squirrelgrease said:

paulludvig said:

He sees making music as a craft, and himself as part of a tradition. This might not be the way we want to think of him, but it is a legitimate perspective, isn’t it?

Yes, he certainly does - and should. But the actual point that NDRU and I agreed upon was Prince's complete obliviousness to the fact that fans are for the most part, complaining about his downward spiral as a songwriter and composer, not as a musician. In the interview, Prince went off on a tangent about his guitar playing abilities then vs now and directed his thoughts on the subject to fans that think he's "lost it". He has lost something. Perspective.

Honestly, who has ever complained about the guitar playing on such classic albums such as Dirty Mind, Controversy, 1999, Purple Rain etc? If anything, the rawness and seeming simplicity of his 80s fret-work is what makes those albums endearing.

I see you point, but I think perhaps Prince’s ideas about making music are a little less romantic than ours. He talks about music being a profession, something he continues working and getting better at, slowly honing his craft, rather than eruptive creativity.

squirrelgrease said:

paulludvig said:

He sees making music as a craft, and himself as part of a tradition. This might not be the way we want to think of him, but it is a legitimate perspective, isn’t it?

Yes, he certainly does - and should. But the actual point that NDRU and I agreed upon was Prince's complete obliviousness to the fact that fans are for the most part, complaining about his downward spiral as a songwriter and composer, not as a musician. In the interview, Prince went off on a tangent about his guitar playing abilities then vs now and directed his thoughts on the subject to fans that think he's "lost it". He has lost something. Perspective.

Honestly, who has ever complained about the guitar playing on such classic albums such as Dirty Mind, Controversy, 1999, Purple Rain etc? If anything, the rawness and seeming simplicity of his 80s fret-work is what makes those albums endearing.

Brilliantly put. His "musicianship" seems to get in the way of the GROOVE.

When I listen to songs like Strange Relationship and Can't Stop This Feeling I got, I'm struck by how the groove moves forward.

I'm not a musician, but some of his recent songs sound off to me. It's like he's trying too hard to flex his skills but too often it just seems to ruin the flow. The song Cause and Effect is the most recent example of too many ideas not hooking up together or flowing properly.

Having said that, I try to accept and appreciate everything he creates. I loved most of Lotusflow3r (single disc only), some of Planet Earth and much of 3121.

I'm looking forward and excited to the new disc like most of us. I'm sure there will be a few "gems".

squirrelgrease said:

paulludvig said:

He sees making music as a craft, and himself as part of a tradition. This might not be the way we want to think of him, but it is a legitimate perspective, isn’t it?

Yes, he certainly does - and should. But the actual point that NDRU and I agreed upon was Prince's complete obliviousness to the fact that fans are for the most part, complaining about his downward spiral as a songwriter and composer, not as a musician. In the interview, Prince went off on a tangent about his guitar playing abilities then vs now and directed his thoughts on the subject to fans that think he's "lost it". He has lost something. Perspective.

Honestly, who has ever complained about the guitar playing on such classic albums such as Dirty Mind, Controversy, 1999, Purple Rain etc? If anything, the rawness and seeming simplicity of his 80s fret-work is what makes those albums endearing.

This is part of how I feel, squirrelgrease. IMO, I think he's at a point where maybe he just doesn't care about the fans anymore. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think I can name an award acceptance speech where he has even thanked the fans. Like he said to Oprah, he'll just keep recorded and releasing until he dies. I mean, the album name (if its true) -- look at that. Is it a theme or just something to call it cause there's already an album named "Prince"?

I just think that he's at a point where he's releasing this music, bu not because he wants to please us or give us some good music; he's at a point where he's releasing it because he knows that no matter what, someone, somewhere will buy it.

(hope i wasnt harsh)

The 11 scans on page 1 from Het Nieuwsblad has been re-uploaded to Photobucket and works again.

majic said:

squirrelgrease said:

Yes, he certainly does - and should. But the actual point that NDRU and I agreed upon was Prince's complete obliviousness to the fact that fans are for the most part, complaining about his downward spiral as a songwriter and composer, not as a musician. In the interview, Prince went off on a tangent about his guitar playing abilities then vs now and directed his thoughts on the subject to fans that think he's "lost it". He has lost something. Perspective.

Honestly, who has ever complained about the guitar playing on such classic albums such as Dirty Mind, Controversy, 1999, Purple Rain etc? If anything, the rawness and seeming simplicity of his 80s fret-work is what makes those albums endearing.

This is part of how I feel, squirrelgrease. IMO, I think he's at a point where maybe he just doesn't care about the fans anymore. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think I can name an award acceptance speech where he has even thanked the fans. Like he said to Oprah, he'll just keep recorded and releasing until he dies. I mean, the album name (if its true) -- look at that. Is it a theme or just something to call it cause there's already an album named "Prince"?

I just think that he's at a point where he's releasing this music, bu not because he wants to please us or give us some good music; he's at a point where he's releasing it because he knows that no matter what, someone, somewhere will buy it.

(hope i wasnt harsh)

No you were not harsh and I can understand squirrel and your posts very well.

I think if these message boards went black for a month and started back in September many people would get the album and think it was the best thing they have heard in years.

The same things you said in your post and what others are saying on this thread was said after every album since Purple Rain. The difference was the internet did not exist. In the era since the internet the most hated album prior to the Rainbow Children was The Gold Experence. Now Gold is hailed as a "classic".

I hated Come for years and sometime this spring I have started jamming to it almost everyday.

muleFunk said:

In the era since the internet the most hated album prior to the Rainbow Children was The Gold Experence. Now Gold is hailed as a "classic".

GOLD was a classic from the start.

The real fans knew the songs ver early.

The casual fans didn't connect so much.

How come you think the album was hated?

udo said:

muleFunk said:

In the era since the internet the most hated album prior to the Rainbow Children was The Gold Experence. Now Gold is hailed as a "classic".

GOLD was a classic from the start.

The real fans knew the songs ver early.

The casual fans didn't connect so much.

How come you think the album was hated?

I love the Gold album from jump and I still love the album.

It should have spawned several hits but the album was blacklisted by WB and Prince stopped promoting the album.

Back when the Org came online the Gold album caught the fury of most posters here as an example of how lazy Prince was and the same critical nonsense that is posted here now.

robinhood said:

reading the interview felt like watching a movie. the part where his girlfriend shows her teeth gave me chills, like a vampire movie, where the creepiness begins with a flashy smile, and slow luring voice. his opinions on the internet are just that, opinions. interesting how the interviewer said 'a different Prince' appeared, at least he's astute enough to recognize when Prince changes his personalities, some call it shape-shifting. overall the interview makes me feel sorry for him. but at least he can party in some big cold rooms where the lights dont work, with a Bible, as a Jehovah's Witness, and a girlfriend, without a chaperone. he flashes Jehovah like a fashion statement. at least the things he said about music made some sense, sort of, but it all just feels so, insincere. i hope he doesnt end up teetering up and down his corridors in his old age hallucinating about all the good times, waving at an imaginary crowd, rehearsing his own special version of billie jean, to himself.

Huh?....Prince is a lot of things...Yeah, I made a WTF face when he said the Internet was dead ( Of course that was a jab at Itunes and possibly the Org...However, Prince is going in the wrong route declaring the death of the online medium)...But the one thing u can never say about Prince is that he is going to turn out like Sunset Blvd., pining away for the good ol' days...He's too much of a on-to-the-next type of dude....Hell, if anything, it's some of the fans on this very board that are living too much in the past....Oh, the irony...

IstenSzek said:

for the Belgian orgers: is this a big national paper? would i be able to get it at, say, a big

supermarket chain or is it a paper that i'll most likely only find at a book or magazinestore?

thanks!

It's one of the most popular newspapers here in" Flemisch" Belgium. Sold everywere;

muleFunk said:

udo said:

GOLD was a classic from the start.

The real fans knew the songs ver early.

The casual fans didn't connect so much.

How come you think the album was hated?

I love the Gold album from jump and I still love the album.

It should have spawned several hits but the album was blacklisted by WB and Prince stopped promoting the album.

Back when the Org came online the Gold album caught the fury of most posters here as an example of how lazy Prince was and the same critical nonsense that is posted here now.

Talk about revisionist history: I was here then, and before that, when this site was called the PPML. I don't remember anything like you're describing. As I recall it, TGE has been hailed by Prince's fans from the very start.

TwiliteKid said:

muleFunk said:

I love the Gold album from jump and I still love the album.

It should have spawned several hits but the album was blacklisted by WB and Prince stopped promoting the album.

Back when the Org came online the Gold album caught the fury of most posters here as an example of how lazy Prince was and the same critical nonsense that is posted here now.

Talk about revisionist history: I was here then, and before that, when this site was called the PPML. I don't remember anything like you're describing. As I recall it, TGE has been hailed by Prince's fans from the very start.

Well, I also remember people dogging TGE, so it's not revisionist history just because you don't recall it.

Serena said:

TwiliteKid said:

Talk about revisionist history: I was here then, and before that, when this site was called the PPML. I don't remember anything like you're describing. As I recall it, TGE has been hailed by Prince's fans from the very start.

Well, I also remember people dogging TGE, so it's not revisionist history just because you don't recall it.

Obviously some folks didn't dig it, as is the case with everything Prince puts out, but the suggestion that popular opinion was against it just isn't true.

If only but no!

The hate was not at the toxic levels that it is now but there were plenty of people who flat dogged that record out.

I must have missed something. Has it actually been confirmed that the album will be released for sale in stores in the US or is that just rumor?

[Edited 6/26/10 18:38pm]

TwiliteKid said:

muleFunk said:

I love the Gold album from jump and I still love the album.

It should have spawned several hits but the album was blacklisted by WB and Prince stopped promoting the album.

Back when the Org came online the Gold album caught the fury of most posters here as an example of how lazy Prince was and the same critical nonsense that is posted here now.

Talk about revisionist history: I was here then, and before that, when this site was called the PPML. I don't remember anything like you're describing. As I recall it, TGE has been hailed by Prince's fans from the very start.

I was around back in the PPML days and people dogged TGE big time that and WB not promoting the cd just killed it at the time.

I also remember the days of "Lovesexy" and how so many U.S fans disliked this CD and P only did 10 U.S. shows and none of them were sell-outs.

Laura the new Prince CD release has gotten so predictable that it's funny to watch.

TGE was dogged for about 10 years and then it gained "classic" status. Hell Lovesexy was dogged until Diamond and Pearls came out.

My theory is that when the "new" Prince music is not played on MTV,BET, radio ,ect then people think or is programmed to think the music sucks. Then they will spend the next several months complaining about Prince and his dead creativity, lack of artistic direction, needing Lisa and Wendy,needing a producer,ect,ect,ect.

It's been the same for every release and if you don't believe it go to the Org. archives and look them up.

muleFunk said:

TGE was dogged for about 10 years and then it gained "classic" status. Hell Lovesexy was dogged until Diamond and Pearls came out.

Bullshit. Your whole argumentation is crap. You're making things up to back up your weird theories that are only true in your own little fantasy world. A lot of fans loved those albums right from the start. Lovesexy made me a prince fan in 1988 and it was praised by a lot of fans and journalists. I still remember this time very well.

Bullshit back.

I am not saying that some fans did not like the albums then. I am saying that the majority of people did not elevate those albums into classic status until many years later.

Also many European fans were hip to the Lovesexy groove before we were here in the states. I will be the first to admit that I did not like the Lovesexy album because it was not SOTT. Lovesexy was much more mature a sound for my little mind to digest in those days.

muleFunk said:

Bullshit back.

I am not saying that some fans did not like the albums then. I am saying that the majority of people did not elevate those albums into classic status until many years later.

Also many European fans were hip to the Lovesexy groove before we were here in the states. I will be the first to admit that I did not like the Lovesexy album because it was not SOTT. Lovesexy was much more mature a sound for my little mind to digest in those days.

And you feel qualified to speak for the "majority of fans"? I don't think so.

ludwig said:

And you feel qualified to speak for the "majority of fans"? I don't think so.

Of course he felt like he was, assuming he implied that.

You should ask if he really was.

ludwig said:

muleFunk said:

Bullshit back.

I am not saying that some fans did not like the albums then. I am saying that the majority of people did not elevate those albums into classic status until many years later.

Also many European fans were hip to the Lovesexy groove before we were here in the states. I will be the first to admit that I did not like the Lovesexy album because it was not SOTT. Lovesexy was much more mature a sound for my little mind to digest in those days.

And you feel qualified to speak for the "majority of fans"? I don't think so.

Can you ?

Reference back to Laurarichardson's post.

As a true Prince fan who doesn't bitch about everything he does now, or the last few years, I don't particulary care how I get the new music.. I just want to get it. Be it through magazine, bag of Dorito's, pack of toilet paper... just get it to me! LOL.

When the day comes that I find myself not liking what an artist does anymore, that shall be the day that I move on from a place that is built for his fans.

Purpracer2 said:

As a true Prince fan who doesn't bitch about everything he does now, or the last few years, I don't particulary care how I get the new music.. I just want to get it. Be it through magazine, bag of Dorito's, pack of toilet paper... just get it to me! LOL.

When the day comes that I find myself not liking what an artist does anymore, that shall be the day that I move on from a place that is built for his fans.

sigh.....meet prince's new fan base, ladies and gents.

majic said:

Purpracer2 said:

As a true Prince fan who doesn't bitch about everything he does now, or the last few years, I don't particulary care how I get the new music.. I just want to get it. Be it through magazine, bag of Dorito's, pack of toilet paper... just get it to me! LOL.

When the day comes that I find myself not liking what an artist does anymore, that shall be the day that I move on from a place that is built for his fans.

sigh.....meet prince's new fan base, ladies and gents.

I've been a Prince fan for a long time, so sigh... I'm sorry you're not able to keep up with the intelligence of his new music. Just because You don't get the new music, doesn't mean that others don't dig it. I feel sorry for you. Who are you to make out like I'm some weirdo because I like his music now? Like I said before, I have a right to enjoy his music. If you don't like it, I'm sure Lady Gaga has a site you can go to. Be a little more respectful, son.

LittleSister said:

IstenSzek said:

since i'm at home waiting for an appointment at the vet this afternoon, i figured, what the hell,

i'll just translate for the english speaking orgers. here's part 1. part 2 coming soon

People should really try to read better on this forum.

Let's avoid all making the same translation ! Oh well since he's propably already back on it, I'll post the translation I've already done on MoQuake

Awww....precious got all tetchy! Jeez, lighten up.

Can this nesdpaper be bought in France?

LittleSister said:

TRANSLATION

Frontpage newspaper : Exclusive interview with Prince. Our reporter spent 5 hours at home with the elusive genius.
Frontpage festivalguide : The Summer Of Prince

Page 6:
Prince : "I keep getting better"
Exclusive : 5 hours with the elusive genius in Paisley Park


"What do you want to hear ?" This can't be true. I'm sitting two meters removed from one of the most mysterious and successful popstars of the latest decennia and he asks me what to play, from behind his black grand piano ?
It was already unimaginable that the elusive Prince wanted to be interviewed in his Paisley Park Studio's in the American Minneapolis. But what happens next, beats everything. And something tells me, it ain't over yet.

From our reporter Hans-Maarten Post in Minneapolis

"You must catch the next plane now. He wants to do the interview tomorrow." Prince (52) may have left the spotlights the last years but nothing has changed. The legendary pop musician is still as unpredictable as ever. For weeks we have been trying to arrange an interview - because of the new music he will be giving away exclusive through our newspaper on July 10th - and just at the moment I think it will never happen, I get this mail from his manager. "Sorry, that's the way he wants to do it. It's this or nothing. Good luck."

To be continued...

Whenwas this interview done? It says the interview would appear in the June 24 paper but doesn't indicate the actual date of the interview....just curious as to how recent.

squirrelgrease said:

In the interview, Prince went off on a tangent about his guitar playing abilities then vs now and directed his thoughts on the subject to fans that think he's "lost it". He has lost something. Perspective.

Honestly, who has ever complained about the guitar playing on such classic albums such as Dirty Mind, Controversy, 1999, Purple Rain etc? If anything, the rawness and seeming simplicity of his 80s fret-work is what makes those albums endearing.

I can't for the life of my remember where I read it (most likely it was here on the org a year or two ago, but it may have also been a magazine article), but someone wrote an excellent piece/post about just this very thing (it wasn't you was it?!?) Essentially breaking down the artistic decline of musicians in general when they just don't need to try any more - it's the drive to become succesful that fuels the fire to push and forge forwards. When that is attained, and luxuries and comforts become commonplace, that fires either dims or in some cases gets extinguished entirely.

I'm not saying this is the case with Prince, but that fire isn't raging like it did time upon a once. Now it is merely just a comforting warm glow - the remanants of what came before. I think his BET speech kinda touched upon that he's ok with that and where he is. In that respect at least - good for him.

If anyone knows about the article or post I'm talking about and can find it, kudos to you. The more I think about it, the more I think it may have been a featured quote on the homepage - whoever wrote it....bang on the money.

Xibalba said:

squirrelgrease said:

In the interview, Prince went off on a tangent about his guitar playing abilities then vs now and directed his thoughts on the subject to fans that think he's "lost it". He has lost something. Perspective.

Honestly, who has ever complained about the guitar playing on such classic albums such as Dirty Mind, Controversy, 1999, Purple Rain etc? If anything, the rawness and seeming simplicity of his 80s fret-work is what makes those albums endearing.

I can't for the life of my remember where I read it (most likely it was here on the org a year or two ago, but it may have also been a magazine article), but someone wrote an excellent piece/post about just this very thing (it wasn't you was it?!?) Essentially breaking down the artistic decline of musicians in general when they just don't need to try any more - it's the drive to become succesful that fuels the fire to push and forge forwards. When that is attained, and luxuries and comforts become commonplace, that fires either dims or in some cases gets extinguished entirely.

I'm not saying this is the case with Prince, but that fire isn't raging like it did time upon a once. Now it is merely just a comforting warm glow - the remanants of what came before. I think his BET speech kinda touched upon that he's ok with that and where he is. In that respect at least - good for him.

If anyone knows about the article or post I'm talking about and can find it, kudos to you. The more I think about it, the more I think it may have been a featured quote on the homepage - whoever wrote it....bang on the money.

That couldn't have been me.

I agree with the theory about drive and creativity going hand-in-hand as well as fame and fortune becoming an inspirational liability to the artist. I guess we're actually quite lucky that Prince's rise and decline was extended over a large canon of work. So many great musical acts that wait years between albums lose their mojo during a similar timeline, but release far less material. Prince, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bowie - all churned out great album after great album, but recorded and released them while the iron was hot. The quality arc seems to be the same for all the heavy hitters in music, but the quantity varies.