Why, oh why has Prince choosen a drum machine for so many his tracks when they would have sounded so much better with a live drummer?

I have read that he likes drum machines because they let him work faster... but isn't quality more important than quantity?

Am I the only one who loves the sound of live drums? Give me Shiela E, Michael Bland, John Blackwell... hell, even Bobby Z over the programmed stuff any day...

Maybe I am the only one...

U ever tried getting a good sound outta a drum machine? Its tough!! Prince does it like pie. His programming is wizardry. I do enjoy live drums more though.

Also, if "tamborine", "ladycabdriver", "darling nikki" and others R P on the skins, I'd say he's a pretty kick-ass drummer!

feltbluish said:

That's kind of what I am getting at... he used to play drums on recordings and was good at it... he mysteriously stopped playing drums on his recordings for some reason and opted for the drum machine...

There is no reason to believe that he did not play the drums on his first recordings, so why in the world doesn't the man still rock the kit???

well if you watch him play percussion on Rave unto the year 2000 he is a hell of a drummer.

And it's true: Prince is the best programmer on the Linn !

feltbluish said:

Co-sign.

And I think an album like 1999 is enhanced by the drum machine on it. There's just a sound and vibe that Prince can get out of the drum machine that most people can't.

Before Blackwell, I used to always think to myself that I wanted to hear Prince play them more, but like you say Ice, he does say it's faster when working in the studio. I'd still like to hear him play the kit more. Then there were others like...Steve Gadd, Dennis Chambers, and Bernard Purdie I wanted to hear him work with, pre-Blackwell. Too bad John Bonham isn't with us anymore, I'd like to hear him lay down his thunder and Funk with Prince.

IceNine said:

2 words... John Blackwell.

He can B my drummer anyday.

Supernova said:

I am with you 100% on those guys you mentioned! Damn, it is too bad about Bonham... the man was a monster.

And... the drum machine vibe on the 1999 album was absolutely PERFECT and the record would not have been as good with live drums... in my opinion, of course.

I don't think you can "unlearn" to play an instrument. You can get rusty if you haven't played for a while, but I don't think you can totally forget.
And with a drummer like John Blackwell, why would Prince even want to play drums on stage anymore. I mean, Prince is a good drummer, but nowhere near John Blackwell good.

Is it quality over quanity for Prince though? Doesn't seem like it at this point.

As far as drum machine vs. live drummer I couldn't tell you which songs have which, but in reading the debate here, it sounds as if each has its benefits depending on the type of song. However, if the goal is to speed up recording, is the time being taken to think through which one would be best in each case?

Personally, I love to see Prince playing the drums. It has nothing to do with how good of a drummer he is, I just think he looks damn fine doing it (won't go on along that line as to not make IceNine and others only into it for the music puke ) Really I don't care which he uses, 'cause as I mentioned earlier, I can't tell the diff. I just want Prince to take his time, develop his strong songs and cut the crap.

IceNine said:

Well, he can still handle sticks, judging by the percussion break in Rave into the year 2000. I think Prince used programmed drums because he thought that was a more modern sound. I'm glad he's back to real drumming -- and not surprised he lets a pro like Blackwell handle it. Besides, at his age, he probably has to make some choices. Banging drums is hard on the wrists and hands, and he needs those in good shape to play guitar and piano well.

shygirl said:

I wasn't actually serious about his not being able to play anymore... and I wasn't referring to "The Rainbow Children" either... what I was talking about was the many, many songs that Prince chose to use a drum machine on rather than playing real drums... for instance, all of Emancipation, Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic, New Power Soul (nothing could have helped this one), etc.

IceNine said:

Dude, NewPowerSoul was not THAT bad.
But hey, there was a whole other post on that...

IceNine said:

Drum machines don't play themselves. It takes a good drummer to squeeze good sounds from one, like any other musical instrument.

I've no allegience to live acoustic or electronic drum sounds, whatever gets the job done for the particular song.

ian said:

Yup. Also, whatever method he's using, it's the feeling that's created that grabs me most.

ian said:

They don't play themselves, that's true, but they do quantize themselves (keep flawless time) and do away with a thousand other variables that make acoustic percussion so much more listenable.

But drum machines certainly do have their time and place. Can't imagine the glorious 1999 album without the Linn...

Prince since He brought Shelia E into the fold more showcased Drums.But to Me Personally it wasn't until I saw the "Sign O The Times" Film that I Gave Prince any Juice on Drums.up until then I dug the Programming but Him as a Drummer for Me until then was Average at Best.but since 87 He has gotten better.even Susan Rogers even Commented on His Drumming overall in the Book DMSR first Decade.but His Programming was tight for me more than his Actual Playing Drums.Heck Stevie Wonder is a Tight Drummer&I'd like to Hear Him play Skins on a Prince Jam with Either Blackwell or Bland.

ian said:

I agree.

once again I feel the need to say that Lenny Kravitz is very underrated as a drummer, for the funky way-old school style of funk and rock he plays. REALLY good.

even better than that, Lenny is just my favorite bass player in the world. I didn't say the best. just funky, groovy, tasty and so great to listen to

on top of all this lenny knows how to make these things record well...

Believe me, "BABY KNOWS"!

HELL YEAH HE CAN! HE IS STILL EXCELLENT AT EVERY INSTRUMENT HE CHOOSES 2 PLAY. DONT EVEN DOUBT IT. HE IS STILL THE SHIZNIT.:

U know what? I would like to see Tommy Lee play drums for Prince. And with that statement, I am headed to the nearest window to jump to my death! Can't believe I said/posted that. but i really would.

Supernova said:

Pound,Pound on those Drummers Man.

Rudy said:

Lenny is tight on that One Beat&String He plays.But His Drummer Cindy Blackmon can Rock on Some Skins.In fact Miles Davis wanted Her in His Band for a Project or something.She ain't no Joke.Craig Ross is cool on bass for Lenny.but Cindy to Me is the Best thing about Lenny on a Whole IMHO.

dawntreader said:

I loved that part with the strobe lights.

I still think Prince's best and most original drum track was from "When Doves Cry" and that was a drum machine. I like how he holds back on the snare and when it kicks in it really makes an impact. Even though I would like Stevie Wonder to play real drums, I think some of my favorite Prince songs are using a mix of live drums with drum machines, or Bobby Z's electronic drums. For some reason Stevie's programming seems very boring while Prince's drum machine tracks are very original sounding and often better than a live drummer.

IceNine said:

- No, you are not. I looove live drums. But in the case of Prince there are some songs which sound better with electronic drums. I cant imagine ´When doves cry´ and ´If I was your girlfriend´ with real drums. In the 80s, Prince used them creatively. In the Kirk J years, it seems he just used them to fill space and save time...

Maybe he lost his drumsticks.

correct me if i'm wrong, but Graig Ross is Kravitz' guitar player...

My favorite drumsolo is the solo on Cristal Ball. Can anyone confirm if this is Prince hitting those drums??

I read somewhere that the Madhouse album "8" was only Prince and Eric Leeds.

I poped that one in this morning on the way to work. I believe this was the first time hearing these songs after learning that peice of info, and man Prince can hit them skins!