artist76 said:

Shorty said:

I know....I read that like 3 times just trying to figure out wtf he could mean. Only thing I can come up with is live shows...and I supposed quite possibly selling sheet music at the shows so people can go home and recreate it! LOL!

Yeah, I noticed that too, especially since I took a course in music history at university. Even piano rolls were actually "recorded" music, because someone played the song on a special piano that punched the dots onto the rolls, so that the playing was "recorded" onto the roll, to be reproduced and later played on pianolas/player pianos.

There were troubadours and minnesingers - they were basically touring musicians, but since there was no recorded music, they would do the same songs or each others songs ("covers") all the time. I don't think Prince wants to train a troup of musicians to tour around playing his songs.

The only thing that makes sense is live music - not only touring (or carolling! lol) but maybe something like he did at 3121 in Vegas, a standard place where he and associated/kindred artists can play - makes more sense as he get older. He can play new music in a place like that, whereas tours are heavier on the established hits. Also, an old-fashioned club scene - lots of clubs w/ live music close together in certain parts of town. Think of the kind of clubs portrayed in "The Cotton Club" or even "Ray." Music gets "distributed" in networks like that because musicians learn others' songs, young musicians know where to go to "apprentice" and carry on a certain style. It's like the jazz era. That would be exciting. Except of course if you live in the middle of nowhere.

Residency gigs in tourist areas makes sense. I think travelling all over takes a toll on him and shows sometimes need to be cancelled if they don't sell enough tickets. I'd go to a dance club to hear Prince.

[Edited 11/27/11 5:41am]

electricberet said:

Tremolina said:

There is just one thing that he said that I found questionable:

NO. I HAVE A WRITING ADDICTION. THAT SAID, IT WOULD B GREAT 2 C THE GOVERNMENT GET INVOLVED 2 INVESTIGATE THE COLLUSION AND RACKETEERING ASPECT OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY. THE WHOLE NATION WOULD BENEFIT GREATLY FROM A MORE SECURE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM.

The writing addiction is a soothing comment, ensuring us all that - of course - he would not stop making music. He may have gone into "writing rehab" but we all know how long that would probably take lol.

Different thing is going into "release rehab". I am puzzled by his comment about the govenment getting involved. I would totally support an indepth investigation into the workings of the music industry that would actually also change the way the industry operates. But then P says that "the whole nation would benefit greatly from a more secure distribution system".

It's not just that this seems at odds with his political and religious beliefs. It seems more that what he is suggesting is that the government also take control of the internet. I am not sure tho', because it's too short and cryptic, but would it really be "great" if they got involved?

For one, more government control is very hard for a number of reasons. Technologically, legally and financially. It is because of those reasons that governments worldwide prefer "self regulation" of the indutry and the internet, and have chosen to do not much more than than (obediently) protect copyright owners with the legislation they require. Often to the detriment of the consumer's rights.

I always hoped Prince on the internet would keep his head and chin up "in the face of all adversity" and find a decent way to succesfully release as much music as he can to all those people who would appreciate it. It seems he has really given up on it.

I wouldn't spend too much time dissecting Prince's views on policy questions. If Prince ran the world, most likely it would be structured as a giant harem, with all the women doing his sexual bidding and the men providing him with incense and candles as well as an endless supply of Captain Crunch.

I would never have predicted, however, that Prince might be in favor of more government regulation in the music industry. Too bad he can't go back in time and testify in favor of the PMRC as to why Purple Rain should have been slapped with a warning sticker.

[Edited 11/21/11 22:26pm]

http://prince.org/msg/8/371548

EU High Court Rules Against Webfilters for Music, Videos etc.

Why does Prince give the most BORING interviews?

ALL THOSE DAMN CAPS.. quit screaming at us.