The 'speculation' of Prince's musical activity in recent times has caused an enormous sense of anticipation, joy and hope within the fan community. From the potential appearance at Glastonbury festival (which is now confirmed to not be happening due to logistical reasons), to the confirmed musical collaboration with artists on the forthcoming Jimi Hendrix tribute album; it is clear that while Prince has not issued a statement regarding his future musical activites, his current activites (and the media reporting of them), are far from stating anything to the effect that Prince's musical ambitions are dead.

It should also be noted that the musical community can, and most likely does, have an effect on Prince's musical output. It is hardly surprising that both Prince and his organisation keep a very close eye on all reported activities in the media. As an example, the resurgence in both critical (and fan) acclaim for Prince's latest album, The Rainbow Children, was noted and published on both his NPGMC website and the recent issue of the ONA Live box set. Just as the official liner notes to D'Angelo's Voodoo album had a part to play in Prince's thoughts, fans in every Prince fan community, have their part to play too. Whilst the unofficial, rumoured performance at Paisley Park earlier this month, is actually an April Fool's joke, it will inevitably be noted by Prince's organisation and most likely communicated to Prince. Is that a good or bad thing?

I think it's worthwhile bearing in mind, that as a collective here in the Prince.org fan community, it is also more than likely that we have a means of being noted by Prince's organisation, and therefore noticed by Prince. Just as certain critics (and fans) choose to exercise their right to suggest that Prince's musical career is over, other critics (and fans) also have their right to suggest their beliefs regarding his career. Believe it or not, we all do play a part.

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[This message was edited Sat Oct 4 7:01:43 PDT 2003 by Anji]

Anji said:

...can u be the p.r. person 4 the org, anji?

Well said Anji

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>>the resurgence in both critical (and fan) acclaim

I will still say this, What CRITICAL acclaim. Since the posts about TRC this week and last I have been to many record stores and checked their stock and asked about sales ofthe album and all of them told me it was a dud, All stores still have copys from their original shipments, SOME with as many as 30-40 copies in the store. Others have about 5-10 and they all said it isn't moving. To me and most people if an album doesn't sell it usually is an indication of the fans appeal for it as well. Almost everyone I know is a fan of Prince and we all agree that TRC is just a so so album. Nothing earthshattering and from the amount of sales that shows true. Now I know some of you are going to say that "Sales are not an indication of a great album etc etc." Well I hate to tell you it is. Now show me some proof of this CRITICAL acclaim with real CREDITABLE critics and maybe I will believe it.

fairlite said:

Um, critical acclaim means just that: acclaim from music critics. It has nothing to do with album sales. Many critically-acclaimed albums have fairly low sales figures. In fact, it happens all the time. The majority of the record-buying public buys pop shit that critics don't necessarily love.

fragisexy said:

Ok I can sort of agree with that, But ussually sales will pick up on that so called CRITICAL acclaim. But I still haven't seen any CREDITABLE reviews etc. Not Joe Blow from some website that means jack in the Music Biz. I will even put my neck out on this one, Uptown isn't even a creditable source either since it is run by fans. I want Unbiased reviews. Not some Prince loving critic.

Here is a review which I think perfectly sums up TRC.



It isn't expedience, it isn't desperation, it isn't eccentricity of vision per se: Whatever compels Prince to continue expounding on his idea of a spirito-sexual musical revolution remains a mystery all these records away from his greatest, most populist work. He's digging in his high heels harder than ever on the busy, portentous The Rainbow Children. It cops jazz forms without swinging, gets James Brownishly funky minus the urgency, and offers church interludes that are too mystical to carry earthly convention. Laid out as a series of "chapters," the tracks provide a text for the everywhereness of God and find him mostly in the bedroom. Heavily processed vocal intros provide a biblical weight to each number, as do Gnostic references to the Banished Ones, ambiguous numerology, ambiguous vegetarianism and his talk of "displaced bloodlines." But this is Prince, and if the laid-back jazz funk doesn't interest him, he can always get rowdy with the ladies. His admonishing tone and dubious history take a back seat to the fine, sexy stuff - the simple ballad "She Loves Me 4 Me," the grooving "Mellow" and "1+1+1=3." But it's a long trudge across the desert to this heady water, especially with Freak-in-the-Pulpit leading the way, waving his synthesizer of holy justice.
ARION BERGER

Fairlite, if you have the ONA Live Box Set there are many samples of reviews there. For the full reports, you might want to consider online searches. As an indicator of fan acclaim at Prince.org, our opinion poll pointed to approxinately 80% of fans here rating The Rainbow Children as high against previous Prince albums.

As Fragisexi suggested, your debate as to whether The Rainbow Children has been subjected to critical acclaim in the press, is not directly linked to sales figures. If you'd like to debate this further, I suggest using this thread:

http://www.prince.org/msg...&tid=41823

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[This message was edited Sat Oct 4 7:02:30 PDT 2003 by Anji]

Anji said:

Yes an Opinion poll by FANS. and with the majority of all of you Price can do no wrong. Or if he makes a record that just happens to get radio play most of you will bash the songs that get radio play and go with the ones that don't as the true genius. I don't know just forget it, I don't want to get in to a flaming war or cause arguments, I just have my view on this and it is that the album for the most part stinks.

Whatever.

If Prince wants to write music and put it out there, he will, and I'll buy it because I'm interested in his musical output.

I'm frankly not that interested in feeling I played a part in influencing the direction in Prince's career decisions, other than by buying the music and enjoying the concerts. If Prince is remotely interested in finding out what I want musically from him, then I guess he'll ask - but when he has done so in the past, he has largely appeared to have ignored or lost interest in delivering the goods.

And, if I want to send a 'personal' message to Prince's organisation, I'll just use email.

BTW How was the Jazz Musician article supposed to be 'poisson d'avril', ir the article is posted and read in March?

"Prince's The Rainbow Children (NPG) features narration that connects its songs. It's also his best album in more than a decade, at least since Lovesexy."
http://pulse.towerrecords...entId=4920

langebleu said:

And I'm sure he'd be curious in what we all have to say.

Question 2 Anji , in ur precedent post u said things like "moonbeam levels" will b the 1st single of the new album , that was joke?

I don't like April cause cause we will read a lot of fakes news...

jimipaisley said:

It's still being considered.

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[This message was edited Sat Oct 4 7:04:22 PDT 2003 by Anji]

Nice topic, Anji, too bad we are already drifting away from your original question. That's why I'm more than happy to reply :

Dear Prince,

• I wouldn't mind another album in the vein of "The Rainbow Children". It would be nice to make it a band effort with the current NPG this time, they are such accomplished musicians. It's certainly not that I think your own performances on "TRC" are subpar or anything, not at all, they're tight as hell! It would just be very interesting to hear what a group effort would sound like, in my opinion...
  
• A live DVD together with the Clare Fischer Orchestra on which you play some of the highlights of your career combined with some new stuff. I’d love to hear "Crystal Ball" played live, for example. In fact, that would be fantastic!
  
• If you don’t like the two former suggestions, why not try this: hire a cutting edge underground breakbeat producer (English?) and create an electronic funk album on which the spirit of Minneapolis Funk meets state-of-the-art electronic production techniques. A hit for sure, at least in my book!
  

But anyway, whatever you gonna do, make sure to keep it fresh 'n' funky and I'll be down with you for live!

Some people call it The Sickness, now go and find out about that!
You might ask rdhull if you're really interested...
[This message was edited Fri Mar 28 15:36:31 PST 2003 by funkaholic1972]
[This message was edited Fri Mar 28 15:38:59 PST 2003 by funkaholic1972]

It's amusing how many people write this gigantic essays to Prince on here. Then you go to the rehearsals and everyone is speechless trying to think of something to say to him.

I can see why he doesn't give out his mailing address lol.

I think if a very quiet retail release of Xpectation happened, the critics would DROOL over it, setting the stage for a big ol', WELL MARKETED release of a new pop album...during the tour, maybe throw out a side release of vault recordings or actually go back to releasing a QUALITY extended single or two (remember back in the day when 2 killer tracks would go a long way? those days don't have to be over, ya know), and see what happens...

Just sayin'.