Recently i saw (on the net) Prince during a short acoustic performance, called 'the art of musicology' and also a very moving performance of 'Reflection' with Wendy.

It made me think, why isnt there an live 'unplugged' CD of Prince yet?
Of course, it was a bit of a hype during the nineties for many major artists to release an 'unplugged' CD, but nonetheless i think Prince could do an interesting and original take on this.

Why?:
- The art of musicology shows Prince has the quality to entertain people with just an acoustic guitar, his voice and his songs;
- Non-Prince fans often dont like his music because of the production and 'theatratically': they often dont seem to get Prince is an often brilliant composer and songwriter, and that underneath the production and 'image' some of his best songs are on par with, lets say, those of the Beatles, Queen and REM.
Prince could proof he is one of the best songwriters/composers ever with an acoustic set.
- Prince IMO has turned into a much better live singer in this decennium, when you listen to older live recordings you can often hear him use his voice in a forced way, and at other times it sounds too thin to impress. Maybe it has to do with his age (his voice seems to have become deeper, more baritone), maybe it has to do with him following singing lessons. I dont know, but he is in very fine voice the last 5 - 6 years. He can proove he really can sing live on an unplugged CD.

My wishes for a live unplugged CD:
- Make it something special (= deluxe) with the inclusion of a semi-big orchestra of strings, woodwinds and copper (arranged by Clare Fisher of course), Sheila on Percussion, Michael B. on drums, Rhonda on bass, Eric on saxophone and Greg on trombone, and, Wendy and Lisa on different instruments and background vocals. Maybe also some gospel-input by the Steeles and / or Mavis Staples.
- An endearing choice of songs to be performed, not only the hits, but especially some very strong albumtracks that are not very known by the general public (Condition of the heart, Still Would stand all time, Sometimes it snows in april, to name a few).
- Some impressive cover-versions (Motherless child, A case of you come to mind)

Riverpoet31 said:

first!

yes, if he did this I would buy it.

You have, I take it, heard the One Nite Alone live CD set? Pretty much IS a Prince unplugged deluxe CD.

That would be boring as hell. I can't think of anything more boring than someone just sitting on a stool with nothing but an accoustical guitar. It puts me in the mind of some damn "Kumbaya".

vainandy said:

Whenever I'm bored whilst sitting on the stool,
I'll just pick up an acoustic guitar & unplug myself.

Unplugged set would be incredible. Only fools wouldnt like.

Just for the guitar fills alone it would be worthy. Acoustic piano too. Open your mind vainady, music is not only meant to shake asses.

Prince definitely has enough acoustic-sounding songs to make even a double unplugged CD.

What would be interesting to see though is how he'd unplug LGC or other rockers.

i fear prince got the whole "unplugged" thing out of his system during the musicology tour. at the very least, i can't see him going for something so simple and understated in the midst of his current bimbette-studded vegaslomania. expecting prince to do an acoustic album right now would be like going to a dinner at the four seasons and ordering a bowl of broth and an unsalted cracker.

This would b fantastic.

It would be nice if Prince did an unplugged CD, but not just him on solo acoustic guitar... Prince on acoustic guitar, plus bass, piano and percussion. Very lean and tight. Maybe make it a 5-piece and add a 2nd acoustic guitarist, and 3 background vocalists.

Imagine something like this:


Prince - Unplugged

1. Shy
2. The Word
3. Te Amo Corazon
4. When U Were Mine (would be so funky on acoustic!!)
5. Raspberry Beret
6. I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man
7. Kiss
8. Willing and Able (omit the rap section)
9. Fascination
10. What Do U Want Me 2 Do?
11. Reflection
12. Sometimes It Snows in April
13. S.S.T.
14. I Wish U Heaven
15. The Holy River
16. Forever In My Life

I like it!

vainandy said:

Do you only like uptempo music? Prince has never just wanted to make people dance.

I've seen him do this in concert myself and it works just as much he wants you to get up and dance. It would be cool. And it would let people who never saw him live before, see a different side to him. I'll buy a copy!
[Edited 12/9/06 23:59pm]

Its already made & collectin dust in the vault.

If U remember, he was shopping it around a few years ago. Guess he didnt get his going rate and used it as spank material.

Not that it'll EVER happen but it would be cool to put this one together with "UPTOWN LIVE" as a double set.

I love countless Prince slow jams. However, stripped down accoustical music reminds me of folk and country music....two types of music that bore the living hell out of me. Accoustical also sounds very "simple"....something I don't like either.

Since Prince is the only person that still makes funk, an unplugged album would just delay me from getting a new funk fix for another year until his next album came out. Lately, he's started releasing an album every two years so that means it would be four years to wait for some funk. That's just too fucking long to wait!

vainandy said:

Hummm....u need 2 check out some of Mint Conditions work. They have some funky stuff.

I have been waiting for an acoustic album from Prince my whole life. I think this is a great idea and it would not be boring at all, he is amazing, for the Musicology Tour he did an acoustic set and it was great!

I haven't heard anything from them for years but I don't remember them ever doing any uptempo stuff. Of course if they did, the sorry ass radio would have never played it.
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[Edited 12/13/06 14:32pm]

vainandy said:

Check out the cd from 1999 called Life's Aquarium.

Thanks, I'll check that out. The last thing I remember from them was "What Kind Of Man Would I Be", in which I bought the cassette single.

I disagree that some people here compare 'acoustic / unplugged' with 'boring', its not necessarily the case.

Artists like REM and Van Morrison have performed acoustic versions of their songs that are sometimes way more intense, deep and touching then the 'electric' versions on their albums.

People like Damien Rice, Richard Thompson and Neil Finn have proven that a voice and an acoustic guitar are sometimes enough to produce very electrifying or intimate music.

Music doesnt always have to have a hard beat, or fat groove to grab you.

I really think Prince has the potential quality to deliver a great 'unplugged' album, i think it would be very interesting to hear him perform some of his best melodies, accompanied by guitar, piano, acoustic bass, and sometimes the occasioneal strings, woodwinds and copper.