independent and unofficial
Prince fan community
Welcome! Sign up or enter username and password to remember me
Forum jump
Forums > Prince: Music and More > The MYTH of Prince's FUNK.
« Previous topic  Next topic »
Page 3 of 30 <123456789>Last »
  New topic   Printable     (Log in to 'subscribe' to this topic)
Reply #60 posted 08/19/08 9:10am

PurpleLove7

avatar

moderator

Funk is what Funk does and it's all about the FEELING of what Funk is or does. I wouldn't say P is a INNOVATOR of Funk or a pioneer of Funk but he's runnin' with those same cats ...
[Edited 8/19/08 9:14am]
Peace ... & Stay Funky ...

~* The only love there is, is the love "we" make *~

www.facebook.com/purplefunklover
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #61 posted 08/19/08 9:10am

KeithyT

avatar

I know we are talking about Funk as a musical genre here, but when, as Anxiety states in his post, Prince mentions something is funky, don't you ever get the impression he means funk as in the feeling? Funk is soul, music, life, a vibe (the opposite of what Toni Morrison describes as the funkless woman in The Bluest Eye).

Prince does have the funk, even if he doesn't play straight up Funk music very often. He is a soul singer. he screams, plays, shreds, stops on the one, chicken scratches, yelps, searches, as if his life depends on it. Most of the time anyway.
Just somewhere in the middle,
Not too good and not too bad.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #62 posted 08/19/08 9:13am

chocolate1

avatar

I've been reading along, and except for my song contribution, I wasn't sure where to jump in. I will say that what has bugged me is that sometimes people on HERE don't understand the differences. For example, someone will start a thread like, "Name your favorite Prince ballad" and people will start listing songs that are clearly NOT ballads.

So what I'm saying is that it's not really fair to rip into Prince for the misinformation of the people who try to categorize him. I don't think he's a funk master, I don't think he's a rock master... I think he's a master of PRINCE music. music
In the words of Jamie Foxx tryin' to be Ray: "He do what he do, Baby!" cool

Just my twocents

"Love Hurts.
Your lies, they cut me.
Now your words don't mean a thing.
I don't give a damn if you ever loved me..."

-Cher, "Woman's World"
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #63 posted 08/19/08 9:14am

ButterscotchPi
mp

avatar

PurpleLove7 said:

wonder505 said:



but that is their opinion!! and who cares?

[Edited 8/19/08 9:12am]



It's a good thing you edited that.
Because i was about to jump all over the fact that you said that James Brown isn't the funk and Prince IS?

Surely that's NOT what you were going to say, was it?
http://www.facebook.com/p...111?ref=ts
y'all gone keep messin' around wit me and turn me back to the old me......
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #64 posted 08/19/08 9:15am

Graycap23

ButterscotchPimp said:

Graycap23 said:


U asked 4 an example. I gave u one.



So you're saying that Scarlet Pussy (which really isn't funk) and the Exodus album (which is close) places Prince on the #4 list in your mind for funk music?

This from the man who said that W&L are as funky as Prince.
Ohh larwd.....
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #65 posted 08/19/08 9:15am

ButterscotchPi
mp

avatar

PurpleLove7 said:

Funk is what Funk does and it's all about the FEELING of what Funk is or does. I wouldn't say P is a INNOVATOR of Funk or a pioneer of Funk but he's runnin' with those same cats ...
[Edited 8/19/08 9:14am]



Well, in funk circles i'd argue he's not even in the same lane as the big boys. But if you think so, give me some examples!
http://www.facebook.com/p...111?ref=ts
y'all gone keep messin' around wit me and turn me back to the old me......
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #66 posted 08/19/08 9:16am

ButterscotchPi
mp

avatar

chocolate1 said:

I've been reading along, and except for my song contribution, I wasn't sure where to jump in. I will say that what has bugged me is that sometimes people on HERE don't understand the differences. For example, someone will start a thread like, "Name your favorite Prince ballad" and people will start listing songs that are clearly NOT ballads.

So what I'm saying is that it's not really fair to rip into Prince for the misinformation of the people who try to categorize him. I don't think he's a funk master, I don't think he's a rock master... I think he's a master of PRINCE music. music
In the words of Jamie Foxx tryin' to be Ray: "He do what he do, Baby!" cool

Just my twocents



As always, you're a voice of reason here. One of the few. Gracias.
http://www.facebook.com/p...111?ref=ts
y'all gone keep messin' around wit me and turn me back to the old me......
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #67 posted 08/19/08 9:17am

ButterscotchPi
mp

avatar

Graycap23 said:

ButterscotchPimp said:




So you're saying that Scarlet Pussy (which really isn't funk) and the Exodus album (which is close) places Prince on the #4 list in your mind for funk music?

This from the man who said that W&L are as funky as Prince.
Ohh larwd.....



Ah ah ah.
What i actually said was Prince isn't "dramatically" funkier.
In the truest sense of the genre, i maintain that neither is.

That's different.
http://www.facebook.com/p...111?ref=ts
y'all gone keep messin' around wit me and turn me back to the old me......
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #68 posted 08/19/08 9:19am

purplecam

avatar

And if I may add to this conversation, what's funk to me may not be funk to you. Does that negate what I hear in a song cause you don't see or hear something as funk or funky? That doesn't make a song any more or less or a "funk" song. Like Anx and KeithyT said, Prince incorporates funk in his music, it doesn't have to be 100% funk to be funky and there's nothing wrong with that. Funk is funk and like all of music, it hits people differently. As long as Prince does him thing, funk or not, I'm cool. I am not making excuses for Prince, this is just my opinion on the matter.
[Edited 8/19/08 9:21am]
I'm not a fan of "old Prince". I'm not a fan of "new Prince". I'm just a fan of Prince. Simple as that
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #69 posted 08/19/08 9:20am

Graycap23

ButterscotchPimp said:

Graycap23 said:


This from the man who said that W&L are as funky as Prince.
Ohh larwd.....



Ah ah ah.
What i actually said was Prince isn't "dramatically" funkier.
In the truest sense of the genre, i maintain that neither is.

That's different.

U are funny.....I'll give u that.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #70 posted 08/19/08 9:27am

dustysgirl

Prince can be funky. The difference between him and "funk" artists is that they are purely funk, whilst Prince is "funk" and other things at other times. He's more multi-dimensional in my opinion.

I've been listening to a lot of outtakes lately, and it seems to me that Prince had way more of a funkier sound "back-in-the-day" than he has as of late.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #71 posted 08/19/08 9:28am

ButterscotchPi
mp

avatar

Graycap23 said:

ButterscotchPimp said:




Ah ah ah.
What i actually said was Prince isn't "dramatically" funkier.
In the truest sense of the genre, i maintain that neither is.

That's different.

U are funny.....I'll give u that.



Well i'm glad that you think i am, when i'm not trying to be.

But to be specific, how is "Scarlet Pussy" DRAMATICALLY "funkier" than "Fruit On The Bottom"?

You have 2 POP artists using "funk elements". Now granted, Prince does it in more songs, but are the 2 tracks i just mentioned dramatically different "funk" wise?
http://www.facebook.com/p...111?ref=ts
y'all gone keep messin' around wit me and turn me back to the old me......
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #72 posted 08/19/08 9:28am

GeminiCalling

avatar

Prince isn't just a Funk musician- he has touched most genres in his music
However.....

Days of Wild
Head
A Love Bizarre
Hide The Bone
The Exodus Album

2 name but a few.....
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #73 posted 08/19/08 9:30am

Graycap23

ButterscotchPimp said:

Graycap23 said:


U are funny.....I'll give u that.



Well i'm glad that you think i am, when i'm not trying to be.

But to be specific, how is "Scarlet Pussy" DRAMATICALLY "funkier" than "Fruit On The Bottom"?

You have 2 POP artists using "funk elements". Now granted, Prince does it in more songs, but are the 2 tracks i just mentioned dramatically different "funk" wise?

W&L could be funky while sitting on the toilet.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #74 posted 08/19/08 9:30am

ButterscotchPi
mp

avatar

GeminiCalling said:

Prince isn't just a Funk musician- he has touched most genres in his music
However.....

Days of Wild
Head
A Love Bizarre
Hide The Bone
The Exodus Album

2 name but a few.....


Well, beyond the 2 we've already discussed i wouldn't call any of the tracks you listed "funk".

Interesting that you think "Head" and "A Love Bizarre" are funk, though. Helps me understand the mindset. Thanks.
http://www.facebook.com/p...111?ref=ts
y'all gone keep messin' around wit me and turn me back to the old me......
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #75 posted 08/19/08 9:31am

Efan

avatar

I remember this topic coming up a while ago here, and examples like "Data Bank" (Prince's version) and "La, La, La, He, He, Hee" were called "not funk," which I really didn't understand, because I wouldn't know which genre to put them in. But that's just my lack of knowledge.

I would also think, or assume, that a lot of jazz musicians would say something similar about all the times Prince is celebrated for putting elements of jazz in his music.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #76 posted 08/19/08 9:32am

ButterscotchPi
mp

avatar

Graycap23 said:

ButterscotchPimp said:




Well i'm glad that you think i am, when i'm not trying to be.

But to be specific, how is "Scarlet Pussy" DRAMATICALLY "funkier" than "Fruit On The Bottom"?

You have 2 POP artists using "funk elements". Now granted, Prince does it in more songs, but are the 2 tracks i just mentioned dramatically different "funk" wise?

W&L could be funky while sitting on the toilet.



Wow.
Again Gray, you seem more interested in putting them down than actually discussing the issue. So i guess you can't explain how "Scarlet Pussy" is funkier than "Fruit On The Bottom"? I'm assuming you've heard the track i've referenced?
http://www.facebook.com/p...111?ref=ts
y'all gone keep messin' around wit me and turn me back to the old me......
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #77 posted 08/19/08 9:33am

GeminiCalling

avatar

ButterscotchPimp said:

GeminiCalling said:

Prince isn't just a Funk musician- he has touched most genres in his music
However.....

Days of Wild
Head
A Love Bizarre
Hide The Bone
The Exodus Album

2 name but a few.....


Well, beyond the 2 we've already discussed i wouldn't call any of the tracks you listed "funk".

Interesting that you think "Head" and "A Love Bizarre" are funk, though. Helps me understand the mindset. Thanks.


4 the sake of ur argument, is there a difference between a 'funk' song & a song being 'funky'?
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #78 posted 08/19/08 9:33am

Graycap23

ButterscotchPimp said:

Graycap23 said:


W&L could be funky while sitting on the toilet.



Wow.
Again Gray, you seem more interested in putting them down than actually discussing the issue. So i guess you can't explain how "Scarlet Pussy" is funkier than "Fruit On The Bottom"? I'm assuming you've heard the track i've referenced?

W&L is NOT funk. Period.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #79 posted 08/19/08 9:35am

ButterscotchPi
mp

avatar

Efan said:

I remember this topic coming up a while ago here, and examples like "Data Bank" (Prince's version) and "La, La, La, He, He, Hee" were called "not funk," which I really didn't understand, because I wouldn't know which genre to put them in. But that's just my lack of knowledge.

I would also think, or assume, that a lot of jazz musicians would say something similar about all the times Prince is celebrated for putting elements of jazz in his music.



I get the confusion. "La La La" would be by Prince's definition "funk" and it's certainly one of his most obvious attempts at the genre. So sure, for Prince and i'm sure the majority of his fans, it's "funky".

I think Prince is a lot closer to a jazz musician than he is a "master of funk".
http://www.facebook.com/p...111?ref=ts
y'all gone keep messin' around wit me and turn me back to the old me......
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #80 posted 08/19/08 9:37am

ButterscotchPi
mp

avatar

Graycap23 said:

ButterscotchPimp said:




Wow.
Again Gray, you seem more interested in putting them down than actually discussing the issue. So i guess you can't explain how "Scarlet Pussy" is funkier than "Fruit On The Bottom"? I'm assuming you've heard the track i've referenced?

W&L is NOT funk. Period.



Okay, stomp your feet and make a proclamation.
Now can you explain how the 2 tracks i've mentioned are that different from a "funk" standpoint, or not?

Have you heard the song i'm referencing? Second time i'm asking that.
http://www.facebook.com/p...111?ref=ts
y'all gone keep messin' around wit me and turn me back to the old me......
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #81 posted 08/19/08 9:37am

Giovanni777

avatar

ButterscotchPimp said:

Graycap23 said:

Here u go with the JOKES again. Do u know any of these people. I assure u....u DON'T, cause that comment is pure nonsense.


I'm completely serious. Not joking even a little.
I knew you'd be the first one in here.

Like i said, i'm not going to name drop. Some folks in here know where I am, and what i do for a living, and who i used to be in bands with. Suffice it to say, Prince isn't taken seriously at all in the funk community. Not even a little.

So i'm curious as to how some of you arrived at the conclusion that Prince is somehow the "gold standard" for FUNK?


Yo Pimp. I'm usually with U on most stuff, but not this.

It doesn't matter AT ALL if Prince is taken seriously or not by some cats, because others know he's the real deal. There R plenty of musicians from many genres of music that don't take Prince seriously. It's usually because of his image, or former status as a pop star.

FACT IS... When it comes 2 guitar, bass, keys, and drums, Prince is TRULY funky. I mean HEY. We both play guitar, right? How can U say his rhythm playing isn't funky?? His timing is perfect and unique. He is as tight on the Bass.
"He's a musician's musician..."
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #82 posted 08/19/08 9:37am

Graycap23

ButterscotchPimp said:

Graycap23 said:


W&L is NOT funk. Period.



Okay, stomp your feet and make a proclamation.
Now can you explain how the 2 tracks i've mentioned are that different from a "funk" standpoint, or not?

Have you heard the song i'm referencing? Second time i'm asking that.

I own all of W&L material.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #83 posted 08/19/08 9:38am

PurpleLove7

avatar

moderator

ButterscotchPimp said:

PurpleLove7 said:

Funk is what Funk does and it's all about the FEELING of what Funk is or does. I wouldn't say P is a INNOVATOR of Funk or a pioneer of Funk but he's runnin' with those same cats ...
[Edited 8/19/08 9:14am]



Well, in funk circles i'd argue he's not even in the same lane as the big boys. But if you think so, give me some examples!


It's more of a personal opinion when I put P up there with JB or P-Funk. I was just like any other cat growin' up that listened to my father's records and my stepfather's records. I learned about Jazz, Funk and R&B. I get your point but it is a matter of opinion for any Orger or Fam/Fan of P's to classify what we think about his music/funk #'s ...
Peace ... & Stay Funky ...

~* The only love there is, is the love "we" make *~

www.facebook.com/purplefunklover
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #84 posted 08/19/08 9:41am

Tame

avatar

ButterscotchPimp said:

Graycap23 said:




Those are u words not mine. Prince is many things, funk just being one of them. That comment is laughable.

Number one, your own ears should be the determining factor, not someone elses comments or thoughts. Prince's FUNK can stand up 2 anyones. Just listen 4 yourself. There is no debate here. If u don't like it, so be it, but 2 come here and make such silly comments is well.....silly. Your point seems 2 be 2 riles folks up 4 absolutely no reason. Is there a point 2 this?



See, here we go. I'm not belittling anyone's opinion. I'm not calling what you're saying "silly". I'm not trying to rile anyone up. I'm asking you and anyone else that puts other artists down for not being as "funky" as Prince to explain this position.

My ears are just fine. I was born in DETROIT. Believe me, my ears know FUNK when they hear it. And where Prince has occasionally done some stuff that could be defined as "funky" MAYBE, in the purest sense of what the GENRE IS, he's NOT the "bearer of the funk". Some of you act like he is, and i seriously want to know WHY.

This is one of those threads, where if you want to get into a track by track comparison i'm all for it. But i'm going to be using REAL "bearers of the funk" as a measuring stick, so beware.


That is one of the cutest things I have ever read..."My ears are just fine, I was born in DETROIT." Now that's some hometown pride for ya... cool

As for Prince being the "Keeper of the Funk," I know he's got it in at least one pocket. cool
"The Lion Sleeps Tonight...
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #85 posted 08/19/08 9:42am

laurarichardso
n

ButterscotchPimp said:

You know, i really was trying to avoid doing this but it's gotten to the point where i can't ignore it anymore. What's going on in the Wendy & Lisa thread has pushed me to my breaking point.

Not telling anyone else how to think. Like all things Prince related, everyone has an opinion. Like the one i keep hearing lately about how the Revolution wasn't "funky". Or was so much less "funky" than later incarnations of the band. Or when i hear another artist being put down for not being as "funky" as Prince.

Well here's the deal i'd like to discuss now.

-----

Prince isn't that "funky". Not in the purest definition of the genre. Sure he likes to throw the word around, but in the PUREST sense of the genre he's not even taken that seriously.

Short of George using Prince to get yet another label home for a minute, no one in the P-Funk camp takes Prince seriously from a "funk" standpoint. To be blunt, he's a joke in the real "funk" camp. He's LAUGHED AT. He's respected as a musician, and for having a lengthy career, but Prince is so fucking far from the "standard bearer" for funk that's it's not even funny. I'm not pulling this opinion out of my ass (although i know i'm going to get accused of doing just that). I'm in Detroit and know and have talked to quite a few heavy hitters over the years who are main-stays in the funk community and Prince isn't taken seriously with these guys AT ALL.

I mean short of borrowing some stage tricks from James Brown, as well as some horn inflections (also borrowed from JB'S) in the TRUEST sense of the genre, how is Prince really that "funky"?

So explain to me how to some of you, Prince became the "keeper of the FUNK"?

-----
"I'm not pulling this opinion out of my ass "

Yes, you are but let me say this how can an artist who put his own mark on the funk genre be considered a joke in funk circles.

All of this stuff he wrote and recorded with the Time is funky and Controversy and Let's Work are classics.

If anyone is dissing P it is because he was able to cross musical genres and sell records to both black and white audiences something P funk was never able to do. Just a little jelousy.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #86 posted 08/19/08 9:45am

ButterscotchPi
mp

avatar

Giovanni777 said:

ButterscotchPimp said:



I'm completely serious. Not joking even a little.
I knew you'd be the first one in here.

Like i said, i'm not going to name drop. Some folks in here know where I am, and what i do for a living, and who i used to be in bands with. Suffice it to say, Prince isn't taken seriously at all in the funk community. Not even a little.

So i'm curious as to how some of you arrived at the conclusion that Prince is somehow the "gold standard" for FUNK?


Yo Pimp. I'm usually with U on most stuff, but not this.

It doesn't matter AT ALL if Prince is taken seriously or not by some cats, because others know he's the real deal. There R plenty of musicians from many genres of music that don't take Prince seriously. It's usually because of his image, or former status as a pop star.

FACT IS... When it comes 2 guitar, bass, keys, and drums, Prince is TRULY funky. I mean HEY. We both play guitar, right? How can U say his rhythm playing isn't funky?? His timing is perfect and unique. He is as tight on the Bass.


G, i'm NOT saying Prince isn't "funky".
Yes he's funky as a mofo on the rhythm guitar and he's severely underrated on the bass.

This discussion is a bit broader. I'm not talking about Prince's individual skills as a musician. I'm talking about Prince's overall music from a genre standpoint.
http://www.facebook.com/p...111?ref=ts
y'all gone keep messin' around wit me and turn me back to the old me......
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #87 posted 08/19/08 9:47am

Efan

avatar

ButterscotchPimp said:

I get the confusion. "La La La" would be by Prince's definition "funk" and it's certainly one of his most obvious attempts at the genre. So sure, for Prince and i'm sure the majority of his fans, it's "funky".


But why wouldn't it be funk by anyone's definition? What's the part that Prince and the majority of fans are missing? I understand if you're saying you consider it poor or weak funk, but it sounds like you're saying it's not funk at all. Does it technically belong in some other genre?
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #88 posted 08/19/08 9:48am

Tame

avatar

I think that a lot of bands have "Funky" in them...and the first band that came to my mind was "Cameo." One of the funkiest songs ever, has got to be..."Talkin' out the side of your neck." cool

She's Strange...Give the Gold medal Funk award to "Cameo" if ya ask me. cool
"The Lion Sleeps Tonight...
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #89 posted 08/19/08 9:49am

ButterscotchPi
mp

avatar

laurarichardson said:

ButterscotchPimp said:

You know, i really was trying to avoid doing this but it's gotten to the point where i can't ignore it anymore. What's going on in the Wendy & Lisa thread has pushed me to my breaking point.

Not telling anyone else how to think. Like all things Prince related, everyone has an opinion. Like the one i keep hearing lately about how the Revolution wasn't "funky". Or was so much less "funky" than later incarnations of the band. Or when i hear another artist being put down for not being as "funky" as Prince.

Well here's the deal i'd like to discuss now.

-----

Prince isn't that "funky". Not in the purest definition of the genre. Sure he likes to throw the word around, but in the PUREST sense of the genre he's not even taken that seriously.

Short of George using Prince to get yet another label home for a minute, no one in the P-Funk camp takes Prince seriously from a "funk" standpoint. To be blunt, he's a joke in the real "funk" camp. He's LAUGHED AT. He's respected as a musician, and for having a lengthy career, but Prince is so fucking far from the "standard bearer" for funk that's it's not even funny. I'm not pulling this opinion out of my ass (although i know i'm going to get accused of doing just that). I'm in Detroit and know and have talked to quite a few heavy hitters over the years who are main-stays in the funk community and Prince isn't taken seriously with these guys AT ALL.

I mean short of borrowing some stage tricks from James Brown, as well as some horn inflections (also borrowed from JB'S) in the TRUEST sense of the genre, how is Prince really that "funky"?

So explain to me how to some of you, Prince became the "keeper of the FUNK"?

-----
"I'm not pulling this opinion out of my ass "

Yes, you are but let me say this how can an artist who put his own mark on the funk genre be considered a joke in funk circles.

All of this stuff he wrote and recorded with the Time is funky and Controversy and Let's Work are classics.

If anyone is dissing P it is because he was able to cross musical genres and sell records to both black and white audiences something P funk was never able to do. Just a little jelousy.



Again, yes the Time stuff and Let's Work are classics but they're not "funk" in the definition of the genre. Again, like what some others have pointed out i think there's some confusion amongst some Prince fans as to what funk actually is. Controversy isn't "funk". Neither is "Let's Work". And certainly nothing the Time ever did. I'm getting people are generally confusing "funky" with "funk".
http://www.facebook.com/p...111?ref=ts
y'all gone keep messin' around wit me and turn me back to the old me......
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Page 3 of 30 <123456789>Last »
  New topic   Printable     (Log in to 'subscribe' to this topic)
« Previous topic  Next topic »
Forums > Prince: Music and More > The MYTH of Prince's FUNK.