Taking, "Ol' Skool Company," seriously, in a "Musicology," kind of way...Of course we put "EarthWind&Fire," on the list along with and extensive groups of bands and singers.

When exactly and with what song do U think that Ol' Skool Begins? And...What Prince song do U mostly consider Ol' Skool?

Due to my age...I don't know how to go back any farther than Ashford&Simpson writing "Ain't no mountain High enough."
Prince's music, in my opinion is a little older than Ol' Skool, and that doesn't mean that Prince doesn't have it in his blood...cuz' it's obvious that He does...but my only guess is, "I wanna be Ur Lover," and Ol' Skool kinda seems to cut off in 1980.

Where does Ol' Skool start and end...leaving gaps of course 4 bands that sneak in somehow...Like "Midnight Star."

why dont you put this in the non-prince music forum where ol' skool bands like Debarge, etc. live and breathe a new life

Prince is currently making a statement in the song, "Ol' Skool Company," and Prince declares that it is time to take the radio back.

I'm just trying 2 figure out what songs fall into this classification.

Does James Brown wear the Ol' Skool Top Hat?
Is Aretha Franklin the Queen?
Is Diana Ross the Boss?
Are the Brother's Johnson the Royal kids here...

What do we pull out of the mid 2 late 60's and let go of in the early 80's?

Even Diana Ross as a performer from Ol' Skool, with "Upside Down," leaves this school of thought with the song, "Why do fools Fall in Love."

U see what I am saying...
And Where some people would consider parts of "Controversy," Ol' Skool, in my personal opinion it doesn't because Prince has a sliver of an English Punk Sound in those songz.

japanrocks said:

or better yet find a incomprehendable waste of space forum and post it there.

Brofie said:

Uh Oh...U better hope the Style Police don't come and take U away.

And another thing...If the World doesn't think they are gonna pay for the "Disco is Dead," comment...They got another, "Judas Priest," thing commin'!

U'll see.

I often think old skool is an approach as opposed to a period of time or a particular genre.

To me old skool is dedication to craft, honing ones art, learning the trade and paying your dues. Prince has done the lot.

Tame said:

Neverending imo, because in about a few years, the currently released music in many genres will be possibly considered as old school, hence if that term will still be in fashion by then, lol.

I take "Ol' Skool" as being a relative term, Ol' skool is different for everyone.
[Edited 4/2/09 7:21am]

Maybe it's a long lost love

Maybe it's any musician that has that, "Love Train," attitude 2ward Unity.

Whether it be Marvin Gaye and His overall message or The Whispers, "It's a love thing," Cheryl Lynn...The names and the songs can be endless...and they can just have an uplifting attitude.

I'm listening 2 Diana's, "Reach out and touch..." and what I figure is that as songz are all puzzle pieces, "Ol' Skool," is right on the money as the frame of an understanding...That by grace U get or U don't.

3121 said:

I couldn't agree with you more. It is a "feeling".

RevMarkJames said:

definetly. it's true and real.

if u listen 2 o'skool company it seems prince is borrowing the sound of dr dre "aint nuthin but a g thing" as the melody and at the end he goes into the parliment/funkadelic mode of "the mothership connection" or p-funk both sound the same as old skool so i think its a appriciation of parliment/funkadelic and dr dre of the track.....

The term "ol' Skool" is a feeling and community-based philosphy not a form of music. Maybe I am older and worked the streets (GET YA'LL MIND OF THAT CORNER") as a community orgainzer and thats how some folk paid the rent.

The song & video that best fits into the Prince Era is the song "Call the Law" describing the "Southside Minnie Yearly Block Party" where you got food & drink at a price and kick ass party music and a show to boot. You never knew who might show up. There is such a need to go back and regain some of these community-based activity and where you know your kin and neighbors 3 generation back. There is very little that is left to the imagination for our grandchildren with the cussing and X-rated videos. There is something very inherent when a 4 year old can repeat a smut song but can't say their ABCs.

mzsadii said:

well see now i agree with you as well. i see it both ways a feeling and a period of time. and i understand what you are saying about the block partys.
i used go to those when i was a lil girl at our community center. my brother g/f family handled the center and always be block partys like you said. man those was the days. times seemed more innocent then..or something. it isnt like that in the neighborhood now i mean people still know one another etc. but not a whole lotta block patys no more.
[Edited 4/5/09 19:34pm]

tangerine7 said:

Amen to that. However, I don't know too many people in my neighborhood.

Not sure I want to though...

Wait a minute now...4 one thing...there is definitely a "Berry Gordy," road in there. Ol' Skool feels primarily 70's 2 me, although like I said...U can pull pieces of this Skool of thought out of the 60's and some of the 80's. Ol' Skool is really kind of a Disco, R&B sound. Not 2 discredit the great music of the 70's or whenever that was rock oriented.
I don't feel the term Ol' Skool is rock oriented...I also feel that some particular songs apply....The BeeGee's....Tavares...The Saturday night Fever mood is in there...

What about Leo Sayer? It's not necessarily all music by black musicians...although Motown and it's artists seem to dominate the mood.

ABBA!

I don't take the song seriously since the style of music used in this song and the way the lyrics are delivered totally contradict and void out the message in the song. It just makes Prince look like a hypocrit. Either that, or crazy.

I heard it immediately and that's why I don't take the song seriously or even Prince any more for that matter. He's preaching about how the music today ain't shit and he's doing it over something that sounds like a song that helped to make music become a bunch of bullshit.

the first seconds of old skool company always reminds me of kool moe dee "go see the docter "thats old skool

mwilli said:

Aaaah no, it is just a funky little statement that Prince is stating about the take over of big corparations taking over all the radio stations and play a set list that gets boring very quickly. It should start a movement to get listeners to call and request songs that they want to hear instead of everyday hearing the same 23 songs almost every hour of every day. We have a station here in Columbus which is supposed to be Hip Hop and RnB but I can call and request a new Prince song and they will tell me that they will play it but no matter how long I sit and listen to this station (107.5) that song will not be playes so I stopped listening to the station cause I so don't get into 99% of rap music. I don't think Prince is trying to sound like the shit hop generation (VainAndy)just trying to make a sound that he is accustomed to but somewhat current w/o actually being current.

Tame said:

Naw you didn't make me feel like dancin'!!!!

Rogue588 said:

well yea, people back in my old neighborhood still know each other but times have changed, ppl arent really as close as they were back then gathering together for block partys and such. now crime rate is high in the old neighborhood things like that. the world has changed in that way atleast for me.
I really miss those good ol times of innocents from then. nothing like some ol' skool company.
[Edited 4/6/09 10:01am]

cant beliee called this the new Days OF Wold..this tune is way better than that mess

jimmyrogertodd said:

Now the question is...If we miss the "Love Train," Do we get on the "Double Dutch Bus?

And I suppose if we miss em' both..."That's The Breaks!"

Ol skool company means the same as True Funk Soldiers we know who we are.!



[Edited 4/7/09 10:33am]

I agree with Vainandy here.

I think with 'ol skool' Prince means artists like: James Brown, Sly Stone, Earth, Wind and Fire (indeed, the ones he mentioned on Musicology).

But WHAT'S the point of putting your admiration for 'old skool music' on a very mediocre piece of plastic R&B (outtake from New Power Soul maybe?)?

It's a good tune, but if it was tad bit faster.....