Just saw this on Drfunkenberry.com:

So, Prince is getting ready to embark on a European tour that actually kicks off with dates in Canada this weekend. For the European tour, Prince did 3 interviews we are told. 2 of them at the same time. 1 was with the Guardian and Le Parisian both interviewing him at the same time.

The Guardian had quoted Prince...or mis-quoted....as it did not go into detail of what his answer or answers were. Since Prince does not allow recording devices, this does some times happen. We are running what the Le Parisian wrote as it is more detailed and has more length to Prince's answers to the questions he was asked;

We almost fainted when he heard on the phone: "It's for tomorrow. Get ready. "A few days before his unique concert at Stade de France on June 30, Prince is visiting Paris. And he wanted to talk. The incredible news - we have not slept all night - will be confirmed: "Be there at 19.00 hours.(7pm)

Not allowed to record anything. If he likes you, you have time. "Go to a selected restaurant near the Champs-Elysees. Feverish, we are led into an empty room upstairs. An hour passes. Suddenly, Prince appears. Alone, without bodyguards or entourage. Smiling, all in black, a silver chain around his neck, he tends a firm handshake, apologizes for being late, asks "How are you? "And" What's there fun to do tonight in Paris? "Sits on the bench, ordering a green tea," Go, discussions. "

You played at the Zenith, Bercy, the Parc des Princes. Stade de France ... is the missing one from your list of conquests?

Prince. The thing is, I have a group of incredible quality. It's like a basketball all star team: each one is a champion in their field. When we play together, there is such an overflow of energy it takes at least a stadium/stage to greet it.

What will the show look like on 30th June?
"There will be many surprises. What I can tell you is that by playing in New York and Los Angeles it resulted in a very controlled show. This stage is at the end."

We know that you rehearse a lot. How do you work with your group?
"I love being a tyrant (smile). But with love. I ask from them a very high level of excellence, but they are also perfectionists."

What do you remember of the 1980's?
"Michael (Editor's note: Jackson) and I appeared at a time when there was nothing. On MTV, there was nothing. People dressed like they were going to the supermarket. We were the exceptions."

Are you nostalgic for that time?
"Sometimes yes. Sometimes I see the shirts/clothes that I was wearing. But musically, no. I play more guitar, I sing better, I am a better arranger."

Are you working on a new album?
"I no longer records songs. I do not want to record as long as the crisis in the music industry will not be resolved. No one earns money. I'll go to the White House to discuss with the government the issues on copyright. It's the Wild West. Everything must be clean."

But you had been one of the first artists to use the Internet ...
"Yes, but at that time, we made money."

You very early on went to war against the record companies ...
"A record company boss told me, straight in the eye: "But, Prince, you do still believe that our goal is to make you earn money? "I was accused of distributing my album" Planet Earth "with an English newspaper, but it allowed me to reach 2 million people. I fought for control over my records. From there, no one dictated to me what I should do."

Is it true that you have hundreds of songs in your files?
"That's true. I listen to some of them with my band and they give me feedback on them."

What do you do between concerts/shows/gigs?
"I study. I learn. I like to talk to people. In all the countries I go to, I meet the people. For example I'm going back to/returning to Morocco. I really like the Muslim culture. I don't understand what people have against veiled women/women in bhurkhas. How can you stop people dressing how/the way they want to?"

The people you meet are they very intimidated by you?
"No, I am very easy to access. Here, for example, do you feel uncomfortable with me? No! Celebrity means nothing in reality, we are all the same."

When you are in Paris, what do you do?
"I go out at night. During the day I can not. The days when I could still walk the streets without being harassed by the paparazzi are long gone."

It seems/would appear you don't like your songs being covered?
"First of all it's lazy. Then/secondly its as if you've erased/ruined/wiped out the original version. This only happens only in music. Can you imagine if everybody did their own version of the Harry Potter film or book? Do you want to hear somebody else singing 'Kiss'? Not me."

You don't have any wrinkles (you haven't aged a bit), what's your secret?
"Time is a spiritual thing (you're as young as you feel). God doesn't count the passing years. He doesn't have any date of birth in the Bible. I don't celebrate my birthdays any more. If you stay active, if you learn new things (keep learning), if you travel, then you stay young."

2 interviews. Done at the same time. Yet, one has more fuller answers and more attention to detail. Very interesting. Was there an agenda? I rather Prince talk about music and performances all day long. It's like watching Michael Jordan. I care about his skills on the court. Could care less that he loves McDonalds and wears Hanes underwear. Calvin Kleins are softer Michael, just for the record.

So what do you all think happened here? I am glad there was some clarification and not just sound bites.-Dr.FB

Diagnosis: Whatever You Think....Is True

http://prince.org/msg/7/361571

Yes, that article has already been posted near the end of this thread.

In the other thread people are still going on and on getting riled up by The Guardian article which is so obviously a chopped up vague piece that fails as any kind of true documentation of the meeting with Prince. Normal people turn into a gang of roaring villagers with burning torches.

ufoclub said:

In the other thread people are still going on and on getting riled up by The Guardian article which is so obviously a chopped up vague piece that fails as any kind of true documentation of the meeting with Prince. Normal people turn into a gang of roaring villagers with burning torches.

And this article isn't? Are we to believe that the gentleman from the Guardian added all that other stuff?

Damn I blame The Guardian for creating all that fuss (from nothing).

imo: THIS explains A LOT!!!

1. I can't see Prince praise the muslim countries in the french article,

2. Prince is not exactly saying: "No more plans to record another album", is he?

The Guardian.................... - shouldn't they be more reliable.

Vendetta1 said:

ufoclub said:

In the other thread people are still going on and on getting riled up by The Guardian article which is so obviously a chopped up vague piece that fails as any kind of true documentation of the meeting with Prince. Normal people turn into a gang of roaring villagers with burning torches.

And this article isn't? Are we to believe that the gentleman from the Guardian added all that other stuff?

It's best not to believe in either article and not let oneself get riled up by content in this kind of publication under those circumstances of recollection. We need multiple perspectives or recorded answers to really be sure about what Prince said or was implying.

Getting really riled up and then all "activated" when one hear little pieces of secondhand information is the kind of foolishness that has been illustrated in history, movies, plays, sitcoms... etc.

and on not putting out albums anymore:

Prince said he was retiring after the Purple Rain tour in an interview too.

ufoclub said:

In the other thread people are still going on and on getting riled up by The Guardian article which is so obviously a chopped up vague piece that fails as any kind of true documentation of the meeting with Prince. Normal people turn into a gang of roaring villagers with burning torches.

Course it would help if he would let people RECORD what he said instead of having to write fragments as he blathers about stuff that could easily be tuff that could fall to an easy skewer. Media is like this on everyone, but it's hard to know WHAT he said if no one actually has a record of it. Of course he has deniability no matter WHAT he says by operating like this.

ufoclub said:

Vendetta1 said:

And this article isn't? Are we to believe that the gentleman from the Guardian added all that other stuff?

It's best not to believe in either article and not let oneself get riled up by content in this kind of publication under those circumstances of recollection. We need multiple perspectives or recorded answers to really be sure about what Prince said or was implying.

Getting really riled up and then all "activated" when one hear little pieces of secondhand information is the kind of foolishness that has been illustrated in history, movies, plays, sitcoms... etc.

and on not putting out albums anymore:

Prince said he was retiring after the Purple Rain tour in an interview too.

Yup, that's right. Making records and music is in his blood. I think we maybe don't get a record this year, but maybe next year. Don't think he is never going 2 make a record again. A lot of artists saying this.. He played couple of new songs on the W2A tour.. so... why not release this songs ??

[Edited 6/26/11 6:26am]

ufoclub said:

Vendetta1 said:

And this article isn't? Are we to believe that the gentleman from the Guardian added all that other stuff?

It's best not to believe in either article and not let oneself get riled up by content in this kind of publication under those circumstances of recollection. We need multiple perspectives or recorded answers to really be sure about what Prince said or was implying.

Getting really riled up and then all "activated" when one hear little pieces of secondhand information is the kind of foolishness that has been illustrated in history, movies, plays, sitcoms... etc.

and on not putting out albums anymore:

Prince said he was retiring after the Purple Rain tour in an interview too.

Didn't he only said he was retiring from live performing that time?

purplethunder3121 said:

enjoying the joker smile ??? snoring?

And this is why most musicians let journalists use tape recorders.

I like the fact that he never allows any recording. When he get's recorded, they can do anything with the tape they want. Mix it into some song, if they like

And he can never be pinpointed to his words.

I agree with a few of his comments.

I also apreciate Muslim culture. However, Muslim strict religious interpretation, I don't value at all. I don't like how men abuse the Koran in order to dominate and imprison women to their houses.

I like it that Prince distincts Muslim strict religion with Muslim culture, with all it's great art, habits, myths, stories, architecture etcetera.

And I strongly agree that anybody should be free to wear what they want.

If a Muslim woman doesn't want to wear a veal, she should be able to. There should not be (the threat) of violence by her family or husband to wear it. The same for women who want to be vealed. Thy should be free in any coutry to dress the way they feel comfortable and good.

Nobody, and especially no Sharia, nor government should tell a women what to wear and what not to wear.

I understand his statement about recording. It's a shame he can't come up with a way to make it a fair business.

dJJ said:

I like the fact that he never allows any recording. When he get's recorded, they can do anything with the tape they want. Mix it into some song, if they like

And he can never be pinpointed to his words.

I agree with a few of his comments.

I also apreciate Muslim culture. However, Muslim strict religious interpretation, I don't value at all. I don't like how men abuse the Koran in order to dominate and imprison women to their houses.

I like it that Prince distincts Muslim strict religion with Muslim culture, with all it's great art, habits, myths, stories, architecture etcetera.

And I strongly agree that anybody should be free to wear what they want.

If a Muslim woman doesn't want to wear a veal, she should be able to. There should not be (the threat) of violence by her family or husband to wear it. The same for women who want to be vealed. Thy should be free in any coutry to dress the way they feel comfortable and good.

Nobody, and especially no Sharia, nor government should tell a women what to wear and what not to wear.

I understand his statement about recording. It's a shame he can't come up with a way to make it a fair business.

And this "printed interview" is better? Wouldn't "printed interviews" be ten times worse than recorded interviews? I honestly don't get that logic at all. Doesn't even make common sense. You can easily screw up wording on a printed interview than a recorded interview. I guess some people wanna make excuses or try to find another reason why Prince is saying what he's saying as if that's all there is to it. Prince is still clearly in his own universe, some people choose to believe what he says, some people don't. Whatever lol I know I don't lol

Timmy84 said:

dJJ said:

I like the fact that he never allows any recording. When he get's recorded, they can do anything with the tape they want. Mix it into some song, if they like

And he can never be pinpointed to his words.

I agree with a few of his comments.

I also apreciate Muslim culture. However, Muslim strict religious interpretation, I don't value at all. I don't like how men abuse the Koran in order to dominate and imprison women to their houses.

I like it that Prince distincts Muslim strict religion with Muslim culture, with all it's great art, habits, myths, stories, architecture etcetera.

And I strongly agree that anybody should be free to wear what they want.

If a Muslim woman doesn't want to wear a veal, she should be able to. There should not be (the threat) of violence by her family or husband to wear it. The same for women who want to be vealed. Thy should be free in any coutry to dress the way they feel comfortable and good.

Nobody, and especially no Sharia, nor government should tell a women what to wear and what not to wear.

I understand his statement about recording. It's a shame he can't come up with a way to make it a fair business.

And this "printed interview" is better? Wouldn't "printed interviews" be ten times worse than recorded interviews? I honestly don't get that logic at all. Doesn't even make common sense. You can easily screw up wording on a printed interview than a recorded interview. I guess some people wanna make excuses or try to find another reason why Prince is saying what he's saying as if that's all there is to it. Prince is still clearly in his own universe, some people choose to believe what he says, some people don't. Whatever lol I know I don't lol

That is exactly what I like about it.

It's not about believing what he says. At least for me it isn't. I love his music, his style and his stunts. This is another one of them. Whatever he says, most of the time it is taken out of context and out of proportion. Furthermore, I've always like Prince making statements. And he will allways try to be controversial. That is what makes people shake up, discuss and talk about it. It's not about being right or wrong. It's about pushing everybodies boundaries. And I like his way of challenging everybody. I hope he will allways challenge himself, improve and discover himself at every next fase or stage in life.

^ Well I guess he likes everyone to think he's this nutcase then...

I still don't get where Prince is going with the burkha thing. I'm a big believer in personal freedom - if a woman WANTS to wear a burkha, that's different. But if she's doing it because it was forced on her or she feels she HAS to, then that's not okay.

I love Prince's music and he seems to be an awesome person, and I'm always gonna be a fan but when it comes to this stuff I'm never ever gonna agree with him.

armpit said:

I still don't get where Prince is going with the burkha thing. I'm a big believer in personal freedom - if a woman WANTS to wear a burkha, that's different. But if she's doing it because it was forced on her or she feels she HAS to, then that's not okay.

I love Prince's music and he seems to be an awesome person, and I'm always gonna be a fan but when it comes to this stuff I'm never ever gonna agree with him.

I just think Prince is naive. Yeah it's true some women WANT to wear it but some don't. It's not as simple as think it may be. That's why his comments come off looking as if he's heartless especially when afterwards when the interviewer on The Guardian reminded him that not everyone agrees with wearing that stuff, he shrugged saying "well that's too bad". It just made him look as if he liked it that people control that aspect, which explains why some people here are not happy with those comments. Printed interviews are worse than recorded interviews to me.

This isn't clarification, it's just another article. Why believe one over the other? Now there are two write ups (from memory) of the same interview - neither really takes presidence, except for you personally.

NouveauDance said:

This isn't clarification, it's just another article. Why believe one over the other? Now there are two write ups (from memory) of the same interview - neither really takes presidence, except for you personally.

Pretty much.

armpit said:

I still don't get where Prince is going with the burkha thing. I'm a big believer in personal freedom - if a woman WANTS to wear a burkha, that's different. But if she's doing it because it was forced on her or she feels she HAS to, then that's not okay.

I love Prince's music and he seems to be an awesome person, and I'm always gonna be a fan but when it comes to this stuff I'm never ever gonna agree with him.

In France it is not allowed by law to wear a burkha.

In The Netherlands, our current right wing (and horrific IMO) government is thinking about doing that too.

He has composed a beautiful song about it, 'cinamon girl'. Not every Muslim(a) is a religious fanatic. There are different directions (soeni & Soefi) and not all Muslim women weir veils. However, if a woman wants to, she should free to do so.

The current French censorship is a disgrace for the 'egalite, fraternate & legalete' of the French revolution. No government shoud rule by law what a woman can or cannot dress!

If there really is going to be a discussion in the parliament in Holland about a similar law, I will definitely start a protest.

This version of the interview makes a bit more sense. The Guardian reporter was smart, they know the crazier they write it up the more people would read it.. Making fun of Prince is something everyone likes to do... They were just giving people an outlet.

Note that, in this version, the burqa response came up as a response to this question:

"What do you do between concerts/shows/gigs?"

Why on earth would burqas come into Prince's mind in response to that question? It's not like the interviewer asked him what he thought of the burqa controversy.

electricberet said:

Note that, in this version, the burqa response came up as a response to this question:

"What do you do between concerts/shows/gigs?"

Why on earth would burqas come into Prince's mind in response to that question? It's not like the interviewer asked him what he thought of the burqa controversy.

I didn't even notice that!

This article clears up nothing. I know Prince talks in fractured riddles but the quotes read strange, like translation problems or something. It's impossible to make any sense out of when you consider that the interviewer had to work from memory and English is probably not his/her primary languange.

electricberet said:

Note that, in this version, the burqa response came up as a response to this question:

"What do you do between concerts/shows/gigs?"

Why on earth would burqas come into Prince's mind in response to that question? It's not like the interviewer asked him what he thought of the burqa controversy.

Its not really a big leap in topic.. Its obvious he travels in between gigs. The jump from talking about returning to Morocco to burqas isnt really all that random from an Americans perspective.

lezama said:

electricberet said:

Note that, in this version, the burqa response came up as a response to this question:

"What do you do between concerts/shows/gigs?"

Why on earth would burqas come into Prince's mind in response to that question? It's not like the interviewer asked him what he thought of the burqa controversy.

Its not really a big leap in topic.. Its obvious he travels in between gigs. The jump from talking about returning to Morocco to burqas isnt really all that random from an Americans perspective.

I'm American, I definitely don't think it was a small leap.

Timmy84 said:

lezama said:

Its not really a big leap in topic.. Its obvious he travels in between gigs. The jump from talking about returning to Morocco to burqas isnt really all that random from an Americans perspective.

I'm American, I definitely don't think it was a small leap.

I'm American too. There are about a million ways he could have answered that question without referring to burqas.

purplekat said:

So, Prince is getting ready to embark on a European tour that actually kicks off with dates in Canada this weekend.