thebanishedone said:

I love Eric, but i feel he was overused by Prince.there is one Sheila E album ruined by non stop soloing by Eric

That was probably Eddie M., not Eric.

thebanishedone said:

I love Eric, but i feel he was overused by Prince.there is one Sheila E album ruined by non stop soloing by Eric

Yes, as duggalolly stated, that was not Eric. The Glamorous Life album had Larry Williams on sax. In Romance 1600 had Eddie M. Her third album mainly used Norbert Stachel, but Eric was on One Day, Pride and the Passion and Love on a Blue Train. With all due respect, thebanishedone, there's a big difference between the alto sax (played by everyone mentioned here except Eric Leeds) and the tenor and baritone saxes (played by Leeds). The tenor and bari saxes are deeper in tone.

All of the above being said, IMO Eric Leeds is vastly important to the Prince canon of music and extremely underrated/undervalued when critics mention P's glory years. He (and in some respects, Atlanta Bliss) should be mentioned in the same breath as the JB Horns (Maceo, Fred Wesley Pee Wee Ellis), P-Funk Horns (Maceo, Wesley) and the Family Stone (Cynthia Robinson and Jerri Martini). Eric brought some serious Funk/Jazz chops to P's music. There's a reason he used him so promenantly from '84-88. Don't mean any disrespect to any of the horn players that have come and gone since then (NPG Hornz, Candy, Maceo, Mike Phillips, etc.), but Eric did more for P's sound than any other horn player. I'd also give Eddie M. some props, too. Loved his work on the Purple Rain tour (along side Eric), Around the World in a Day and Romance 1600. Just wish he would have lasted longer in the P camp than he did. It was a plus for Jesse Johnson to grab him and use him on several of his albums (including his most recent).

1725topp said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Why doesn't Mike Phillips play 4 Prince anymore???

*

As we all know, with Prince it could be any number of reasons, including he just likes working with different musicians. However, I also really like Marcus Anderson’s playing. So, much to the contrary of folks on this site, Prince seems to still be attracting excellent musicians to play with him.

Mike has played with some very high profile artist,including Jill Scott to name a few..

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

1725topp said:

*

As we all know, with Prince it could be any number of reasons, including he just likes working with different musicians. However, I also really like Marcus Anderson’s playing. So, much to the contrary of folks on this site, Prince seems to still be attracting excellent musicians to play with him.

Mike has played with some very high profile artist,including Jill Scott to name a few..

*

Yes, Phillips, like a few of Prince's musicians, is a successful solo artist as well as a highly demanded studio and live backing musician.

You can see how much Prince respects and admires Eric, just by the one look he gives him during "1+1+1=3" on the Alladin DVD when he asks Eric to play and says "Oh, you gonna wind it up" and then laughs. Wicked little moment.

Eric Leeds is THE man!

Besides Wendy and Lisa he is probably the most influential musician on Prince's music ... ever.

Prince composed his best music (Parade-SOTT-Black Album-Lovesexy) with Eric Leeds in his band and together with W&L this kind of synergy has not been seen ever since.

"In a large room ...", "Rebirth of the Flesh", and indeed "Rock hard ..." fantastic horn lines.

Check out America during the Parade tour ... fx Rotterdam 18-08-86 ... a truly amazing performance.

Some people were lucky to be around at the right time.

KoolEaze said:

Eric Leeds is my favorite sax player of all the sax players Prince has worked with. Sure, Maceo is a legend and Eric of course respects him and looks up to him but when it comes to chemistry and Prince´s unique, trademark sound, there is no one like the one and only Eric Leeds.

And he is a very cool and funny person, too. I´ve met him and have spoken with him on two different occasions and he oozes class and style. Too bad that they´re no longer working together. The last time I saw Eric on stage with Prince was at the 2002 Paisley Park Celebration.

He added A LOT to Prince´s sound. I wonder what all the unused stuff sounds like. Eric mentioned in an interview on a page dedicated to Miles Davis that there are many songs he contributed to where Prince only used fractions of what he played. The Ballad of Dorothy Parker comes to mind.

-

I also like Eddie Minninfield but my favorite sax player with Prince will always be Eric Leeds.

I think Eric & Eddie are the best, of course Eddie mostly performed on/with Sheila E

.

they both had a sound that fit well with Prince music. Love them both on the live/video version of America. Love Eddie on the Ladder & Tempation.

.

And especially on Romance 1600 tracks:Dear Michaelangelo, A Love Bizarre etc

Wish Prince would have used him more. Both brought a good combination of sax

Both Eric Leeds and Sheila E. have a synergy with Prince that can not be denied.

kewlschool said:

Both Eric Leeds and Sheila E. have a synergy with Prince that can not be denied.

Agreed - what about Lisa and Wendy?

SpiritOtter said:

kewlschool said:

Both Eric Leeds and Sheila E. have a synergy with Prince that can not be denied.

Agreed - what about Lisa and Wendy?

Yes, not at the same level as Eric and Sheila though.

SpiritOtter said:

kewlschool said:

Both Eric Leeds and Sheila E. have a synergy with Prince that can not be denied.

Agreed - what about Lisa and Wendy?

They are cool too.

SpiritOtter said:

Maybe I missed this news, but was there a falling out between both parties? Tis a great shame, if so, as I imagine Mr "Madhouse" Eric Leeds would have brought a more seamless dimension to Prince's Montreux shows and recent studio work, as he did with his superlative contibution to NEWS.

I don't think there's been any falling out, Prince just stopped calling him... He may never again or he may call him back next week...

kewlschool said:

SpiritOtter said:

Agreed - what about Lisa and Wendy?

Yes, not at the same level as Eric and Sheila though.

Even Eric would disagree with that, and years later when interviewed about that situation said Prince had something with them that he(Eric) hasn't experienced since.

.

I'll seperate Lisa, and say since she started with Prince she had a very musically influential connection with Prince

.

But overall Lisa, Sheila, Wendy, Eric, Dr Fink etc most of them during that time period with Prince had a focus on him and emulated his sound while contributing their artistry and character better than most that followed after the 1980s. They seemed invested into Prince, not using him as a stepping stone.

OldFriends4Sale said:

kewlschool said:

Yes, not at the same level as Eric and Sheila though.

Even Eric would disagree with that, and years later when interviewed about that situation said Prince had something with them that he(Eric) hasn't experienced since.

.

I'll seperate Lisa, and say since she started with Prince she had a very musically influential connection with Prince

.

But overall Lisa, Sheila, Wendy, Eric, Dr Fink etc most of them during that time period with Prince had a focus on him and emulated his sound while contributing their artistry and character better than most that followed after the 1980s. They seemed invested into Prince, not using him as a stepping stone.

I just wonder, given that Prince is the king of u-turns, whether after his current escapes with a "new" outfit (3rdEyeGirl), he actually gathers a top notch touring ensemble of his most purple bandmates, such as Lisa, Wendy, Sheila, Eric etc. NOT billed as a "reunion", as I doubt he would like that idea, but branded as a new "revolution", wherein they make new music as well as playing old fan favourites. I can imagine at this stage, especially given that he plays the "hits" from the 80s, as well as less known songs from that decade, a new Revolution featuring his most influential bandmates, could fit in with a resurgence in his creativity and healing of old times and experiences, in order to grow to the next stage as an artist. Sometimes we need to take a few steps backwards, in order to move forwards. I wouldn't be surprised if such a u-turn is afoot around the corner. Whilst I have never clamoured for anything of the sort, I must admit that at this stage, it would be quite amazing to see it happen, especially if they focussed on proactively creating new music and experiences together. The synergy and atmosphere in the crowds at live performances of new material would be otherworldly and fitting for an artist like Prince with the kind of history he had with the Revolution.

SpiritOtter said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Even Eric would disagree with that, and years later when interviewed about that situation said Prince had something with them that he(Eric) hasn't experienced since.

.

I'll seperate Lisa, and say since she started with Prince she had a very musically influential connection with Prince

.

But overall Lisa, Sheila, Wendy, Eric, Dr Fink etc most of them during that time period with Prince had a focus on him and emulated his sound while contributing their artistry and character better than most that followed after the 1980s. They seemed invested into Prince, not using him as a stepping stone.

I just wonder, given that Prince is the king of u-turns, whether after his current escapes with a "new" outfit (3rdEyeGirl), he actually gathers a top notch touring ensemble of his most purple bandmates, such as Lisa, Wendy, Sheila, Eric etc. NOT billed as a "reunion", as I doubt he would like that idea, but branded as a new "revolution", wherein they make new music as well as playing old fan favourites. I can imagine at this stage, especially given that he plays the "hits" from the 80s, as well as less known songs from that decade, a new Revolution featuring his most influential bandmates, could fit in with a resurgence in his creativity and healing of old times and experiences, in order to grow to the next stage as an artist. Sometimes we need to take a few steps backwards, in order to move forwards. I wouldn't be surprised if such a u-turn is afoot around the corner. Whilst I have never clamoured for anything of the sort, I must admit that at this stage, it would be quite amazing to see it happen, especially if they focussed on proactively creating new music and experiences together. The synergy and atmosphere in the crowds at live performances of new material would be otherworldly and fitting for an artist like Prince with the kind of history he had with the Revolution.

That's assuming that said musicians will accept the terms and conditions of playing with Prince at this stage in his career. Those musicians would want to be treated as creative equals and unless Prince lets go of some of his hang ups, I don't your scenario happening as much i would love to see it happen.

bashraka said:

SpiritOtter said:

I just wonder, given that Prince is the king of u-turns, whether after his current escapes with a "new" outfit (3rdEyeGirl), he actually gathers a top notch touring ensemble of his most purple bandmates, such as Lisa, Wendy, Sheila, Eric etc. NOT billed as a "reunion", as I doubt he would like that idea, but branded as a new "revolution", wherein they make new music as well as playing old fan favourites. I can imagine at this stage, especially given that he plays the "hits" from the 80s, as well as less known songs from that decade, a new Revolution featuring his most influential bandmates, could fit in with a resurgence in his creativity and healing of old times and experiences, in order to grow to the next stage as an artist. Sometimes we need to take a few steps backwards, in order to move forwards. I wouldn't be surprised if such a u-turn is afoot around the corner. Whilst I have never clamoured for anything of the sort, I must admit that at this stage, it would be quite amazing to see it happen, especially if they focussed on proactively creating new music and experiences together. The synergy and atmosphere in the crowds at live performances of new material would be otherworldly and fitting for an artist like Prince with the kind of history he had with the Revolution.

That's assuming that said musicians will accept the terms and conditions of playing with Prince at this stage in his career. Those musicians would want to be treated as creative equals and unless Prince lets go of some of his hang ups, I don't your scenario happening as much i would love to see it happen.

He has played with all of them quite recently, although not at the same time. The results have been nice enough,but not mind blowing.

bashraka said:

SpiritOtter said:

I just wonder, given that Prince is the king of u-turns, whether after his current escapes with a "new" outfit (3rdEyeGirl), he actually gathers a top notch touring ensemble of his most purple bandmates, such as Lisa, Wendy, Sheila, Eric etc. NOT billed as a "reunion", as I doubt he would like that idea, but branded as a new "revolution", wherein they make new music as well as playing old fan favourites. I can imagine at this stage, especially given that he plays the "hits" from the 80s, as well as less known songs from that decade, a new Revolution featuring his most influential bandmates, could fit in with a resurgence in his creativity and healing of old times and experiences, in order to grow to the next stage as an artist. Sometimes we need to take a few steps backwards, in order to move forwards. I wouldn't be surprised if such a u-turn is afoot around the corner. Whilst I have never clamoured for anything of the sort, I must admit that at this stage, it would be quite amazing to see it happen, especially if they focussed on proactively creating new music and experiences together. The synergy and atmosphere in the crowds at live performances of new material would be otherworldly and fitting for an artist like Prince with the kind of history he had with the Revolution.

That's assuming that said musicians will accept the terms and conditions of playing with Prince at this stage in his career. Those musicians would want to be treated as creative equals and unless Prince lets go of some of his hang ups, I don't your scenario happening as much i would love to see it happen.

True. Two contributing factors: 1) I am not sure if said musicians are top-billing enough in terms of their self-generated financial revenues, thus negating the potential (or lack of) financial and autonomy rewards they would otherwise have from working with Prince at this stage; 2) I would guess Prince may need to personally evolve, from a spiritual perspective, before he could 'see' a 'new' Revolution of sorts, as both a possibility for his creativity and a healing of old times and experiences. It's a long shot, but it's one of the few remaining possibilities which have yet to be realised in Prince's career to date. In some ways, the longer it does not happen, I kind of feel it increases the chances that it could happen. Of course, I could be completely wrong about this projection.