I have spent much of the time since P's death giving a fresh listen to his albums and songs. I noticed in several threads that many other orgers are doing this as well. Albums and songs are often found that you realize that you had underappreciated. I have always enjoyed hearing about others discoveries, in part because it sometimes opens my mind to lieten to something again and also in part that it is just so cool that people are getting renewed joy out of P.

No pressure to come up with a comprehensive list, or that it has to be both albums and songs. Additionally, please feel comfortable with posting as often as you would when you find new treasures. Comments are welcome but not necessary (I am just overly verbose)

For me, these albums I have really gotten into more than ever:

1. Rave - I was dismissive of this album when it came out and rarely played it after the first few months. Now, I find it extremely catchy with several very good songs. Yes, it is not as risky and creative as some of his CDS and it is nowhere near my top 5, but you would never know it if you saw me sing most of the CD loudly as I am driving.

2. 2121 - Similar to Rave, I just thought it was too generic for Prince. Now that I try to listen to all of his music with an open mind, I find this album very consistent, catchy and funky.

3. ATWIAD - I had run down my cassette so bad that I didnt't listen to it for the past 15 years. I became convinced that I was blind in my inital love for this album. Was I ever wrong! I downloaded it the week after his death and I couldn't believe how bold, creative, and addictive it is. It is now in my top 2 (parade #1).

4. Crystal Ball - CD #1 - I think I just listened to this once when I got it. I was the most closed down to P during this period (1997 -2004) I have been playing this all week long and it really works as a solid and enjoyable single CD. I haven't yet replayed the other CB cds yet.

Songs

1. So Dark

2. The Greatest Romance ...

3. Temptation (yes, all the way!)

4. New Position

Hi gandorb

.

I am embassassed to admit this but I stopped listening to Prince after Sign O The Times, so everything from Lovesexy and on is new to me.

It has been really fun getting to know his "new music".

My favorite Prince album was and still is 1999.

I like the older, less produced raw sound better than his later stuff.

But the most exciting discovery for me is his early unreleased songs.

.

UNRELEASED

Computer Blue (full version & extended version)

Billy's Sunglasses(Kal & XL)

When Doves scream

Turn It Up

Extralovable

Lust You Always

Your In My System

Do Yoyrself A Favor

Irrisistible Bitch

Velvet Kitty Cat

.

To name a few

.

Take it easy on that head of yours, it has to last you.

[Edited 8/2/16 19:07pm]

QueenofCardboard said:

Hi gandorb

.

I am embassassed to admit this but I stopped listening to Prince after Sign O The Times, so everything from Lovesexy and on is new to me.

It has been really fun getting to know his "new music".

My favorite Prince album was and still is 1999.

I like the older, less produced raw sound better than his later stuff.

But the most exciting discovery for me is his early unreleased songs.

.

UNRELEASED

Computer Blue (full version & extended version)

Billy's Sunglasses(Kal & XL)

When Doves scream

Turn It Up

Extralovable

Lust You Always

Your In My System

Do Yoyrself A Favor

Irrisistible Bitch

Velvet Kitty Cat

.

To name a few

.

Take it easy on that head of yours, it has to last you.

[Edited 8/2/16 19:07pm]

Hi Queen O'C

Interesting response. I really like his raw stuff too. It is probably why I initally was resistant to 2021 and Rave. I haven't heard most of those songs. I have to say I am clueless about how to find the unreleased tracks . Could u spare a clue?

I've gained more appreciation for the early "symbol" period (93-95)...I mean, listening to "The Exodus Has Begun" makes me want to leave Warner Bros. Outside of that, I've decided that "The Arms of Orion" is a pretty dang good tune, no matter how much it sounds like a Disney song.

Of the unreleased stuff, I've discovered a few gems that I had never heard before: "I Wonder", "A 1000 Hugs & Kisses", and "If It'll Make U Happy" (which I'm dying to hear a full version of).

Gandorb, I think PrinceVault + Youtube is the magic formula you're looking for.

howudoin2 said:

I've gained more appreciation for the early "symbol" period (93-95)...I mean, listening to "The Exodus Has Begun" makes me want to leave Warner Bros. Outside of that, I've decided that "The Arms of Orion" is a pretty dang good tune, no matter how much it sounds like a Disney song.

Of the unreleased stuff, I've discovered a few gems that I had never heard before: "I Wonder", "A 1000 Hugs & Kisses", and "If It'll Make U Happy" (which I'm dying to hear a full version of).

Gandorb, I think PrinceVault + Youtube is the magic formula you're looking for.

Thanks for you input. I need to stretch beyond my Amazon universe. I stretched onto Ebay last night and it stretched my wallet.

Glad you are enjoying that early Symbol period. Such a transitional time for him and also a time where he seemed to lose a lot of fans.

gandorb said:

Hi Queen O'C

Interesting response. I really like his raw stuff too. It is probably why I initally was resistant to 2021 and Rave. I haven't heard most of those songs. I have to say I am clueless about how to find the unreleased tracks . Could u spare a clue?

.

Just type 'Unreleased, Prince, You Tube' into google and the options should come up.

Then click on the Unreleased You Tube song of your choice, and it'll start playing the song and video which is usually automatically followed by another song, and another, and another.

If that doesn't work try typing in "Unreleased, Computer Blue, You Tube" or some other song title.

If that doesn't work just keep trying, and eventually it will work. Good Luck

.

I'm finding that the past 10 years of his catalog, his most recent stuff, is my favorite.

Also am liking some of the Emancipation album that I never really got into when it first came out.

QueenofCardboard said:

Xarina said:

Much like I don't understand why the general public flocks to the record store to buy an artists albums after they pass, I also don't understand why fans wait for their artist to die before giving various albums or songs a re-listen. Either you love his music or you dont, him physically being of this world has nothing to do with it. If the true fans are only appreciating some of his past music now, they were never really true fans.

leadline said:

sonshine said:

leadline said:

Much like I don't understand why the general public flocks to the record store to buy an artists albums after they pass, I also don't understand why fans wait for their artist to die before giving various albums or songs a re-listen. Either you love his music or you dont, him physically being of this world has nothing to do with it. If the true fans are only appreciating some of his past music now, they were never really true fans.

I don't think this is true at all. Can anyone honestly say they loved all of Prince's output over the years? He went in so many different directions it was hard to keep up at times. I think even more so for us fans who were with him in the very beginning its understandable there were drop outs along the way. We were also growing and changing, raising families, building careers, chasing dreams. Personally I've found being more mature is what it took to appreciate Prince's music beyond that first decade. He was a visionary. So bright, so creative, so prolific. As a teenager and young adult I just didn't really get him at the time. But I do now. And the opinion that makes me an untrue fan means absolutely nothing to me.

All that you say is true, however I am pointing to his death as a catalyst for re-evaluation, not maturity level or personal life circumstances.

[Edited 8/3/16 8:18am]

I ignored the album "For You" my entire lifetime...turns out it's pretty decent after-all.

leadline said:

.

[Edited 8/3/16 12:21pm]

QueenofCardboard said:

leadline said:

Much like I don't understand why the general public flocks to the record store to buy an artists albums after they pass, I also don't understand why fans wait for their artist to die before giving various albums or songs a re-listen. Either you love his music or you dont, him physically being of this world has nothing to do with it. If the true fans are only appreciating some of his past music now, they were never really true fans.

.

Well, I am sorry that you don't understand it, and that you consider those of us that have a renewed interest in Prince since he died to; never have been true fans according to your definition, but I smell a . Why are you giving your oppinion about the participants in this thread rather than addressing the question posed by it?

[Edited 8/3/16 11:32am]

If you disagree with my opinion that true fans would have celebrated his music while he was with us, and that my opinion did not address the original question, why perpetuate the dialogue by addressing my post in the first place? That is very counterintuitive.

Call me what you will, I have celebrated all of his music for the past 30 years, and have been here on the org much longer than most, and 14 years longer than you. A true fan doesn't bust out For You, etc, simply because the brother passes away, they have been listening to it all along, or, have made their evaluation of it a LONG time ago. If you can't understand that perspective, well, that's ok.

leadline said:

If you disagree with my opinion that true fans would have celebrated his music while he was with us, and that my opinion did not address the original question, why perpetuate the dialogue by addressing my post in the first place? That is very counterintuitive.

Call me what you will, I have celebrated all of his music for the past 30 years, and have been here on the org much longer than most, and 14 years longer than you. A true fan doesn't bust out For You, etc, simply because the brother passes away, they have been listening to it all along, or, have made their evaluation of it a LONG time ago. If you can't understand that perspective, well, that's ok.

.

Okay, I am sorry that I suggested that you might be trolling this thread, and I appreciate that you have been a member of the org for the last 14 years, and a loyal Prince fan for 30+ years.

I also appreciate the fact that you cannot address the question posed because you were listening to the music all along, and therefore, rediscovery and re-appraisal could not occur.

Please cut us newbies some slack, and give us some of your guidance so that we can eventually earn the title of "true fan"

We should count ourselves lucky that you are even on this thread.

I am sure that you know all kinds of great stuff about Prince and his music, that you could share with us and I for one would love that.

Peace.

.

[Edited 8/3/16 15:39pm]

Songs I've connected with that I hadn't before:

Saviour

Valentina

Planet Earth (except for that jazz breakdown)

The Good Life

Love Sign

Gett Off (Urge Remix)

Cream (NPG remix)

Guitar

[Edited 8/3/16 16:53pm]

leadline said:

QueenofCardboard said:

.

Well, I am sorry that you don't understand it, and that you consider those of us that have a renewed interest in Prince since he died to; never have been true fans according to your definition, but I smell a . Why are you giving your oppinion about the participants in this thread rather than addressing the question posed by it?

[Edited 8/3/16 11:32am]

If you disagree with my opinion that true fans would have celebrated his music while he was with us, and that my opinion did not address the original question, why perpetuate the dialogue by addressing my post in the first place? That is very counterintuitive.

Call me what you will, I have celebrated all of his music for the past 30 years, and have been here on the org much longer than most, and 14 years longer than you. A true fan doesn't bust out For You, etc, simply because the brother passes away, they have been listening to it all along, or, have made their evaluation of it a LONG time ago. If you can't understand that perspective, well, that's ok.

My intention of this thread had nothing to do about addressing the tensions of newbies, returnees or constant fans/orgers. I am surprised it came up here, as I have read fans of all groups say that they are finding new meanings and appreciations about some parts of Prince's vast catalogue.

I see this thread as a potentially valuable part of the grieving process. It is natural when one loses an important person in their life to have a time of special focus on that person to feel a variety of ways, including trying to appreciate or at least accept aspects of that person that were harder to accept while they were alive. In other words, it helps a person let go of their own stuff that got in the way of their acceptance of the person who is gone. While it would ideal if this happened all the time while a person was alive, it just typically doesn't. People have so much stress and other things it can make it hard to sustain this perspective without any emotional reactivity through their life.

Part of the grieving process for me is that I realized that I got caught up into some reactrivity to Prince's public persona as well as a possible drop in the quality of music due to too many relesase. Thus, I now realize that I didn't give all of the releases a full chance. Bravo for those who did and fully loved every release as it came out. In 2015, it wouldn't have made sense for me to spend hours every week listening to my least favorite Prince releases in a time crunched schedule when I could listen to my favorites of his instead.

Grieving and mourning allows one to truly take time to more fully appreciate the person lost, whether it is a cousin, brother, or parent if it is in family, or if you or a fan of any stripe when it is a favorite musician who dies. It's all good and valid!!!! To me, finding hidden gems or being less judgmental about his albums that aren't my in my favorite style of his music CELEBRATE HIM AND HIS LEGACY. I can't imagine him being pissed that a non-Chrisain is actually listening to The Rainbow Children several times after his death. Sharing our experiences of this can also be part of the grieving process, as I feel it honors him as well as provides mutual support. If this doesn't fit your style of grieving , so be it. Just don't label this thread as being about the divisions among his fans. That is opposite of what I intended.

leadline said:

Much like I don't understand why the general public flocks to the record store to buy an artists albums after they pass, I also don't understand why fans wait for their artist to die before giving various albums or songs a re-listen. Either you love his music or you dont, him physically being of this world has nothing to do with it. If the true fans are only appreciating some of his past music now, they were never really true fans.

This post is irritating. First of all, its not up to you, or anyone else to determine what a fan is, or what a "true fan" might look like. Speaking for myself, and what sounds like, many others on here, we have all ate, slept and drank Prince and his music for most of our lives. Hell, there was a period in the 90s, where i didnt listen to anyone else.....and I mean anyone else. That said, times change, focuses change, priorities change, but that doesnt make anyone less of a fan. I have kids now, so I cant exactly listen to sexy MF while im driving my oldest to ballet. Im getting off topic here. I have every album, and virtually every boot ever, but over the last several years, its not exactly easy to consistently listen, with tremendous focus, to a catalog as vast as Prince's on a consistent basis. In addition, I can openly admit that Prince was such a constant presence in my life, I took some of it for granted. So when Prince passes, it makes perfect sense for fans from forever to to go batshit crazy over Prince again. Grieve and relive every album with more love and detail than in the last 10-20 years. The loss of Prince was a profound loss for me...one that I honestly didnt anticipate or expect. So when I listen to the Prince (self titled) album (see other thread) again for the first time since Prince passed, im going to listen with more emotion, more focus, and frankly, more love.

In conclusion, dont be a douche, and let fans be fans without your approval on how they do so..

eightiesbrat said:

Gandorb that was so wonderfully and beautifully said. I've seen this topic/question come up a lot (what leadline said) and your post above answers it and then some. Sometimes it's difficult to understand even your own thoughts and reactions (at least for me anyway haha) so putting them into words to explain to others is darn near impossible. So you actually helped me understand why, even though I have considered myself a Prince fan since I first became one, why I have this overwhelming need to rediscover and reconsider and just immerse myself in Prince at this time, now, after he is gone. Sorry, didn't mean to hijack your thread even more, I just really liked that response

No, you have not highjacked the thread. I actually think you get the thread and the intention behind it. I also appreciate that my grief post helped you in any way. It helped me to write it.

Prince's music is like fine wine. It gets better with age.

18 years ago when I first started coming to the Org The Gold Experience album was much hated.

10 years ago it is one of his best.

I've always loved it.

muleFunk said:

Prince's music is like fine wine. It gets better with age.

18 years ago when I first started coming to the Org The Gold Experience album was much hated.

10 years ago it is one of his best.

I've always loved it.

Good point. I've heard some descibe that Prince's songs are growers. I thinh some of them just keep on growing to they hit you in the ace with their magnificence.

DarkKnight1 said:

leadline said:

Much like I don't understand why the general public flocks to the record store to buy an artists albums after they pass, I also don't understand why fans wait for their artist to die before giving various albums or songs a re-listen. Either you love his music or you dont, him physically being of this world has nothing to do with it. If the true fans are only appreciating some of his past music now, they were never really true fans.

This post is irritating. First of all, its not up to you, or anyone else to determine what a fan is, or what a "true fan" might look like. Speaking for myself, and what sounds like, many others on here, we have all ate, slept and drank Prince and his music for most of our lives. Hell, there was a period in the 90s, where i didnt listen to anyone else.....and I mean anyone else. That said, times change, focuses change, priorities change, but that doesnt make anyone less of a fan. I have kids now, so I cant exactly listen to sexy MF while im driving my oldest to ballet. Im getting off topic here. I have every album, and virtually every boot ever, but over the last several years, its not exactly easy to consistently listen, with tremendous focus, to a catalog as vast as Prince's on a consistent basis. In addition, I can openly admit that Prince was such a constant presence in my life, I took some of it for granted. So when Prince passes, it makes perfect sense for fans from forever to to go batshit crazy over Prince again. Grieve and relive every album with more love and detail than in the last 10-20 years. The loss of Prince was a profound loss for me...one that I honestly didnt anticipate or expect. So when I listen to the Prince (self titled) album (see other thread) again for the first time since Prince passed, im going to listen with more emotion, more focus, and frankly, more love.

In conclusion, dont be a douche, and let fans be fans without your approval on how they do so..

The loss was profound to you, and it was profound to me, while you disagree with my assessment, that is your right, as it is mine to voice it. Instead of closing my post out with insults and name calling, I will close it by wishing you peace and love.

gandorb said:

gandorb said:

muleFunk said:

Prince's music is like fine wine. It gets better with age.

18 years ago when I first started coming to the Org The Gold Experience album was much hated.

10 years ago it is one of his best.

I've always loved it.

Good point. I've heard some descibe that Prince's songs are growers. I thinh some of them just keep on growing to they hit you in the ace with their magnificence.

I once read an article that said 'There is no such thing as a bad Prince song - There are those songs you get and those you just haven't got yet' (paraphrased - apologies I can't remember who wrote the article or even how long ago it was). I completely align with this.

There are certain albums that, at the time, most of us considered to be weaker than others - even that we disliked immensely. Those albums probably differ for many of us - there have been many threads with the album you like least with a variety of answers.

And for an album to grow, it has to be given time. Time that some of us, at some points in our lives, didn't have. It is natural that now there will be no new music (aside from what may be released fromthe vault) that we give time to those albums we just didn't get and either remind ourselves why we disliked it in the first place or start to understand it and grow an appreciation for it.

Xarina said:

gandorb said:

I really like the newer stuff too. What draws you to it?

Maybe it's the laser beam sounds! I think part of the reason is that I have had my whole life to enjoy the older albums. Add that to the newer material being so good, and it makes me want to listen until I have the new ones memorized in my heart, too.

I really like the newer stuff too. Maybe it's because he was always working on a new project and his newer stuff were his latest projects. Plus AOA got more love on the Org than I've seen for a long time when it was released.