Miko by a mile was the funkiest & sounded the most like Prince

Wendy was/is a suprisingly funky rhythm player

Mike Scott is the most thorough guitar player Prince ever had, he's a bad, bad man...but I agree Mike's style/sound wasn't really 'princely'. Mike, Eric Leeds, John Blackwell. Michael Bland and Sheila are for me the standout musicians, from a technical standpoint Prince has toured with. (Ricky P. is bad too but he didn't tour)

Dez was solid, man. A great foil for prince at that point in his career.

I don't dig Levi's guitar playing much a'tall. serviceable/nondescript. But he was a great bassist for Prince and he's a great musician! I preferred Levi to Sonny, but thats another thread I guess

[Edited 10/21/11 13:17pm]

Spinlight said:

To be fair, Dez is a very accomplished player. But I don't think he is a funky player. He does do great rock solos though.

Wendy sure is good at playing guitar and singing harmonies. I hear she scores well. But her style is more fDeluxe than it is Original 7ven.

IMO, Miko takes that cake! And yes, as WonderU pointed out, Miko's resume doesn't look as shiny as Wendy's. Some people would argue its cuz Miko ain't white. Some people would argue its cuz Miko is a funk player and funk music was only kept alive BY Prince so why would anyone go for his funky rhythm player?

I could see them going after Brown Mark cuz he's bass and urrybody need a bass player. But not everyone needs a funky chicken grease player. Prince did, cuz that's how he plays. Miko was there.

Yeah, Spinlight gets it.

WonderU said:

It always just takes a thread like this to remind me that some fans have NO clue lol The Revolution underrated?? lol Must have never seen them live.

Miko Weaver, easy. I saw him live with P a few times. Wendy's good (and continues to get better) but she's not in his league. Fact.

Sometimes i feel people here making certain choices based on the 'skin-colour' of the ones involved.

Wendy couldn't be that 'funky', because she is white?

People are pushing a moderate guitar-player like Dez because he is black, and therefore he should be considered better then Wendy?

From both sides, black and white, you see these kind of remarks, often subtly disguised, but why?

Riverman37 said:

Sometimes i feel people here making certain choices based on the 'skin-colour' of the ones involved.

Wendy couldn't be that 'funky', because she is white?

People are pushing a moderate guitar-player like Dez because he is black, and therefore he should be considered better then Wendy?

From both sides, black and white, you see these kind of remarks, often subtly disguised, but why?

I think you've told us more about yourself than you have any one else on here.

I disagree.. it see the racial prejudicrs shining through her constantly.. how american

[Edited 10/21/11 13:51pm]

pald1 said:

WonderU said:

It always just takes a thread like this to remind me that some fans have NO clue lol The Revolution underrated?? lol Must have never seen them live.

Miko Weaver, easy. I saw him live with P a few times. Wendy's good (and continues to get better) but she's not in his league. Fact.

I have no proof but I still think it might be Miko playing lead on "witness for the prosecution". miko was like a chameleon when he played with P. he managed to pretty much capture the nuance of P's style and tone of the timeperiod. funky man he

Let's look at it this way...

Dez-pure rock, a shredder. His persona was so good with the headband and Flying V's, people knew who he was. Dez and Dr. Fink were stand outs.

Wendy(1983-86)-young and hungry, learning the chops from Prince. Listen to Purple Rush w/Prince teaching her to play certain chords. Later developed into a very good player.

Miko-smooth and funky, able to mirror Prince. Caused a lot of anger in Wendy as she knew Miko was a better player and that she was eventually going to be replaced.

Levi-accomplished player, lacked the charisma to be a co-guitarist. Better suited as a bass player.

Kat Dyson-good player, just a hired gun.

Mike S.-cool and smooth bluesy player. Falls in line with Levi with not really standing out.

Andy Allo-very pretty, but vastly less accoplished than Wendy at her first gig. Wendy could play, but was rough and learning. Andy doesn't appear to know how to play at all. Maybe knows a few chords, definitely eye candy.

Still in this respect, I find Miko is the best overall guitarist Prince has had. He could play the FUNK, Jazz it up, the Do Me Baby Smooth Intro, rock out with the cock out, Chicken Grease, you name it, Miko did it.

joyinrepetition said:

Let's look at it this way...

Dez-pure rock, a shredder. His persona was so good with the headband and Flying V's, people knew who he was. Dez and Dr. Fink were stand outs.

Wendy(1983-86)-young and hungry, learning the chops from Prince. Listen to Purple Rush w/Prince teaching her to play certain chords. Later developed into a very good player.

Miko-smooth and funky, able to mirror Prince. Caused a lot of anger in Wendy as she knew Miko was a better player and that she was eventually going to be replaced.

Levi-accomplished player, lacked the charisma to be a co-guitarist. Better suited as a bass player.

Kat Dyson-good player, just a hired gun.

Mike S.-cool and smooth bluesy player. Falls in line with Levi with not really standing out.

Andy Allo-very pretty, but vastly less accoplished than Wendy at her first gig. Wendy could play, but was rough and learning. Andy doesn't appear to know how to play at all. Maybe knows a few chords, definitely eye candy.

Still in this respect, I find Miko is the best overall guitarist Prince has had. He could play the FUNK, Jazz it up, the Do Me Baby Smooth Intro, rock out with the cock out, Chicken Grease, you name it, Miko did it.

great assesment, amen on all

Riverman37 said:

I disagree.. it see the racial prejudicrs shining through her constantly.. how american

[Edited 10/21/11 13:51pm]

Ha-Ha, you're own slur ("how American") pretty much negates your whole sorry argument.

jilljones said:

joyinrepetition said:

Let's look at it this way...

Dez-pure rock, a shredder. His persona was so good with the headband and Flying V's, people knew who he was. Dez and Dr. Fink were stand outs.

Wendy(1983-86)-young and hungry, learning the chops from Prince. Listen to Purple Rush w/Prince teaching her to play certain chords. Later developed into a very good player.

Miko-smooth and funky, able to mirror Prince. Caused a lot of anger in Wendy as she knew Miko was a better player and that she was eventually going to be replaced.

Levi-accomplished player, lacked the charisma to be a co-guitarist. Better suited as a bass player.

Kat Dyson-good player, just a hired gun.

Mike S.-cool and smooth bluesy player. Falls in line with Levi with not really standing out.

Andy Allo-very pretty, but vastly less accoplished than Wendy at her first gig. Wendy could play, but was rough and learning. Andy doesn't appear to know how to play at all. Maybe knows a few chords, definitely eye candy.

Still in this respect, I find Miko is the best overall guitarist Prince has had. He could play the FUNK, Jazz it up, the Do Me Baby Smooth Intro, rock out with the cock out, Chicken Grease, you name it, Miko did it.

great assesment, amen on all

Sounds good to me.

Now there is one guitarist from the Prince camp other than Jesse, that we all forgot to mention and that was Steph B. from Sheila E.'s band. Had he been given a chance to play along side Prince, Miko might have a run for his money as to who was the best co-guitarist in a Prince band. Steph was pretty damn funky in many of the videos I have seen. Surprised noone has brought him up.

Easily the funkiest was Levi with Miko a competent second...

Riverman37 said:

Sometimes i feel people here making certain choices based on the 'skin-colour' of the ones involved.

Wendy couldn't be that 'funky', because she is white?

People are pushing a moderate guitar-player like Dez because he is black, and therefore he should be considered better then Wendy?

From both sides, black and white, you see these kind of remarks, often subtly disguised, but why?

Stop derailing this thread. Nobody said she couldn't play because she is white.

Wendy and himself

Tony M. did his thang in the Willing & Able video!

Riverman37 said:

I disagree.. it see the racial prejudicrs shining through her constantly.. how american

Let's not get to far off topic with race, but I hear what your saying, and have said the same.

But everyone making 'racial' comments are not American

joyinrepetition said:

Now there is one guitarist from the Prince camp other than Jesse, that we all forgot to mention and that was Steph B. from Sheila E.'s band. Had he been given a chance to play along side Prince, Miko might have a run for his money as to who was the best co-guitarist in a Prince band. Steph was pretty damn funky in many of the videos I have seen. Surprised noone has brought him up.

I agree about Steph, but he wasn't brought up because he wasn't in Prince's band.

can someone cite some songs where Miko's funky skills are clearly displayed. i admit post revolution the band members seemed to be somewhat interchageable for me (i wasn't paying that much attention anymore). apart from these bandmembers, Boni, Rosie, Michael B, Alan Leeds, and Tommy Barbarella: i'd confuse the assortment of guitarists he's had. so i'm intrigued by the thread. i'm sure i've heard Miko and Levi on stuff (doesn't he name drop Levi on Sexy MF?) but didn't know who was who. I don't have any concert boots, so please reference songs on "official (non NPGMC) releases" please. thanks!

joyinrepetition said:

Let's look at it this way...

Dez-pure rock, a shredder. His persona was so good with the headband and Flying V's, people knew who he was. Dez and Dr. Fink were stand outs.

Wendy(1983-86)-young and hungry, learning the chops from Prince. Listen to Purple Rush w/Prince teaching her to play certain chords. Later developed into a very good player.

Miko-smooth and funky, able to mirror Prince. Caused a lot of anger in Wendy as she knew Miko was a better player and that she was eventually going to be replaced.

Levi-accomplished player, lacked the charisma to be a co-guitarist. Better suited as a bass player.

Kat Dyson-good player, just a hired gun.

Mike S.-cool and smooth bluesy player. Falls in line with Levi with not really standing out.

Andy Allo-very pretty, but vastly less accoplished than Wendy at her first gig. Wendy could play, but was rough and learning. Andy doesn't appear to know how to play at all. Maybe knows a few chords, definitely eye candy.

Still in this respect, I find Miko is the best overall guitarist Prince has had. He could play the FUNK, Jazz it up, the Do Me Baby Smooth Intro, rock out with the cock out, Chicken Grease, you name it, Miko did it.

I disagree with the Wendy vs Miko comment, She wasn't going to be replaced because he was better. Wendy leaving the band had nothing to do with that. guitar playing + her chemistry and song writting abilities totally knocked Mico out the water. I've never read anything about Wendy being angry because of Mico

Riverman37 said:

Sometimes i feel people here making certain choices based on the 'skin-colour' of the ones involved.

Wendy couldn't be that 'funky', because she is white?

People are pushing a moderate guitar-player like Dez because he is black, and therefore he should be considered better then Wendy?

From both sides, black and white, you see these kind of remarks, often subtly disguised, but why?

These are more you feelings.

Dez is hardly a moderate guitar player. As far as rock was concerned he had Prince, it was Dez that pushed Prince to get better as a rock guitarist. And he was better in that respect with Wendy as well.

Wendy had a totally different style of playing. It did reflect a 60ish pyschedelic style that I love. Which is funky indead. That twangish etherial style heard on Paisley Park & Computer Blue. Wendy to me embodied all he needed as a guitarist in his band

datdude said:

can someone cite some songs where Miko's funky skills are clearly displayed. i admit post revolution the band members seemed to be somewhat interchageable for me (i wasn't paying that much attention anymore). apart from these bandmembers, Boni, Rosie, Michael B, Alan Leeds, and Tommy Barbarella: i'd confuse the assortment of guitarists he's had. so i'm intrigued by the thread. i'm sure i've heard Miko and Levi on stuff (doesn't he name drop Levi on Sexy MF?) but didn't know who was who. I don't have any concert boots, so please reference songs on "official (non NPGMC) releases" please. thanks!

Honestly I don't know what outside of the extended version of Mountains, that Miko is actually playing on.

the Sign o the Times album is Prince & the Revolution the Black album & Lovesexy I don't know what Miko actually played on.

Wendy is the guitar player on the Family album so we can hear more of her style there too.

Miko was a sessions musician for Prince mostly but I don't know on what. He was live 4 Sheila E. & the Family and the Parade shows

OldFriends4Sale said:

Riverman37 said:

Sometimes i feel people here making certain choices based on the 'skin-colour' of the ones involved.

Wendy couldn't be that 'funky', because she is white?

People are pushing a moderate guitar-player like Dez because he is black, and therefore he should be considered better then Wendy?

From both sides, black and white, you see these kind of remarks, often subtly disguised, but why?

These are more you feelings.

Dez is hardly a moderate guitar player. As far as rock was concerned he had Prince, it was Dez that pushed Prince to get better as a rock guitarist. And he was better in that respect with Wendy as well.

Wendy had a totally different style of playing. It did reflect a 60ish pyschedelic style that I love. Which is funky indead. That twangish etherial style heard on Paisley Park & Computer Blue. Wendy to me embodied all he needed as a guitarist in his band

Wendy was a mixture of pop, funk and rock, Dez was all rock.

joyinrepetition said:

Let's look at it this way...

Dez-pure rock, a shredder. His persona was so good with the headband and Flying V's, people knew who he was. Dez and Dr. Fink were stand outs.

Wendy(1983-86)-young and hungry, learning the chops from Prince. Listen to Purple Rush w/Prince teaching her to play certain chords. Later developed into a very good player.

Miko-smooth and funky, able to mirror Prince. Caused a lot of anger in Wendy as she knew Miko was a better player and that she was eventually going to be replaced.

Levi-accomplished player, lacked the charisma to be a co-guitarist. Better suited as a bass player.

Kat Dyson-good player, just a hired gun.

Mike S.-cool and smooth bluesy player. Falls in line with Levi with not really standing out.

Andy Allo-very pretty, but vastly less accoplished than Wendy at her first gig. Wendy could play, but was rough and learning. Andy doesn't appear to know how to play at all. Maybe knows a few chords, definitely eye candy.

Still in this respect, I find Miko is the best overall guitarist Prince has had. He could play the FUNK, Jazz it up, the Do Me Baby Smooth Intro, rock out with the cock out, Chicken Grease, you name it, Miko did it.

lol Sorry but we just can't make shit up. Miko caused Wendy anger??? Um....no lol Miko and Wendy both respected each other's playing. The only problem Wendy ever had was with the non-musicians that all of a sudden cluttered up the Revolution stage.

WonderU said:

joyinrepetition said:

Let's look at it this way...

Dez-pure rock, a shredder. His persona was so good with the headband and Flying V's, people knew who he was. Dez and Dr. Fink were stand outs.

Wendy(1983-86)-young and hungry, learning the chops from Prince. Listen to Purple Rush w/Prince teaching her to play certain chords. Later developed into a very good player.

Miko-smooth and funky, able to mirror Prince. Caused a lot of anger in Wendy as she knew Miko was a better player and that she was eventually going to be replaced.

Levi-accomplished player, lacked the charisma to be a co-guitarist. Better suited as a bass player.

Kat Dyson-good player, just a hired gun.

Mike S.-cool and smooth bluesy player. Falls in line with Levi with not really standing out.

Andy Allo-very pretty, but vastly less accoplished than Wendy at her first gig. Wendy could play, but was rough and learning. Andy doesn't appear to know how to play at all. Maybe knows a few chords, definitely eye candy.

Still in this respect, I find Miko is the best overall guitarist Prince has had. He could play the FUNK, Jazz it up, the Do Me Baby Smooth Intro, rock out with the cock out, Chicken Grease, you name it, Miko did it.

lol Sorry but we just can't make shit up. Miko caused Wendy anger??? Um....no lol Miko and Wendy both respected each other's playing. The only problem Wendy ever had was with the non-musicians that all of a sudden cluttered up the Revolution stage.

Yep.

pald1 said:

WonderU said:

It always just takes a thread like this to remind me that some fans have NO clue lol The Revolution underrated?? lol Must have never seen them live.

Miko Weaver, easy. I saw him live with P a few times. Wendy's good (and continues to get better) but she's not in his league. Fact.

Finishing your opinion with "fact" doesn't make it so lol

Wendy and Miko getting funky together side by side on the Sheila E Live Romance 1600 show they were matching each other lick for lick, too funky.

I seen Miko with Prince too and there was nothing he ever played that made me think, wow, Wendy couldn't have done that. Miko is awesome, but he never left me in awe of his playing like Wendy did (does). Irresistible Bitch/Possessed from the Purple Rain tour ALONE proves her funk.

WonderU said:

pald1 said:

Miko Weaver, easy. I saw him live with P a few times. Wendy's good (and continues to get better) but she's not in his league. Fact.

Finishing your opinion with "fact" doesn't make it so lol

Wendy and Miko getting funky together side by side on the Sheila E Live Romance 1600 show they were matching each other lick for lick, too funky.

I seen Miko with Prince too and there was nothing he ever played that made me think, wow, Wendy couldn't have done that. Miko is awesome, but he never left me in awe of his playing like Wendy did (does). Irresistible Bitch/Possessed from the Purple Rain tour ALONE proves her funk.

sorry man but thats just nuts! go back and watch lovesexy live and watch miko play all the little prince riffs from the album PLUS all the funk riffs from throughout P.'s career all while in constant motion (and dressed like wile e. coyote on acid). miko was super duper versatile and dead on point time wise...no knock intended towards wendy, either, they're just different types of guitar players.

no disrespect (all in good fun, right?!) but I think you have it precisely backwards: there's NOTHING wendy could play that miko couldn't smash...but theres quite a few things miko could do that wendy wasn't well versed in (notice that I didn't say she COULDN't play certain things, just that they weren't her forte...any doubts, go listen to an alexa de paris rehearsal)

Any Lovesexy show, "We Can Funk 86", "It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Night", Small Club.

For that matter, any Sign O the Times show.

"Now's The Time"...? So soon we forgot ol Miko's been playing the licks you thought were P all along. Don't lie. Listen to the solo!

Most people didn't realize Miko was playing most of the shit you hear on the LoveSexy shows cuz P is off dancin around with Cat.

Spinlight said:

Most people didn't realize Miko was playing most of the shit you hear on the LoveSexy shows cuz P is off dancin around with Cat.

eXACtly!