Hi, i'm new here, name's Matthew, anyway i'm a new prince fan.
After seeing him on this years Brits, i was BLOWN AWAY!!! What a performance!!! I mean i'd always liked his songs that i'd heard of (purple rain, when doves cry, 1999 and kiss) But after seeing his performance, i went out and bought 3121 and absolutly loved it!!
Since then i've bought "The Hits / B-sides" and "Purple rain" and loved both of them!!!

Am now after a bit of advice, i went on a bit of a prince spending spree the other day and came back with 8 new prince albums to explore
- for you
- controversy
- 1999
- Parade
- Sign o' the times
- Love sexy
- Graffiti Bridge
and - Diamonds and Pearls.
My question is, which one would you advise me to explore first? I'm after something accessable to begin with, nothing too 'abstract', just to ease me into my Princeathon.
thanks, Matthew

start here, and work your way forward.
welcome to the madness that is prince fandom.

Hi Matthew!
I really started at "Sign 'O' the Times", but had been "listening in" for some time. I agree. "For You" is a good place to start. Once I got hooked I went back and filled in and worked my way through. That way you'll hear the progression and growth.

Hopefully you will get to experience him live sometime soon! (us, too!) It changes your whole perspective!


Lynn

Better late than never Mathew
Listen 2 them chronologically going backwards. Njoy!
How much did all that cost U nowadays?

christos7 said:

all 8 albums for the bargain price of £42!

For You sounds very dated (as it is now rather old!), Controversy and 1999 less so but those synths and drum machines which were revolutionary at the time now sound rather flat and basic to modern ears. Parade is a funky but eclectic album which you either get or you don't, as I suppose is Sign which at least a few songs you'll love and then get to appreciate the rest. Lovesexy is kind of timeless, Alphabet Street is incredibly catchy and funky, the rest you may find wierd at first but keep listening, the multi-layered music keeps revealing itself to you. Being the two most nearest the present in your list, Graffiti Bridge and Diamonds & Pearls have a more modern production which is probably easier on the ear to a modern listener. Graffiti Bridge has some great tracks mixed in with some throwaway ones, the inclusion of the other artists may put you off. So I'd start with D&P which has some fantastically catchy tracks and thumping rhythms in a more contemporary R&B/rap feel. If you like Purple Rain and the Brits performance, you may be disappointed that there isn't another completely rock album where Prince thrashes his guitar throughout, though all these albums have their moments when he does. If you're after that rock style rather than funk, try picking up Chaos & Disorder which has a few good raw rock tracks - in amongst some lesser material.

christos7 said:

When I decided to replace my cassette collection with CDs, I only hit "USED" bins for a lot of things. Some of the deals I got were ridiculous!
I just saw a used "Rainbow Children" CD for $3.99!

Welcome. Stand up Matthew you know what you have to say.

"Hi, my name is Matthew and I'm a Princeaholic" (cuz U will be)

"Hi, Matthew!"


His music is truly one of life's pleasures. Always has been. As you get deeper into it you will be amazed at one thing...what a freakin talented musician he really is.

Just consider the Org your soft place to land when your friends don't understand why you have gone in this direction with your musical tastes.

Remember they do not have to understand.


Out of the ones you have.
I'd introduce him to you this way:

1. Controversy - gives a hint of the Dirty Mind flavor and a great sneak peak into the future.

2. 1999 - great segue. Can see his expansion and complexity continue. One of the few times you see a clear path from one album to the next. As opposed to, Pruple Rain followed ATWIAD. 2 totally different directions.

3. Lovesexy - It'll blow your mind. You may not know what to think at first. You may wonder how he got to this from 1999.

4. Sign O' the Times - For me hands down one of the best albums by any artist, ever. Not saying because I'm a fan. It's really amazing.

5. Graffitti Bridge - After Prince at his best SOTT, this will introduce you to not some of his best. I actually really like most of what's on here. But, the title track, Melody Cool and Latest Fashion (I'm not a fan of). By the way, this may be a good time to tell you, be strong in your opinions of what songs you like when posting here. The tastes are very diverse.

6. Diamonds & Pearls - Probably his last "mainstream" popular album. Well,
could be also, but did not spawn as many chart hits.

7. For You - Hear how it all began. You've chosen a great starter kit.


8. Next I would get a seat belt because 1993 on is all over the place. But, it's also some of the most fun you'll have as a fan.
[Edited 9/8/06 17:56pm]

I'd start with For you , then Parade, Lovesexy, SOTT, 1999, controversy. I don't own Graffiti Bridge nor Diamonds and Pearls, so I can't tell you.

setyrmindphree said:

and on that note...

you must purify yourself in lake minnetaka

bist du deutsch

Well done on the purchases mate.

Here's my sequencing recommendation 4 ya:

1999
SIGN O' THE TIMES
LOVESEXY
PARADE
CONTROVERSY
GRAFFITI BRIDGE
FOR YOU

Oh, try to see the Sign O' The Times concert movie (available in all UK HMV stores on DVD). I didn't appreciate the songs on that album fully until I saw Prince perform them in that concert movie - songs like Play in the Sunshine and Housequake.

Also, try and see the movie "UNDER THE CHERRY MOON" - it will enhance your enjoyment of the album PARADE (basically is the soundtrack to the movie).

DaveDare79 said:

I agree with this line up for a newbie. 1999 is VERY accessible but fucking cool as all hell. The 1st 3 songs alone will get you hooked forever. Sign is just as good but takes a little more time to sink in. But as for all Prince albums, they only get better with each listen. Graffiti Bridge is a great, if a somewhat hodgepodge collection. I just wish it was an all-Prince album. The Mavis Staples and Tevin Campbell songs are ok but nowhere near match Joy in Repetition or Theives in the Temple.

Jackeblu said:

I've wished that also. But, it's hard to beat Morris doing "Release It".

setyrmindphree said:

Man, u r right on that one. Release It is pretty fuckin cool.

Babydubistzuschnell said:

Hi,Matthew!Welcome 2 the world of Prince! U have great taste in music!Njoy!~~sexxydancer

Babydubistzuschnell said:

follow the light at the end of the tunnel

powerfantastic2000 said:

lol, alas, no i'm English. I just study German at uni, hence the name. My friend and i (whom i'm also in the midst of converting, lol) 'attempt' to sing songs in german "Baby du bist zu schnell" means "Baby you're much too fast" a line from 'little red corvette.

Id say start with 'Lovesexy', then go from there. You've got a lot there.

Welcome Matthew.

Nothing like infecting a virgin..lol.

Don't listen to them. Listen to his best album first, Sign O The Times; has his best songs and best instincts, then go back and forth between newer albums and older ones.

Then, go back and get The Gold Experience, Come, The Truth, Lovesymbol.

Avoid at all costs,. The Rainbow Children, Rave, Musicology. His new albums are all awful.

Stick with me kid, I will school ya. wink.

Oh, yea, buy Dirty Mind. lol

And Around The World In A Day and tell me Condition Of The Heart doesn't make you wanna doubt God is in that little fuck.

DaveDare79 said:

Exactly Dave.... I totally agree
Welcome Babydubistzuschnell....Glad you're feeling our man. Prince is music, and your collection is outstanding 4 a newbie.... Have fun as you enter Prince's musical world and as mention, u have a great selection of music 2 start out with. 4 me there is no bad Prince cd

2freaky4church1 said:

See, now, I was with U on the SOTT comment, but then U went out on TRC. The music is amazing on that album! Not everyone appreciates the lyrics, but they don't have to.
I don't think we should tell Matthew what [we think] sux- he'll decide on his own.

B-sides is cute if you're newbe.

Welcome!

Enjoy the music~Once you get started, you can't stop!

The hardest isn't to love the music, it's to buy little by little ALL what this crazy guy did. He had so many eras, he's so prolific it will take time for you to listen to the whole thing. I've been a fan until Batman, then again since 3121, I have so much to hear ! Try to suscribe to fan groups on myspace, they often send great clips, emancipation radio is very good too.

Welcome Matthew .