I think that this can go one of 3 ways:

1st:

Dirty MInd,Controversy,1999

or

1999, Purple Rain, ATWIAD

Parade-SOTT-Lovesexy??

toejam said:

Nice...

Parade is the weak link in that though. It is a solid album, but not great

I guess you've made this selection to be only 3 albums so as to make it contentious!

Because, really, you have to say that Dirty Mind to Lovesexy is the period and is one of the most amazing consecutive album runs in pop history.

And Parade is far too esoteric, psychedelic and original to be only considered as "solid, not great".

COMPUTERBLUE1984 said:

Parade is a great album, but definitely not solid. See, it rather goes that way around.

Going by his three most acclaimed, it's definitely:

SOTT/Purple Rain/1999

Funkmeimfamous said:

That's not a "three album period".

toejam said:

I question this one, as the Black Album could/should be inserted between SOTT and Lovesexy, though it was obviously unofficial at the time

I will go with the early days, beginning with his best record:

Prince, Dirty Mind, Controversy

.
[Edited 3/10/07 7:08am]

The Rainbow Children / One Nite Alone / One Nite Alone...Live!

I thought I'd just throw something different in the mix

COMPUTERBLUE1984 said:

Nah, Lovesexy is the weak link in that one.

Parade/Sign O' The Times/The Black Album

1999 - The Gold Experience - The Rainbow Children

P2daP said:

Not to be overtly anal, but you're not getting it either.

Mindflux said:

I'm with U 100% on everything U say there regarding that run of albums and the Parade comments.

toejam said:

Love those 3 albums!!!

What about Sign "o" the Times - Lovesexy - Batman

Batman is as well!

Consecutively, Controversy,1999,Purple Rain.
[Edited 3/10/07 10:23am]

When I made the thread, I was referring to consecutive albums..

COMPUTERBLUE1984 said:

We know

wait some people didn't get it

COMPUTERBLUE1984 said:

That's what I thought.

leecaldon said:

COMPUTERBLUE1984 said:

Maybe they thought it was supposed to have been like, "Prince's best 3 album, period."

novabrkr said:

I guess, but I gave an example of consecutive albums.

Well, this thread will hopefully fix itself

COMPUTERBLUE1984 said:

If the org doesn't keep crasing, it will

Prince, Purple Rain and Diamonds and Pearls

nurse said:

And yet another.

novabrkr said:

My Bad

sitruk7 said:

I would probably go with this one too

it's no contest

newpower soul
1999 the new master
rave un2 the joy fantastic

Dirty Mind & 1999 are the greatest albums ... but Controversy is stuck between them, spoiling the obvious choice! (side A is great, side B is inferior except Let's Work)

So, my choice will be:
1999 / Purple Rain / Around The World In A Day