Levi,Miko,the Cats from TOni,Tony,Tone,etc...not many people can go from playing with Her Dad,top Prince,Marvin,Lionel,Ringo Starr,Pat Boone&Work with a George Duke who Himself is very Versatile on Many styles.that speaks Volumes on Her Musical Gift.I'm sure She Inspired many things in Prince's music."Sexual Suicide" the Drumming Part was a Challenge Between Prince&Shelia from what I Read.Shelia E.said in the lastest Goldmine Magazine that She played the most Drum Parts on the Two Released Madhouse Albums on Paisley park."Too Sexy" was played in the film "Purple Rain"&it's Prince's type of Feel&Vibe all the way.Shelia E.though also Plays Bass,Guitar,&keys.She is a One Woman Band if She wanted to Be.Eric Leeds played a Big part at getting Prince into Jazz as well.Eric Plays alot of Instruments as well,Keys,Program Drums,sax,Flute,etc.. alot of Talent to RUb off from.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Good call but nah...he/shes on Automatic at the very beginning of his spoken word speech and in the middle of it ..he says "start the music baby...automatic foool...whooohooo" lol. Thats just one more reason why 1999 cd is such the epitome of Prince on so many levels... people dont hear me tho.

Automatic is my favorite song on that album! You are right