Author | Message |
Prince Essential Albums Are these the 5 Essential Prince albums?
Dirty Mind 1999 Purple Rain Sign O The Times Parade
I think these are the most important records he made and the ones that i would recommend to anyone who becomes a Prince fan.
| |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
I'd say 1999, PR and SOTT are without question part of the mix if we're only going with 5.
Beyond that it gets tricker. Ya kinda need one from the early years, and Dirty Mind is the best of them, and the boldest.
As much as I love Parade, I think SOTT covers that same experimental stylistic territory. I think an album from later would be worth of mention.
And I know it's controversial but I'll go with Lotusflow3r, just a hair above 3121. (When I refer to Lotusflow3r i'm referring to that album itself, not the other 2 albums marketed with it).
It's a great collection with tons of good rock tunes, R&B, great performances, nice ballads. It's everything you could want in a Prince album and in my opinion the best of his latter era. I would call it essential because it (or 3121) would be a good "gateway" for fans who only know his classic-era material to discovery he's more than just the '80s. * * *
Prince's Classic Finally Expanded The Deluxe 'Purple Rain' Reissue http://www.popmatters.com...n-reissue/ | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
I agree and adore that list..but I would aslo place, ATWIAD, The Gold Experience and Exodus (strange choice as its an NPG release....but the albums just so fun and funky..unlike anything else!!) | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
I personally have two lists, one as to the unimpeachable classic Prince- Controversy (for me, stronger vocals, better production, better singles than Dirty Mind -heresy, I know) 1999 PR Parade SOTT For a more thorough career overview, an essential/alternative list might be: 1) Dirty Mind; 2) PR; 3) SOTT; 4) Symbol Album/Gold Experience; 5) AOA | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
That is a hard one...
I don't think there is much from the 1978-1989 period that is not essential. It is too foundational.
For You or Prince has to be on there, because we get that simple quiet touch thought Prince's career. Which is why I adore those early demos.
I would probably have to add Prince(1979) to 1999 Purple Rain Around the World in a Day Parade SOTT. But the Dirty Mind/Controversy albums are extremely important. Not to mention the protege albums.
and look at Essential 1990s and 2000s album periods.
1. The Gold Experience 2. The Truth 3. Love Symbol album 4. 3121 5. Rainbow Children | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
My "Essential" albums:
For You Prince Dirty Mind Controversy 1999 Purple Rain Around the World in a Day Parade (Madhouse) 8 Sign o' the Times (Madhouse) 16 Lovesexy Batman Graffiti Bridge Diamonds and Pearls (NPG) Goldnigga The Hits/The B-Sides 1-800-NEW-FUNK Come The Black Album (NPG) Exodus The Gold Experience Girl 6 Chaos and Disorder Emancipation Crystal Ball The Truth (NPG) Newpower Soul The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic Rave In2 the Joy Fantastic The Very Best of Prince The Rainbow Children One Nite Alone... One Nite Alone... Live! Xpectation C-Note N·E·W·S The Chocolate Invasion The Slaughterhouse Musicology 3121 Ultimate Prince Planet Earth Indigo Nights Lotusflow3r MPLSoUND 20Ten Plectrumelectrum Art Official Age HitnRun Phase One HitnRun Phase Two Prince 4ever Purple Rain Deluxe | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Good night, sweet Prince | 7 June 1958 - 21 April 2016
Props will be withheld until the showing and proving has commenced. -- Aaron McGruder | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Yes, but why limit yourself to 5?
I'd add LotusFlow3r and The Truth to round out his capabilities. | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
I'm with you | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
1. LoveSexy 2. The Symbol album 3. Sign O the Times 4. Emancipation 5. Prince 6. Hits and B sides disc 3 7. Purple Rain 8. 1999 9. Batman 10. AOA
What do you guys think of my list? MJB2 | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
I'd go along with that. I do have a hard time removing the other albums from 78-88 though. Hardly any misfires. That run really is huge and significant. Remastered box set with all the trimmings would be bloody lovely. | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
swissbeats2k said: 1. LoveSexy 2. The Symbol album 3. Sign O the Times 4. Emancipation 5. Prince 6. Hits and B sides disc 3 7. Purple Rain 8. 1999 9. Batman 10. AOA
What do you guys think of my list? I love this list! Great career summation. I tried to do the same with mine. From an overarching career perspective I think Symbol album is a really important one. Also love Emancipation on here. I feel like time will be kind to that record due to the strength of the songwriting and the vocals alone. I have listened to AOA a ton this past year. I think it's a great stand alone work - well paced, strong ballads, effective loose concept. And very, very emotional. [Edited 4/27/17 19:10pm] | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
...and various bootleg albums r required listening | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
It all depends on the person's age. The younger they are, the more likely they'll be into the later stuff. Ive heard newcomers say that P's 80's stuff id dated and tacky. And fair enough. It was recoded 30 years ago. | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Oh, boy! Idk if 5 is enough for a thorough "essentials" list. 1. Dirty Mind or Controversy (take your pick - they are both good representations of the early years. 1. 1999 3. Purple Rain 4. SOTT 5. Only ONE slot left to essentialize three more decades of music? Impossible. TGE and the Symbol Album are both worthy, but so are Lotus Flow3r, Musicology, and AOA, heck maybe even D & P deserves a slot on an essentials list. I'd give the edge to AOA because his newer work needs to be included on the list and it's the best of the last era. It's a hurtful place, the world, in and of itself. We don't need to add to it. We all need one another. ~ PRN | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
The Definitive Prince albums: 1999 Purple Rain Parade Sign o the Times
The War Lotusflower Hundalasiliah! | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
These are impossible lists to accomplish. My essential list (15), for what it's worth (am kicking myself for leaving some out, so I'm basically useless at making lists):
For You 1999 Purple Rain Around the World in a Day Parade Sign o' the Times Lovesexy Come The Rainbow Children Musicology 3121 Plectrumelectrum Art Official Age HitnRun Phase Two Piano & Microphone Live (I know, I know, but I'm pretty sure it will be an album. soon. I hope. believe.)
| |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
No they're not. | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
¿? | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Fair enough? Really? My opinion would be they don't appreciate classic art and they can fuck off with their stupid, self-imposed blinkered view. | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
TKO said: Are these the 5 Essential Prince albums?
Dirty Mind 1999 Purple Rain Sign O The Times Parade
I think these are the most important records he made and the ones that i would recommend to anyone who becomes a Prince fan.
I'd go with those 5, too. How about if they ask for 5 essential Prince post-80's albums? "Just like the sun, the Rainbow Children rise."
"We had fun, didn't we?" -Prince (1958-2016) 4ever in my life | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
In terms of impact, you're right. In terms of presenting a more complete career overview, I believe these 10 are absolutely essential:
1) Dirty Mind 2) 1999 3) Purple Rain 4) Sign 'O' The Times 5) Parade' 6) Lovesexy 7) Symbol 8) The Truth 9) The Rainbow Children 10) Art Official Age
Honourable mention: 3121 | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
[Edited 5/1/17 12:45pm] Good night, sweet Prince | 7 June 1958 - 21 April 2016
Props will be withheld until the showing and proving has commenced. -- Aaron McGruder | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Marrk said:
Fair enough? Really? My opinion would be they don't appreciate classic art and they can fuck off with their stupid, self-imposed blinkered view. I'm one of the younger fans (under 30). I didn't like Purple Rain much the first time I heard it because it did sound dated and a bit flat. His 80s material does take a few goes to really get into it and appreciate it with your heart, especially the albums from 1999 to Lovesexy. The first three were the easier ones for me to get into because the production sounds a bit warmer, more bassy and full. The first songs I found for myself and really loved were Still Waiting & Pop Life btw. | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Mine are
Controversy 1999 Purple Rain ATWIAD Parade SOTT Lovesexy Grafitti Bridge Black Album Musicology
[Edited 5/1/17 10:56am] | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
1.Dirty Mind 2.Purple Rain 3.ATWIAD - Showed how bold he was and willing to choose art over commerce. 4.Parade 5. SOTT 6.The Gold Experience(best integration of Prince and. 90s musical trends). 7. AOA - different in how reflective and mature it is. | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |