This is a tough question, because imo SOTT was his pinnacle in terms of a flawless album, but after Lovesexy i think he suffered a dry period. With his new releases I can hear that genius, particularly on Colonized mind and even laydown. I think P still has a lot left in him, and maybe he should take a couple years, and let his musical ideas marinate before releasing another flawless masterpiece like SOTT, what are some of your thoughts?

jbrown83 said:

This is a tough question, because imo SOTT was his pinnacle in terms of a flawless album, but after Lovesexy i think he suffered a dry period. With his new releases I can hear that genius, particularly on Colonized mind and even laydown. I think P still has a lot left in him, and maybe he should take a couple years, and let his musical ideas marinate before releasing another flawless masterpiece like SOTT, what are some of your thoughts?

If Prince wants to take a break for a few years, I wish he'd spend that time figuring out which unreleased tracks from the good old days to put on the digital remasters that I hope are coming soon.

That would be an awesome idea! A huge box set with unreleased tracks, concert footage, pics and liner notes . And then get back to recording .

If Prince did take a couple of years off from making new albums to work on the remasters & drop some outtake albums, I wouldn't be mad at that at all. But when he finally dropped a new album, I would have to believe that it would be a double album for some reason [don't know why I think that]. Then, [some of us] would complain it's too long or something...

Well, he did state on Lopez Tonight that he was not going to do much recording because the music is going through changes and he wanted to see what falls out.

I've laways felt he reached his peak when I was in the eighth grade.

That was when "Lovesexy" dropped.

Of course he has reached his peak! Does that mean his recent output isn't comparable? Totally subjective. I haven't heard all of 20Ten, but in my opinion Lotusflow3r is one of his greatest releases, even though his peak has quote unquote passed. Could he use a break? Who knows. Some time off could do him great wonders, but in the end all we do is bitch anyways.

[Edited 5/17/11 21:48pm]

Word from several sources says he is holding on 2 some killer masterpieces. U'll c & eat ur words. Don't underestimate Princey EVER! LOTUSFLOW3R,3121,& 20TEN R MEGA gold & platinum MASTERPIECES...

[Edited 5/17/11 22:55pm]

Prince has reached his musical peak in the 80s. Nonetheless I'm pretty sure he could have pulled off real masterpieces even later by combining the best tracks from the vault with "highly" inspired new ones. Unfortunately the focus, patience and willpower just weren't there to make a real quality project like this ever come true.

[Edited 5/17/11 22:51pm]

Of course but he still can produce good material musically when he's inspired. He's a legend now so I'm thinking when you get to a certain level in your career, you're not "hungry" but that's cool.

[Edited 5/17/11 23:36pm]

the question is vague, and might give a hint as to the narrow-minded-ness of the poster.

"peak" in terms of cd releases, or overall artistic activity?

as 4 the 1st, Prince has stated his heart is in live performances now, as he is demonstrating in LA, as he did in NYC, and in Europe recently.

he is attracting newer & younger audiences where ever he goes,

& is being hailed as 1 of the greatest live performers ever (fans have known this 4

decades). people want real music these days.

with that being said, some "fans" are caught in the past, though there is nothing wrong

w/ appreciating his musical legacy...because

the man is a living Legend, and we will continue to see and appreciate how he reveals

himself through his art

[Edited 5/17/11 23:39pm]

Studio Peak: 1980-1987

Live Peak: post Purple Rain 1985-1990

It's come and gone, yes.

NelsonR said:

the question is vague, and might give a hint as to the narrow-minded-ness of the poster.

Christ.

Yes, of course. IMO, I think most artists peak around 25-30 years old.

So, obviously he's not gonna be as good of a songwriter now as he was then. I don't think there's anything wrong with that, either. Your mind just doesn't work as well it used to when you were younger.

Even though I think he's not as great a songwriter and overall musician as he used to be. His guitar playing is probably better now than it's ever been!

Just because Michael Jordan can't dunk from the free throw line anymore and score 50 on a given night, that doesn't mean that he's not the Greatest of All-Time.

Yes, he's reached it and now he pisses all over it.

His guitar playing is better now but for the creativity, I think it's gone.

I guess it's natural too. He is older, and doesn't have to impress his father anymore.

Must people think he must retire but the man does not know how to live without recording and touring. Beeing on stage is like the best way for him to feel alive, imo.I don't know...

NelsonR said:

the question is vague, and might give a hint as to the narrow-minded-ness of the poster.

"peak" in terms of cd releases, or overall artistic activity?

as 4 the 1st, Prince has stated his heart is in live performances now, as he is demonstrating in LA, as he did in NYC, and in Europe recently.

he is attracting newer & younger audiences where ever he goes,

& is being hailed as 1 of the greatest live performers ever (fans have known this 4

decades). people want real music these days.

with that being said, some "fans" are caught in the past, though there is nothing wrong

w/ appreciating his musical legacy...because

the man is a living Legend, and we will continue to see and appreciate how he reveals

himself through his art

[Edited 5/17/11 23:39pm]

None taken, kettle noir.

Yes, a long time ago.

I'm gonna pass on this week's thread about this since I've answered to the one from last week. I'll be there for the one coming next week, though.

He reached his peak in the 80s but I also think that it's been a very slow decline. Still today, he makes a lot of very good music.

I think he should stop fucking around trying to sound current and do what he does best which is play guitar, i'd be happy if he released Lotusflow3r style albums, a more blues/funk style with a live band. although i think 20Ten is ok and sounds way better than Mplsound it does sound forced.

IMHO anyway.

jbrown83 said:

This is a tough question, because imo SOTT was his pinnacle in terms of a flawless album, but after Lovesexy i think he suffered a dry period. With his new releases I can hear that genius, particularly on Colonized mind and even laydown. I think P still has a lot left in him, and maybe he should take a couple years, and let his musical ideas marinate before releasing another flawless masterpiece like SOTT, what are some of your thoughts?

I think if you ask Prince himself, he probably considers ALL his albums to be "flawless".

RealMusician said:

jbrown83 said:

This is a tough question, because imo SOTT was his pinnacle in terms of a flawless album, but after Lovesexy i think he suffered a dry period. With his new releases I can hear that genius, particularly on Colonized mind and even laydown. I think P still has a lot left in him, and maybe he should take a couple years, and let his musical ideas marinate before releasing another flawless masterpiece like SOTT, what are some of your thoughts?

I think if you ask Prince himself, he probably considers ALL his albums to be "flawless".

Exactly. He's always said that his songs are like his children.

It would be like asking him admit to loving the cool, goodlooking, popular kid (Sign O The Times) over the athsmatic, geeky, smelly kid with nits that's been forced to repeat a year (MPLSound).

[Edited 5/18/11 13:26pm]

RealMusician said:

jbrown83 said:

This is a tough question, because imo SOTT was his pinnacle in terms of a flawless album, but after Lovesexy i think he suffered a dry period. With his new releases I can hear that genius, particularly on Colonized mind and even laydown. I think P still has a lot left in him, and maybe he should take a couple years, and let his musical ideas marinate before releasing another flawless masterpiece like SOTT, what are some of your thoughts?

I think if you ask Prince himself, he probably considers ALL his albums to be "flawless".

Good point.

It's quite common for musicians intheir twilight to settle on a rotation of their best compositions or songs and do them repeatedly. Especially in this market. What's the point of new tunes if everyone rips them for free? Better to just lay down the standards and reap the benefits in live performances.

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Word from several sources says he is holding on 2 some killer masterpieces. U'll c & eat ur words. Don't underestimate Princey EVER! LOTUSFLOW3R,3121,& 20TEN R MEGA gold & platinum MASTERPIECES...

[Edited 5/17/11 22:55pm]

It's nice to see Prince has deaf fans, isn't it?

PFunkjazz said:

It's quite common for musicians intheir twilight to settle on a rotation of their best compositions or songs and do them repeatedly. Especially in this market. What's the point of new tunes if everyone rips them for free? Better to just lay down the standards and reap the benefits in live performances.

I think someone can only reach their peak when they've learned everything there is to learn, and prince has an awful lot to learn. If he studied various time signatures, advanced guitar techniques and orchestration then he could take his career and his legacy to an even higher level, and it would be awesome!

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

PFunkjazz said:

It's quite common for musicians intheir twilight to settle on a rotation of their best compositions or songs and do them repeatedly. Especially in this market. What's the point of new tunes if everyone rips them for free? Better to just lay down the standards and reap the benefits in live performances.

Wait a sec, is he producing masterpieces or not? Make up your mind man!