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Printabledude, stop this bitch fighting
funny as hell but getting a little tired after 10 bloody pages. some of this topic is really interesting, shut up and and get back on to it | |
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savvy said: Prince isn't that "funky". Not in the purest definition of the genre. And what higher power has – A. Created such a definition. B. Bestowed the power to interpret this definition upon you? 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. No such 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. No such person as as a”Standard Bearer”. I'm not pulling this opinion out of my ass No, you're pulling it out of hatred. (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 No such 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"? This ladies and gentlemen is just about the stupidest post I have ever seen on any forum ever. How can someone that says so little be so hated (like he claims)? First – Beware of anyone that says they can define “funk”. That's like defining the “Blues”. Funk is a feeling. Second – He talks about funk like it's some structured place, like there are a set of instructions or ingredients that make it up. What a bunch of shit. There is an old SNL sketch in which Dan Akroyd plays the part of Tom Snyder interviewing BB King. He asks BB King, “What exactly are 'the blues'?” The audience laughed of course. Now for the first time in years, he's back, Tom Snyder, played by someone calling himself, of all things, “ButterscotchPimp”[/quote] Ah. Nothing like a salty KAK showing up at the end of the convo with a purple sword in hand ready to defend his liege!!! There is OBVIOUSLY a funk genre, so for there to be a genre there must be a definition. And of course with art being subjective, there is more than one definition. And for you to imply that there is no "funk camp" would show how little you know about the genre. Not going to explain that one. Suffice it to say, those within the know are aware of the camp, and it's pretty easy to know who's in it. (and i'm NOT saying that I am, i just have access) The rest of the shit you're babbling about comes across like listening to Charlie Brown's teacher. You think i'm a "Prince-hater" and should go away. Join the club. (maybe i should make membership cards?) http://www.facebook.com/p...111?ref=ts
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laurarichardson said: 2freaky4church1 said: Much of his stuff is not actually funky, only from a colder place. Hard to dance to lots of his grooves.
And it is easy to dance to some of the "Funkadelic stuff"?  From a dj standpoint? YEAH. I can get a dance floor moving MUCH easier to a Funkadelic song than i can a Prince song. Mind you that's with a NEUTRAL crowd. Believe it or not, i used to dj a Prince night once a month here in Detroit. (i know. and from a Prince hater! ARRRRRGH!!!!!) http://www.facebook.com/p...111?ref=ts
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laurarichardson said: ButterscotchPimp said: Who's Rickey Vincent? ----- Okay Mr.Detroit you just lost your funk card. Check out Ricky's book and website and get back to us. 
Believe me, my funk card is membership for life. Don't believe me, ask around the camp. But, that being said i am going to check out Rickey's book and some of his radio shows fo sho. http://www.facebook.com/p...111?ref=ts
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robinesque said: Most people seem to agree that while Prince may be funky, he is not a Funk artist because he is pulling together somany other elements (but that funk is definately one of them).
As for the 'keeper of funk' or 'keeping funk alive'... maybe he is without acyually being a 'true funk artist in the purest definition of the genre'. A number of people in the thread have said that Prince introduced them to a larger world of funk... If through listening to Prince people are inpsired to listen/ play funk themselves... doesn't that make him somewhat of a gate-keeper into that world. For me personally, it was through listening to the Beastie Boys. I saw them live, and i went away feeling a desperate need to know more. You know, some people can step up with an opinion and it's no problem! You make a very good point. I hadn't really thought of it like that. I guess in that aspect, he would be somewhat of a gate-keeper for the funk. WELL DONE! see ya'll, it can be done! and it's really not that hard! http://www.facebook.com/p...111?ref=ts
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FuNkeNsteiN said: savvy said: This ladies and gentlemen is just about the stupidest post I have ever seen on any forum ever. You don't read a lot of posts over here at Music & More then, do you? 
ain't THAT the god's honest truth. if THIS is the dumbest thing ever posted on the Org, this place would be WAY more interesting than it is. I know, let's have a thread about whether Prince should marry a fan!!!!! That's WAY SMARTER!!!!  http://www.facebook.com/p...111?ref=ts
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jdcxc said: Wow, all this over one person's definition of Funk. Funk is a subgenre of Rock and Roll which is a derivative of "Race" music, Blues, etc. You can get a little crazy trying to define musical variations. I would say that P is not "purely" a funk genre artist but he has definately created funk songs and dabbled in live funk moments in concert.
BP, How can you say Heatwave and Isley Brothers are torch bearers for the funk when they also routinely crossed genre lines? I just saw Brick in concert in Atlanta. Now they definately were still flying the funk flag. Definately underrated musicians and funksters. They got down! George Clinton and P's "We Can Funk" is a funk jam. You know, i wish i had a prize because i SPECIFICALLY avoided bringing up "We Can Funk" just to see how long it would take someone to use that as an example! so you get the BSP "inviso-award"! Now i didn't mean to say that Heatwave and the Isley's were "torch bearers", just to say that they'd recorded some songs that are widely considered to be "funk classics". Brick!!! fuck yeah. now THAT'S the FUNK. Dazz!!!!! ooo ooo! http://www.facebook.com/p...111?ref=ts
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hollywooddove said: this proves to me that the funky side of Prince is just about the most funk that I have been exposed to.
I am not a funkologist. I must be a Princeologist. who is a musicologist. anyone get the gist? I get the gist. Go on, with yo bad self! http://www.facebook.com/p...111?ref=ts
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hollywooddove said: btw I went to youtube and found Fruit at the Bottom.
Not even impressed. Also, type in SOTT (long version) on youtube and you will find Simple Minds covering the song. It's a wonder they ain't been yanked. WEB SHERIFF, you missed one you incompetent focks. Love when Web Sheriff misses stuff. HA! AGAIN, i wasn't holding up "Fruit At The Bottom" as a "funk jam". I wanted to know why it was DRAMATICALLY LESS FUNKY than "Scarlet Pussy". http://www.facebook.com/p...111?ref=ts
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robinesque said: dude, stop this bitch fighting
funny as hell but getting a little tired after 10 bloody pages. some of this topic is really interesting, shut up and and get back on to it who, me????  http://www.facebook.com/p...111?ref=ts
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I tell ya what, I'll take threads like this over the "lets drool over Prince's butt again" threads any day.
Y'all mugs had me listening to P all day today scoping out some funk and I did find some. Prince's brand of funk, for the most part is of the stylized-hybrid type. As for pure, nasty, dirty, low-down, stank, gut-bucket FONK, I found very little.
That observation is NOT a diss to brotha man P. I luuuuve the way he morphs genres into his own Princey creations. No one else does it quite like he does. Prince, in you I found a kindred spirit...Rest In Paradise. | |
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babynoz said: I tell ya what, I'll take threads like this over the "lets drool over Prince's butt again" threads any day.
Y'all mugs had me listening to P all day today scoping out some funk and I did find some. Prince's brand of funk, for the most part is of the stylized-hybrid type. As for pure, nasty, dirty, low-down, stank, gut-bucket FONK, I found very little.
That observation is NOT a diss to brotha man P. I luuuuve the way he morphs genres into his own Princey creations. No one else does it quite like he does. You know what's funny? I haven't listened to Prince as much as i have these last couple of days too. My IPOD kept playing Scarlet Pussy in the car, like it was trying to tell me something! And it spit out Hide The Bone too. A bunch of other stuff, but i laughed when both of those came on. http://www.facebook.com/p...111?ref=ts
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This thread demonstrates the obvious. You cant really describe or define P's stuff easily. Somebody said if you can describe it, it aint funky. | |
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ButterscotchPimp said: jdcxc said: Wow, all this over one person's definition of Funk. Funk is a subgenre of Rock and Roll which is a derivative of "Race" music, Blues, etc. You can get a little crazy trying to define musical variations. I would say that P is not "purely" a funk genre artist but he has definately created funk songs and dabbled in live funk moments in concert.
BP, How can you say Heatwave and Isley Brothers are torch bearers for the funk when they also routinely crossed genre lines? I just saw Brick in concert in Atlanta. Now they definately were still flying the funk flag. Definately underrated musicians and funksters. They got down! George Clinton and P's "We Can Funk" is a funk jam. You know, i wish i had a prize because i SPECIFICALLY avoided bringing up "We Can Funk" just to see how long it would take someone to use that as an example! so you get the BSP "inviso-award"! Now i didn't mean to say that Heatwave and the Isley's were "torch bearers", just to say that they'd recorded some songs that are widely considered to be "funk classics". Brick!!! fuck yeah. now THAT'S the FUNK. Dazz!!!!! ooo ooo! The way "ONE person defines funk."??? 12 hours ago it was the way some "heavy hitters" in Detroit define the word (a word which can't be defined in the first place). If I wanted to play the "What about _____" game, like your little "We Can Funk" BS, I wouldn't have used that as an example. I leave it to your idiocy to define a funky sound as something that can only possibly be associated with George Clinton. If I were to play that game I would just say two words, "The Time". Most of the material on the first two albums is his. But wait, let me guess...don't tell me...That music isn't funk either....right? Maceo, Bernie, Bootsy, even Roger pops up from the grave and says, "777-9311? Awww, that shit ain't any different then the average Kelly Clarkson track." | |
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ButterscotchPimp said: hollywooddove said: btw I went to youtube and found Fruit at the Bottom.
Not even impressed. Also, type in SOTT (long version) on youtube and you will find Simple Minds covering the song. It's a wonder they ain't been yanked. WEB SHERIFF, you missed one you incompetent focks. Love when Web Sheriff misses stuff. HA! AGAIN, i wasn't holding up "Fruit At The Bottom" as a "funk jam". I wanted to know why it was DRAMATICALLY LESS FUNKY than "Scarlet Pussy". Does anyone in here like Scarlett Pussy? I mean really. Just the mental image... Scarlet fever plus pussy.... scary. I don't even think it's funky. We are all so full of  here | |
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What a retarded topic. Spend less time listening to jealous dickheads in your hometown.
Off the top of my head... Soft & Wet Head Controversy Sexy Dancer Most of the Black Album I Feel For You Partyup Lady Cab Driver Let's Work Housequake 3121 Of course, these are pretty generic funk tracks. The man can shit those kind of tracks with ease but usually leaves that for the side-projects...he's got more of a broad musical ability than your typical funk act, and would no doubt find it boring to coast in that manner. Again, this is one fucking retarded topic. | |
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wasitgood4u said: WHy has no-one mentioned the extended version of I Wish U Heaven (PArts 1,2 & 3 I think).
I can totally undrstand why people would say P isn't a "funk artist" or the be all and end all of funk - mainly, as has been said, because he merges genres and shifts all over the place. OTOH, don't forget GC's "crossover" solo stuff from the 80s which I think is funky as shit! (I mean that as a positive  )
I think there is argument for P's funk baton-bearing rather than saying that he's the ultimate funk artist. There is a series of developments of artists who focused on funk and took it from one place to another having a huge impact on how others played it. P was influential in taking the funk of JB, P-F, Sly and twisting it (you can call it diluting or mixing if you like) in a way that changed the way a lot of funk/funky music is/was played. I mean if you judge P-Funk based on the criteria of JB"s music, they're not Funk, and same vis-a-vis Sly etc. OTOH I think one thing that reduced P's impact in this area is the parallel development of Hip-Hop as the next generation of Funk. But that's a whole other debate. The other thing which obviously diminishes P's funk standing is that, unlike the other cited artists, he's not known MAINLY as a funk musician or for funk music and that's not all he does or tries to do. But I agree with those who have said that funk underlies most of what he's doing and nearly all his music - a kind of starting point. Take the funk out of "Pop Life" say, and what have you got? Does that make it a funk trak? JB would never have made anything like Atomic Dog or even Give Up Tha Funk, does that mean they're not Funk? JB also does straight up soul BTW and stuff that's semi-gospel. That doesn't stop him being Funky... [Edited 8/20/08 4:01am] here is a series of developments of artists who focused on funk and took it from one place to another having a huge impact on how others played it. P was influential in taking the funk of JB, P-F, Sly and twisting it (you can call it diluting or mixing if you like) in a way that changed the way a lot of funk/funky music is/was played.
I agree with the above quote...as for I Wish U Heaven (additional 'parts')...that is truly funky... "Tell me who in this house know about sweet heaven....WE DO!...fishtail."  Snare drum pound on the 2 & 4 | |
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Again, for Erotic City being "funky" i'd give it a ten cuz i love the song. HOWEVER, i wouldn't necessarily call Erotic City a "funk" song. I know that it's confusing as hell for some of ya'll to grasp the difference, but there is one. .[/quote] Huh? So "Erotic City" is NOT funk music? Whats it then? A rock song? You are familiar withe the fact that P wrote this after seeing George on stage, arent you? And of course you're familiar with the fact that some professional musicians completely deny that there is a genre like "Funk" at all - to them it#s basically all R&B. Because theres is no "real defintion" for funk per se apart from stuff like "keeping the beat on the one" and a "more rythm oriented sound" and so on..... So please first how would cou define funk music? I dont mean whats funky or not, but what makes a song a funk song in your oppinion. I'm really curious now... [Edited 8/21/08 2:04am] [Edited 8/21/08 2:05am] "ohYeeeeeah" said: I'm a massive Bowie fan. Even on Scary Monsters, I always skip Fame ... |
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savvy said:[quote] ButterscotchPimp said: The way "ONE person defines funk."??? 12 hours ago it was the way some "heavy hitters" in Detroit define the word (a word which can't be defined in the first place). AMEN! "ohYeeeeeah" said: I'm a massive Bowie fan. Even on Scary Monsters, I always skip Fame ... |
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prince is not a forefather, as a 40 year old i was exposed to those (real) cats by older cousins and uncles. yet at the same time purple funk was the funk of my youth, not as gritty or real because prince aint a funk artist, he's the ultimate derivitive artist who happens to work his ass off. i'm sure alot of the real funk guys ( just like jazz and rock guitarist) respect his ethic. To me prince is the keeper of true musicianship, not any particular genre like KRS One is the keeper of real MC skills. That to some he be viewed as the keeper of Funk is more of a compliment to his versititlity, a lot of the guys you know that knock him are Hating. They shouldnt because Prince has respect for them and Prince knows the industry game, he's just the most visable artist from a true musicians standpoint that employs Funk. And about George Clinton, if your sources feel like he used Prince to get his shit poppin with a label back then now we know why that shit did not have the same passion and fire because George wasnt keepin the Funk. His sponsoring sentiment was all wrong and it manifested itself in the music.Not picking on george, prince has shown that he can be guilty of that shit too ( Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic Anyone?). The next time you talk to your sources ask them if Prince is real with his, ask them if he can match chops with them, i gurantee you they'll start stuttering and shit. [Edited 8/21/08 2:09am] | |
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ButterscotchPimp said: 2freaky4church1 said: Much of his stuff is not actually funky, only from a colder place. Hard to dance to lots of his grooves.
Co-sign. i find the 'hard to dance to' comment interesting...because for me, Prince really has the ability to get people partying in the live context. he gets people to clap their hands, stomp their feet. Snare drum pound on the 2 & 4 | |
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Prince ain't funky, huh? These jams beg to differ....
Scarlet Pussy Jerk Out It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Night Hello (12" version) Hide The Bone Superfunkcalifragisexy Head Sexuality Dream Factory Controversy We Can Funk (original) Party Up Movie Star D.M.S.R. 1+1+1 is 3 F.U.N.K. Lady Cab Driver Housequake Black MF In The House Push Escape We Gets Up Chocolate Irresistable Bitch (live on Purple Rain tour) Rock Hard In A Funky Place Face Down (live 97) Let's Work Billy Jack Bitch Musicology [Edited 8/21/08 3:38am] | |
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I have said this many times .
Prince brought balence to the Funk. James Brown- Father of the Funk then Sly and the Family Stone- Hippy Funk Parlement/Funkadelic- Psychodelic Funk Rick James - Funk and Roll In the center stands Prince whose Funk is so subtle you really have to listen to get it but it is at the base of his music. Now a even better question is to ask who is going to keep the legacy alive ? |
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MyLawd said: wasitgood4u said: WHy has no-one mentioned the extended version of I Wish U Heaven (PArts 1,2 & 3 I think).
I can totally undrstand why people would say P isn't a "funk artist" or the be all and end all of funk - mainly, as has been said, because he merges genres and shifts all over the place. OTOH, don't forget GC's "crossover" solo stuff from the 80s which I think is funky as shit! (I mean that as a positive )
I think there is argument for P's funk baton-bearing rather than saying that he's the ultimate funk artist. There is a series of developments of artists who focused on funk and took it from one place to another having a huge impact on how others played it. P was influential in taking the funk of JB, P-F, Sly and twisting it (you can call it diluting or mixing if you like) in a way that changed the way a lot of funk/funky music is/was played. I mean if you judge P-Funk based on the criteria of JB"s music, they're not Funk, and same vis-a-vis Sly etc. OTOH I think one thing that reduced P's impact in this area is the parallel development of Hip-Hop as the next generation of Funk. But that's a whole other debate. The other thing which obviously diminishes P's funk standing is that, unlike the other cited artists, he's not known MAINLY as a funk musician or for funk music and that's not all he does or tries to do. But I agree with those who have said that funk underlies most of what he's doing and nearly all his music - a kind of starting point. Take the funk out of "Pop Life" say, and what have you got? Does that make it a funk trak? JB would never have made anything like Atomic Dog or even Give Up Tha Funk, does that mean they're not Funk? JB also does straight up soul BTW and stuff that's semi-gospel. That doesn't stop him being Funky... [Edited 8/20/08 4:01am] here is a series of developments of artists who focused on funk and took it from one place to another having a huge impact on how others played it. P was influential in taking the funk of JB, P-F, Sly and twisting it (you can call it diluting or mixing if you like) in a way that changed the way a lot of funk/funky music is/was played.
I agree with the above quote...as for I Wish U Heaven (additional 'parts')...that is truly funky... "Tell me who in this house know about sweet heaven....WE DO!...fishtail." Thanks MyLawd - I was thinking that no-one actually read what I wrote!!! [Edited 8/21/08 3:53am] "We've never been able to pull off a funk number"
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MattyJam said: Prince ain't funky, huh? These jams beg to differ....
Scarlet Pussy Jerk Out It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Night Hello (12" version) Hide The Bone Superfunkcalifragisexy Head Sexuality Dream Factory Controversy We Can Funk (original) Party Up Movie Star D.M.S.R. 1+1+1 is 3 F.U.N.K. Lady Cab Driver Housequake Black MF In The House Push Escape We Gets Up Chocolate Irresistable Bitch (live on Purple Rain tour) Rock Hard In A Funky Place Face Down (live 97) Let's Work Billy Jack Bitch Musicology [Edited 8/21/08 3:38am] Preach some mo'  Snare drum pound on the 2 & 4 | |
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I was just trying to apply the linnaeun system of classification to sort this out in my head...
Kingdom: Phylum: Class: Order : Family: Genus: Species While I was trying to work out if Prince was his own genus or family (species being the indiviual artist), I realised that it just doesn't work... because species divergence is much simpler than musical divergence. Sure, Funk may birth a whole lot of sub genres, but those subgenres may be equally related to other genres so in biology you don't get 'inter-breeding' any higher than species level... in music you get it at all levels, and thus makes it a bitch to classify.. good god, could I be a bigger nerd? | |
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robinesque said: I was just trying to apply the linnaeun system of classification to sort this out in my head...
Kingdom: Phylum: Class: Order : Family: Genus: Species While I was trying to work out if Prince was his own genus or family (species being the indiviual artist), I realised that it just doesn't work... because species divergence is much simpler than musical divergence. Sure, Funk may birth a whole lot of sub genres, but those subgenres may be equally related to other genres so in biology you don't get 'inter-breeding' any higher than species level... in music you get it at all levels, and thus makes it a bitch to classify.. good god, could I be a bigger nerd? your analysis was clear Snare drum pound on the 2 & 4 | |
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The problem appears to be that some people cannot stay within the defined parameters of a debate - Butterscotch clearly set the boundaries by asking to discuss Prince in the "pure funk" genre. It is then entirely irrelevant to start talking about Prince's undeniable ability to blend genres - that is not the point of this discussion.
The problem also lies with what seems to be a general misunderstanding - the difference between being "funky" and being a "funk artist". Matty, I give you props for giving us a list of Prince's funkiest jams and, sure, they are funky, but not necessarily funk. Have you ever tasted something and said, "Hmmm, that is creamy", yet what you were tasting was not actually cream? Of course you have and it is the same here. Just because something is "funky" (that is, possessing elements of, or being similar to), it does not follow that it is actual funk. Its going to be difficult for many to grasp, but when you dilute Prince's music down to a specific genre, he is not the class-leader in any of them. No-one should be foolish enough to consider that Prince is the best "rock", the best "funk", the best "R&B" or whatever category. Only when you take the man's music in all its wild combinations can you then start appreciating his greatness (and I'm still not going to say that he's necessarily the best there anyway, but certainly ranks amongst the greatest). One thing I will give props to in this thread (and Butterscotch did the same) is that someone said that Prince has managed to generate interest in funk, without being a funk artist - that deserves a mention both on Prince's part and the poster who realised this. [Edited 8/21/08 5:34am] ...we have only scratched the surface of what the mind can do...
My dance project; www.zubzub.co.uk Listen to any of my tracks in full, for free, here; www.zubzub.bandcamp.com Go and glisten | |
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Mindflux said: The problem appears to be that some people cannot stay within the defined parameters of a debate - Butterscotch clearly set the boundaries by asking to discuss Prince in the "pure funk" genre. It is then entirely irrelevant to start talking about Prince's undeniable ability to blend genres - that is not the point of this discussion.
The problem also lies with what seems to be a general misunderstanding - the difference between being "funky" and being a "funk artist". Matty, I give you props for giving us a list of Prince's funkiest jams and, sure, they are funky, but not necessarily funk. Have you ever tasted something and said, "Hmmm, that is creamy", yet what you were tasting was not actually cream? Of course you have and it is the same here. Just because something is "funky" (that is, possessing elements of, or being similar to), it does not follow that it is actual funk. Its going to be difficult for many to grasp, but when you dilute Prince's music down to a specific genre, he is not the class-leader in any of them. No-one should be foolish enough to consider that Prince is the best "rock", the best "funk", the best "R&B" or whatever category. Only when you take the man's music in all its wild combinations can you then start appreciating his greatness (and I'm still not going to say that he's necessarily the best there anyway, but certainly ranks amongst the greatest). One thing I will give props to in this thread (and Butterscotch did the same) is that someone said that Prince has managed to generate interest in funk, without being a funk artist - that deserves a mention both on Prince's part and the poster who realised this. [Edited 8/21/08 5:34am] with all due respect to your concerns, but if the original boundaries of the question related to Prince being "pure funk" was it not a rhetorical ? to begin with? also, should the denotation of the word "funk" be solely interpreted within the context of musicology? i don't think the word funkay  just relates to music with a funk beat like la la la hee hee hee (the dawg barks on the beat), but to a person who is also funky (and i'm not talkin' about armpits after shaking what your mother gave ya on the dance floor either)
[Edited 8/21/08 6:01am] [Edited 8/21/08 6:03am] Snare drum pound on the 2 & 4 | |
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Mindflux said: The problem appears to be that some people cannot stay within the defined parameters of a debate - Butterscotch clearly set the boundaries by asking to discuss Prince in the "pure funk" genre. It is then entirely irrelevant to start talking about Prince's undeniable ability to blend genres - that is not the point of this discussion.
The problem also lies with what seems to be a general misunderstanding - the difference between being "funky" and being a "funk artist". Matty, I give you props for giving us a list of Prince's funkiest jams and, sure, they are funky, but not necessarily funk. Have you ever tasted something and said, "Hmmm, that is creamy", yet what you were tasting was not actually cream? Of course you have and it is the same here. Just because something is "funky" (that is, possessing elements of, or being similar to), it does not follow that it is actual funk. Its going to be difficult for many to grasp, but when you dilute Prince's music down to a specific genre, he is not the class-leader in any of them. No-one should be foolish enough to consider that Prince is the best "rock", the best "funk", the best "R&B" or whatever category. Only when you take the man's music in all its wild combinations can you then start appreciating his greatness (and I'm still not going to say that he's necessarily the best there anyway, but certainly ranks amongst the greatest). One thing I will give props to in this thread (and Butterscotch did the same) is that someone said that Prince has managed to generate interest in funk, without being a funk artist - that deserves a mention both on Prince's part and the poster who realised this. [Edited 8/21/08 5:34am] I get what you're saying and it makes sense, but I think that part of the debate was over the existence of "pure funk." I don't subscribe to that "Funk is a feeling" nonsense - funk is definitely a genre of music, the question is whether it is or ever was "pure." You can be old-school or relate to funk from a particular era or style (e.g. 70s, P-Funk etc.), but I think that's missing what funk is as much as those that say "it's a feeling, it's whatever you want it to be." Funk has always been dynamic - James' funk is not the same as GC's or Sly's or Ohio Players etc. I still think there's an argument for P representing a stage in this progression. Sure, most of his stuff is less hard-core and he sometimes seems to hide the funk, but I think the strongest claim for P belonging to the class of JB, GC etc is in fact that he made funk that sounds and is different from his predecessors. I don't think P fits into the class of people like, say, Wilson Pickett, Albert Collins or Hendrix, who put a little funk into the mix sometimes. My feeling is that with P, as I said in an earlier point, funk is the base and starting-point. (In the same way I don't think P's relationship to funk is the same as it is with rock or blues, say, which are less fundamental. Instead of listing, then, the trax which fit into existing funk sounds, I would quote others: Baby I'm a Star New Position 1999 Lady Cab Driver Head Eye Know (altho that sounds very P-Funk to me...) even My Name is Prince or Sexy MF I know Butterscotch and Funkenstein will write off all of these, but I bet back in the day they would have written off GC for not making pure funk like JB does... "We've never been able to pull off a funk number"
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