....in the same way that say SOTT or Purple Rain are absolute must haves be it for hardcore fans or casual listeners. Scarliy mine is TRC [2002!], since then he has delivered nice/pleaseant sets of songs but nothing that can be described as essential IMHO.

How about you?.

The Gold Experience

I wouldn't say it's as good as Purple Rain or SOTT, but I'd say 3121 is essential. It's a pretty damn good album, albeit with a few flaws.

Dirty Mind
1999
Purple Rain
SOTT

The Gold Experience
Exodus
Come

Efan said:

I would agree with that.

the last essential is the Gold Experience..

thedance said:

I'd have to agree with that. He's had some hits and misses from 1996 onward (I still think Chaos is a great "little brother" to The Gold Experience), but TGE was his last, truly, GREAT album. The hot rock of "Endorphinmachine", the funk of "Now", the punk funk of "Billy Jack Bitch", the anthemic "Gold", the ballads like "TMBGITW" and "I Hate U", the fun and sexy "P Control" and "319"...it's just a perfect album.

The only song I'd delete on that is "Shy".

If some one came up to me asking what would be his last essential album that as a fan you HAVE to have? TRC. It's not the best and has it's flaws, but it is essential. Before that I'd have to go with The Gold Experience.

3121 is nice and a decent record, but I don't think it's essential. It's the best offering this decade.

ernestsewell said:

I love Shy. But of course as fans we all have our different tastes.

Dirty Mind
1999
Purple Rain
Sign O' The Times
Love Sexy

One Nite Alone - Piano And Voice

Sounds quite harsh, but following your own definition of "essential" I'd have to say The Gold Experience.



Others are Dirty Mind, 1999, Purple Rain, Parade, Sign O' The Times, The Black Album, Lovesexy and Exodus.

If u dig Prince? All of them.

funkyhead said:

One Nite Alone (Piano Album)
Crystal Ball
Musicology

'Anyones' collection?'

So it has to be accesible? nothing too 'out there' sounding? Has to be 'The Gold Experience'

For someone coming back into the Prince-fold? i'd go for 3121 or possibly ONA Piano. I wouldn't scare them with TRC.

My initial thought was TGE just for its sheer funkiness. But after rethinking, I must go with CB due to its variety.

The Gold Experience or The Rainbow Children (4 the open minded) 3121 is a great album too.

Lovesexy was the last essential album and that 21 years ago. After that it went downhill with grafitti bridge,diamonds and pearls.the sqiggle album and then the gold experience no great albums but some great songs

i would say

1999
The Gold Experiance
Dirty Mind
3121
and LoveSexy

ernestsewell said:

Shy?, take that back right now!, shy has got one of the coolest funk guitar riffs ever.

ernestsewell said:

just been listening to the NPGMC live version of 'Return of the bump squad' in my car!, damn that is a great track, amazing what you redsicover when you put your pod on shuffle!.

Genesia said:

SOLID second on that.

sign 'o' the times, maybe lovesexy.

can't believe everyone mentions the gold experience. the casual listener knew that it was average at best - look at the sales-figures! many songs were better done before:

gold - purple rain
319 - kiss
i hate u - international lover

dolphin (how beautiful do the words have 2 be, before they conquer every heart) - when doves cry (how can u just leave me standing alone in a world that's so cold)

now is not better than housequake, irresistible bitch or sexy mf

pussy control - hot thing

the standout track could have been the most beautiful girl in the world, but the remix ruined it.

endorphinmachine is overproduced.

shy is good - and was mentioned as best track in many reviews.

i dont remember a 10/10 or 5/5 etc. review. and they were right.

3121? essential? essential?! like purple rain or 1999?? like songs in the key of life? you must be joking.



[Edited 11/10/09 14:57pm]
[Edited 11/10/09 15:02pm]

Graycap23 said:

Yes.

I'd say For You or maybe Minneapolis Genius.

.....

After that he lost it!
[Edited 11/10/09 15:15pm]

ernestsewell said:

I am so surprised u didn't say PE. I know you like that album.

Possibly The Gold Experience, more likely Diamonds & Pearls.

I mean, these aren't my picks, but if I'm saying what's the last thing a casual listener would probably enjoy, that would be it unfortunately.

Sorry, but 3121 doesn't cut it. It's just another of the post-Warner comeback pop albums, marginally better than Rave and Musicology, but cut from the same cloth.

1999,Purple Rain,SOTT and The Hits/B-Sides.

lotusflw3r said:

lol!

daPrettyman said:

I do, but it's not essential to me.