jtfolden said:

I wanna go with the theory that someone heard track 1 and brought it back immediately, thinking the whole album would be like it.
What I was getting at was that I believe it was fate that I found it as easily as I did. I don't care what anybody says.

I didn't really know what I was getting into when I bought it, though. All I knew was that I loved Gold, and I've already heard Dolphin, TMBGITW and a handful of others featured on "Love 4 One Another". I need to see that again when I get the chance, just to see what I think since I know the music. All I know was that except for the first and last song in the "movie", none of the others really jumped out at me as "brilliant".

All I can say about TGE is that it's unique, unusual, spiritual (to I believe), and insanely addictive. When I start listening, I can't bring myself to listen to anything else, at least not until it's 90% out of my system.
I've yet to decide because it's superior to everything else I own, or because the styles are too different or just because it's my favorite. I really don't know at this point. I've only listened to it thru about 5-6 times since I bought it a few weekends ago.

jtfolden said:

My bad. :grunts: I should really know better than that.

I've said it myself regarding Musicology & PR (just to name a couple). I can't say that one is better than the other. It depends on the type of mood I'm in. If I want to "party" or dance or have a good, happy type, PR is my choice. But if I want to kick by and reflection/relax, Musicology is my cup of tea.

I was just curious. TBA is most likely one of the last albums I'll buy if I ever do. I'm betting it'll be so drastically different from even TGE (which is very diff. than PR, 3121 & Musicology... its already causing me enough trouble as it is cuz when i start listening, i cant bring myself to pick anything else up)... I'm guessing here, but is TBA similar to Come, in the fact that it's kinda dark (I mean the material, of course, not just the obvious)?

DreamyPopRoyalty said:

Ummm, really they aren't very much alike at all... Come has a really modern production, super polished like TGE (which makes sense as they were recorded around the same time), and treats it's subject matter rather seriously. TBA is dark and dirty musically (just the very sound of it is like a garageband recording) and it doesn't treat ANYTHING seriously at all. It's actually not that "dark" of an album in truth. The hype around it and Prince's little made up story for it is what gives it that 'dark' reputation.

It is always difficult to recommend a Prince album.
It so depends on the mood one is in to like one over the other.

I happen to love the Batman soundtrack. So try that.

jtfolden said:

Thanx 4 clearing that up.

I've heard that "Come" has a real edge to it, so I'm cautious about it. However, the fact I saw it for $8.99 at FYE means its basically dying to be bought. So if I'm in mood for something with edge, I just might pick it up, but I'll see what happens.
The fact it takes its subject matter very seriously might be a good or a bad thing. I'll have to see for myself when the time comes. People have been hinting that it's pretty good, but it really comes down to the individual's tastes. I'm tempted cuz its so cheap. And since I own TGE, it might be a wise investment so I can compare how drasticlly different (or even similar) they are.

In my humble opinion, Parade- I can not imagine my collection without- Parade.

DreamyPopRoyalty said:

Come is edgy but if you like Prince's artistic/experimental side then that's a good thing. If you tend to only like Prince's radio friendly stuff then you might find some of it less interesting. The Production and arrangement is about the slickest of any Prince record, as well. Plus, it really is interesting to listen to Come and TGE back to back and realize that these songs were written and recorded together, side by side, and just separated out after the fact to create two albums with entirely different direction.

jtfolden said:

I've seen a lot of sides of Prince's "artistic" side. While I feel that after dealing with TGE, there's nothing I can't handle... there's always going to be something to catch me offguard. If I see a few performances or listen to a few of the songs previously, I might have a better idea of what I'd be getting into. TGE sounded pretty experimental to me, full of new and diff. styles & genres I didn't hear him do with what I know him in the 80's. Still very little compared to most of the fans on here, but I feel like I've come a long way.
Especially if Gett Off, P. Control and Billy Jack have grown on me when I wasn't crazy about them at first. Every album is bound to have a few gems that make it worth getting.
Come is unfamiliar territory for me, so after learning more, I'll most likely give it a listen if I like what I hear. I sure am curious to know about Prince's experimental side a lot more... the man is such an enigma and to figure him out, I'll need more pieces and I think this album will help me with that.
I definitely will listen to Come & TGE back to back when I get the chance. Should produce interesting results... and they'll probably mix together better than TGE with PR (that was kind of a disaster the first time around).

DreamyPopRoyalty said:

Sorry, I think I'm going muddy it up for you.Yes, Prince made a little mystical story out of it, but this album is dark in production and content. As much as Lovesexy is clean and spiritual. It's not by accident. Collection wise it is expensive.
I also disagree with symbol album raves. While this album has great production it has the game boyz on it (yuck), a loosely segued story line and lyrically hoaky in places. And I like this album But, compared to the collection there are better to chase.

The edginess on the Come album comes how overtly sexual it is, not in the production value.

My suggestions for funky are
Prince
Controversy
The Time's 2nd album - "the Time"
Parade
The Family album
Black Album
Come
Also the B sides are some the funkiest gems.
"Scarlet Pussy" anyone?

I would buy and listen to them in the order they were released. It's really the only way to get a true sense of his musical progression.

I, more or less, want to buy my next albums with the following things in mind.

* becuz I'm familiar with/like quite a few of the tracks already
* it's from an era I want to know more about

He had a lot of growth during his years as , so I feel like I'm going to start there. Since I already have TGE, I'm curious to find out what happens to him after that.
Emancipation & Rave come to mind for those reasons.
Come interests me becuz it came b4 TGE and was recorded around the same time.
Seeing his personal/spiritual growth thru that period would be an interesting way to look at things.

I don't just want to own the best of him, I also want to learn as much as I can about him. His attitude towards life and himself is reflected thru his music (TGE is where its the most obvious with Musicology being a close 2nd, but wrong era).
TGE took me thru his journey to find enlightenment thru the aspects of his heart, "sex"-driven side and his soul. I hope to find more about that journey and where it goes with Emancipation and so on. And of course, Rave is the end of an era, so I rank it high on my priority list (which is actually only 3-4 albums right now)

PaisleyPark5083 said:

It's incredible, and one of my favorites.

tznekbsbfrvr said:

DreamyPopRoyalty said:

In hearing your comment about how he's formed attitude I agree GENESIA. You would want to go in chonological order.

Good luck and enjoy your journey.

THE CRYSTAL BALL, RAINBOW CHILDREN,Two of my favs. the first Prince album eye
bought was 1999 back in 1983.fonky stuff purple people

Gold Experience

Rev said:

Thanx. I always do.

I'm starting to feel more like Prince in the fact that every day feels like a new day for me when it comes to listening to his music. I woke up with a diff. song in my head and over time, I decide which album to play. Every single day is a learning experience and I seriously doubt I'd get that from any other artist. That's one of things unique to Prince himself. Two months later and I'm still learning a lot and I like the fact that that experience is endless and limitless.

babooshleeky said:

Rev said:

I'm going to have to call shenanigans on that. Of all 8 songs TBA, only a single track - Bob George - can be considered literally "dark" in subject matter. Where's the darkness in the rest of it?

Le Grind, Superfunkycaligragisexy, Rockhard In A Funky Place - simple party songs with a sexual nature. If these are "dark" then the Dirty Mind and 1999 albums are the work of Satan.
Cindy C. - Another simple party song, possibly inspired by Cindy Crawford
Dead On It - a humorus parody of rap music.
When 2 R in Love - a tender, gentle love song
2 Nigs United 4 West Compton - is an instrumental with no apparent hidden agenda.

The bottom line is that TBA is NOT a dark album. It's no more dark than anything else that came before it. What is most unusual about it, is that it's a rather mindless party album. This makes sense because many of the tracks were intro'd at one of Sheila E.'s birthday parties... certainly not a "dark" occasion.

All the hype about it being dark was just part of the mystique created by Prince in order to point out how spiritual and positive LoveSexy was supposed to be. Prince is back to writing the same style songs by D&P but no one goes around saying how dark that album is...




Well, that just boils down to opinion. If someone likes the overly polished production of TGE or tracks from D&P then is a perfect fit. People who weren't there from the beginning generally don't have a problem with Tony M. and the Game Boyz on .

theodore said:

I'll find it somehow, someday....

babooshleeky said:

U will.

Controversy..and the B-sides...

DreamyPopRoyalty said:

I've been interested in TGE for a bit, but I couldn't find it at J n R =( I guess Im gunna have to amazon eh? Lol. I think Im gunna go with Parade maybe, or by them both... I think Prince's music is a lot like the music I currently listen to, but hes so innovative with his arrangements and use of instruments, Im scared of what to choose next

CoolTarik1 said:

It's okay, we're all here with u to make it easier.

Yeah, he is pretty innovative. 3121 is a good example of that. The title track sounds like mainstream radio to me, but I gave it another listen today and actually liked it. What's interesting is that its message can be taken 2 ways. It's about coming to a party and basically, the song is a party... but it's also an intro to the party of the album itself.
His arrangments & use of instruments in 'The Dance' is beyond brilliant. I loved the use of flutes and strings and piano... he knows exactly how to make everything sound just right. That's a masterpiece if I ever heard one.
Prince's music is nowhere near what I listen to, but I'm pretty picky these days.

My ultimate goal is own the best and/or pick up albums that'll get me closer to finding more about Prince. I want to learn more about him and what he's capable of... its as if there's no limit to what he can do.

If I could recommend a Prince record now, it would be Parade. That to me, is such a happy album. It's full of energy from start to finish and it's in a 3 way tie for my favorite P album.

purplecam said:

care to share the other 2?

I'm just curious

DreamyPopRoyalty said:

It would be Purple Rain and 1999. I can play all 3 of those albums and be blown away by them. I have other favorite Prince albums but those 3, especially Purple Rain, do it for me.

First Listen to Purple Rain.

Then once you've digested it and fallen in love with it, Listen to Around The World in a Day. The difference between the two albums is remarkable. It shocked alot of fans and critics.


Next, by PARADE and listen to that. It's like Around The World in a Day, but more gay and French. Very good album.

purplecam said:

Coolness... I somehow had a feeling.

Right now, I basically rank my albums like this.

1. PR/TGE (tie)
3. Musicology
4. 3121

One of these days, I'll break that tie and figure out which one I like more. PR is more familiar, but TGE is itself special & unique.
Musicology is above 3121, simply becuz its stronger as a whole. But I could also change my mind later cuz I've been listening to 3121 lately and I just figured out the double-meaning for the title track.
The song itself is a party and it's also a party that introduces me to the rest of the album. The album's very diverse, which makes it more interesting, but some tracks just stand out more than others. I'd like them all to be equally great, but I still find something in each track that I like.
Te Amo Corazon holds my heart and Prince kinda seduces me with Incense & Candles. Interesting, though. It bears a little similarity to TGE in the fact that the tracks vary in subject matter as if Prince is exploring a diff. part of his mind.
I label TGE as a spiritual journey for Prince, figuring out where he stands regarding his heart, soul & "sex"-driven nature.
I've yet to analyze 3121 quite the same way, but ive come up with the following conclusions so far.
It starts & ends with a party. First very techno/modern and lastly more old-school. I guess it could show a transgression from the modern age to old-school (although Te Amo Corazon contradicts that immediately). I'll come up with something, I'll get back to u guys on that.
Sometimes I feel that I want to get more simply cuz I don't have an album to suit the particular mood I'm in... but I still have a lot to figure out about these before I start from scratch with a new album. Good thing I'll have a grace period b4 I come into enough money to start buying again.

Imago said:

...and that, honestly, is a perfect intro to Prince. I first started noticing prince due to 1999 and Little Red Corvette, purchased the PR soundtrack after I saw the movie for the first time and THEN when I heard ATWIAD I *Knew* this was a guy to watch. PR might have opened the door but it's ATWIAD that made me truly respect him as an artist. Finally, Parade pretty much cemented me in place as a life long fan. I had to buy a second Parade cassette in 1986, just months after the first one, because I kept rewinding and playing Anotherloverholenyohead and Sometimes It Snows In April over and over again, day after day when I was 16.