Tony M DEMANDS respect.

I quite like The Black Album but I think it would have been a bit of a flop, probably his lowest seller since Controversy (which is basically what happened with Lovesexy). I'm not sure that the general public would have taken to it and it's probably slightly overrated due to the circumstances surrounding it's non-release. However, I am glad that it was eventually released and I certainly give it some frequent spins. I rate it a bit higher than Lovesexy.

minneapolisFunq said:

I was at University in London when rumours emerged of an album to be released by Prince with nothing but a black cover and peach coloured serial number on the spine- a return to his funk roots. I remember reading about it in Eileen Murton's great fanzine Controversy and above all I remember seeing bootleg tapes of it all over camden market ! It was real mystery, real controversy and real evidence of the greatness of Prince. When I first heard it and the opening few seconds of Le Grind came on over the speaker, "So, you found me....." I felt chills, by the time it got to Superfunkycalifragisexy I knew that this was a special album. To this day I still think it is a special album. His last great album? well it's one of his last great, Lovesexy being the last truly great Prince album IMO.

As much as we hate to admit it, now we have persepective on the last 20 years of Prince's output, we now know that his most mindblowing stuff came out of his first 10 years and that again IMO only hints of that creative genius have hit us since 1990.

well said clarityman .

and i agree that the album - after listening to it alot this past week - IS BETTER than lovesexy .

After a week ... i am not sick of listening to it (like alot of other albums).

Tony M demands respect ?

Did you bump into him at Taco Bell Drive thru or ....???

ColAngus said:

in 1988 , Rolling Stone gave the Black Album and Lovesexy "best album" of the year mentions - not that I always agree with Rolling stone ... but ... again ... just my lil argument and my .02 ....

so i rest my case . it was the last great classic album by Prince.

No, they didn't.

I like the Black Album, but it's probably his weakest ever of the 80s. And I agree with others that he's released at least a couple great albums since then.

ColAngus said:

for me ? its personal appreciation as well as the "critics" appeciation ...

i have a pic in my office of Prince winning the Pazz and Jop Poll in 1988 (March 1988) - it may have been for Sign of the Times ... but it was around the Black Album and Lovesexy ... i just remember how Prince was on top of the world ... and his output from like 1980 til around that time was really remarkable...

To me - Purple Rain and Sign of the Times are classic Great Prince albums . Some would argue Dirty Mind also ... I always liked 1999 (first Prince album i really liked ) ...

but - the Black album to me - still has that "classic feel" ... almost like classical music ... i dont get sick of it ...

Fair enough. The Pazz and Jop poll was for SOTT.

I also recall the Rolling Stone 1988 end-of-year artists' lists for best album. 2 of the 3 hottest acts arguably that year were U2 and Guns N' Roses. Axl Rose and Edge both listed Lovesexy as the best album released that year.

The list of rock artists with a large body of work over a decade that is commercially successful and critically acclaimed (on the whole) is pretty short. Prince is on that list for, IMHO, his body of work beginning in 1980 and ending in 1988.

But I'd agree with many here that in terms of the last truly great album, I'd say it's Lovesexy. Others would say TGE. Still others (for a few years, anyway) said it was TRC.

TwiliteKid said:

ColAngus said:

in 1988 , Rolling Stone gave the Black Album and Lovesexy "best album" of the year mentions - not that I always agree with Rolling stone ... but ... again ... just my lil argument and my .02 ....

so i rest my case . it was the last great classic album by Prince.

No, they didn't.

I like the Black Album, but it's probably his weakest ever of the 80s. And I agree with others that he's released at least a couple great albums since then.

Some of the artists in 1988 polled by RS did include Lovesexy in the mix, but I think you're right, the critics did not.

Too many as good or better albums, imho, released since 1987 for me to consider it his last great.

As good:

Graffiti Bridge

The Truth

The Vault: OF4S

Musicology

Better:

Lovesexy

Love Symbol

The Gold Experience

Crystal Ball (a lot of the songs are post 1987, so I'm including it)

Lotusflow3r (single disc)

And when I first saw this part of the post...

ColAngus said:

and the album is Prince ... funky ... alil dirty ... and more or less PARTY MUSIC .... which i like ... I have said it before - but I think the first 3 songs are "near perfect" Prince songs ... killer .

Just because Tony M was rapping doesnt mean it cant be great album. I do consider Love Symbol to be a classic album (IMO its better then Black album). It contains classics like 7, And God Created Woman (lyrically his best composition of the 90's IMO), Love 2 the 9's, Blue Light as well as others like Sexy MF, My Name is Prince, The Continental, the Max etc. There are a few filler tracks i could do without but its a terrefic record

The Gold Experience is more rock then pop. Endorphinmachine is his best hard rock track IMO. 319 and Now are a blast to listen to. I like the stripped down arrangement of Shy, Dolphin has some interesting lyrics, TBGITW and Eye Hate You are nice ballads etc etc

The thing about albums like Lovsexy, Love Symbol and The Gold Experience is that lyrically they all have atleast one brilliant song. Anna Stesia from Lovesexy, 7 and And God Created Woman from Love symbol, Dolphin from TGE. There is nothing on Black album IMO that is lyrically as good as any of those songs

Of course i do like the black album (particularly Cindy C) but i think of it as a fun and daring album. There are no lyrics that make me go "wow"

As far as the critics are concerned, Musicology got grammy's and TGE didnt. Does this make Musicology a better album than TGE? No. In the 90's Prince was ridiculed for his name change and therefore his work didnt get as much credit as it should have

minneapolisFunq said:

Tony M DEMANDS respect.

There's nothing wrong with Tony's work, especially his rap in Sexy MF.

I wouldn't say that 'The Black Album' is Prince's last great album.'Lovesexy' and 'Love Symbol' are stronger,better albums,imo.

His last great album for sure.

Dirty Mind - The Black Album, what a killer run!

TwiliteKid said:

I like the Black Album, but it's probably his weakest ever of the 80s.

I think it's a good album but I dont' think it's the big masterpiece that some fans and critics say it is.To me,it doesn't sound like Prince spent alot of time on it.The songwriting isn't that great.Wasn't it originally intended for Sheila E.'s birthday bash?

i luv provoking a good Prince discussion ... you always get the people who LUV jughead , etc ... to chime in ...

as far as the Critics are concerned ... i still do think Lovesexy AND the Black Album were mentioned in Rolling Stone that year . Like a true Prince geek ... i cut it out of the Rolling Stone that year - and I cant find it right now ... (please dont tell any of my friends who think i am cool).

I did forget that others (axy Rose and slash? thought it was the album of the year ) ...

as far as "how much time" Prince spends on an album ... to me ... that is kinda irrelevant ... we dont know alot of the time ... how much time Prince spent on stuff ... I mean ... wasnt it widely known that they needed a killer song for Purple Rain and the next day Prince came back with "when doves cry"??? does that mean it sucks ?

Just like bringing up Hitler in politics, here on the org, using the "Tony M" has served the same purpose. Poor guy.

Using the "Tony M" card automatically proves beyond a doubt that you are an ass-hat.

It was not funny the first time, second time, the third time. Give it up people. It is not going change how pathetic you seem.

[Edited 2/24/11 7:55am]

ass hat ?

define please .

ColAngus said:

ass hat ?

define please .

It means this level of being disrespectful to people in an such a tired un-original way for no other reason than to "try" and be funny, cute or smug Is not cool.

[Edited 2/24/11 9:21am]

ColAngus said:

ass hat ?

define please .

V10LETBLUES said:

Just like bringing up Hitler in politics, here on the org, using the "Tony M" has served the same purpose. Poor guy.

Using the "Tony M" card automatically proves beyond a doubt that you are an ass-hat.

It was not funny the first time, second time, the third time. Give it up people. It is not going change how pathetic you seem.

[Edited 2/24/11 7:55am]

well, yeah, maybe. but he does suck. and that we know his name at all is indefensible.

So Camille found a new color.

Le Grind
Cindy C
Dead On It
When 2 R in Love
Bob George
Superfunkicalifragisexy
2NigUnited4WestCompton
Rock Hard In A Funky Place

Time upon a once
There was a boy named Camille
Now this boy named Camille
didn't know how 2 feel.
Sometimes he was lonely
sometimes he was sad
but most times
he just took 4 granted
all the nice things
that he had.

Some people said they loved him
but Camille said
"Contempt!
Winter, Spring,
Summer, or Fall,
love is no good
unless it's felt by all"

So, naive & terrifically in need
Camille started looking for answers
His paintbrush the questioner,
his canvas the arena,
Camille set out to silence his critics.
"No longer daring" - his enemies laughed.
"No longer glam, his funk is half-assed...
one leg is much shorter
than the other one is weak.
His strokes are tepid,
his colors are meek."

So Camille found a new color.
The color black:
strongest hue of them all.
He painted a picture
called Le Grind --
hittin' so tall.
And then Cindy C --
THE vogue fantasy.
Horns & vocals 2 die 4.
Lollipops -- in yours!

Stroke after stroke callin' all others a joke.
Superfunkycalifragisexi.

Camille rocked hard in a funky place. Stuck his long
funk in competition's face. Tuesday came. Blue Tuesday.
His canvas full, and lying on the table, Camille mustered
all the hate that he was able. Hate 4 the ones who ever
doubted his game. Hate 4 the ones who ever doubted his name.

"Tis nobody funkier -- let the Black Album fly." Spooky
Electric was talking, Camille started 2 cry. Tricked.
A fool he had been. In the lowest utmostest. He had allowed
the dark side of him 2 create something evil. 2 Nigs United
4 West Compton. Camille and his ego. Bob George. Why?
Spooky Electric must die. Die in the hearts of all who
want love. Die in the hearts of men who want change.
Die in the bodies of women who want babies that will grow up
with a New Power Soul. Love Life, Lovesexy -- the feeling
u get when u fall in love, not with a girl or boy but with the
heavens above. Lovesexy -- endorphin. Camille figured out
what 2 feel. Glam Slam Escape -- the Sexuality Real.
Tonight we make love with only words. Girls first. This
feeling's so good in every single way.
God is alive! Let Him touch u and He will quench
every thirst. Let him touch u and an aura of peace will adorn u.
God is alive!
Let Him touch u and your own Lovesexy will be born.
Let Him touch u, let Him touch u, and Heaven is yours.
Welcome 2 the New Power Generation.

Q
Prince
The Black Album

This is complicated. Attempting to follow Sign O' The Times, Prince recorded two LPs, one by his angelic side-Camille-the other by his diabolic alter-ego, Spooky Electric. The former produced Lovesexy, the latter Black Album; then he dropped the darker record. Its appearance now, seven years later, is, presumably, part of Prince attempt to work his ticket off WEA. It's a marvelous Prince album, alarmingly ahead of its time. Here is the basis of much of the recent Prince & the New Power Generation oeuvre; Rockhard In A Funky Place and Supercalifragicsexy are basic pneumatic funk workouts, while Le Grind and Nigs United 4 West Compton are sweary/grunty sheet-wetters. But the standout track -- until now, the great missing Prince song -- is the claustrophobic, sadistic, bleakly humorous Bob George. Of all the things he's done, Prince has rarely scared; Bob George changes that. For anyone who's ever had any interest in the strange little fellow, Black Album is a near essential requisite.

****

Danny Kelly

thank-you old friends ...

i luv that pic of prince ... in black and white ... to me it just epitimizes Prince at his best - which he was at this time period . (i do have that pic from Musician Mag up on my wall in my office).

I liked Lovesexy , but i like the Black Album better . Today .

Since the Black Album - I have enjoyed some of his albums ... 3121, Graffitti Bridge, TGE , etc ... but all (to me)were flawed ...

I may be the only person who does not like the Black Album. Rock Hard in a Funky Place is okay, but still sounds like a one night recording with a bad trip of something smelly!

thats a great statement right there cus "rock hard " is to me - was always the weakest song on the black album ... I like it more now ...

to each his own ! (that is so for sure with Prince fans )

ColAngus said:

thats a great statement right there cus "rock hard " is to me - was always the weakest song on the black album ... I like it more now ...

to each his own ! (that is so for sure with Prince fans )

Rock Hard in a Funky Place was supposed to be originally on the Camille album, that's why it sorta stands out. It feels way different.

But listen to Rock Hard in a Funky Place back2back with 3121 ... tell me if you hear/feel any similarities

Rock Hard... also features Susannah Melvoin on back up lead