Yes. Let me be more like you and find some really insulting things to write to make myself feel better.

funkteer said:

go for it

funkteer said:

It's okay... U just agreed with a point I made earlier. Spending some free time on the Internet is not the same as whining about someone else's dietary habits...

stanleylieber said:

I agree with alot of what you've said here: It is quite apparent that Prince doesn't live and breathe music the way he used to and that change has impacted his his output. I think there's more to it than that though. I subscribe to the theory that Prince simply ran out of gas, used up his inital burst of inspiriation, at some point in the mid-90s, and that making music isn't as effortless for him as it once was. I recall reading an interview with Prince years ago where he said something to along the lines of costantly needing to record what was in his head before the next idea came along. I think those days are long gone. Given his musicianship and mastery of the studio, it seem's he's still capable of writing a new song whenever he likes, but the days of music pouring out him are gone. It's now more about craftmanship than anything else. I think that's why so much of his music doesn't have the same kind of emotional weight that it once had: It doesn't mean anything to its creator, either.

Here's where I disagree with you: While it's obvious that Prince will never reach the dizzying heights of Golden Age again, I'm not sure that there's anything wrong with him continuing to put new music out. Observation of other pop music legends will show that they all lose grip on their genius eventually. I don't think they risk ruining their legacy by continuing to put out music. Sign O' The Times will always be absolutely brilliant, no matter how many Planet Earths Prince releases. While music may not be life for Prince anymore, its obviously still important to him, and always will be. What else is he going to do?

I'm afraid this next paragraph will come across as rationalization, but it's not meant to be: personally, I long ago came to accept the difference in Prince's music now vs then, and I'm able to enjoy his work today because of that. That doesn't mean I delude myself in to thinking that Lotus Flower is as good as his worst album form the 80s, but I am geniuinely able to enjoy the music. I'm a vorcious fan of music, and there's no way that Lotus Flower or Mplsound will be on my top 10 at the end of the year, but that's OK. Prince has and will continue to give me hours of listening pleasure and I'm glad that's still new stuff to listen to, even it doesn't match the old.

I think that this is just Prince being Prince. Creative, controversial, and if he can make his own stimulus package then he is at the height of capitalism. I can't afford it. I'm not upset. I've never looked for an entertainer, even as one as talented as Prince, for personal guidance. It's HIS life. He has earned his lifestyle. If people want the item for that price then fine. I've only been able to afford his cd pkg. I was disappointed at not being included as one of the Lotusflow3r internet surfers at first but it's no ones prob but mine. In the long run I enjoy his music. I love his independence. He is still gorgeous. He has always done what he wants, when he wants, with whom he wants. He seems to be doing just fine. Good night sweet Prince.

*scheming on how I can get this opus thingy*

stanleylieber said:

Are you referring to my comments? I never said that Prince was never a vegetarian or a vegan. Clearly, he was. I said he was neither of those things anymore. I asked those who insist he still is to post any recent article in which Prince, himself, made a statement corroborating their position. No one could.

Genesia said:

i guess i misunderstood you. i thought the challenge was twofold:

1.) show where prince has ever, with his own mouth, explicitly claimed to be a vegetarian. you seemed to be insisting that it was all just innuendo and that fans had simply made assumptions.

2.) show anything recent where he even hinted at these things. i agree i haven't seen him talking about it either way in recent times.

sorry for the confusion.
[Edited 4/13/09 20:42pm]

...the #1 edition of the book will be the highest treasure 2 get...
..mzsexybaby<---don't wanna get grimy..but will

I read all about this Opus yesterday and it's really made me sad . I have been a Prince fan for over 20 years. I've bought records, imports, then CD's, books, videos, concert tickets, DVD's even frigging tamborines and incense sticks from NPG store. More recently £50 for Prince in Hawaii, 21 nights (£15), £55 for the website and another £13 for Lotusflow3r album. I feel everything is about getting as much money out of us as he can. A prize draw for all us suckers who joined the web-site would have gone down better rather than an auction - does anyone know if the money is going to charity? None of us 'normal' people who have followed him all these years would be able to compete with rich folk who can spend 100's of thousands of pounds bidding for the chance of a private party. I prefer to pay my mortgage and EAT. I am really disappointed with all this, I love him and I always will, but I am calling it quits on spending any more money.

..all i know is u need some SERIOUS $$ 4 d auction...could it go up 2 100k??..
...mzsexybaby'how many licks DOES it take..2 get 2 the center of the tootsie-roll

mzkqueen03 said:

Oh, hun, a single decent 1 carat purple diamond itself is worth more than 100K alone! There are 7.77 carats of purple diamonds!

harveya said:

Yes, but how many of those will be back on the market? IMHO most of those have gone to FANS who saw an opportunity to get something exclusive for an affordable price. And at $300, I bet plenty of them have been opened and looked at.

But a $2100 version of a book that nobody cared about in the first place? For something to be collectible and worthwhile, there has to be some demand.

stanleylieber said:

But still: one of the rarest items when it comes to Prince collectibles is currently priced at £350. I heard years ago that the collectors market for Prince stuff has collapsed, since his popularity is simply not there anymore.

BartVanHemelen said:

that jibes with my own experience trying to sell stuff.

Anxiety said:

IIRC: The Org wasn't around when CB hit, it was still the PPML back then. The Org only happened after the lawsuits in 1999, when Diana Dawkins stopped doing The Prince Family and Ben & Kev quickly threw together a site where you could post news, since Pierre Igot had already gone to the Dark Side ages ago and was censoring news.

stanleylieber said:

Oh please, he wasn't an abused artist. He had a vanity label that lost MILLIONS and WB picked up the tab. He made vanity movies and WB picked up the tab. He signed contracts against the advice of his lawyers and band members and suddenly he's "abused"? He made his own bed.

stanleylieber said:

The dumbest thing he ever did was fire the managers that dared say no, and fire the band members that dared confront him. Now he's surrounded by yes men.

stanleylieber said:

He wants to have his cake and eat it.

stanleylieber said:

English is my third language, so I don't know what jibes means in this context.

BartVanHemelen said:

it means i agree. what you say fits with my experience.

everglaze said:

I have to disagree with you. For the most part i think his prices with a few exceptions has been quite reasonable. When it comes to concerts and music. what he has charged for live shows and after shows in comparison to other artists is within range for large and smaller venue. the 21 nights book for $34 plus a cd was reasonable. All that other stuff is extra that I don't really need, its up to the individual to make that choice. I got my three cds for 11.99 and I have made the choice for now, not to buy into to the $77 website.i'm waiting for concert time to see if its really worth it. i'm totally ignoring this opus thing, i don't need it and good for those who can afford. nobody is being forced to buy anything.
[Edited 4/14/09 6:03am]

wonder505 said:

Quit being so reasonable. Don't you know this is the org - where unreasonable expectations prevail?

TwiliteKid said:

That's a very healthy approach... I like it.

I too think that Prince's recent music has focused more on craftsmanship than creativity--many musical & lyrical & thematic ideas are being recycled but done with great technical expertise. It makes for a different kind of enjoyment than the days when you'd lift the needle off the record, rewind the tape or replay the CD because "what did he just say?" kind of quirky creativity snuck up on you.

Both your postings were a great exchange to read... too bad they are bound to get lost in this thread.

wonder505 said:

Most of the stuff he's sold has been for the average Joe the Fan. This is not. I'm just not getting the outrage/disappointment some have over this. Is it because he's advertising it on his Lotus website? Or is it because of the price placed on the set?

Seriously, I'm wondering if the diehard Madonna fans flipped out this way because she's selling one of these Opus sets ... for $3,978 through on this site too. Or is it just a knee jerk Prince-fan response.

Ifsixwuz9 said:

i don't either. as long as i'm not forced to buy anything like that i could care less. as long as i have access to music and tickets for concerts there is no need for me to raise my blood pressure over this. that doesn't change my opinion of it being insanely overpriced but that's just my opinion. i didn't know about the madonna item, not to mention her concert ticket prices, now that is worth talking about.

wonder505 said:

Yeah Madonna's got a set on the "Opus Store" site too. Clearly these items are for the high fliers, not Joe the Fan. Big whoop.

Correction:
Oops Ok, My Bad I was going on another post, I went back and looked again, it's not Madonna it's MARADONA. But still, this is for high flier collectors. These folks are doing something on Vivienne Westwood and in the future will offer things on Major League Baseball and Ferreri too.

.
[Edited 4/14/09 11:44am]

TwiliteKid said:

I really enjoyed reading both of these posts.

BartVanHemelen said:

sorry can i ask what the item for £350 is ?

LittleNicci said:

As much as I would like this Opus thing I cannot afford it really in this current financial climate, but I am happy that at least there is stuff out there instead of there being nothing - its all good folks

everglaze said:

I was gonna ask why CalhounSq was spending her money in British pounds!