I've been concerned lately about Prince's next release...

Without a widespread release of '20ten', and having used many various methods of distribution, while not having a website, how would any upcoming releases be distributed?

We've heard that he already has three albums worth of material since finalizing '20ten', but will we ever hear them?

Will he collaborate with yet another label or Target for distribution?

Does he have the desire to share his new music with his fans, seeing as how a masterpiece like 'Lotusflower' was largely unappreciated?

Yeah, I said it... I'm concerned.

~G

Yeah I'm concerned with Prince's career, also.

My wish: He should go with a big company again.


Prince had secretly negotiations with Warner Bros. last year didn't he.. ?

(True no joke).

But.. would he sign to Warner yet again, after all the bad blood in 1993-94.

I just wish we would see Prince making it big again, with good music.

I'm dreaming.

He's running out of labels and alternative distribution methods. I'm sure any potential distributor he might approach is going to be looking into just how many leftover copies of 20TEN those newspapers have, all the copies of LotusFlow3r and 21 Nights are selling for $5 on the shelves of Target and Borders, respectively, and the messes that Rave and 3121 were for Arista and Universal. And let's not forget that he got deals to distribute Musicology and Planet Earth and then turned around and gave copies away.

I'd say at this point, he's painted himself into a corner.

Anyone would be crazy to deal with him at this point. I dont know why Prince just doesnt release straight through his own website. Look how rich Alanis morissette is now and thats the only way she does it. Prince is dumb

He released his last two records locally...lotusflower in the us via target and in france with a record label.

20TEN in some european countries via newspapers.

I think in general it was a success, probably not for the big masses, but he reached a big part of his audience and had total control over the records and the release. More than 500 000 sales in the us is not bad in these times and for an independent artist.

The newspapers sold very well, at least the ones in the uk and in germany. For example the german rolling stone sold 50-60% more than usual. The daily mirror more than 350000 copies than usual.

I think and hope next time ( this year) he will do it with the help of label worldwide.

He still likes the attention of the media and his fans, so he probably release it this time more the old fashioned way...record label, single, video....

just my guess, we will see;))

he will laways have something up his sleeve. If I were P surely the next move would be another 1 off with a amjor label. The reason being that he promoted well in Europe with the 20TEn project and equally well in the USA with the LF project + recent tour so 2 major markets will still have P fresh in their mind.

My only concern with a big label is that we get yet another P-Lite Musicology type album, they would NOT support another Lovesexy or SOTT.

Why is this cause for concern?

So long as he releases new product in one way or the other, what is the problem?

If and when a new album appears, you will either be able to buy the physical cd (in a shop, or ebay/whatever), or download it, seems quite simple to me.

You ask if he has the desire to share his new music with his fans, seeing as how Lotus was unappreciated? Well, he still shared it did he not? He still released new material afterwards, whether it was appreciated or not.

It's time he had a long break from releasing a new album anyway imo.

[Edited 2/11/11 8:10am]

funkyhead said:

he will laways have something up his sleeve. If I were P surely the next move would be another 1 off with a amjor label. The reason being that he promoted well in Europe with the 20TEn project and equally well in the USA with the LF project + recent tour so 2 major markets will still have P fresh in their mind.

My only concern with a big label is that we get yet another P-Lite Musicology type album, they would NOT support another Lovesexy or SOTT.

He is not capable of another SOTT or Lovesexy.

I heard that his next release was going to cost $777 and would be telepathically broadcast into the minds of paying fams.

Apparently, you don't get album artwork though.

erik319 said:

I heard that his next release was going to cost $777 and would be telepathically broadcast into the minds of paying fams.

Apparently, you don't get album artwork though.

^^

Giovanni777 said:

I've been concerned lately about Prince's next release...

Without a widespread release of '20ten', and having used many various methods of distribution, while not having a website, how would any upcoming releases be distributed?

We've heard that he already has three albums worth of material since finalizing '20ten', but will we ever hear them?

Will he collaborate with yet another label or Target for distribution?

Does he have the desire to share his new music with his fans, seeing as how a masterpiece like 'Lotusflower' was largely unappreciated?

Yeah, I said it... I'm concerned.

~G

Agreed. I am also concerned about his legacy/treatment of his past works.

Listen, I get that Prince thinks that art and business don't mix. That said, having a sporadic business plan ultimately hurts in the long run...not just the Prince's bottom line, but the art/music as well. Gotta take care of your legacy P so people can still party with you in 2099.

funkyhead said:

he will laways have something up his sleeve. If I were P surely the next move would be another 1 off with a amjor label. The reason being that he promoted well in Europe with the 20TEn project and equally well in the USA with the LF project + recent tour so 2 major markets will still have P fresh in their mind.

My only concern with a big label is that we get yet another P-Lite Musicology type album, they would NOT support another Lovesexy or SOTT.

That's funny, I never remember any mass promotion. I remember him showing up on a few low rated talk shows, one big thing on Leno, and then it all stopped. No more promotion, no real tour, and all the great songs on Lotus Flow3r going to waste. The biggest news he got was ripping his fans of for $77 for a T Shirt that wouldn't fit. If you consider that promotion, then I need some of what you are on.

Maybe he could make a great new album and include it in every single package of Charmin Toilet Paper. The real fans would listen to it. Just think, everybody needs to wipe their damn butt. Of course, someone would make jokes about using the Cd to do it...but hey...well, not sure if it would work, but if he included it in every single USA Today, and every single Rolling Stone, he could get a few million copies out there to be heard...and if you add the toilet paper, and a few boxes of Rasin Bran, maybe he could get 10 million people to at least own it. Of course I'm being sarcastic here, but just think if he did all that crap(pun intended)....millions would at least have a chance to hear it.

I love or like most of Musicology, nearly all of 3121 and Planet Earth, All of Lotus Flow3r, and almost all of 20Ten. MPLS Sound is the only one I only kind of like....

so in my opinion, his studio work is still very good to great, it is just nobody is listening to it. I've used this example a million times:

If you can find a used CD store, look at the back of Purple Rain...you won't be able to see your reflection. Look at the back of Chaos And Disorder...you can see every wrinkle on your old face. Nobody listened to Chaos, yet every one under the sun says it sucks. While it is no masterpiece, his guitar playing is great, and anybody who can say Into The Light/I Will is not a great combination, should probably go grab their Purple Rain and call it a day.

^^ Not everyone under the sun, i love Chaos..

I think that Prince should concentrate only in months or years to come ...in the remastering of his Warner Brother back catalogue + bonus (his best work to date & surely will be for ever ) !!!

[Edited 2/11/11 9:25am]

errant said:

He's running out of labels and alternative distribution methods. I'm sure any potential distributor he might approach is going to be looking into just how many leftover copies of 20TEN those newspapers have, all the copies of LotusFlow3r and 21 Nights are selling for $5 on the shelves of Target and Borders, respectively, and the messes that Rave and 3121 were for Arista and Universal. And let's not forget that he got deals to distribute Musicology and Planet Earth and then turned around and gave copies away.

I'd say at this point, he's painted himself into a corner.

Yes, good points, which also concern me.

All Prince has to do is set up a quickie online store and sell the album for $5.00. It worked just fine for Trent Reznor. Then again, he probably still has 100,000 gullible fans who will pay ten times that for another club that will fail to deliver what it promised.

TheDigitalGardener said:

Why is this cause for concern?

So long as he releases new product in one way or the other, what is the problem?

If and when a new album appears, you will either be able to buy the physical cd (in a shop, or ebay/whatever), or download it, seems quite simple to me.

You ask if he has the desire to share his new music with his fans, seeing as how Lotus was unappreciated? Well, he still shared it did he not? He still released new material afterwards, whether it was appreciated or not.

It's time he had a long break from releasing a new album anyway imo.

[Edited 2/11/11 8:10am]

I'm sure he will find a way that suits him, if we wants to.

The response to the 'Lotusflower' album was after it's release.

Yes, he released '20ten' afterwards, but in such a limited way, that the only way to get a physical copy was unfortunately eBay, or living where the newspapers were released.

I like physical copies, in good quality. If I had my way, I'd be getting his new stuff on vinyl AND CD.

~G

jpnyc said:

All Prince has to do is set up a quickie online store and sell the album for $5.00. It worked just fine for Trent Reznor. Then again, he probably still has 100,000 gullible fans who will pay ten times that for another club that will fail to deliver what it promised.

Good point there. I would buy it that way, as long as it was a physical CD, with packaging/artwork.

I'm not concerned.

It's all part of the "freedom" that he has enjoyed since the 90's. I never bought Kamasutra, my copy of Crystal Ball did not come with it. Same with One Night Alone, CNOTE, Xenophobia (or whatever it was called), & other NPG web releases.

I enjoyed The Chocolate Invasion, but wouldn't really miss it if I did not have it. And I could get any of the above albums TODAY if I wanted to!

If Prince does something amazing we'll hear about it and it'll almost certainly be available. We think he's running out of ideas for distribution, but Planet Earth & 3121 & Musicology were available in reg'lar ol' record stores. He has not abandoned that, he just does other stuff too.

If you want the new music then you'll find a way to get it. That is all that matters. I have a physical copy of 20Ten and it didn't cost me an arm and a leg to get it. I personally could care less if the entire world knows that a new Prince CD is being released. I still got mad love for Prince and his music. The opinions of the masses matter little to me in who I choose to listen to and support. I don't see the need for concern.

HonestMan13 said:

If you want the new music then you'll find a way to get it. That is all that matters. I have a physical copy of 20Ten and it didn't cost me an arm and a leg to get it. I personally could care less if the entire world knows that a new Prince CD is being released. I still got mad love for Prince and his music. The opinions of the masses matter little to me in who I choose to listen to and support. I don't see the need for concern.

I hear you on this, and agree 100%. I like turning others on to Prince's latest releases, and I have many musically diverse musician friends who dig it. As long as I get a physical copy, I'm fine.

But if it isn't released, how would you get it?

Giovanni777 said:

HonestMan13 said:

If you want the new music then you'll find a way to get it. That is all that matters. I have a physical copy of 20Ten and it didn't cost me an arm and a leg to get it. I personally could care less if the entire world knows that a new Prince CD is being released. I still got mad love for Prince and his music. The opinions of the masses matter little to me in who I choose to listen to and support. I don't see the need for concern.

I hear you on this, and agree 100%. I like turning others on to Prince's latest releases, and I have many musically diverse musician friends who dig it. As long as I get a physical copy, I'm fine.

But if it isn't released, how would you get it?

Me and my friend ordered 20Ten from the paper in England. As for digital releases only I don't put too much weight on having artwork and liner notes if they're not readily available. I still am able to enjoy Chocolate Invasion, Slaughterhouse and the other digital only releases without them.

paisleypark4 said:

In the end..its going to come out..in one way or the other....the concerns are really not any of the fans issue or problem...just know that music is on the way. Whats the problem?

So what about the other concern I wrote?

What if he chooses not to release recorded material?

I've been around a while, and I have never had this type of concern before.

Giovanni777 said:

paisleypark4 said:

In the end..its going to come out..in one way or the other....the concerns are really not any of the fans issue or problem...just know that music is on the way. Whats the problem?

So what about the other concern I wrote?

What if he chooses not to release recorded material?

I've been around a while, and I have never had this type of concern before.

sure you have. you don't have any studio bootlegs?

HonestMan13 said:

Giovanni777 said:

I hear you on this, and agree 100%. I like turning others on to Prince's latest releases, and I have many musically diverse musician friends who dig it. As long as I get a physical copy, I'm fine.

But if it isn't released, how would you get it?

Me and my friend ordered 20Ten from the paper in England. As for digital releases only I don't put too much weight on having artwork and liner notes if they're not readily available. I still am able to enjoy Chocolate Invasion, Slaughterhouse and the other digital only releases without them.

Ah, here's the deal... I listen to music through my home stereo, via either vinyl or CD. If it were to be in digital form, I would accept .WAV, but not MP3... not even 320kbps. I deal with computers enough as it is, and prefer not to listen to music from others on one. Yes, I could burn a CD from the .WAV files, but then there's...

...packaging/artwork... yeah, I'm a freak and I like it.

errant said:

Giovanni777 said:

So what about the other concern I wrote?

What if he chooses not to release recorded material?

I've been around a while, and I have never had this type of concern before.

sure you have. you don't have any studio bootlegs?

exactly, there are already hundreds of songs he has not released

There will come a time when Prince does not make or release any new music, but he is not indicating that now is that time.