I just made a compilation CD for myself. It was a kind of post Emancipation, "Best of...". Now of course, most of music appreciation is about the individual's own subjective taste, but i noticed that 80% of my the tracks were ballads.

This certainly wasn't the case prior. Is it just me, or do you guys have a similar feeling that his better stuff, recently has been the slower songs?

considering that he has been solo almost as long as he was at Warners, you'd think he'd have a kick ass album of both beautiful ballads and popular dance hits. You'd think...

Some of his latter-day ballads are as good as anything from he Dirty Mind-Lovesexy era. Somewhere Here on Earth, Future Soul Song... oh wait, that's it.

I spin 2-disc compilations most often, and even there, the only Post-Emancipation songs I use are Black Sweat, Laydown, and Guitar.

Alguy said:

Some of his latter-day ballads are as good as anything from he Dirty Mind-Lovesexy era. Somewhere Here on Earth, Future Soul Song... oh wait, that's it.

I spin 2-disc compilations most often, and even there, the only Post-Emancipation songs I use are Black Sweat, Laydown, and Guitar.

not a great track record. I liked Musicology, the song a lot but I don't play it much.

madhouseman said:

considering that he has been solo almost as long as he was at Warners, you'd think he'd have a kick ass album of both beautiful ballads and popular dance hits. You'd think...

I think that the reason for this is tho Prince was incredibly innovative in the 80s and wrote some killer dance tracks he was still influenced by a greater fashion of sound of 80s keyboards and old school funk-I would argue that music as awhole when it comes dance tracks went down hill post 80's-it either became silly euro pop or drug rave! A dance track 80s style now would (however good it sounded) would sound contrived. You cant really write a dance track now that is still a complete song and Prince is definitely in the latter group

jcurley said:

madhouseman said:

considering that he has been solo almost as long as he was at Warners, you'd think he'd have a kick ass album of both beautiful ballads and popular dance hits. You'd think...

I think that the reason for this is tho Prince was incredibly innovative in the 80s and wrote some killer dance tracks he was still influenced by a greater fashion of sound of 80s keyboards and old school funk-I would argue that music as awhole when it comes dance tracks went down hill post 80's-it either became silly euro pop or drug rave! A dance track 80s style now would (however good it sounded) would sound contrived. You cant really write a dance track now that is still a complete song and Prince is definitely in the latter group

It isn't just the dance tracks...it really is a lack of really memorable songs in general. Yes he has had a few really good tracks but there isn't one album that stands up as a whole to me. It can be argued that TRC was a peak for him when it comes to having a solid album but the segues and songs like Wedding Feast drop it off my list. I really can't think of an album by him post-emancipation (and in fact, including Emancipation so I guess it's post-WB really) that is in my CD rotation.

Great albums pre-Emancipation (8/10 and higher)

Prince

Dirty Mind [10/10]

Controversy

1999

Purple Rain [10/10]

Around The World In A Day [10/10]

Parade

Sign O The Times [10/10]

LoveSexy [10/10]

Batman

Diamonds and Pearls

GoldN

The Black Album [10/10]

Exodus

The Undertaker [10/10]

Great albums post-Emancipation (8/10 and higher):

The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale [10/10]

3121

Lotusflow3r

It's not looking good. Especially since that his last masterpiece is of back catalogue material.

Albums 8 out of 10 or more: Dirty Mind, Controversy, 1999, Purple rain, parade, sign, lovesexy, love symbol, tge, and 3121 for me.

Emancipation, Cystal Ball, Graffiti Bridge and Diamonds and Pearls could have all 8 out of 10 or more if he had better quality control.

I dont see how the vault4 sale can possibly be a 10/10, maybe i need to give it another go

TheBird said:

I just made a compilation CD for myself. It was a kind of post Emancipation, "Best of...". Now of course, most of music appreciation is about the individual's own subjective taste, but i noticed that 80% of my the tracks were ballads.

This certainly wasn't the case prior. Is it just me, or do you guys have a similar feeling that his better stuff, recently has been the slower songs?

Before Prince music (this album especially) I HAAATTTEEED ballads. If it weren't for Prince's album I would've never been 'into' the ballads. Emacipation has some GREAT ballads on it too. I prefer P's funk numbers, then rock numbers.