LittleProfessor said:

Does anyone know anything about Per Nilson, the author of DMSR? I've been looking online to see if it is possible to contact him and request that he do an update, but I can't seem to find out anything.

I haven't tried looking for/through Uptown magazine - does it still exist?

Yikes - just found out about Uptown. In my defense, I was studying abroad that whole time, pursuing my own (abandoned) musical career. So I wasn't listening to anyone's music then ....

Promise to use Google and th search box more thoroughly!

Get the Per Nilsen stuff.

BartVanHemelen said:

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[Edited 10/22/16 0:46am]

LittleProfessor said:

Does anyone know anything about Per Nilson, the author of DMSR? I've been looking online to see if it is possible to contact him and request that he do an update, but I can't seem to find out anything.

I haven't tried looking for/through Uptown magazine - does it still exist?

Per has an account on the Org and has occasionally spoken with us. He has (unfortunately) made it very clear that he was done with writing about Prince. Hopefully he'll change his mind one day but one thing is certain: he cannot not be aware of the importance and popularity of his past research (his work has literally morphed the fandom), so he doesn't need to be petionned by enthusiastic kids: better to leave the man alone

Uptown magazine has been defunct for more than a decade.

[Edited 10/19/16 4:26am]

NorthC said:

BartVanHemelen said:

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It's okay, but it wildly overestimates Prince's post-1980s output. The non-linear structure is annoying as hell, and he's far too much of a fan. The endless reporting on Prince's 21 Nights gets boring very fast.

Opinions certainly are divided on this one! I think there are different versions of this book because mine (the Dutch translation) doesn't feature that 21 Nights report and goes all the way to the 3EG era. And I like it that there's at least somebody who tries to cover all of Prince's work, not just the glorious 1980s. [Edited 10/19/16 2:34am]

I agree. No matter how glorious they were, I'm a little sick and tired of reading the same old stories about the first decade of Prince's career, when so much about his recording sessions and life remains unknown after 1987 (and even more after 1995). Most books and documentaries will give you one hour/600 pages on 78-87 and 10 minutes/100 pages about 88-16. Well, I've been a fan throughout those last 28 years. A lot has happened, a lot of music has been recorded and released, I want to know more about all of it, particularly now that former employees and collaborators are not bonded by confidentiality agreements or the fear to never be employed by Prince again. Because of that I was pleased to hear about Jim Walsh's 90's book (though I fear it may cover 1990-1994 extensively and say little about 95-99, but let's hope).

I'm very excited about Madhouseman's upcoming book about the 83-84 studio recordings, though, but I'd give a lot to have similar, detailed books about P's recording process throughout his whole career.

I have to say I haven't read all those new books that have been published after 2005: I've read Liz Jones, Per Nilsen, Alex Hahn and Dez Dickerson only. A lot has happened in my life since 2010 and the lack of spare money, the fact that I've been living abroad and the lack of a tablet or kindle has discouraged me to purchase all those new books. I will soon purchase a tablet and I intend to catch-up and purchase all the books that are available in ebook format.

[Edited 10/19/16 4:25am]

MD431Madcat said:

bookwomen said:

databank said:

the lack of a tablet or kindle

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You can also read Kindle books through your browser, https://read.amazon.com/ .

BartVanHemelen said:

databank said:

the lack of a tablet or kindle

.

You can also read Kindle books through your browser, https://read.amazon.com/ .

I know but no way I read a boook on my PC.

I like it 'because' it's so old..

i've had mine since it was newly released and

i feel -

it was relevant then and it still holds up very well today..

over 25 years later.. IMO that's quite a feat.

luvgirl said:

MD431Madcat said:

There have been other books with great info (i've read them all)..

But i've always 'respected' & enjoyed this book - and its one of the earlier ones..

I just finished reading Pop Life. It was a good read. The author gave his opinion on a lot of the music, which I think are along the same lines as most Prince fans but with a few differing views here and there. The downfall fall of the book though is that it was written in 1989, so anything from the 90's onwards are null and void. At least 20 pages were missing from the book I had so I only got to read most of the LoveSexy era. [Edited 10/19/16 4:56am]

I am an independent bookseller so I left Goodreads when Amazon bought them.

I give a review when I have read it. Probably next week in Memphis while watching Sheila E and The Time

luvgirl said:

bookwomen said:

Today I just got my ARC of this one. It is dues to be published in January 2017. Can't wait to dive in

Nice! Let us know if you like it. With a name like bookwoman I'm assuming your on goodreads?

RaspBerryGirlFriend said:

AWESOME - I'm still reading it, the udated version that was published in Feb. 2016. He is clearly a major fan as well as a superb music journalist. I like he puts forth his opinions/analysis of the music (even when I don't agree with his specific take on a certain song or album). The focus is SQUARELY on the music, not on speculation of personal issues or tabloid-type stuff.

His...the one we'll never possibly see

DiamondsnPearls44 said:

His...the one we'll never possibly see

Yuuuup I was really looking forward to Prince's book

Goddess4Real said:

DiamondsnPearls44 said:

His...the one we'll never possibly see

Yuuuup I was really looking forward to Prince's book

I really was too...had my money ready

calhounlovejoy said:

gandorb said:

Morningstarlet said:

gandorb said:

You guys sold me on the Per DSMR book, burt was stunned to find the price of it on Amazon and no listing of it on EBAY. If I am reading it right, most used copies that are just in "good condition" with some markings are selling over $400. Surely that can't be true. Any ideas where I might find a copy for more resaonble?

Yep, the same with Possessed which in some cases is going for $1000.00. I got it from the library instead.

The one I have has a price tag of $9.99.

purplethunder3121 said:

RaspBerryGirlFriend said:

How do people feel about the book by Matt Thorne, it's the only one I own?

Not that great. I liked the opening and closing chapters a lot, where he seemed to be really engaging with the very idea of Prince and his position in pop culture. I wish the whole book had been like that.

Inbetween though he just tells the basic story as we already know it and fills up time with endless descriptions of, and judgements on, outtakes that usually just boil down to him saying "IMHO this song sucks/is great" and not much else. It's been a while since I read it but I seem to remember his information on what Prince was up to and where he was coming from from the 90's up to about 2007 to be pretty sketchy as well, although he at least covers all the albums. Those looking for some fam-ing out (OMG ANOTHER MASTERPIECE - PRINCE TRULY WAS TEH GREATEST 4EVER for 600 pages) will be disappointed as well as he's very disdainful of a lot of the stuff.

Having said all that, it does the job, he does get some exclusive interviews in it, and unlike many of the others its readily available, but there's definitely better out there.


DMSR is essential, yes, and I thought Alan Light's Purple Rain book was excellent, if obviously only about that one album.

The 33 and a Third on Sign o The Times is quite out of date info-wise and similarly full of opinnnioonns backed up with nothing and that really irks me. It does a great job of describing growing up in Minneapolis during the 80's though.

Haven't read Possessed or Pop Life unfortunately, some day i'll track down affordable copies.

[Edited 10/23/16 18:03pm]

purplethunder3121 said:

gandorb said:

purplethunder3121 said:

The one I have has a price tag of $9.99.

I assume this means you got it while it was in print. If so, kudos to you. If not, please tell?

I bought t at a used book store a few years ago along with a Springsteen bio that was also 10 bucks.