I don't think the problem is a big company like Warner or not. It's a problem of creativity. Prince just isn't in his best moment, that's all. Look at Pet Shop Boys: they were in a big company releasing brilliant records, and now they're in Kobalt releasing brilliant, and probably successful, records. Nothing has changed!

Only for personal tastes, I'd just prefer that Prince released a proper album in a physical format. I hope Kobalt helps with that.

[Edited 7/7/13 23:36pm]

Se7en said:

There has to be SOME way to quantify his success. If it's just about money now (it's what most fans settle on as their default setting anymore), then is he the biggest income-earner for 2013? Not of all time, because that is a cop-out. Of course someone in the biz for 35 years should have a lot stashed away. Tell me about NOW. If it's about album sales, is he the best of 2013? If it's NOT about album sales, is his latest music the best of 2013? Is he winning music awards that aren't Lifetime Achievement Awards? Do fans and critics alike rate his current music among the best in the industry (forget about comparing Prince to his older self)? See my point: Prince fans say he's the best, but can't articulate (or prove) why. He doesn't sell the most albums, doesn't have hits or even chart-toppers, doesn't win current awards, doesn't have successful websites. We Prince fans say that the SYSTEM sucks. We say that RADIO is stupid. That NO ONE is making money from albums. All valid excuses, but excuses nonetheless. Our fallback position is that HE'S THE BEST LIVE PERFORMER! HE HAS HUNDREDS OF SONGS! Nobody wants to compare his 2013 to other artists' 2013. To us, other male artists either suck, or rip off Prince. See my point(s), friends? Yes, Prince has a history of success, but all of us -- fans, critics, and Prince himself -- give him a bit of a free pass when it comes to NOW.

^ I like your post a lot.

And I think you are right.

[Edited 7/8/13 1:24am]

errant said:

Make no mistake about it.Prince wants to be commercially successful again.He wants his songs played on the radio.In the recent Billboard article,he was whining that radio won't play his new stuff.His problem is that,he wants that type of success but on his own terms.It's not gonna happen that way.Either you play the game or you don't.

SoulAlive said:

Make no mistake about it.Prince wants to be commercially successful again.He wants his songs played on the radio.In the recent Billboard article,he was whining that radio won't play his new stuff.His problem is that,he wants that type of success but on his own terms.It's not gonna happen that way.Either you play the game or you don't.

I agree. That has been a constant through his career. Prince wants to be the most creative artist and the most commercially successful and that without any compromise with the record industry. He wants it all and he thinks he deserves it. Well, he may well, but that ain't gonna happen.

[Edited 7/8/13 3:11am]

didnt he described his early year as a "mistake" in the BET lifetime achievement award speech?

i just can't get enough of his early stuff either like many of u, but..i choose respect his choice

Se7en said:

Again, with all the responses given, the fallback answers are: • Anything that has to do with his touring/live performances • Pointing to his past success and huge catalog of songs Nobody discusses the current work compared to other artists' current work.

The new 3rdeyegirl and Prince songs like screwdriver, fixurlifeup are good...they rock:)

Lotusflow3r was a great album... i mean dreamer is a classic, imo.

You are right, he is not making innovative music like in the 80 or 90ies...But he still writes great songs, still some classics...

i mean a song like Call my name is fantastic song...not innovative but a timeless song...

On the other side...the new daft punk? innovative? No

Miguel? better than Prince`s current music? Don`t know...

Justin Timberlake? Better? Robin Thicke? Sounds just like Prince:)

Prince like any other legend will always be compared to his past songs..

.

The new project is like underground...nobody knows about it..only the close followers...

On the other side 40 mill followers on twitter doesn`t mean millions of records sold:)

Still Kobald has a lot of work to do

Se7en said:

Again, with all the responses given, the fallback answers are: • Anything that has to do with his touring/live performances • Pointing to his past success and huge catalog of songs Nobody discusses the current work compared to other artists' current work.

I do, I think Prince's music is top-dog even today. He may not be particularly innovative as he used to be in the 80's, but who is when they're 55? Prince is one of the the best at what he does, here and now, in 2013.

linus4000 said:

Se7en said:

Again, with all the responses given, the fallback answers are: • Anything that has to do with his touring/live performances • Pointing to his past success and huge catalog of songs Nobody discusses the current work compared to other artists' current work.

The new 3rdeyegirl and Prince songs like screwdriver, fixurlifeup are good...they rock:)

Lotusflow3r was a great album... i mean dreamer is a classic, imo.

You are right, he is not making innovative music like in the 80 or 90ies...But he still writes great songs, still some classics...

i mean a song like Call my name is fantastic song...not innovative but a timeless song...

On the other side...the new daft punk? innovative? No

Miguel? better than Prince`s current music? Don`t know...

Justin Timberlake? Better? Robin Thicke? Sounds just like Prince:)

Prince like any other legend will always be compared to his past songs..

.

The new project is like underground...nobody knows about it..only the close followers...

On the other side 40 mill followers on twitter doesn`t mean millions of records sold:)

Still Kobald has a lot of work to do

I'm not saying I don't find his new music fun and at times interesting. Screwdriver and R&RLA, I love them both. I do agree that Kobalt has some work to do with his PR and marketing. I think his new project might be TOO underground . . . I've been a fan for 30+ years and I miss out on some of the 3EG streaming stuff. Hopefully it all comes out someday for everyone!

linus4000 said:

Se7en said:

Again, with all the responses given, the fallback answers are: • Anything that has to do with his touring/live performances • Pointing to his past success and huge catalog of songs Nobody discusses the current work compared to other artists' current work.

The new 3rdeyegirl and Prince songs like screwdriver, fixurlifeup are good...they rock:)

Lotusflow3r was a great album... i mean dreamer is a classic, imo.

You are right, he is not making innovative music like in the 80 or 90ies...But he still writes great songs, still some classics...

i mean a song like Call my name is fantastic song...not innovative but a timeless song...

On the other side...the new daft punk? innovative? No

Miguel? better than Prince`s current music? Don`t know...

Justin Timberlake? Better? Robin Thicke? Sounds just like Prince:)

Prince like any other legend will always be compared to his past songs..

.

The new project is like underground...nobody knows about it..only the close followers...

On the other side 40 mill followers on twitter doesn`t mean millions of records sold:)

Still Kobald has a lot of work to do

Robin Thicke wants to be Marvin Gaye. His stage presence, his dance moves, his vocal riffs, etc. are all Marvin Gaye.

I agree with the rest of your post. He has done some really good songs over the last 20 years or so. People tend to overlook them, though.

Reply to 'Don't U think Prince needs a company like Warner Bros. to get his career on the right track again'

Well, that's like a dog returning to his own vomit. Not saying he's a dog