After reading the report on Prince's March 8 performance at Paisley (highlighted by an extended NPG previewing six new songs), it occured to me that Prince's next release (2000 Free: The Revelation Year?) will be the album that precedes him into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame voting and induction process.

I think that he is a lock to get in this year whether he puts out a classic album or not, but I imagine he sees it as a challenge do so. On the 25th anniversary of his recording career -- when the industry is poised to crown him one of the greatest of all time for his past catalog of releases -- can Prince produce an album that proves he hasn't lost a step along the way.

Trading on his past has always been anathema to Prince. The thought of hearing journalists, critics and fellow artists justify his induction only using examples recorded between 23 and 16 years ago (Dirty Mind through SOTT respectively) would likely be an ego bruise for Prince -- who has released a score of albums since his "golden era."

It's been said numerous times on this board that Prince does his absolute best work when he has something to prove (e.g. illustrating that he was more than a discofied Stevie Wonder clone (DM); showing the powers-that-be that he could become a superstar if he set his mind to it (Purple Rain); demonstrating that he didn't need the Revolution or any particular members therein to be brilliant (SOTT); articulating his love for God as revealed in a radically new spiritual path (TRC) and countless more examples).

I'm betting that the impending actions of the R&R HOF are presenting Prince with a new challenge...possibly one of the most arduous of his entire career: equaling his own brilliance.

I am enthusiastically looking forward to see if Prince is up to the task.

Peace, David

You've got me drooling man!

I wish Rainbow Children was that album 2 do what will happen 4 his next one.

Anyway, now that I read this, I hope hi ditches the drum machines again and keep the jazzy funk vibez going!

I like the way you think.

March 8th performance? I guess I completely missed that and need to go do some reading.

I'm also very happy about the people he has been surrounding himself with lately.

His output is very much shaped by those musicians around him.

But I think you forgot Prince himself said he has nothing to prove anymore. It's over, move along or you'll be like those James Brown fans in 20 years from now, hoping he still has something left in him.

EvilSkittle said:

Prince is full of shit and changes his mind every 2 minutes.

AAhhh! MiaBocca, whenever I read your posts, your words are articulated in a Gary Coleman voice, in my head. Funny...

Anyway...very well said LiveWire, I'm also very curious to see the outcome of events this year.

Blue

EvilSkittle said:

Apparently you forgot that Prince also said: "My only competition is, well, me in the past," because that's precisely what is being discussed here. My position is that Prince may finally be facing the only competiton he has ever considered worthy: himself.

Peace, David

TheBluePrince said:

whuchu talkin' 'bout?

livewire said:

Word..this is a defining year for Prince in many ways. 25 mf years. He has been to the top and been at the bottom and he has been the man of the moment and he has let it all go to do his own thing. If not for the Hall Of Sha, Fame, for perosnal reasons Prince is probably inspired to do something to top himself in TRC aspects. This and next year is going to be a very interesting year

MiaBocca said:

Sheila, George, and Eric are definitely cool

livewire said:

keep hope alive

In order to get into the Hall of Fame, doesn't he have to agree to play at their concert? They don't just induct you; you have to agree to show up. I could see Prince turning them down because of that.

Efan said:

No.