I have started to make my way through the barren wasteland (just kidding, sort of) that was Prince's career in the '90s. So far, I've gotten Crystal Ball, used to have D+P, and O+>, not interested in those two. What I want to know is, which '90s albums would be most likely to appeal to a fan of '80s Prince (especially PR, ATWIAD, Parade, and SOTT)? I am curious about The Vault. Is this made of NEW recordings of older songs, or the original versions? I was disappointed with the version of "Love or Money" on CB, he took out a lot of stuff I remember from the original. I KNOW there must be at least individual songs on the '90s albums I would get into, I just don't know where to start. If it helps at all, I really did NOT like Diamonds and Pearls, or the Symbol (O+>) album. I did like the song "7" from O+>, and I think there was a reggae-ish song I liked. "Blue Light"? Also more of a fan of the harder side as opposed to the ballads, although In my opinion, "Adore" is essential listening. Yes, a long-winded first post with many digressions. Hello everybody!

"Love or Money" wasn't on Crystal Ball.

However, The Gold Experience is by far the best bet. Exodus, sans the segues, and COME are good for a 2nd place tie.
[Edited 6/17/09 13:49pm]

Dogsinthetrees said:

Well, I f you're a fan of the harder stuff as you said, I'd go for The Gold Experience, New Power Soul and Chaos and Disorder. (or better yet, look for something called the Dawn ). for the artsier stuff I'd go for the Rainbow Children (although that's really 2000's) and One Night Alone Piano (might be hard to find though), since you already have The Truth. Definately pass on Tha Vault, it's got exactly zero great tracks on it.
[Edited 6/17/09 13:49pm]
[Edited 6/17/09 13:50pm]

find a copy of "the dawn", the fanmade 3 cd spanning gold/chaos. now that
is what you'd call an impressive set to get into the 90s.

IstenSzek said:

I agree, I just remembered today I had it and it is STUNNING, The best of the best of the 90's. (that version of Chaos and Disorder rocks!, anyone know where it's from???)

eelco said:

Never heard the version of Shy either. This mix is slammin it aint even real

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Ive got a copy of the dawn found most of the tracks to be rawer or not over produced like on the gold....!

Dogsinthetrees said:

Most of the material on The Vault dates from 1992-96. The title track ('Old Friends 4 Sale') is a 1991 update of a Parade out-take, but with different, less personal lyrics - most prefer the original naturally. The album is rather 'jazzy', some of it is made up of tracks intended for the soundtrack to the movie 'I'll Do Anything' which was intended to be a musical at one point. The album was put together along with 'Chaos & Disorder' and given to Warners in '96 as a severence to his contract at the time.

If 'jazzy' sounds up your alley, The Vault is OK. But I'd recommend 'Chaos & Disorder' (has a few duffers, but also some real gems) and 'The Gold Experience', which is really his most rounded and commercial album of the 90s.


Since you have Crystal Ball - there's a few Gold/Come era out-takes on there to give you a flavour of what those albums are like - Interactive, Acknowledge Me, What's My Name, Ripopgodazippa, Strays Of The World. Maybe you mean 'Good Love' not 'Love Or $' since that was previously released in a slightly longer version?

.
[Edited 6/17/09 16:19pm]

Start with "Chaos&Disorder," and "The Vault." I'm sure U'll love something from the both of these.

I love "Lovesymbol".

To me, that album was the stuff!

I actually would recommend Come first, in terms of mood and experimental spirit (a la 1999 and Controversy), though yeah, it's not as heavy as The Gold Experience.

emancipation

janecarol said:

oh and The Truth, Rave and then when Uve explored all of these great albums, remember to have an open mind on alot of these suggestions, check chocotate invasion 2001 and ONA 2002
[Edited 6/17/09 18:58pm]
[Edited 6/17/09 18:59pm]

Crystal Ball - because a good percentage of those tunes are from the 80s.

The NPG "Exodus" album is also excellent stuff.

I am not sure where the version of "Love or Money" I have came from, but most of the vocals are missing. Some horns and stuff, too.

GOLD EXPERIENCE, no contest, its take on Prince's greatest 80s hits

Dogsinthetrees said:

I'm wondering by "crystal ball" are you talking about the 3 disc official or not?
As most have said, for the rockier edgier stuff...go with
The Gold Experience and Come. LOVE both these albums!
Chaos and Disorder is good too.
give "The Vault" a try, I personally LOVE it. it's in my top 5 albums. Someone said it had 0 good tracks. WHAT?!?! to me it has 0 bad tracks. Jazzy is one way to describe it but...it's not like long fluttering jazz...it's like uptempo funky jazz. (aka Prince Jazz)
good luck and let us know what you decide and what you think.

The "Love or Money" I have is from The Work Volume 2 disc 1. I actually found TGE yesterday at a yard sale of all places. Fifty cents!!! Yes, I am enjoying it, I don't care so much for the NPG operator though. The only song I don't really like is TMBGITW, but then, I didn't like it when it came out either, if I remember correctly, that is why I didn't buy the album.

It all started with Batman, which, although I like the album, was obviously a rush job.

If we are talking of actual albums, my choice would be the "Come"/"TGE" combination.

Absolutely a great period for me as a P fam, and the final achievements are more "Princely" than all other P's things released before and after in the 90's.

The test pressing version of the Come album might be his best 90s album. But I would just say work your way through them in chronological order. Most all of them have at least one or two songs that you don't want to miss, and some of them have more. I personally really like the Emancipation album a whole lot but I know many people are not crazy about that one.

Shorty said:

When the lights go down is a masterpiece

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Love it! love how it has that long intro, the way it's sung, the vibe...ahh it IS a masterpiece!
Oi! and Batman is in my Top 5 too!
Parade (always in the #1 spot, the rest vary)
Batman
The Vault
Come
Symbol

Shorty said:

is that your list from the 90s or of alltime?

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

well...is Parade from the 90? der!

Shorty said:

you said it was always #1 but the rest is!

Shorty said:

nahhh... Parade is from 86'
and
is from 89'

nyse said:

1 year son schmear

Tame said:

Chaos & Disorder? That is one of the least popular Prince albums. It would be wise never to introduce that album to anybody.