donnyenglish said:

Has there ever been a worse 4 year span for being a Prince fan than 2010-2014? This has to be the worst ever. Perhaps 1990-1994 is the next worst span, but nothing rivals this four years. Let's hope Warner Brothers gives us what we are waiting for and does not breadcrumb us indefinitely. No more teases. Release it.

1990-94 is the next worst span?

I'd take that four years over the whole of the last fifteen.

Aerogram said:

stillwaiting said:

The only problem is that there is this disease affecting some people where they simply can't like anything...ANYTHING from Prince after the 1980's...or with some...up to 1995 or 1996. These people will not under any circumstance like a Prince song. It's like their ability to LISTEN to Prince's music has been sucked out of their soul. They can only HEAR it. Big difference between Hear and LISTEN. By the way, there are some U2 fans suffering from a similar illness. Some of those morons say everything after War is garbage, or after The Joshua Tree, but those people seem confined to naming 1984 to 1991 as the year U2 stopped making passable music. Yes U2 fans have a few Barts on the fansites there, but not quite so intense for their passion to post on a site for an artist they hate.

I don't think any sane person is going to say that Prince's best material is post 1995. You do have the looney tunes out there that say The Rainbow Children is his master work( I actually love TRC, and will defend it when the Barts of the world talk about how horrible it is)...but TRC is not 1999, SOTT, PR, etc...

But to just say everything post (insert year here) is TRASH, HORRIBLE...is just plain insane.

What the Hell are you smoking? Can people smoke BBQ Sauce?

It's tough for me to say what are the Worst 4 years of Prince's career...

2011-2014 is probably a good candidate. The Breakdown was a potentially great song reduced to just a good one with Star Wars Stormtroopers battling it out with Laser guns, and overproduction all over the track that wreaks of what happened to Endorphinmachine. Like others have pointed out, there have been a ton of download releases, streaming songs, rehearsals, etc.

The quality of the songs is not quite what I'd hoped for, but it's not awful. But these last 4 years may be the worst. 1997-2000 was pretty bad, but more so for the concerts which were complete medley fests with sub par musicians in the band. Still, some really nice songs came out of this period.

[Edited 5/30/14 21:05pm]

People who don't like much of anything post 1995 are mourning the passing of Prince Sexy Faun and Prince's youth -- and their own, as far as I'm concerned. It simply is not possible that Prince went from musical genius to being completely unable to write one single good song altogether and forever. You are right about people not listening to Prince with the same ear.

Well, as time goes by some prince fans also listen to other music than whatever happens in the Purple Bubble and it makes them more critical of the music he currently produces. The world may not be full with the type of unique musical geniuses like Prince, but lesser geniuses make the ocasional song(s) that are a lot more remarkeable then "Hot Summer", "Screwdriver" etc. Just as you claim that those who don't like any of the new stuff are stuck on the 8Os sexy Prince, there are a ton of people here that will call anything Prince produces a potential masterpiece, a hit, the new beginning of another (deflated) great year. It's just painful to see and people should be able to admit that despite his talent, his current work is far from interesting. He's getting noticed for great live shows but not for his new music.

zobilamouche said:

Aerogram said:

People who don't like much of anything post 1995 are mourning the passing of Prince Sexy Faun and Prince's youth -- and their own, as far as I'm concerned. It simply is not possible that Prince went from musical genius to being completely unable to write one single good song altogether and forever. You are right about people not listening to Prince with the same ear.

Well, as time goes by some prince fans also listen to other music than whatever happens in the Purple Bubble and it makes them more critical of the music he currently produces. The world may not be full with the type of unique musical geniuses like Prince, but lesser geniuses make the ocasional song(s) that are a lot more remarkeable then "Hot Summer", "Screwdriver" etc. Just as you claim that those who don't like any of the new stuff are stuck on the 8Os sexy Prince, there are a ton of people here that will call anything Prince produces a potential masterpiece, a hit, the new beginning of another (deflated) great year. It's just painful to see and people should be able to admit that despite his talent, his current work is far from interesting. He's getting noticed for great live shows but not for his new music.

Sure, that's what indiscriminate fans do, loving Hot Summer, but indiscriminately disliking everything past a certain year is the exact same behavior and just as unsophisticated. Also, very conformist and predictable -- to like only what has been praised to high heavens for decades. That's appropriating musical sophistication and sticking to the classic persona.

Between the 21 Nights In LA stand, seeing him at Sayers Club with Andre Cymone, and great 3EG gigs in Anaheim and Hollywood, I'm not complaining. I'd rather we get a new album when one is really complete, not that worried about it, and I've liked some of the new songs that have turned up.

Militant said:

Sorry, disagree. I saw him live in 2011, 2013, and three times in 2014 so far.

Sorry, I disagree.

I saw 20ten in Europe, part of 2011 and after after losing some interest my life took a turn and I did not see P again.

He plays too many hits, too many sampler sets and the new stuff is not properly released, not convincing and too weak if you consider the sampler sets. (he choses to play them, not us)

.

So I am not saying the shows aren't fun.

Perhaps I am trying to say that the shows aren't special enough anymore.

.

Then there's the ways he used the 'net in recent years: chaotic.

The way he `released` stuff: no physical media. Anybody can provide a download.

.

The period around 1994 was wayyyy more interesting. More mysterious, more exciting.

donnyenglish said:

Has there ever been a worse 4 year span for being a Prince fan than 2010-2014? This has to be the worst ever. Perhaps 1990-1994 is the next worst span, but nothing rivals this four years. Let's hope Warner Brothers gives us what we are waiting for and does not breadcrumb us indefinitely. No more teases. Release it.

totally agree....

zobilamouche said:

Aerogram said:

People who don't like much of anything post 1995 are mourning the passing of Prince Sexy Faun and Prince's youth -- and their own, as far as I'm concerned. It simply is not possible that Prince went from musical genius to being completely unable to write one single good song altogether and forever. You are right about people not listening to Prince with the same ear.

Well, as time goes by some prince fans also listen to other music than whatever happens in the Purple Bubble and it makes them more critical of the music he currently produces. The world may not be full with the type of unique musical geniuses like Prince, but lesser geniuses make the ocasional song(s) that are a lot more remarkeable then "Hot Summer", "Screwdriver" etc. Just as you claim that those who don't like any of the new stuff are stuck on the 8Os sexy Prince, there are a ton of people here that will call anything Prince produces a potential masterpiece, a hit, the new beginning of another (deflated) great year. It's just painful to see and people should be able to admit that despite his talent, his current work is far from interesting. He's getting noticed for great live shows but not for his new music.

If you think every single thing he has done is wonderful, then you are also suffering from some kind of mental illness. "Hot Summer" is a great example of a weak song. It's not horrible, but I'll never try to listen to it again. The 30 times I heard it, it seemed to get worse each time. It wasn't "Screwdriver" is not really all that bad. It's not a classic, but a decent song. Now the video with the kids stomping on Paisley Park Cockroaches was ridiculous, but the song is ok.

If you can't appreciate "The Dance," "Future Soul Song," "I Like It There," "Fury," "A Million Days," "Call My Name," and many of his other awesome songs from the last 18 or so years, then I think you have given up, or simply have the disease where you just can't like the new stuff.

I feel sorry for anybody who hates "Future Soul Song," or who thinks "The Wedding Feast" is some kind of legendary track.

zobilamouche said:

Well, as time goes by some prince fans also listen to other music than whatever happens in the Purple Bubble and it makes them more critical of the music he currently produces. The world may not be full with the type of unique musical geniuses like Prince, but lesser geniuses make the ocasional song(s) that are a lot more remarkeable then "Hot Summer", "Screwdriver" etc. Just as you claim that those who don't like any of the new stuff are stuck on the 8Os sexy Prince, there are a ton of people here that will call anything Prince produces a potential masterpiece, a hit, the new beginning of another (deflated) great year. It's just painful to see and people should be able to admit that despite his talent, his current work is far from interesting. He's getting noticed for great live shows but not for his new music.

What's really amazing, is if he has a show that has nothing but covers, medleys, and song snippets, and Shelby shouting "Put Your Hands Up" at the top of her lungs for an eternity, some will still marvel about how great "live" he is. But if he comes out with a killer new track, he is admonished by these same people...

Now, I will admit, he has had some incredible live shows in the last year and a half, and has also had some lackluster ones. But the prevailing opinion among a lot of fans is that his new music is terrible, and he can do no wrong live...

That's simply not true.

Aerogram said:

I think you miss his old sexy faun persona hovering over Carmen Electra and your gripes are less musical than personal, for you to have been so mercilessly critical of whatever he's done since the days you had your Carmen site.

.

Oh look, factually wrong once again. What a surprise.

.

The truth is that Prince continues to demonstrate great skill and creativity

.

No he doesn't. He's been repeating himself over and over again.

.

Trying different things and seeing what sticks? How has it ever been different?

.

The Prince of the 1980s didn't try, he just did.

stillwaiting said:

"Screwdriver" is not really all that bad. It's not a classic, but a decent song.

.

No it isn't. It's a bunch of crap licks and an embarrassing lyric.

.

If you can't appreciate "The Dance," "Future Soul Song," "I Like It There," "Fury," "A Million Days," "Call My Name," and many of his other awesome songs from the last 18 or so years

.

The only one in that list that rings a bell is "I Like It There", and that is nowhere near an awesome song. It is one of the few tracks on C&D I liked, but recommending it? The rest of them? Couldn't tell you how they go. And I can't be arsed to invest time in trying to like them, because Prince himself has already told me they ain't worth my time, otherwise he would have promoted them. There's simply too much great new music to discover.

"Perhaps 1990-1994 is the next worst span"... ?????????

Hell no... you are so wrong....

[img:$uid]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/ecnirp2004/Prince/The_Dawn_Front.jpg[/img:$uid]

^ Try and find The Dawn boot. It's one of the finest boots ever with some of the funkiest music,


and yeah I know some of these versions are fanmade "extended jams", but still it's a hell of great collection.

From...... the slave era 1993-94-95.


[img:$uid]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/ecnirp2004/Prince/The_Dawn_Back.jpg[/img:$uid]


^

Edit: it seems like the pics are from an early edition, now it has 3x 19 tracks afaik...

[Edited 6/10/14 14:55pm]

The Dawn.........

[img:$uid]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/ecnirp2004/Prince/2d68c24f-87a4-4745-b893-fe3f9dab3ef2_zpsaa5aed7b.jpg[/img:$uid]

BartVanHemelen said:

Aerogram said:

I think you miss his old sexy faun persona hovering over Carmen Electra and your gripes are less musical than personal, for you to have been so mercilessly critical of whatever he's done since the days you had your Carmen site.

.

Oh look, factually wrong once again. What a surprise.

.

.

No he doesn't. He's been repeating himself over and over again.

.

Trying different things and seeing what sticks? How has it ever been different?

.

The Prince of the 1980s didn't try, he just did.

He tried and discarded many things in the 80s, it's just your fixation on his early persona that makes you pretend otherwise and engage in revisionism. He was long a studio addict with the same damn habits, his core process is still intact and he continues to create. It doesn't have the brio of his (and your) youth because pop music is the way it is, about being the latest thing. He's grown to be a musical institution -- how many artists can actually pretend to Prince's stature? Not that many. But don't let it distract you from your 20 year wait to get your pre-1995 Prince back, in your own weird way, you show what a big fan you were (and are).

Aerogram said:

zobilamouche said:

Well, as time goes by some prince fans also listen to other music than whatever happens in the Purple Bubble and it makes them more critical of the music he currently produces. The world may not be full with the type of unique musical geniuses like Prince, but lesser geniuses make the ocasional song(s) that are a lot more remarkeable then "Hot Summer", "Screwdriver" etc. Just as you claim that those who don't like any of the new stuff are stuck on the 8Os sexy Prince, there are a ton of people here that will call anything Prince produces a potential masterpiece, a hit, the new beginning of another (deflated) great year. It's just painful to see and people should be able to admit that despite his talent, his current work is far from interesting. He's getting noticed for great live shows but not for his new music.

Sure, that's what indiscriminate fans do, loving Hot Summer, but indiscriminately disliking everything past a certain year is the exact same behavior and just as unsophisticated. Also, very conformist and predictable -- to like only what has been praised to high heavens for decades. That's appropriating musical sophistication and sticking to the classic persona.

Well, there are some nice songs in more recent years but they run quite thin per album, to the point that I lost interest in his new output. I pick it up but I don't search for it like before. So indeed, it's not all black and white but we can't say that the quality of his music has been very consistent over the last years - unfortunately.

Worse then being his worst 4 year period, in my opinion, it's been 8 years since Prince releasd a realy good album.

its only been "bad" cause he hasn't released anything

thedance said:

"Perhaps 1990-1994 is the next worst span"... ?????????

Hell no... you are so wrong....

[img:$uid]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/ecnirp2004/Prince/The_Dawn_Front.jpg[/img:$uid]

^ Try and find The Dawn boot. It's one of the finest boots ever with some of the funkiest music,


and yeah I know some of these versions are fanmade "extended jams", but still it's a hell of great collection.

From...... the slave era 1993-94-95.


[img:$uid]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/ecnirp2004/Prince/The_Dawn_Back.jpg[/img:$uid]


^

Edit: it seems like the pics are from an early edition, now it has 3x 19 tracks afaik...

[Edited 6/10/14 14:55pm]

You don't even need to drag out obscure bootlegs to show what a great period that was. The official albums alone are home to plenty of great songs. Sure, there were duds on there too, but that shouldn't cause us to overlook the gems. He gave us at least 20 in that period (that's a conservative estimate).

I'm not digging the 3rdeyegirl era at all. Some of the live stuff is ok but the studio material is meh. Prince writes better when he has band members that inspire him. When Sheila was in his camp in the 80's his writing went to another level.

donnyenglish said:

Has there ever been a worse 4 year span for being a Prince fan than 2010-2014? This has to be the worst ever. Perhaps 1990-1994 is the next worst span, but nothing rivals this four years. Let's hope Warner Brothers gives us what we are waiting for and does not breadcrumb us indefinitely. No more teases. Release it.

I agree with 2010-2014, but not 90-94

SanDiegoFunkDaddy said: