Nice, eloquent post. I personally am glad that Prince keeps changing, because it makes those glory years stand out so much. If Prince had kept re-hashing his old material/style, it would diminish from those great albums we revere so much today. The fact that you respect his artistry says a lot about your character.

Prince is still Great now as he was then and he's missing in Nothing. Everything is Wonderful and Clear and he looks Amazing and Healthy and why should he have to be Stuck and not move-on to the New? He should always Move Forward and not Digress stay in the past. He's wonderful,He's Hot! I love his new Music cause Prince is still Funky and Fun. He doesn't have to be 24 because he makes 44 Handsome,Gorgeous and Intelligent. He is Beautiful. And the only thing that has changed is his music Really,but it's Still very Exciting and if he doesn't wanna Curse he doesn't have to cause it's not really Needed so Who really Cares if his topics have changed. I dig him the same as I ever did and to me there is only one Man and his Name is PRINCE...You Gotta Love Him ,Cause he just is the Best!!!

It certainly has something to do with us aging aswell. I

mean the horizon has become wider over the years.

My best concert experience was my first: SOTT-tour

back in '87. Surely I would be more blown away at that

time seeing ONA than I was now. Everything has become more

relative, Prince and his music aswell. When I do

feel something from those glorious days in the 80's in the

music now (the energy if you like), I think it is me

opening up more than Prince doing something extraordinary.

As a performer I believe he has always been on top. It is

what I project in him that has changed.

I'm torn...

Deep down, I truly feel more of a rapport with the Prince I grew up with. His energy, his innovation, his rebellion. Often, I DO find myself wishing the "old" Prince could/would come back. 1982-1990 was such an electric time after all!

On the other hand, I've really tried to respect his evolution, and, though I can't "feel" him as much anymore, I do appreciate what he's given us over the length of his career. And even now, I can deeply admire his caliber of artistry. I looked at him tonight, and he just seems SO happy that I HAVE to be happy for him.

Joni Mitchell once said she resents people who would have her frozen in amber at some more desirable point in her career, and I totally understand her. I guess I have to just convince myself in my heart -- not only my head -- that we've never OWNED Prince or his inspiration. Furthermore, we're talking about a 40+-yr-old man who's steeping himself in the path of a new faith (admirable), not the 24-year-old prodigy who jumped off of speakers into full splits.

I dunno... I try to be satisfied, but it's hard sometimes. There are tons of amazing musicians out there whom I deeply appreciate, but none capture the vibe that Prince struck when I was a kid. Sometimes I wish he'd mentored other young musicians like himself who could carry on the flag. I can say, though, I owe Prince the respect to engage his muse as HE sees fit, and I'll be interesting to see where she takes him despite my pinings for the Days of Wild.

Maybe I'm just getting old and jaded. Am I the only one who feels this way?
[This message was edited Fri Dec 13 22:49:18 PST 2002 by Lammastide]
[This message was edited Fri Dec 13 23:57:55 PST 2002 by Lammastide]

Prince should move ahead and play new material more often.

If this is available: Ur gonna c me..one night alone...have a heart...muse to the pharao...etc...then why play still so much old school?

101 said:

Because just like me,they SUCK.
[This message was edited Sat Dec 14 8:25:06 PST 2002 by Cracula]

Sometimes I wish he'd mentored other young musicians like himself who could carry on the flag.

Lammastide said:

I whole-heartedly agree with everything you said, especially this part. There are several recording artists who adore Prince and would desperately love to record with him, but for some reason after damn near 25 years in the business he just can't shed that portion of his ego where he has to be in total control. For starters I would love to see him jump into the studio with the likes of Beck, ?uestlove, and D'Angelo and create some mindblowing music. They could carry enough of his "old-school" Minneapolis vibe to be combined with his "new power" vibe and create something spectacular. Now would be the best time since the 80s seem to be coming back.

I feel like he has had a rebirth and after this tour and releases I have had one as a fan as well to coincide with his...I was lost for a moment and was this close to given up and I was so j-j-j-jaded as well

Having checked out of the Prince section of the Betty Ford, I am able again to stand proudly and say, Hi, my name is Paul - and I'm a Princeaholic...

I for one am glad he has a new cause which is making him productive in a good way and has brought his best material since Gold. Having checked out of the Prince section of the Betty Ford, I am able again to stand proudly and say, Hi, my name is Paul - and I'm a Princeaholic...

rdhull said:

These are my thoughts entirely. During the late 90's I think Prince lost his way completely and made some terrible albums and decisions. However, with Rainbow Children, the tour and now the Live Set I feel Prince has entered a new and exciting phase of his career.

I tuned out of Prince entirely for a while, having bought everything from Emancipation thru Rave and finding it, if not crap, then not the unparalled genius that you could always expect on a P. album.

I for one am glad he has a new cause which is making him productive in a good way and has brought his best material since Gold. Having checked out of the Prince section of the Betty Ford, I am able again to stand proudly and say, Hi, my name is Paul - and I'm a Princeaholic...

rdhull said:

These are my thoughts entirely. During the late 90's I think Prince lost his way completely and made some terrible albums and decisions. However, with Rainbow Children, the tour and now the Live Set I feel Prince has entered a new and exciting phase of his career.

I tuned out of Prince entirely for a while, having bought everything from Emancipation thru Rave and finding it, if not crap, then not the unparalled genius that you could always expect on a P. album.

I for one am glad he has a new cause which is making him productive in a good way and has brought his best material since Gold. Having checked out of the Prince section of the Betty Ford, I am able again to stand proudly and say, Hi, my name is Paul - and I'm a Princeaholic...