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.

Imagine what The Revolution could do with Prince's newer material. Currently, I mean.

Both are favorites in their own right

THIS topic has been beaten to death so many times over the years in prince.org that it's not longer worth discussing anymore.

Next time around, just use the search engine to find other Revloution VS. NPG threads.

[Edited 6/30/11 6:39am]

alexnvrmnd777 said:

aiden3121 said:

alexnvrmnd777 said:

You're a newbie (to Prince fandom), aren't you?

I'm not a newbie and I definitely prefer the NPG over the revolution any day I think the revolutions contributions to the music aren't as much as people like to think

Why would you assume somebodys a newbie just because they prefer the NPG over the revolution?

NPG I would say is the better. The line-up of 1991. To me there was more edge to their music and I think the Revolution was always going to be short lived.

The Proto-Revolution (80-83) was clearly better/rawer than the "real" Revolution (84-86)

and the NPG...oranges and apples,... I'd say that The Revolution was probably more "honest" (the early 90's NPG sounded like a pastiche), but the original NPG was, nevertheless, the BEST band that Prince could have during the 91-95 era...in fact, he NEEDED that band...

aiden3121 said:

alexnvrmnd777 said:

You're a newbie (to Prince fandom), aren't you?

I'm not a newbie and I definitely prefer the NPG over the revolution any day I think the revolutions contributions to the music aren't as much as people like to think

lol

That might be 1 of the reason he thinks u are a newbie

GoldiesParade said:

NPG I would say is the better. The line-up of 1991. To me there was more edge to their music and I think the Revolution was always going to be short lived.

oh and the NPG bands weren't short lived? how many configurations and revolving doors

from 1981 - 1986 That core band was basically the same exept for the Dez -Wendy switch

Prince made a serious screw up by breaking up the band and it was all his ego and hurt feelings

OldFriends4Sale said:

GoldiesParade said:

NPG I would say is the better. The line-up of 1991. To me there was more edge to their music and I think the Revolution was always going to be short lived.

oh and the NPG bands weren't short lived? how many configurations and revolving doors

from 1981 - 1986 That core band was basically the same exept for the Dez -Wendy switch

Prince made a serious screw up by breaking up the band and it was all his ego and hurt feelings

he shouldn't have nailed Wendy's twin sister. That was just gross...

I've played in a band for years (haven't we all, at some point?) but I won't claim to know the essoteric technical aspects of music to such depth that I delude myself to think I can produce proof of who's the better.

So, taste: The Revolution. If it's the band, or the ground they covered while playing together I can't say. I just love it. That's it really. And I also like the space Prince's head was in at the time of Revolution.

And because of that I of course listen to more Revolution stuff than NPG.

JoeTyler said:

The Proto-Revolution (80-83) was clearly better/rawer than the "real" Revolution (84-86)

and the NPG...oranges and apples,... I'd say that The Revolution was probably more "honest" (the early 90's NPG sounded like a pastiche), but the original NPG was, nevertheless, the BEST band that Prince could have during the 91-95 era...in fact, he NEEDED that band...

I go as far as calling the 1980-83 "proto-Revolution" the ACTUAL Revolution to be honest. I agree that the original NPG was one of the best though the "Lovesexy"/"Counter Revolution" band of 1987-1990 was just as good or better.

JoeTyler said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

oh and the NPG bands weren't short lived? how many configurations and revolving doors

from 1981 - 1986 That core band was basically the same exept for the Dez -Wendy switch

Prince made a serious screw up by breaking up the band and it was all his ego and hurt feelings

he shouldn't have nailed Wendy's twin sister. That was just gross...

EXACTLY! I think had that not happened, Wendy & Lisa would've still worked with Prince at least up until the NPG was formed at least. They'd probably would've left Prince but it wouldn't be as earlier as it was (1986) and their departure plus the exit of BrownMark ended the Revolution for good.

Timmy84 said:

JoeTyler said:

The Proto-Revolution (80-83) was clearly better/rawer than the "real" Revolution (84-86)

and the NPG...oranges and apples,... I'd say that The Revolution was probably more "honest" (the early 90's NPG sounded like a pastiche), but the original NPG was, nevertheless, the BEST band that Prince could have during the 91-95 era...in fact, he NEEDED that band...

I go as far as calling the 1980-83 "proto-Revolution" the ACTUAL Revolution to be honest. I agree that the original NPG was one of the best though the "Lovesexy"/"Counter Revolution" band of 1987-1990 was just as good or better.

the band of the 89-90 era was crap, right? I mean, the Nude Tour was considered a failure.

JoeTyler said:

Timmy84 said:

I go as far as calling the 1980-83 "proto-Revolution" the ACTUAL Revolution to be honest. I agree that the original NPG was one of the best though the "Lovesexy"/"Counter Revolution" band of 1987-1990 was just as good or better.

the band of the 89-90 era was crap, right? I mean, the Nude Tour was considered a failure.

I loved the 1987-88 band but yeah I think you have a point with the 1989-90 portion.

Timmy84 said:

JoeTyler said:

the band of the 89-90 era was crap, right? I mean, the Nude Tour was considered a failure.

I loved the 1987-88 band but yeah I think you have a point with the 1989-90 portion.

in fact, the whole 89-90 era is his first bad era, for me. I like to fantasize that during those years he only released a soundtrack (Batman), and then the ill-received PR sequel (GB) which its own soundtrack, but with no tour to support it due to the hostile reviews of the film, and then finally 1991 and D&P

but perhaps it's just me, lol

JoeTyler said:

Timmy84 said:

I loved the 1987-88 band but yeah I think you have a point with the 1989-90 portion.

in fact, the whole 89-90 era is his first bad era, for me. I like to fantasize that during those years he only released a soundtrack (Batman), and then the ill-received PR sequel (GB) which its own soundtrack, but with no tour to support it due to the hostile reviews of the film, and then finally 1991 and D&P

but perhaps it's just me, lol

Those were transisting years for Prince lol

Revolution all day, er day... and on the current "NPG".... not really a fan of them

OldFriends4Sale said:

aiden3121 said:

alexnvrmnd777 said: I'm not a newbie and I definitely prefer the NPG over the revolution any day I think the revolutions contributions to the music aren't as much as people like to think

lol

That might be 1 of the reason he thinks u are a newbie

Lol!!

That, and because Daphne (who I originally asked the question of) said that she hardly ever listens to the "Revolution era stuff", and she called the performances with the NPG "exciting" (a W2A show vs a Parade show is NOT even a contest) as if the performances with the Revolution are not.

The "Revolution era stuff" is from 1980-1986. How can you NOT listen jams from that era?!?!??? That's the music that clearly marked him as a genius. I'm not talking commercially viable or popular either. I said "genius"! No one listens to Newpower Soul and thinks "genius". LMAO! Hell, the same for Planet Earth, Indigo Nights, 20Ten, Musicology, Rave...shall I go on, Aiden?

So, to me - and maybe I'm wrong on this - this says that this young lady just recently got into Prince and listened to more recent stuff first and foremost, mainly 'cause it is the most recent. And, she couldn't be an old-school Prince fan and never listen to the Revolution era's music.

[Edited 7/1/11 1:54am]

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.

i much prefer the raw, edginess of the revolution too. the irresistible bitch/ possessed segment of the syracuse show is the closest prince has ever got to the essence of james brown funk. like yourself i think his best band ever was the lovesexy lineup, he disbanded that far too early. the npg were probably more proficient in their playing but always felt like they would follow prince's lead without question whereas the revolution injected their own creativity and challenged prince to do the same.

alexnvrmnd777 said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

lol

That might be 1 of the reason he thinks u are a newbie

Lol!!

That, and because Daphne (who I originally asked the question of) said that she hardly ever listens to the "Revolution era stuff", and she called the performances with the NPG "exciting" (a W2A show vs a Parade show is NOT even a contest) as if the performances with the Revolution are not.

The "Revolution era stuff" is from 1980-1986. How can you NOT listen jams from that era?!?!??? That's the music that clearly marked him as a genius. I'm not talking "ommercially viable or popular either. I said "genius"! No one listens to Newpower Soul and thinks "genius". LMAO! Hell, the same for Planet Earth, Indigo Nights, 20Ten, Musicology, Rave...shall I go on, Aiden?

So, to me - and maybe I'm wrong on this - this says that this young lady just recently got into Prince and listened to more recent stuff first and foremost, mainly 'cause it is the most recent. And, she couldn't be an old-school Prince fan and never listen to the Revolution era's music.

I'm one person who DOES thing "genius" when hearing "New Power Soul". Sometimes it feels like the rest of the world has got together and played a practical joke on me, as I think it's one of the very greatest Prince albums. I am SO PERPLEXED by the hate for "New Power Soul". 'Cause I'm hearing one of the greatest albums I've ever heard.

Prince officially died to me when he started this NPG gayness. He got about 90% less cool that year.

So yeah, I'm going with the Revolution.

For me it's the Revolution. Prince's music seemed to be the most spontanious and free when he was with the Revolution. It could have been his youth, but to me Prince's sound was grittier and darker with the Revolution. The later stuff with the NPG is good but too many kisses were wasted with rappers and too much base.

alexnvrmnd777 said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

lol

That might be 1 of the reason he thinks u are a newbie

Lol!!

That, and because Daphne (who I originally asked the question of) said that she hardly ever listens to the "Revolution era stuff", and she called the performances with the NPG "exciting" (a W2A show vs a Parade show is NOT even a contest) as if the performances with the Revolution are not.

The "Revolution era stuff" is from 1980-1986. How can you NOT listen jams from that era?!?!??? That's the music that clearly marked him as a genius. I'm not talking "ommercially viable or popular either. I said "genius"! No one listens to Newpower Soul and thinks "genius". LMAO! Hell, the same for Planet Earth, Indigo Nights, 20Ten, Musicology, Rave...shall I go on, Aiden?

So, to me - and maybe I'm wrong on this - this says that this young lady just recently got into Prince and listened to more recent stuff first and foremost, mainly 'cause it is the most recent. And, she couldn't be an old-school Prince fan and never listen to the Revolution era's music.

I agree with you that a Parade show kills a W2A show. i have listened to the Revolution era plenty and the Revolution is most definitely not from 80 to 86. Its 83 to 86 the 80 to 82 band werent the Revolution. The Revolution era had jams but as i said before the Revolution werent as influential on Prince as some fans think. Lisa and Wendy contributed but the others hardly had any input at all the songs were pretty much Prince compositions and Lisa and Wendy added bits. The NPG from 93 to 96 (Up to Chaos and Disorder), had a telepathy it seemed with each other. The NPG of the mid 90s was the best band Prince ever had and i would love to see that lineup again. As for those albums you listed i agree they arent genius, The Revolution albums are better but what about The Symbol Album, Come, The Gold Experience? Tell me those arent genius albums. Lotusflow3r is genius too, some people think TRC is too but im not big on that one.

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]

Totally agree Captain The Revolution couldnt play those songs. Clearly we are in the minority here Michael B, Sonny T, Tommy Barbarella, Mr. Hayes and Prince (You could also add Levi) is the best lineup he ever had. Act 2 tour lineup all the way

The Revolution, no contest.

I like the sort of more wild creativity he had with the revolution. However I think the NPG is a tighter band over all. Members like Michael, Levi, and Rosie were brilliant during the early years of the NPG.

The RC had that flair of extreme creativity like his eighties music and the band was awesome on the ONA tour. To be honest I mainly now listen to Lotus, MPLS, Musiclology, 2010, and a big mix of the older stuff but no complete records except for maybe Purple Rain and LoveSexy.

abigail05 said:

Prince officially died to me when he started this NPG gayness. He got about 90% less cool that year.

So yeah, I'm going with the Revolution.

What the hell is gay about the NPG. Grow the fuck up and stop using bullshit prejudice talk like that. I believe in free speech but damn. Are you that prehistoric?

meisme said:

abigail05 said:

Prince officially died to me when he started this NPG gayness. He got about 90% less cool that year.

So yeah, I'm going with the Revolution.

What the hell is gay about the NPG. Grow the fuck up and stop using bullshit prejudice talk like that. I believe in free speech but damn. Are you that prehistoric?

There is another meaning of "gay" not really having to do with homosexuality. It means having a silly stance or posture that should be embarassing, if the beholder only knew. I suppose the opposite of this gay is cool.