Theatre Du Verdure, France 10.27.1985

October 27 , 1985
Theatre Du Verdure, France
Video Shoot

The videotaped interview was conducted in France, where Prince was shooting his forthcoming motion picture, Under the Cherry Moon. He first took a break to film the video for America, the third single from the Around the World in a Day LP, before 2,000 kids at the Theatre de la Verdure (translation: Greenery Theatre), which is a huge tent on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice. Once the video shoot was completed, Prince & the Revolution treated the audience to a 90-minute concert. Afterwards, Prince sat with a few of the young people in attendance and answered the questions prepared by the MTV Music News staff. It marked the first time in his career that Prince had said more than two sentences on TV. Unfortunately, in many cases, he didn't answer the questions posed, as you'll see. Although Prince is very good at many things, his inexperience with interviews shows greatly.

Rehearsal
1.Pop Life
2.Temptation
3.Paisley Park
4.Love Or Money `
5.Go *
6.Interlude
7.An Honest Man `







1.America [Video]
Mini Concert
2.Paisley Park
3.Delirious
4.Little Red Corvette
5.Purple Rain









MTV (1985)
-----
THE PRINCE INTERVIEW
Mr. Purple Discusses His Movies, His Music, His Musicians
And More, More, More.

By Michael Shore

...

Under the Cherry Moon is a love story, set in the 1940s and shot in black and white. Word from the set has it that the plot is more or less spelled out in the lyrics to "Condition of the Heart" on Around the World in a Day, which appears to be about a musician falling in love with a woman too rich and worldly for his own lifestyle.

...

While the plot may come from a Prince song, don't expect much Prince music in Under the Cherry Moon. Another unidentified crew member says the Revolution was on the set only to shoot the video for "America," that there's no band music in the film at all, and that the only Prince music in the film is His Royal Badness at the acoustic piano. So there may or may not be soundtrack album. Another crew member confirmed, though, that there is one actual "song," and it's called something like "Snowing in July." You'll recall that when Prince announced he would stop touring late in the Purple Rain tour, one of his cryptic reasons was, "Sometimes it snows in July."

The videotaped interview was conducted in France, where Prince was shooting his forthcoming motion picture, Under the Cherry Moon. He first took a break to film the video for America, the third single from the Around the World in a Day LP, before 2,000 kids at the Theatre de la Verdure (translation: Greenery Theatre), which is a huge tent on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice. Once the video shoot was completed, Prince & the Revolution treated the audience to a 90-minute concert. Afterwards, Prince sat with a few of the young people in attendance and answered the questions prepared by the MTV Music News staff. It marked the first time in his career that Prince had said more than two sentences on TV. Unfortunately, in many cases, he didn't answer the questions posed, as you'll see. Although Prince is very good at many things, his inexperience with interviews shows greatly.



...

Someone in Minneapolis recently told us that several months ago they were in a studio there when David Rifkin, your sound engineer, walked in. They asked him what he thought of the new Prince album, Around The World In A Day. He said, "It's great, but wait 'til you hear the new album." Apparently, he meant you're already working on a new LP, and that this one would be a strong return to your funk roots. Is this true? Can you elaborate? What will it be called? When will it be due out, and what's the music like?

Don't you like surprises? Guess not. Ah, it is true I record very fast. It goes even quicker now that the girls help me -- the girls, meaning Wendy and Lisa. I don't really think I left my funk roots anywhere along the line. Around The World In A Day is a funky album. Live it's even funkier.

Why did you make the announcement that there'd be no singles or videos from that LP, and then start issuing singles and making videos anyway?

Because I wanted this album to be listened to, judged, critiqued as a whole. It's hard to take a trip and go around the block, and stop when the trip is 400 miles. Dig?

Speaking of singles and videos, your latest is "America." This is one of the most political songs you've ever done. Could you tell us what the song is supposed to say to people? For example, is it straightforwardly patriotic or more complicated than that?

Straightforwardly patriotic.
We understand you directed the "America" video, and that you also directed "Raspberry Beret." How do you approach directing a video? Do you consult others in order to keep a certain perspective when directing yourself?

Yes, definitely. When directing myself, I consult Steve (Fargnoli), my manager. On directing other Paisley Park artists, I consult the artists first and foremost. One of the things I try to do with the things I direct -- namely for our acts -- is go for the different, the out-of-the-norm, the avant purple, so to speak. And the thing that's unique about the situation I'm in now with these people is that they all know who they are, and they agree with me when we say the one thing we produce is the alternative. If someone wants to go along for that ride, then cool.

...

Can you tell us about Paisley Park?

Paisley Park is an alternative. I'm not saying it's greater or better. It's just something else. It's multicolored, and it's very fun.

Can you comment on the incident that occurred after the American Music Awards in January 1985?

We had talked to the people that were doing USA for Africa, and they said it was cool that I gave them a song for the album. It was the best thing for both of us, I think. I'm strongest in a situation where I'm surrounded by people I know. So it's better that I did the music with my friends than going down and participating there. I probably would have just clammed up with so many great people in a room. I'm an admirer of all of the people who participated in that particular outing, and I don't want there to be any hard feelings. As far as the incident concerning the photographer goes, it's on the flip side of "Pop Life." The main thing it says is that we're against hungry children, and our record stands tall. There is just as much hunger back here at home, and we'll do everything we can, but y'all got to understand that a flower that has water will grow and the man misunderstood will go

... what's very interesting about this interview is the next album that came out was Parade and it was the last album that The Revolution as we know them, was no longer ... The Revolution

I love this record. I was, obviously, not alive when it came out ( ) but I bought the CD version a couple weeks ago. I was instantly hooked .
Around the World in a Day is a great opener, Paisley Park is sheer genius, Condition of the Heart is phenomenally composed, Raspberry Beret has a great string quartet, Tamborine is silly, America is fun, Pop Life is a classic, The Ladder has great saxophone riffs, and Temptation's ending is hella creepy (in a good way .)

OldFriends4Sale said:

where is this from?

Christopher said:

From the Desk of PRN

Novi Novog

Music: Eclectic, High strung instrumental quartet Novi Novog and her viola have been heard and seen on recordings, films and concert stages all over the world. She is one of LA's top session musicians, with a long list of credits including solos on Prince's "Purple Rain" and "Raspberry Beret," The Doobie Brothers' "Black Water", and album appearances for such diverse artists as Shaun Colvin, Bonnie Raitt, Terrance Trent D'Arby, Carly Simon, 10,000 Maniacs, Cher, James Taylor, Spinal Tap, Madonna, Tom Petty and Tangerine Dream. Her touring credits include such names as Frank Zappa, The Doobie Brothers, Aretha Franklin and Jennifer Warnes. A valley girl from North Hollywood, CA, Novi began playing piano at age four. When she was eight, she took up the violin, then moved on to viola. As part of the American Youth Symphony, Novi studied under Mehli Mehta, then attended California Institute of the Arts on scholarship under Louis Kievman, where she received the American String Teachers Award. Novi has recorded several albums with her own groups - Freeway Philharmonic (Sheffield Lab), Chunky, Novi & Ernie featuring her cousin Lauren Wood (Warner Bros. Records) and Sumner (Elektra/Asylum). Novi combines the background and training of the most intense classical disciplines with the improvising and listening abilities of a great jazz musician. She is one of the most versatile musicians in the Los Angeles scene, equally at home in classical, jazz, pop or rock

1984 -Prince & the Revolution:Purple Rain
1984 -the Time:Ice Cream Castles
1984 -Sheila E: the Glamorous Life
1985 -Prince & the Revolution:Around the World in a Day
* Paisley Park:Violin performed by Novi Novog
* Raspberry Beret:Novi Novog-Violin
[Edited 4/2/10 17:41pm]

Raspberry Beret-
She's Always In My Hair -Bside rel 5.15.1985

I remember when this came out, we were still in the throes of Purple Rain(was the tour done yet?) Raspberry Beret got a lot of air play were I lived. The video was a real piece of art versus Prince's previous videos visually.

And it's interesting how the cartoon section of the videos barn scene is from the deleted scenes from Purple Rain where the Kid & Apollonia are on the bike and end up at a barn and have sex. It was supposed to be a very sexually explicit scene.



1 2 1 2 3

Yeah

I was working part time in a five-and-dime
My boss was mr. mcgee
He told me several times that he didnt like my kind
cause I was a bit 2 leisurely

Seems that I was busy doing something close 2 nothing
But different than the day before
Thats when I saw her, ooh, I saw her
She walked in through the out door, out door

She wore a
Raspberry beret
The kind u find in a second hand store
Raspberry beret
And if it was warm she wouldnt wear much more
Raspberry beret
I think I love her

Built like she was
She had the nerve 2 ask me
If I planned 2 do her any harm

So, look here
I put her on the back of my bike
And-a we went riding
Down by old man johnsons farm

I said now, overcast days never turned me on
But something about the clouds and her mixed

She wasnt 2 bright
But I could tell when she kissed me
She knew how 2 get her kicks

She wore a
Raspberry beret
The kind u find in a second hand store
Raspberry beret
And if it was warm she wouldnt wear much more
Raspberry beret
I think I love her

The rain sounds so cool when it hits the barn roof
And the horses wonder who u are
Thunder drowns out what the lightning sees
U feel like a movie star

Listen
They say the first time aint the greatest
But I tell ya
If I had the chance 2 do it all again

I wouldnt change a stroke
cause baby Im the most
With a girl as fine as she was then

(raspberry beret)
The kind u find (the kind u find)
The kind u find (in a second hand store)
Oh no no
(raspberry beret)
(and if it was warm)
Where have all the raspberry women gone? (she wouldnt wear much more)
Yeah (raspberry beret)

I think i... I think i... I think I love her

(raspberry beret)
No no no
No no no (the kind u find)
(in a second hand store)
(raspberry beret)
Tell me
Where have all the raspberry women gone? (and if it was warm she)
(wouldnt wear much more)
(raspberry beret)
I think I love...

OldFriends4Sale said:

Yes the tour was over. Remember, ATWIAD was just dropped in stores without notice of any sort. The single came after once radio stations started to pick up on the song.

Purple Rain tour ended April 7, 1985 in Miami. ATWIAD was released April 22, 1985. Albeit shortly after the tour, but the tour was over at that point.

Is that conjecture about the barn scene or is it written somewhere as a fact? I can't imagine Prince still wanting to reference anything to do with Purple Rain when we know he wanted to so be done with it (the project as a whole), and was itching to get Around the World In A Day out - as it was finished December 1984 on Christmas Day.

ernestsewell said:

no that's my take, I know he wanted and was ready 2 move on 2 the next, but to borrow from something that really didn't make the movie, something he wanted in the movie is probably not a big deal. the cartoon scene is very similar 2 the barn scene description as well as the description of the thunder flashing the horses and even the position of the woman w/the beret 2 Apollonia on top of Prince and the scrips description.

I also believe it was from an ATWIAD era interview that Prince said he and some of the band members or friends were meeting up at his house 2 watch Purple Rain.


June 1986:On the eve of his birthday in 1986, Prince gave a surprise interview to legendary Detroit disc jockey the Electrifying Mojo. He had never offered a live radio interview before. Of the experience, Mojo later said:

PRINCE: You think you hit on something, right! You try to do it again...ya know? (both laugh) I try not to do that too much. If I do, then it's usually someone around, Wendy or Lisa, who says, "Hey, man, I've heard that. Put it away." And it goes away. And we don't hear from that song for a while. Mojo, guess what? We're all going to see Purple Rain tonight.

MOJO: You are?

PRINCE: Yep!

MOJO: I've seen it twelve times.

PRINCE: I've seen it too many times, but I wanna watch it again.

MOJO: I've seen it twelve times, and I'll go watch it tonight. Tell you what -- I'm gonna ask everybody out there to go watch Purple Rain. What time will you be watching it?

PRINCE: About three minutes...they're knocking on my door now. I'll tell you what I'm gonna do. I'll call back tomorrow and I'm gonna leave a little message at about 4:30. And, this one's just for all the purple people, and I think they'll understand. I'll call you. I got your number.
[Edited 4/2/10 18:48pm]
[Edited 4/4/10 7:59am]

OldFriends4Sale said:

Interesting, but I don't find a lot of substance to that being Prince's thought pattern. The guy was in his 20's and flying in the height of his talent. Also remember that the lyrics themselves reference the scene. For me, that's why a barn scene was in there.

Built like she was, huh, she had the nerve 2 ask me
If I planned 2 do her any harm, hmph
So looka here, I put her on the back of my bike and ah...
We went ridin' down by Old Man Johnson's farm
I said now overcast days never turned me on
But somethin' 'bout the clouds and her mixed
She wasn't 2 bright, but I could tell when she kissed me
She knew how 2 get her kicks

The rain sounds so cool when it hits the barn roof
And the horses wonder who U are
The thunder drowns out what the lightning sees, huh
And U feel like a movie star
Listen, they say the first time ain't the greatest
But I tell ya, if I had the chance 2 do it all again
I wouldn't change a stroke cuz baby I'm the most
With a girl as fine as she was then

Also, it was William Blinn, and later Albert Magnoli, who wrote the screenplay. Prince just had ideas for the whole thing. It was Magnoli who put in the sex scene(s), and decided to cut things out.

The movie, at one point, had a near X rating. Magnoli taking it out wasn't a big deal per se, to get it into theaters to stand on its own, not a controversial rating like X, or NC17. I don't think Prince necessarily "wanted" the barn scene in there. Even he understands how to edit things, what works, and what doesn't.

Prince might have watched Purple Rain. Who wouldn't watch their own movie like that? But he was over promoting it. Single, album, movie, singles, videos, long ass tour, etc etc. It was enough for him. He wanted to present something new and shake it all up again. That's different than just watching it w/ friends.

The album did have a release date, that had gotten pushed back a couple of times. It was known that the album was coming out. The radio stations just picked up on Raspberry Beret. It was originally said that there would be no singles, videos, tour...

motherfunka said:

That's not quite accurate.

Prince got it out only a couple of weeks after the tour ended in Miami.


*DanceMusicSexRomance Prince: The First Decade by Per Nilsen, p. 166

ernestsewell said:

right, but using a deleted scene reference as a cartoon in a new video is hardly 'promoting' the previous album or movie. To me it's like him using the paisley Parade shows speakers for SOTT era. It's not a big deal, I'm just saying the similarities are very close. Maybe it is maybe it isn't

the explicit Sex scenes were something Prince wanted and obviously had in his purple note book 'Dreams' from the 2nd Coming concert movie he wanted 2 make, it just got transfered over...

I don't want 2 turn this 1 into a PR discussion, but I do want to do one on PR the movie:deleted scenes background stuff, everything we know and didn't know...

Prince supposedly directed Raspberry Beret, but he didn't do the cartoon artwork.

(60) EXT. GLADE AND BARN -- DAWN

as they ride down a leaf-strewn path and
pull to a stop near an old, weathered,
dilapidated BARN. It stands laarge and
silent like a painting. A low THUNDER
rolls across the land...

(61) INT. BARN -- DAWN

DAWN LIGHT burns through the wooden
slats.. STEAM rises from the wet hay
scattered throughout. The air is thick
and damp. It begins to RAIN.

Vanity stands in the middle of the barn,
gazing at the storm. Beads of
perspiration glisten on her forehead.
She turns slowly, watches as Prince
retrieves old blankets from a nearby
stall. Their eyes search one another
out, their breathing becomes short,
expectant. She hesitates a moment, then
pulls off her blouse, discards it to the
moist, dusty floor.


(62) INT. BARN -- DAY

ANOTHER ANGLE
RAIN patters srtongly against the barn.
A deep THUNDER rolls. She's on top of
him, moving deliciously, her body
glowing in the purple, dawn light.
Moist, purple water shadows streak and
course her skin as she moves slowly,
then deliberately against him. He
watches her avidly, his hands firmly on
her thighs, and thrusts into her again
and again...and again.





Built like she was, she had the nerve 2 ask me
If I planned 2 do her any harm
So looka here now, I put her on the back of my bike
Where we go? (Down by) ...Old Man Johnson's farm
So looka here now, overcast days never turned me on
But somethin’ ‘bout the clouds and her mixed
She-e-e-e wasn't 2 bright, but I could tell when she kissed me
She knew how 2 get her kicks

Rain sounds so cool when it hits the barn roof
And the horses wonder who U are
Thunder drowns out what the lightning sees
U feel like a movie star
They say the first time ain't the greatest
But I'll tell ya, if I had the chance 2 do it all again, oh


[Edited 4/2/10 21:53pm]

Supposedly written about Jill Jones, the 1st of 3 Powerful Bsides from the ATWIAD project.



Whenever I feel like givin' up
Whenever my sunshine turns 2 rain
Whenever my hopes and dreams
Are aimed in the wrong direction
She's always there
Tellin' me how much she cares
She's always in my hair

She's always in my hair
My hair

Whenever I feel like not 2 great at all
Whenever I'm all alone
And even if I hit the wrong notes
She's always in my boat
She's always there
Tellin' me how much she cares
She's always in my hair

She's always in my hair
My hair

Maybe I'll marry her (Maybe I'll marry her)
Maybe I won't (Maybe I won't)
Maybe I will not (Maybe I will not)
Lemme tell ya (Even if I was a gigolo)
If I was a gigolo all my life (All my life)
She'd still be there (She'd still be there)
Tellin' me just how much she really cares (She cares)
She's always in my hair

She's always in my hair
My hair

Listen
Whenever I feel like givin' up
Whenever my sunshine turns 2 rain
Whenever my hopes and dreams
Are aimed in the wrong direction
She's always there
Tellin' me just how much she cares (Tellin' me how much she cares)
Tellin' me...she's always in my hair (Always in my hair)

She's always in my hair
My hair

She's always in my hair

awesome album, period, b-sides.

Condition of the Heart leaves me speechless.

OldFriends4Sale said:

The Electrifying Mojo interview is from 1986. Prince gave it before his birthday concert in Detroit over the phone.

dothejump said:

you sure that was 1985, ^^ that's not my input, that's from the interview, and the person who did the transcript put 1985... U sure? I believe he did more than 1 with E Mojo...
the body of the interview sounds right of it being mid 1985... I posted the parts dealing with ATWIAD on the 1st page of this thread.
I'll check into it again
[Edited 4/3/10 23:46pm]

OldFriends4Sale said:

The dog on the ATWIAD cover depicts the dog that Prince bought for Jill Jones.
So I guess that's why they used this detail of the larger painting on the She's Always In My hair Cover.

Thomas

OldFriends4Sale said:

Yup. 100% sure. I remember it from the time and I also have a newspaper article from 1986 that mentions it. And the Vault also puts it in 1986. Besides, from the interview:
"PRINCE: Well, you know what? I was driving from the gig, wiping the sweat off my brow, and I heard "Automatic." And we just got through playin' it...we don't normally play that one. It went over pretty good, and I think it's 'cuz of you, and what you've done for us and...my thang. It's a good feeling. I just wanna tell all my little motor babies that I'm just happy to be here...and it's a fun way to spend my birthday, for sure. "

Prince didn't play a gig in Detroit in June 1985, so it can't be right

The website princetext got it wrong and, no surprise, Wikipedia also. And from there it is spreading around the internet.
[Edited 4/4/10 1:48am]

OldFriends4Sale said:

It was 1986. He talks about UTCM movie, hoping people can see what he was trying to do with it. He also talked about spending his birthday in Detroit. He also mentioned playing "Automatic", which they rarely played at the time. If you watched the Cobo Hall show, they did play "Automatic" that night.

Huppeldepup said:

Ah didn't know that, that's a cool tidbit


[Edited 4/4/10 8:00am]

July 1985
A.C.Andre Cymone



Another Purple Rain era track released during this time period

You gave Andre Cymone the song, "Dance Electric," for his new album, and we know that you two had some kind of falling out a few years back. When and how did you patch things up?

Prince:I saw him in a discotheque one night and grabbed him by his shirt and said, [at this point, Prince reenacts the scene down to the last facial gesture], "Come on, I got this hit. You know I got this hit, don't you? "Dance Electric"? Yeah, it's great. You need it, you need it. no... Hey, come here, don't you play, hey, no, no, no you're not crazy, I'm crazy. I'm the one that's crazy, K? What chu gonna do? You gonna come by? For real? You ain't mad or nothing? So what? Yeah tomorrow. Noon. Cool."

1.The Dance Electric *
Backing Vocals - Lisa Coleman , Wendy Melvoin Producer, Written-By - Prince
2.Lipstick Lover
3.Pretty Wild Girl
4.Book Of Love
5.Satisfaction
6.Sweet Sensuality
7.Vacation
8.Neon Pussycat

Good morning children
Take a look out your window
Our world is falling
It's almost time 2 go

(Dance)

Dance the Dance Electric
The rhythm is love and love is blind
Love your enemies
There isn't much time, there isn't much time
[Edited 4/5/10 11:43am]

April 12.1985
We Are The World

1.We Are The World
2.If Only For The Moment, Girl
3.Just A Little Closer
4.Trapped
5.Tears Are Not Enough
6.4 The Tears In Your Eyes *
7.Good For Noghing
8.Total Control
9.Little More Love
10.Trouble In Paradise





from the recording 2 the performance Sheila goes from Glamorous Life -> Romance 1600
This song has a strong Purple Rain music feel, most likely written/recorded before the incident that created the Bside Hello

the version with the bass line

Around The World In A Day

Open your heart, open your mind
A train is leaving all day
A wonderful trip through our time
And laughter is all U pay

Around the world in a day, oh!
Around the world in a day

Now dig...
Loneliness already knows U
There ain't no reason 2 stay
Come here, take my hand, I'll show U
I think I know a better way, y'all

Around the world in a day, ow!
(Listen 2 me now)
Around the world in a day
All the babies sing it now

No, sha, sha
No, no shouting every day
No shouting
No, no shouting
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha

The little one will escort U
2 places within your mind
(The former is red, white, and blue)
Former is red, white, and blue!
(The latter is a purple climb)
The latter is a purple - come on and climb!

Around the world in a day, sugar (Oh, baby)
Around the world in a day
Come on, say it!
Around the world in a day
Say papa, I think I wanna dance!

(In summer she’s sweeter)

Around the world in a day {repeat}
Oh yeah!
All the little babies sing around the world
A government of love and music boundless in its unifying power
A nation of art 2 production
Sharing ideas, a shower of flowers
All the little babies sing around the world
Sing it 4 your man, sing it 4 your girl
All the little babies sing around the world

[vocal ad libs]

Baby, baby, darling, why, why?
Where?
Lisa, Lisa?



[Edited 4/7/10 11:54am]

America performance
Eric Leeds Eddie M Prince & Wendy Melvoin

There is an extended version(4 those that don't know) with an opening with sounds of a beach/park scene sounds of seagulls, girls laughing and a pretty good guitar solo
I always use this version instead of the album cut when listening 2 the album

Released May 24, 1985
Recorded The Warehouse, St. Louis Park; 1984


There is a park that is known
4 the face it attracts
colorful people whose hair
On 1 side is swept back
The smile on their faces
It speaks of profound inner peace
Ask where they're going
They'll tell U nowhere
They've taken a lifetime lease
On Paisley Park

chorus:
The girl on the seesaw is laughing
4 love is the color
This place imparts (Paisley Park)
Admission is easy, just say U
Believe and come 2 this
Place in your heart
Paisley Park is in your heart

There is a woman who sits
All alone by the pier
Her husband was naughty
And caused his wife so many tears
He died without knowing forgiveness
And now she is sad, so sad
Maybe she'll come 2 the park
And forgive him
And life won't be so bad
In Paisley Park

chorus

See the man cry as the city
Condemns where he lives
Memories die but taxes
He'll still have 2 give
(who) Whoever said that elephants
were stronger than mules?
Come 2 the park
And play with us
There aren't any rules
In Paisley Park

chorus repeated 2 times

your heart, your heart
Paisley Park
your heart, your heart, your heart (sing, sing it)
Paisley Park
Paisley Park
Paisley Park

http://en.wikipedia.org/w...ark_(song)
Paisley Park" is a song by Prince and The Revolution.[1] It was the first single in both the UK and Australia to be released from their 1985 album, Around the World in a Day. The song has a psychedelic feel, similar to some of The Beatles' later work with echoed guitar and finger cymbals. The lyrics describe a Utopian place that one can feel in their heart, despite the chaos of the world around them. "Paisley Park" was recorded before Purple Rain was completed, indicating the new direction Prince wanted to take after the success of that album and film. Violin on the song was played by Novi Novog, and Wendy & Lisa provide backing vocals.
[Edited 4/5/10 14:41pm]

OldFriends4Sale said:

Not totally true.....but is sort of. I posted about the planned release of "Paisley Park", above.

Slap me, but I still think this is his worst 80s album, or at least, the "least good" (not counting the Batman soundtrack)

Frankly, I believe it would have worked much better as an EP or just a different LP album with the B-Sides, which are much more stronger than cuts like Tambourine or even America. Girl and Hello must be two of his most underrated tracks ever. And She's Always In My Hair deserved a better fate ...

Not a fan of The Ladder (a rip-off of Purple Rain with preachy lyrics) or Condition of the Heart, perhaps his least memorable 80s ballad. Temptation is overlong and a red warning of worse things to come, in terms of self-indulgence and, let's face it, boredom. And sometimes, the merry-go-round lyrics of Paisley Park are a headache...

Overall, I think that Prince released this album as a rejection of his PP stardom. That's Ok by me, and that's why I consider ATWIAD a noble record, despite its major flaws... And obviously, he was tired of the Funk/Urban/Rock thing, as the follow-up Parade proved...
[Edited 4/5/10 15:19pm]

JoeTyler said:

Well said. I agree with many of your points (b-sides were stronger than album cuts), but overall I have grown to love this album. I think the coda of Temptation should have been an instrumental - it's stunning without the words.