For the past few months I have listened to The Rainbow Children album and it never cease to amaze me how great these songs sound sonically. The sound quality is superb, the live instrumentation is organic and lively, and the songwriting is much more adventerous and serious. I'm glad Prince is doing a better job at mixing and matching hits with album tracks, but other than "Everlasting Now", I haven't heard Prince play "Mellow", "Last December". It only reinforces the safe songs he chooses to play. I hope that know that John Blackwell is back in the fold he will play more of these songs or maybe record an album similar to TRC without the voice over and interludes.

bashraka said:

For the past few months I have listened to The Rainbow Children album and it never cease to amaze me how great these songs sound sonically. The sound quality is superb, the live instrumentation is organic and lively, and the songwriting is much more adventerous and serious. I'm glad Prince is doing a better job at mixing and matching hits with album tracks, but other than "Everlasting Now", I haven't heard Prince play "Mellow", "Last December". It only reinforces the safe songs he chooses to play. I hope that know that John Blackwell is back in the fold he will play more of these songs or maybe record an album similar to TRC without the voice over and interludes.

"Safe songs he choose to play"? Hahahaha! You're joking, right? Not only did I just witness Prince perform songs that I'd never think he'd ever perform at The Forum recently, I guess you didn't catch him on his "One Nite Alone Tour". I heard BOTH of those songs played. Saw him on that tour 5 times! Amazing songs, amazing album, amazing tour! Personally, my favorite tour because of the intimacy of the venues he chose to play, and especially how he took questions from the audience during his soundchecks. You really missed out. Look for some live recordings. You'll be impressed.

Let me clarify what I mean. Since the ONA tour, when has he played "Family Name". "Family Name" is certainly one of his most funky and controversial songs he has written period.

Only Prince Knows Why. Maybe he's trying to be politically and sociallly correct (whatever that is).

Is he reluctant, or is it just not the right material for where he's at, at the moment?

He toured with that album, and I think I'm right in saying it's the last album he did tour behind - that is performing many tracks from the album, and having a show centered around it's new material.

His tours for the past few years have been about getting bums on seats.

Whutchutalkinaboutwillis?

He gave the One Nite Alone tour to parading The Rainbow Children's content. No other album since The Gold Experience has been afforded such emphasis on a tour.

bashraka said:

or maybe record an album similar to TRC without the voice over and interludes.

I think Lotusflow3r is the very album you seek. Although it's Michael B and Cora and not John Blackwell, I think Lotusflow3r is very much the sonic sequel to TRC. It's got everything - the organic 'live-in-the-studio' sound, no voice-over or interludes, the lyrics are a lot less overtly JW-fied (although it does has moments ), extended jazz-fusiony instrumental sections, the rhodes keys, etc... Give it another spin, my friend!

cinnamongirl24 said:

bashraka said:

For the past few months I have listened to The Rainbow Children album and it never cease to amaze me how great these songs sound sonically. The sound quality is superb, the live instrumentation is organic and lively, and the songwriting is much more adventerous and serious. I'm glad Prince is doing a better job at mixing and matching hits with album tracks, but other than "Everlasting Now", I haven't heard Prince play "Mellow", "Last December". It only reinforces the safe songs he chooses to play. I hope that know that John Blackwell is back in the fold he will play more of these songs or maybe record an album similar to TRC without the voice over and interludes.

"Safe songs he choose to play"? Hahahaha! You're joking, right? Not only did I just witness Prince perform songs that I'd never think he'd ever perform at The Forum recently, I guess you didn't catch him on his "One Nite Alone Tour". I heard BOTH of those songs played. Saw him on that tour 5 times! Amazing songs, amazing album, amazing tour! Personally, my favorite tour because of the intimacy of the venues he chose to play, and especially how he took questions from the audience during his soundchecks. You really missed out. Look for some live recordings. You'll be impressed.

Such as? (Not being cynical here, just asking .)

NouveauDance said:

Is he reluctant, or is it just not the right material for where he's at, at the moment?

His tours for the past few years have been about getting bums on seats.

Exactly, plus the fact that he probably could not find a part of those songs where he could fit in Shebleys "clap yer hands.....stomp yer feet" chout (that is a mix of chant and shout ).

In my opinion, not much of the TRC material can be played outside of that context or concept.

Sure, he could probably play Last December or Family Name but most of those songs were reflections of what he was thinking and going through back then, whether it´s his conversion to the JWs or his relationship with his ex-wife/wives, or his fascination with conspiracy theories.

He seems to be in a totally different place and state of mind these days. And he rarely goes back to songs from concept albums, except for the big hits. I´ve never seen him go back to the Emancipation or Lovesexy material either.

I dont get why people always think theres some deep dark meaning to why something doesnt get played. ever think that maybe they guy just has too many songs to perform every one of them live?

bashraka said:

For the past few months I have listened to The Rainbow Children album and it never cease to amaze me how great these songs sound sonically. The sound quality is superb, the live instrumentation is organic and lively, and the songwriting is much more adventerous and serious. I'm glad Prince is doing a better job at mixing and matching hits with album tracks, but other than "Everlasting Now", I haven't heard Prince play "Mellow", "Last December". It only reinforces the safe songs he chooses to play. I hope that know that John Blackwell is back in the fold he will play more of these songs or maybe record an album similar to TRC without the voice over and interludes.

I agree the sound quality is great but lyrically its embarassingly bad .. i don't take issue with the ideas, just the cartoonish songwriting and lack of poetry and retarded lyrics like "wet circles round the toy" and the music itself is pretty weak save maybe 3 songs that are ok but undercooked. I'd like to think he is focusing on good songs for the most part on this tour .. not safe songs. He should be applauded for recognizing that most of his out put is crap at this point and pulling songs from his quality period even if they are deep cuts .. is far better than trying to push his more recent but very bad music.

TheDigitalGardener said:

NouveauDance said:

Is he reluctant, or is it just not the right material for where he's at, at the moment?

His tours for the past few years have been about getting bums on seats.

Exactly, plus the fact that he probably could not find a part of those songs where he could fit in Shebleys "clap yer hands.....stomp yer feet" chout (that is a mix of chant and shout ).

LADIES! CLAP YO HANDS... STOMP YO FEET, BUT ONLY IF UR HUSBAND LET'S YA!.. THEOCRATIC ORDER Y'ALLLLLLLLLLLL!

NouveauDance said:

TheDigitalGardener said:

Exactly, plus the fact that he probably could not find a part of those songs where he could fit in Shebleys "clap yer hands.....stomp yer feet" chout (that is a mix of chant and shout ).

LADIES! CLAP YO HANDS... STOMP YO FEET, BUT ONLY IF UR HUSBAND LET'S YA!.. THEOCRATIC ORDER Y'ALLLLLLLLLLLL!

Bloody hell!!!!

You have found a way for Shebley to sing/shout/ruin TRC tracks.

In the name of Jehovah, don't tell Prince.

The Everlasting Now....what a freaking jam man....

You just brought up found memories of me"jumping up and down" with my girlfriend!

Prince look was so sharp at that stage....I'm gonna pull out that album AGAIN.

NouveauDance said:

Is he reluctant, or is it just not the right material for where he's at, at the moment?

He toured with that album, and I think I'm right in saying it's the last album he did tour behind - that is performing many tracks from the album, and having a show centered around it's new material.

His tours for the past few years have been about getting bums on seats.

i think the 1st part of your statement is right,it's just not the right material for where he's at.however,during the musicology tour..at least in dc,he played alot of songs off of that particular lp.and i felt that that lp was what he centered on.

a better question is why will he not play Let's Go Crazy! not that garbage "go go go" edit he has been pulling for the last ...25 years... or so!

OnlyNDaUsa said:

a better question is why will he not play Let's Go Crazy! not that garbage "go go go" edit he has been pulling for the last ...25 years... or so!

I think he's been playing the full version since last summer, unless I'm mistaken.

Gohi said:

OnlyNDaUsa said:

a better question is why will he not play Let's Go Crazy! not that garbage "go go go" edit he has been pulling for the last ...25 years... or so!

I think he's been playing the full version since last summer, unless I'm mistaken.

really! cool. Now do not get me wrong. I dug the "go go go" from say the lovesexy show (which i have never ever seen or heard ) but I really want to hear more of the song as released on the album (if he wants to do the extended version i am down with that too)

KoolEaze said:

In my opinion, not much of the TRC material can be played outside of that context or concept.

Sure, he could probably play Last December or Family Name but most of those songs were reflections of what he was thinking and going through back then, whether it´s his conversion to the JWs or his relationship with his ex-wife/wives, or his fascination with conspiracy theories.

He seems to be in a totally different place and state of mind these days. And he rarely goes back to songs from concept albums, except for the big hits. I´ve never seen him go back to the Emancipation or Lovesexy material either.

He did Alphabet St and Anna Steisa a couple good times recently in the last couple years...but I think that's it. I dodnt think I have heard anything from the Emancipation era.

paisleypark4 said:

KoolEaze said:

In my opinion, not much of the TRC material can be played outside of that context or concept.

Sure, he could probably play Last December or Family Name but most of those songs were reflections of what he was thinking and going through back then, whether it´s his conversion to the JWs or his relationship with his ex-wife/wives, or his fascination with conspiracy theories.

He seems to be in a totally different place and state of mind these days. And he rarely goes back to songs from concept albums, except for the big hits. I´ve never seen him go back to the Emancipation or Lovesexy material either.

He did Alphabet St and Anna Steisa a couple good times recently in the last couple years...but I think that's it. I dodnt think I have heard anything from the Emancipation era.

He did ''The Love We Make'' couple of times during the fall tour last year..

OnlyNDaUsa said:

Gohi said:

I think he's been playing the full version since last summer, unless I'm mistaken.

really! cool. Now do not get me wrong. I dug the "go go go" from say the lovesexy show (which i have never ever seen or heard ) but I really want to hear more of the song as released on the album (if he wants to do the extended version i am down with that too)

My bad. He only sings the first verse and chorus, goes into Delirious, then goes back Let's Go Crazy and does the guitar solo.

I just knew the new version had more lyrics than the "go go go" edit, haha.

I love the TRC album but, I would expect that if P was to play a full set of songs or three or four songs from TRC the audience / crowd would just be standing there while P & The NPG funk'd it up. That's a very underground album with no radio play ... Ever ... Or promotion past the NPG Music Club and the like.

'I' would definitely enjoy hearin' it live because I missed the One Night Alone show in Lakeland FL.

PurpleLove7 said:

I love the TRC album but, I would expect that if P was to play a full set of songs or three or four songs from TRC the audience / crowd would just be standing there while P & The NPG funk'd it up. That's a very underground album with no radio play ... Ever ... Or promotion past the NPG Music Club and the like.

'I' would definitely enjoy hearin' it live because I missed the One Night Alone show in Lakeland FL.

I used to think this way, too.

Then, out of curiosity, I was looking through Madonna's live albums and I noticed that she doesn't load up her sets with hits and makes about 10 billion grillion times the money Prince does and her ticket prices are comparable. Hmm.

Prince neglects the majority of his catalog because he's an uninventive fuck.

Maybe he doesn't feel like it.

my least favorite album

Spinlight said:

PurpleLove7 said:

I love the TRC album but, I would expect that if P was to play a full set of songs or three or four songs from TRC the audience / crowd would just be standing there while P & The NPG funk'd it up. That's a very underground album with no radio play ... Ever ... Or promotion past the NPG Music Club and the like.

'I' would definitely enjoy hearin' it live because I missed the One Night Alone show in Lakeland FL.

I used to think this way, too.

Then, out of curiosity, I was looking through Madonna's live albums and I noticed that she doesn't load up her sets with hits and makes about 10 billion grillion times the money Prince does and her ticket prices are comparable. Hmm.

Prince neglects the majority of his catalog because he's an uninventive fuck.

I wouldn't go that far to say that (above) but, I get ya point ... Just his own man, doin' his own thing ... We know how Xtra P do ...

PurpleLove7 said:

Spinlight said:

I used to think this way, too.

Then, out of curiosity, I was looking through Madonna's live albums and I noticed that she doesn't load up her sets with hits and makes about 10 billion grillion times the money Prince does and her ticket prices are comparable. Hmm.

Prince neglects the majority of his catalog because he's an uninventive fuck.

I wouldn't go that far to say that (above) but, I get ya point ... Just his own man, doin' his own thing ... We know how Xtra P do ...

This could've been true years ago, but it's not true right now. The shows right now are not up to par and, IMO, they haven't been in the 2000s at all. The last tour I personally liked was the 96 Gold tour. Not to say there hasn't been a good show here and there since then, but it sounds basically the same from 1997-2011.

Prince should try only putting 2-3 hits in his setlist and then making up the rest as he goes along. He's stated, succinctly, that he puts the hits in the setlist to appease the fans.

He's performing for folks who don't have the album, they're the more casual fans mixed in with the hardcores. Also, he seems to be having fun playing the songs on his set list now.

Spinlight said:

PurpleLove7 said:

I wouldn't go that far to say that (above) but, I get ya point ... Just his own man, doin' his own thing ... We know how Xtra P do ...

This could've been true years ago, but it's not true right now. The shows right now are not up to par and, IMO, they haven't been in the 2000s at all. The last tour I personally liked was the 96 Gold tour. Not to say there hasn't been a good show here and there since then, but it sounds basically the same from 1997-2011.

Prince should try only putting 2-3 hits in his setlist and then making up the rest as he goes along. He's stated, succinctly, that he puts the hits in the setlist to appease the fans.

and he says "it is a different show every night" huh I have seen too many of the same set lists to believe that!