16. Graffiti Bridge 3:51min

Boni Boyer - organ and background vocals (16) Levi Seacer, Jr. - bass and backing vocals (16) Sheila E. - drums and background vocals (16) Tevin Campbell - lead vocals (6), backing vocals (16, 17) Mavis Staples - lead vocals (14), backing vocals (16, 17) [Wiki]

Graffiti Bridge marks the earliest recording from Paisley Park Studios to be released with Prince vocals, therefore. An early version of the song was included as the third track on a 25 September, 1988 configuration of Graffiti Bridge. It was included as the 13th track on a late 1989 configuration. Vocal and instrumental overdubs took place in late 1989 or early 1990 at Paisley Park Studios, and during the same time period, Clare Fischer recorded string overdubs at Mad Hatter Studios, Los Angeles, CA, USA. It was included as the 16th track on a 1990 configuration of the album, where it remained for release.[PrinceVault]

Fink: I've always been the lead player. If there are any solos, that's usually my thing. Rhythm parts can be delegated pretty much equally. Technically, I’d say Lisa was far and away the best other keyboard player we've had. With her, we could work quickly and get things done, because she had a really great knowledge of voicings. But she wasn’t a dynamic soloist, although she got better over the years. She wasn't a Jan Hammer-type Moog player, though, which is what I was into. When Boni Boyer came in, she was a good rhythm player but, again, not a strong soloist. I would sometimes have to work with her a bit longer, because she wasn't quite as technically proficient as Lisa. Now, Rosey is a great funk player, a really good R&B player, but again, not a strong soloist. As a singer, she's incredible.

1990 Interview

BartVanHemelen said:

NinaB said:

BartVanHemelen said: I believe that was Rosie, what with being the only woman in the band etc. From what I recall Boni spoke her mind.

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I'm pretty sure she complained about there being fat jokes. I recall being surprised to learn that this happened on the Lovesexy Tour.

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[Edited 12/9/14 3:09am]

No it was Rosie during the D&P Tour and the bullies were mostly the Game Boyz apparently, it's in Alex Hahn's book pamphlet against Prince

Mavis interceded in her favor because didn't give a fuck when she complained and IIRC he finally allowed her to move into Mavis' bus or sumthin'.

Michael B. also tacitely admitted those events when he came on the Org in 06 or 07. A fan asked him if it was true and he just replied something like "well, men are pigs, you know".

It's mentioned in the best book ever written about Prince, Possessed.

Aerogram said:

NinaB said:

BartVanHemelen said: I believe that was Rosie, what with being the only woman in the band etc. From what I recall Boni spoke her mind.

Source?

frazetta said:

It's mentioned in the best book pamphlet ever written about against Prince, Possessed.

databank said:

frazetta said:

It's mentioned in the best book pamphlet ever written about against Prince, Possessed.

Boni is still very much missed.

It is sad she died so young, she was the same age as I am now, that kind of freaks me out a bit.

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I loved her musical contibutions though and The Line is one of my favourites in the whole Lovesexy era. It showed how strong her voice is. A worthwhile thread, good to find out more infor about her and the fact Prince was just one part of her career.

[Edited 12/10/14 15:34pm]

FragileUndertow said:

Oh, hey.

databank said:

Prince didn't stop them? I'm shocked.

FragileUndertow said:

I absolutely love that early version of "Cross The Line"
Every time i her it i think of Boni Boyer

SoulAlive said:

In the 90s,she could be heard singing backup vocals on Raphael Saadiq's 1994 hit "Ask Of You".

as i recall.. She was also the female background vocals on Digital Underground's Kiss You back

yeah,she seemed to be very much in-demand as a session vocalist.She sings backup vocals on a few tracks on Tony Leman's debut album,as well.