perfume said:

Shelby could sing, but it was just a little bit much for me to get with. If she isn't working with Prince anymore I wish her well, but I can honestly say that I wasn't a fan of hers. Her talent over shadowed Prince alot and I'm sorry but if I'm paying all this money to see Prince perform that's exactly what I wanna see. Tamar was different....the girl could sing and I enjoyed her work alot. I really loved her work with Prince.

KingSausage said:

leecaldon said:

How come Prince never produced an album for Shelby? Since she started working with him, he's produced albums for Bria Valente, Andy Allo, Liv Warfield and Judith Hill. In 2007, he had us chanting, "A star is born", so I find it strange that no album has emerged in that time.

Whenever Prince produces an album for a female artist these days,the album goes nowhere and is quickly forgotten.Look at those examples you listed.Shelby will have a better chance at a long career if she works with somebody else.Prince is a musical genuis,but I don't think the world is eagerly awaiting to hear him produce a female artist anymore.He's been there,done that,too many times.

BlackCandle said:

On a related note (since this thread was prompted by the Ebony interview): I notice the interview thread has "disappeared"...

See http://prince.org/msg/3/420891

nursev said:

Shelby could sing, but it was just a little bit much for me to get with. If she isn't working with Prince anymore I wish her well, but I can honestly say that I wasn't a fan of hers. Her talent over shadowed Prince alot and I'm sorry but if I'm paying all this money to see Prince perform that's exactly what I wanna see. Tamar was different....the girl could sing and I enjoyed her work alot. I really loved her work with Prince.

The comment above illustrates what I believe is probably the main reason Shelby does not enjoy much popularity here. She's certainly got the chops. I don't pay her or anyone else much attention when P. is onstage, but my sense is that he entrusts her to take lead vocals on occasion and this may serve to fill time while he goes offstage for a wardrobe change, or takes a moment to rest his vocal chords during a performance. Personally, I think she has a fine voice and good stage presence. She seems very likeable as well. But time spent listening to Shelby--or Liv or anyone else for that matter--singing a cover song at a Prince concert is time not spent listening to Prince or one of his compositions. That's not going to endear her to avid fans.

.

Getting back to the OP, I did not come away from the recently pulled interview with the impression that Prince had outgrown Shelby or vice versa, or that there was any falling out. She's worked with him for nearly a decade. She got to travel all around the world with him and his band. Working with Prince is a once in a lifetime, incredible opportunity for any aspiring singer or musician, but that doesn't mean she wants to spend the next decade of her life on the road with the NPG. Maybe she just wants to settle down for a bit and focus on other areas of life that are important to her but can't be tended to while touring.

.

[Edited 12/24/15 21:31pm]

Bluu said:

luv4u said:

nursev said:

Bluu said:

The comment above illustrates what I believe is probably the main reason Shelby does not enjoy much popularity here. She's certainly got the chops. I don't pay her or anyone else much attention when P. is onstage, but my sense is that he entrusts her to take lead vocals on occasion and this may serve to fill time while he goes offstage for a wardrobe change, or takes a moment to rest his vocal chords during a performance. Personally, I think she has a fine voice and good stage presence. She seems very likeable as well. But time spent listening to Shelby--or Liv or anyone else for that matter--singing a cover song at a Prince concert is time not spent listening to Prince or one of his compositions. That's not going to endear her to avid fans.

.

Getting back to the OP, I did not come away from the recently pulled interview with the impression that Prince had outgrown Shelby or vice versa, or that there was any falling out. She's worked with him for nearly a decade. She got to travel all around the world with him and his band. Working with Prince is a once in a lifetime, incredible opportunity for any aspiring singer or musician, but that doesn't mean she wants to spend the next decade of her life on the road with the NPG. Maybe she just wants to settle down for a bit and focus on other areas of life that are important to her but can't be tended to while touring.

.

[Edited 12/24/15 21:31pm]

If my comment bothers you then obviously you have some things to work out. I'm only giving my perspective of her performances with Prince. I think people have said more hurtful comments about Shelby even in this thread. The woman can sing, but she has always over shadowed Prince imho.

Calm down

luv4u said:

nursev said:

Bluu said: If my comment bothers you then obviously you have some things to work out. I'm only giving my perspective of her performances with Prince. I think people have said more hurtful comments about Shelby even in this thread. The woman can sing, but she has always over shadowed Prince imho.

Calm down

.

Nursev, please re-read what I wrote. Your comment didn't bother me at all. As a matter of fact, I was actually agreeing with you. I signaled out your comment because I was thinking almost the exact same thing you were: Shelby's going to be unpopular with fans (no matter how good I think she is) because they will resent her (or any background singer) being put on lead vocals as it takes time away from Prince in concert. Guess I did not express myself as clearly as I thought.

.

(Luv4u: Appreciate you stepping in. LOL)

[Edited 12/25/15 21:30pm]

KingSausage said:

To summarize what we've learned so far: Shelby sucks. Good riddance.

I don't get some people , so glad she won't be at any future concerts.

Noodled24 said:

Shelby has a great voice. On stage she never took her eyes off Prince.

And THIS is why she lasted nine years in the band. Shelby is a decent soul singer, tho I prefer Tamar, who seemed more versatile. Like with James Brown, if you keep your ears locked on the band and your eyes locked on the main man, and you can do what needs to be done, you will survive longer than most.

Personally, I wish he would do without these big-voiced female soul vocalists for a couple of tours, as, Rosie Gaines and Tamar excepted, none of the others had a particular personality imo, and serve only to fill-in the lead vox when Prince wants a break, or to make him look like a talent spotter .

[Edited 12/26/15 11:47am]

leadline said:

Shelby is great, and boy did she give her all for the years she was with him, she is a powerhouse.

Folks, Prince is constantly moving and evolving, this means cleaning up the house every now and then. This means getting rid of musicians that have been with him for years and that he surely has come to respect and love. It's not malevolent, it's just what needs to be done to progress his journey through this thing called life. Some people he works with may take it that way, but they shouldn't, they filled spots for years that most could never dream of. They were given an opportunity to be mentored by and play side by side with one of the greats. Not many can say that. It's the best gig in the land, who would want to go? But when they do, they should go with grace, humility and respect.

He ain't been moving and evolving much lately to me and speaking of cleaning up house. I wish he'd clean house with that fucked up afro that he's done had for 3-4 years now and get rid of the third eye and the tacky outfits. This is not the Prince that we are used to that is everchanging and sexy. I know he's 57, but damn get another look. I didn't want him to do this, but maybe he should cut his hair and be bald like Shelby. Anything. JUST GET RID OF THAT FUCKIN AFRO!!

Miles said:

Noodled24 said:

Shelby has a great voice. On stage she never took her eyes off Prince.

And THIS is why she lasted nine years in the band. Shelby is a decent soul singer, tho I prefer Tamar, who seemed more versatile. Like with James Brown, if you keep your ears locked on the band and your eyes locked on the main man, and you can do what needs to be done, you will survive longer than most.

Personally, I wish he would do without these big-voiced female soul vocalists for a couple of tours, as, Rosie Gaines and Tamar excepted, none of the others had a particular personality imo, and serve only to fill-in the lead vox when Prince wants a break, or to make him look like a talent spotter .

[Edited 12/26/15 11:47am]

I thought that Tamar's voice was so much better suited to Prince. Like Rosie, she knew how to blend her voice with his without over-singing him. That might be one of the reasons people get annoyed with Shelby.

Shelby has a great voice IMO but I prefer her singing solo or with somebody like Anthony Hamilton. The song she did with him sounds great.

In any case I've never gotten very attached to the various band members Prince has worked with over the years so I don't really miss any of them when they go. I'm ready for whatever is next.

I like Shelby, but can she sing soft? I think the woman radiates kindness, joy, and positivity. Having met this woman I can honestly say she is sweet person.

Sending you love Shelby.

Doozer said:

Whether or not she's a nice person is irrelevant. I have never heard her voice add anything of much value to Prince's live shows, unless you place a high value on "Getcherhandsup, getcherhandsup, everybodyinthehousegetcherhandsup!"

[Edited 12/24/15 6:49am]

Just one example: her take on Brown Skin (2011.04.28, Inglewood) is powerful, excellent !

highcalonic said:

Doozer said:

Whether or not she's a nice person is irrelevant. I have never heard her voice add anything of much value to Prince's live shows, unless you place a high value on "Getcherhandsup, getcherhandsup, everybodyinthehousegetcherhandsup!"

[Edited 12/24/15 6:49am]

Just one example: her take on Brown Skin (2011.04.28, Inglewood) is powerful, excellent !

Also her duet with on "Nothing Compares 2 U" live slays Rosies.

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

highcalonic said:

Just one example: her take on Brown Skin (2011.04.28, Inglewood) is powerful, excellent !

Also her duet with on "Nothing Compares 2 U" live slays Rosies.

I disagree. Nothing compares to Rosie Gaines, eva!