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Thread started 09/16/09 6:22am

DamnUSexyMf

Would Camille & The Black album been huge

Would Camille & the Black album been huge.

I believe both of those albums had potential.
Was it a mistake by prince or warner brothers not 2 release them?
they r both nasty & funky.
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Reply #1 posted 09/16/09 6:27am

thedance

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Black album was released: after Come in 1994. With very little success...

Both Black Album and Camille are brilliant, but still more 'dark' than Prince's mainstream albums. I don't know (think?) these albums are appealing to the masses... who knows?
[Edited 9/16/09 6:28am]
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Reply #2 posted 09/16/09 6:38am

soulyacolia

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Dunno. The Black Album was almost a side project to be released with little fanfare. No singles, no videos. It would probably just have been bought by the hardcore (which to be fair is what happened in 94). It gained its notoriety by virtue of it being withdrawn.

The same for Camille really.

smile
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Reply #3 posted 09/16/09 6:51am

thedance

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Video... there was the in-famous "all black" video to "When 2 R In Love" - released in the fall of 1994 to promote the Black album, no images at all but the lyrics running on a black background. I remember MTV (Nordic ?) played it despite it's lack of content,

MTV also played the Dolphin video in the fall of 1994,

it was a really weird time to be a Prince fan (imo.), since no-one knew when the album would be released, and also no single was released,

and this album, TGE.. wasn't released untill september 1995.

I remember I called Warner Bros. in Copenhagen back in the fall of 1994, asking them about Prince and Dolphin / TGE... and they knew nothing about what was happening.

Everything was just a mess back then, Prince really was at 'war' with them, so it seemed. Changing his name to prince and releasing Dolphin to MTV...

Too bad about all that confusion, TGE album deserved better promotion, cuz' it's so brillint. Prince last truly great masterpiece.

Sorry for being a little off topic, back to Black Album / Camille...
[Edited 9/16/09 6:53am]
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Reply #4 posted 09/16/09 7:14am

Pentapus

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I can still remember the impact The Black Album had on me when I first heard it in the Summer of '88. I'd managed to blag a copy from a lad at school, and I spent the rest of the Summer with it permanently housed in my Walkman.

Comparing it to what else was around at the time in the U.K. (and if properly marketed), I think it would have been just as big as anything else Prince had released up to that point, with the obvious exception of Purple Rain. I, and my friends, certainly rated it a lot higher than Lovesexy which had been released about a month earlier.

The thing that was really exciting about this album was that it sounded so fresh and upbeat to me. Songs like Cindy C, Superfunkycalifragisexy, and Rock Hard in a Funky Place, are still some of my favourites.

I think you have to take music in the context of the times it was written and what else was being produced at the same time. If this had been released after SOTT, it would have sold bucket loads, by 1994 the world had moved on.
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Reply #5 posted 09/16/09 7:38am

DamnUSexyMf

thedance said:

Black album was released: after Come in 1994. With very little success...

Both Black Album and Camille are brilliant, but still more 'dark' than Prince's mainstream albums. I don't know (think?) these albums are appealing to the masses... who knows?
[Edited 9/16/09 6:28am]


I meant at the time during 1987 when the black album was scheduled tob released.
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Reply #6 posted 09/16/09 7:40am

DamnUSexyMf

Pentapus said:

I can still remember the impact The Black Album had on me when I first heard it in the Summer of '88. I'd managed to blag a copy from a lad at school, and I spent the rest of the Summer with it permanently housed in my Walkman.

Comparing it to what else was around at the time in the U.K. (and if properly marketed), I think it would have been just as big as anything else Prince had released up to that point, with the obvious exception of Purple Rain. I, and my friends, certainly rated it a lot higher than Lovesexy which had been released about a month earlier.

The thing that was really exciting about this album was that it sounded so fresh and upbeat to me. Songs like Cindy C, Superfunkycalifragisexy, and Rock Hard in a Funky Place, are still some of my favourites.

I totally agree with u it had some potential.
the black album & lovesexy should have been released as a double album.

I think you have to take music in the context of the times it was written and what else was being produced at the same time. If this had been released after SOTT, it would have sold bucket loads, by 1994 the world had moved on.
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Reply #7 posted 09/16/09 7:44am

DamnUSexyMf

DamnUSexyMf said:

Pentapus said:

I can still remember the impact The Black Album had on me when I first heard it in the Summer of '88. I'd managed to blag a copy from a lad at school, and I spent the rest of the Summer with it permanently housed in my Walkman.

Comparing it to what else was around at the time in the U.K. (and if properly marketed), I think it would have been just as big as anything else Prince had released up to that point, with the obvious exception of Purple Rain. I, and my friends, certainly rated it a lot higher than Lovesexy which had been released about a month earlier.

The thing that was really exciting about this album was that it sounded so fresh and upbeat to me. Songs like Cindy C, Superfunkycalifragisexy, and Rock Hard in a Funky Place, are still some of my favourites.

I totally agree with u i believe it had potential.
Imagine the black album and lovesexy as a double album.
I totally agree with u it had some potential.
the black album & lovesexy should have been released as a double album.

I think you have to take music in the context of the times it was written and what else was being produced at the same time. If this had been released after SOTT, it would have sold bucket loads, by 1994 the world had moved on.
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Reply #8 posted 09/16/09 7:46am

DamnUSexyMf

DamnUSexyMf said:

Pentapus said:

I can still remember the impact The Black Album had on me when I first heard it in the Summer of '88. I'd managed to blag a copy from a lad at school, and I spent the rest of the Summer with it permanently housed in my Walkman.

Comparing it to what else was around at the time in the U.K. (and if properly marketed), I think it would have been just as big as anything else Prince had released up to that point, with the obvious exception of Purple Rain. I, and my friends, certainly rated it a lot higher than Lovesexy which had been released about a month earlier.

The thing that was really exciting about this album was that it sounded so fresh and upbeat to me. Songs like Cindy C, Superfunkycalifragisexy, and Rock Hard in a Funky Place, are still some of my favourites.

I think you have to take music in the context of the times it was written and what else was being produced at the same time. If this had been released after SOTT, it would have sold bucket loads, by 1994 the world had moved on.


Sorry kepy puttin my comments in the wrong section.
I totally agree with u it had some potential.
the black album & lovesexy should have been released as a double album.
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Reply #9 posted 09/16/09 7:56am

thedance

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DamnUSexyMf said:

I meant at the time during 1987 when the black album was scheduled tob released.


Ok... speculation time, biggrin

but yeah I think Cindy C and Le Grind could have been big singles following in the footsteps of the success of I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man.... the last SOTT single.

With the right promotion, singles and video releases, Black Album would maybe had sold nicely, right before christmas in 1987.

Bob George could have been a nice single release also... with a fun video.

But Im still very pleased with Lovesexy and its release in 1988, its 1 of Prince|s best albums, imo. heart

(and btw. I think Lovesexy was rather successful in Europe, wasnt it...)
Prince 4Ever. heart
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Reply #10 posted 09/16/09 8:43am

NouveauDance

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thedance said:

Black album was released: after Come in 1994. With very little success...

There are a multitude of reasons why that is, none of them really have anything to do with the quality of the material on the album itself.
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Reply #11 posted 09/16/09 11:50am

Tremolina

DamnUSexyMf said:

Would Camille & the Black album been huge.

I believe both of those albums had potential.
Was it a mistake by prince or warner brothers not 2 release them?
they r both nasty & funky.

No, not enough mass appeal.
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Reply #12 posted 09/16/09 12:08pm

Dayclear

I don't like that Black album and can understand why he didn't want people to buy it. confused
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Reply #13 posted 09/16/09 2:55pm

unkleg

I think the Black Album would have been a massive underground hit at the original time of release.

Just thinking about it, a worldwide superstar releasing an album with no promotion, no cover art or writing on... and for those who bought it "So you found me..." eek

It'd be a pretty amazing thing feeling, almost like finding out where the (then) secret aftershow would be and being front row. cool
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Reply #14 posted 09/16/09 3:19pm

OldFriends4Sal
e

thedance said:

Black album was released: after Come in 1994. With very little success...

Both Black Album and Camille are brilliant, but still more 'dark' than Prince's mainstream albums. I don't know (think?) these albums are appealing to the masses... who knows?




The Black albums release in 94 was out of sync
released in 1988 right after Sign o the Times would have been received differently, it would have been much bigger

released in 94 to much craziness was surrounding Prince, it wasn't promoted, the band members from that album were no longer around, etc etc
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Reply #15 posted 09/16/09 3:28pm

OldFriends4Sal
e

soulyacolia said:

Dunno. The Black Album was almost a side project to be released with little fanfare. No singles, no videos. It would probably just have been bought by the hardcore (which to be fair is what happened in 94). It gained its notoriety by virtue of it being withdrawn.

The same for Camille really.

smile



Most likely he would have promoted the Black album with videos shows etc etc
He originally took it to a dance spot in Minneapolis to let the dj spin some songs to see how it was received

He also said the same for Lovesexy that there would be no videos
every year after Purple Rain it seemed he said he would not promote the album with videos or a concert

I believe he said the same for Around the World in a Day as well


Camille is totally different album from the Black album, most of the songs are more radio friendly and most appeared on the Sign o the Times album.

So I don't get where your response about the Camille album stemmed from

Housequake
Strange Relationships
If I Was You're Girlfriend

Shockadelica(B side)

Rock Hard in A Funky Place (Black Album)

Good Love (movie cut:Big Lights...)
Feel U Up (from 1999 outtakes)
Rebirth of the Flesh

Cosmic Day(possible)
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Reply #16 posted 09/16/09 3:44pm

ARJUN

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i just love The Black Album!!!!!
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Reply #17 posted 09/16/09 3:59pm

SavonOsco

Wow..I just talked about this in another thread..If he had released these two when the were suppose to be released, both would've worked.Remember,most of SOTT's hotter tracks would've been on Camille.I still listen to Camille in its original form and it's just Fyah!..I was fortunate to listen to TBE when it was originally suppose to come out and I know for sure it would've done just as well as Lovesexy (Just from album cover alone).Both albums showcases the "Rude Boy" that alot of fans missed.
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Reply #18 posted 09/16/09 4:00pm

anthonyspeaks

DamnUSexyMf said:

Would Camille & the Black album been huge.

I believe both of those albums had potential.
Was it a mistake by prince or warner brothers not 2 release them?
they r both nasty & funky.


Aside from "2 Niggs United For west Compton" the Black Album was kinda weak and it took me many years to come to that conclusion. It has not held up well over time. Camille on the other hand has held up very well. Remember now, the Camille tracks were the hits from SOTT. I really wish Prince would've released Camille in it's entirety; it was sooooo funky and accessible; he has yet to put out an album like that again.
Tracks:
Housequake
Feel U Up
Rock Hard in a Funky Place
Soulia Colia
If I Was Your GirlFriend
Strange Relationship
Shockadelica
Good Love
U Got The Look
Scarlet Pussy

This would have done very well.
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Reply #19 posted 09/16/09 4:01pm

anthonyspeaks

DamnUSexyMf said:

Would Camille & the Black album been huge.

I believe both of those albums had potential.
Was it a mistake by prince or warner brothers not 2 release them?
they r both nasty & funky.


Aside from "2 Niggs United For west Compton" the Black Album was kinda weak and it took me many years to come to that conclusion. It has not held up well over time. Camille on the other hand has held up very well. Remember now, the Camille tracks were the hits from SOTT. I really wish Prince would've released Camille in it's entirety; it was sooooo funky and accessible; he has yet to put out an album like that again.
Tracks:
Housequake
Feel U Up
Rock Hard in a Funky Place
Soulia Colia
If I Was Your GirlFriend
Strange Relationship
Shockadelica
Good Love
U Got The Look
Scarlet Pussy

This would have done very well.
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Reply #20 posted 09/16/09 4:06pm

SquirrelMeat

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The Camille Track list is:

Rebirth of the flesh
Housequake
Strange Relationship
Feel U Up
Shockadelica
Good Love
If I was your girlfriend
Rock hard in a funky place

There was no Cosmic Day or Scarlet Pussy.
.
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Reply #21 posted 09/16/09 4:51pm

SavonOsco

SquirrelMeat said:

The Camille Track list is:

Rebirth of the flesh
Housequake
Strange Relationship
Feel U Up
Shockadelica
Good Love
If I was your girlfriend
Rock hard in a funky place

There was no Cosmic Day or Scarlet Pussy.


That's exactly how I have it on my Playlist.Scarlet Pussy was credited to Camille,but it wasnt part of the original album.
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Reply #22 posted 09/16/09 9:49pm

December1984

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DamnUSexyMf said:

Would Camille & the Black album been huge.

I believe both of those albums had potential.
Was it a mistake by prince or warner brothers not 2 release them?
they r both nasty & funky.


If he had released both he would have had to find a new track to close out the Black Album--assuming he didn't want both records to end with "Rockhard in a Funky Place".

Which raises an interesting question: what would that song have been? I was looking through some outtakes from around that era and there are a few that would have fit. "Can I Play With U" and "Witness 4 the Prosecution" both come to mind. "Baby Go-Go" might also have worked.
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Reply #23 posted 09/16/09 9:57pm

johnart

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I WAAAAAY prefer Camille to the Black Album (which I feel is ok but overrated boxed).

I think Camille would've done fairly well.
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Reply #24 posted 09/16/09 10:06pm

thedance

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Dayclear said:

I don't like that Black album and can understand why he didn't want people to buy it. confused

What? you don't like The Black Album??? cry omfg

wow it's a funk masterpiece, to me a "holy" album..... eek eek
Prince 4Ever. heart
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Reply #25 posted 09/17/09 12:26am

PurpleDiamond2
009

i think le grind wouldve been a big hit single nod
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Reply #26 posted 09/17/09 1:06am

minneapolisFun
q

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i think the black album would have been a hit
You're so glam, every time I see you I wanna slam!
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Reply #27 posted 09/17/09 3:32am

iloveannie

thedance said:

Dayclear said:

I don't like that Black album and can understand why he didn't want people to buy it. confused

What? you don't like The Black Album??? cry omfg

wow it's a funk masterpiece, to me a "holy" album..... eek eek


Me too. It has more in common with Sign O The Times than any other album he's made. But, crucially, it is it's own unique sound. Cindy C, Le Grind... awesome funk masterpieces. To not like those is to not like Prince in my opinion. Sure if you're younger and didn't get into him until his later material your outlook will be different. But to me there's Prince and then there's Prince-lite.

While we may gain maturity we lose passion.
[Edited 9/17/09 4:24am]
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Reply #28 posted 09/17/09 4:18am

RakelRosalita7
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Okay who is Camille and why is she shacked up wit my Prince?
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Reply #29 posted 09/17/09 6:12am

khemseraph

i think both would have been successes back then.prince was at his peak and the whole world was feelin anything he put out.however the lps were really funky and groovy.good music.rebirth of the flesh would have been the 1st rap/rock hybrid record.it would have been a huge rock.pop,r&b and dance hit
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