Was listening to RaveUn2 yesterday. Though I judge it far inferior to much of P’s albums, I still enjoy it, dance to it, etc. I still feel disappointed by that album, probably was expecting more, 3 years after the precedent official P release on a major label(Emancipation). What I simply can’t understand, is that such an easy-access and well-produced record didn’t hit at all!
The reason seems nevertheless quite obvious. Little promotion, foolish singles choice, almost no live performances of the material (see RaveDVD!!!)...
Do you share my opinion, that everything started to go wrong back in 1989, when P fired the Cavallo, Ruffalo & Fargnoli-connection? These guys somehow managed to keep things (not only commercially!) going: records, hit singles, tours, movies, which led P to genius status and major acknowledgement by general audiences and critics.
What happened then? Silly fight with WB right after this mega-100millions contract (?), the whole "slave" thing (come on, give us a break! poor little slave...), the ridiculous name change, quite disastrous web sites (Crystal Ball...), hours and hours of music distributed in a chaotic way. And oh, I still can’t believe the musician I used to worship is now talking/singing about veganism, lamb plea (on the Rave cover), JW, etc...
I doubt a serious management would have let P totally ruin his public image that badly.
Don’t get me wrong. I still consider he’s the best songwriter/performer around. Just a little nostalgia...

"So ease your mind and set yourself free
2 the mystifying music that we call Cindy C"

there is little doubt that the leave of the Italian crew damaged somehow Prince's status of the 80's. There were of course moments of commercial success (Diamonds & Pearls, The Most Beautiful Girl in the World), however easily the end of the 80's can be pronounced the end of the commercially successful Prince.

I do believe that Prince's rise from the R&B boy of "For You" and "Prince" LP's to the underground phenomenon and then the pop superstar owes a lot to the great work of Fargnoli and his partners. It is them who got him the film deal ("Purple Rain" for the less enlightened), who convinced Warners to release "Dirty Mind" and altogether provided the necessary financing and marketing. It seems (maybe someone can confirm) that it is under their wings the new record contract was signed by Prince and Warners (the first one was for three albums, best to my knowledge).

After the Italians left, it was Albert Magnoli (the director of "Purple Rain") who managed Prince, however this engagement turned to be short-lived. Then Prince basically managed himself (he even mentioned a couple of time that he didn't need a manager) to the effect we all know.

But, to be honest, I don't think he really needs a manager. Of course, if it is the commercial success at stake, then naturally, a good businessman, sensitive to Prince's artistic needs, would be a perfect solution. But for Prince who doesn't really care that much for charts and sales, there is no such need.

Of course, that doesn't mean that a skillful manager who would finally got NPGMC running like a business operation, not the joke that it has been, especially at the end of last year, wouldn't be warmly welcome.

, agarze.
You said P doesn't care for charts and sales.
Ok, but can you believe:
a)Nofuckinbody knows about TRC!?
b)I saw in all major wreckastows of my city (and no, I don’t live on the moon) only three copies of ONA live (which by the way disappeared in a couple of hours)!?
What an awful waste...

"Cuz I'll slap your ass into the middle of next week"

Prince can't manage himself.

He makes and plays music, he is ashite businessman.

antuco said:

waste it is, indeed... but it's Prince and a part of the beauty

MiaBocca said:

A manager gels with an artist, provided they have a vested interest (in the artist) at heart.
[This message was edited Tue Apr 29 22:30:15 PDT 2003 by daysofwild]

Prince should not be managing himself. Interesting that he just cannot bring himself to realize this since one of his mantras during the Slave days...and more recently than that I believe...is "business and art don't mix" He has said this on many occasions in print and on television. Why not take his own advice. YOU handle the art end, L'il Man, and let someone with more business skillz handle that end!!

Matt

The Dons had alot of Control&Power with Moving&Shaking things up.they also were Behind Earth,Wind&Fire&Ray Parker Jr when both Acts were Hot.Fargnoli though had the Most Open pressence with Prince.A Manager can have a Strogn Pull with a Label&things remember Col Parker For Elvis?? A Manager has a Job to get in there Move&shake things up.

antuco said:

Yes, but that managing group's departure isn't the ONLY reason for things going wrong.
[This message was edited Thu Feb 6 18:53:56 PST 2003 by Supernova]

I believe I read somewhere that one of the reasons Prince fell out with Fargnoli was over the original script for Graffiti Bridge (when Kim Basinger was going to be in it).

Not sure this is true or not though.

Certainly know that it was the development and direction of the GB script that caused Magnoli to bail.

Personally I think as long as their is trust then an artist benefits from a good manager (there are many bad ones who screw artists of course). They can take care of business and leave the artist to do what they are good at = create.

yes he lost commercial appeal big time, but hes making decisions which seem to make him happy. at least he was happy he made those decisions

i think making statements is worth more to him than making more money

isnt that clear yet?

Thanks for the comments.
My fear is the way things are going, in five years from now, P gigs with 10000 people waving hands, clapping and screaming will only be a nice souvenir, unless you live in say detroit, rotterdam or paris...

Nobody commented the rave cover. I assume most of you own lambs herds.


"If u don't wanna lick my knees, I'm sure your mama will"
[This message was edited Fri Feb 7 13:12:19 PST 2003 by antuco]
[This message was edited Fri Feb 7 13:12:50 PST 2003 by antuco]

I miss the Cavallo, Ruffalo, and Fargnoli years and work they did.