.Org Citizens,

If you will, contribute your recollection, and experience, of Prince's 'dark night of the soul' experience and spiritual epiphany here.

love,

Spirit

.

[Edited 4/6/12 9:43am]

OK, here's the truth about the whole 'Black Album thing' (short version)...

1. A lot of the tracks that appeared on the black album had originally been recorded by Prince as music for Sheila E's 29th birthday party on 11th December 1986. He originally had no intention of releasing them commercially.

2. Prince was getting a certain amount of critism for 'abandoning his black roots' and 'losing the funk' due to his more rock-orientated recent output. In response he started to assemble an album of mostly funky party tracks, which he called 'The Funk Bible'.

3. Prince finished 'The Funk Bible', and wanted to release it under a pseudonym, possibly Camille. He wanted to release the album without anyone initially knowing it was by him, so it would be an underground thing that would spread by word of mouth. He dropped the pseudonym idea (everyone already knew who Camille was), he then came up with the idea of releasing it in a plain black sleeve, with no listed artist or title at all. The Black Album was born.

4. The Black Album was given a WB catalogue number and release date, everything was going to plan. This would shut up the people who said he'd 'lost the funk'. The album appeared on WB's relase schedule listed as 'Something' by 'Somebody' to be released on 8th December 1987.

5. November 1987: The first set back... News had leaked out that Prince had a new album on the way, this upset Prince's plan. He hadn't intended the album as a 'proper' new album, it was supposed to be more like a side project (much like the later NPG albums). Prince reluctantly resigned himself to the fact that the album would be seen as his next album, and started thinking about his next project: Graffiti Bridge. The Black Album was pressed up ready for release.

6. Prince was concerned with releasing 'The Black Album' effectively under his own name, and was having second thoughts about it. He took a copy down to Rupert's in Minneapolis with the intention of getting the DJ to play it so he could see what kind of reception it got from the crowd.

7. At the club he met a songwriter/poet called Ingrid Chavez, with whom he ended up talking with at length that evening. Prince had been recently going through a sort of spiritual awakening (another reason he was having second thoughts about 'The Black Album'), and he found that Ingrid was very much in tune with his current wavelength.

8. It has been reported that the crunch came when he was looking at his reflection in the cover of the album, and Ingrid said something like 'You should learn to smile more'. At that point Prince realised that if he died now, 'The Black Album' would be his final work, and he definitely didn't want that as his last artistic statement.

9. 1st December 1987 (1 week before release): Prince calls WB chairman Mo Ostin (with whom he had a good, trusting working relationship) and says he wants to cancel the release of 'The Black Album'. Mo Ostin agrees to Prince's request and production was ceased. WB ordered all existing copies of the album destroyed.

10. A few copies of the album escaped destruction. Many promo and advance copies had already been given to friends and family, as well as WB executives and reps. about 100 vinyl copies 'vanished' from the Alsdorf pressing plant in Germany. Also about 10 CD's 'escaped' from the pressing plant in the U.S. These genuine 1987 pressings are still worth a bomb (especially the CD's).

11. After shelving 'The Black Album' and putting 'Graffiti Bridge' on hold, Prince immediately starts work on his next project 'Lovesexy'. He records half the album on 11th December! The first version of the album is completed by 21st January 1988, with only a few changes made before it's release on 10th May.

12. As part of his settlement with Warners in 1994, Prince agreed to a limited release for 'The Black Album'. Warners had wanted to release the album for some time (it came close to being officially released in 1991), but Prince had always been against it. He finally relented when it became a bargaining chip in his bid to be released from his contract. Prince used it as 'contract filler' along with 'Chaos And Disorder' and 'The Vault...Old Friends 4 Sale'.

"So, you found me? Good - I'm glad. This is Prince, the Cool Of Cools. Some of you may know me, some of you may not. Some of you may not want to know. We are here to give you service - please do not try to stop us, for we come regardless. For we are as strong as we are intelligent. So come vibe with us - The Funk Bible, The New Testament..."

The one main reason Lovesexy is as highly rated among fans (and more than a few critics): "Anna Stesia"...

I don't say that simply because I "like" the song...but because that one song is the centerpiece of the album, the one song which almost explains both the rest of the songs' meanings and what was most likely Prince's mindset at the time...and it dunt hurt none that the song is simply great...When Prince sings that he needs to learn to love "the right way...the only way...", and has that inner conversation with himself about what it is he truly needs to do to escape that intense loneliness..."Maybe if I were closer to something/Closer to your higher self (I don't know)/Closer to heaven (maybe)/Closer to God? (Yeah...closer to God)"...That's not bullshit tossed out, that's completely fucking sincere on every level imagineable...and it's poetic, it's profound, it's heartfelt...it's direct, and it's unlike any spiritual proclaimation he's issued before...By the time "Lovesexy" comes on, it sounds so joyous and spirited, as if whatever "conversion" he went thru in "Anna Stesia" has brought him to this revelation of "lovesexy"...

"Anna Stesia" makes you reconsider the other songs on the album, and causes you to realize that he's going thru "something" at the time of the album's creation...so I think that, along with the feel of it being a "concept album", it also gives many Prince fans a more intimate interaction with the artist and his art...Prince wasn't simply entertaining the masses with this one...he was sharing himself with us in a sense...and for hardcore fans, that makes it more "valuable" in their eyes...

Lovesexy" became a favorite of mine around the age of 18, when I was struggling to both forge my own identity and cement my spirituality. "Lovesexy" was an album that brought me through. Hearing Prince's humble supplication in "Anna Stesia" to be taught how to love the right way brought me to my knees time and time again. The poignant meaning of "When 2 R in Love" and "I Wish U Heaven" taught me about love in an intimate and a spiritual realm. "Positivity" shed light on the darkness of the world and reminded me to hold on to my soul- this was just the beginning of the ride. Graduating high school and heading to the unknown world of college, "Lovesexy" helped me to establish who I was and what I felt. As a result, its message became my own battle cry.

However, I have a great appreciation for the music as well. Through its wide range of emotion, "Lovesexy" explores the highs and lows of spirituality and its epic messages are present in the instrumentation as well. The ecstasy of the horns in "Eye No," the sexy, confident strut of "Alphabet Street," the closing string jubilation that closes "Glam Slam" which sounds as if it was leaking from an aperture from Heaven itself, the pomp and bombast of "Lovesexy", and the heightened sense of spirit and love that overwhelms "I Wish U Heaven" showcase Prince at his most delighted. His joy is so powerful and so infectious that he cannot help but share it with the world.

Meanwhile, the solitary piano that opens and closes "Anna Stesia" bookends a dark piece whose urgent strings and fiery guitar effervesce with the broken but fighting lyrics of the song and the eerie percussion and writhing synths meandering around a sordid guitar entrench "Positivity" in a diabolical darkness that culminates in the genuinely chill-inducing percussion during the "Spooky and all that he crawls for" segment, only to be vanquished at the end, after which Prince cleanses the listener from the darkness with the soothing water and warm synth paads.

Another aspect of the music of "Lovesexy" is that it is the LAST Prince record that comes from a source of youth. The psychodelic ecstasy of the light songs struts with a youthful vigor. In its hyperactivity, the album can't help but scream "Hundalasiliah!" at the top of its lungs. After this release, Prince moved into darker and more adult territory. Additionally, the sound is so full that it takes the ear several listens to grow accustomed to all of the layers present.

Its messages live within me today and its music continues to surprise me to this day, its many facets showing their faces for the first time with each listen. It is an album overlooked by critics (I've never seen it given more than 3 stars), but cherished by those who are touched by it becuase of its vibrant color, joyous message and unique perspective. There never will be another "Lovesexy" and it stands alone as one of Prince's most singularly identifiable records.

I think many of us who have been fans since the beginning tend to base our opinions on how good a Prince album is, especially one from the 80s, on how much it affected us in our lives at that time. I was 18 when Lovesexy came out and I was just dealing with admitting I was gay. I drew on the spiritual strength of that album to help me get through the rejection I faced from family and friends. I listened to it with a searching soul and I found answers. Some of the answers lie in the album itself, but other answers I discovered within my own self as I listened over and over. Seeing Prince on the cover naked and bare gave me the strength and courage to face my own newfound “nakedness”. Having to face society’s anger and hate was a tough choice but I thought if Prince could be THAT honest and open, so could I. I always saw the cover as one of God’s creatures simply existing in a state of truth. I always knew the cover wasn’t supposed to be a nasty thing, rather Prince exposed and bare and having no shame about basking in the glorious knowledge he found in the midst of despair.

For personal reasons I happen to believe that this album IS a masterpiece. But I also believe this from a musical standpoint. IMO, Lovesexy still sounds fresh. If you took that album and compared it to any and everything around it at the time it was released, it totally stands alone. The only argument about the sound being dated is the use of the Linn drum, other than that, you can’t say this has an 80s sound to it. You really can’t even compare it to the music that Prince made before and after. It is so unique. I agree that this album personified Prince the best.

I love the lyrics. Even the “silly” ones. One of the things that is the most fun about Prince’s music is trying to figure out what all the metaphorical wording means. It brings out the creativity in us all when we discuss lyrics that make absolutely no sense on the surface. Usually we come to amazing conclusions and for that, the lyrics will never bother me. Besides there are many other lyrics that stand out, probably the best being “In every man’s life there will be a hang-up, a whirlwind designed to slow you down. It cuts like a knife, it tries to get in you…this spooky electric sound. Give up if you want to and all is lost, Spooky Electric will be your boss………….Don’t kiss the beast, be superior at least”. I STILL to this day rely on this album to help me achieve the right frame of mind when I think I’m down for the count. It puts me on my feet every time.

Love God, Love Life, Lovesexy!!

...for some people when they look back at certain points in their lives they realize what got them through whatever they were going through, although they don't always realize what's getting them through it as it's happening. It's like an epiphany in retrospect. I completely understand this. As kids, and even young adults sometimes, we're still in the process of finding ourselves, so to speak. Everybody gravitates to what they relate to, even if they can't pinpoint the tangibles of exactly why they relate to it at the time that they're in the process of becoming an independent spirit of their own. And all independent spirits have been heavily influenced by someone, or something, or both.

No bumping your own thread

luv4u,

You make a good point, if you were correct (which, thankfully, in this case you are not).

I decided to break up some of the rather long posts (6 in total), with separate posts, to ensure their substantial points did not get "lost", so to speak, in one rather long original post. Do you understand?

So, whilst I understand your moderation intervention, I would politely ask you to leave the thread unless you have either further moderating perspectives or wish to contribute to the substantive content of the thread.

love,

Spirit

I am correct, no "bumping" your thread.

luv4u,

Bless you, you're actually often not correct, but, as you wish.

If you have nothing further to add, can I ask you to now leave?

Unless, of course, you wish to contribute something new.

love,

Spirit

And When I touch it, race cars burn rubber in my pants!

You want me to walk right down your halls!

You want me to swivel in your love seat, don't you baby!

Prince says some really crazy stuff on Lovesexy, but I like it!

NouveauDance,

Perhaps, I am nuts for not considering Ronnie Talk 2 Russia one of his crowning achievements?

You appear to enjoy beyond left-of-centre twists in his music.

love,

Spirit

Your NouveauDance fanclub membership pack with free badge and signed photo is on it's way.

Tis true, no matter how much I might try and hide, I am something of a closet NouveauDance fan.

In my membership pack, please also include a 3-CD set featuring all beyond left-of-centre ND-selected tracks, especially revolving around the era of Sister Fate.

love,

Spirit

NouveauDance said:

Your NouveauDance fanclub membership pack with free badge and signed photo is on it's way.

And let me tell say that it's the best $77 you'll ever spend.

erik319 said:

NouveauDance said:

Your NouveauDance fanclub membership pack with free badge and signed photo is on it's way.

And let me tell say that it's the best $77 you'll ever spend.

And at least *I* deliver, unlike someone else who says he's gonna put a t-shirt in a jiffy bag for your $77 but never does!

SpiritOtter said:

luv4u,

You make a good point, if you were correct (which, thankfully, in this case you are not).

I decided to break up some of the rather long posts (6 in total), with separate posts, to ensure their substantial points did not get "lost", so to speak, in one rather long original post. Do you understand?

So, whilst I understand your moderation intervention, I would politely ask you to leave the thread unless you have either further moderating perspectives or wish to contribute to the substantive content of the thread.

love,

Spirit

Do you know what bumping a thread is Spirit?

I know you were adding to your THOUGHTS by 'break up some of the rather long posts' IN the thread but, that would be defined or considered to be 'bumping' it.

Luv4u is correct ...

Thank you, PurpleLove7.

love,

Spirit

this forum moves at a god damn snails pace, i dont think him responding to his own thread in a 5minute span is bumping it anywhere. especially if he has an actual reason for doing it

uuhson said:

this forum moves at a god damn snails pace, i dont think him responding to his own thread in a 5minute span is bumping it anywhere. especially if he has an actual reason for doing it

True but, I looked at the times that each post was added and they were added between 4-5 min. from one another, I do not see it as a cause for concern but Luv4u was correct with their statement and warning ( so to speak ).

[snip - OF4S]

PurpleLove7,

For what it's worth, my first 5 posts on this thread were created each within approx. 1 minute of each other; no ill-intended "bumping" was on my mind. My final 2 posts of the original string were clearly spaced further apart and, although I know no ill-intended "bumping" was conducted on my part, I understand the concern (albeit misplaced, in my opinion), which has been expressed.

Clearly, if one reads the content of the posts of the original string, one will follow the train of thought that each substantive post recollects the Black Album/Lovesexy epiphany, as experienced at the time. There was at least a degree of logic behind my wishing to separate the string of posts, as it is difficult to digest information when it is compiled in one post; however, I respect your position.

Ultimately, it would be nice to move forward and find out if and how others enjoyed that period in Prince's career trajectory, as it stimulates an interesting dichotomy between those who believe it was potentially the last period of his peak creativity between 1980-1988.

I appreciate I could have been clearer in setting the scene.

But, this is the .Org; not an academic conference.

love,
Spirit

[snip - OF4S]

[snip - OF4S]

SpiritOtter said:

"So, you found me? Good - I'm glad. This is Prince, the Cool Of Cools. Some of you may know me, some of you may not. Some of you may not want to know. We are here to give you service - please do not try to stop us, for we come regardless. For we are as strong as we are intelligent. So come vibe with us - The Funk Bible, The New Testament..."

I think he's saying crew of crews in reference to his band.