After listening to Prince's last two releases back to back--Lotusflower and 20TEN just now..I am wondering if those of us who heard and saw Prince in his youth expect too much these days... I don't like every song on either Lotusflower or 20TEN but I do like a few a lot, which tells me Prince hasn't lost his ability.

What I get from his latest offering 20TEN is that he sounds happy and at peace in his life--as much as he knows it. I would never ask an artist to go back to the chaos that might have driven their best efforts--I just listened to some of Rick James' great music this morning--but that has been forgotten behind Dave Chapelle's "I'm Rick James, Bitch!" skit and Rick is no longer with us.

But...here is Prince...still making music that he loves...and some of it I still very much like and think it is comparable with some of his classics. Off Lotusflower--really love "Colonized Mind" and "Dreamer." Off the new 20TEN album I think "Act of God" stands up to the best. I also like "Sticky Like Glue" and "Lavaux."

Just to remind people who were around when Prince started, there has always been a love/hate, or not so sure relationship with many of his songs, beginning way back in the 70s. So, for all of you who have been around that long--do we expect too much, do you want more, or does Prince still deliver sometimes in his albums? I won't even include live performances, because there is no doubt about that!

He is okay just the way he iz and eye like that!

Yes! He hooked us with the greatness and just like a typical pusher, starting cutting the product for maximum profit, then gets all pissy when there are complaints.

.

[Edited 7/15/10 19:10pm]

Yes, you old farts need to stop being so damn stuck in the past and just enjoy the music he gives us. How can you expect a 52 year old man to give the same magic of their youth? Unreasonable. People sit here and glorify Michael's weak ass Invincible and get upset when someone speaks the truth yet when it comes to Prince's latest music its ok to piss and shit on. I don't get it. If his current music is such trash then stop listening to it. Its one thing to be objective and to critically assess but I read more bitching and the same stuff being thrown around by the same people too often. Lets be happy Prince is still alive and at least making music. How many people from the 80's are still around? How many people from the 90's still around? He could have easily stopped or faded out. Just my

PlayboyOriginal said:

Yes, you old farts need to stop being so damn stuck in the past and just enjoy the music he gives us. How can you expect a 52 year old man to give the same magic of their youth? Unreasonable. People sit here and glorify Michael's weak ass Invincible and get upset when someone speaks the truth yet when it comes to Prince's latest music its ok to piss and shit on. I don't get it. If his current music is such trash then stop listening to it. Its one thing to be objective and to critically assess but I read more bitching and the same stuff being thrown around by the same people too often. Lets be happy Prince is still alive and at least making music. How many people from the 80's are still around? How many people from the 90's still around? He could have easily stopped or faded out. Just my

Well, I guess I agree with you on some levels except "old Farts." When I said "old Foggies" I meant people younger than Prince, actually, which I am. I'm glad that people my son's age like Prince's music, too. But you are angry at the wrong person on this thread--I like some of his new music. BTW I am younger than Prince...

I'm 26 years younger than Prince and I guess I may be an "old fogie" because I love too much of vintage Prince lol not that current Prince has bad music, quite contrary. His sound is more settled than it was when I wasn't born/a baby/younger lol

PlayboyOriginal said:

Yes, you old farts need to stop being so damn stuck in the past and just enjoy the music he gives us. How can you expect a 52 year old man to give the same magic of their youth? Unreasonable. People sit here and glorify Michael's weak ass Invincible and get upset when someone speaks the truth yet when it comes to Prince's latest music its ok to piss and shit on. I don't get it. If his current music is such trash then stop listening to it. Its one thing to be objective and to critically assess but I read more bitching and the same stuff being thrown around by the same people too often. Lets be happy Prince is still alive and at least making music. How many people from the 80's are still around? How many people from the 90's still around? He could have easily stopped or faded out. Just my

I've said it before:

At least half of your appreciation of music (art) has to do with you and your life. It's what you bring to the table. For me, Prince is still making great music, but it doesn't hit me the way it did when I was 15.

For me to expect to receive/experience a new Prince album the way I experienced Lovesexy for the first time is unreasonable. My life/who I am is totally a different place than I was in 1988. The same goes for Prince as well.

I don't really categorize it in terms of then vs now, or better or worse. Prince still does it for me. If he doesn't, I can still be transported back to that feeling I had in '88 via the Lovesexy album and my ipod.

skywalker said:

PlayboyOriginal said:

Yes, you old farts need to stop being so damn stuck in the past and just enjoy the music he gives us. How can you expect a 52 year old man to give the same magic of their youth? Unreasonable. People sit here and glorify Michael's weak ass Invincible and get upset when someone speaks the truth yet when it comes to Prince's latest music its ok to piss and shit on. I don't get it. If his current music is such trash then stop listening to it. Its one thing to be objective and to critically assess but I read more bitching and the same stuff being thrown around by the same people too often. Lets be happy Prince is still alive and at least making music. How many people from the 80's are still around? How many people from the 90's still around? He could have easily stopped or faded out. Just my

I've said it before:

At least half of your appreciation of music (art) has to do with you and your life. It's what you bring to the table. For me, Prince is still making great music, but it doesn't hit me the way it did when I was 15.

For me to expect to receive/experience a new Prince album the way I experienced Lovesexy for the first time is unreasonable. My life/who I am is totally a different place than I was in 1988. The same goes for Prince as well.

I don't really categorize it in terms of then vs now, or better or worse. Prince still does it for me. If he doesn't, I can still be transported back to that feeling I had in '88 via the Lovesexy album and my ipod.

You expressed it very well. Appreciation of Prince's music or anyone else's had nothing to do with age..but quality of music. Although I am of P's generation, I just started listening to him again last year after a 15 year absence... I love the old stuff (of course!) But I am also open to the new songs on the new release 20TEN! What do you you like from it (whatever your age!)?

poetcorner61 said:

skywalker said:

I've said it before:

At least half of your appreciation of music (art) has to do with you and your life. It's what you bring to the table. For me, Prince is still making great music, but it doesn't hit me the way it did when I was 15.

For me to expect to receive/experience a new Prince album the way I experienced Lovesexy for the first time is unreasonable. My life/who I am is totally a different place than I was in 1988. The same goes for Prince as well.

I don't really categorize it in terms of then vs now, or better or worse. Prince still does it for me. If he doesn't, I can still be transported back to that feeling I had in '88 via the Lovesexy album and my ipod.

You expressed it very well. Appreciation of Prince's music or anyone else's had nothing to do with age..but quality of music. Although I am of P's generation, I just started listening to him again last year after a 15 year absence... I love the old stuff (of course!) But I am also open to the new songs on the new release 20TEN! What do you you like from it (whatever your age!)?

Well, I live in Minneapolis and don't have 20ten yet. Ironic? I heard a few tracks on our local radio and liked what I heard, but it is too early to know. My copy is on the way from England. Hope to get it this week.

Definitely.

First of all, the dissatisfaction does have something to do with the change of persona. If Prince was being as sluttish as he was in his lyrics back in the day, you can bet some would be happier with the music. You do get the impression that some want Prince to help them continue some kind of psycho-sexual journey they started long ago.

And then there's the great musical expectations. Prince was supposed to keep transforming pop music or something.... for over 30 years? Unrealistic. These days he's a craftman, his lyrics are not written to grab you under the waist, and that is all there is to it. If you are still interested, keep on listening. If not, well... check once in a while, publish your sarcastic review and leave it at that.

That is my philosophy anyway.

skywalker said:

poetcorner61 said:

You expressed it very well. Appreciation of Prince's music or anyone else's had nothing to do with age..but quality of music. Although I am of P's generation, I just started listening to him again last year after a 15 year absence... I love the old stuff (of course!) But I am also open to the new songs on the new release 20TEN! What do you you like from it (whatever your age!)?

Well, I live in Minneapolis and don't have 20ten yet. Ironic? I heard a few tracks on our local radio and liked what I heard, but it is too early to know. My copy is on the way from England. Hope to get it this week.

You'd probably get it in two-four weeks if you ordered it from there.

Timmy84 said:

skywalker said:

Well, I live in Minneapolis and don't have 20ten yet. Ironic? I heard a few tracks on our local radio and liked what I heard, but it is too early to know. My copy is on the way from England. Hope to get it this week.

You'd probably get it in two-four weeks if you ordered it from there.

Actually, I pre-ordered the 20TEN on Ebay that was given out in the UK; it was mailed on Monday and I received it today--Thursday in the U.S.. That is the only reason I am commenting on it--I wanted to hear it on my big ass stereo speakers and not some crummy internet version. Most of the songs I think are very good msuically and lyrically. The only one I don't like is Everybody loves ME! Unnnhh-unnhhh! All the others I like or love...

skywalker said:

PlayboyOriginal said:

Yes, you old farts need to stop being so damn stuck in the past and just enjoy the music he gives us. How can you expect a 52 year old man to give the same magic of their youth? Unreasonable. People sit here and glorify Michael's weak ass Invincible and get upset when someone speaks the truth yet when it comes to Prince's latest music its ok to piss and shit on. I don't get it. If his current music is such trash then stop listening to it. Its one thing to be objective and to critically assess but I read more bitching and the same stuff being thrown around by the same people too often. Lets be happy Prince is still alive and at least making music. How many people from the 80's are still around? How many people from the 90's still around? He could have easily stopped or faded out. Just my

I've said it before:

At least half of your appreciation of music (art) has to do with you and your life. It's what you bring to the table. For me, Prince is still making great music, but it doesn't hit me the way it did when I was 15.

For me to expect to receive/experience a new Prince album the way I experienced Lovesexy for the first time is unreasonable. My life/who I am is totally a different place than I was in 1988. The same goes for Prince as well.

I don't really categorize it in terms of then vs now, or better or worse. Prince still does it for me. If he doesn't, I can still be transported back to that feeling I had in '88 via the Lovesexy album and my ipod.

I wont get this type of music from anyone else these days and Im kind of done listening to Prince old 80's material..yeah its good, but I played it out so much the last fifteen years of my life .. I already went through the experience of the 90's (horrifying) and am SO GLAD to have Prince doing funk again..man it was a loooong wait but the funk is back and it's good.

I waited a loong damn time to hear prince do songs like Lavaux, Compassion, Black Sweat, Everlasting Now...looong time. And its sooo good...

I seem to be just the opposite of the average Prince fan these days. I remain optimistic about most of his CD releases, despite a clunker track here and there. His live performances to me, have always been a mixed bag. Even his tours that transcend what music is can have moments of annoying torture. The simplistic hatchet job on "Let's Go Crazy," where the lyrics are cut out, and he sings the old boring Shave and A Haircut bit with "Let's GO" chants. He really hasn't performed this song with any direction since the PR tour AWFUL!!! Even my favorite tour by any musician, SOTT had "It's Gonna Be A Long, Long, Long, Long, somewhat Beautiful Night." I mean, including this song on that album meant no Crystal Ball!!!!! Or take that long wreck off, and place Witness, Old Friends 4 Sale, and any other 84-87 classic outtake Ok, another bad post, maybe I should be banned here or something.

[Edited 7/15/10 21:34pm]

Prince over 50 releases:

Lotus Flow3r-outstanding

MPLS Sound- well, he was trying...a few very good songs, and some clunkers.

20Ten-still taking this one in...better than MPLS Sound

Now, let's compare Prince's output to other "Old" musicians who are legends:

Paul McCartney over 50 releases:

Chaos And Creation In The Backyard -just ok

Memory Almost Full - not much to talk about

Flaming Pie -a few good songs

Driving Rain - well, not terrible

Off the Ground-Are you Kidding Me?

Billy Joel over 50 releases:

(This Page Intentionall Left Blank)

(Joel has only recorded one single with one song of new material...and it really sucked.)

Don Henley/Eagles Over 50 releases:

Long Road Out Of Eden- About 2 great songs, 3 very good songs, and 9 or so barely good songs...and it only took them ten years after Henley's last solo project.

Stevie Wonder over 50 releases:

A Time To Love- now I love Stevie too much to say anything really negative, but this was a long wait after Conversation Peace, and at this point, I would hope he would simply open up his valut, and chill with the new songs.

U2 over 50 releases:

Well, none yet, but most of No Line on The Horizon was recorded when most members of the band were 47-49, so I'll cheat, and say this so called "masterpiece," took nearly 5 years to make, and had 3 real gems, 4 very good songs, and 4 clunkers. Prince scratched his back, and Lotus Flow3r came out, which kicks the ass out of U2's Horizon. U2 is my second favorite artist, but they took a back seat in this comparison. Horizon is better than MPLS Sound though.

James Brown over 50 releases:

It is not easy to get info on any of his Scotti Bros. releases. I have not heard enough to judge, but my friends who have, say he was past his prime, and was hardly even writing any of the material himself anymore.

Sting over 50 releases:

Well, let's see..

Sacred Love- took 4 years to make, and became his lowest selling album, which I can say about each subsequent album. This is not a bad record, but Sting has not recorded any original material since...

Songs from the Labyrinth Remake album of songs from the time of Noah's ark, with the great classic instrument, the loot. Or was it Lute? The songs were remakes...sounds like Sting caught Rod Stewart disease in his old age.

If on a Winter's Night... A Remake Album. What a great Idea Sting has come up with. Remake a bunch of old songs. Nobody ever could have thought of that!!! Ok, so he remade a few old Sting songs, and may have written another track or two, but I was halfway through this dull recording wishing Tony M was around....well, not that bad...but close.

Symphonicities A remake album...Where ever did Sting get such an original idea???? And not just any remakes, remake a bunch of Police and Sting songs. It's great that he doesn't have writer's Block...all this great new material!! Ok, so Sting has BECOME Rod Stewart.

To me, it is obvious, with just two releases, Prince has already accomplished as much or more than any of the above artists listed since turning 50. Even if you include Jazz greats, where there is a bit more luck with finding older artists still being creative...Prince compares well to anyone.

Final Word....Prince is still writing new songs, when most of his contemporaries have totally lost it like Sting and Billy Joel, or are just barely hanging on like Paul McCartney, and Don Henley.

[Edited 7/15/10 22:09pm]

[Edited 7/24/10 21:44pm]

poetcorner61 said:

Timmy84 said:

You'd probably get it in two-four weeks if you ordered it from there.

Actually, I pre-ordered the 20TEN on Ebay that was given out in the UK; it was mailed on Monday and I received it today--Thursday in the U.S.. That is the only reason I am commenting on it--I wanted to hear it on my big ass stereo speakers and not some crummy internet version. Most of the songs I think are very good msuically and lyrically. The only one I don't like is Everybody loves ME! Unnnhh-unnhhh! All the others I like or love...

Why do u get an audio connection cable from Best Buy or where-ever and hook up your big-ass music system 2 your computer and set the music system 2 AUX, then u can hear everything on your computer the same way as you normally hear music on your big-ass music system!!!!!

[Edited 7/16/10 1:03am]

skywalker said:

PlayboyOriginal said:

Yes, you old farts need to stop being so damn stuck in the past and just enjoy the music he gives us. How can you expect a 52 year old man to give the same magic of their youth? Unreasonable. People sit here and glorify Michael's weak ass Invincible and get upset when someone speaks the truth yet when it comes to Prince's latest music its ok to piss and shit on. I don't get it. If his current music is such trash then stop listening to it. Its one thing to be objective and to critically assess but I read more bitching and the same stuff being thrown around by the same people too often. Lets be happy Prince is still alive and at least making music. How many people from the 80's are still around? How many people from the 90's still around? He could have easily stopped or faded out. Just my

I've said it before:

At least half of your appreciation of music (art) has to do with you and your life. It's what you bring to the table. For me, Prince is still making great music, but it doesn't hit me the way it did when I was 15.

For me to expect to receive/experience a new Prince album the way I experienced Lovesexy for the first time is unreasonable. My life/who I am is totally a different place than I was in 1988. The same goes for Prince as well.

I don't really categorize it in terms of then vs now, or better or worse. Prince still does it for me. If he doesn't, I can still be transported back to that feeling I had in '88 via the Lovesexy album and my ipod.

Agree. Your current 'state of mind' surely has influence on how you perceive new music.

But then again, listening to some mid 80's songs; they're more complex then the recent releases.

Arrangements are more spohisticated and there're a lot of experiments with sounds.

To my opinion that was influenced by the creativity of the people who were part of his life at that time. The current 'purple household' is more religiously inspired and less creative.

That has killed his nastyness.

Edit:

By the way. That he still has got 'it' was proven (to me at least) by P-Funk. That blew me right off my chair. Could you conclude that when he's pissed off, he becomes the 'old genius' again ?
If so, then I'd say: let's piss him off some more

.

[Edited 7/16/10 2:57am]

poetcorner61 said:

PlayboyOriginal said:

Yes, you old farts need to stop being so damn stuck in the past and just enjoy the music he gives us. How can you expect a 52 year old man to give the same magic of their youth? Unreasonable. People sit here and glorify Michael's weak ass Invincible and get upset when someone speaks the truth yet when it comes to Prince's latest music its ok to piss and shit on. I don't get it. If his current music is such trash then stop listening to it. Its one thing to be objective and to critically assess but I read more bitching and the same stuff being thrown around by the same people too often. Lets be happy Prince is still alive and at least making music. How many people from the 80's are still around? How many people from the 90's still around? He could have easily stopped or faded out. Just my

Well, I guess I agree with you on some levels except "old Farts." When I said "old Foggies" I meant people younger than Prince, actually, which I am. I'm glad that people my son's age like Prince's music, too. But you are angry at the wrong person on this thread--I like some of his new music. BTW I am younger than Prince...

No disrespect at all with the "old farts" line, its the same as "old foggies" to me. I'm not angry at all Your topic just made me want to put out how I feel reading fan reviews and keep seeing the same bullshit over and over again.

Aerogram said:

Definitely.

First of all, the dissatisfaction does have something to do with the change of persona. If Prince was being as sluttish as he was in his lyrics back in the day, you can bet some would be happier with the music. You do get the impression that some want Prince to help them continue some kind of psycho-sexual journey they started long ago.

Honestly, I don't see a lot of that.

If anything it's the other way, some people want him to grow up a bit.

PlayboyOriginal said:

Yes, you old farts need to stop being so damn stuck in the past and just enjoy the music he gives us. How can you expect a 52 year old man to give the same magic of their youth? Unreasonable. People sit here and glorify Michael's weak ass Invincible and get upset when someone speaks the truth yet when it comes to Prince's latest music its ok to piss and shit on. I don't get it. If his current music is such trash then stop listening to it. Its one thing to be objective and to critically assess but I read more bitching and the same stuff being thrown around by the same people too often. Lets be happy Prince is still alive and at least making music. How many people from the 80's are still around? How many people from the 90's still around? He could have easily stopped or faded out. Just my

I don't think it's correct to say the 'older' fans are the ones who don't like it, I believe there is a combination. I'm a 'older' fan but I love it, the energy is much different than LotusFlower/MinnSound.

When I heard MinnSound, I was disappointed because I expected a 2009 twist on that sound. There were no synths, the use of the linn drum was basically the same on each song it was used. It didn't perk me up. A few songs were good though. I prefered Lotus Flower. Because I love Prince as the rock god. I love him on electric guitar mostly. It served my needs.

But 20Ten is just enough songs. Not 2 long. And I'm loving it from beginning 2 end.

PlayboyOriginal said:

poetcorner61 said:

Well, I guess I agree with you on some levels except "old Farts." When I said "old Foggies" I meant people younger than Prince, actually, which I am. I'm glad that people my son's age like Prince's music, too. But you are angry at the wrong person on this thread--I like some of his new music. BTW I am younger than Prince...

No disrespect at all with the "old farts" line, its the same as "old foggies" to me. I'm not angry at all Your topic just made me want to put out how I feel reading fan reviews and keep seeing the same bullshit over and over again.

Yeah but it's prejudiced to focus it on 'older fans' A lot of older fans love his new music or new songs.

And a lot of younger fans don't like his newer music. But prefer his older music.

But isn't that how generations go sometimes. There are large populations of artistic creative avant gard youth coming up who being a part of their 'generation' realize that a lot of music (new music) is so repetitive, is so clonish. A lot of pop and rock artist coming out all sound the same.

So a lot of these kids and young persons actually are digging up classic music, they are listening to old Motown, Billie Holiday & Nancy Wilson, they are listening to classic rock and music of the 60's, they are into Frank Sinatra etc etc and many are into early Prince 4 the same reasons.

poetcorner61 said:

After listening to Prince's last two releases back to back--Lotusflower and 20TEN just now..I am wondering if those of us who heard and saw Prince in his youth expect too much these days... I don't like every song on either Lotusflower or 20TEN but I do like a few a lot, which tells me Prince hasn't lost his ability.

What I get from his latest offering 20TEN is that he sounds happy and at peace in his life--as much as he knows it. I would never ask an artist to go back to the chaos that might have driven their best efforts--I just listened to some of Rick James' great music this morning--but that has been forgotten behind Dave Chapelle's "I'm Rick James, Bitch!" skit and Rick is no longer with us.

But...here is Prince...still making music that he loves...and some of it I still very much like and think it is comparable with some of his classics. Off Lotusflower--really love "Colonized Mind" and "Dreamer." Off the new 20TEN album I think "Act of God" stands up to the best. I also like "Sticky Like Glue" and "Lavaux."

Just to remind people who were around when Prince started, there has always been a love/hate, or not so sure relationship with many of his songs, beginning way back in the 70s. So, for all of you who have been around that long--do we expect too much, do you want more, or does Prince still deliver sometimes in his albums? I won't even include live performances, because there is no doubt about that!

Why would you describe the times of his best efforts as chaos. I don't think what happened in his life 1978-1988 as chaos. I think that came in in the early 90's that was a very chaotic time for him as an artist and someone who was a super star in the 80's. What his life was like in the 80's was just life. And that to me is the difference in how an artist expresses him/herself.

Also what helped drive his best efforts was not chaos as much as it was the people in his camp. He had people in his life who for the most part knew him prior to him being a superstar, people who went to the gym with him, hung out and watched movies and did laundry together etc etc there were a lot of people in his camp via band, protege, technicians:Susan Rogers, David Rivkin, Fargnoli etc etc who were dedicated to Prince and believed in his gift.

I don't think he's had it that good after the 90's even in the 2000's. Moreso the people are dedicated to their own career while helping him out if he calls. And I'm not saying that is a bad thing. Just a lot different.

For me the Around the World in a Day project is still my favorite to listen to the Bside too. It wasn't about sex and craziness but it's just really good music, as well as the package, the words and colors the lettering and credits including the 2 videos. Now that album was not 'promoted' big but there seemed to have been more of an effort of putting out a piece of art.

I looked for a bit more from the LotusFlow3r set. The artwork was ... uninteresting, no credits inside or lyrics, not photos etc etc and nothing from Bria (And I actually keep myself open to her as a possible protege of sorts) I hoped to hear her singing back-up 4 Prince, I hoped to her her do at least a song or 2. etc etc and even with the shows (which most didn't seem to feature music from the 3 disc set) it just didn't come close to the low promo of something like ATWIAD. And I'm not comparing the album music, because it's very different, as much as I'm comparing the promotion of it.

poetcorner61 said:

After listening to Prince's last two releases back to back--Lotusflower and 20TEN just now..I am wondering if those of us who heard and saw Prince in his youth expect too much these days... I don't like every song on either Lotusflower or 20TEN but I do like a few a lot, which tells me Prince hasn't lost his ability.

What I get from his latest offering 20TEN is that he sounds happy and at peace in his life--as much as he knows it. I would never ask an artist to go back to the chaos that might have driven their best efforts--I just listened to some of Rick James' great music this morning--but that has been forgotten behind Dave Chapelle's "I'm Rick James, Bitch!" skit and Rick is no longer with us.

But...here is Prince...still making music that he loves...and some of it I still very much like and think it is comparable with some of his classics. Off Lotusflower--really love "Colonized Mind" and "Dreamer." Off the new 20TEN album I think "Act of God" stands up to the best. I also like "Sticky Like Glue" and "Lavaux."

Just to remind people who were around when Prince started, there has always been a love/hate, or not so sure relationship with many of his songs, beginning way back in the 70s. So, for all of you who have been around that long--do we expect too much, do you want more, or does Prince still deliver sometimes in his albums? I won't even include live performances, because there is no doubt about that!

If Prince had a concert where he sang all his hits/fan favorites, just one verse and the chorus, he'd have nearly a four hour concert. The fact that he still produces gems in the midst of his newer material is fine with me. He's already given us sooooo much I'm just happy he still chooses to produce anything at all. All I expect from Prince is for him to be Prince and that isn't expecting too much at all.

honestly, i have no expectations at all when i listen to a new Prince album. i've always tken it for granted that i'll hear a great Prince album and i havent been disappointed yet, except until most recently, when his lyrics on 20TEN struck me as a little lack luster, but thats just my personal opinion and honestly the 1st time i noticed something under par in regards to his work.

It's fogies - not foggies.

So let me get this straight - whether you like or don't like an album is the criterion by which the alleged deterioration of Prince's skills is to be determined? Well, that's objective.

I don't think I need you to "remind" me that Prince's music has always been a source of controversy. I was an adult when he started his career - fully capable of observing that for myself.

Some of us "olds" are perfectly all right with Prince's recent offerings. By "all right," I mean that we accept them - not necessarily that we love them. In particular, those of us who realize that we, ourselves, have been changed and shaped by the events in our own lives and do not expect a musician who has dealt with plenty of his own shit to help us to "turn back the clock."

Maturity (which is what the above constitutes) is not necessarily a function of age.

Maybe some of us do expect too much. Alot of the old music did seem to come from his own internal conflict and the drama in his life back then. I am glad to see that he has found some peace and has been able to have a more balanced existence and a fulfilling spiritual life. And I am glad to see that he retained his sense of humor. Alot of artists seem to thrive on the drama for their art but I am glad Prince found another way to create his music that is healthy for himself.

On the subject of output. Since Musicology, and including Bria's album and the live CD, Prince has released 8 albums in 7 years. There were a few singles too / B-sides. So maybe 80-90 songs. I like most of them. And at some point I know I will listen to the rest fo them. I remeber not liking Rainbow Children at first and then two years later I loved it. We got alot this past decade from Prince and I am thankful for that.

And the diference between the past and now is that in the late 70's to early 90's Prince was played alot on the radio, there was no internet, so your 3-4 radio stations in your city was all you had (and MTV stuff), and every 3-4 motnhs there was a new Prince single for almost a decade I think.

Today we get the music all in one shot and that's it. And maybe Prince has gotten more concise in his writing now. My Old Foggie side does miss the extended B-side surprises on the singles.

And who knows what is in the vault from this new music. Is there an 15 minute version of 3121? Is there version of Somewhere Here On Earth sung in french? Who knows. The speculation is endless. The magic is still there in the music.

I'd definately concider myself an older fan, and have pretty much hated every album since Diamonds and Pearls! But for some reason stick with him, and love seeing him live...

But I have to say I'm liking some of the recent music!

I started a thread a week or 2 ago to compile a best of album from the last 5 years, and here was my list.

(I think, if you try to picture yourself as 16 years old, listening to Lovesexy, then listen to this, you may be surprised!)

From The Lotus...

Feel Good, Feel Better, Feel Wonderful (B-side - Valentina)

Love

Satisfied

The One U Wanna C

Here

Better With Time

Te Amo Corazón

Sticky Like Glue (B-side - Future Soul Song)

Lavaux ( B Side - Act of God)

Bonus Track: Laydown

poetcorner61 said:

After listening to Prince's last two releases back to back--Lotusflower and 20TEN just now..I am wondering if those of us who heard and saw Prince in his youth expect too much these days... I don't like every song on either Lotusflower or 20TEN but I do like a few a lot, which tells me Prince hasn't lost his ability.

What I get from his latest offering 20TEN is that he sounds happy and at peace in his life--as much as he knows it. I would never ask an artist to go back to the chaos that might have driven their best efforts--I just listened to some of Rick James' great music this morning--but that has been forgotten behind Dave Chapelle's "I'm Rick James, Bitch!" skit and Rick is no longer with us.

But...here is Prince...still making music that he loves...and some of it I still very much like and think it is comparable with some of his classics. Off Lotusflower--really love "Colonized Mind" and "Dreamer." Off the new 20TEN album I think "Act of God" stands up to the best. I also like "Sticky Like Glue" and "Lavaux."

Just to remind people who were around when Prince started, there has always been a love/hate, or not so sure relationship with many of his songs, beginning way back in the 70s. So, for all of you who have been around that long--do we expect too much, do you want more, or does Prince still deliver sometimes in his albums? I won't even include live performances, because there is no doubt about that!

I don't ever want to be the kind of person that "Expects," something from somebody else that I myself am not capable of creating.

Nice Post.

Aerogram said:

Definitely.

First of all, the dissatisfaction does have something to do with the change of persona. If Prince was being as sluttish as he was in his lyrics back in the day, you can bet some would be happier with the music. You do get the impression that some want Prince to help them continue some kind of psycho-sexual journey they started long ago.

And then there's the great musical expectations. Prince was supposed to keep transforming pop music or something.... for over 30 years? Unrealistic. These days he's a craftman, his lyrics are not written to grab you under the waist, and that is all there is to it. If you are still interested, keep on listening. If not, well... check once in a while, publish your sarcastic review and leave it at that.

That is my philosophy anyway.

I like this philosophy...

2 add my 2 cents...

What is behind us with musical recordings from whatever time period...was and is behind us.

Although music can have it's power at the top of the NOW! that we are living in, We can come to realize that in a Mathmatical/Scientific journey through the DNA chain....We as individuals, hear the music that has been released from a long time ago...And like an arrow or a dart, it passes through us, even if we do not have our radio recievers on.

The airwaves around us still contain music that affects our spirits.

I believe the One Family that we have as a UUUUUUUU Universal, Speaker and Receiver...

has to spin what it was naturally born to spin. which is a musical explanation to the human soul.

Not all music may be the best...yet it falls into a puzzle within U...4 overall healing from a historical past.

Music is Medicine.

I don't think its just the music they have expectations with - I think the listener is putting too much pressure on themselves to have their minds blown by the tunes. ....Relax! Your minds have already been blown by Prince years ago. Now just enjoy the ride!