If U could have one album by Prince among his officially released material as a lyric-stripped instrumental version [Not already instrumental like N.E.W.S. or (associated) Madhouse!], which 1 would it be?

this requires some serious thought!!

This is hard... Lovesexy, HitnRun Phase 2, Lotusflow3r would be perfect instrumental albums in my opinion. I guess if I had to pick only one...Lovesexy. That would be very interesting, it's songs are very unique.

purplemajesty23 said:

This is hard... Lovesexy, HitnRun Phase 2, Lotusflow3r would be perfect instrumental albums in my opinion. I guess if I had to pick only one...Lovesexy. That would be very interesting, it's songs are very unique.

Great choice , first album i thought off. I will add Parade too.

Genesia said:

The correct answer is The Rainbow Children.

Oh shit! I completely forgot about that album for some reason haha. I change my answer to this one . This would be on regular rotation for me if this was an instrumental album. I just cannot bring myself to listen to it because of the atrocious religious/spiritual lyrics. Can't stand that stuff.

Genesia said:

I am not sure... for instance, there is exactly that, the album's music without any vocals, circulating for Back to Black, Amy Winehouse's second album. While I love the album, it is a bit weird and doesn't work as well as you'd hope.

I would love to have a version of the Rainbow Children though, but only so I can mix the full album without the Dark Vader voice and some of the silly stuff in Family Name, but with the "normal" lyrics. (and minus distractions like wedding feast and last december)

Genesia said:

The correct answer is The Rainbow Children.

As much as I love the earlier stuff, I do think the lyrics play a huge part in the song's successes in radio, and among the fanbase. And as much as I just can't deal with the preaching on TRC, I'd have to agree with you on this one. That album would probably be in my top 15 if it were all instrumental.

Goldnigga.

i know many people are going to say TRC, but i have no problem with it's lyrics, i see it as
a parable, a wacky sci-fi mythology mixed with sprinkles or JW religion and pseudo science,

and as such it's a glorious listen, especially with the extraordinary musicianship.

now, goldnigga on the other hand although i do like some of it's silly moments, it
would be such a great album, without vocals. because the grooves are sexy and hot and
funky. it's just that, well, like rosie said "it's about these words...."

Great question.

Lovesexy would be the most interesting.

Parade would be the most engaging.

Rainbow Children would be the most improved.

But, I'm gonna go with Jill Jones. I love her voice but an instrumental version of that album would be sublime.



I almost picked The Family but since that LP already has a couple instrumentals Jill barely edged by.






EDIT: Also would be interested in PlectrumElectrum. Wouldn't mind losing the vocals on a few of those tracks...

[Edited 8/3/16 12:22pm]

CalhounSq said:

Ugh, I'd totally miss his vocals!

In this imaginary scenario where we get to hear instrumental versions of Prince's albums, the originals with the vocals intact would still be on your shelves / in your devices.

I don't think the topic is about replacing the existing records with instrumental versions. It would be very interesting to hear instrumental alternates, no?

Tough one, at first I was torn between LoveSexy and TRC but I'll go with Lotus Flower. Would love to have an instrumental take on the album

Chaos and Disorder

djThunderfunk said:

CalhounSq said:

djThunderfunk said:

In this imaginary scenario where we get to hear instrumental versions of Prince's albums, the originals with the vocals intact would still be on your shelves / in your devices.

I don't think the topic is about replacing the existing records with instrumental versions. It would be very interesting to hear instrumental alternates, no?

I understand the question, just can't give an answer! too attached to the lyrics, can't even imagine it. I guess TRC is a good choice, as mentioned above. Super solid instrumentation...

Not an easy choice to make for sure. But, fun to think about.

djThunderfunk said:

The Rainbow Children.

It is hard for me to make a decision on this, and I started the thread! I do know of at least one other artist who has supplied supplied just this thing. I think it's a pretty cool idea to have a lyric-stripped version along with the original album to be able to just jam to the music.

>

I need to return later with my choice.

Genesia said:

Looks like a few people here don't like the "WTF effect" of those Rainbow Children lyrics!

Parade, without a doubt, and with all of Clare Fischer's lush arrangements restored.

Germanegro said:

Looks like a few people here don't like the "WTF effect" of those Rainbow Children lyrics!

I'd be quite happy to see those Rainbow Children beaten, gagged and pushed off that Watchtower onto broken glass.

LuneCerise said:

Germanegro said:

Looks like a few people here don't like the "WTF effect" of those Rainbow Children lyrics!

I'd be quite happy to see those Rainbow Children beaten, gagged and pushed off that Watchtower onto broken glass.

Now THAT's a very un-Princely comment. You face banishment from the Digital Garden.

I'll go with 1999 because it sticks in my mind, but I'd like to hear any one of Prince's albums in a lyric-free version. I could start with the mellow "Rock-a-bye Baby" series versions, I guess!