Ramblings…of a fan.

Now we have Planet Earth…a few weeks old and a nice addition but not a great one. Should I think of this as step 3 in his rebirth? The press is pushing this, so are many of the posts. Have been a member only a week now, but have looked from the sidelines for about 2 years. An introduction:

Was born in 1970, and didn’t live in a country where R&B was popular. I was 13/14 and would listen to American Top 40 to know what was big elsewhere in the world. I heard Delirious for the first time and thought nothing of it, I didn’t get it. This was the first time I remember hearing of Prince. Then things changed. I remember very distinctly listening to AT40 on a Sunday night in my room and all of a sudden this odd song came on that I couldn’t quite get. Obviously this was When Doves Cry. Amazing how certain songs can not just define something in your life, but I have a snapshot of my room age 14 whenever I hear it.

Became a very happily frustrated fan. Bought Purple Rain, found it very difficult listening at first, more complicated than I was used to hearing. When it did kick in though I was hooked. From Purple Rain to Around The World In A Day to Parade to Sign ‘O’ The Times fell in love repeatedly. Each album changed and expanded my musical ear. Each album evolved in its own way. What I liked immediately would be replaced by other favorites later. What a period. Bought everything, LP’s Singles. Extended 12”, etc.

My Prince obsession peak was Lovesexy. First heard Alphabet St. on the radio on my birthday. Felt like a gift and I loved it. Then….still not sure if I allow myself to believe it…I had a dream a few nights before Lovesexy was released. I dreamt the whole album. Was like a private listening party in my head. When I did finally buy and hear the album, I knew it already. To this day I have a very soft spot for this album.

By this time I had also backtracked to all the previous albums. This whole period was fantastic. Top music, cohesive visions, and each was distinct! When I see this album list in a row I know how fantastic the product is. How many other artists can claim this track record and this evolution of sound? DM – C – 1999 – PR – ATWIAD – P – SOTT – LS

Batman was for me the first sign of change. It’s OK. Then the following CD’s just seemed a little weaker and less individualistic. I could easily swap tracks from GB with D&P and Symbol without them seeming out of place. Still a huge fan, but perhaps I started to search elsewhere for musical styles.

Come was another of those moments where something clicked in advance. I had another dream that all the song titles would be one word. In my mind, Come and The Gold Experience although not favorite CD’s, feel like complete visions.

I supported though the ‘slave’ period and lined up at midnight to buy Emancipation. At that point I was living in Los Angeles. How I really wanted to love Emancipation…and I just couldn’t. Felt like I was entering a Prince world of with a slight smell of cheese. When I listen to it, I cannot fault the songwriting, but the production and sonic feel was soft, weak and ‘tinny’. Never had I though of Prince of being tinny over a whole CD….3 CDs even! Music in the wider world in general at that time felt superior to Emancipation.

One of the best aspects of Prince’s music for me was that the songs were deep, layered and commanded you to listen, even the softer or happier songs. Emancipation for me too closely resembles elevator music in places.

Still held on; until New Power Soul. My, oh my, oh my. I was offended. Cheap. Cheap is the only was I can describe it. How ripped off I felt. Calling it a NPG album, putting your own picture on the cover and forcing upon it a weak party feel. Turned me off. Switched off from new Prince for a long time. I tried over the years to re listen to New Power Soul, 1-800-New Funk, Chaos and Disorder and Crystal Ball. Besides a few tracks here and there, nothing was good enough. Any other artist I would have dismissed if I only liked 2 songs out of 12.

What happened next? Nothing. Lost interest. Listened to Rave in a record store and left the store without it. Then began to stop caring of what he was doing that was ‘new’. Fast forward quite a few years.

Next Prince purchase was Musicology, (actually it was a gift). I did not really like it, but it pricked up my ears in some way. Besides a couple of tracks, still felt tinny. Sounds like a musical, a cheesy musical. 10 x 3 Chains of Gold anyone?

3121 felt better. Not visionary, but production improves. Not distinct, but there seems to be a change. It does not sound like the previous 10 years. Unfortunately, Prince is still pedaling a pre-packaged party.

Planet Earth. Grandiose title, which should have supplied a better standard to vision match. If Prince has views of the current state of the world, naming a CD after it, putting a half-opinionated song about it, and mentioning it in a couple of song titles does not do the title justice. As one reviewer in the UK mentioned, Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On is a better example. That album deserves the title Planet Earth. And thankfully we still have the cheesy packaging. But at least it was free.

I like the album but there are only 4 songs, (in my opinion), that are top quality. Song structure, production. In many places it sounds a tad dated. And I do not buy this retro old-school excuse. We got bland R&B and we got soft rock-pop. Heard it all before, and heard it all before from Prince.

The title track has great potential, but only when it strays away from that drama-musical feel. Guitar has potential, but perhaps it should have been version 3 rather than version 2. Somewhere Here On Earth, The 1 U Wanna C and Future Bay Mama top songs in each of their various styles. They especially sound great loud and especially with headphones, (could that be that they contain a certain depth)? Have to say I love FBM for the explanation of all the girlfriends and wives. Cute! Besides Chelsea Rodgers, the rest of the CD is bland. Nice to hear the guitar sound again, but the guitar is often pared with the matching synth sound, lessening the force. I am nervous of Ms. Rodgers as I hope I am not going to have to be told she is the future. Tamar anyone?

So after a long wordy post brings me back to the start. Was a huge fan for many years. Also lost interest and ignored for a large space of time.

But, seem to be hooked again. This time though, hooked with on an overall lower quality of material. Luckily living in London now. Going to 3 shows. Would love to go to more, but prefer to make my mortgage payments.

I have wanted to write something for a while. For those who read this far, thanks. If you agree or don’t, cool. Just nice to share my thoughts. SK

Usually rants like this are sycophantic on here but I quite enjoyed reading yours and I similarly share a lot of your views and experiences. Possibly see you down in London.

I'm pretty much with you on all of that.I can't wait for the gigs though. For me he's a bit like the stones now; you don't go & see them to hear their new stuff do you? You go to hear Satisfaction, Sympathy, Brown sugar, etc etc. Although maybe seeing Prince perform PE live will give it more welly. I too am going to 3 nights so hopefully I'll get to hear most of my favorites.

Nice "rant"... welcome to the posting world!

June7 said:

Fanks!

slaphead said:

I do look forward to hearing old and new. I am interested in hearing how songs translate on stage irrespective of period. I don't buy into the concept where songs are meant to be played live only. I think I would call that a B-Side. Would I love to hear Guitar played live, hell yeah. Do I think it's A grade album material, no. Again, would be a killer B-Side.

You know many people come on here to rant on about how disappointed they are in prince music..... and while i generally don't agree (or care)with most of them, i have to say that your post was an interesting, well opinionated without bitching read..... and hell if i admit, i have to agree with sections.

ty

Nice read and I can totally relate.