hey peeps, happen to go into a record shop last night i just found this book, PRINCE: Man & his Music". has anyone read this????worth it????

I didn't like it.

Not much insight that wasn't taken from other books, and some very bizarre opinions on songs that are widely considered classics. I think he referred to "Shockadelica" as a "throwaway".

Per Nilsen's DMSR remains the champ.

I think Ronin Ro did a better job with his imo. I actually didn't finish Matt Thornes book. Should probably try reading it again.

Militant said:

I have the book, just cracked it open. Thorne never calls "Shockadelica" a throwaway, in fact it comes across as an important song in the catalog. He does have a lot of opinions though - expect music criticism as opposed to something that tries to be unbiased. I think overall he tries to temper his adoration for Prince with some negative appraisals. Overall, I'd say it's great as a crash course, and I've read it two-three times. The book gets me going when I want to make music.

thanks, yes I have both Ron and Per's books. plus others, I was suprsied to see this one on the bookshelf as I thought I had everythign that came out. I had some store credit so I picked it up. Just finsihed the Purple Rain book, that was good.

thanks for the thoughts

I liked it. It's refreshing to have a book by somebody who knows his subject and doesn't make simple mistakes that a trip to PrinceVault would prevent.

mtlfan said:

I have the book, just cracked it open. Thorne never calls "Shockadelica" a throwaway, in fact it comes across as an important song in the catalog. He does have a lot of opinions though - expect music criticism as opposed to something that tries to be unbiased. I think overall he tries to temper his adoration for Prince with some negative appraisals. Overall, I'd say it's great as a crash course, and I've read it two-three times. The book gets me going when I want to make music.

I haven't read it since it came out, but maybe it wasn't that song. But there was definitely at least a couple of songs generally regarded as classics that he was very dismissive of.

I really enjoyed the book. As noted, I thought it Matt did a good job of highlighting music outside the '80's.

Im thinking of getting Thornes or the Ronin Ro book,,,somebody here was ranting about one of them being soon to be revised with material regarding his fans

which one was he takking about?

I dont wnt to waste in getting one thats going to have a soon revised edition

redaddict said:

I am reading this at the moment...and finding it very hard going! I can't stand the way he presents his opinions on songs as absolute facts. I also think the book sucks the joy, energy and vibrancy out of Prince and his work. I love Prince and have for most of my life but even I am finding this boring. Credit where credit is due though... It takes a singular talent to make Prince boring

I started reading it (I didn't find it a particularly nice read) but I stopped after I came across a section in which he called Prince a psychopath for a view expressed in one of his songs (I don't remember which song).

Not trying to be the Prince music 'bible', but a very comprehensive personal overview of our man's output right through his career up until recent years.

I've always found it very interesting, entertaining and enlightening. The writer is clearly either a true fan or has done a lot of good research.

I particularly like how he highlights how odd some of the subject matter and lyrics of Prince's songs can be, especially in the 90s .

My favourate Prince book out of the small number of decent ones currently available.

DSMR is obviously the best of the lot but Let's Go Crazy is obviously the second best.

Starlit said:

I actually bought this book a couple of weeks ago and it's been a slow read. I don't love it but I don't hate it. My only really big complaint is the author is all over the place in the book which frustrates me to no end.

In the midst of reading it currently - absolutely LOVE it so far. I find Thorne's writing to be extremely readable. I love that he's forthright in his opinions on specific songs or albums - even when I don't agree with them (i.e. saying "The Max" should've been left off the Symbol album - how DARE he!!)

I can't fully formulate an overall opinion until I finish reading it - and also I've skipped ahead a lot (wondering what he had to say about this album or that tour, etc). But I think it's easily recommendable.

mynameisnotsusan said:

redaddict said:

I am reading this at the moment...and finding it very hard going! I can't stand the way he presents his opinions on songs as absolute facts. I also think the book sucks the joy, energy and vibrancy out of Prince and his work. I love Prince and have for most of my life but even I am finding this boring. Credit where credit is due though... It takes a singular talent to make Prince boring

Thank you! I thought I might have been reading a different book for a second. I can't even think of one memorable insight or new piece of information from that book.