It's hard to answer this because he has not stopped creating music yet...

NoSwan said:

not picking on you NoSwan, it's just that your post listed a lot of songs that people out here seem to think are GREAT.

i don't understand how any of you can think that most of his latest stuff is GREAT. it's GOOD, but definitely not GREAT. "the everlasting now" sounds like a disco showtune left out of a early 80's broadway play, "she loves me 4 me" is EXCRUCIATINGLY bland and completely SOULLESS (where would this have been a hit?? the adult contemporary charts?!? for f*cks sakes, this song sounds like phil collins WITHOUT THE EDGE. i would like to think that the man is better than that!), most of his "jazz" (if you want to call it that) outings turn out to be nothing more than FUZAK (funky muzak), the "xpectation" tracks are a step above said fuzak, sort of made for the "modern and hip dentist's office" as opposed to other offices and elevators. the ONA piano disc is pretty much for fans only, cuz those are the only ones that are going to hear it--and it's GOOD, not great. the live album... listen, we already know that he is a MF live, that goes without saying. but GREAT? sorry, this is the man treading water, there is no greatness in this. the C-NOTE tracks were toss offs, just loose jams that sound like they came off the top of his head at that moment (INCLUDING the dirge-like version of "empty room" that you guys all seem to like, the quiet piano version has much more feeling).

in all the downloads and ahdio shows of the NPGMC, there was nothing that reached the heights he had achieved previously. it was all filler... maybe with the exception of "supercute", and oh, maybe "jukebox with a heartbeat".

i think the last time he created something GREAT was the gold experience. he was pissed off at the time, and trying to reach for something more while still retaining all of his old trademarks that we love him for.

now understand this... i think there are flashes of greatness in his new stuff, but i can't help but feel that he somehow always flickers it out. i LOVED the beginning of the track "digital garden", but the second half of that track is completely misguided. so, in short, it's a GOOD track. ya feel me? "1+1+1=3" is a damn good groove, but the lyrics... WTF?? so, it's good. not great.

understand that i love the man and his music... but there ain't been nothing happening here that has been truly GREAT in a while. granted, he may not have another SOTT or purple rain in him anymore, but i am sure he has at least ONE MORE CLASSIC ALBUM LEFT IN HIM--and i'm not talking about releasing old tracks either.

flame away if ya want y'all...

$.02.

--gm--

Beautiful Strange if I pick one of those.

I'd hate to go off topic, but will "Xpectation" be avialable in stores ever. I fear the answer is no. I'd love to hear it.

The question is moot.

If the music is there(Xpectaion,Last December,Family Name, Everlasting Now) and no one hears it can it be considered as classic ?

The mainstrem music public in America is so fickle that Prince will never have another "hit" by standards the media and so called fans have set.

rock to the F.L.O.W.

Pearls before the swine...perfect song imho

I love "Xotica" from the album "Xpectation"

I agree with GeneMohawk - the latest example of a song that could have been a great musical experience was "Digital Garden".

I think the core of the question was when Prince wrote a classic - something that I described above as a great musical experience. Something in the line of "Crystal Ball" or "If I Was Your Girlfriend"... a musical journey that takes you through a different kind of artistic reality.

On the other hand, there are numerous songs which are instant hits but not necessarily fall into the category mentioned above. That would be for me "Raspberry Beret" or "U Got the Look".

And as for hits, Prince has not had a song that could have been an instant hit for years. Not that I feel bad about it - like most of you I don't care if Prince has another hit or not (hopefully he doesn't either). However, I do long for a great musical experience. As I said, "Digital Gaden" was very close to that - but failed mid-way through.

Avalanche (a tremendous song.)

Muse 2 the pharaoh

agarze said:

nail on the head my friend. although, i do like "pearls before the swine" an awful lot.


--gm--

Nightcrawler said:

I can understand. The melody and lyrics appeal to a broad audience, and its really commercial. Its just got that radio feel to it..

LASTHEART said:

Exactly, well about the simple part. That is the reason everyone liked it. Take a look back at all most popular songs in the genre, All of the hooks in the songs are fairly easy to remember, and its simple.