I would vote myself in as the irritating peace keeper.

me for sure. i'd be the one who can get prince a camel in january. or even an emu, for that matter

Only God can advise him........and Larry.

[Edited 4/26/11 17:23pm]

How would an imaginary advisory board be a solution?

And what about your answer? You mentioned Joni Mitchell, surely you have other suggestions?

I could not give a shit about all that Revolution comeback crap etc etc, all I think he needs to do is take a loooong holiday from releasing albums of new material.

Also a couple of lineup changes in his band.

Now, who to advise him on such a matter I have no idea.

TheDigitalGardener said:

PurpleChi said:

TheDigitalGardener said:

How would an imaginary advisory board be a solution?

And what about your answer? You mentioned Joni Mitchell, surely you have other suggestions?

An imaginary board is not the solution, but solution-minded people tend to consider an answer to the problem, whereas whiners only consider the problem. Personally I am not one the folks who think his career was shot after Wendy and Lisa left and Mayte was his only true love/best dancer (and other nonsensical conclusions), so I just gave an example to get the conversation started. I mainly wondered what suggestions folks who think he is currently doing so many things wrong have to help him do some of those things right, and who within the industry is an example of getting it right. Judging from some of the recent threads, it seems people are full of opinions.

It's obvious that Prince needs better financial management. But I'm not in the music business or the accounting business, so I can't provide specific names. Who is managing the financial affairs of all the other big pop stars from the last few decades? It's hard to imagine that anyone Prince switched to could possibly make things worse.

As far as the music goes, he just needs someone who would challenge him to do better and call his BS for what it is. Nigel Godrich did a good job when he produced an album for Paul McCartney. How about bringing Nigel in on the next Prince album? I can't see that working out given the history between Prince and Radiohead, but Nigel certainly wouldn't be intimidated by Prince.

On one hand, we hear that Prince doesn't take advice from anyone. On the other hand, it seems that he leans to heavily on the advice of a few, that perhaps don't have his best interests at heart.

At the end of the day, I think Prince's best advisor is within him. Not the Gemini game-playing, second-guessing hit-and-miss businessman, but a much deeper part of him - whatever part fuelled his love of music from the beginning.

The part that made him start performing; that made him fight for his record deal, for his success; the one that put profound love and meaning into some of his work and raw musical, spiritual and sexual energy into the rest.

He needs to stop trying to be Prince and just be Prince. From most of the reports, it seems that he's getting closer to that in his recent concerts, but there's still evidence of a mask that, some time ago, stopped simply distancing him from his fans, but started distancing him from himself.

When he remembers that it's just a mask, and dares to look underneath it again, he'll have all the advisors he'll ever need.

All of that said though, two of the most important things in life are to love what you do and to be happy - given that he seems to quite possibly have both of these down (at least on the surface), who are a bunch of net junkies to tell him what to do (or even who should tell him what to do)?

Chiquetet said:

PurpleChi said:

To your last point, I agree. He does seem happy, and has for quite sometime. It's interesting because fans tend to greater appreciate the music an artist creates before they get into that contented place (Mary J. Blige comes to mind). Many think that when an artist is truly happy, the quality of music suffers.

It's interesting - I do know what you mean. I've wondered before if that's an unfortunate reflection on society, being that the happier and more at peace an artist becomes, the less their fans can relate to them (because they're still in their everyday dramas), meaning that their perception is that the music has suffered, when really it's just that they're not making the emotional connection with it that they used to.

Other times, it may genuinely be that the artist has inadvertantly developed creative strengths through adversity - literally that they believe that they need drama and despair, etc... in order to access the part of them they need to make the most intense or deeply creative music.

In Prince's case, I suspect it can go either way.

I was listening to an ONA concert over the weekend and thinking how happy he sounded, how tight the band was, how great the music was and so on. He had not long been inducted/baptised into the JW faith, he was married and his life was finding some peace again after a very rough few years. Regardless of what people may think of his choices, he definitely appeared to be happy and content and really enjoying his music (and his fans, for that matter) during that time.

I hope that whatever's working in his life right now continues to help him find a similar place, that is perhaps not quite as restrictive (Prince "unleashed", so to speak), because I suspect that could be a very powerful combination for an artist like him.

I think one of the things missing right now is that there are 2 very different types of Prince fans. One could argue there are more- but lets stick with the basic model for now that there are the 2 basic types- the casual fan, that will pay 25.00 a ticket, maybe a little more to see a show. There is also the hardcores who want more than just the hits and a basic tour shirt.

It would be great if he could schedule either aftershows for hardcores, and specifically play rarer material and charge more to get into those shows. I would also have an ultra VIP series of shows that happen from time to time that are completely uncensored where anything can be performed, no holds barred. I would also do officially licensed reproductions of old shirt designs. He needs better graphic direction and presentation direction. The new show is great, but I think with added visuals, that are done well, the show could be brought to another level. Thats just the tip of the iceberg. Oh, I understand a Revoltuion reunion is totally plausible at the moment but I have to say, I wish he would ring up Dr. Fink and get him back in the band- I was just in minneapolis and was watching Matt play an Oberheim and I COMPLETELY heard what I think is missing from Princes current lineup. I literally had goose bumps from hearing Matt play the solo from "Head"- I felt like I was transformed back to 1980 the way I wish Prince would take us all to that place.

Chiquetet said:

I think Joni Mitchell is a good idea for a musical advisor.

Prince would listen to her I think, sooner than to anybody else.

Plus Ani di Franco, including for the business side.

And George Clinton.

Say no to a manager, only on temporay basis when really needed

Yes to a reliable and experienced personal assistent who is allowed to say NO to you

Yes to a good accountant

And preferably just one lawfirm.

Oh and no 'producers', but asking some songwriters and performers he respects to work with him on EQUAL terms, wouldnt hurt him either.

I think.

[Edited 4/28/11 11:46am]

Plus if I would be on the 'advisory board' I would advise him something like:

a- start releasing remasters when possible, including accompanying outtakes from the vault and full blown concerts on cd and dvd, liner notes, pictures etc.

b- take a 'hiatus' from recording and touring and start travelling around the world for some time. Not by mainly visiting airports, hotels and concert venues, but by 'diving' into other cultures for a longer period of time. Get to know the rest of the world for real. I would suggest African or Latin American countries before delving into European or Asian, or whatever floats your boat.

c- come back with new found knowledge, experience and insipiration and start making and releasing fantastic new music about it.

d- stop chasing ghosts on the internet and trying to change laws you know will never change. Embrace it instead and take full (financial) advantage of it. Build a website with JUST THE MUSIC and sell it to the world. All of it, well okay, at least as much of it as possible. Albums, released or unreleased, live concerts, on mp3, cd and dvd, from all decades. Make it work.

e- follow your intuition, always

[Edited 4/28/11 11:40am]

Tremolina said:

Plus Ani di Franco, including for the business side.

[Edited 4/28/11 11:25am]

Listening to anyone with a business sense would be good for him.

Hell, the guy selling burgers and hotdogs outside the forum probably has a better business ethic than Prince.

Tony M

TheDigitalGardener said:

Tremolina said:

Plus Ani di Franco, including for the business side.

[Edited 4/28/11 11:25am]

Listening to anyone with a business sense would be good for him.

He's got it.

It's just that he is Prince who often lets other 'stuff' get in the way.

^^ I hear ya.

What was the story with Radiohead?

Tremolina said:

Plus if I would be on the 'advisory board' I would advise him something like:

a- start releasing remasters when possible, including accompanying outtakes from the vault and full blown concerts on cd and dvd, liner notes, pictures etc.

b- take a 'hiatus' from recording and touring and start travelling around the world for some time. Not by mainly visiting airports, hotels and concert venues, but by 'diving' into other cultures for a longer period of time. Get to know the rest of the world for real. I would suggest African or Latin American countries before delving into European or Asian, or whatever floats your boat.

c- come back with new found knowledge, experience and insipiration and start making and releasing fantastic new music about it.

d- stop chasing ghosts on the internet and trying to change laws you know will never change. Embrace it instead and take full (financial) advantage of it. Build a website with JUST THE MUSIC and sell it to the world. All of it, well okay, at least as much of it as possible. Albums, released or unreleased, live concerts, on mp3, cd and dvd, from all decades. Make it work.

e- follow your intuition, always

[Edited 4/28/11 11:40am]

I want this world!

PurpleChi said:

I've seen many posts on here expressing disappointment for Prince's current material, performances, personal handling of finances, etc. I am interested to know who you would pick for the ultimate Prince advisory board and why. For instance, one could say Joni Mitchell for her songwriting skills.

As a enthusiast or admirer of P's musicianship and songwriting I would love to be one of the 'friends' that he allows to listen to that 'new song' or 'new sound'. I can be REAL and open and honest with my point of view when it comes to the music. Religiously speaking, we'd argue because I'm Sunni Muslim and the JW faith doesn't fly in my book.

I can honestly say that I love / like 94% of the music (lyrics) he's written. Boots included ...

Speculative threads like this crack me up because to me it implies you are waiting for him to do something. You have expectations of him still. Unfortunately, that's nothing more than a pipe dream because at this point in his career Prince is not interested in entertaining anyone else's ideas. Instead, he would rather do what he does and if your sights fall in line with that then cool, but if not then he is still fine because he's done what he wanted to do and stayed true to himself.

If you STILL have expectations of Prince after these many years, you're setting yourself up for some disappointment.

Spinlight said:

Spinlight said:

Speculative threads like this crack me up because to me it implies you are waiting for him to do something. You have expectations of him still. Unfortunately, that's nothing more than a pipe dream because at this point in his career Prince is not interested in entertaining anyone else's ideas. Instead, he would rather do what he does and if your sights fall in line with that then cool, but if not then he is still fine because he's done what he wanted to do and stayed true to himself.

If you STILL have expectations of Prince after these many years, you're setting yourself up for some disappointment.

Well, he may not follow anyone's advice posted here, but it's pretty clear that posting something here is the only way any of us could hope to get his attention. Someone apparently pointed out to him the hilarious effort to conduct a charity drive to get him a star on the Hollywood walk of fame, and he actually bothered to put out a quasi-official response (don't waste your money). Posting here is sort of like sending an letter to President Obama. The vast majority get ignored, but occasionally a staffer will pass one along and he might respond.

Spinlight said:

Speculative threads like this crack me up because to me it implies you are waiting for him to do something. You have expectations of him still. Unfortunately, that's nothing more than a pipe dream because at this point in his career Prince is not interested in entertaining anyone else's ideas. Instead, he would rather do what he does and if your sights fall in line with that then cool, but if not then he is still fine because he's done what he wanted to do and stayed true to himself.

If you STILL have expectations of Prince after these many years, you're setting yourself up for some disappointment.

I haven't expected anything since the 2002 npgmc debacle and I have no illusions whatsoever that my 'advice' wouldn't fall on deaf ears.

But I still think this ^^ is what he should do.

SquirrelMeat said:

Tremolina said:

Plus if I would be on the 'advisory board' I would advise him something like:

a- start releasing remasters when possible, including accompanying outtakes from the vault and full blown concerts on cd and dvd, liner notes, pictures etc.

b- take a 'hiatus' from recording and touring and start travelling around the world for some time. Not by mainly visiting airports, hotels and concert venues, but by 'diving' into other cultures for a longer period of time. Get to know the rest of the world for real. I would suggest African or Latin American countries before delving into European or Asian, or whatever floats your boat.

c- come back with new found knowledge, experience and insipiration and start making and releasing fantastic new music about it.

d- stop chasing ghosts on the internet and trying to change laws you know will never change. Embrace it instead and take full (financial) advantage of it. Build a website with JUST THE MUSIC and sell it to the world. All of it, well okay, at least as much of it as possible. Albums, released or unreleased, live concerts, on mp3, cd and dvd, from all decades. Make it work.

e- follow your intuition, always

[Edited 4/28/11 11:40am]

I want this world!

Yeah, but P doesn't!

Tremolina said:

Spinlight said:

Speculative threads like this crack me up because to me it implies you are waiting for him to do something. You have expectations of him still. Unfortunately, that's nothing more than a pipe dream because at this point in his career Prince is not interested in entertaining anyone else's ideas. Instead, he would rather do what he does and if your sights fall in line with that then cool, but if not then he is still fine because he's done what he wanted to do and stayed true to himself.

If you STILL have expectations of Prince after these many years, you're setting yourself up for some disappointment.

I haven't expected anything since the 2002 npgmc debacle and I have no illusions whatsoever that my 'advice' wouldn't fall on deaf ears.

But I still think this ^^ is what he should do.

The question comes up repeatedly. I mean, essentially there is ALWAYS an ongoing discussion about what Prince *should* do because people... Feel he isn't doing enough or doing it right? According to him, he's doing it the way it makes him happy.

With Prince, that overrides everything.