I'm not new to Prince but I haven't payed much attention after the WB years. So here’s a list of

mainstream Prince albums that I don’t own. Which ones should I seek out first?

Most should not be too hard to find and I’ve removed harder-to-find, download only, live, and related-type releases (such as 94-East) for now.

Which should I prioritise (any to not even bother with?). I’ve seen Gold, Black, and Rainbow Children in peoples top 10s. (I’ve also seen often criticised albums in top 10s too, so I’m feeling really positive about finding lots of songs to love, that are new to me, even though I won’t love them all).

• 20Ten
• Planet Earth
• The Rainbow Children
• The Vault ... Old Friends 4 Sale
• Come
• Black Album
• Prince
• Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic
• Chaos And Disorder
• Emancipation
• The Gold Experience
• Diamonds & Pearls
• Untitled (Symbol)

‘Ultimate’ isn’t in the list but the extended versions of some favourites makes it tempting to grab, if I see it for a good price (I soooo wish Mountains extended was on it though, its never had an official release on CD has it?).

(Sorry for the lack of line-spacing in this post's layout, even editing the html isn't helping)

I looked down your list and i think to myself - wow alot of "hit or miss" albums there - that you will enjoy listening to - and pick one or 2 fav songs for life etc ...

then i saw the Black Album - which to me is the one every Prince fan has to own . To me it summarizes that era - from 1999 to Lovesexy when I thought Prince was just growing (with his new band changes , and musical influences - and yes popularity too ) .

I think this is a fair review of the black album when it came out :

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,304771,00.html

The other albums- I would say -

-The Rainbow Children - I think musically it is Prince at his almost best ... diverse ... and yet in so many ways brilliant ... the lyrics of some of the songs are pretty forgetable but then again its religious lyrics are definately meant to compel some to think ... (and lose some fans too )

-The Gold Experience - probably called by some - Prince's last gasp ... it has the gem "most beautiful girl in the world " and then a few other songs that I think really grow on ya ... for me it was the last good Prince album (for a time at least ) . I do think he made some good ones since ...

nonamesleft said:

(Sorry for the lack of line-spacing in this post's layout, even editing the html isn't helping)

It hasn't worked for awhile on this site. I just use a period to space

.

like this.

nonamesleft said:

I'm not new to Prince but I haven't payed much attention after the WB years. So here’s a list of

mainstream Prince albums that I don’t own. Which ones should I seek out first?

Most should not be too hard to find and I’ve removed harder-to-find, download only, live, and related-type releases (such as 94-East) for now.

Which should I prioritise (any to not even bother with?). I’ve seen Gold, Black, and Rainbow Children in peoples top 10s. (I’ve also seen often criticised albums in top 10s too, so I’m feeling really positive about finding lots of songs to love, that are new to me, even though I won’t love them all).

• 20Ten
• Planet Earth
• The Rainbow Children
• The Vault ... Old Friends 4 Sale
• Come
• Black Album
• Prince
• Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic
• Chaos And Disorder
• Emancipation
• The Gold Experience
• Diamonds & Pearls
• Untitled (Symbol)

‘Ultimate’ isn’t in the list but the extended versions of some favourites makes it tempting to grab, if I see it for a good price (I soooo wish Mountains extended was on it though, its never had an official release on CD has it?).

(Sorry for the lack of line-spacing in this post's layout, even editing the html isn't helping)

This is an easy one. Come, Prince and The Gold Experience first.

Then, D&P, Black Album, Emancipation and Symbol.

The others can be in any order.

Then, buy every protege album (Madhouse, Sheila E, Jill Jones, The Time, Mazarati, etc)

Then collect loads of bootlegs.

Then wait 20 years.

Then start listening to other artists.

Then re-buy all the Prince albums again in a new format.

Then buy every Michael Jackson album.

Then wait another 20 years.

Then, and only then, and only if you have a really strong stomach, buy The Rainbow Children. But I wouldn't recommend it. Unless you're a Jehovah's Witness who also loves Star Wars and random Darth Vader voices.

• 20Ten - no wait!
• Planet Earth - no wait!!!!
• The Rainbow Children - Ok
  
• The Vault ... Old Friends 4 Sale - Ok
  
• Come - fantastic imo, however Orgasm is shocking
  
• Black Album - fantastic
  
• Prince - great, a bit sweet like Stevie Wonder kind of music
  
• Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic - no wait
• Chaos And Disorder - no wait
• Emancipation - no wait - bad plastic production - "saccharine music"
  
• The Gold Experience - fantasic, gems all the way, best album of the 90's
  
• Diamonds & Pearls - no wait, only the big 5 singles are great (well a few more)
  
• Untitled (Symbol) - great album
  

MickyDolenz said:

nonamesleft said:

(Sorry for the lack of line-spacing in this post's layout, even editing the html isn't helping)

It hasn't worked for awhile on this site. I just use a period to space

.

like this.

line spacing, hold: shift + enter (next line) at the same time... this should make room between the lines,

You don't need to post a "dot", punktuary whatever it's called, then.

nonamesleft said:

I'm not new to Prince but I haven't payed much attention after the WB years. So here’s a list of

mainstream Prince albums that I don’t own. Which ones should I seek out first?

Most should not be too hard to find and I’ve removed harder-to-find, download only, live, and related-type releases (such as 94-East) for now.

Which should I prioritise (any to not even bother with?). I’ve seen Gold, Black, and Rainbow Children in peoples top 10s. (I’ve also seen often criticised albums in top 10s too, so I’m feeling really positive about finding lots of songs to love, that are new to me, even though I won’t love them all).

• 20Ten
• Planet Earth
• The Rainbow Children
• The Vault ... Old Friends 4 Sale
• Come
• Black Album
• Prince
• Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic
• Chaos And Disorder
• Emancipation
• The Gold Experience
• Diamonds & Pearls
• Untitled (Symbol)

‘Ultimate’ isn’t in the list but the extended versions of some favourites makes it tempting to grab, if I see it for a good price (I soooo wish Mountains extended was on it though, its never had an official release on CD has it?).

(Sorry for the lack of line-spacing in this post's layout, even editing the html isn't helping)

I think Emancipation is his most personel album......certainley Lyrically...especially the 2nd disc...which has sum lovely ballads that is dedicated 2 Mayte and his soon 2 be unborn child (Let's Have A Baby, Holy River, Friend, Lover, Sister, Mother/Wife)......that ended sadly as we all know .....but also sum cracking must hav funky songs on the other discs...such as In This Bed I Scream (dedicated 2 Wendy and Lisa), The Love We Make, White Mansion, Somebody's Somebody...

The Gold Experince - well its my fave album......but im sure uve read enuff about it so wont bore ya....BUT I have 2 words 4 ya "PUSSY-CONTROL!"

Come - very dark and experimental...and suprisingly hasnt dated hardly at all when u compare it 2 his other 90's material.....some great tracks on there such as the lovely dreamy ballad "Space" the funky "Pheromone" and "Letitgo"

Chaos and Disorder - Certainley his most hard rocking album of the 90's... i luv it...especially the spooky sounding "dig u better dead".....the beautiful "I will" and the thumping "I Rock, Therefore I Am"....and the short...but sweet "Had U".....

[Edited 6/20/14 9:33am]

Militant said:

nonamesleft said:

I'm not new to Prince but I haven't payed much attention after the WB years. So here’s a list of

mainstream Prince albums that I don’t own. Which ones should I seek out first?

Most should not be too hard to find and I’ve removed harder-to-find, download only, live, and related-type releases (such as 94-East) for now.

Which should I prioritise (any to not even bother with?). I’ve seen Gold, Black, and Rainbow Children in peoples top 10s. (I’ve also seen often criticised albums in top 10s too, so I’m feeling really positive about finding lots of songs to love, that are new to me, even though I won’t love them all).

• 20Ten
• Planet Earth
• The Rainbow Children
• The Vault ... Old Friends 4 Sale
• Come
• Black Album
• Prince
• Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic
• Chaos And Disorder
• Emancipation
• The Gold Experience
• Diamonds & Pearls
• Untitled (Symbol)

‘Ultimate’ isn’t in the list but the extended versions of some favourites makes it tempting to grab, if I see it for a good price (I soooo wish Mountains extended was on it though, its never had an official release on CD has it?).

(Sorry for the lack of line-spacing in this post's layout, even editing the html isn't helping)

This is an easy one. Come, Prince and The Gold Experience first.

Then, D&P, Black Album, Emancipation and Symbol.

The others can be in any order.

Then, buy every protege album (Madhouse, Sheila E, Jill Jones, The Time, Mazarati, etc)

Then collect loads of bootlegs.

Then wait 20 years.

Then start listening to other artists.

Then re-buy all the Prince albums again in a new format.

Then buy every Michael Jackson album.

Then wait another 20 years.

Then, and only then, and only if you have a really strong stomach, buy The Rainbow Children. But I wouldn't recommend it. Unless you're a Jehovah's Witness who also loves Star Wars and random Darth Vader voices.

The Prince Org has sunk to new depths, a moderator on a Prince related 'fan' site gives the above advice about an Album that has had a lot of praise by a fair percentage of orgers. For the love of Jehova lets have a bit of sanity on this once great Org.

[Edited 6/20/14 9:42am]

SPOOKYGAS said:

Militant said:

This is an easy one. Come, Prince and The Gold Experience first.

Then, D&P, Black Album, Emancipation and Symbol.

The others can be in any order.

Then, buy every protege album (Madhouse, Sheila E, Jill Jones, The Time, Mazarati, etc)

Then collect loads of bootlegs.

Then wait 20 years.

Then start listening to other artists.

Then re-buy all the Prince albums again in a new format.

Then buy every Michael Jackson album.

Then wait another 20 years.

Then, and only then, and only if you have a really strong stomach, buy The Rainbow Children. But I wouldn't recommend it. Unless you're a Jehovah's Witness who also loves Star Wars and random Darth Vader voices.

The Prince Org has sunk to new depths, a moderator on a Prince related 'fan' site gives the above advice about an Album that has has a lot of praise by a fair percentage of orgers. For the love of Jehova lets have a bit of sanity on this once great Org.

R u Prince? haha

If you appreciate brilliant musicianship, you don't mind lyrics challenging you and you don't pay attention to attention-seeking posts, I'd go for The Rainbow Children. And if you put songwriting first, Diamonds And Pearls could be a good choice.

---

You have really fascinating music ahead, so go for it!

Optimus2 said:

SPOOKYGAS said:

The Prince Org has sunk to new depths, a moderator on a Prince related 'fan' site gives the above advice about an Album that has has a lot of praise by a fair percentage of orgers. For the love of Jehova lets have a bit of sanity on this once great Org.

R u Prince? haha

No eye am the banished one alone in a digital garden.....

SPOOKYGAS said:

Optimus2 said:

R u Prince? haha

No eye am the banished one alone in a digital garden.....

didnt banished 1's in the song mean white people?.....becuz it's prince doing white people impressions chanting in the song "we are the banished 1s"

[Edited 6/20/14 17:30pm]

nonamesleft said:

I'm not new to Prince but I haven't payed much attention after the WB years. So here’s a list of

mainstream Prince albums that I don’t own. Which ones should I seek out first?

Most should not be too hard to find and I’ve removed harder-to-find, download only, live, and related-type releases (such as 94-East) for now.

Which should I prioritise (any to not even bother with?). I’ve seen Gold, Black, and Rainbow Children in peoples top 10s. (I’ve also seen often criticised albums in top 10s too, so I’m feeling really positive about finding lots of songs to love, that are new to me, even though I won’t love them all).

• 20Ten
• Planet Earth
• The Rainbow Children
• The Vault ... Old Friends 4 Sale
• Come
• Black Album
• Prince
• Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic
• Chaos And Disorder
• Emancipation
• The Gold Experience
• Diamonds & Pearls
• Untitled (Symbol)

‘Ultimate’ isn’t in the list but the extended versions of some favourites makes it tempting to grab, if I see it for a good price (I soooo wish Mountains extended was on it though, its never had an official release on CD has it?).

(Sorry for the lack of line-spacing in this post's layout, even editing the html isn't helping)

I don't know anything about what u're saying. Y don't u just download everything 4 free and then if u're really in2 CD's u can decide which ones u wanna buy or not?

And no, Mountains ain't on CD. It will hopefully soon, though (Parade remaster)

SPOOKYGAS said:

Militant said:

This is an easy one. Come, Prince and The Gold Experience first.

Then, D&P, Black Album, Emancipation and Symbol.

The others can be in any order.

Then, buy every protege album (Madhouse, Sheila E, Jill Jones, The Time, Mazarati, etc)

Then collect loads of bootlegs.

Then wait 20 years.

Then start listening to other artists.

Then re-buy all the Prince albums again in a new format.

Then buy every Michael Jackson album.

Then wait another 20 years.

Then, and only then, and only if you have a really strong stomach, buy The Rainbow Children. But I wouldn't recommend it. Unless you're a Jehovah's Witness who also loves Star Wars and random Darth Vader voices.

The Prince Org has sunk to new depths, a moderator on a Prince related 'fan' site gives the above advice about an Album that has had a lot of praise by a fair percentage of orgers. For the love of Jehova lets have a bit of sanity on this once great Org.

[Edited 6/20/14 9:42am]

Yes, because god forbid somebody have an individual opinion that doesn't follow the crowd, right?

I'd take Rave Un2, Chaos & Disorder, and New Power Soul any damn day over TRC.

If you like it, good for you!

I also think "Adore" should have been cut from SOTT in favor of "Crucial". I suppose, to you, that's probably also an example of the org having "sunk to new depths".

To quote my dude KCOOL......

Militant said:

SPOOKYGAS said:

The Prince Org has sunk to new depths, a moderator on a Prince related 'fan' site gives the above advice about an Album that has had a lot of praise by a fair percentage of orgers. For the love of Jehova lets have a bit of sanity on this once great Org.

[Edited 6/20/14 9:42am]

Yes, because god forbid somebody have an individual opinion that doesn't follow the crowd, right?

I'd take Rave Un2, Chaos & Disorder, and New Power Soul any damn day over TRC.

If you like it, good for you!

I also think "Adore" should have been cut from SOTT in favor of "Crucial". I suppose, to you, that's probably also an example of the org having "sunk to new depths".

To quote my dude KCOOL......

"Baby, you've got to be from a different world
Cause just one look from you could make an army surrender
Baby, you've got to rescue me girl, girl
A prisoner in love with the opposite gender"

vs

"Until the end of time
I'll be there for you
You own my heart and mind
I truly adore you

If God one day struck me blind
Your beauty I'd still see
Love's too weak to define
Just what you mean to me"

Adore Wins...hands down

Militant said:

SPOOKYGAS said:

The Prince Org has sunk to new depths, a moderator on a Prince related 'fan' site gives the above advice about an Album that has had a lot of praise by a fair percentage of orgers. For the love of Jehova lets have a bit of sanity on this once great Org.

[Edited 6/20/14 9:42am]

Yes, because god forbid somebody have an individual opinion that doesn't follow the crowd, right?

I'd take Rave Un2, Chaos & Disorder, and New Power Soul any damn day over TRC.

If you like it, good for you!

I also think "Adore" should have been cut from SOTT in favor of "Crucial". I suppose, to you, that's probably also an example of the org having "sunk to new depths".

To quote my dude KCOOL......

You are a moderator now try and be moderate, stop seeking attention by trying to be uber cool, this fan site has given props to the Rainbow Children on numerous occasions now, live with it and build a bridge and get over it. Your counter example is juvenile and to be frank not becoming of a moderator even on this 'fan site'.

Empress said:

You absolutely must have:The Gold ExperienceSymbol (one of my favs)Diamonds and PearlsThe Rainbow Children (just don't pay any attention to the stupid lyrics and concentrate on the amazing music). Come You can get the others at some point in the future, but the above are "must haves" IMO.

You mean "muzak with an amazing drummer."
Nothing new, seek out the real thing: the Madhouse albums (including the bootlegged '88 and '93 ones)

Prince

Diamonds & Pearls

Untitled (Symbol)

Come

Black Album

The Gold Experience

Chaos And Disorder

Emancipation

The Vault ... Old Friends 4 Sale

Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic

The Rainbow Children

Planet Earth

20Ten

langebleu said:

many of the albums listed are only good if you are a prebubescent teenager who has never heard anyone swear and would have your mind blown by crude childish/adult humor and language

don't listen to anyone who recommends rainbow, gold or lotus, they are all crap and pointless and a waste of money

on the other hand

'the vault' is quite good

'black album' has some moments

'prince' is a classic if you like old school rnb sounding pop

and 'come' has some great moments too

the rest is really not worth your time .. in fact .. they will maybe sound interesting for a couple spins and then they will make you hate prince for treating you like a stupid idiot who will buy any bag of dogshit he puts his name / brand on

you are much better off borrowing or downloading illegally most of the other albums on your list, as they will not be worth the money once you hear them, and you may even burn them in a hateful fire, so as not to be tempted to listen again only to have your ears raped

oh the 'symbol' album isnt bad either, if you can ignore tony m

'Gold' contains a number of Prince classics: P control, Endorphinmachine (forget any cowbell whiners), Shhh, Dolpin, Now, and Gold.

The best version of The Most Beautiful... is track 7 of The Beautiful Experience.

The Gold-version has some ill-advised arrangement differences.

Funnily enough, the person who has criticized The Rainbow Children seems to think he's an individualist hero for not following the "crowd" who likes that album. His opinion implies that people liking TRC are religious fanatics who can stand silly Darth Vader voices (see above). A very respectful way to express an opinion, indeed. Go on, lad, you're a rebel!

Javi said:

Funnily enough, the person who has criticized The Rainbow Children seems to think he's an individualist hero for not following the "crowd" who likes that album. His opinion implies that people liking TRC are religious fanatics who can stand silly Darth Vader voices (see above). A very respectful way to express an opinion, indeed. Go on, lad, you're a rebel!

yeah but 2 be fair.....Im not the biggest fan of that album myself.....(I luv the track Everywhere tho) but musically (as in instruments) its very alien and exciting and 4 that reason I can understand why people enjoy it so much.....but the narrations awfull...and Lyrically its appaling its like hes just spouting out random shit 4 attention agaisnt jews, women and white people.....but hes not against jews, women and white people...when there buyin his fucking records and paying 4 ticket's 2 his concerts!.....cant be doin with all this david chapelle shit....that its white peoples fault that hes not as popular as he was...yanno it was all leading 2 this with songs like Avalanche and When Will We B Paid.....it was his own fault 4 being a spoilt twat...its a bitter record.....in my eye's.......I dont do Bitter...kudo's 2 those who can enjoy it tho wish i cud ......

[Edited 6/20/14 15:18pm]

nonamesleft said:

I'm not new to Prince but I haven't payed much attention after the WB years. So here’s a list of

mainstream Prince albums that I don’t own. Which ones should I seek out first?

Most should not be too hard to find and I’ve removed harder-to-find, download only, live, and related-type releases (such as 94-East) for now.

Which should I prioritise (any to not even bother with?). I’ve seen Gold, Black, and Rainbow Children in peoples top 10s. (I’ve also seen often criticised albums in top 10s too, so I’m feeling really positive about finding lots of songs to love, that are new to me, even though I won’t love them all).

• 20Ten
• Planet Earth
• The Rainbow Children
• The Vault ... Old Friends 4 Sale
• Come
• Black Album
• Prince
• Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic
• Chaos And Disorder
• Emancipation
• The Gold Experience
• Diamonds & Pearls
• Untitled (Symbol)

‘Ultimate’ isn’t in the list but the extended versions of some favourites makes it tempting to grab, if I see it for a good price (I soooo wish Mountains extended was on it though, its never had an official release on CD has it?).

(Sorry for the lack of line-spacing in this post's layout, even editing the html isn't helping)

-I've always counted "The Black Album" as one of the essential 80's albums. It's mean-spirited and really odd, but SO funky. Listen to it at night with some serious bass.

-Prince is overlooked a lot for its cheesiness, but there aren't songs I really dislike.

-Diamonds' has some great singles, and Come, Emancipation, Chaos' and Gold' can be replaced with the brilliant "The Dawn 4.1" bootleg.

-Everything else on there is skippable.

I still don't know anything about that thread