Two questions:

1) Which do you think was better: The Revolution or The New Power Generation?

2) Which era do you listen to most?

I think, overall I give a slight edge to the Revolution. However, I listen to the NPG era almost exclusively for some reason.

Either could never do what the other has done. The Revolution was one of the best bands of all time (all configs.), but so was the 1993-1995/2001-2003 NPG.

Dave1992 said:

Either could never do what the other has done. The Revolution was one of the best bands of all time (all configs.), but so was the 1993-1995/2001-2003 NPG.

Which era do you find yourself listening to more Dave?

I'm going to let you know right now, which I am sure you knew upon creation of this thread, that this can be a rather disgusting topic to watch after a while. You might see that in this thread.

That being said:

The NPG.

However, when it comes to Prince recording by himself? Nothing but the Revolution era.

Spinlight said:

I'm going to let you know right now, which I am sure you knew upon creation of this thread, that this can be a rather disgusting topic to watch after a while. You might see that in this thread.

That being said:

The NPG.

However, when it comes to Prince recording by himself? Nothing but the Revolution era.

Spin, which era do you find yourself listening to more??

mydrawers said:

Spinlight said:

I'm going to let you know right now, which I am sure you knew upon creation of this thread, that this can be a rather disgusting topic to watch after a while. You might see that in this thread.

That being said:

The NPG.

However, when it comes to Prince recording by himself? Nothing but the Revolution era.

Spin, which era do you find yourself listening to more??

It's half and half. I listen to the 1981-1985 records a lot. Not so much things like Around the World In A Day, but Controversy, The Time's records, 1999, Purple Rain, Parade. However, Lotusflower is fucking genius, Rainbow Children is lost on most people but it is one of my favorites, and Emancipation and Newpower Soul (as a fourth disk since its the same damn music) are vital to my being.

Again, though, as far as live stuff is concerned... The NPG blows the Revolution completely and utterly away.

I love both but definitely 93 to 95 NPG is my all time favourite lineup Michael B, Sonny T, Tommy Barbarella, Morris Hayes and you could add Levi too. I find myself listening to the late 80s through to the mid 90s most and lotusflower

Spinlight said:

mydrawers said:

Spin, which era do you find yourself listening to more??

It's half and half. I listen to the 1981-1985 records a lot. Not so much things like Around the World In A Day, but Controversy, The Time's records, 1999, Purple Rain, Parade. However, Lotusflower is fucking genius, Rainbow Children is lost on most people but it is one of my favorites, and Emancipation and Newpower Soul (as a fourth disk since its the same damn music) are vital to my being.

Again, though, as far as live stuff is concerned... The NPG blows the Revolution completely and utterly away.

Agreed 88 to 96 is my most listened to period of his career but lately ive been listening to sott a lot.

mydrawers said:

Two questions:

1) Which do you think was better: The Revolution or The New Power Generation?

2) Which era do you listen to most?

I think, overall I give a slight edge to the Revolution. However, I listen to the NPG era almost exclusively for some reason.

I'm not sure I understand ur question because The New Power Generation have been the name of Prince's band for 20 years and this include many different configuration (including some that don't have a single musician in common).

Same could be said about The Revolution, though at a lesser level because their time was shorter.

And what do you do with the pre-Revolution (1978-1981) and post-Revolution/pre-NPG (1987-1990) bands?

So can u please re4mulate ur question being more specific? Thanks

Spinlight said:

I'm going to let you know right now, which I am sure you knew upon creation of this thread, that this can be a rather disgusting topic to watch after a while. You might see that in this thread.

Can't we just have a big melting pot of fav. members and leave it at that!

Besides, WHICH NPG?... For me the definitive NPG was Come/Gold/Exodus era - D&P/ was great, but dropping some deadwood (of which Rosie is not) was a good idea. Everything after 96 was blah, except for the TRC/ONA era band - although I admit this is where I completely lost interest and count of who is in, who is out, it was much more a revolving door, and I think after Emancipation Prince kinda lost interest in cultivating that band image.

Spinlight said:

mydrawers said:

Spin, which era do you find yourself listening to more??

It's half and half. I listen to the 1981-1985 records a lot. Not so much things like Around the World In A Day, but Controversy, The Time's records, 1999, Purple Rain, Parade. However, Lotusflower is fucking genius, Rainbow Children is lost on most people but it is one of my favorites, and Emancipation and Newpower Soul (as a fourth disk since its the same damn music) are vital to my being.

Again, though, as far as live stuff is concerned... The NPG blows the Revolution completely and utterly away.

When you refer to the Revolution are you talking about the 1979-1986 bands or just the 1983-1986 band

I've always said this kind of comparison is hard and not really fair. Because we are comparing band in different stages of peoples lives/ages

For example the Revolution members were still really young Wendy was what? 19 in 1984 performing in her 1st band? vs 1990's- NPG band members who by that time had probably been playing for 10 years.

Bands/musicians get better in time. Is the Sheila E of 2011 better than the Sheila E of 1984? Most likely, Is Wendy Melvoin of 2011 better than the Wendy Melvoin of 1985 most likely

mydrawers said:

Two questions:

1) Which do you think was better: The Revolution or The New Power Generation?

2) Which era do you listen to most?

I think, overall I give a slight edge to the Revolution. However, I listen to the NPG era almost exclusively for some reason.

1.) as a band the pre-Revolution/Revolution band was better because for their time playing(age) they emulated Prince's sound and image the best. Things were raw then, technology was not as advanced, but this band causeed Prince 2 shine in my opinion.

2.) as far as recorded - live & unreleased it's a toss between 1999 Purple Rain & Parade

I love listening to the 1st Avenue shows of the 1999 & Purple Rain eras. the shows were he premiered songs and where the Time performed as well

Revolution kicked ass back then

Of course, the Revolution. Kinda played it til I couldn't play it anymore and matured to his more recent music.

Prince & the Revolution 4ever! (hehe, ironic how I used Musicology's boot title)

NPG without a doubt

The old NPG could easily play anything the Revolution ever did.

But The Revolution will not play Billy Jack Bitch or Days Of Wild.

I listen to NPG era more. way more funky than anything the Revolution ever did.

[Edited 6/29/11 6:25am]

Spinlight said:

mydrawers said:

Spin, which era do you find yourself listening to more??

It's half and half. I listen to the 1981-1985 records a lot. Not so much things like Around the World In A Day, but Controversy, The Time's records, 1999, Purple Rain, Parade. However, Lotusflower is fucking genius, Rainbow Children is lost on most people but it is one of my favorites, and Emancipation and Newpower Soul (as a fourth disk since its the same damn music) are vital to my being.

Again, though, as far as live stuff is concerned... The NPG blows the Revolution completely and utterly away.

OMG! Dude, did you just list New Power Soul as something you LIKED listening to????!?!! And to think, you were one of my favorites.

the npg reahersall bootlegs are way better then the revolution reahersal bootlegs.

FunkyStrange said:

NPG without a doubt

The old NPG could easily play anything the Revolution ever did.

But The Revolution will not play Billy Jack Bitch or Days Of Wild.

I listen to NPG era more. way more funky than anything the Revolution ever did.

[Edited 6/29/11 6:25am]

I disagree. Do you really think the NPG could pull off funky ass versions of Baby, I'm A Star or Computer Blue?? Not even close.

DOW would be simple for the Revolution to play. The NPG also didn't have Eric Leeds and Atlanta Bliss on the horns, so they're already way in the hole (get your mind out of the gutter) on that one. The old Come/Gold NPG ended up turning into a sample trigger-happy band where it seemed like they were playing along side sampled for most of the song. They were good. I'm not taking that away from them one bit. But The Revolution were more versatile and hella funkier than what most people give them credit for.

FunkyStrange said:

NPG without a doubt

The old NPG could easily play anything the Revolution ever did.

But The Revolution will not play Billy Jack Bitch or Days Of Wild.

I listen to NPG era more. way more funky than anything the Revolution ever did.

In a better world there would be no Billy Jack Bitch because Prince wouldn't have went off on a weird course and took us thru the 1990's

Does it have to be about being Funky? I mean Prince music back then was a total mix of different genre

alexnvrmnd777 said:

Spinlight said:

It's half and half. I listen to the 1981-1985 records a lot. Not so much things like Around the World In A Day, but Controversy, The Time's records, 1999, Purple Rain, Parade. However, Lotusflower is fucking genius, Rainbow Children is lost on most people but it is one of my favorites, and Emancipation and Newpower Soul (as a fourth disk since its the same damn music) are vital to my being.

Again, though, as far as live stuff is concerned... The NPG blows the Revolution completely and utterly away.

OMG! Dude, did you just list New Power Soul as something you LIKED listening to????!?!! And to think, you were one of my favorites.

lol Spinlight is my boy, but he did zonk me out on that one lol

alexnvrmnd777 said:

FunkyStrange said:

NPG without a doubt

The old NPG could easily play anything the Revolution ever did.

But The Revolution will not play Billy Jack Bitch or Days Of Wild.

I listen to NPG era more. way more funky than anything the Revolution ever did.

[Edited 6/29/11 6:25am]

I disagree. Do you really think the NPG could pull off funky ass versions of Baby, I'm A Star or Computer Blue?? Not even close.

DOW would be simple for the Revolution to play. The NPG also didn't have Eric Leeds and Atlanta Bliss on the horns, so they're already way in the hole (get your mind out of the gutter) on that one. The old Come/Gold NPG ended up turning into a sample trigger-happy band where it seemed like they were playing along side sampled for most of the song. They were good. I'm not taking that away from them one bit. But The Revolution were more versatile and hella funkier than what most people give them credit for.

Yeah, I don't know what the criteria is for a lot of people when they say funky

the Revolution was technically diverse and talented. Lisa Coleman had a skill that just helped take Purple Music to another level and when she was gone I just have not heard that addition yet. That does not take anything away from Prince, but it does from his music.

Anyone who has heard Prince's band live during those earlier years would know better.

His 1st Avenue 1982 show were All the Critics Love U in NY was prem with the Time battle

that set list for his band shows their diversity and how tight they are as well as how impromptu they flow, the band definately were funky live and had a presence that worked well with Prince

And they played PRINCE music (not a bunch of covers)

His 1983 1st Avenue show the Benefit concert that preme a lot of the Purple Rain music, they totally killed it and ended with one of the most funky version of DMSR I've ever heard.

His 1st Avenue 1984 Birthday show, showed how dense and techically impresive the band was they road of the purple waves Prince was putting out,

OldFriends4Sale said:

alexnvrmnd777 said:

I disagree. Do you really think the NPG could pull off funky ass versions of Baby, I'm A Star or Computer Blue?? Not even close.

DOW would be simple for the Revolution to play. The NPG also didn't have Eric Leeds and Atlanta Bliss on the horns, so they're already way in the hole (get your mind out of the gutter) on that one. The old Come/Gold NPG ended up turning into a sample trigger-happy band where it seemed like they were playing along side sampled for most of the song. They were good. I'm not taking that away from them one bit. But The Revolution were more versatile and hella funkier than what most people give them credit for.

Yeah, I don't know what the criteria is for a lot of people when they say funky

the Revolution was technically diverse and talented. Lisa Coleman had a skill that just helped take Purple Music to another level and when she was gone I just have not heard that addition yet. That does not take anything away from Prince, but it does from his music.

Anyone who has heard Prince's band live during those earlier years would know better.

His 1st Avenue 1982 show were All the Critics Love U in NY was prem with the Time battle

that set list for his band shows their diversity and how tight they are as well as how impromptu they flow, the band definately were funky live and had a presence that worked well with Prince

And they played PRINCE music (not a bunch of covers)

His 1983 1st Avenue show the Benefit concert that preme a lot of the Purple Rain music, they totally killed it and ended with one of the most funky version of DMSR I've ever heard.

His 1st Avenue 1984 Birthday show, showed how dense and techically impresive the band was they road of the purple waves Prince was putting out,

Thank you, my man. I knew if anyone would back me up on this point, it would be you.

I haven't heard that 1st Ave 1982 show in a bit, and I always LOVED how funky ATCLUINY was. I'm gonna have to pull that out again and jam. Just as we mentioned, they were just TRULY, truly funky. Hear that bass that Brownmark's slapping on during the 1984 birthday gig?! It instantly makes you have the "funk face".

And like you said, Lisa's input, especially on those etheral type chords, helped to add another dimension to the sound back then. Hell, I don't know if we want to include the Controversy touring band too (before they were officially known as "The Revolution"), but if we do, people should listen to Head during the Saginaw show. Ultra funky!! This band performed Do Me Baby better than ANY of his other bands, so it wasn't always just about the funk.

Face it, the Rev may not have been geniuses on their respective instaments, but collectively, they outshine damn near everybody. I'm having a hard time giving them the #1 slot, though, over the SOTT/Lovesexy band, but this thread is about the NPG and the Rev, so I won't sweat it.

The Revolution was POP and had RADIO EDGE. The NPG was more RAW and FUNKY. I love both,but I'm partial to The NPG WILD and ESPECIALLY his TORA TORA TORA. Remember when he did THE RIDE at EVERY SHOW? And since he changed his style of RAW he will never do FACE DOWN....Which was AMAZING especially on CHRIS ROCK...

alexnvrmnd777 said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Yeah, I don't know what the criteria is for a lot of people when they say funky

the Revolution was technically diverse and talented. Lisa Coleman had a skill that just helped take Purple Music to another level and when she was gone I just have not heard that addition yet. That does not take anything away from Prince, but it does from his music.

Anyone who has heard Prince's band live during those earlier years would know better.

His 1st Avenue 1982 show were All the Critics Love U in NY was prem with the Time battle

that set list for his band shows their diversity and how tight they are as well as how impromptu they flow, the band definately were funky live and had a presence that worked well with Prince

And they played PRINCE music (not a bunch of covers)

His 1983 1st Avenue show the Benefit concert that preme a lot of the Purple Rain music, they totally killed it and ended with one of the most funky version of DMSR I've ever heard.

His 1st Avenue 1984 Birthday show, showed how dense and techically impresive the band was they road of the purple waves Prince was putting out,

Thank you, my man. I knew if anyone would back me up on this point, it would be you.

I haven't heard that 1st Ave 1982 show in a bit, and I always LOVED how funky ATCLUINY was. I'm gonna have to pull that out again and jam. Just as we mentioned, they were just TRULY, truly funky. Hear that bass that Brownmark's slapping on during the 1984 birthday gig?! It instantly makes you have the "funk face".

And like you said, Lisa's input, especially on those etheral type chords, helped to add another dimension to the sound back then. Hell, I don't know if we want to include the Controversy touring band too (before they were officially known as "The Revolution"), but if we do, people should listen to Head during the Saginaw show. Ultra funky!! This band performed Do Me Baby better than ANY of his other bands, so it wasn't always just about the funk.

Face it, the Rev may not have been geniuses on their respective instaments, but collectively, they outshine damn near everybody. I'm having a hard time giving them the #1 slot, though, over the SOTT/Lovesexy band, but this thread is about the NPG and the Rev, so I won't sweat it.

Hell yes, I love on All the Critics how it was just aAMPed up as a rock song, I love the part where he tells Dez to wait a minute cause Dez was ready to rip. That was a FUNKY show: When U Were Mind, 10m version of Head, hard rock version of Bambi Party Up with Morris on the Drums etc and then the Time stanks all over My Stick

Yeah the COntroversy band is the same as the 1999 band. the further back you go the more RAW the shows are and wild. Prince was pushing it then

I love hearing International Lover live from the 1999 shows, extremely sexy playing and hearing the crowed go crazy at whatever it was Prince was doing

Yeah I didn't include the SOTT band either.

Even though you totally still missed what Lisa gave compared to what Boni brought

I listen to alot of the SOTT shows and as good as the band was that layered sound was missing

Also that band is some kind of composite of the Revolution/Protege years. Most of the musicians were a part of the sound of the 1984-1986 years

I do with we had a few more years with that band though. I don't think Cat & Sheila had what Wendy & Lisa gave to Prince as far as composition and song writing though

[Edited 6/29/11 8:53am]

cancans8 said:

The Revolution was POP and had RADIO EDGE. The NPG was more RAW and FUNKY. I love both,but I'm partial to The NPG WILD and ESPECIALLY his TORA TORA TORA. Remember when he did THE RIDE at EVERY SHOW? And since he changed his style of RAW he will never do FACE DOWN....Which was AMAZING especially on CHRIS ROCK...

are you talking about Raw in studio or live.

the Revolution was definately raw live. How could they not be raw? they were band that started out with Prince. Everything from their look to the live shows were really raw. I always loved how Dez would just challenge Prince in live shows and amp the guitar up.

what is radio edge?

Also if we go by ATWIAD & Parade non of that was Radio edge or Pop, that was total Prince experimental with a Euro twist. That was challenging music which made it non POP & Radio Edge

Prince in a 1985 interview felt ATWIAD was funky and didn't mind the psychedelic comparison

George Clinton one of the dukes of Funky said Around the World in a Day was his favorite album and felt it was funk

mydrawers said:

Two questions:

1) Which do you think was better: The Revolution or The New Power Generation?

2) Which era do you listen to most?

I think, overall I give a slight edge to the Revolution. However, I listen to the NPG era almost exclusively for some reason.

1. The Revolution

2. The Revolution

Only because I like the name better. NPG sounds stupid. So does New Power Generation. Ugh.

mydrawers said:

Dave1992 said:

Either could never do what the other has done. The Revolution was one of the best bands of all time (all configs.), but so was the 1993-1995/2001-2003 NPG.

Which era do you find yourself listening to more Dave?

Both. Every album has something different to it and I dig most things Prince did. However, The Gold Experience is my favourite album (and I love the albums surrounding it, including Emancipation and Newpower Soul), so those albums probably were listened to more often overall, closely followed by Parade, 1999 and Dirty Mind. After that comes The Rainbow Children (still a perfect, fresh, exciting piece of work), Musicology, Lotusflow3r etc.

The Revolution. They were just RAW. They weren't always polished (1980-1983 are hardly years I call POP). I loved the 1981-1983 "Revolution" actually, the pre-Purple Rain/Around the World in a Day/Parade configurement more (when it became PRINCE AND THE REVOLUTION lol).

I personally couldn't stand the NPG (I believe the REAL NPG was between 1991-1994) and actually I think the "Counter-Revolution" is the second best of the Prince bands (or as some called them, "The Lovesexy Band"). They and the original Revolution would've gave the original NPG a run for their money.

[Edited 6/29/11 10:37am]

OldFriends4Sale said:

alexnvrmnd777 said:

Thank you, my man. I knew if anyone would back me up on this point, it would be you.

I haven't heard that 1st Ave 1982 show in a bit, and I always LOVED how funky ATCLUINY was. I'm gonna have to pull that out again and jam. Just as we mentioned, they were just TRULY, truly funky. Hear that bass that Brownmark's slapping on during the 1984 birthday gig?! It instantly makes you have the "funk face".

And like you said, Lisa's input, especially on those etheral type chords, helped to add another dimension to the sound back then. Hell, I don't know if we want to include the Controversy touring band too (before they were officially known as "The Revolution"), but if we do, people should listen to Head during the Saginaw show. Ultra funky!! This band performed Do Me Baby better than ANY of his other bands, so it wasn't always just about the funk.

Face it, the Rev may not have been geniuses on their respective instaments, but collectively, they outshine damn near everybody. I'm having a hard time giving them the #1 slot, though, over the SOTT/Lovesexy band, but this thread is about the NPG and the Rev, so I won't sweat it.

Hell yes, I love on All the Critics how it was just aAMPed up as a rock song, I love the part where he tells Dez to wait a minute cause Dez was ready to rip. That was a FUNKY show: When U Were Mind, 10m version of Head, hard rock version of Bambi Party Up with Morris on the Drums etc and then the Time stanks all over My Stick

Yeah the COntroversy band is the same as the 1999 band. the further back you go the more RAW the shows are and wild. Prince was pushing it then

I love hearing International Lover live from the 1999 shows, extremely sexy playing and hearing the crowed go crazy at whatever it was Prince was doing

Yeah I didn't include the SOTT band either.

Even though you totally still missed what Lisa gave compared to what Boni brought

I listen to alot of the SOTT shows and as good as the band was that layered sound was missing

Also that band is some kind of composite of the Revolution/Protege years. Most of the musicians were a part of the sound of the 1984-1986 years

I do with we had a few more years with that band though. I don't think Cat & Sheila had what Wendy & Lisa gave to Prince as far as composition and song writing though

[Edited 6/29/11 8:53am]

Okay, it's right on the tip of my tongue. What's the name of this boot? It'll make it hella easier to find in my collection!

Yes, I definitely think it was a drop in quality when Boni replaced Lisa, BUT we all know Boni was a much better vocalist/live performer. Unfortunately, that was it, and she never brought anything to the table as far as Prince's creativity. Nothing even close of what Lisa (and Wendy together) brought.

The funkiest live performances from the SOTT/Lovesexy band were some of their versions of It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Night (especially the NYE 1987/Miles Davis show) and Strange Relationship from "4 Those of U on Valium". They had plenty more moments, but these came immediately to mind.

But, back to the Revolution. They were just RAW power and for the most part not corny and soft like a few of the versions of the NPG. I'm looking at you, 1991-1993 band. And Dr. Fink was funky as hell on that synthesizer and could outfunk circles around Tommy Barbarella. I'll admit Michael B. had it all over Bobby Z, but Bobby did exactly what was asked of him, and again, his playing was raw and still funky. Listen to his drums on the Controversy or Parade tours and tell me I'm wrong!

Sigh...I could go on and on about those magical, creative years. Speaking of "Go".... *presses play from the Parade Rehearsals boot*

NPG on both questions. While I think parts of the NPG were worse than The Revolution, as a whole, The NPGis better. And I hardly ever listen to The Revolution era stuff, I'm all about the NPG stuff!!! They are more diverse and funky, when Prince is playing with them, its like that's who he is, he isn't trying to please anybody but himself. His perfomances with the NPG are exciting and pleasing to the eyes and ears!! Even today, the musicians of the Revolution fail in comparison to the NPG musicians!

[Edited 6/29/11 10:46am]

DaphneLovesPR1NCE said:

NPG on both questions. While I think parts of the NPG were worse than The Revolution, as a whole, The NPGis better. And I hardly ever listen to The Revolution era stuff, I'm all about the NPG stuff!!! They are more diverse and funky, when Prince is playing with them, its like that's who he is, he isn't trying to please anybody but himself. His perfomances with the NPG are exciting and pleasing to the eyes and ears!! Even today, the musicians of the Revolution fail in comparison to the NPG musicians!

[Edited 6/29/11 10:46am]

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