Anyone noticed a pattern in Prince's career recently, in that a big project is followed by a lean year?


It happened following Emancipation, in that we got a vault album and "for the fans" truth and kama sutra projects, recorded in the same period and in the aftermath of the intial creative flash; and then didn't really hear much until NPS, 2 years later.

Whilst the music released in 2002 has been top of the range (IMHO), it does follow this pattern of spreading over a year projects that are "for the fans" and recorded off the back of that intial creative spurt. 2002 saw Prince rest on his laurels with a live release, a piano album recorded in 2001 and an instrumental album probably completed soon after TRC - apart from the soundchecks, we've not heard anything of what he's recorded in 2002. Kind of like - I've landed my killer blow, and while I get my breath back, here's a couple of feints to keep you out of my face.

The question is - good or bad? Good that he is conserving his creative powers and not rush releasing half baked projects a la NPS and RUTJF because he feels he has to? Or bad, because it is a sign that he is mortal after all, and the while the well runs deep, it is taking longer for him to winch that bucket back up?

Second question - does this bode well for 2003 or is this idle speculation?


(disclaimer - "rest on his laurels" is obviously a relative term, and it is clear that a world tour and tv slots are the equivilent to a complete career for some of the acts that clog up the charts these days)

Ie Emancipation - recorded 95/96, released 96.
Crystal Ball - recorded various - released 97.
The Truth, recorded 96, released 97.
Kama Sutra, recorded 96, released 97.

TRC - Recorded '00/'01, released '01.
One Night Alone - recorded '01, released '02
Xpectation, recorded '01, released '03