Very true. Completely agreed. I think THIS is what most likely would happen had he appeared only later. He'd be maybe not so much regarded as he is now. But very much regarded as well. And his work from this later period on would be much more appreciated, not suffering from comparison of his earlier 80s work.

skywalker said:

Let's pretend that Prince's 1st release was in 1991. Diamonds and Pearls is his debut album.

I imagine that he would have had an ENORMOUS amount of critical praise as a new artist. Even if you eliminate his 70's and 80's output.

I think that Prince post 1988 destroys each and everyone of these artist and their entire existing catalog.

Furthermore, I think Prince's post 1980's output would be more well respected if it were judged on it's own terms, but it never will be.

Well, I think that Lovesexy was his last truly great album.
I like Diamonds and Pearls, 3121 and Musicology, but I understand that these albums are hardly amazing.

but Prince is not my favorite artist ... one of

I have to say yes since I think he has released many good albums imho. There was a period I was not too fond of, like NPS to TRC. I do think of it this way though, I can probably count on one hand how many artists make as many good records as Prince in the 90's and 00's. I liked select songs from the 80's growing up but it was the D&P era that got me hooked for sure. It must have been the right timing in my life to hear those songs. It wasn't until I got The Hits/Bsides that I found most of his gems from the 80's and it was all over after that. I had to go and buy every album because I was looking for my dose of purple music after I played the hits and bsides to death. I'm realistic about his output today though. He is older and doesn't have the edge he used to but he can still craft a good tune that catches your ear and I enjoy the best of his recent stuff.

housequake82 said:

I have to say yes since I think he has released many good albums imho. There was a period I was not too fond of, like NPS to TRC. I do think of it this way though, I can probably count on one hand how many artists make as many good records as Prince in the 90's and 00's. I liked select songs from the 80's growing up but it was the D&P era that got me hooked for sure. It must have been the right timing in my life to hear those songs. It wasn't until I got The Hits/Bsides that I found most of his gems from the 80's and it was all over after that. I had to go and buy every album because I was looking for my dose of purple music after I played the hits and bsides to death. I'm realistic about his output today though. He is older and doesn't have the edge he used to but he can still craft a good tune that catches your ear and I enjoy the best of his recent stuff.

Extract Prince 1978-1988

He wouldn't be a top 200 artist for me.

BobPaisleyPark said:

Many critics and fans would say that Lovesexy was the last truly great Prince album.

If you only listened to Prince's music released after Lovesexy....do you think he'd still be your favourite ever artist?

Post Lovesexy, nearly 25 years of music to enjoy, would Prince still be your favourite ever artist?

yes

XxAxX said:

BobPaisleyPark said:

Many critics and fans would say that Lovesexy was the last truly great Prince album.

If you only listened to Prince's music released after Lovesexy....do you think he'd still be your favourite ever artist?

Post Lovesexy, nearly 25 years of music to enjoy, would Prince still be your favourite ever artist?

yes

Gold and Emancipation were great albums despite the bad mixing. The reason the Purple Rain to Lovesexy eras were so phenomenal was from the inspiration and creative input from Sheila E. I an totally convinced of that

Graycap23 said:

BobPaisleyPark said:

Many critics and fans would say that Lovesexy was the last truly great Prince album.

If you only listened to Prince's music released after Lovesexy....do you think he'd still be your favourite ever artist?

Post Lovesexy, nearly 25 years of music to enjoy, would Prince still be your favourite ever artist?

Nonsense..............The Rainbow Children, 3121, etc..........

That said, Prince in #1 barely over Mint Condition by a nose.

BobPaisleyPark said:

Many critics and fans would say that Lovesexy was the last truly great Prince album.

If you only listened to Prince's music released after Lovesexy....do you think he'd still be your favourite ever artist?

Post Lovesexy, nearly 25 years of music to enjoy, would Prince still be your favourite ever artist?

Wait... Prince Without 1999 or Sign O' the times? Oh Lawd...

Well, considering that Prince would still have Graffiti Bridge (Which Is one of my favorites, Even tho I know it isn't his best album), Come, TRC And 3121, I think it's safe -At least in my opinion- To say Yes, He would still be my favorite artist. The Batman one and Gold are amazing, too

For me, Lovesexy is his last great album. Prince up till Lovesexy is probably my second favorite artist, after the Beatles. After Lovesexy, the magic is mostly gone for me. I love some individual songs and LIKE some albums, but I'm not thát enthousiastic anymore. Prince after 88 is hardly in my top 50 of favorite artists. I have the feeling that either he lost his genius (like most artists do after a few years) or he gave up stretching himself and settled in a comfortable modus, excelling in what he masters instead of searching for new frontiers (which he definitely does 80-88). Of course, Prince is still an incredible musician, but I think, maybe apart from the Rainbow Children which is kind of fans-only, he never tried to innovate or take great risks musically after 88.

Just my humble opinion, mind...

Y E S

yep