Brendan said:

None of the side-project or protege albums should be counted, imo. They aren't Prince albums.

Actually this is Prince's 61st album, counting compilations and his own side projects. And this doesn't count Tamar's album or any of the other canceled projects. If you don't count side projects, then it's 37.

What exactly are all the side projects? I know a few but I couldn't come up with a total of 61.

emesem said:

that's the point, no matter how great the music is the general audience really isn't interested in it anymore. popular music is for teens, and teens ain't into old folks. Prince knows this, and knows the money isn't in record sales it is in concerts. it doesn't matter how great or bad his music is, it will sell the same no matter what, save for a couple of thousand copies.

guess what, the rest of the world isn't waiting for a great Prince album. they simply don't care. but they know he rips the shows, and are more willing to drop a couple of bills to see him live, where his real star shines, than buy a $10 album, regardless of whether they would like it or not.

MattUK said:

Well, turn in your fan card. Seriously, though, can you come up with the 46 that's stated in the article?

With 46 they have to be including side projects, so I'm correcting that number. It's much higher and his solo/band work is much lower.

Here's a slightly different cut and paste. Feel free to correct or explode all over that which you disagree with.

I'll go with 57 to 61 albums from Prince. Not bad for someone only 49.

Total # of Solo/Band Studio Albums = 28
Total # of Solo/Band Studio Albums & Compilations = 37
Total # of Solo/Band Studio Albums, Compilations & Side Projects = 61 (57 minus bolded albums)

Studio Albums [28]

[1] For You (1978)
[2] Prince (1979)
[3] Dirty Mind (1980)
[4] Controversy (1981)
[5] 1999 (1982)
[6] Purple Rain (1984)
[7] Around the World in a Day (1985)
[8] Parade (1986)
[9] Sign ‘O’ the Times (1987)
[10] The Black Album (1987) (Shelved until 1994)
[11] Lovesexy (1988)
[12] Batman (1989)
[13] Graffiti Bridge (1990)
[14] Diamonds and Pearls (1991)
[15] Symbol (1992)
[16] Come (1994)
[17] The Gold Experience (1995)
[18] Chaos and Disorder (1996)
[19] Emancipation (1996)
[20] The Truth (1997/98)
[21] Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic (1999)
[22] The Rainbow Children (2001)
[23] One Nite Alone (2002)
[24] Xpectation (2003)
[25] N.E.W.S. (2003)
[26] Musicology (2004)
[27] 3121 (2006)
[28] Planet Earth (2007)

Note: “The War” is not an album and neither is “C-Note”. EPs are not counted either.

Compilations [9] (Hits, anthologies, live albums, outtakes, download collections)

[1] The Hits / The B-Sides (1993) (3-Disc Career Retrospective)
*Also released as “The Hits 1” and “The Hits 2”
[2] Girl 6 (1996) (Soundtrack Compilation)
* Includes 3-previously unreleased tracks
[3] Crystal Ball (1998) (Outtakes)
[4] The Vault…Old Friends 4 Sale (1999) (Outtakes)
[5] The Very Best of Prince (2001)
[6] One Nite Alone...Live! / It Ain't Over Box Set (2002)
* Live Concert/After Show
[7] Chocolate Invasion (2004) (Download Assemblage)
[8] The Slaughterhouse (2004) (Download Assemblage)
[9] Ultimate Prince (2006)
* 1 Disc of Hits / 1 Disc of Extended Remixes

Side Project Studio Albums [23] (50 to 100% Songwriting/Arrangement/Production by Prince)

[1] The Time - The Time (1981)
[2] Vanity 6 - Vanity 6 (1982)
[3] The Time - What Time Is It? (1982)
[4] The Time - Ice Cream Castles (1984)
[5] Apollonia 6 - Apollonia 6 (1984)
[6] Sheila E. - Glamorous Life (1984)
[7] The Family - The Family (1985)
[8] Sheila E. - Romance 1600 (1985)
[9] Madhouse - 8 (1987)
[10] Jill Jones - Jill Jones (1987)
[11] Madhouse - 16 (1987)
[12] Sheila E. - Sheila E. (1987) (Debatable)
[13] Mavis Staples - Time Waits For No One (1989)
[14] Eric Leeds - Times Squared (1991)
[15] Carmen Electra - Carmen Electra (1992) (Debatable)
[16] Mavis Staples - The Voice (1993) (Debatable)
[17] New Power Generation - Goldnigga (1993)
[18] NPG - Exodus (1995)
[19] Mayte - Children of the Sun (1995)
[20] NPG Orchestra - Kamasutra (1997/98)
[21] Chaka Khan - Come 2 My House (1998)
[22] Graham Central Station – GCS 2000 (1998) (Debatable)
[23] New Power Generation – New Power Soul (1998)
[xx] Tamar - Beautiful, Loved & Blessed (2006) (canceled)

Side Project Compilations [1]

[01] Various Artists - 1-800-NEW-FUNK (1994)

--

Don’t count towards Prince’s total of 61.

Significant-Contribution Albums [5] (Consisting of at Least 1/3 but less than 1/2 Prince-penned/Co-penned tracks)

[01] The Time - Pandemonium (1990)
[02] Elisa Fiorillo – I Am (1990)
[03] Ingrid Chavez – May 19, 1992 (1991) (debatable)
[04] Tevin Campbell – I’m Ready (1993)
[05] Martika – Martika’s Kitchen (1991)
[Edited 7/19/07 9:24am]

emesem said:

May I ask again... Who in the hell is gonna even know the album is good enough to buy if it's not placed in their laps, considering the current state of affairs in the music industry??

This article is right on! This guy gets it!

It used to be that tours were a way of selling albums, but now it's the other way around: albums are a way of selling tours. And that's where you make the money -- selling tickets and merchandise. The more you can promote yourself -- God forbid make your music available for free! even if it might be the next Purple Rain -- the more people will want to check you out, buy tickets, merchandise, and your back catalogue.

Prince ain't trying to squeeze dimes out of his former glory. Have you seen him perform live? He'll give anyone MORE than their money's worth. He's as exciting to watch now than he was 20+ years ago. So then, what's wrong with giving away music to get people to come to your shows? People gonna have a good time, and that's a promise you can take to the bank, literally.
[Edited 7/18/07 23:21pm]

im all for a musician giving away his music if he wants. what I dont like is selling your music to be a advertising gimmick.

Why not give the album away at the EARTH concert? How about instead of selling it to a right wing rag do something productive with it? If it was really about getting it in people hands why not attach it to something worthwhile?

PRINCE DID NOT GIVE AWAY HIS ALBUM, he sold it to be a marketing gimmick for a newspaper.

MattUK said:

Well, turn in your fan card. Seriously, though, can you come up with the 46 that's stated in the article?

With 46 they have to be including side projects, so I'm correcting that number. It's much higher and his solo/band work is much lower.

Here's a slightly different cut and paste. Feel free to correct or explode all over that which you disagree with.

I'll go with 57 to 61 albums from Prince. Not bad for someone only 49.

Total # of Solo/Band Studio Albums = 28
Total # of Solo/Band Studio Albums & Compilations = 37
Total # of Solo/Band Studio Albums, Compilations & Side Projects = 61 (57 minus bolded albums)

Studio Albums [28]

[1] For You (1978)
[2] Prince (1979)
[3] Dirty Mind (1980)
[4] Controversy (1981)
[5] 1999 (1982)
[6] Purple Rain (1984)
[7] Around the World in a Day (1985)
[8] Parade (1986)
[9] Sign ‘O’ the Times (1987)
[10] The Black Album (1987) (Shelved until 1994)
[11] Lovesexy (1988)
[12] Batman (1989)
[13] Graffiti Bridge (1990)
[14] Diamonds and Pearls (1991)
[15] Symbol (1992)
[16] Come (1994)
[17] The Gold Experience (1995)
[18] Chaos and Disorder (1996)
[19] Emancipation (1996)
[20] The Truth (1997/98)
[21] Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic (1999)
[22] The Rainbow Children (2001)
[23] One Nite Alone (2002)
[24] Xpectation (2003)
[25] N.E.W.S. (2003)
[26] Musicology (2004)
[27] 3121 (2006)
[28] Planet Earth (2007)

Note: “The War” is not an album and neither is “C-Note”. EPs are not counted either.

Compilations [9] (Hits, anthologies, live albums, outtakes, download collections)

[1] The Hits / The B-Sides (1993) (3-Disc Career Retrospective)
*Also released as “The Hits 1” and “The Hits 2”
[2] Girl 6 (1996) (Soundtrack Compilation)
* Includes 3-previously unreleased tracks
[3] Crystal Ball (1998) (Outtakes)
[4] The Vault…Old Friends 4 Sale (1999) (Outtakes)
[5] The Very Best of Prince (2001)
[6] One Nite Alone...Live! / It Ain't Over Box Set (2002)
* Live Concert/After Show
[7] Chocolate Invasion (2004) (Download Assemblage)
[8] The Slaughterhouse (2004) (Download Assemblage)
[9] Ultimate Prince (2006)
* 1 Disc of Hits / 1 Disc of Extended Remixes

Side Project Studio Albums [23] (50 to 100% Songwriting/Arrangement/Production by Prince)

[1] The Time - The Time (1981)
[2] Vanity 6 - Vanity 6 (1982)
[3] The Time - What Time Is It? (1982)
[4] The Time - Ice Cream Castles (1984)
[5] Apollonia 6 - Apollonia 6 (1984)
[6] Sheila E. - Glamorous Life (1984)
[7] The Family - The Family (1985)
[8] Sheila E. - Romance 1600 (1985)
[9] Madhouse - 8 (1987)
[10] Jill Jones - Jill Jones (1987)
[11] Madhouse - 16 (1987)
[12] Sheila E. - Sheila E. (1987) (Debatable)
[13] Mavis Staples - Time Waits For No One (1989)
[14] Eric Leeds - Times Squared (1991)
[15] Carmen Electra - Carmen Electra (1992) (Debatable)
[16] Mavis Staples - The Voice (1993) (Debatable)
[17] New Power Generation - Goldnigga (1993)
[18] NPG - Exodus (1995)
[19] Mayte - Children of the Sun (1995)
[20] NPG Orchestra - Kamasutra (1997/98)
[21] Chaka Khan - Come 2 My House (1998)
[22] Graham Central Station – GCS 2000 (1998) (Debatable)
[23] New Power Generation – New Power Soul (1998)
[xx] Tamar - Beautiful, Loved & Blessed (2006) (canceled)

Side Project Compilations [1]

[01] Various Artists - 1-800-NEW-FUNK (1994)

--

Don’t count towards Prince’s total of 61.

Significant-Contribution Albums [5] (Consisting of at Least 1/3 but less than 1/2 Prince-penned/Co-penned tracks)

[01] The Time - Pandemonium (1990)
[02] Elisa Fiorillo – I Am (1990)
[03] Ingrid Chavez – May 19, 1992 (1991) (debatable)
[04] Tevin Campbell – I’m Ready (1993)
[05] Martika – Martika’s Kitchen (1991)
[Edited 7/19/07 9:24am]

Prince, U2 and McCartney....old fogies trying to squeeze out the last couple of dimes from their former glory.

Sad....as if they millions they get from touring and back catalog is not enough. God forbid they would try to just make some great music and earn their money through sales and not shilling for big media, big tech and coffee.

emesem said:

You seem to be basing your notion on the old and, now outdated, idea that BIG TIME record sales = success for a musician, or good music.

Fact is, no one (Not even Timberlake) is having big record sales compared to years past. Artists make most of their money from touring.

2ndly, great music doesn't equal big sales and big sales doesn't equal great music.

emesem said:

May I ask again... Who in the hell is gonna even know the album is good enough to buy if it's not placed in their laps, considering the current state of affairs in the music industry??

This article is right on! This guy gets it!

It used to be that tours were a way of selling albums, but now it's the other way around: albums are a way of selling tours. And that's where you make the money -- selling tickets and merchandise. The more you can promote yourself -- God forbid make your music available for free! even if it might be the next Purple Rain -- the more people will want to check you out, buy tickets, merchandise, and your back catalogue.

Prince ain't trying to squeeze dimes out of his former glory. Have you seen him perform live? He'll give anyone MORE than their money's worth. He's as exciting to watch now than he was 20+ years ago. So then, what's wrong with giving away music to get people to come to your shows? People gonna have a good time, and that's a promise you can take to the bank, literally.
[Edited 7/18/07 23:21pm]

You havent counted Rave In2.

And im sure Tamars album was going to be called Milk and Honey or am i wrong.

And i dont think associated artists should be counted a "Prince" albums.

Hey..Macca's recent album really is a bit of a classic. Don't doubt...check it out. He's the Energiser Bunny of Pop.
Prince's new one ain't a classic and it's just as well he dodn't sign to Starbucks as it would have compared unfavourably to Mac's.
U2 are old fogeys? That's a new one on me but admittedly when I hear Bono drop his dull catholicism into yet another song, I age considerably myself.

The White Stripes rule.

Prince, U2 and McCartney....old fogies trying to squeeze out the last couple of dimes from their former glory.

Sad....as if they millions they get from touring and back catalog is not enough. God forbid they would try to just make some great music and earn their money through sales and not shilling for big media, big tech and coffee.

Bono isn't Catholic.

Saw Prince closing weekend in Vegas and have seen him many other times...he's never been better

Personally I think that this was marketing genius on Prince's part. There's an element that I'm suprised that no-one has hit on - there's a whole generation of teens out there that have either never heard of Prince or have only heard one or two tracks - with the free release of this album he has made himself accessible to a whole new market. I wonder how many new fans have been created in the last week? I wonder how many back list albums have been sold in the last week? I wonder how many extra concert tickets have been sold in the last week?

For me this album isn't nearly as good as it should be but it is diverse and shows the man's considerable talent.

At the end of the day it's not about the desperate attempts of an aging rock star to hang onto their carreer (as posted by one misguided member) - it's a mix of extremely clever marketing creating accessibility and cold revenge on the music industry who fed off him for so long. I read an article recently that said he had got rid of his manager (correct me if I'm wrong) under the premise of 'why should someone else make money from my efforts?' Abso-bloody-lutely!!!Good on him I say - and if I, the loyal fan and consumer happen to get something for free... well... it can't be bad can it.

Prince is giving away his music, I think, because it's all about love and God for him anyway...he sees his music as a sort of public service...his calling, something like that. At any rate, when you think of the joy and pleasure Prince, McCartney and U2 have spread over "Planet Earth"....we can only be grateful for any music they give away that might touch an insane mind on our troubled planet...they are all incredibly gifted souls who touch alot of lives...however they do it....is good by me.

jtsmaggie said:

Bullshit.

MrsGoodnight said:

Serioulsy I don't think Planet Earth is the best album to showcase prince's genius to the whole generation of teens.

And to be honest, young teens dont care about Prince, they think he's old and old fashioned, face it.

The young generation only cares about young artists. Prince represents an era they didn't know.

I think the only fans he has re gained are those who have forgotten about him since the 80's.

I used the word 'catholicism' in a secular sense of 'referring all emotion into a kind of guilt-regret matrix'

live4lust said:

Prince, U2 and McCartney....old fogies trying to squeeze out the last couple of dimes from their former glory.

Sad....as if they millions they get from touring and back catalog is not enough. God forbid they would try to just make some great music and earn their money through sales and not shilling for big media, big tech and coffee.

Prince, U2 and McCartney....old fogies trying to squeeze out the last couple of dimes from their former glory.

Sad....as if they millions they get from touring and back catalog is not enough. God forbid they would try to just make some great music and earn their money through sales and not shilling for big media, big tech and coffee.