we've argued for years over whether prince should work with a producer and many of us ( me included) felt offended at the the very mention of it. i've changed course today after hearing interviews and tracks from the Al Green/qwest love collaboration "lay it down". Qwest Love talked about studying Al's greatest work, wanting to capture it and give it the respect and new life it deserves. I listened to snippets of all of the songs and purchased 2 and it is stunning, he succesfully captured vintage Al Green while incorporating new technology and young collaborators like Corrine Bailey Rae. I immediatly thought about prince, this courtesy out of respect for prince was offered-honor, respect etc- and prince ( and a lot of us) took it as an insult. It made me realize that a lot of our masters have blossomed through their collaborations as most people do in new friendships. I love Prince-but he is not above this, he can only prosper from it and it is that bubble world existance that will keep him treading water and dishing out self derivitive roadkill like 3121 and PE.Take your shots, i dont care, i'm saying this as a lover of prince, someone who wants him to rise back to musical glory not mainstream acceptance. If you think this is wrong the proof is in Al Greens "lay it down" coming out May 27th.
[Edited 5/16/08 1:54am]

Al Green is AMAZING, but whether he will ever work with Prince is really doubtful.

Qwest Love should produce prince, his work with Al greens latest is an example of why his offer to prince should have never been viewed as a slight.

I HEARD A STORY THAT QUEST AND D'ANGELO TOOK A TRIP TO PAISLEY PARK TO "VIBE" W/PRINCE, AND HE DOGGED 'EM!!!!!

that's so not going to happen anytime soon, if ever.

Every Golden cloud,
Has a Silver lining.

I don't know why some fans are so opposed to the idea, fear of the unknown?

Does it make the album any less Prince's if he worked with a producer? We know he can do it all himself, but even the best of the best run out of new ideas eventually and need to take stock or bring in some fresh blood or outside influences.

It has to be the right person/team though - I don't see any point in jumping on the latest Timbabland/Pharrell/whoever flavour of the month just to get a video in rotation on MTV and pop radio.



/
[Edited 5/16/08 7:11am]

NouveauDance said:

Oh, i'm not opposed to the idea.
I just don't think Prince's ego would ever allow that to happen.

It is an interesting idea but what exactly would a producer, in this case Questlove, really do ? I mean the job of a producer is very difficult to describe, really. Some make beats, some are more or less like critics in the studio and are somehow in charge of "quality control", some add instruments ( or reduce the number of instruments used) but Prince has always been a producer´s producer, with a very unique and creative sound, and it is difficult to imagine what someone like Questlove would actually be doing , supposed he were to produce something for Prince. Change the mix ? Louder guitar ? More simplicity ? Less polishing and rawer sounds, like back in the days ?

NouveauDance said:

Good point. I would hate for it to be some "hot" producer. Although, I think 'Tambabland' is quickly reaching his saturation point, not all of his shit is doing well lately...

producers have a lot of control over the mix and the sounds,QL incorporated a lot of stuff on the new al green album that had been lost. technology , personel and the artist mindset change, QL can objectively focus on certain elements of princes work that resonated because he is a student/fan prince cant EVER have the same objectivity-because it's his art.

I think it would be interesting to see how Prince fared with someone else as a producer, perhaps even if it was just for one or two songs

maybe the honey collective will help him mix some magic!
hope he gets passive & allows these gals some real fun...they just wanna get their sticky mitts on his goodies

lottielooloo1968 said:

chillichocaholic said:

Did Michelangelo hire a producer?

i love ?uestlove as he is phenominal drummer. and especially after seeing him live a few weeks ago i have even more respect 4 him and his craft.

now as a producer i'm not so sure of. the thing about what ur suggesting here in bringing him back 2 the mainstream is questionable at best. I have 2 say this only because it seems unrealistic that prince or anyone like al green will ever get back 2 their height of popularity. and that seems 2 b a lot of people's focus of where they want prince 2 b back at like it was 1984-1985 which won't happen regardless of a producer backing prince up or whatever. the music maybe better or worse, it's hard 2 say.

this philosphy happend around rave..oh prince is being backed up by clive davis and so and so is on the album. all great ideas don't pan out.

i can c ?uestlove being a few tracks with prince but nothing more than that. prince's ego won't allow someone else outside of his regime 2 come in and create a whole album with.

I know what you mean. I heard the album and it is great! But the way i see it is that Prince's carrier is not over but still growing so there is still time for him to maken more collaborations,like with ?uestlove and others
[Edited 5/20/08 12:25pm]

we arent talking height of popularity, please just sample al greens "lay it down" and you'll see what i'm talking about.what we are talking about here is a relationship that inspires, like meeting a new friend will add a wrinkle to all of us, Sprinsteen and all the greats will never sell as they did yet still could drop and inspired art on you here and there. Herbie Hancock did as well. prince is 50, and he's shunned QL ( maybe for his close conection to someone he viewed as a threat back then) a real dude- a real musician with a humble spirit. Yet he's inspired by fine assed women who have a cute name? the more he says he's been there done that, the more he stays the same-just from a different angle. Great artist have to stretch by exposure just like great fighters stretch by fighting other great fighters. When you hear Lay it Down and compare it to Musicology ( which had gems in my opinion) 3121 and PE you will say-OK no more excuses, this is a flaw (not that we all dont have them) and it needs to be addressed before he puts a bow on his body of work.

Prince and ?uestLove are cool or why else would have him at some the 3121 parties mixing a set and jammin'? It would be cool to see Prince forget about the mainstream and do something as funky and freaky as Frank Zappa's stuff. Prince's current sound is very polished. Too perfect and rehearsed. I love it just the same because the songs are still great. It would be interesting to hear What a new Prince recording would sound like recorded on all analog gear and to tape. I truly believe that limitation was a big part of his experimentation, which led to inspiration. He's still writing great songs and playing guitar with more conviction than ever. "Turn Me Loose" is jam. I wonder what the track sounds like.

I like the idea of P going back to analog. I've been saying for years it would be nice to hear him do an entire CD by himself again. No drum loops, drum machines, sequencers, etc. Just play a real kit, real bass guitar, keyboards, etc.

I was open for ?uest and D'angelo working w/ P back in 99, but the comments written about P in the "Voodoo" liner notes killed any hope of that.

SPYZFAN1 said:

i feel u on the getting rid of the loops drum machines etc..let's hear a slappin bass line groove real drums and work it 2 the max

trust me the last 8 years and "james river"experience leaves ?love open to do the damn thing with prince.