OldFriends4Sale said:

wonder505 said:

Maybe its me but what defines a "ruined career". Again I'm not impressed with his latest lineup (especially the new drummer) but Prince's career is not ruined no matter how much we don't like his output or the way the current band sounds, in view of his enormous catalog he has nothing to prove.

I think his 'recording' career is ruined

His live performance career is doing very good

I know a lady who I found out loves Prince, but she said it as "my favorite live performer"

the Prince of the 2000's I accept his band changing, and don't have a problem with it, it sorta makes sense with his 'recording' career

I know people who love his live performance and later outputs.

Obviously Prince has his own definition of "success" recording wise and doesnt care in part because his live career is still banging.

I think that the people bitching about his newest bandmembers would have been pissing and moaning about Cat, Wally, Brooks, Jerome, and anyone who was not Wendy/Lisa in the glorious 80's.

TrevorAyer said:

prince changing bands completely ruined his career

When did he start changing bands? As early as 1981 or 1982 or so... and it ruined his career??? LMAO!!!

EmancipationLover said:

TrevorAyer said:

prince changing bands completely ruined his career

When did he start changing bands? As early as 1981 or 1982 or so... and it ruined his career??? LMAO!!!

Prince never really changed his band line up until late 1986

what happened between 1978-1986 was not changing band line ups

Gayle left 1980

Andre left 1980/81

Dez left 1983

skywalker said:

I think that the people bitching about his newest bandmembers would have been pissing and moaning about Cat, Wally, Brooks, Jerome, and anyone who was not Wendy/Lisa in the glorious 80's.

it seems the people who have issues with the current line ups tend to like the line ups between 1978-2004 give or take...

Give me Wally Brooks & Jerome over the Game Boyz any day

But Wally & Brooks compared to the other musicians probably don't compare

A lot of fans just don't care for the dancers of any period

wonder505 said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

I think his 'recording' career is ruined

His live performance career is doing very good

I know a lady who I found out loves Prince, but she said it as "my favorite live performer"

the Prince of the 2000's I accept his band changing, and don't have a problem with it, it sorta makes sense with his 'recording' career

I know people who love his live performance and later outputs.

Obviously Prince has his own definition of "success" recording wise and doesnt care in part because his live career is still banging.

I know people too

I think everyone has their own defination of success to some degree, but Prince isn't that far gone to know that record sales, output, ticket sales etc mean a lot, that's probably one reason his Musicology period was such a big deal for him, because it was a bigger return to the spotlight overall than he'd had for a while since the mid late 1990's

He replied to his line "I don't care to win awards all I wanna do D play M S Romance" in 1986 about public acknowledgement and winning some awards, that it really does matter to him.

Yeah his live performance career is banging, but I just want him to keep it fresh with a larger and larger input of his music catalogue, not just the Hits, and less and less covers

and let people view your videos from the beginning till know, stuff like that makes a difference in people finding your music and your place as a successful entertainer in music history

OldFriends4Sale said:

EmancipationLover said:

When did he start changing bands? As early as 1981 or 1982 or so... and it ruined his career??? LMAO!!!

Prince never really changed his band line up until late 1986

what happened between 1978-1986 was not changing band line ups

Gayle left 1980

Andre left 1980/81

Dez left 1983

And Wendy and Lisa plus Brownmark joined the band. Not to talk about the changes within The Revolution. Shortly after the release of Kiss, The Revolution had those people added: Miko Weaver, Eric Leeds, Atlanta Bliss (March 1986).

Overall, that makes at least 3 people leaving and 3 people joining up to 1983 (that means changing ca. more than half of his band just in the first five years of his career). Plus half a football/soccer team officially joining in early 1986.

One of the guys who has left was Prince's childhood friend Andre, and two of the people joining were the two musicians which are repeatedly named to have had the most influence on Prince's musical development (Wendy and Lisa). But he did not change bands until late 1986 - alright, give me a break... What's next, "Prince's career got killed by his androgynous appearance?"

[Edited 1/9/13 11:12am]

OldFriends4Sale said:

riocoolnes said:

Wat's wrong with shelby? she's got a great voice. and andy really isn't part of his band she like joins him on stage for like 2 songs lol.

I don't think they have a problem with her individual singing

I think it's time 4 Shelby to head her own band, she does have a big voice that needs it's spotlight

so diplomatic!

but u are right, i think she has a great voice. for backing vocals

I don't think I have such a problem with him changing bands as I do with him working with these wet-behind-the-ears musicians. The truth is that lately he's had a tendency to take on interns. I know that some of these people have bands in their own right, but they are nowhere near Prince's caliber.

I agree though that it is good for him to switch it up every now and then to give himself a new perspective on his music. However, in the same breath, I think it is beneficial to have amazing chemistry with your band--the kind of chemistry that is developed over time.

It's a conflicting question, but a worthy discussion.

EmancipationLover said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Prince never really changed his band line up until late 1986

what happened between 1978-1986 was not changing band line ups

Gayle left 1980

Andre left 1980/81

Dez left 1983

And Wendy and Lisa plus Brownmark joined the band. Not to talk about the changes within The Revolution. Shortly after the release of Kiss, The Revolution had those people added: Miko Weaver, Eric Leeds, Atlanta Bliss (March 1986).

Overall, that makes at least 3 people leaving and 3 people joining up to 1983 (that means changing ca. more than half of his band just in the first five years of his career). Plus half a football/soccer team officially joining in early 1986.

One of the guys who has left was Prince's childhood friend Andre, and two of the people joining were the two musicians which are repeatedly named to have had the most influence on Prince's musical development (Wendy and Lisa). But he did not change bands until late 1986 - alright, give me a break... What's next, "Prince's career got killed by his androgynous appearance?"

[Edited 1/9/13 11:12am]

Right, what are you disagreeing with, someone leaving the band on their own vs Prince changing the band line up is something totally different. The NPG bands were changed totally(mostly) each time.

Jill Jones was in the 1999 touring band but (the band didn't change as a result) she was never officially a part of the noituloveR

the 1978-1986 band-line up was never "changed", 3 people left in that time period, and the Parade tour line up was not the same as a band change. Susannah, Eric, Jerome, Wally & Greg, Mico were pulled in only because the Family didn't proceed. and Atlanta, all those people were a part of the Family band line up.

Prior to that Eric Leeds spotlighted on a few PR tour pieces, Eddie M spotlighted, Eddie M & Eric performed in the America video, Eddie M saxed on ATWIAD:the Ladder & Tempation, but they weren't officially a part of the band

Prince always had plans for a side project 4 Eric (the Family & Madhouse) even though he did work on Parade/Dream Factory songs albums. He was going to be an addition to the Revolution during the Dream Factory period but still featured on/as Madhouse

the NPG bands-lineup were started and stopped by Prince

even the Revolution/NPG 1987-1988 band was not changed by Prince outside of him removing Wally & Gregory, they weren't on the albums... Cat left & Boni Boyer left. What he was actually going to do with the drummer spot I don't know, since he was working on Sheila E's 4th album

1986/7 was the 1st Prince band change, the next was probably the Batman/1990 Nude/GB line up

No Prince's androgynous appearance helped his image and career...

EmancipationLover said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Prince never really changed his band line up until late 1986

what happened between 1978-1986 was not changing band line ups

Gayle left 1980

Andre left 1980/81

Dez left 1983

And Wendy and Lisa plus Brownmark joined the band. Not to talk about the changes within The Revolution. Shortly after the release of Kiss, The Revolution had those people added: Miko Weaver, Eric Leeds, Atlanta Bliss (March 1986).

Overall, that makes at least 3 people leaving and 3 people joining up to 1983 (that means changing ca. more than half of his band just in the first five years of his career). Plus half a football/soccer team officially joining in early 1986.

One of the guys who has left was Prince's childhood friend Andre, and two of the people joining were the two musicians which are repeatedly named to have had the most influence on Prince's musical development (Wendy and Lisa). But he did not change bands until late 1986 - alright, give me a break... What's next, "Prince's career got killed by his androgynous appearance?"

[Edited 1/9/13 11:12am]

Yep, Prince's bands have always been in some state of fluctuation. There has always been overlap of members.

Has he ever dumped every single member and started anew? I don't think he has. I don't understand why some people would take issue with (what has been standard practice since the early 80's) now.

[Edited 1/9/13 11:45am]

OldFriends4Sale said:

EmancipationLover said:

And Wendy and Lisa plus Brownmark joined the band. Not to talk about the changes within The Revolution. Shortly after the release of Kiss, The Revolution had those people added: Miko Weaver, Eric Leeds, Atlanta Bliss (March 1986).

Overall, that makes at least 3 people leaving and 3 people joining up to 1983 (that means changing ca. more than half of his band just in the first five years of his career). Plus half a football/soccer team officially joining in early 1986.

One of the guys who has left was Prince's childhood friend Andre, and two of the people joining were the two musicians which are repeatedly named to have had the most influence on Prince's musical development (Wendy and Lisa). But he did not change bands until late 1986 - alright, give me a break... What's next, "Prince's career got killed by his androgynous appearance?"

[Edited 1/9/13 11:12am]

Right, what are you disagreeing with, someone leaving the band on their own vs Prince changing the band line up is something totally different. The NPG bands were changed totally(mostly) each time.

Jill Jones was in the 1999 touring band but (the band didn't change as a result) she was never officially a part of the noituloveR

the 1978-1986 band-line up was never "changed", 3 people left in that time period, and the Parade tour line up was not the same as a band change. Susannah, Eric, Jerome, Wally & Greg, Mico were pulled in only because the Family didn't proceed. and Atlanta, all those people were a part of the Family band line up.

Prior to that Eric Leeds spotlighted on a few PR tour pieces, Eddie M spotlighted, Eddie M & Eric performed in the America video, Eddie M saxed on ATWIAD:the Ladder & Tempation, but they weren't officially a part of the band

Prince always had plans for a side project 4 Eric (the Family & Madhouse) even though he did work on Parade/Dream Factory songs albums. He was going to be an addition to the Revolution during the Dream Factory period but still featured on/as Madhouse

the NPG bands-lineup were started and stopped by Prince

even the Revolution/NPG 1987-1988 band was not changed by Prince outside of him removing Wally & Gregory, they weren't on the albums... Cat left & Boni Boyer left. What he was actually going to do with the drummer spot I don't know, since he was working on Sheila E's 4th album

1986/7 was the 1st Prince band change, the next was probably the Batman/1990 Nude/GB line up

No Prince's androgynous appearance helped his image and career...

So Prince added something like half a band to the existing band in early 1986, with people playing instruments which were never part of his previous official bands, but that didn't change his band line-up? Alright...

And irony (and/or sarcasm) does/do not seem to be very popular around here anymore...

skywalker said:

EmancipationLover said:

And Wendy and Lisa plus Brownmark joined the band. Not to talk about the changes within The Revolution. Shortly after the release of Kiss, The Revolution had those people added: Miko Weaver, Eric Leeds, Atlanta Bliss (March 1986).

Overall, that makes at least 3 people leaving and 3 people joining up to 1983 (that means changing ca. more than half of his band just in the first five years of his career). Plus half a football/soccer team officially joining in early 1986.

One of the guys who has left was Prince's childhood friend Andre, and two of the people joining were the two musicians which are repeatedly named to have had the most influence on Prince's musical development (Wendy and Lisa). But he did not change bands until late 1986 - alright, give me a break... What's next, "Prince's career got killed by his androgynous appearance?"

[Edited 1/9/13 11:12am]

Yep, Prince's bands have always been in some state of fluctuation. There has always been overlap of members.

Has he ever dumped every single member and started anew? I don't think he has. I don't understand why some people would take issue with (what has been standard practice since the early 80's) now.

[Edited 1/9/13 11:45am]

skywalker said:

EmancipationLover said:

And Wendy and Lisa plus Brownmark joined the band. Not to talk about the changes within The Revolution. Shortly after the release of Kiss, The Revolution had those people added: Miko Weaver, Eric Leeds, Atlanta Bliss (March 1986).

Overall, that makes at least 3 people leaving and 3 people joining up to 1983 (that means changing ca. more than half of his band just in the first five years of his career). Plus half a football/soccer team officially joining in early 1986.

One of the guys who has left was Prince's childhood friend Andre, and two of the people joining were the two musicians which are repeatedly named to have had the most influence on Prince's musical development (Wendy and Lisa). But he did not change bands until late 1986 - alright, give me a break... What's next, "Prince's career got killed by his androgynous appearance?"

[Edited 1/9/13 11:12am]

Yeah, Prince's bands have always been in some state of fluctuation. There seems like there has always been crossover of members.

Has he ever dumped every single memebr and started anew? I don't think he has. I don't understand why some people would take issue with (what has been standard practice since the early 80's) now.

But Prince has never removed members in the early mid 1980's it wasn't till 1986 that he actually removed Bobby Z, Lisa Coleman & Wendy Melvoin, & BrownMark left on his own

outside of Dr Fink, everyone else was technically new to the band, a collage of people from his existing camp (except for Cat)

EmancipationLover said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Right, what are you disagreeing with, someone leaving the band on their own vs Prince changing the band line up is something totally different. The NPG bands were changed totally(mostly) each time.

Jill Jones was in the 1999 touring band but (the band didn't change as a result) she was never officially a part of the noituloveR

the 1978-1986 band-line up was never "changed", 3 people left in that time period, and the Parade tour line up was not the same as a band change. Susannah, Eric, Jerome, Wally & Greg, Mico were pulled in only because the Family didn't proceed. and Atlanta, all those people were a part of the Family band line up.

Prior to that Eric Leeds spotlighted on a few PR tour pieces, Eddie M spotlighted, Eddie M & Eric performed in the America video, Eddie M saxed on ATWIAD:the Ladder & Tempation, but they weren't officially a part of the band

Prince always had plans for a side project 4 Eric (the Family & Madhouse) even though he did work on Parade/Dream Factory songs albums. He was going to be an addition to the Revolution during the Dream Factory period but still featured on/as Madhouse

the NPG bands-lineup were started and stopped by Prince

even the Revolution/NPG 1987-1988 band was not changed by Prince outside of him removing Wally & Gregory, they weren't on the albums... Cat left & Boni Boyer left. What he was actually going to do with the drummer spot I don't know, since he was working on Sheila E's 4th album

1986/7 was the 1st Prince band change, the next was probably the Batman/1990 Nude/GB line up

No Prince's androgynous appearance helped his image and career...

So Prince added something like half a band to the existing band in early 1986, with people playing instruments which were never part of his previous official bands, but that didn't change his band line-up? Alright...

And irony (and/or sarcasm) does/do not seem to be very popular around here anymore...

I'm not saying there was no change, of course there is, but according to the discussion topic, their was no removal and replacement of the band. Like he did with the 1992-1996/7 band with a total change with the 1997--2003 band, the 2004-2009 band etc

seems like there have been 3-4 major band changes (not counting someone leaving)

a lot of temp/additional/and current line up changes between late 1986-Batman period/GB-Nude tour/Diamonds & Pearls,

seems like Diamonds & Pearls was a huge overhaul

Diamonds & Pearls/Tour
Prince & The New Power Generation
Prince
Levi Seacer Jr, (g)
Sonney Thompaon (b)
Rosie Gaines (key)
Tommy Barbarella (key)
Michael Bland (dr)
Mayte Garcia (dance)
Diamond: Lori Elle ( dance)
Pearl : Robia LaMorte( dance)
The Game Boyz
Kirk Johnson ( dancer, percussion)
Tony Mosley ( dancer, Rapper)
Damon Dickson ( dancer)
NPG Horns
Brian Gallagher ( tener sax)
Kathy Jensen ( baritone sax)
Dave Jenson ( trumpet)
Steve Strand ( trumpet)

PurpleChi said:

I don't think I have such a problem with him changing bands as I do with him working with these wet-behind-the-ears musicians. The truth is that lately he's had a tendency to take on interns. I know that some of these people have bands in their own right, but they are nowhere near Prince's caliber.

I agree though that it is good for him to switch it up every now and then to give himself a new perspective on his music. However, in the same breath, I think it is beneficial to have amazing chemistry with your band--the kind of chemistry that is developed over time.

It's a conflicting question, but a worthy discussion.

adding a new musician here and there could have added something to prince legacy .. dez quit .. he was great but fine .. so we get wendy .. that was great too .. same backing band mostly intact .. eric leeds puts on some sax .. great .. adds something to prince music .. clare fisher adds some cool ass strings .. great adds something to the mix .. yet the band is still there absorbing gelling doing there thing .. but most of all .. sounding like prince ..

imagine e street if they replaced clarence clemmons with a harmonica player .. and there you have it .. prince mind set in a nut shell .. prince will have saxaphones play his fucking guitar solos .. yes he is that stupid .. prince will turn a funk masterpiece into elevator jazz (thanks renato)

ya know what .. let prince change his crappy band .. tell him it sounds great or its the best fucking live show ever or some other complete bull shit .. just don't let your crappy new band butcher the classic music when you had a perfectly capable band that actually made the music sound as good if not better than prince in the studio .. go aheAD have candy dulfer sleep drool all over xpectation or news .. or let john blackwell jazz flat snare that sounds like a tom tom muddy up the entire rainbow children era .. just stop letting these hacks butcher the good songs .. show some respect to the music .. the music is bigger than prince and he acts like as long as he is on stage it is the same or good enough or why should you do that when you can do this .. well compare that to this .. THATS WHY

can u believe prince dumped eric leeds and took on tony m .. are people really going to argue this as keeping it fresh??

thanks of4s for your consistant sanity .. the org needs it .. as does the purple dino himself .. barny ooops i mean prince

Ask urself this, is there any member of any of Prince's bands that u wished stayed with him to this day from the past? when i ask myself this question i say yes Eric leeds. Other than Eric to me the rest are disposable and represent a period of Prince. Also, If u were Prince wouldn't u wanna work with as many people as possible. Also, working with different musiciams is probably wat made Prince. Prince uninfluenced was Pop funk like we see on dirty mind and Prince. Prince influenced by wendy and lisa became more rock. Prince influenced tony m became hip hop prince.

George Strait has kept his band membrz ACE IN THE HOLE .... its worked for him ...

my to favs artist

George Strait

and

Prince

you see it ~

riocoolnes said:Ask urself this, is there any member of any of Prince's bands that u wished stayed with him to this day from the past? when i ask myself this question i say yes Eric leeds. Other than Eric to me the rest are disposable and represent a period of Prince. Also, If u were Prince wouldn't u wanna work with as many people as possible. Also, working with different musiciams is probably wat made Prince. Prince uninfluenced was Pop funk like we see on dirty mind and Prince. Prince influenced by wendy and lisa became more rock. Prince influenced tony m became hip hop prince.

OldFriends4Sale:

Going to have to take u to task my friend

Yes, even Eric said some of the most wonderful stuff he worked within Prince's camp was with Lisa & Wendy

But I would have loved to hear more collaboration with Eddie M & Prince,

Eddie & Eric both had a unique sound when it blended with Prince's style of music.

Lisa Coleman though 4 me more than anyone, When Lisa came on board that's when you saw a drastic deepening in Prince music. And definately not disposable, Prince himself said he could count on someone in his band at the time, especially Lisa or Wendy to keep him on his toes, I don't think he's ever had that since.

But 2 me it's the people of the 1978-1988 period(proteges included) that were non disposable, because they really did a good job reflecting Princes sound(not changing it to sound like the other people on the scene)

I would say Dr Fink definately too no one cuts those Minneapolis synths and solos like him

Because I love Prince's classic sound, I would say working with too many people that don't somehow reflect his style and sound, can mess it up.

The statement 'working with different musicians is probably wat made Prince' is sorta wrong and goes against Prince history. the people who came into his camp in those early years were still fresh to the scene as well and the 'purple music' developement came about because of Prince's openess with these people when he was still fresh and new himself. ...Making a style all his own.

Prince was influenced by Dez the most when it came to rock. It was Dez that was pushing Prince to amp up the shows with rock.

Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic is good example of working with too many outside musicians going wrong.

Performing with non Prince camp musicians live, can probably be more interesting than looking for something on records. Like some of the Parade shows and Lovesexy aftershows

OldFriends4Sale said:

riocoolnes said:Ask urself this, is there any member of any of Prince's bands that u wished stayed with him to this day from the past? when i ask myself this question i say yes Eric leeds. Other than Eric to me the rest are disposable and represent a period of Prince. Also, If u were Prince wouldn't u wanna work with as many people as possible. Also, working with different musiciams is probably wat made Prince. Prince uninfluenced was Pop funk like we see on dirty mind and Prince. Prince influenced by wendy and lisa became more rock. Prince influenced tony m became hip hop prince.

OldFriends4Sale:

Going to have to take u to task my friend

Yes, even Eric said some of the most wonderful stuff he worked within Prince's camp was with Lisa & Wendy

But I would have loved to hear more collaboration with Eddie M & Prince,

Eddie & Eric both had a unique sound when it blended with Prince's style of music.

Lisa Coleman though 4 me more than anyone, When Lisa came on board that's when you saw a drastic deepening in Prince music. And definately not disposable, Prince himself said he could count on someone in his band at the time, especially Lisa or Wendy to keep him on his toes, I don't think he's ever had that since.

But 2 me it's the people of the 1978-1988 period(proteges included) that were non disposable, because they really did a good job reflecting Princes sound(not changing it to sound like the other people on the scene)

I would say Dr Fink definately too no one cuts those Minneapolis synths and solos like him

Because I love Prince's classic sound, I would say working with too many people that don't somehow reflect his style and sound, can mess it up.

The statement 'working with different musicians is probably wat made Prince' is sorta wrong and goes against Prince history. the people who came into his camp in those early years were still fresh to the scene as well and the 'purple music' developement came about because of Prince's openess with these people when he was still fresh and new himself. ...Making a style all his own.

Prince was influenced by Dez the most when it came to rock. It was Dez that was pushing Prince to amp up the shows with rock.

Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic is good example of working with too many outside musicians going wrong.

Performing with non Prince camp musicians live, can probably be more interesting than looking for something on records. Like some of the Parade shows and Lovesexy aftershows

i guess wat i meant is that it's not like there was any member in any of prince's bands except for eric leeds in my opinion that i feel that prince suffered from losing. Without wendy and lisa he recorded Sign O' The times and diamonds and Pearls. Without dez he recorded purple rain. It's not like michael jackson who suffered without quincy. Prince has made it work time and time again with different musicians. Ur right also about fink though. so leeds and fink.

riocoolnes said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

riocoolnes said:Ask urself this, is there any member of any of Prince's bands that u wished stayed with him to this day from the past? when i ask myself this question i say yes Eric leeds. Other than Eric to me the rest are disposable and represent a period of Prince. Also, If u were Prince wouldn't u wanna work with as many people as possible. Also, working with different musiciams is probably wat made Prince. Prince uninfluenced was Pop funk like we see on dirty mind and Prince. Prince influenced by wendy and lisa became more rock. Prince influenced tony m became hip hop prince.

OldFriends4Sale:

Going to have to take u to task my friend

Yes, even Eric said some of the most wonderful stuff he worked within Prince's camp was with Lisa & Wendy

But I would have loved to hear more collaboration with Eddie M & Prince,

Eddie & Eric both had a unique sound when it blended with Prince's style of music.

Lisa Coleman though 4 me more than anyone, When Lisa came on board that's when you saw a drastic deepening in Prince music. And definately not disposable, Prince himself said he could count on someone in his band at the time, especially Lisa or Wendy to keep him on his toes, I don't think he's ever had that since.

But 2 me it's the people of the 1978-1988 period(proteges included) that were non disposable, because they really did a good job reflecting Princes sound(not changing it to sound like the other people on the scene)

I would say Dr Fink definately too no one cuts those Minneapolis synths and solos like him

Because I love Prince's classic sound, I would say working with too many people that don't somehow reflect his style and sound, can mess it up.

The statement 'working with different musicians is probably wat made Prince' is sorta wrong and goes against Prince history. the people who came into his camp in those early years were still fresh to the scene as well and the 'purple music' developement came about because of Prince's openess with these people when he was still fresh and new himself. ...Making a style all his own.

Prince was influenced by Dez the most when it came to rock. It was Dez that was pushing Prince to amp up the shows with rock.

Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic is good example of working with too many outside musicians going wrong.

Performing with non Prince camp musicians live, can probably be more interesting than looking for something on records. Like some of the Parade shows and Lovesexy aftershows

i guess wat i meant is that it's not like there was any member in any of prince's bands except for eric leeds in my opinion that i feel that prince suffered from losing. Without wendy and lisa he recorded Sign O' The times and diamonds and Pearls. Without dez he recorded purple rain. It's not like michael jackson who suffered without quincy. Prince has made it work time and time again with different musicians. Ur right also about fink though. so leeds and fink.

Well, SOTT is a different story since 99% of it was already recorded, during the Dream Factory sessions. the official SOTT band did not record with Prince on that album

And many would say you can see the drop in production after that period too, Prince was riding off those years of Purple & Paisley reign...some of his best music on GB was recorded with the Revolution from the Dream Factory years.

I'm not too crazy about Diamonds & Pearls but some of the best stuff is just some kind of simple template of what he's done in his previous years music.

And even Prince said 2 Wendy & Lisa years later during his Emancipation

these walls I talk
Tellin' 'em what I wasn't strong enough 2 say
2 these walls I talk
Tellin' 'em how I cried the day U went away

How do we ever lose communication?
How do we ever lose each other's sound?
Baby, if U wanna, we can fix the situation
Maybe we can stop the rain from coming down

Yeah

In this bed I scream

i think it's great that prince gives so many different people a chance to shine. that seems really generous to me

SuperSoulFighter said:

This is another one of those situations where our purple buddy just can't win. If he'd still be playing with his old band members, folks here would be going,"oh no, not a Sheila E drum soloagain! And since the man mostly records all by himself, it doesn't make that much difference for his albums anyway. Besides, we all know Prince is a harsh taskmaster. I can totally understand musicians wanting to take a break from him.

^and this

I agree with SuperSoulFighter. It's a "catch 22" situation for P with band members. I like the change because it keeps it interesting. Not only for him but for the fans also.

I haven't heard any of the new rehearsals, but if the band is "butchering" the classics then P may need to tighten them up. We all know he's a perfectionist so I can't see P and his band going out playing the "classics" wrong.

Besides the Revolution the only one's I liked were Maceo, Eric and Sheila. Glad to see the rest go!

EmancipationLover said:

skywalker said:

Yep, Prince's bands have always been in some state of fluctuation. There has always been overlap of members.

Has he ever dumped every single member and started anew? I don't think he has. I don't understand why some people would take issue with (what has been standard practice since the early 80's) now.

[Edited 1/9/13 11:45am]

The Family broke up much too soon and their album was sadly overlooked in the scheme of things, but it’s sad that everything happens for a reason. In this case, the reason turned into Prince and the “Counterrevolution” as his band unexpectedly doubled in size to accommodate Family members Miko Weaver (the guitarist), Eric Leeds (the saxophonist) and Jerome Benton (the foil), along with two dancers and a trumpeter. While some of the newcomers made fleeting appearances on the PARADE album, they didn’t officially join the group until afterward.

-Alan Leeds