Prince has done something that I never expected. He has left me bored. Just a little introduction to those who don’t know me. I was a writer and researcher for UPTOWN and have been a super fan of Prince for YEARS, but lately… he and I have had different paths. I can look through my CD collection and remember how much his music is the soundtrack for my adult life. I remember the date I had to Purple Rain, the girl at the Recka Stow that sold me SOTT (we ended up dating based on our mutual appreciation for Prince) and how I used to play his sexy songs to seduce the woman that became my wife, but somehow, Prince and I have not grown together. I still respect his art and his amazing artistry and would never tell the man what to do, but as a listener and a fan (oh sorry, FAM), I’ve stopped paying attention. I saw him in Vegas and he was amazing. It reminded me of when I used to be against the stage at GLAM SLAM LA back in the 90s, but I also saw him recently here in LA, and the stage set up looked like a high school dance decoration and his shtick hadn’t changed. He posed more than he performed. He was doing a greatest hits of his moves, but anyone who had seen him as much as I had knew that he was walking through it. His latest 3 disk set had so little memorable music on it, that I stopped listening to it after a few tries. It sits on the shelf next to his last several uninteresting disks… at least to me they are uninteresting and uninspired.

I used to want to hear every note, including the outtakes, but lately… it all blends into each other and I realized something important. Every album, every tour, every pronouncement is filled with the promise of greatness. Sadly, most of it goes unfulfilled. Yes he will occasionally do a Super Bowl show or Rock and Roll Hall of Fame show that blows us all away and reminds us of why he is indispensable to music, but the rest of the time it is largely a let down. I say this as someone who was right there during his biggest times and literally listening and watching every concert that was circulating. I say this as someone who thought the man could do no wrong (I defended UTCM for God’s sake!). I was an addict.

Back then there was a buzz for him. There was a solid group of collectors who traded music, videos, memorabilia and scripts. I remember waiting for packages from all over the country and for my issue of Prince Family magazine. I remember trading for tapes (yes tapes) and looking for a version of a song I may have already had that was 1-2 generations better than what I already had. I miss that time, and realize that my life has gotten more complicated and my Prince habit went from a daily jam to checking out the Prince.org site ever few weeks, or even months. I realized that with the lawsuits, etc. goofy videos, cancelled plans, etc. that my interest in Prince has faded. His music went from erotic to erratic and (for me) sadly bland. If he was making groundbreaking music still, I could overlook how little respect he has for his fans, but he isn’t. He is cranking out music that he likes, but the songs don’t speak to me anymore. Again, I would never tell a talented artist like him how to make music, but I also don’t have any obligation to continue following him and I’ve realized that is what my interest in him is… obligatory. I can’t let go completely because I know that there is that amazing album or box set or something even better to come, but mostly… I am chasing a high and not getting the same buzz I used to get from his music. I know I am not the only person out there that hopes that Prince’s best days are ahead but wonders if they are mostly in the past.

I also wonder if he knows it too.

Many of us have witnessed great moments sorry he has left you and many bored. This can be the opportunity to get into other artists or inject excitement in your own music journey.



I personally made a commitment to the music there so much to absorb Prince is stubborn but even in his stubbornness he's put out a vast amount of music.Maybe
at this stage of life he wants to do things his way. Whether we get it or not.

How can u not love 3121 or the new lotus album? are u one of the old fams that want another purple rain or a lot explicit lyrics? in my opinion The Word is the Best prince song 4 this decade. Hes made plenty of others this decade. U forgot to mention the leno and ellen performances too

Are there any songs on Lotusflow3r that you find exciting?

I think "Wall of Berlin" has absolute potential, I love the way that song builds and rocks out at the end.

Crimson and Clover - although a cover, I do love it.

77 Beverley - reminds me of a song I danced to when I was in Japan, latin feel, it soothes me so to speak.

No more candy for U - very cheeky, bold, and I love the very, very end - pause - take that kind of message. It makes me laugh.

But in regards to your thread, I feel he lacks a really strong and distinct female voice for backing vocals, and maybe that isn't what he wanted for this album, obviously because he didn't, but for me I really noticed this. As like you I don't like commenting on someones very private art form, so I hope this doesn't come across as putting him down, because all in all I listen to both lotusflow3r and mpls quite often and enjoy them greatly.

And on a good note you'll always have his previous music to listen to.

Ummmm...I don't think it's Prince's responsibility to keep you entertained.

But here's a suggestion. Head over to GD and read the "Do NOT vaccinate your kids" thread. Several minutes of fun (at least) in that one.
[Edited 9/9/09 4:39am]

madhouseman said:

:thumbsup:Agreed. Unfortunately, Prince is turning into a Prince version of Elton John.
[Edited 9/9/09 4:52am]

http://prince.org/msg/7/317709

Yes, I am bored too.

That's very sad.

the problem is he has no marketing department anymore. the likes of WB would spend a lot of money and do what they could to hype him up, viral marketing, timing of information, consistency of releases, etc. Record companies know the market and know how to create interest. When prince became independant, he just lost it, and the only thing keeping his fan base up there is his brilliant career up until the early 90's. Yes, there are fans from the last few years that have emerged, but I dont think they truly understand how exciting it used to be to be a Prince fan. If you just recently discovered Prince, then maybe you think 3121 is great and that the latest 3 disks is an amazement, but to those who grew up with Prince at his peak, it is underwhelming.

I am curious to know what music U feel you have stayed with over the years.

To Madhouseman and all the others who are "bored" with Prince right now, BOO HOO. If he's not doing it for you, then go and listen to someone else who is. You don't need to make a dramatic thread like this one to prove a point cause you wind up looking silly. Besides, this will NOT make Prince's music any better or any worse. I'm sorry but I can't be sympathic to those who choose to be bored or unhappy. You got people here who believe that they are going to hate his new music before it comes out and they've been doing that shit here for years. You're not getting a pat on the back from me. I don't do Pity Parties.

EXACTLY!!!!!

You are spot on, 100%

Genesia said:

I wasn't going to respond to this thread because I pretty much said what I was thinking and wanted to read the good and bad comments from everyone, but your post was the one that made me smile the biggest and left me with a huge question...

If it isn't Prince's job to keep people (not just me) entertained, then what IS the job of an 'entertainer'? Aren't entertainers paid to... entertain?

thedance said:

imo Prince is out of touch with his fans and his music..

What goes up must go down so if the OP's trip has ended one could say, any artist would lead you to that eventually.

I think it's practically impsosible for one artist to bring out constantly new, interesting and good music, year in year out for such a long period of time.

I personally like the new sound....it's gentler, it's cooler.....
Somt want heavy guitar, which I don't. Maybe if Prince is interested in what his fans say he could bring out different genres for different fans. He seems to produce so much anyway. Maybe that's what he's done with the 3 disc lotusflower, I don't know. But an r&b soul/ rocky guitar and dance cd would be the answer to make everyone happy. But I work with hundreds of people in my job and keeping everyone satisfied is impossible. You go for the majority.

I would like Prince to work with some good dj's though e.g. Danny Tenaglia or Deep Dish and revamp some songs to solid underground dance music. To just add another dimension.

I think that's why he should do 'after party' style shows (as I've just said in another thread) where he can break loose of 'expectations' which he's probably totally bored of too! How many times can he do 'Kiss' and really enjoy it? At the Indigo2 shows he could ANYTHING and being such a good musician and having such a great band, he really could do anything. The night I was there we had Kylie Minogue's 'Can't Get You Out of My Head' just because he felt like it, it was the right vibe and mood, and it was fun, just an example! I really think that's where his future should lie. Where it's almost like a big jamming session depending on his mood and frame of mind. Seeing him live in a smaller venue like that is an incredible and amazing experience, still.... I think he needs to 'loosen up', forget the photoshoped image stuff, and over designed sets, and just BE the jaw dropping musician he is. Well, just my thoughts...

Also, no artist can go on and on indefinitely being innovative, I mean at some point, they're going to run out of new ideas / steam, it's natural even for someone as talented as Prince. I think we should give him a little bit of a break, yes he looks amazing, but he's 51, you know? And, dare I say it, but the Rolling Stones have been doing the same stuff for about 30 years, and no one seems to complain about them! I think we expect a lot from him...
[Edited 9/9/09 12:31pm]

Jeffiner said:

Really when u are bored with something just walk away. U will be happier and u won't sit around moaning and raining on other peoples parade. Why u expect prince to go on infinitely fulfilling your hopes and desires is beyond me. For some of u the problem is always Prince. When inactuality if u have hung on to every belch and fart prince has made u deserved to be bored.
He is not the messiah. He is getting old. U are getting old. Its inevitable. An adult should be able to grasp that without whining about it.

As a 51 year old musician who has created innumerable compositions. Prince is doing just great. There still nobdy like him on the scene and look around at his contemporeries. They aren't exactly setting the world on fire.

Really overall a grown-up understands why thay are jaded and moves on accordingly without whining like a 10 year old bored with last christmas's toys.

madhouseman said:

Very well said! I think that you speak for a lot of us older fans that have been around for a while. A lot of us get heavily critisized for saying what you just said, because according to a lot of "obsessed" fans, Prince can do no wrong.
I thank you for voicing what I have been feeling for a long, long time.

purplecam said:

and here we go with the "Prince can do no wrong" crowd. Thanks for making my point.

tricky99 said:

Very well said!!!


Really, if you don't have a life without Prince, get one! Constant whinging is such a turn-off for the rest of us who still enjoy him...

And did I forget to mention:

PRINCE CAN DO NO WRONG!!!

Hallelujah!!!

tricky99 said:

Are you responding to my post? Did I say I was bored? Where in that post am I raining on anyone's parade? I have never expected Prince to fulfill my hopes or desires in any form. I certainly haven't hung on to his every belch and fart or anything else to do with him. I've enjoyed some of his music throughout the years, and think he's an amazing live performer. I was addressing the thread starter's concerns or opinions and can't see where anything I said indicates that I'm getting old or whining about anything. I was mulling over what he should perhaps do in the future. I really hope your post is in response to the thread starter and not me! I'm more than happy to see him perform 'Kiss' or any other thing. It seems to be impossible to have a 'normal' discussion on this site anymore it really does.

porfyrivrohi said:

And again, I hope you're not responding to my post. Nothing I have said remotely indicates that I don't have a life without Prince, quite the opposite! I certainly hardly ever whinge about him or anything else. I'll assume that you are also responding to the thread starter. I was at a boat party in London recently celebrating Prince and having a great time, so I really don't know where you are coming from....

tricky99 said:

???? Anyway, it obviously makes no odds to some people whether they're responding to what was actually SAID by someone or not. But you must feel great, looks like you've been dying to get that off your chest for ages. Next time direct it at the appropriate person though!

kenlacam said:

Sit your sorry ass down with that bullshit! It's not about him not doing anything wrong, its about whether people are feeling Prince or not! You're not feeling him, fine, move the fuck on until you do, if you do but if you don't go, then deal with it! It's not fucking rocket science and Prince hasn't put a gun to your or anybody else's head to stay with him, you CHOOSE to be here. PERIOD! It's YOUR issue of being bored or choosing to stay bored, NOT PRINCE's. Take responsibility for your own ass. Shit.
[Edited 9/9/09 14:22pm]

I think Prince's career is at it's most interesting place in at least a decade, I'm not bored.

Jeffiner said:

I don't think its aimed at U Jen, (I hope not) sounds as if this thread is just on a major downer. In a glass half empty, hole in the doughnut kinda way.

Rorywan said:

Oh ok, cool! Couldn't really understand why my post was quoted though. Obviously a mistake, that needs to be rectified asap,as they were basically agreeing with what I said!!
[Edited 9/9/09 14:32pm]

Jeffiner said:

My impression was that tricky99 was in agreement with you.
So I quoted you both because I liked the posts of BOTH of you. And that still stands even if tricky99 says otherwise.

Rorywan said:

it wasn't. it was aimed at the initial post. my mistake, but I would think by what I said u would have figured that out jeez