Hi, guys,

I'm wondering if anyone has thoughts or information concerning the following.

As far as I can tell, Phase Two seems to have been a major return to analog instruments and solo recording after the extensive involvement of Josh Welton. In fact it sounds like there is real drumming throughout.

Frankly, Phase One and Art Official Age seem to have a lot more in common than do the two HitnRun records. Again, I'm assuming the connection is Welton.

Does this analysis make sense? And what do we think prompted Prince to shift away from Welton (and 3rd Eye Girl, for that matter)?

Thanks for any observations you might have.

I think that the idea that Welton really authored the sound of those albums is an overestimate. But yes, one is more teen pop oriented, the other more conceptual (but also more contemporary pop on some tracks) and one is conservative and mellow, even retro.

It does make sense. They are almost separate like AOA=Phase one. Plectrum=Phase Two. the first being programming, the latter being a live band.

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For me, I don't believe Welton added anything valuable to Prince's music. In the late 90s, and into the aughts, Prince's music suffered - sometimes greatly - with an acrylic finish to it. It was flat, lifeless, and everything sounded like a demo on GarageBand. Now, I know that's harsh, and I'm no casual Prince fan. But I also fully recognize substandard material when I hear it. I know Prince isn't always going to be 1984 Prince. I don't want him to be that, either.

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Fans used to complain about Kirk Johnson's programming and production, but in hindsight is seems downright desirable compared to Welton's. There are moments of brightness on AOA, but if you whittled those down (which I did on my own playlist), you are left with a lot of room to fill in with something else.

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The last few years did seem to be a time when Prince was clawing for a new sound, and new ideas, not that he didn't have great ideas. But I think even he felt he needed a shot of something new. Younger people often possess that newness. Some more than others. Welton didn't. He seemed to be more of a sycophant than a synced up fan.

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I noticed Welton's name isn't on Phase Two, and I tend to be drawn to that out of the two.

TrivialPursuit said:

It does make sense. They are almost separate like AOA=Phase one. Plectrum=Phase Two. the first being programming, the latter being a live band.

.

For me, I don't believe Welton added anything valuable to Prince's music. In the late 90s, and into the aughts, Prince's music suffered - sometimes greatly - with an acrylic finish to it. It was flat, lifeless, and everything sounded like a demo on GarageBand. Now, I know that's harsh, and I'm no casual Prince fan. But I also fully recognize substandard material when I hear it. I know Prince isn't always going to be 1984 Prince. I don't want him to be that, either.

.

Fans used to complain about Kirk Johnson's programming and production, but in hindsight is seems downright desirable compared to Welton's. There are moments of brightness on AOA, but if you whittled those down (which I did on my own playlist), you are left with a lot of room to fill in with something else.

.

The last few years did seem to be a time when Prince was clawing for a new sound, and new ideas, not that he didn't have great ideas. But I think even he felt he needed a shot of something new. Younger people often possess that newness. Some more than others. Welton didn't. He seemed to be more of a sycophant than a synced up fan.

.

I noticed Welton's name isn't on Phase Two, and I tend to be drawn to that out of the two.

Just a laughable, tone-deaf assesment right here. If you want to call a song like "Way Back Home" lifeless, you're out of your mind.

And as far as Phase Two, some of the songs, like Rocknroll Loveaffair and Xtraloveable are pre-Welton, no?

TrivialPursuit said:

It does make sense. They are almost separate like AOA=Phase one. Plectrum=Phase Two. the first being programming, the latter being a live band.

.

For me, I don't believe Welton added anything valuable to Prince's music. In the late 90s, and into the aughts, Prince's music suffered - sometimes greatly - with an acrylic finish to it. It was flat, lifeless, and everything sounded like a demo on GarageBand. Now, I know that's harsh, and I'm no casual Prince fan. But I also fully recognize substandard material when I hear it. I know Prince isn't always going to be 1984 Prince. I don't want him to be that, either.

.

Fans used to complain about Kirk Johnson's programming and production, but in hindsight is seems downright desirable compared to Welton's. There are moments of brightness on AOA, but if you whittled those down (which I did on my own playlist), you are left with a lot of room to fill in with something else.

.

The last few years did seem to be a time when Prince was clawing for a new sound, and new ideas, not that he didn't have great ideas. But I think even he felt he needed a shot of something new. Younger people often possess that newness. Some more than others. Welton didn't. He seemed to be more of a sycophant than a synced up fan.

.

I noticed Welton's name isn't on Phase Two, and I tend to be drawn to that out of the two.

Great thoughts, beautifully expressed IMHO as well. Thank you.

BreakfastCanWait said:

Just a laughable, tone-deaf assesment right here. If you want to call a song like "Way Back Home" lifeless, you're out of your mind.

And as far as Phase Two, some of the songs, like Rocknroll Loveaffair and Xtraloveable are pre-Welton, no?

Ad hominem.

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I never name checked "Way Back Home". In fact, it's one of the few songs I do listen to on AOA. I also said there are bright moments on AOA.

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And yes those songs are non-Welton. I said I like Phase Two better because of Welton's lack of, or lesser, input.

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So I don't see where you really have a debate here. I shall move forward.

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[Edited 5/22/16 0:52am]