You've made some compelling arguments

But some of us (Me) weren't into 90's Prince music...

I enoyed the odd tune here or there for a few weeks but overall...

(i personally) think 1978-1988 blows anything he did after - away...

towards the end - i'd just skip through the tracks and think.. Blah....

More Prince music that i dont care to ever hear again..

I LOVE PRINCE though..

and he got my money everytime he came to town...

Hell, i even made international trips to see him live!

Musically on computerized recordings????

Nah... i wasn't feeling most of it...

his voice actually annoyed me at times on some of the later stuff...

and i found it to be a HUGE turn off when he'd use modern 'street' slang words at his age.

which he did often.

luvgirl said:

bonatoc said:

I really think Prince went for the 1/4/5 and major chords on purpose.
There was a clear intent to change his compositions methods.
Let's record live in the studio.
I think he was going after his own feelings, rather to prove the world once again
how great a composer he was.

Creative decline? I think The Undertaker video proves
that a total shift in his guitar playing happened (and it happened again from "3121").
He almost single-handedly invented the independent online music distribution/marketing concept.
"What's My Name", "Loose" or "Shhh" are amongst the best things he's ever done.
"Days Of Wild" sums it all.

Furthermore, he was in his thirties. He had to make sure a strong commercial base (Prince repeatedly sold as the Icon, the mistery, TAFKAP, the comics, 21 nights, Le Grand Palais, Happy Feet) was there so his business could survive.
At the same time, and it's quite an achievement, he also gave the hardcore fan base, which are the best publicity in the world (they're the ones who persuaded the wolrd Prince was a genius over decades, throught the grapevine, as Apple Computers users were in the pre-JObs return days) plenty of reasons to keep their faith strong (Tora Tora, the PP parties, the aftershows, the leaks, the musicianship, the integrity, the ethic).

But you say Live ain't a full part of Prince's creativity and I say bullshit.
He had just become a better creative in real-time, with an audience,
than in the studio.

You have to take into account that by the 90s, Prince had 50 records behind him.
Between 1980 and 1990, there are probably 500 hundred, finished songs, whether released, released under side projects/protégés/give-aways.

What it was jokingly referring to in the interview segues of the "Symbol" album.
"— I'm into my fifth soul now, so that makes me..."

Again, what you consider less creative musically is precisely what makes Prince the musician he is:
You may not dig his music any more, but you hear this musicianship extraordinaire
and it unnerves you you don't have the Prince sound of your teens.
Go listen to "Black Muse" with an open mind about that.
You may shed a tear realizing you're missing out something by pure snobism.

Again, Prince didn't have to prove shit after "Lovesexy".
Ever again. The Org wouldn't exist without his bold career.composition.production skills.
There was no more obligation to create.
Not when you've reached those levels, both in the studio or live
(but keep in mind that if the Guy goes into a studio and goes out after a day with 3 masterpices on a good 1986 day, live and studio as such speed are the same thing).

[Edited 11/6/16 7:30am]

Agreed

destinyc1 said:

MD431Madcat said:

THE REVOLUTION
WERE THE ONLY PRINCE BAND

THAT THE GENERAL PUBLIC

EVER KNEW OR CARED ABOUT.

And the entire band/vibe/music/look

elevated 'Prince' to heights he hadn't seen before or after them.

Thats a fact folks.Even prince himself said not a day goes by that he isn't asked about wendy & lisa.I get that he or they wanted to move on 80's fans (originals )didn't want him to.Keep in mind he may of had fame somewhat prior but,with the rev thats when he BLEW UP.This industry HATES CHANGE.He was type cast.People wanted the p.r prince with the rev.Now the H.C Fans loved him moving on and the stans well they love everything he did and does Even after he passed away the ONLY pics they showed were p.r. he didn't get the memo that for the rest of his life he would have to play P.R

destinyc1 said:

http://princetext.tripod....one90.html Prince speaks about wendy and lisa.

yeah that was a bit sad. But the ice melted about 5-6yrs later via In This Bed I Scream

Boss,friend,boyfriend Prince had a lot of hats to wear.Given his upbringing Prince may have just been incapable of sustaining long relationships
[Edited 11/7/16 16:06pm]

^ Yes.

Poorlovelycomputer said:

Boss,friend,boyfriend Prince had a lot of hats to wear.Given his upbringing Prince may have just been incapable of sustaining long relationships [Edited 11/7/16 16:06pm]

Poorlovelycomputer said:

The logic of chopping Emancipation into your own personal mixtape is fine, but just like Lovesexy was released as one track I think his 3 disc collection was meant to be digested in small doses. A 3 disc album actually proved too overwhelming in the end after he finally got one released.And toward the end I think he was just riding the wave of his successful career. From his image to his music to his religious beliefs in the last years it seems Prince was returning back to the basics. [Edited 11/4/16 15:56pm] [Edited 11/4/16 15:59pm]

You know what - I used to think that and recently I just totally got into the album so heavily. I listened to all 3 discs back to back two days in a row and realized damn the whole thing is an epic. I'm so glad I have the time to actually sit and do that - but when you're in the moon for it then there is nothing better.