In terms of musicality i really like these two, wasn't sure at first but they've definately grown on me, i love South and East on NEWS. It is in reality a live studio album by P and the band, that's how i look at it,

The Vanessa Mae collaboration on Xpectation is interesting, anybody know how she hooked up with P? A pity Xenophobia isn't included on it, anyone know whether a studio version was recorded? could have done with a funky track.

What are your thoughts on what i think was an interesting period for Prince.

Ta.

Marrk said:

I dont know Xpectation, what album is that or is it off?


as for NEWS I love his it took two listenings in my car before i realised i needed the sound way up to capture all the nuances of sound.

I would say it stands up as a great modern piece of dare is ay it classical music. as usual its hard to classify.

syble said:

Some of NEWS has a jazzy feel to me I think its a great cd personally, but u know people

chillichocaholic said:

Yeah. i don't get it. When Prince does do something a little different, he still gets slaughtered for it, i understand jazz not being everyone's cuppa, but at least give him props for trying something out of the ordinary.

I love N.E.W.S. I put that CD on all the time. P was really stretching out and going into a real cool direction. Hope he puts out more stuff like that. I'll even go as far as saying I like it better than the Madhouse jazz.

Marrk said:

I think NEWS is a journey of different genres and yes there is some jazz in there.

As I said the first time i heard it i was driving and had it turned down to low and missed half of it, the second time i filed the space with it, no distractions. its a lovely album and actually, i think quite brave to put out an instrumental album. especially considering Prince if famed for his lyrics. I think it was perhaps an attempt to show how into composing he is and how he can pull it off.


For all of you who havent heard it give it ago, its not funky but its beautiful.

I always think theres room for all kinds of music and prince sure provides plenty of types to digest, this is yet another that fires my brain!

I recently put together an "Instrumental Prince" playlist for my ipod. I have those two, plus C-Note and some random instrumentals.
I was at the library for 3 hours working on my dissertation the other day, and it was so relaxing...

I use those 2 albums in my classroom as background music as the kids are working quietly or taking a test.
I love when they ask what it is, and I say "Prince".

chocolate1 said:

youre probably the coolest teacher ever!!

They suck....





ass.

syble said:

Ditto! Makes me wanna go back to school...

Imago said:

WHY DID YOU CHANGE YOUR AVATAR?

RodeoSchro said:

Cause heybaby is foine

They both have their merits, I think.


Xpectation is the less impressive but probably the most appealing, if you're just listening for backround music to relax or make love or something.

NEWS is more musically impressive, but the arbitrary decision to make the whole thing just 4 tracks in order to call is N.E.W.S. is a little bit annoying. It's obvious there are a few separate songs making up each track, so I don't really know what the point of that was.

i like them both. Xpectation is a lovely album and i still listen to that
one regularly. love the vanessa mae contributions.

news is cool too but i haven't listened to it in a while. don't know why
that is really. i suppose that's what this thread is for, to make me go
and play it again.

but the one i really f*cking adore is c-note although i never put
emptry room on the playlist when i spin this one. just those four
instrumental tracks:

copenhagen
nagoya
osake
tokyo

Nope!!!! just tried listening again before posting, but they bore the hell out of me!!!! Sorry!!!!!

syble said:

I wonder how many here also think Prince is famed for his lyrics.
IMO it's his music that stands out - his lyrics come a very distant 2nd.

But on topic.....NEWS is brilliant. Took a while to get into...just how i like it. People dont believe it's Prince when i play it. As for Xpectation....got it but havent listened to it thoroughly yet...as with C-note and some others.
I guess I'm leaving some for a rainy day.

IstenSzek said:

-- Co-Sign. I really feel this period was one of the most musically fruitful for Prince.