UCantHavaDaMango said:

I'll see the video for Dolphin another day. I just watched the movie and thought it was really sweet. The storyline was totally and the ending was really sweet as well. Not along with the storyline, but... man

That "" thing happened to me again. Much like what happened when I saw "Purple Rain"'s triumphant ending. I felt my ears perk up when I heard him sing the lyrics and I was head over heels in love with Gold. Sweet is the only word I can summon up to describe. Nearly brought me to tears, much like whenever I hear "Purple Rain" being played... I wasn't really impressed with the other songs except for the medley and the first song he did, but Gold stands on its own. There's something really special about it that just hit me in the right spot and that's a sign that it's a winner in my mind.

If I happen to find it, I'll get it... or even put it on my gift list in 4 months if I can't find it. That song is a little too special to let get away so easily.

Emancipation is a superb musical collection. Way better than Rave(although I think its okay). I'm pretty sure you can find it hard enough because here in the D, I know a few record stores that have it in stock right now. My question is why Emancipation? Do you own any other pricne albums, tapes, or CDs? Don't get me wrong, I rank Emancipation as my 5th best Prince album of all time. But I think your 3rd choice should be either: Sign 'O' the Times, Dirty Mind, or Diamonds and Pearls. That's my pick. I hope I'd helped you out a little. By the way, if you stay here in Detroit or close in the metro area, I'll give you a list of stores I've seen the cd in. Peace and be wild.

LoDog said:

I want to own the best of Prince, to put in a nutshell. I also don't want to spend too much or get too much, so I need to make my list short.

Right now, I see myself getting

1) 3121 2) Musicology 3) Emancipation 4) The Very Best of Prince [which saves me the trouble of hunting down a bunch his albums for my favorite songs]

I leaned towards Emancipation because Prince kept saying how it's so diverse, there's something for everyone, and he was really pushing it, saying that it's overall very joyous. I read a few of the songs' lyrics myself and liked what I read.

Oh man, Gold is still ringing in my head... I just heard it for the 2nd time today and "fell in love", but that's an album to itself.

Gold is a good one! I love his rock anthems. I'm glad you liked the movie. I recorded L4OA off of TV 11 years ago, and I'm surprised I didn't wear the tape out, because I watched it nearly everyday for several months. Seriously. I remember drooling over his sparkly rocker pirate costumes, his pretty hair, and his purring voice.

I used to show the medley to my friends, to show them the long and amazing career Prince had up to that point. I hoped it would stop them from making fun of me for liking a guy with no name, but it didn't work. Oh well. I also remember feeling really jealous of that girl in the movie, but I'm over it now. Almost...

Both!

Having read your feelings now, I'll offer this up:

If you're looking to get Prince at "his best," I really don't think many folks around here would direct you to either 3121 or Musicology. They are both fine albums and contain their share of great songs, but if you're looking to make an initial investment in Prince's music and want to experience him as an artist, there are better choices for you.

First, because you seem to be moved by his music and interested in the experience of an album (or a few albums), I wouldn't recommend that you go with any hits collections. Of course those are going to contains Prince's more monumental tracks, but you certainly aren't going to experience an album, or a full "story," with a hits collection. You're going to get a collection of songs from different eras that have little connection (other than generally being written and performed by Prince). Therefore, with a "hits" album, you're not really going to get a "Prince experience" -- you're going to get an edited overview of his more popular tracks over the past two decades.

For your own sake I wouldn't hang your hat so much on what Prince has "pushed" harder or seemed more passionate about in public. Prince's public statements about Emancipation inflate it far above most fan's opinion of the album. Yes, it was an important album for him, but there were financial reasons driving a lot of his public appearances and statements. Ask anyone around here to name the top four Prince albums and I think you'd be hard pressed to find a list with Emancipation on it. And I think you'd be even harder pressed to find a list with "Rave" on it.

If I were narrowing it down to four albums to recommend to someone who has just discovered Prince and his music, I would offer up:

1. Sign O The Times
A double album that's far deeper and more sprawling than the 3-disc Emancipation.

2. Purple Rain
I don't know how you could start a collection of Prince music and not have this album

3. The Gold Experience
It's just a damn good album -- loud and proud, pretty much has it all.

4. 3121
Only because you seem interested in where Prince is right now, and this album is a good gauge of that.

DreamyPopRoyalty said:

Emanciaption over Rave - by a long way. Emancipation gives far more insight in to the Prince nebulous and you get 3 times the songs - its an easy decision.

Also, whilst I appreciate your wish to only have his best output (and, for that you're still going to have to buy almost half the albums AND have at least a few songs from EVERY album) the only way to truly appreciate and artist is to encompass their entire body of work - good and bad. Also, Prince's bad tracks are bad relative to him - there are only a handful out of his entire career that could be considered utter failures - but, even amogst his worst songs, there are inspired moments, sounds, studio trickery - its all worth digesting.

DreamyPopRoyalty said:

There's about 10 albums I would consider buying before Emancipation or Rave (but out of those Emancipation).

If you want a best of go Ultimate or The Hits/B-Sides NOT The Best Of Prince.

But a best of of any kind does not do his music justice. Since you're a newbie, try to emerse yourself in as much of his music as possible. There is no greater feeling than when you're working your way through his catalogue for the first time - I'm sure many long-timers would like to relive those moments. Besides Purple Rain you NEED his magnum opus, Sign O' The Times. As well as 1999, Dirty Mind, and Parade. Emancipation or Rave to SOTT is like Dan Brown to Leo Tolsoy. No competition!

[b][i]
Without a doubt RAVE
Emancipation is alot to absorb at 3-4 listens.

Imago said:

Rave is about praising GOD-Emancipation is just that....Emancipation from Warner Bros.
I'd love to give you a rorchak test" What does this look like " ----Uh...Vagina"
And it is a blotch that looks like a bowling ball!

UCantHavaDaMango said:

The version of The Greatest Romance on Rave In2 is much much longer than on Rave Un2, with added lyrics and also a rap from Eve. One of the only occasions on Rave Un2 where the extended version actually lives up to its promise.

leecaldon said:

Oh weird, I have both, and never noticed the difference! I guess I wasn't paying well enough attention.

Hello,

What to buy next? Emancipation has more music for the money, but I found I liked Rave better.

Before you buy any Prince music you may want to go to a record shop or a bookstore like Borders or Barnes and Noble where you can listen to samples of the CDs. Find what music you like and start there.

Also you may want to find a Used CD shop. The CDs may be cheaper than buying them new. Also alot of Used Vinyl Record Shops may have the 12" singles.

There is ALOT of material out there and its spread across several other artists.
You have decide for yourself whether you like just the Prince Hits or do you like Prince as an artist & songwriter, if you do then you might like just about anything he does (so then you could start just about anywhere).

Some recommendations:1999,Controversy, Dirty Mind, Purple Rain, Sign O' the Times, Gold, maybe Emanicipation or Rave, Musicology and 3121, The Hits B-sides.

There are too much material and many layers to it. Take your time and start small. I have been a Prince fan for 24 years starting with the 1999 period.
Growing up we did not have much money so if I got 3-5 albums a year I had a good year. So when I got a record I played the heck of it, learned it inside and out, and on a Prince record there is alot to learn and experience. So
pick one or two albums and just really listen and enjoy them and in a few weeks pick a few more. Prince music has been part of the soundtrack of my life for so long that the only way I would advise you is to start small.

Prince's music in many ways has it own journey. I hope you enjoy your discovery.

Chris

Bottom line, I like every Prince album (with the possible exception of Kamasutra).

You're lucky to have this dilemma!

NDRU said:

Kamasutra is

theodore said:

I say "possible" because I haven't listened to it that much. I remember liking parts of it, and at other times thinking "scissors?"

I have to agree with those who said there are plenty of albums to buy b4 either Rave or Emancipation. I found Emancipation disappointing overall considering there was so much material there and Rave- ugh- I haven't listened to that CD since a week after I bought it.
I would also agree with the person who suggested you start from the beginning and work your way forward. If you must buy a collection- go with Ultimate, the 2nd disc is extended versions which are classic and must haves for any serious fan.
(you mentioned wanting the "originals" but that is what they are- the way he probably would have preferred to release those songs instead of the short radio friendly edits.) The Hits/B-sides also worth having. Crystal Ball was also a great suggestion, be sure to get the one with the Truth.
And if you aren't going in order, I'd vote for Dirty Mind, 1999, SOTT, Parade, TGE, Chaos & Disorder.

this will be so exciting for you!!! Enjoy!

UCantHavaDaMango said:

For me, it's the highlight of the album. I would say it's the best version of the song, but the rather different Adam&Eve mix is also brilliant imo.

Get both Emancipation and Rave. They are great cds!

Emancipation,the 2nd disc has some of the best songs Prince released in the 90's,also the 3rd disc has some good ones.

However,if U want 2 get the best of the 90's,buy The Gold Experience
and afterwards Diamonds&Pearls.
The Hits/b-sides is the best compilation,Ultimate 2nd.

1999,Purple Rain,SOTT,Lovesexy are still his all time best

boo... I feel lame now. I was complaining how none of my threads have caught on... but I've got over 50 replies here (well, some are mine).

I'm loving this. Everyone's being so helpful. I really love hearing all of this input. Gold is giving me a special feel right now, so The Gold Experience will eventually become mine as a bday gift. That's a guarantee.

I feel like I'm moving more away from Rave, but then again, I don't know what I'll find at my mall's FYE. Most likely, it won't be a very good selection, although 3121 is a definite catch cuz it's so new.

I want to be careful about this because when I see a lot of somethings I like, it's hard to stop myself and decision-making usually takes me 10-15 minutes, even more. I love this site because I feel free to express my 'thing' for Prince and somehow, he makes me want to go all out, being spontaneous and thinking in ways I never thought of. For the collection, I only made that choice because I like the originals, Little Red Corvette in particular that I fell in love with rather than a remix just to embrace that original 80's sound that I remember.

I'm an 80's buff and I found two songs from 1999 and a few from Purple Rain (which my dad owns) great, but I still like his recent stuff too.

In all honesty, though, I've heard little of his 90's stuff, just Gold, Diamonds and Pearls, and Cream... so yeah, I would like to get the best out of the 90's.

Whatever choices I make, I want to make sure they're good ones that I'll embrace for years to come just like I want to embrace the way I feel about Prince, as incredible as he is.

DreamyPopRoyalty said:

Well, as I said, those extended versions are the original 80's versions, not current day re-mixes. It's the exact song you know, but LONGER. These are the versions us "old-folk" bought back in the day. A new Prince 12 inch was a very exciting thing back then. People on here sometimes talk about getting out their turntables to play those albums! Mine are packed away for safe keeping. But anyway, Ultimate was the first time many of those were released on CD but if you were a fan then, you had them on vinyl. It had been such a long time since I'd heard some of those long versions, I actually got goosebumps and almost cried the first time I played Ultimate, I was so happy.

paisley16 said:

On the Ultimate, a bunch on the 2nd disc say "dance remix", so that's what makes me unsure. And explain what 12" means cuz I have no idea, lol.
I'm only 20 and have only been a serious fan for a month, but knew of Prince for a little more than a year... I've learned a lot in the past month and I still feel like I have a lot to learn, mostly about Prince's music, but Prince himself is still so full of many mysteries left to be cracked.

Now that everyone's convinced you to get Gold, I have to ask, isn't it out of print?

NDRU said:

That's what Ebay is for!

NDRU said:

lol

Yeah, I think it is... but apparently, Amazon and FYE.com are advertising having it... even if it is tehnically out of print, there are still copies floating around.

For those who've been suggesting The Hit/B-sides, I checked into it... and I think I can cross that off my list. It's a lot of stuff and it's tempting, but the only thing I was not crazy about regarding Prince is his songs where he runs his mouth off... That's why I wanted to be selective about his 80's hits, the decade where his lyrics were the "least clean", to put it the lightest. It just turns me off, which is why I overlook them. I'd rather hear about him singing about the obscene either cryptically (Little Red Corvette) or beautifully (Greatest Romance...).

DreamyPopRoyalty said:

12 inch refers to size of the vinyl. You know, those little ones were called 45's and albums were 12 inches. So basically, he'd release the song on a 45 as a radio edit, and then again as a 12". Sometimes, he'd release two different versions- one called a dance remix and one called a long or extended version. All must haves!

DreamyPopRoyalty said:

well, in that case, when you get gold, skip track one!

NDRU said:

thanx for the heads up, lol