Well after listening to some of the P.Rain / Parade stuff there is just no competition, the Revolution totally kicks the NPG's ass. Thoughts please!.

I agree. But I think the reason is not the band... the music had gone downhill. Also, he started use weirder arrangements... the synths from the purple rain era were gone... Listen to a purple rain era song performed by the npg... it doesn't sound nearly as good.

NPG all the way!

motherfunka said:

NPG all the way!

NPG

NPG..................................Hands down

The Revolution, no contest.

The Revolution, easily!!

Those bass grooves Brown Mark were layin' down, on top of the chicken grease that he RARELY goes to and uses anymore, and that bad ass horn section (Eric ALWAYS killed it!!) just leave the NPG in the dust.

Don't get me wrong. The NPG was funky in their own way. But they just don't compare to the Revolution at their musical peak, when they were the "Counter Revolution"!

The Revolution! 'Nuff said!

I'm going to go with The Revolution as they were heard around the SOTT era with Sheila E, Eric Leeds, Atlanta Bliss, etc.

Shit, they were fonkay!!!!

Then again, saying that I've recently been listening to some NPG era boots and those brothers certainly have a streak of extreme funkiness.

The Revolution.

SuperFunk59 said:

I'm going to go with The Revolution as they were heard around the SOTT era with Sheila E, Eric Leeds, Atlanta Bliss, etc.

Shit, they were fonkay!!!!

Then again, saying that I've recently been listening to some NPG era boots and those brothers certainly have a streak of extreme funkiness.

I kind of agree with pushing it toward the SOTT era.

So 84-87...damn.

I mean, listen to the horns on Head on any live boot from 85/86.

FONKAY.

The NPG would CRUSH the Revolution in EVERY way conceivable.

Graycap23 said:

The NPG would CRUSH the Revolution in EVERY way conceivable.

I tend to agree. What song by the Revolution can compare to the heavy funk of a song like "Days of Wild"?

as far as funk goes, the NPG, but that's about ALL they could do.

errant said:

as far as funk goes, the NPG, but that's about ALL they could do.

You're killing me.

Graycap23 said:

The NPG would CRUSH the Revolution in EVERY way conceivable.

NPG.

I'd go with the Lovesexy band as my favorite for the perfect blend of creativity AND funk.

The NPG's various forms are the most technically gifted band, and funkier than the Revolution, though there have been periods where they sounded more like session musicians than an actual band.

The Revolution was part of Prince's most creative period, and sounded most like a band with an actual style, but they were his least musically accomplished band.

[Edited 9/17/10 12:06pm]

Is this a trick question?

Graycap23 said:

The NPG would CRUSH the Revolution in EVERY way conceivable.

are U high?

skywalker said:

Graycap23 said:

The NPG would CRUSH the Revolution in EVERY way conceivable.

I tend to agree. What song by the Revolution can compare to the heavy funk of a song like "Days of Wild"?

America Live - sorry but ALL bets are off with that one - or try computer blue, baby i'm a star etc. Sorry but the Rev were funky and unlike anyone else.

littleredcorvette said:

Graycap23 said:

The NPG would CRUSH the Revolution in EVERY way conceivable.

are U high?

I'm high right now and my opinion (agreeing with Graycap23 implicitly) hasn't changed since earlier when I wasn't.

Excellent thread topic!!!!!

The Parade 86 experience was off the chain..but the 94-95ish NPG show was bananas....

I just can't choose one!!!!

I'd have to say The Revolution. They were just so raw, brash and in your face. From 85-86 that was pure unadulterated funk that made James Brown wish he was young again.

funkyhead said:

skywalker said:

I tend to agree. What song by the Revolution can compare to the heavy funk of a song like "Days of Wild"?

America Live - sorry but ALL bets are off with that one - or try computer blue, baby i'm a star etc. Sorry but the Rev were funky and unlike anyone else.

Much respect to the NPG but I was just about to post that America Live gives Days of Wild more than a run for it's money. Wendy kills guitar on America Live and the horns are not to me !@#%$# with! Rev all night, all day...which is another funky Rev contribution...just sayin'

I'd have to say the NPG were funkier!!! But I still like the Revolution a bit better!

Xtraordinary said:

funkyhead said:

America Live - sorry but ALL bets are off with that one - or try computer blue, baby i'm a star etc. Sorry but the Rev were funky and unlike anyone else.

Much respect to the NPG but I was just about to post that America Live gives Days of Wild more than a run for it's money. Wendy kills guitar on America Live and the horns are not to me !@#%$# with! Rev all night, all day...which is another funky Rev contribution...just sayin'

Without getting into the trap of "defining" funk or funkiness, let me say this: The live version of "America" is funky without a doubt, but not a deep monsterous funk that the NPG were so capable of providing. Sonny T. and Michael B. absolutely blow Mark and Bobby out of the water in this regard.

If we're talking about sheer tightness and funk, agression, precision, drive and power, it has to be the NPG from 1993-1995.

The Revolution had loads of interesting sides to it no other band could ever put across in such a convincing manner, but the NPG was the better band, technically and theoretically, more diverse and more accurate.

I also think the NPG had a lot more opportunity to be funky. There were a lot of "loose" shows going on around that time. Where as most of the Revolution performances everyone has seen were very choreographed and rehearsed for a proper tour, not to say that they weren't funky in their own right.