Watching a copy of Prince's concert from November 2000 when he performed in Philly during the Hit N Run show and there's a segment in the show, where Prince for 7 minutes over the code from "Purple Rain" talks about everything from intellectual copyright, BET selling the company to Viacom, the consolidation of radio and retail, Black ownership of movie theaters and businesses in Black neighborhoods and it struck me about how open he was about espousing his views on these subjects openly. It seems from 1998-2002, Prince was more forthright about real world issues in his music, interviews and concerts than any point in his career.

I actually enjoyed it because I was seeing and hearing Prince the man, musician and entertainer all in one. Starting with Prince's interview with Tavis Smiley in 1998, the Soul Train lifetime achievement award in 2000 (where he told folks to remain seated), the May 16, 2000 press conference, the song "The War", "Daisy Chain", "One Song", years later with the 2010 Ebony interview where he talked about Black Wall Street.

This side of Prince is fascinating to me especially from 1998-2001, which culminated in the "Rainbow Children" album and ONA Tour.

Se7en said:

'98-'02 were arguably his darkest years as a performer. He seemed holed up in Paisley Park, released some of the worst music of his career, and was still in the early phases of becoming a Jehovah's Witness. It's not surprising that he was more outspoken during those years. He was newly "free" and still full of anger over WB and also the loss of his son. The Prince of Musicology and after is not as outspoken. He has learned how to play nice with the media and labels, because in the end (to him) money is now what it's all about.

Also, this was after the disappointing sales tally of "Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic" and his bitter falling out with Clive Davis over the promotional strategy of selling that project to a younger demographic. Younger performers were making better music using ideas that he helped pioneer i.e. D'angelo. You're right, he just seemed so scattered; looking for distribution for one project and trying to establish the NPG brand over various websites.

When I hear "Daisy Chain" it sounds like the musical embryo of "Family Name". "U Make My Sunshine", "One Song", "2045 Radical Man" were like journey in progress of political, racial and spiritual philosophies that perfectly gelled on "TRC'.

Se7en said:

Side note: I think The Rainbow Children and One Nite Alone Piano And Voice are among his strongest works. The bad music I'm referring to are New Power Soul, the NPGMC tracks, and the original Rave.

Don't forget 1999 The New Master. That was to me the absolute lowpoint of his releases. I will never ever listen to this shit again.

ludwig said:

Se7en said:

Side note: I think The Rainbow Children and One Nite Alone Piano And Voice are among his strongest works. The bad music I'm referring to are New Power Soul, the NPGMC tracks, and the original Rave.

Don't forget 1999 The New Master. That was to me the absolute lowpoint of his releases. I will never ever listen to this shit again.

I'm glad that he gave up the idea of recording his Warner Bros albums. It seemed like he licked his wounds and starting writing new songs. Most of it was so-so, but he eventually found his way back to making music that at least was interesting.

bashraka said:

ludwig said:

Don't forget 1999 The New Master. That was to me the absolute lowpoint of his releases. I will never ever listen to this shit again.

I'm glad that he gave up the idea of recording his Warner Bros albums. It seemed like he licked his wounds and starting writing new songs. Most of it was so-so, but he eventually found his way back to making music that at least was interesting.

I remember cringing when I heard that he was going to re-record his entire catalog. I've heard people re-record certain albums, but not whole catalogs. And, even when it's one album, it's never the same (and never as good).

.

Although, I did hear some Electric Light Orchetra re-recordings and they do sound good.

Thank goodness Prince gets bored with projects quickly. Even if he would have recorded all 17 WB albums, there is no way, one of those re-recorded albums would compare to the old albums.