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Since we can't define funk, prime examples are 1+l+l=3, it's got that funky Minneapolis sound to it. There are many examples of the funk in the ONALive Box set. If you haven't purchased it, you should. Never before has he given his FAMS a live performance cd like this.

Prince is definitely a real musician, who hasn't slowed down. He just got through with months of touring. His music combines, funk, jazz, rock, blues, even country. Yeah, he likes country too. Plus the fact that he touches every human emotions there is, pouring out his intermost feelings about love, politics, spirituality, humanitarianism, and life.

Yes, I have been a FAM for a long time, and he has touched my soul by his music, and his words. That is exactly why there are so many people here chatting, drawn to his music, such a diverse group. Now, are you celebrating our similarities?
[This message was edited Thu Feb 13 18:23:42 PST 2003 by naturegirl]

I'm not talking about just funky music, we know he can do that. I am talking about that raw essence of funk that he especially had during the early 80s, and could be seen through till the late 80s.

Prince isn't young anymore and I'd imagine that funk probably comes from a place in your heart filled with youthful dreams and attitude. If Prince has lost that funk forever, is it because that's just not in his psyche anymore?

Of course, there have been a number of influences in play since the late 80s, and there are many now, but they probably all indicate that he would naturally lose something as a truly captivating artist but gain something more meaningful as a person. I think this is showing in his finally coming to terms with the industry game, and it's evident in his mature attitude towards the One Nite Alone shows. I guess that's not really a bad thing, it's just what happens.

Anji said:

He lost something... I have no desire to listen to his latest "children" anymore.

&truth is He went through the Musical Routine without Feeling any Emotion&It's Shown in alot of His Work from the 90's til Now IMHO.there are things there that I like but it's a Puzzle alot of the time for me&the Pieces just don't quite fit properly.

mistermaxxx said:

What pieces don't quite fit properly, mister?

Anji said:

the Songs The Drive within them for me.Bottom line too many Yes People are around&aren't fully challenging Him IMHO.like He is going through the Motions&He is feeling things out in a way but it feels rather Safe to me nowadays.somehow Najee,Candy,Vanessa Mae,etc.. don't really force the Issue for me.I think the Cat has gotten Too Polished in Spots for His Own Good&Over Produced.Prince once upon Simplicity as Well as anyone&Made it Genius Worthy but over the past Decade it feels like Prince&Sounds like Prince but not fully Prince&Think The Content overall doesn't have a Even balance.

mistermaxxx said:

The simplicity is what did it for me. The music was so transparent yet powerful at the same time. The hunger was there and yes there was awesome competition then. We don't have that today because the corporations have taken over what use to be the music industry. A lot of artist have suffered the fate of the popular and not the talented. That's why I feel that Prince's music isn't as driven as it use to be. I think he is very comfortable with it though.

mistermaxxx said:

The simplicity is what did it for me. The music was so transparent yet powerful at the same time. The hunger was there and yes there was awesome competition then. We don't have that today because the corporations have taken over what use to be the music industry. A lot of artist have suffered the fate of the popular and not the talented. That's why I feel that Prince's music isn't as driven as it use to be. I think he is very comfortable with it though.

This is a very interesting thought. I don't think Prince has lost that FUNK forever, only perhaps the attitude behind it. Prince definitely had a certain sass from 80-83 that was not present in other periods of his career. I think it spawned from his position as an avant garde, albeit relatively unknown artist. He knew that his music had worth, merit and the power to influence, but he had to overcompensate for the lack of audience with killer funk and attitude. Once he became a household name, he lost that attitude.

Prince hasn't lost anything, he just chooses not to include *that* funk in his music anymore

lovebizzare said:

Regardless, it's gone.

Anji said:

well, yeah, I know , oh well, maybe it'll come back

lovebizzare said:

Well, it's been over fourteen years since Lovesexy...

Anji said:

So Lovesexy was funky? Not that I can tell. Maybe the Black Album, but not Lovesexy.

Has Prince lost 'THAT' funk forever?

Perhaps it's buried in the digital garden with groundskeeper Larry watching it...Doh!

I TOTALLY FEEL WHAT YOU MEAN BY THAT FUNK ANJI, and no Supercute or Daisy Chains relates to this. Everlasting Now is great but it is basically a modern JB number, not THAT funk.

Here We're talking about that raw and so much innovative funk that came from very deep inside him and that made his trademark, including for a number of modern artists (I mean come on, do you think Outkast or Romanthony would quote Supercute, Everlasting Now or Daisy Chains as great songs and influences even if they knew them).

Basically THAT funk is almost anything on 1999, DMSR, Lady Cab Driver and All The Critics being probably the best examples.

I'd sat that Prince has gained many things over the years and I like very much TRC and the recent developments of his music, but AS FOR THAT FUNK HE HAS PROBABLY LOST IT FOREVER (1+1+1 = 3 raised a little doubt in my mind though...). Maybe because you it indded came from youthful dreams of sex and pure joy that he does not have anymore

Let me break it down for you ... and anyone who has seen him live lately will agree.

The Man has not only not lost "That" funk but he is more funkier than ever. The pop culture just ain't into what he is into right now. His music is truly his music and it pulls no punches. It is political and critical and at the same time musically complex and full. His music is totally contrary to what is popular today which is simple, obvious, and non-confrontational, We must remember it is not Prince's music that has changed but it is pop culture's desires, which are perpetuated by the music industry, that have changed.

If you have to ask this question ...