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Thread started 03/07/12 8:30pm

EyeJester7

The Artist Capable Beyond Markets...

I know this has been discussed before, BUT. I'm seriously floored at how much Material Prince has. omfg

Going through my music, I noticed how much he sucks up space. While I'm a collector of his material, I find myself listening to his songs at random, and each time I become intrigued at how different they sound coming from the same.

A song like 'The Same December' sounds nothing like 'Te Amo Corazon'. 'Dreaming About U' sounds nothing like 'Do U Lie' And while these songs are from their respectful genres, era's/ chord and string arrangements. It's amazing to me that it comes from the same artist. Prince has evolved musically into tones and textures so quickly, it astonishes me that this is the same person.

He has so much material, and while some would argue he has 'Quantity OVER Quality' in his music. There STILL seems to be no end to his music in terms of successfully challenging other genres, and doing it so well. Sure he has songs which he seems to be just fooling around in the studio. EX: Same Lin-Drum Sounds, Typical Bass licks, etc... YET there are times when he just goes all the way into new dimensions.

I can't seem to Fathom the idea that he has done so much music, and its clear to me; it's ALWAYS been about the music for him. He is constantly touring, (Or studying the bible..lol) And to me, that's remarkable because not many artists, in their career longevity have done so; challenging the audience while maintaining and loosing an audience.

I have discussions about Prince all the time with my girl, and while discussing him, we often mention his influence, and she is one to believe he hasn't influenced that many, and has too much crappy material than quality material.

I WONDER WHY? I think someone great will rise up in the music industry, and will give credit to his artist virtues. Some have already arose! D'angelo, Andrea 3000, Janelle Monae..etc

I beg to differ that he hasn't influenced many...Prince is fantastic, and I'm not just saying that because I'm a fan.

I wanted to start this thread to ask of you here; do you think Prince has managed to express different styles of music well? DO you feel he is ignored by the masses because his influences have become far to 'Risky'?

Prince never seemed to be 'Marketable'. He isn't doing things like everybody else. He isn't the only one, but I think he constantly changes because he always has something new up his sleeve.WHICH could be a problem. I like Little Richard would say, he should just bathe in his material, but he tried that with Purple Rain and it SUCKED. He possibly seemed the mountain top and it ain't what it seems? As he always says....

The answer to this thread might very well be: DON'T PLAY ME!

Haha, Nevertheless...

I just want more appreciation for his music to the masses. Not everyone is affected as I am, so I guess I should stop hoping. He isn't the only one making great music! They're so many people making great music and it's not always in the spotlight. But one of the reasons Prince is so great to me is that he speaks on levels, I didn't think music could at one time. I appreciate him, and I just wonder..If more people would be willing for a 'Rebirth Of The Flesh'? Haha

I started to rant at the end of this...But, I am curious. I wonder what you all think? biggrin

[Edited 3/7/12 20:39pm]

[Edited 3/8/12 13:48pm]

[Edited 3/9/12 8:54am]

It's Button Therapy, Baby!
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Reply #1 posted 03/08/12 1:05am

Emancipation89

Interesting topic..

I agree with many points you've made. Prince is one of the very few artists who're not too concerned about what the critics/public think of their music. I can't say it's a bad thing even though for some people it may seem as quantity over quality. If his ultimate purpose were to create commercially successful albums, it's not like he wouldn't have been able to, you know? Rather, to me it looks like he's just freely expressing himself as an artist. He's not afraid to release whatever he's experimenting at the moment, but at the same time, looking at how prolific he is, I think his albums are still the result of thoughtfully selected materials, or at least what he wanted us to hear...

I think yes, he successfully managed to express various genres of music, one of the things that I absolutely love about him. It's like he's given us so many choices, that I can never get tired of his music. I think that's why I really became a fan of him in the first place. And his influence is evident in not just the obvious RnB, rock, neo-soul artists but even hiphop artists like Chuck D says how he was hugely influenced by Sign O' the Times record! And not only were his musicianship and art a great influence but just how brave he was in the beginning of his career as far as images go..he definitely helped make other artists especially the younger ones push themselves to be innovative and feel more comfortable to freely express themselves and be a freak lol

Lucky you, you get to discuss Prince stuff with your girlfriend razz My boyfriend likes a great proportion of Prince's catalogue that I shove into his ears recommend, but he doesn't like talking about him with me and says that the last thing I need is a fellow Prince fanatic like myself as a boyfriend...he teasingly said to me he's the one who keeps me "sane"...whatever! lol

Anyways my point is, as much as I'd love to see more appreciation for Prince from the media/public out there, I'm not particularly disappointed or bothered by where he stands at right now. I think a lot of people acknowledge him as a great artist and that will never change. I do however often think that when some people say Prince's music is not their cup of tea, it's only because they didn't explore his catalogue enough. Because honestly, his music is immensely diverse that it's almost impossible not to like, at least, some part of his music!! But oh well, with the youtube thing and all that, it's quite apparent to me that he's not concerned with popularity or acknowledgment himself...

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Reply #2 posted 03/08/12 4:03am

NouveauDance

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EyeJester7 said:

I can't seem phantom the idea that he has done so much music

Fathom?

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Reply #3 posted 03/08/12 4:25am

tricky99

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Yes, prince is quite an amazing performer. He is truly one of a kind. I'm just happy he has had the amount of success that he has had in his career. Prince in his totality is beyond most people's musical palette. That's where the quality versus quanity comes into play.

A lot of fans just aren't capable a following him thru all his musical twists and turns with the same enjoyment that they had when they first discovered him. And really why should we or he expect them too? After all he is the musical qenius and the listeners on average are fairly ordinary folks.

Making music is what Prince does. Being able to make a great deal of money from it is just a side benefit for him in the overall scheme of things. Anyone who thinks its about the money really is clueless.

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Reply #4 posted 03/08/12 5:19am

blackbob

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the amount of music he has made is almost overwhelming...and yes...most people say its quantity over quality..and he has made released some growlers in his time..but i find he almost always does something interesting..whatever it may be....he is by far the most interesting music artist of the last 30 years...

.

.

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Reply #5 posted 03/08/12 1:15pm

Dandroppedadim
e

even the carmen electra stuff has it's moments (mainly the music!)

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Reply #6 posted 03/08/12 1:47pm

EyeJester7

NouveauDance said:

EyeJester7 said:

I can't seem phantom the idea that he has done so much music

Fathom?

omfg Haha, Why Thank you new dance! smile Haha

It's Button Therapy, Baby!
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Reply #7 posted 03/08/12 1:58pm

EyeJester7

blackbob said:

the amount of music he has made is almost overwhelming...and yes...most people say its quantity over quality..and he has made released some growlers in his time..but i find he almost always does something interesting..whatever it may be....he is by far the most interesting music artist of the last 30 years...

.

.

smile

Thank You BOB! I totally agree, even if it wasn't for the music, if I just watched him from the start, I would always be interested in him. He's very interesting in how he carried himself. It's very overwhelming to me that he has said so much through his music, sometimes I think he forgets. Like in 2009 when he mentioned on Tavis Smiley, he was born Epileptic.When he said that, he said; he never mentioned it before. BUT he did, back on the first verse of 'Sacrifice Of Victor'.

"I was born on a bloodstained table
Cord wrapped around my neck
Epileptic till the age of seven
I was sure heaven marked the deck"

I only mention that because, I really don't think he realizes how much material he released. Even his material he plays every once in a while from the vault that were bootleg, die hard fans know. So..it's just always great to know he has a lot, that we could listen to.

It's Button Therapy, Baby!
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Reply #8 posted 03/08/12 2:16pm

EyeJester7

tricky99 said:

Yes, prince is quite an amazing performer. He is truly one of a kind. I'm just happy he has had the amount of success that he has had in his career. Prince in his totality is beyond most people's musical palette. That's where the quality versus quanity comes into play.

A lot of fans just aren't capable a following him thru all his musical twists and turns with the same enjoyment that they had when they first discovered him. And really why should we or he expect them too? After all he is the musical qenius and the listeners on average are fairly ordinary folks.

Making music is what Prince does. Being able to make a great deal of money from it is just a side benefit for him in the overall scheme of things. Anyone who thinks its about the money really is clueless.

headbang YES! I totally agree with your sentiments! smile I like how you said that he in his totality is beyond most people's musical palettes. That's such a nice way to put it, I agree!

You really put this in a short way I wanted to. smile A lot people don't have a musical ears, and are average listeners which would explain why some people are not as concerned.

I don't think he does it for money either, but because that is what he does. He does music, and I like how you said that, that the money is just a side benefit. In the scheme of things, Prince is music and he has really been able to stand the test of time regardless; I'm glad I'm not the clueless one!

It's Button Therapy, Baby!
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Reply #9 posted 03/08/12 2:17pm

EyeJester7

Dandroppedadime said:

even the carmen electra stuff has it's moments (mainly the music!)

lol Well, it does have Moments! Hahaha

I think 'Elixer' is by far one of his best protegee alums!

It's Button Therapy, Baby!
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Reply #10 posted 03/08/12 3:51pm

pennylover

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Great thread EyeJester

95% of the music I listen 2 is Purple music. It's amazing how much music I am discovering of his 2 this very day. I have all his released music except 2 or 3 albums. Prince has always been ahead of the pack and he is still evolving as an artist. I totally love this guy and unfortunately he will not be appreciated by the masses until he’s gone. I have so much respect 4 him because of his dedication to his craft. I have only one friend who gets Prince and love his music like I do. I have no one 2 talk with and discuss his music that’s why I come here to find out the latest on him. I am so glad I found a site like this who appreciates him, his music and his God given talent.

May God continue 2 Bless and watch over him.

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Reply #11 posted 03/08/12 6:54pm

EyeJester7

Emancipation89 said:

Interesting topic..

I agree with many points you've made. Prince is one of the very few artists who're not too concerned about what the critics/public think of their music. I can't say it's a bad thing even though for some people it may seem as quantity over quality. If his ultimate purpose were to create commercially successful albums, it's not like he wouldn't have been able to, you know? Rather, to me it looks like he's just freely expressing himself as an artist. He's not afraid to release whatever he's experimenting at the moment, but at the same time, looking at how prolific he is, I think his albums are still the result of thoughtfully selected materials, or at least what he wanted us to hear...

I think yes, he successfully managed to express various genres of music, one of the things that I absolutely love about him. It's like he's given us so many choices, that I can never get tired of his music. I think that's why I really became a fan of him in the first place. And his influence is evident in not just the obvious RnB, rock, neo-soul artists but even hiphop artists like Chuck D says how he was hugely influenced by Sign O' the Times record! And not only were his musicianship and art a great influence but just how brave he was in the beginning of his career as far as images go..he definitely helped make other artists especially the younger ones push themselves to be innovative and feel more comfortable to freely express themselves and be a freak lol

Lucky you, you get to discuss Prince stuff with your girlfriend razz My boyfriend likes a great proportion of Prince's catalogue that I shove into his ears recommend, but he doesn't like talking about him with me and says that the last thing I need is a fellow Prince fanatic like myself as a boyfriend...he teasingly said to me he's the one who keeps me "sane"...whatever! lol

Anyways my point is, as much as I'd love to see more appreciation for Prince from the media/public out there, I'm not particularly disappointed or bothered by where he stands at right now. I think a lot of people acknowledge him as a great artist and that will never change. I do however often think that when some people say Prince's music is not their cup of tea, it's only because they didn't explore his catalogue enough. Because honestly, his music is immensely diverse that it's almost impossible not to like, at least, some part of his music!! But oh well, with the youtube thing and all that, it's quite apparent to me that he's not concerned with popularity or acknowledgment himself...

I really appreciate this! smile I totally agree with you! I'm glad I have a voice, and that people can understand where I coming from with this. I love that we have so many choices as well, not only that but we can see his print in modern music now. The use of Lin Drums, he popularized that, and has done so much for music in general. smile

My girlfriend use to get SO tired of me playing it. Hahaha.. I sung the hell out of "Power Fantastic, Into The Light/I Will, and HypnoParadise." Those are the songs she connects to me. I know my girlfriend will probably share the same feelings as your boyfriend. lol

I use to talk about it all the time, but now I lay low, although she mentions him because she knows how much I appreciate him. Hahaha, I've recommended a couple of stuff to her, she's already a musical expert, but she had no clue how good he was till she saw him live.

I think many people miss out when they don't see him love or hear his catalog. smile

I agree with all of your sentiments but especially the ending. He has seemed to lay low on Youtube, but still if he had a VEVO or some other way of getting music like the websites he keeps shutting down, he would be accessible to everybody. But as you said, he doesn't seem concerned with popularity or acknowledgment, That's pretty cool to me. cool

Thanks a lot!

It's Button Therapy, Baby!
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Reply #12 posted 03/08/12 7:04pm

nyse

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Great thread, I always said if i could only listen to 1 artist for the rest of my life it would be

P. Fo what ever mood im in for. if it be rock, jazz, hip hop, R%B, soul, dance, this that...

Prince has it for u.

with out a doubt he does some better than the others

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