Hearing live recordings and or seeing him live, I always think that "wow" if he had a strong backing vocals it would bring a color to his music. I know u guys are gonna through Rosie or Bonnie in tha mix, or that he's to cheap to pay anyone. But im sure its a few gulable singer out there who would jump at the chance to be part of his musical world. What your feeling? on this.

KICKDRUMZ said:

Hearing live recordings and or seeing him live, I always think that "wow" if he had a strong backing vocals it would bring a color to his music. I know u guys are gonna through Rosie or Bonnie in tha mix, or that he's to cheap to pay anyone. But im sure its a few gulable singer out there who would jump at the chance to be part of his musical world. What your feeling? on this.

I think the women he has are quality singers

I just don't think that it works with Prince's music well to me especially being too big in voice

I've always loved Jill Jones shadowing Prince's voice, or Lisa or Sheila

Let me just say I love the female backing vocals from the the 1980's

Jill Jones Vanity Brenda Sheila Lisa Taj Susannah Cat & Wendy

Boni was the start of the Big (gospel) vocal sound but on the albums and tours she was to big

OldFriends4Sale said:

KICKDRUMZ said:

Hearing live recordings and or seeing him live, I always think that "wow" if he had a strong backing vocals it would bring a color to his music. I know u guys are gonna through Rosie or Bonnie in tha mix, or that he's to cheap to pay anyone. But im sure its a few gulable singer out there who would jump at the chance to be part of his musical world. What your feeling? on this.

I think the women he has are quality singers

I just don't think that it works with Prince's music well too me especially being to big in voice

I've always loved Jill Jones shadowing Prince's voice, or Lisa or Sheila

Let me just say I love the female backing vocals from the the 1980's

Jill Jones Vanity Brenda Sheila Lisa Taj Susannah Cat & Wendy

Boni was the start of the Big (gospel) vocal sound but on the albums and tours she was to big

I get that, I mean he does'nt have to have Luther Vandross type background singers, just better ones that complement his voice and music to make it sound more colorful

To tell the truth, through the 80's I think he used more homemade sounding backup singers in order to seem more cool and punk and rough with his mixes. I think it was with Bonnie on the SOTT tour that he started using more accomplished backup vocalists and this led to Rosie in the studio for D&P. Since then he has even hired specialized male backup vocalists here and there.

Could it be that he's more image conscious?

If not for this shift in his approach we'd never get gems like Rosie Gaine's constipated

Ahhhhh Came to Paaaahhhhhteeeeeee introduction 1999-The New Master.

That shit SAVES The New Master for me. I can't tell you how many times I've laughed at that.

imago said:

If not for this shift in his approach we'd never get gems like Rosie Gaine's constipated

Ahhhhh Came to Paaaahhhhhteeeeeee introduction 1999-The New Master.

That shit SAVES The New Master for me. I can't tell you how many times I've laughed at that.

It makes a good ringtone.

OldFriends4Sale said:

KICKDRUMZ said:

Hearing live recordings and or seeing him live, I always think that "wow" if he had a strong backing vocals it would bring a color to his music. I know u guys are gonna through Rosie or Bonnie in tha mix, or that he's to cheap to pay anyone. But im sure its a few gulable singer out there who would jump at the chance to be part of his musical world. What your feeling? on this.

I think the women he has are quality singers

I just don't think that it works with Prince's music well too me especially being to big in voice

I've always loved Jill Jones shadowing Prince's voice, or Lisa or Sheila

Let me just say I love the female backing vocals from the the 1980's

Jill Jones Vanity Brenda Sheila Lisa Taj Susannah Cat & Wendy

Boni was the start of the Big (gospel) vocal sound but on the albums and tours she was to big

I like the 80s background vocals the best, too, especially Lisa on the early albums and tours.

duggalolly said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

I think the women he has are quality singers

I just don't think that it works with Prince's music well too me especially being to big in voice

I've always loved Jill Jones shadowing Prince's voice, or Lisa or Sheila

Let me just say I love the female backing vocals from the the 1980's

Jill Jones Vanity Brenda Sheila Lisa Taj Susannah Cat & Wendy

Boni was the start of the Big (gospel) vocal sound but on the albums and tours she was to big

I like the 80s background vocals the best, too, especially Lisa on the early albums and tours.

The woman he has singing for him now are professionals

Each of his background singers could be perfect solo projects with a more mature voice and attitude than many of the previous side-projects. So, I don't really see a problem in the quality of the voices.

I think what people mostly have a problem with is how he assigns them to often take the main vocal line (to save his own voice?), or where they seem to go overboard in trying to engage the crowd... by endlessly yelling "partyyy" etc. I could live without that bit.

Still love Shelby doing "Which way is up" and "baby love". I personally dislike the cheezy Vegas versions of songs like "Love thy will be done".

But all that has more to do with artistic choices, most likely by Prince, in how the show should work.

zobilamouche said:

Each of his background singers could be perfect solo projects with a more mature voice and attitude than many of the previous side-projects. So, I don't really see a problem in the quality of the voices.

I think what people mostly have a problem with is how he assigns them to often take the main vocal line (to save his own voice?), or where they seem to go overboard in trying to engage the crowd... by endlessly yelling "partyyy" etc. I could live without that bit.

Still love Shelby doing "Which way is up" and "baby love". I personally dislike the cheezy Vegas versions of songs like "Love thy will be done".

But all that has more to do with artistic choices, most likely by Prince, in how the show should work.

Its his choicing.

ufoclub said:

imago said:

If not for this shift in his approach we'd never get gems like Rosie Gaine's constipated

Ahhhhh Came to Paaaahhhhhteeeeeee introduction 1999-The New Master.

That shit SAVES The New Master for me. I can't tell you how many times I've laughed at that.

It makes a good ringtone.

omg !!!

"Why don't"? ...why dont?

Nevermind some popstars employ...

shaking my damn head

ufoclub said:

To tell the truth, through the 80's I think he used more homemade sounding backup singers in order to seem more cool and punk and rough with his mixes. I think it was with Bonnie on the SOTT tour that he started using more accomplished backup vocalists and this led to Rosie in the studio for D&P. Since then he has even hired specialized male backup vocalists here and there.

I don't think Boni was more accomplished than Jill

And he used Jill as a studio/sessions vocal singer on every protege album and his own from the time she joined his camp.

laurarichardson said:

duggalolly said:

I like the 80s background vocals the best, too, especially Lisa on the early albums and tours.

The woman he has singing for him now are professionals

how would they be defined as professional and not Lisa?

fantasticjoy said:

There's only room for one diva on his stage.

[img:$uid]http://gifsoup.com/view/775122/prince-o.gif[/img:$uid]

YASSS...they need to get with it!

angel345 said:

Could it be that he's more image conscious?

No-one who is image conscious has a bald chick within a ten mile radius.

Jagar said:

angel345 said:

Could it be that he's more image conscious?

No-one who is image conscious has a bald chick within a ten mile radius.

Prey tell, and who's the bald chick?

rdhull said:

Could you define what you mean by "more colorful" because the current singers as well as Bonnie and Rosie brought many levels of texture, tone, depth, and range to the live performances so I don't know what you mean by "more colorful. On the other hand, Jill, Wendy, and Lisa were more monotone and bland, perfect for a rock and punk sound. So, it is not clear what you mean by "more colorful." Often on this site, people use taste and quality as synonyms so that if something does not appeal to their tastes then it must be of low quality. Currently, and for a while now, Prince is interested in having heavy overtones of soul layering his pop, rock, and jazz sound. So, again, I don't know how the performances could be "more colorful".

1725topp said:

Could you define what you mean by "more colorful" because the current singers as well as Bonnie and Rosie brought many levels of texture, tone, depth, and range to the live performances so I don't know what you mean by "more colorful. On the other hand, Jill, Wendy, and Lisa were more monotone and bland, perfect for a rock and punk sound. So, it is not clear what you mean by "more colorful." Often on this site, people use taste and quality as synonyms so that if something does not appeal to their tastes then it must be of low quality. Currently, and for a while now, Prince is interested in having heavy overtones of soul layering his pop, rock, and jazz sound. So, again, I don't know how the performances could be "more colorful".

Jill started out as a backup singer for Tina Marie

then joined Prince's camp, I don't know what songs you think they sound bland and monotone in

from Automatic Free Uptown Irresistable Bitch the Ladder Purple Rain Raspberry Beret Take Me With U 1999 Little Red Corvette Hello Computer Blue ATWIAD I Wonder U Mountains Strange Relationships etc etc

This is Prince music Funk Rock RnB Pop, they took lead parts small parts speaking parts and definately not bland

Qtips..........lots of them.

fantasticjoy said:

There's only room for one diva on his stage.

You don't know how true you are.

I once had dinner with one of Bobby Byrd's sons (can't remember which), who knew Rosie Gaines.

He said Prince let Rosie go because Rosie was a better singer than he was, and it was too noticeable onstage.

duggalolly said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

I think the women he has are quality singers

I just don't think that it works with Prince's music well too me especially being to big in voice

I've always loved Jill Jones shadowing Prince's voice, or Lisa or Sheila

Let me just say I love the female backing vocals from the the 1980's

Jill Jones Vanity Brenda Sheila Lisa Taj Susannah Cat & Wendy

Boni was the start of the Big (gospel) vocal sound but on the albums and tours she was to big

I like the 80s background vocals the best, too, especially Lisa on the early albums and tours.

The woman he has singing for him now are professionals

RodeoSchro said:

fantasticjoy said:

There's only room for one diva on his stage.

You don't know how true you are.

I once had dinner with one of Bobby Byrd's sons (can't remember which), who knew Rosie Gaines.

He said Prince let Rosie go because Rosie was a better singer than he was, and it was too noticeable onstage.

Says one side of the story.........

I have to agree with OldFriends4Sale and the others about the 80s backup vocalists. I think it's a question of balance and what voices best complement Prince's lead vocals. I also second duggalolly about Lisa; she definitely added something to those early 80s tracks without overpowering. I don't understand the "professionals" vs. "non-professionals" logic. Aside from Jill Jones, wasn't Susannah also working as a backup vocalist? (I don't know if this was pre- or post-Prince though.)

As a side note, I listened to Prince's version of "Nothing Compares 2 U" with Rosie Gaines yesterday. I have mixed feelings about it, but I kind of wish the vocals were less gospel-y, or maybe not a duet.

Still, I agree with the other posters that the quality of the backup vocalists isn't as much of the issue as their style, and obviously Prince has a reason for the shift...

RodeoSchro said:

fantasticjoy said:

There's only room for one diva on his stage.

You don't know how true you are.

I once had dinner with one of Bobby Byrd's sons (can't remember which), who knew Rosie Gaines.

He said Prince let Rosie go because Rosie was a better singer than he was, and it was too noticeable onstage.

Always thought she left because she didn't get along with Tony, Kirky and Damon.

OldFriends4Sale said:

Jill started out as a backup singer for Tina Marie

then joined Prince's camp, I don't know what songs you think they sound bland and monotone in

from Automatic Free Uptown Irresistable Bitch the Ladder Purple Rain Raspberry Beret Take Me With U 1999 Little Red Corvette Hello Computer Blue ATWIAD I Wonder U Mountains Strange Relationships etc etc

This is Prince music Funk Rock RnB Pop, they took lead parts small parts speaking parts and definately not bland

Besides being a back-up for Tina Marie, most of the songs you listed are making my point. Jill Jones is not a soul singer, and her voice does not have the depth, texture, range, and richness of Bonnie Boyer, Rosie Gaines, or Shelby J. Now, I'm not saying that Jill is a hack or can't sing. But, other than "The Ladder" you did not mention a song where the vocals are layered with various types of octaves by anyone other than Prince. "I Wonder U" and "Mountains" are pretty, but the backing vocals are one-dimensional being in the same falsetto register as Prince. Similarly, "Free” is mostly Prince with the other input being someone to simply mimic his falsetto while his voice dances up and down the vocal register. And in "AUTOMatic" they are supposed to sound monotone so that Prince's multi-octave can provide the soul and urgency against their cold vocals as their vocals symbolize the aloofness or distance of the cold-hearted lover, and Prince's vocal symbolizes the emotion (pain) of the speaker trying to melt or break through the cold wall of distance and indefference of the lover, which, again, is symbolized by the monotone falsetto of the girls. In fact, Prince uses their singular or one-octave range as a contrast to his multi-octave vocals so it is he who is providing the textures to those songs, not Jill, Wendy, or Lisa. Again, I'm not saying that they are weak or are doing anything negative or not talented, but the vocal richness on those songs are provided by Prince not by Jill, Wendy, or Lisa because they are pretty one-dimensional on those songs. Of course, what they are doing is needed for the sound that Prince wanted to create, but, for the most part, they are mostly just mimicking his falsetto or providing airy and whimsical falsetto or soprano to contrast to his falsetto, alto, and bass or baritone. Now, there is a lot more happening on "Strange Relationship," and I don't know all of the backers on "SR," so I'll give you that one, but Jill, strictly as a vocalist, is not a soul singer, has not added much diversity of vocal texture, and does not have the range, texture, or depth of Bonnie, Rosie, or Shelby.

[Edited 5/27/12 18:36pm]

1725topp said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Jill started out as a backup singer for Tina Marie

then joined Prince's camp, I don't know what songs you think they sound bland and monotone in

from Automatic Free Uptown Irresistable Bitch the Ladder Purple Rain Raspberry Beret Take Me With U 1999 Little Red Corvette Hello Computer Blue ATWIAD I Wonder U Mountains Strange Relationships etc etc

This is Prince music Funk Rock RnB Pop, they took lead parts small parts speaking parts and definately not bland

Besides being a back-up for Tina Marie, most of the songs you listed are making my point. Jill Jones is not a soul singer, and her voice does not have the depth, texture, range, and richness of Bonnie Boyer, Rosie Gaines, or Shelby J. Now, I'm not saying that Jill is a hack or can't sing. But, other than "The Ladder" you did not mention a song where the vocals are layered with various types of octaves by anyone other than Prince. "I Wonder U" and "Mountains" are pretty, but the backing vocals are one-dimensional being in the same falsetto register as Prince. Similarly, "Free” is mostly Prince with the other input being someone to simply mimic his falsetto while his voice dances up and down the vocal register. And in "AUTOMatic" they are supposed to sound monotone so that Prince's multi-octave can provide the soul and urgency against their cold vocals as their vocals symbolize the aloofness or distance of the cold-hearted lover, and Prince's vocal symbolizes the emotion (pain) of the speaker trying to melt or break through the cold wall of distance and indefference of the lover, which, again, is symbolized by the monotone falsetto of the girls. In fact, Prince uses their singular or one-octave range as a contrast to his multi-octave vocals so it is he who is providing the textures to those songs, not Jill, Wendy, or Lisa. Again, I'm not saying that they are weak or are doing anything negative or not talented, but the vocal richness on those songs are provided by Prince not by Jill, Wendy, or Lisa because they are pretty one-dimensional on those songs. Of course, what they are doing is needed for the sound that Prince wanted to create, but, for the most part, they are mostly just mimicking his falsetto or providing airy and whimsical falsetto or soprano to contrast to his falsetto, alto, and bass or baritone. Now, there is a lot more happening on "Strange Relationship," and I don't know all of the backers on "SR," so I'll give you that one, but Jill, strictly as a vocalist, is not a soul singer, has not added much diversity of vocal texture, and does not have the range, texture, or depth of Bonnie, Rosie, or Shelby.

[Edited 5/27/12 18:36pm]

I beg to differ with Jill Jones, what exactly defines a soul singer anyway? All soul singers can't "blow" nor do they need to

Hmmmm and Tina Marie must was RJ funk & soul and she had a monotone singer with no depth??? sounds suspicious

I've heard Boni Boyer and Boni is very 1 dimensional in that it's mostly wailing type singing, even when she was responding sex to Prince during Strange Relationships @ 1st Ave open rehearsal it was the same thing she always did. But Jill's moaning on Lady Cab Driver showed vocal control and range that Boni couldn't have pulled off cause she has to do it gospel

Jill Jones: Kiss (extended) Jill Jones Hello (extended) Jill Jones album

Automatic

I'll go down on U all night long, it's automatic,
JJ:U will?

yes I will babe)

In that 2 word peace she responded to Prince with sexy controlled range

Rosie Bonie & Shelby sorry it's all the same, I've heard some of Rosies music outside of Prince and her vocal theatrics are all the same.

I'm not saying Shelby or Rosie can't sing of course, but I don't think just because someone is a 'soul singer'means they have range, cause they do the same thing over and over to me.