So I recently picked up the album Parade from a used CD store. I was unsure what to think or how it would be in comparison to ATWIAD, which is one of my favourite Prince albums.

When I got home I immediately put the CD into the computer and began to listen to the whole thing. All I remember is falling asleep somewhere in the middle of Anotherloverholenyohead and waking up sometime after Sometime It Snows In April. My first impression was not a good one. I found Parade a laughable, desperate attempt at being innovative.

I have given it a few more tries since then and I can now saw that Parade is my favourite album and is Prince's peak.

To me, Parade represents what Prince is. It reeks of innovation and carries on the worldy vibe that Around The World In A Day started. Songs like Girls And Boys and Life Can Be So Nice are so different from anything else I've ever heard. The melodies on Parade are so unpredictable, so unexpected, you don't know what you'll get next. Who really expects Venus De Milo after Life Can Be So Nice? You don't know what to expect even though it flows so well. And unlike SOTT, Parade does not stay too long. It enters, does its' job, and then leaves, leaving you wanting more. There are no clunkers or fillers on Parade. It is just pure heaven.

Does anyone agree?

Not really...

In 86 (85?), you couldn't ear anything like that on the radio. It was extraordinary, it was different, it still is.

I think Parade is the natural follow up to ATWIAD and it announces Sign O the times, like a departure from Purple rain to something different...

Just my opinion, anybody has the right to not like it...

For me he was absolutely on fire in the studio circa 1983-1986 and it's impossible to pick anything from that era as being the best. I just hope that most of the outtakes from that era are someday given a proper release. There is at least a boxed sets worth of great stuff that should be released.

smoothcriminal12 said:

So I recently picked up the album Parade from a used CD store. I was unsure what to think or how it would be in comparison to ATWIAD, which is one of my favourite Prince albums.

When I got home I immediately put the CD into the computer and began to listen to the whole thing. All I remember is falling asleep somewhere in the middle of Anotherloverholenyohead and waking up sometime after Sometime It Snows In April. My first impression was not a good one. I found Parade a laughable, desperate attempt at being innovative.

I have given it a few more tries since then and I can now saw that Parade is my favourite album and is Prince's peak.

To me, Parade represents what Prince is. It reeks of innovation and carries on the worldy vibe that Around The World In A Day started. Songs like Girls And Boys and Life Can Be So Nice are so different from anything else I've ever heard. The melodies on Parade are so unpredictable, so unexpected, you don't know what you'll get next. Who really expects Venus De Milo after Life Can Be So Nice? You don't know what to expect even though it flows so well. And unlike SOTT, Parade does not stay too long. It enters, does its' job, and then leaves, leaving you wanting more. There are no clunkers or fillers on Parade. It is just pure heaven.

Does anyone agree?

I do. Well put.

I think it's his best album from the 80s. It's perfect from start to finish, it's pure Prince, it's innovative musically and lyically and it has loads of feeling and style. Bravo.

If you think that Parade is good, you should track this down, it is brilliant. I'ts like the deluxe edition that never was.

[img:$uid]http://i757.photobucket.com/albums/xx218/MMikeyBee/Prince%20and%20related/P%20mag%20and%20boot%20covers%20and%20ads/utcm-1.jpg[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://i757.photobucket.com/albums/xx218/MMikeyBee/Prince%20and%20related/P%20mag%20and%20boot%20covers%20and%20ads/utcm-back.jpg[/img:$uid]

there is an interview (done by people from the org) with Wendy and Lisa and they talk about recording this album. They had some interesting things to say about it.

One of the implications was that Prince did not really understand musical theory.

its an excellent album, however i feel like a few songs like "new position" should have been longer. I dont care about songs like I wonder U or Do U lie. However Girls and Boys is amazing with the saxophone and its catchy chorous, mountains is the revolution at their best, Kiss is one of the greatest songs ever written, anotherloveonyohead is so funnky, SISIA is a fitting end to the album. Christopher Tracys Parade, Life can be so nice, Under the cheery moon are all tracks i like. So yes i do like most of it but it isnt perfect and some of the songs could/should have been a bit longer.

[Edited 12/14/10 6:06am]

I wouldn't disagree too strongly. Definitely right up there in the top few, possibly my favourite.

For me it is most definitely one my most cherished jewels of the Princely treasures.

Everything about it screams an artist at the top of his art.

TheDigitalGardener said:

If you think that Parade is good, you should track this down, it is brilliant. I'ts like the deluxe edition that never was.

[img:$uid]http://i757.photobucket.com/albums/xx218/MMikeyBee/Prince%20and%20related/P%20mag%20and%20boot%20covers%20and%20ads/utcm-1.jpg[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://i757.photobucket.com/albums/xx218/MMikeyBee/Prince%20and%20related/P%20mag%20and%20boot%20covers%20and%20ads/utcm-back.jpg[/img:$uid]

it needs "all my dreams" and "others here with us"

yankem said:

Not really...

In 86 (85?), you couldn't ear anything like that on the radio. It was extraordinary, it was different, it still is.

I think Parade is the natural follow up to ATWIAD and it announces Sign O the times, like a departure from Purple rain to something different...

Just my opinion, anybody has the right to not like it...

Your post confuses me, you started out with Not really... and don't say what you disagree with?

Everything else you said agreed

OnlyNDaUsa said:

TheDigitalGardener said:

If you think that Parade is good, you should track this down, it is brilliant. I'ts like the deluxe edition that never was.

[img:$uid]http://i757.photobucket.com/albums/xx218/MMikeyBee/Prince%20and%20related/P%20mag%20and%20boot%20covers%20and%20ads/utcm-1.jpg[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://i757.photobucket.com/albums/xx218/MMikeyBee/Prince%20and%20related/P%20mag%20and%20boot%20covers%20and%20ads/utcm-back.jpg[/img:$uid]

it needs "all my dreams" and "others here with us"

I agree, but this whole era produced some rich pieces of music + the Family

Mia Bocca [Jill should have had an Parade era album]

Totally agree

Dream Factory would have definately been a better step after Parade.

Parade had a different level of maturity. It felt like grown folks music

And Dream Factory with songs like Power Fantastic & In a Large Room with No Lights(similar feel to Life Can Be So Nice) would have solidified to sounds of the Parade era

With all it's black in white the album is very colorful

If you don't have them yet you need to get the Bsides:Love or Money, Alexa de Paris

extended versions and outtakes

"Parade... another classic Prince masterpiece"!!

So stylish and different... just brilliant, no weak track on there.

OldFriends4Sale said:

OnlyNDaUsa said:

it needs "all my dreams" and "others here with us"

I agree, but this whole era produced some rich pieces of music + the Family

Mia Bocca [Jill should have had an Parade era album]

i think there were some 12 to 15 albums from that time period (86-87)... crazy days.

Can't talk about this album(music) without talking about the film.

I think the Parade era could have been just as big as the Purple Rain era

both mirror each other in a alot of ways

Special thanks 2 Clare Fischer 4 making brighter the colors black & white

Parade is definitely not for mainstream audiences, so as the work of a major label artist, it's a bit of an ego trip that Prince created it. I think "Purple Rain" is Prince's best album, but "Parade" is a contender. "Under The Cherry Moon" is basically Prince's version of "Victor Victoria".

[Edited 12/14/10 8:24am]

funksterr said:

Parade is definitely not for mainstream audiences, so as the work of a major label artist, it's a bit of an ego trip that Prince created it. I think "Purple Rain" is Prince's best album, but "Parade" is a contender. "Under The Cherry Moon" is basically Prince's version of "Victor Victoria".

[Edited 12/14/10 8:24am]

Yeah the era was definately influenced by a bit of grandios

But if he would have really slowed it down, and let the directors finish the film but also had the band and proteges in the movie it would have solidified him even deeper in pop culture.

It was already a huge departure from Purple Rain era, so you gotta give a little to get a lot more.

the Family Sheila E. Jill Jones Mazarati the band etc should have been throught the film even Clare F. & Susan Rogers should have been extras somewhere lol

I think the videos from this album are the best of his whole career.

Very artistic creative period, but he didn't polish it out like the Purple Rain era

Didn't get this album at first but man when I finally did... ..I respected Prince even more as an artist. I love him because he is so versatile.....the album ties perfectly with my favourite film from him and transports me to 1920's france or whatever that era was supposed to be. It really is just classy and stylish perfection to me..now if I could get UTCM in colour my life would be complete.

@ OFFS......you're right about the protegees being in the film as well that would have been super cool..I could totally see Jill Jones singing Violet Blue in a smoky night club...ahhh the "what ifs".

smoothcriminal12 said:

Does anyone agree?

Very much so.

I'd add that, as you say you never know what is coming next on the album, it also flows magnificently and is a cohesive whole.

[Edited 12/14/10 8:46am]

OldFriends4Sale said:

funksterr said:

Parade is definitely not for mainstream audiences, so as the work of a major label artist, it's a bit of an ego trip that Prince created it. I think "Purple Rain" is Prince's best album, but "Parade" is a contender. "Under The Cherry Moon" is basically Prince's version of "Victor Victoria".

[Edited 12/14/10 8:24am]

Yeah the era was definately influenced by a bit of grandios

But if he would have really slowed it down, and let the directors finish the film but also had the band and proteges in the movie it would have solidified him even deeper in pop culture.

It was already a huge departure from Purple Rain era, so you gotta give a little to get a lot more.

the Family Sheila E. Jill Jones Mazarati the band etc should have been throught the film even Clare F. & Susan Rogers should have been extras somewhere lol

I think the videos from this album are the best of his whole career.

Very artistic creative period, but he didn't polish it out like the Purple Rain era

I agree. If you look back at the videos and the boots from Parade, the best thing about them is that Prince still had his mojo. It's pretty much his last stand. He's strong, he's energized, he's confident. And he looks like he's a major label artist whose only agenda is to have fun. By 1987 things begin to rapidly decline. SOTT was not even mastered. "Under The Cherry Moon" may have been a bit dopey, but "Sign O The Times" sets a new low in cinematography. From that point forward Prince is not really the same guy.

funksterr said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Yeah the era was definately influenced by a bit of grandios

But if he would have really slowed it down, and let the directors finish the film but also had the band and proteges in the movie it would have solidified him even deeper in pop culture.

It was already a huge departure from Purple Rain era, so you gotta give a little to get a lot more.

the Family Sheila E. Jill Jones Mazarati the band etc should have been throught the film even Clare F. & Susan Rogers should have been extras somewhere lol

I think the videos from this album are the best of his whole career.

Very artistic creative period, but he didn't polish it out like the Purple Rain era

I agree. If you look back at the videos and the boots from Parade, the best thing about them is that Prince still had his mojo. It's pretty much his last stand. He's strong, he's energized, he's confident. And he looks like he's a major label artist whose only agenda is to have fun. By 1987 things begin to rapidly decline. SOTT was not even mastered. "Under The Cherry Moon" may have been a bit dopey, but "Sign O The Times" sets a new low in cinematography. From that point forward Prince is not really the same guy.

the Movie for SOTT was meant to be from shows in Rotterdam and Belgium but most of the footage came out bad (there is said to be over 100 of hours of raw footage (several cameras from 4 shows) so much of it was filmed under very controlled conditions at Paisley Park. The weird story elements were always meant to be a bit weird. But the movie is what it is. A 'concert' film.

OnlyNDaUsa said:

funksterr said:

I agree. If you look back at the videos and the boots from Parade, the best thing about them is that Prince still had his mojo. It's pretty much his last stand. He's strong, he's energized, he's confident. And he looks like he's a major label artist whose only agenda is to have fun. By 1987 things begin to rapidly decline. SOTT was not even mastered. "Under The Cherry Moon" may have been a bit dopey, but "Sign O The Times" sets a new low in cinematography. From that point forward Prince is not really the same guy.

the Movie for SOTT was meant to be from shows in Rotterdam and Belgium but most of the footage came out bad (there is said to be over 100 of hours of raw footage (several cameras from 4 shows) so much of it was filmed under very controlled conditions at Paisley Park. The weird story elements were always meant to be a bit weird. But the movie is what it is. A 'concert' film.

True dat. And the fan in me enjoys the SOTT movie. Should it have been more professionally filmed and produced? Absolutely. Prince's talent level, circa 1987, is off the charts and both he and his audience deserved for that talent to be cptured with a greater level of technical expertise than what ended up on screen and on the albums. The Parade era is just about the last time we see and hear Prince operating at full strength.

OldFriends4Sale said:

yankem said:

Not really...

In 86 (85?), you couldn't ear anything like that on the radio. It was extraordinary, it was different, it still is.

I think Parade is the natural follow up to ATWIAD and it announces Sign O the times, like a departure from Purple rain to something different...

Just my opinion, anybody has the right to not like it...

Your post confuses me, you started out with Not really... and don't say what you disagree with?

Everything else you said agreed

You're right!! I read too quick!!! I agree with you Smoothcriminal12 !!! Apologies...Thanks OldFriends4Sale!

[Edited 12/14/10 19:26pm]

I have a magazine article somewhere from the era, where Michael Bland says something to the effect of:

"I didn't like anything he ever did until I heard 'Parade'. And then I was like, 'he can do this, too'? whoah!"

smoothcriminal12 said:

Parade represents what Prince is. It reeks of innovation and carries on the worldy vibe that Around The World In A Day started.

Does anyone agree?

I agree with the general gist of what you have to say BUT I'm not sure, exactly, that Parade is a good album to represent the pinnacle of Prince as an individual.

We can't forget that Mountains and Sometimes It Snows In April were originally compositions by Wendy & Lisa, for example. Some of the innovative aspects of ATWIAD and Parare are as much about the Melvoins and Colemans

My favorite album from my favorite era. However as years passed, I cant help think Wendy and Lisa had more to do with the direction or arrangement of ATWIAD, Parade, and SOTT than was let on. Or at least HEAVILY influenced by their classical and psychedelic tastes. Especially considering Prince's and W&L's output as years went on. Nevertheless, I've probably listened to Parade more than any other album, ever.

[img:$uid]http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h227/judechristian/wendyprince.jpg[/img:$uid]

Parade was Prince at his best.