V10LETBLUES said:

If it wasn't for the bald chick, the cute twins, and maybe that new 20 something yr old model, I wouldn't know who was in the mpg. He needs to keep them becasue of their name recognition.

I noticed you keep saying "mpg"........ is this on purpose?

Dewrede said:

That annoying , bald ass , fog horn sounding , dracula lookin shouting heffa shelby needs to piss off

How many times more must we stomach her going clap your hands , stomp yo feet-ah/put yo hands up

She adds noting to the band besides being a fucking nuisance

[Edited 5/20/12 7:21am]

I concur with your findings

I would have NO clue as to who is in his band right now.

Are Wendy and Lisa still in it!?

The current configuration is tight. The band and background singers are professional and it shows in the music.

By all accounts on each continent those who've actually gone to the concerts are blown-away by the performance.

I for one enjoy the current sound and the performance in its entirety because above, beneath, around it and through it is Prince music, composition, arrangement and lyrics.

And because it is a Prince production we really should leave it to him to decide when/if a change is needed. Until then, open your hearts and enjoy listening, dancing and watching.

callimnate said:

I would have NO clue as to who is in his band right now.

Are Wendy and Lisa still in it!?

www.princevault.com is your friend....

callimnate said:

I would have NO clue as to who is in his band right now.

Are Wendy and Lisa still in it!?

Yep, didn't you see them dancing in sinc?

I like them, at melbourne I thought John Blackwell was the strongest and he has amazing drumming, Morris Hayes is great too and of the singers Shelby J is by far the best (At least she was that night). The rest are okay, the Twinz at least can dance, but the strongest one is definitely Prince. Can not understand the role of Damaris though, is she just eye candy? 4 Prince

No cohesion, no band.

I would love to see Prince without a band, just a piano. that would be cool, as for the current band , i love the TWINS , i miss Shelia E. and Micheal Phillups.

[Edited 5/30/12 21:56pm]

I saw them perform a few times during the Welcome 2 Australia tour and I thought they were all fine. Although, I gotta say, that little guy in the heels out the front seemed to be hogging alot of the limelight. I think if they got rid of him they'd really have something.

callimnate said:

I would have NO clue as to who is in his band right now.

Are Wendy and Lisa still in it!?

No, but Andre Cymone is.

Just kidding! I love this band, very fine musicians, yes Ida can rival Rhonda or Levi, John is good, Cassandra is good, I almost did not notice her when Renato was in the band, but she really comes into her own nowthey can give Prince the sound he needs, sometimes I'm surprised at how close they get to the stripped-down sound of old. I also like the fact that it's a small band, so thet Prince can play a lotta git- tar. And they're responsible for the best Prince concerts I ever did see! Northe Sea Jazz and Melkweg, better than ever!

I thought they were just okay for Prince's standards. They felt very similar to the Jam of the Year band.

It's kinda weird but there's some disconnect going on with his bands lately where they don't last long enough to have a "character" and, really, that may be by design. Morris Hayes is Morris Hayes. Though he's legendary in his own right, he's still triggering samples and not doing much else. Kinda disappointing cuz he's always had a good organ solo in him. Is Renato still in the band? He was when I saw them and I just think he is kinda out of place in this group. He's very much One Nite Alone and Rainbow Children and that whole era/vibe. Musicology, etc. Too laid back for this synth heavy, non-jazzy lineup.

Cassie did not jump out to me but I do think she knows her shit. I actually wish he'd keep her around and make her a staple in that band. Too bad she has her own career already, haha. But she is def a keeper. I enjoy Ida visually. She's very Sheila/Cat-looking to me. She kinda has that pretty and tanned bombshell vibe going on. I can't speak much to her personality or her bass skills. I know she's apparently another person with her own career, but she didn't do any crazy bass playing when I saw her.

I actually like Liv's vocals and I don't even mind Elisa's, but Shelby's are just too much. I know she is very talented, but she doesn't sing the kinda music I get down to. So really, for me she detracts from the arrangement big time. She's distracting. I don't care about her looks cuz I don't think you need to be a beauty queen to be a cool bandmember. She's just not very interesting sounding to me. And she's just way way way too present in the mix and she has been for a very long time now. Time to put ol girl to rest, she has to get out there and do her own thing methinks.

I'm glad he has NO HORNS. PLEASE stay on the no horn tip. I am tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiired of the live band having horns. All the tours without horns barring Lovesexy, to me, were the best tours. I don't even like the Parade tour and a big part of that is the horn arrangements. They shaped it up better for SOTT and even better for Lovesexy Live, but no thanks with the Najee, Maceo, Hornheadz crap. Not interested!!!! He's got like 3 keyboard players now, so he can def rock those synth horn lines like he used to!

I saw the DMSR-video from the musicologytour (recorded in Detroit) and man, is that band FUNKY!!!!

Mike Scott on guitar, Rhonda on the bass, Renato on keys, Chance Howard on keys, John Blackwell on the drums, and Maceo, Mike Philips, Candy and Greg on the hornz...

I really LOVE this band... It's almost the same band he had during the ONA-tour...

no backgroundsingers... and a full horn-section...

I don't like the current band either.... I really don't understand why Prince gives so much space to Shelby (or Andy Allo)

Shelby really has a great voice, but I want to hear Prince...

Spinlight said:

I'm glad he has NO HORNS. PLEASE stay on the no horn tip. I am tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiired of the live band having horns. All the tours without horns barring Lovesexy, to me, were the best tours. I don't even like the Parade tour and a big part of that is the horn arrangements. They shaped it up better for SOTT and even better for Lovesexy Live, but no thanks with the Najee, Maceo, Hornheadz crap. Not interested!!!! He's got like 3 keyboard players now, so he can def rock those synth horn lines like he used to!

But I think could use another rhythm guitarist in place of one of the keyboardists.

johanhoiting said:

I saw the DMSR-video from the musicologytour (recorded in Detroit) and man, is that band FUNKY!!!!

Mike Scott on guitar, Rhonda on the bass, Renato on keys, Chance Howard on keys, John Blackwell on the drums, and Maceo, Mike Philips, Candy and Greg on the hornz...

I really LOVE this band... It's almost the same band he had during the ONA-tour...

no backgroundsingers... and a full horn-section...

I don't like the current band either.... I really don't understand why Prince gives so much space to Shelby (or Andy Allo)

Shelby really has a great voice, but I want to hear Prince...

Yeah, I also do miss the hornz. I guess he thinks they are to expensive to include in his band?

I also agree with the thing about Shelby shouting at the audience to clap their hands/stomp their feet, etc. It would maybe be different if she did more SINGING as opposed to yelling at us. Really though, people pay to see Prince singing these songs.

Bohemian67 said:

Nou nou dewrede, dat is toch een beetje wreed ja?

Shelby has a good voice, she works the crowd and provides the energy Prince can save. She's doing a good job. I must say, I don't know if she's singing the right songs alone coz in her solo music she sounds better or stronger. I think being bald is extremely funky and daring. Not many chicks do that. She's good with PR too on Facebook and she keeps a relationship with the fans keeping them updated.

Don't forget she also does things for good causes and she has a firm faith so though you might not like her appearance or singing, she has all the qualities needed as a Prince companion. She seems like a team girl to me.

I don't really know the ex-band members but we know Prince goes forward not backwards. Ida and John and Cassandra or Renato all good. Not sure if I'm missing anyone. Oh yes, Andy McKee, nice addition. But then so were Esperanza and Andy Allo.

sorry

she seems nice and all and she can sing

but she just has no concept of subtlety

its all LOUD

[Edited 5/31/12 15:09pm]

dJJ said:

Dewrede said:

That annoying , bald ass , fog horn sounding , dracula lookin shouting heffa shelby needs to piss off

How many times more must we stomach her going clap your hands , stomp yo feet-ah/put yo hands up

She adds noting to the band besides being a fucking nuisance

[Edited 5/20/12 7:21am]

That's a ridicuous nasty personal attack. No need to use these kind of fierce words.

You are right thooug, about the high frequency of clapping that is demanded of the audiance. If the music is good, the applause, clapping and dancing will follow. No need to force your audiance to be enthousiastic. However, Shelby is just doing what is demanded from her by her boss.

ok i take back the word heffa

[Edited 6/1/12 4:22am]

80spfantwp said:

Dewrede said:

well , he asked

I'm teasing

I share your sentiment but probably would've been a bit more tactful but I appreciate your straight talking

I actually think that Shelby has a good voice, as do Elisa and Liv, and maybe my issue is more about 'background' singers being too much to the fore. Sometimes less is more.

Mind you who knows what the next NPG icarnation will be like - could be worse - perhaps we should appreciate what we have now! (I mean, I remember the negative stuff written about Tamar when she was with NPG only to now have this line up). Having said that I listened to 3121 the album again today and had forgotten how damn good that album is.

[Edited 5/20/12 13:09pm]

ok

I say bring back Renato

[Edited 5/31/12 15:07pm]

enjoyniki said:

Dewrede said:

That annoying , bald ass , fog horn sounding , dracula lookin shouting heffa shelby needs to piss off

How many times more must we stomach her going clap your hands , stomp yo feet-ah/put yo hands up

She adds noting to the band besides being a fucking nuisance

[Edited 5/20/12 7:21am]

I concur with your findings

ok

Dewrede said:

80spfantwp said:

I'm teasing

I share your sentiment but probably would've been a bit more tactful but I appreciate your straight talking

I actually think that Shelby has a good voice, as do Elisa and Liv, and maybe my issue is more about 'background' singers being too much to the fore. Sometimes less is more.

Mind you who knows what the next NPG icarnation will be like - could be worse - perhaps we should appreciate what we have now! (I mean, I remember the negative stuff written about Tamar when she was with NPG only to now have this line up). Having said that I listened to 3121 the album again today and had forgotten how damn good that album is.

[Edited 5/20/12 13:09pm]

ok

I say bring back Renato

[Edited 5/31/12 15:07pm]

Me too. I also want the hornz back and Rhonda although I think Ida is a great addition

Band chemistry isn't something you can manufacture. Even if Prince got back with the Revolution or the Lovesexy band it wouldn't sound the same. Their relationships have changed and they wouldn't have the camradery they had back in the day. There's nothing he can do to get that back, not in the short term anyway.

His current band are all great musicians and from what I've seen great people too. I'm trying to improve my bass playing and have been watching a few videos of Ida in youtube. she's a fantastic player and a really sweet person. I've seen John Blackwell interviewed a couple of times and hes also a really nice guy as well as one hell of a drummer. I'm sure the same goes for the others too. So, he's got a band of great players with whom we gets on really well - you can't really ask for more than that. Perhaps they'll develop more of their own sound the longer they play together. That's if Prince doesn't keep changing personnel.

I agree with what some have said about the horns, they can be a bit cheesy - a bit too Vegas sometimes, so I don't miss them all that much. Someone said they liked horns on Kiss. I can't stand horns on Kiss. That version he played at the Rock & Roll Hall of fame was the worst version I've ever heard. It was like Vegas-era Elvis. But I do miss Eric Leads. I love his playing and I love the Sign o' the Times era horn arrangements. I think they were mostly probably just Eric and Atlanta Bliss - not too in-your-face, just some really nice tight lines.

thebanishedone said:

What do you think of the 2o11-2o12 band ?Do you think they have chemistry with Prince? Can Ida fill Rhondas shoes? Is John still killing it on drums,what about Cassandra ? Are back vox spot on or they annoy you. For some reason this formation of NpG leaves me cold,something is missing and i don't know if you noticed but John Blackwell is not the same on drums,gone are the fills and theatrics he did,he is in a Simple mode.

To me the NPG and Prince's newer bands (one after another) are just SORRY! It was always that way from the start with me because they just can't match up to this man's level of talent and abilities. So Prince's potental goes right down the tubes just being with these people.

From the beginning I always felt that if Prince couldn't doany better than the NPG then he should just retire. And as far as I'm concerned it's only gotton worse. Imagine that for a man who's literally considered a GUITAR GOD! I hate the direction Prince went after PR.

Personally, I have always and will continue to feel that abruptly dumping the Revolution was one of the biggest and most fool-hearted things that Prince has ever done in his career. It was the beginning of a down-ward spiral that continnues to this day. I'm almost embarrased for Prince because of his performances these days.

Prince needs to go back to the people who brought out the best in him. The Revolution was a band that took years to put together. And it took years to fine tune. That's why they were so great and could out perform the NPG anytime/anyplace. Why would you just toss something like that away?

My guess is that Prince thought--back in the day--he did it all by himself. And he was wrong. Nobody makes it alone.

[Edited 5/31/12 20:17pm]

[Edited 5/31/12 20:18pm]

[Edited 5/31/12 20:26pm]

PanicAttack said:

thebanishedone said:

What do you think of the 2o11-2o12 band ?Do you think they have chemistry with Prince? Can Ida fill Rhondas shoes? Is John still killing it on drums,what about Cassandra ? Are back vox spot on or they annoy you. For some reason this formation of NpG leaves me cold,something is missing and i don't know if you noticed but John Blackwell is not the same on drums,gone are the fills and theatrics he did,he is in a Simple mode.

To me the NPG and Prince's newer bands (one after another) are just SORRY! It was always that way from the start with me because they just can't match up to this man's level of talent and abilities. So Prince's potental goes right down the tubes just being with these people.

From the beginning I always felt that if Prince couldn't doany better than the NPG then he should just retire. And as far as I'm concerned it's only gotton worse. Imagine that for a man who's literally considered a GUITAR GOD! I hate the direction Prince went after PR.

Personally, I have always and will continue to feel that abruptly dumping the Revolution was one of the biggest and most fool-hearted things that Prince has ever done in his career. It was the beginning of a down-ward spiral that continnues to this day. I'm almost embarrased for Prince because of his performances these days.

Prince needs to go back to the people who brought out the best in him. The Revolution was a band that took years to put together. And it took years to fine tune. That's why they were so great and could out perform the NPG anytime/anyplace. Why would you just toss something like that away?

My guess is that Prince thought--back in the day--he did it all by himself. And he was wrong. Nobody makes it alone.

[Edited 5/31/12 20:17pm]

[Edited 5/31/12 20:18pm]

[Edited 5/31/12 20:26pm]

God Damn, the Romanticising of The Revolution is Out of Control!

Dewrede said:

That annoying , bald ass , fog horn sounding , dracula lookin shouting heffa shelby needs to piss off

How many times more must we stomach her going clap your hands , stomp yo feet-ah/put yo hands up

She adds noting to the band besides being a fucking nuisance

^

but you are completely right, I am with you here..