purplerabbithole said:

He claimed to be an old school guy but occassionally he would surprise us with who he was a fan of. Janele is not the only modern musician he supported...MOno Neon? and a number of beautiful female singers. I even remember Prince handing a grammy to Goyte and Kimbra for "Somebody we used to know" and saying under his breath before doing so, "I love this song,"..

Can you imagine Prince showing up to a do a conference for Ray Charles and saying "I don't really like his music but I enjoy his piano playing in live performances"? People on this very site would have ripped him to shreads (while he was alive, that is)

People are so quick to defend Prince associates. Eric rubs me the wrong way despite his talent for many reasons. His 'tribute' to Prince on his facebook page on the day of his death had more subtle shade, self-aggrandizement, and tributes to his "Family" associates than it had sadness over Prince's death. Sometimes it is not a time to be honest. Sometimes you just need gracefully bow out of the discussion or just find something nice to say (especially on the day of someone's death or at a conference honoring that person.)

jaawwnn said:

Yes he played with the people at the top of their fame (and Chaka who he grew up a fan of) like everyone else in Hollywood. Didn't mean nothing. About the only person who I was really curious about was his support of Harts, that actually seemed genuine.

Prince was a old school guy who generally like old school music, I don't begrudge him that. I didn't expect him to be telling me about the latest up and coming act on Sub Pop or whoever, he had a pretty narrow focus in what he supported. By the time he got around to discovering Janelle Monae I was like "well it's about time" and she had half the industry backing her.

[Edited 5/19/17 23:26pm]

[Edited 5/20/17 6:50am]

[Edited 5/20/17 6:53am]

i don't think it matters much, eric was such a small part of prince's career. without the link with alan and his own clout in the business, i don't think anyone would even be asking him anything. anyway, ya, i did notice prince say he loved the song someone i used to know, i thought it ironic because I thought it was prince like, thought that the first time i heard it.

jaawwnn said:

rdhull said:

He did care. He played with Winehouse, Macy, Badu, Chaka (who isnt mad anymore), Lenny, etc. He cared a lot of what was going at the current times.

Yes he played with the people at the top of their fame (and Chaka who he grew up a fan of) like everyone else in Hollywood. Didn't mean nothing.

ok of you say so.

precioux said:

Thanks Latin!!

+ 1 Hadn't heard this interview before.

zenarose said:

He is an ungrateful ass. He seems to be of the opinion that HE made Prince look good when it was the complete opposite!! Where would he be and what would he be doing if it wasn't for Prince?? Certainly not giving interveiws.....I don't recall any interviews Prince did about what it was like to work with Eric Leeds.....IJS 🤔😤 [Edited 5/19/17 4:34am]

Perfect response. Eric & Alan can quite frankly go f%$k themselves! Without Prince he would merely be a very good session player...I damn sure dont hear his name mentioned in the highest of esteem amongst jazz heads.

Both seem to resent the fact that the world has reacted with such grief to Prince's passing.

Genesia said:

GuyBros said:

But whether or not he personally was into some of his songs should disqualify him from speaking at this event is kind absurd. He has insights that deal directly with the content of the event that don't necessitate him having to personally love the music.

I totally agree.

fair points made - however the 'fuck you' brigade of which I am a proud member operate on an instinctive basis. He just comes across very poorly either through filmed or written interviews. I adore his sound across all the classic released & unreleased stuff..he just seems so up his own ass!

nobody wants to discredit eric for who he thinks he is or take away from his jazz credit.yet like many many of prince fans if it wasnt for prince most 90% of people prince has worked i wouldnt have known or cared about them if it wasnt for him.wendy and lisa, andre cymone,jesse johnson, morris day , the time , the family, sheilia e,chaka khan, and many others records i only bought for the prince connection

cbarnes3121 said:

nobody wants to discredit eric for who he thinks he is or take away from his jazz credit.yet like many many of prince fans if it wasnt for prince most 90% of people prince has worked i wouldnt have known or cared about them if it wasnt for him.wendy and lisa, andre cymone,jesse johnson, morris day , the time , the family, sheilia e,chaka khan, and many others records i only bought for the prince connection

agreed with everyone listed except Chaka

cbarnes3121 said:

Genesia said:

I don't think so, either. If he held Prince in such low esteem, why would he have worked with him as often - and for as long - as he did?

I think the point Eric Leeds is trying to make (perhaps clumsily) is that Prince didn't define music, as some people suggest. But rather, that Prince used music to define who he was. And a lot of people happily bought a ticket for that ride.

It sounds (to me) like Eric Leeds is grateful for the opportunities he had with Prince, but views his work with him as a chapter in his own musical journey - not the defining feature of it. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

[Edited 5/18/17 8:15am]

like i said i said what i said and im not changing it where i got it from is how he speak of prince not like he speaking down but he always try and say like im this jazz musican thats so high and great

I'm just going to keep it truthful with you, Jazz musicians are the most stuck up musicians in the music arena. They know 9/10 times they can play with anybody and don't mind a challenge from anyone. Jazz isn't is to play or read and Eric probably feels the same way about Prince, Sly Stone felt about Jimi Hendrix, he good but I've worked with better. Prince isn't great at jazz and I appreciate his effort but it wasn't his best shining moment. But Funk/Pop/Rock, that's Prince. That's not Eric lol, Eric is plain Jazz which is great but he's no George Duke and you all can hate but I'll take Kenny G over Eric anyday. But yeah Eric wasn't into nothing prince was really doing unless he played a solo on it lol . Go checkout how jazz musicians talk about Patrice Rushen and she play and read music better than 70% of jazz musicians. And she was taking the funk scene by storm but when they wanted her to be Nicki Minaj of the 80's lol she left out. No wonder Prince had a crush on her. Wish she was playing keys and helping with arrangements on Prince tours. But Janet grabbed her for her JANET world tour, which to me was one of Janet best tours.

liljojo said:

cbarnes3121 said:

like i said i said what i said and im not changing it where i got it from is how he speak of prince not like he speaking down but he always try and say like im this jazz musican thats so high and great

I'm just going to keep it truthful with you, Jazz musicians are the most stuck up musicians in the music arena. They know 9/10 times they can play with anybody and don't mind a challenge from anyone. Jazz isn't is to play or read and Eric probably feels the same way about Prince, Sly Stone felt about Jimi Hendrix, he good but I've worked with better. Prince isn't great at jazz and I appreciate his effort but it wasn't his best shining moment. But Funk/Pop/Rock, that's Prince. That's not Eric lol, Eric is plain Jazz which is great but he's no George Duke and you all can hate but I'll take Kenny G over Eric anyday. But yeah Eric wasn't into nothing prince was really doing unless he played a solo on it lol . Go checkout how jazz musicians talk about Patrice Rushen and she play and read music better than 70% of jazz musicians. And she was taking the funk scene by storm but when they wanted her to be Nicki Minaj of the 80's lol she left out. No wonder Prince had a crush on her. Wish she was playing keys and helping with arrangements on Prince tours. But Janet grabbed her for her JANET world tour, which to me was one of Janet best tours.

liljojo (what a name lol) you damn skippy!

..& so to conclude through the words of Prince from the Parade tour..."Eric...shut the fuck up".....!!

Latin said:

Here is an article entitled "Kind Of Purple: Jazz Musicians On Prince" published by All About Jazz. In it, several jazz musicians praise Prince. Check it out: https://www.allaboutjazz....?width=320

yo!

PURPLEIZED3121 said:

..& so to conclude through the words of Prince from the Parade tour..."Eric...shut the fuck up".....!!

lawd

Sad thing is I listen to Jazz a lot and ask me outside of Madhouse albums how many Eric albums I have...........0 and i'm not hating but I feel if somebody helped put you on the scene you should be more grateful and not down play their importance on your career. So many artist think their bigger than any and everyone when a single of theirs pop off and all of a sudden being grateful and humble goes out the door and then when they crash and burn they blame the media, fans, family, and love ones and call them HATERS. Then some kill themselves; for what, start using drugs; for what, start mistreating themselves; for what, because they can't have their way? I believe if you be humble and grateful with a little then you will be blessed with more than you can imagine. But if you continue to be selfish and try to position yourself as the best thing the universes have ever seen you will fall faster than Precious ran out the food diner with that bucket of chicken. Look at today's artist, nuff said! Use to be a saying, here today gone tomorrow, well lets update that for entertainers of today. Here today, gone tonight!

[Edited 5/22/17 17:51pm]

PURPLEIZED3121 said:

Genesia said:

I totally agree.

fair points made - however the 'fuck you' brigade of which I am a proud member operate on an instinctive basis.

Girl, we know the stans in they feelings.

I already read the article, i see nothing disrespectful.

I could bet that all the people here criticizing Leeds arent professional musicians, right?

NouveauDance said:

cbarnes3121 said:

i never found his interviews about prince interesting or flattering . he never seems as if he really cared to work with prince that him being a jazz musican was so much better than playying with prince .just my opinion and how i feel and i said it and im sticking to it

I know where you're getting that idea from by the way he discusses his time with Prince but I don't think that's the case at all.

I think his interviews are some of the most honest interviews regarding Prince.

Agree. His interviews usually are really honest and respectful, from a musician point of view.

[Edited 5/24/17 6:21am]

Thanks for posting Latin! I love Eric's work with Prince!

GustavoRibas said:

laurarichardson said:

GustavoRibas said:

I could bet that all the people here criticizing Leeds arent professional musicians, right?

-- So if you are professional it is okay to be snob and ungrateful butthole?

.

But he is NOT. He only said he wasnt a Prince fan in the level we are. But always respected him as an artist. His personality is ´colder´ than other ex-band members, but you can feel the respect there.

laurarichardson said:

GustavoRibas said:

I could bet that all the people here criticizing Leeds arent professional musicians, right?

-- So if you are professional it is okay to be snob and ungrateful butthole?

derrick31 said:

NouveauDance said:

I know where you're getting that idea from by the way he discusses his time with Prince but I don't think that's the case at all.

I think his interviews are some of the most honest interviews regarding Prince.

I thought I was on a Michael Jackson forum after reading this thread.

bluegangsta said:

I thought I was on a Michael Jackson forum after reading this thread.

Why?

GustavoRibas said:

laurarichardson said:

GustavoRibas said: -- So if you are professional it is okay to be snob and ungrateful butthole?

.

But he is NOT. He only said he wasnt a Prince fan in the level we are. But always respected him as an artist. His personality is ´colder´ than other ex-band members, but you can feel the respect there.

Youand i read the same interview, i don't know what interview the others might have read, though.

GustavoRibas said:

laurarichardson said:

GustavoRibas said: -- So if you are professional it is okay to be snob and ungrateful butthole?

.

But he is NOT. He only said he wasnt a Prince fan in the level we are. But always respected him as an artist. His personality is ´colder´ than other ex-band members, but you can feel the respect there.

Listen to the Prince podcast interview that is 2 hours long and check out his ignorant ass on the Reelz network.

zobilamouche said:

Isn't this largely a case of us, fans, to expect everyone who has worked with Prince to be limitlessly praising him?

Just as there are non-Prince fans, there will have been musicians Prince worked with who clearly found it interesting and fun etc, but who were not star struck, or indeed, were not molded by Prince.

Eric was not a young novice when joining the band and had largely found his voice as a musician. Whether he's less successful or known than Prince does not mean his position towards his Prince days is throwing shade or unrespectful.

For once someone is really talking about their journey and putting things in perspective when it comes their time with Prince and fans are already getting annoyed.

The problem here is not Eric but the expectations and tolerance levels of some fans when Prince is subject of discussion.

All of this right here.

I mean, I recognise the artistry of James Brown, but I still roll my eyes hard at hearing any song of his simply because I don't. Effin. Like. Them. And being forced to spend nine months playing them (my band teacher was a HUGE James Brown fan) didn't help.

You can recognize artistry and musicianship without really caring for an artist's particular works. Sgop seeing insult where there isn't any.

purplerabbithole said:

Saying he is not a fan of Prince's music (but a fan of him as a musician) whilst speaking at a conference about Prince??? (BTW, how can you be a fan of the musician but not his recorded music? What the fvck does that even mean?)

His collaborators don't have to worship the ground Prince walks on or think highly of his albums, but if they don't like at least his music, they shouldn't speak at conferences about him. Appreciating his music (on record) should be a prerequisite for even speaking at this conference.)

He wasn't speaking at the conference. He was interviewed by the conference organisers ahead of the conference.

Secondly, he simply says he "was never a huge fan of Prince's music".

He doesn't say that he doesn't like his music, nor that he doesn't appreciate his music.

laurarichardson said:

Listen to the Prince podcast interview that is 2 hours long and check out his ignorant ass on the Reelz network.

In the podcast interview, for example, he explains very clearly and honestly that he came to work with Prince with little knowledge of Prince's back catalogue prior to working with him, but he could listen to 'Little Red Corvette' and appreciate the musicianship, for example. He also identifies songs by Prince that he liked and enjoyed working on.

I don't hear anything which warrants such an insult.