msicfan said:

I'm a huge fan of Prince (or else I wouldn't be here.) But, i am only going to post on here when I want to criticize you

But his hypocritical thought process and contradictions are unnerving.

Sorry, I like Robin Thicke and he has written tons of material for other R&B artists. He is well respected and sought after. Did I mention his wife is fine as can be? Do you know for sure that Prince meant this as a dig @ Robin Thicke. Reading to much into it

360 deals. Without them Prince you might not have made it to where you are. The problem Prince is that you have to learn to make things work FOR you. Not just whine and pout and try to not honor your agreement. With a 360 dealio; record companies work harder to promote you and use their monies to promote you because they have a stake and interest. Think about this, Prince. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/360_deal . When/Where/With Whom did he use a 360 deal. And to answer your question as to where he would be w/o them, my guess would be touring Australia right now, my bad that is exactly what he is doing w/o the benfit of a 360 deal

Tour riders: Come on, Prince! Your riders are notorious! Give us a break! Are his riders really that notorious, probably not

Digital Music: Are you kidding me Prince!?! You were one of the first artists to distribute your music this way! (And the quality of the digital music you put out on your NPGMC was crappy!) Simply put, he doesn't think his album should be sold on a piece by piece basis. Releasing a single or two by the artist is different than having your album sold this way. And still don't make any money from it. Digital music crappy, Yes, Yes and Yes

Please don't compare a music album with a book or a movie! They are completely different! Besides: your concept albums are disjointed and non cohesive to the story line you are communicating. If your individual songs were more focused and to the point of the concept of the album, then maybe we could sort of agree. They all take time, effort, creativity and money, so why should books and movies be excluded

Bohemian67 said:

BartVanHemelen said:

Compare Prince's setlists to Madonna's and then answer me: why can't "sophisticated/smart" Prince fans handle new songs in concert whereas Madonna's audiences can? Her tours are always at least 50% new music.

Radiohead barely play any of their hits.

Prince is in the same league as oldies acts.

Well Bart, why don't you go and set up a research about

1. What criteria are needed to be qualified a sophisiticated/smart Prince fan.

2. How many of those fans can handle news songs in concert.

3. Why they can (what factors are involved)

4. Why they can't. Ditto

As there's no discrimination in Prince's concert as to who can attend, i.e. casual and new fans, also run a research, on at least please 500 participants and find out what songs they want to hear.

As for Madonna. She has always been the material girl and she's continued to survive in this market by conforming and participating in this mega throw away society. Out with the old in the new. If it works for her, good for her.

Doesn't mean Prince needs to follow suite.

By the way with all your business models you propose. Is your stack as high as the man's yet?

I have always wondered this about the Prince critics on here that claim to know how to run his career better than he does. Oh well

Madonna can eat a dick. Stop mentioning her in Prince threads. They're both different as fuck.

Shorty said:

sometimes I hate some Prince fans.

You and me both.

Love your sig btw.

C'mon now how obscene is it to even try and go there comparing madonna concerts with Princes

I actually like madonna but seriously

Madonna mimes

Madonna has a strict setlist that doesn't change

Madonna relies heavily on pyrotechnics, special effects and a whole team of dancers - people go to see the event , not watch a living musician legend perform

Bohemian67 said:

BartVanHemelen said:

Compare Prince's setlists to Madonna's and then answer me: why can't "sophisticated/smart" Prince fans handle new songs in concert whereas Madonna's audiences can? Her tours are always at least 50% new music.

Radiohead barely play any of their hits.

Prince is in the same league as oldies acts.

Well Bart, why don't you go and set up a research about

1. What criteria are needed to be qualified a sophisiticated/smart Prince fan.

2. How many of those fans can handle news songs in concert.

3. Why they can (what factors are involved)

4. Why they can't. Ditto

As there's no discrimination in Prince's concert as to who can attend, i.e. casual and new fans, also run a research, on at least please 500 participants and find out what songs they want to hear.

As for Madonna. She has always been the material girl and she's continued to survive in this market by conforming and participating in this mega throw away society. Out with the old in the new. If it works for her, good for her.

Doesn't mean Prince needs to follow suite.

By the way with all your business models you propose. Is your stack as high as the man's yet?

Your entire non-answer proves my point.

80spfantwp said:

C'mon now how obscene is it to even try and go there comparing madonna concerts with Princes

I actually like madonna but seriously

Madonna mimes

Madonna has a strict setlist that doesn't change

Madonna relies heavily on pyrotechnics, special effects and a whole team of dancers - people go to see the event , not watch a living musician legend perform

And yet her oh-so-dumb audience (that is what you're saying) can stomach concerts that feature a majority of new music, whereas Prince's sophicticated connaisseurs of True Live Music (trademark pending) cannot.

Love the "people go to see the event , not watch a living musician legend perform" bullcrap, as if the same isn't true about Prince.

NeonCraxx said:

Madonna can eat a dick. Stop mentioning her in Prince threads. They're both different as fuck.

Translated: "Please stop pointing out the harsh truth that Madonna's fans can handle setlists that largely consist of new music whereas Prince's fans cannot. It's not fair."

All of the arguments about Prince being required to perform his hits are contradicted by what Madonna has been doing for years/decades.

Oh, and let's not forget that virtually every Madonna tour has been released in a home video format, and yet it doen't seem to hurt her ticket sales. (Releasing a thoroughly shit album does.)

^^Prince hasn't played Australia in almost 10 years. Of course he will play his hits.

How has iTunes ruined or saved music? Personally not a fan of digital music. Happy 2 say we grew up with the record player. Altho this current generation experiences the world differently - neither better nor worse, just different. It's not up 2 the past 2 dictate. That said, the decision 2 turn analog music in2 numerical data was not made by a musician. It was made by a music consumer.

Interesting response. Tables turned Prince.

BartVanHemelen said:

80spfantwp said:

C'mon now how obscene is it to even try and go there comparing madonna concerts with Princes

I actually like madonna but seriously

Madonna mimes

Madonna has a strict setlist that doesn't change

Madonna relies heavily on pyrotechnics, special effects and a whole team of dancers - people go to see the event , not watch a living musician legend perform

And yet her oh-so-dumb audience (that is what you're saying) can stomach concerts that feature a majority of new music, whereas Prince's sophicticated connaisseurs of True Live Music (trademark pending) cannot.

You make stuff up us you go along - nothing in my response states what I think of any Madonna audience. it's cool for what it is - plenty will enjoy it - plenty won't - i wouldn't simply because i refuse to attend any concert where singers mime. Cool for those that choose to do otherwise

Love the "people go to see the event , not watch a living musician legend perform" bullcrap, as if the same isn't true about Prince.

No stretch of the imagination can determine that madonna is 'a musician' - she's a singer and dancer/ entertainer. I don't think anyone disputes that

I have no intention of making this a Madge/ Prince face off thread so I'll leave it there - if you can't see the gaping difference between a Prince concert and a Madonna one then whatever

Eyasha said:

Let’s Go Crazy for The Real Royal Tour

Nui Te Koha

Melbourne Sunday Herald Sun, 6 May, Play Magazine (by email)

Interviews with the inimitable star are harder to get than tickets to his concerts, but NUI TE KOHA tracks him down in cyber space.

Prince rarely grants an interview, but, suddenly, out of the blue, he was open to a conversation by email. Prince and his band New Power Generation arrive in Australia this week for shows in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

Forty questions covering the Prince gamut, from his sexed-up early work to Purple Rain and his disdain for the internet to the song he wishes he’d written, were proffered.

Prince answered 12 – most tour-related. He replied in abbreviated Prince-speak – a form of communication he used before text culture – with authority and, in some cases, a wicked smirk.

1. How do you compose a set list for a show? Good question, the set list selection is initially chosen by the length of time that has passed since we’ve last played a particular market. Then many other factors take hold: the size and average age of an audience; bigger, younger crowds like the party songs played immediately, so we generally comply. Hosting parties offstage in a private setting 4 larger crowds has trained us well in dancefloor management, if u will.
2. How many songs do you have on call (rehearsed and ready if you want to slot them into the show)? Roughly 200-300 songs with variations 4 each of them. 4 example: based upon crowd response any song can b lengthened or shortened with a simple cue: Raspberry Beret's second verse and bridge can b added if the audience sings louder than r lead singer. Also depending upon the diversity of the crowd we can quickly seque in 2 Cool, The Time's theme song. An urban audience knows all the words to that song whereas folks from Helsinki... well, u get the picture.
3. How do you view your catalogue of B-sides, which to some fans are as important as your hits? The concerts r tending 2 skew younger these days so once folks know they r on familiar ground, we can play some rarities. U don't put kids in the deep water until u make sure they can swim.
4. How do you approach those classic super-high notes these days? By hitting higher ones.
5. What are the three most important things on your tour rider, and why? Riders r the least important thing on tour.
6. As a band leader, what do you expect from the musicians you work with? 1. Foot washing 2. Locks of hair 3. Per diem.
7. You have said in interviews that you impose a basketball team type discipline on your band. What does that mean? That they play 2 win. Otherwise they'll b back-up dancing 4 Robin Thicke.
8. Live, what does the NPG give to your pre-NPG catalogue, especially the Revolution material? Every band is different. Most Revolution concerts stuck 2 setlists. In contrast, all past and present lineups of the NPG r based upon a collective conscience. In other words, they play like eye would if in their position.
9. Britney Spears has done two world tours lip-syncing her show. Your thoughts? Different strokes 4 different folks.
10. What do you think of 360 deals? They r great... 4 me 2 poop on. :/
11. What do you think about the album in this iTunes culture (and the ability to buy single songs)? It's cool cuz we usually buy books by the chapter. When we rented Avatar, we watched 5 scenes every weekend til it was finished.
12. How has iTunes ruined or saved music? Personally not a fan of digital music. Happy 2 say we grew up with the record player. Altho this current generation experiences the world differently - neither better nor worse, just different. It's not up 2 the past 2 dictate. That said, the decision 2 turn analog music in2 numerical data was not made by a musician. It was made by a music consumer. We all got dragged unwittingly 2 this well and r now paying the cost. When hipping a young artist 2 Joni Mitchell's canon of work, we don't direct them 2 iTunes. We sit them down and play the music chronologically. Finally, we would like 2 say how excited we all r 2 come back 2 Australia 2 show everybody what they've been missing all this time. Get ready 2 dance!

this is why I love Prince, keeping it real!

Emancipation89 said:

What do you think about the album in this iTunes culture (and the ability to buy single songs)?

It's cool cuz we usually buy books by the chapter. When we rented Avatar, we watched 5 scenes every weekend til it was finished

For Prince albums it's always been about the entire album being one long musical experience. Love his sarcasm right here.

You have said in interviews that you impose a basketball team type discipline on your band. What does that mean? That they play 2 win. Otherwise they'll b back-up dancing 4 Robin Thicke.

hahaha....ouch

Ditto, back-up dancers 4 robin thicke Classic!!

BartVanHemelen said:

Bohemian67 said:

By the way with all your business models you propose. Is your stack as high as the man's yet?

Your entire non-answer proves my point.

What non-answer Bart? I'm still waiting for mine.

We realise that you love Prince SO much that want him to do things your way coz that will bring him more fans, more fame and more $. That's really thoughtful of you not to mention very kind. Thing is....he's already graduated Cum laude as a legend.

[Shouldn't have went farther off-topic.. comment removed.. move along.]

NeonCraxx said:

Fuck Madonna period. Setlists don't mean shit to me Madonna lip synchs, dances off beat as fuck, and is not even in the same league talent-wise. The only way I can tolerate Prince and Madonna's name mentioned in the same sentence is if we're talking about 1984 or about that award show show where Prince nailed Madonna. Other than that, keep her the fuck off this thread. /rant over fuckoffbart

Yeah that

@CrabalockerFishwife¤:

I was just gonna respond to you by saying that, having read your link to the dictionary definition of 'musician' my statement still stands that Madonna is no musician - that coming from a Madonna fan!

However - you removed the link by the time I had started to type.

THAT speaks volumes

BartVanHemelen said:

whereas Prince's sophicticated connaisseurs of True Live Music (trademark pending) cannot.

Yeah, nice one, thanks for that - we Prince fans really need to learn that Madonna is a 'musician'

NeonCraxx said:

Shorty said:

sometimes I hate some Prince fans.

You and me both.

Love your sig btw.

BartVanHemelen said:

NeonCraxx said:

Madonna can eat a dick. Stop mentioning her in Prince threads. They're both different as fuck.

Translated: "Please stop pointing out the harsh truth that Madonna's fans can handle setlists that largely consist of new music whereas Prince's fans cannot. It's not fair."

All of the arguments about Prince being required to perform his hits are contradicted by what Madonna has been doing for years/decades.

Oh, and let's not forget that virtually every Madonna tour has been released in a home video format, and yet it doen't seem to hurt her ticket sales. (Releasing a thoroughly shit album does.)

Prince hasn't toured here for years, most of his fans here haven't heard the hits live before.

It's not like he comes here every year with the same concert.

Prince is aware that not every Prince fan has devoured his entire catalog and that of his proteges. He's also aware that all of his fans are not compulsive and obsessed bootleggers hunting down his every fart and wanting to hear a live rendition of it. He seems aware some folks are just fans of his biggest hits and don't know all the B-sides or non single cuts like we all do.

I wish he would do a real interview for a change without all the

errant said:

Eyasha said:

Let’s Go Crazy for The Real Royal Tour

Nui Te Koha

Melbourne Sunday Herald Sun, 6 May, Play Magazine (by email)

(I have skipped the preamble which I don’t have time to type - should be available on the internet later)

1. How do you compose a set list for a show? Good question, the set list selection is initially chosen by the length of time that has passed since we’ve last played a particular market. Then many other factors take hold: the size and average age of an audience; bigger, younger crowds like the party songs played immediately, so we generally comply. Hosting parties offstage in a private setting 4 larger crowds has trained us well in dancefloor management, if u will.
2. How many songs do you have on call (rehearsed and ready if you want to slot them into the show)? Roughly 200-300 songs with variations 4 each of them. 4 example: based upon crowd response any song can b lengthened or shortened with a simple cue: Raspberry Beret's second verse and bridge can b added if the audience sings louder than r lead singer. Also depending upon the diversity of the crowd we can quickly seque in 2 Cool, The Time's theme song. An urban audience knows all the words to that song whereas folks from Helsinki... well, u get the picture.
3. How do you view your catalogue of B-sides, which to some fans are as important as your hits? The concerts r tending 2 skew younger these days so once folks know they r on familiar ground, we can play some rarities. U don't put kids in the deep water until u make sure they can swim.
4. How do you approach those classic super-high notes these days? By hitting higher ones.
5. What are the three most important things on your tour rider, and why? Riders r the least important thing on tour.
6. As a band leader, what do you expect from the musicians you work with? 1. Foot washing 2. Locks of hair 3. Per diem.
7. You have said in interviews that you impose a basketball team type discipline on your band. What does that mean? That they play 2 win. Otherwise they'll b back-up dancing 4 Robin Thicke.
8. Live, what does the NPG give to your pre-NPG catalogue, especially the Revolution material? Every band is different. Most Revolution concerts stuck 2 setlists. In contrast, all past and present lineups of the NPG r based upon a collective conscience. In other words, they play like eye would if in their position.
9. Britney Spears has done two world tours lip-syncing her show. Your thoughts? Different strokes 4 different folks.
10. What do you think of 360 deals? They r great... 4 me 2 poop on. :/
11. What do you think about the album in this iTunes culture (and the ability to buy single songs)? It's cool cuz we usually buy books by the chapter. When we rented Avatar, we watched 5 scenes every weekend til it was finished.
12. How has iTunes ruined or saved music? Personally not a fan of digital music. Happy 2 say we grew up with the record player. Altho this current generation experiences the world differently - neither better nor worse, just different. It's not up 2 the past 2 dictate. That said, the decision 2 turn analog music in2 numerical data was not made by a musician. It was made by a music consumer. We all got dragged unwittingly 2 this well and r now paying the cost. When hipping a young artist 2 Joni Mitchell's canon of work, we don't direct them 2 iTunes. We sit them down and play the music chronologically. Finally, we would like 2 say how excited we all r 2 come back 2 Australia 2 show everybody what they've been missing all this time. Get ready 2 dance!

I don't believe this is Prince.

And if it is, that last answer is complete bullshit. Are we to believe he'll no longer be relying on Pro Tools to record and produce his music after he was so heavily touting it in interviews just a few short years ago?

Several of the other answers are bullshit too, especially regarding setlist selection.

You're bullshit

BartVanHemelen said:

NeonCraxx said:

Madonna can eat a dick. Stop mentioning her in Prince threads. They're both different as fuck.

Translated: "Please stop pointing out the harsh truth that Madonna's fans can handle setlists that largely consist of new music whereas Prince's fans cannot. It's not fair."

All of the arguments about Prince being required to perform his hits are contradicted by what Madonna has been doing for years/decades.

Oh, and let's not forget that virtually every Madonna tour has been released in a home video format, and yet it doen't seem to hurt her ticket sales. (Releasing a thoroughly shit album does.)

I have only one question: WHY are you even still on here??? In a Prince fan community, when you obviously have not liked anything Prince has done for ages???

errant said:

1. How has iTunes ruined or saved music? Personally not a fan of digital music. Happy 2 say we grew up with the record player. Altho this current generation experiences the world differently - neither better nor worse, just different. It's not up 2 the past 2 dictate. That said, the decision 2 turn analog music in2 numerical data was not made by a musician. It was made by a music consumer. We all got dragged unwittingly 2 this well and r now paying the cost. When hipping a young artist 2 Joni Mitchell's canon of work, we don't direct them 2 iTunes. We sit them down and play the music chronologically. Finally, we would like 2 say how excited we all r 2 come back 2 Australia 2 show everybody what they've been missing all this time. Get ready 2 dance!

I don't believe this is Prince.

And if it is, that last answer is complete bullshit. Are we to believe he'll no longer be relying on Pro Tools to record and produce his music after he was so heavily touting it in interviews just a few short years ago?

Several of the other answers are bullshit too, especially regarding setlist selection.

What I don't understand is that music went digital when it was put on CD. I don't remember him complaining about digital music back then. I expect he's been using DAT in the studio for a very long time too.

His problem isn't and can't be 'digital' music, he's pissed that it's so easy to copy and distribute illegally these days.

Bohemian67 said:

BartVanHemelen said:

Compare Prince's setlists to Madonna's and then answer me: why can't "sophisticated/smart" Prince fans handle new songs in concert whereas Madonna's audiences can? Her tours are always at least 50% new music.

Radiohead barely play any of their hits.

Prince is in the same league as oldies acts.

Well Bart, why don't you go and set up a research about

1. What criteria are needed to be qualified a sophisiticated/smart Prince fan.

2. How many of those fans can handle news songs in concert.

3. Why they can (what factors are involved)

4. Why they can't. Ditto

As there's no discrimination in Prince's concert as to who can attend, i.e. casual and new fans, also run a research, on at least please 500 participants and find out what songs they want to hear.

As for Madonna. She has always been the material girl and she's continued to survive in this market by conforming and participating in this mega throw away society. Out with the old in the new. If it works for her, good for her.

Doesn't mean Prince needs to follow suite.

By the way with all your business models you propose. Is your stack as high as the man's yet?

here's the thing, whenever Bart points out the truth then he's jumped upon. Your forgetting that Prince used 2 focus on his new music in his live shows up until the jam of the year tour then it became all about his past even under a new moniker and still continues 2 do so today. The difference between prince and other artists that have been around the same time as he has, they have less material to offer 2 fans but they STILL DO IT THO. Prince has been stuck in the 80's so much that at this point, it might be hard 2 introduce new material but it SHOULD still be done.

the fans are the ones keeping him in a bubble and that's a damn shame cause in this thread alone, people are questioning about details of a new album which would mean NEW MATERIAL. so what is so wrong with comprising a show that gives every type of fan, diehard to casual what they want 2 hear?