Every year in the album of the year category at the grammys there is always a nominee who flies underneath the mainstream's radar like Herbie Hancock. Every year in that category there are 2 or 3 platinum artists who receive the publicity and hype, but can Prince actually record maybe not the album of his career but just be in the running for album of the year, and maybe have a few hits so he can stop relying on time-worn hits that he claimed he would stop playing.

bashraka said:

As far as Prince saying that he would stop playing his hits, that was just a PR stunt. It's what they do in showbiz.

Can Prince make an album of the year? Yes!! But first he'll need a copy of Garageband, Ableton Live, Autotune and a fat stack of old records.

No. Put a fork in him. He's done.

I think the premise of this thread runs the risk of two questionable things:

1) holding the NARAS up in too-high esteem.

2) underestimating the artistry of Herbie Hancock.

Consider this:

Prince won a Grammy this year for a horrible song. The NARAS is fickle, and his winning for FBM shows just how devalued the Grammy Award has become.

That said, Herbie Hancock has been churning out wonderful albums consistently for decades. Concept albums that cover wide expanses of musical territory, and divergent themes. There are musical statements made on his "Gershwin's World, for example, that you won't find on "The New Standard" or "The River" -- not to mention "The Headhunters."

Prince puts out enjoyable music, is a wonderful performer and has a wonderful catalog (that he seems intent on disavowing). But he's also hit-or-miss. Has been since the late 1980s.

I don't think he has as much to say anymore as someone like Herbie. And, I think their more-recent releases bear this out.

That's just my opinion.

whodknee said:

God damn it sounds so fucking depressing in here that you'd think Prince is dead already (which some do anyway and yet they still come to this site but that's another topic ). Yes he's capable of making an album that's worthy of being nominated for Album of the Year but the question should be "Will Prince release an album worthy of being Album of the Year?" That's all up to Prince. I sure hope he does but who knows. 2008 isn't even 2 months old yet so lets see what Prince decides to do.
[Edited 2/19/08 20:21pm]

It's hard to say. I mean, I don't think any artist plans any of their songs to be huge. Did Led Zeppelin plan for Stairway to Heaven (Or Led Zeppelin IV) to be huge. Or did the Beatles plan for Sgt. Peppers, to be as big as it is/was? Did Beethoven think his his 5th symphony was going to be known ~300 Years later? No. Truth is, no one plans for these things. It's all luck and timing. Purely coincidental. In most instances, I'd say an artist makes the album they wanna make, and for whatever reason, a LOT of people dig it. Pink Floyd didn't think Dark Side of the Moon was gonna be one of the best selling albums ever. They just played what they wanted, and every once in a while, the planets align, and people catch on, and it becomes a hit. These thing aren't planned. Prince could make an album and it has just as good a chance to flop as it does to outsell any album ever. Same goes with any talented artist. It's all about how people perceive it when it comes out.
[Edited 2/19/08 20:30pm]

He has a collection of brilliant songs just waiting to be recorded. He specifically reserved the best tracks for 2008, now we just need to wait for a release date

Prince has already made "Album of The Year" type records during his career. I don't think he records with the mindset of "This is gonna win me a Grammy".

Although the Grammys have a history of awarding Album of the Year to veteran artists like Steeley Dan & Herbie Hancock. So, if they ever give him an Album of the Year award, it'll be to make up for past sins.

I mean really, have you ever read the phrase "Lionel Richie-esque funk" in an album review???

I don't give a fuck if his next album is considered 'Album of the Year' at the Grammys (which are all politics, by the way). All I care about is if I like the album or not.

FuNkeNsteiN said:

well said.

FuNkeNsteiN said:

Right on!

Prince is capable of many things but that is NOT in his hands. When a project like SOTT can be ignored, what is the POINT really?

FuNkeNsteiN said:

That's right. And besides, he didn't even win album of the year for Purple Rain and like graycap said SOTT got ignored so realistically speaking it's not going to happen, even if the material is THAT good.

I agree. It's getting like the Eurovision song contest it's that political!

I'm not sure that Prince can make an album of the year - I'm not a hater and I don't wish to be disparaging but I just don't feel that he's 'hungry' anymore. Planet Earth, for me was a weak album that just didn't cut it.

I guess that when all is said and done it's all a matter of personal opinion and I truly hope that Prince proves my previous statement to be wrong and blows me away with his next album

He is certainly capable. Even if he didn't write any new songs and recorded an album of his best outtakes it would easily win a Grammy.

ThreadBare said:

wow, spot on

u know all those awards shows are phoney right? no one legitimately wins anything because the people making the decisions are biased. even the fairest of minds are subconsciously biased.

i only care what God thinks of me and apparently i am capable of anything i set my mind to. if other people judge what i do as this or that it really is water off a ducks back. seriously.

but thats just me. i have no idea if whats his name considers other peoples opinions as relevant or if so, to what degree. but i wouldnt be surprised if he enjoys the recognition, even if it is flawed by human judgement for better or worse.

everyone loves being loved, i just dont think music awards have anything to do with real love, a momentary substitute perhaps, but nothing like the real thing.

whodknee said:

Wow, someone who has a firm grasp on reality!

funksterr said:

That may be the case, but he's said it so many times, the man has ZERO credibility anymore.

viewaskew said:

he's credible to me so u wrong

Stereo said:

He has said he's retiring, he has said he's never playing the hits again over & over. And yet he continues to do so. If that is credible to you, you need to review the meaning of the word!

viewaskew said:

i dont pay much attention to what he says, only to what he does.

Stereo said:

Which is contradict most of what he says.

viewaskew said:

sexy

whodknee said: