CAL3 said:

TrivialPursuit said:

Nope, his is a must-read.

.

Is Hahn's new book a must-read even for those who have 'Possessed'?

.

By the way, glad Matt Thorne's book is on this list as I found some of his analysis insightful and clearheaded.

.

I enjoyed Matt Thorne's book too. As to Hahn's book, yes, I feel it is a substantially different book. A lot has been added about his origins, parents, where he lived in the early years and how that all went. It wasn't in Possessed. I have possessed too and even after reading most of the other books here (not the Vanity book, she just always seemed like a minor character in his story, like Jill Jones), it added a lot of insight.

purplefam99 said:

What luvgirl is esp important if the audience here is young and gen x forward, it is important to the whole scope that you get the beginning right and that beginning starts or at least takes off with Vanity/Denise Matthews. It would be like leaving out Mary in the story of Jesus. All of us gen X and before were there so we know the deal an can argue who was the greatest love. Your gonna have to read about it so this is our civil rights movement we are fighting for you so you know the history. " learn, teach, repeat!!!!!"

May I ask if you're here to troll? Aside from the org notes you sent me that didn't make any sense to me, I've been seriously trying to follow your posts on the forums and I still don't get what you're all about. So first Prince is God and put us in a "band of proximity" and now he and Vanity are Jesus and Mary? And first YOU're new and now there is a "young audience" here? Who are you to be able to say that?


I'm sorry but I really don't follow. Just one thing - Prince is not God and we do not share the same closeness to him. He is a person and people who knew him are not your link to him, just like Vanity was not the key to his success or the answer to anything Prince.

NotACleverName said:

You lost me with the Gayle Chapman comment.

I wish I could say that too but for me it happened much sooner...

CatB said:

mediumdry said:

CAL3 said:

.

Is Hahn's new book a must-read even for those who have 'Possessed'?

.

By the way, glad Matt Thorne's book is on this list as I found some of his analysis insightful and clearheaded.

.

I enjoyed Matt Thorne's book too. As to Hahn's book, yes, I feel it is a substantially different book. A lot has been added about his origins, parents, where he lived in the early years and how that all went. It wasn't in Possessed. I have possessed too and even after reading most of the other books here (not the Vanity book, she just always seemed like a minor character in his story, like Jill Jones), it added a lot of insight.

.

Good to know, re: Hahn's new one, guess I better pick it up. Thanks for the info. Just recently reread 'Possessed.'

purplefam99 said:

CatB said:

May I ask if you're here to troll? Aside from the org notes you sent me that didn't make any sense to me, I've been seriously trying to follow your posts on the forums and I still don't get what you're all about. So first Prince is God and put us in a "band of proximity" and now he and Vanity are Jesus and Mary? And first YOU're new and now there is a "young audience" here? Who are you to be able to say that?


I'm sorry but I really don't follow. Just one thing - Prince is not God and we do not share the same closeness to him. He is a person and people who knew him are not your link to him, just like Vanity was not the key to his success or the answer to anything Prince.

No not a troll, we are all different, doesn't mean we are here for ill. I would never bring up a private org note from me or to me here in the public. That is rude. I find you hard to follow but would never have told you otherwise than privately, but I won't discuss mine or others org notes here. Best.

I haven't even begun to "discuss" your org notes to me and I won't go there, don't worry. Rude is how you positioned yourself in my personal situation and how you take people here for fools. They can all read your stuff that you post on the forums, it has nothing to do with org notes. Many people here have been around for a long time, they sure don't need a self-proclaimed newbie to give them Prince.

And again, he is not God.

purplefam99 said:

I sense people really don't like the threads derailed if you Want to talk to me directly feel free to org note me. This is not the space for You to make others not like me. I thought u of all people would Get that. I do not think Prince is God.

Me of all people? You don't even know me. And in case I didn't make myself clear - I don't appreciate the way you came to me like a confidante, positioning yourself in my story. That was intrusive and you didn't make sense, that's why I decided not to org note you and I will keep it that way. And come down from your patronizing trip - this thread was derailed before I even made my first post here. It wasn't me who took a thread about Prince books to Jesus and Mary...


Stop the trolling.

CatB said:

CatB said:

Any book list that does not have Dave Hill's Prince: A Pop Life is a bullshit list. I would also suggest McInnis' The Lyrics of Prince. Not that it needs to be on this list, but it's a good read.

DOUBLE POST

[Edited 8/30/17 20:35pm]

Lovejunky said:

purplefam99 said:

luvgirl said: What luvgirl said^^^^^^^ What luvgirl is esp important if the audience here is young and gen x forward, it is important to the whole scope that you get the beginning right and that beginning starts or at least takes off with Vanity/Denise Matthews. It would be like leaving out Mary in the story of Jesus. All of us gen X and before were there so we know the deal an can argue who was the greatest love. Your gonna have to read about it so this is our civil rights movement we are fighting for you so you know the history. " learn, teach, repeat!!!!!"

I know what you meant here PurpleFam99

You might have gotten into less hot water if you had referenced

Taylor and Burton ..

you know Lottsa activity in between but

indelibly and forever linked

..

Lovejunky said:

Changing the topic back to what it was away from the troll hunting that derails most threads in this post Prince world of the org.

.

I bought one of the books on the list - that is Dig if you will the picture, Funk, sex and God in the music of Prince by Ben Greenman.

.

Except the cover on mine is differnet with a purple symbol and Prince's shadow on it and its hardcover. Is it any good guys, and worth my time, or merely another one for the expanding shelf of Prince books. It looks promising, as again the author is a fan and clearly into a Musicology type analysis (Not the album, but analysing songs for themes and ideas).

.

It is such an exciting time for new books, and I love it.

TrivialPursuit said:

muleFunk said:

Hahn's is just as bad.

Nope, his is a must-read.

Well, "The Rise of Prince" seems pretty good. But "Possessed" is, well, how can I say that without being too harsh? It's f****ed up.

laurarichardson said:

My Gosh…. Sorry you had to take such heat Purplefam99. Welcome to prince.org! You've passed the initiation...!

*

I understood what you meant as well. Although I agree that Taylor and Burton is a much better analogy, what you were trying to relay wasn't that hard to garner. You used the name of Jesus and Mary in the context of a metaphor. Not to be taken literally... You were saying that it's important to tell the full story of Prince in which Vanity played a paramount role when he was at his crossroads. She should be noted for her efforts in a more substantial way... Although she might not be revered by the author of "The Rise of Prince" and by those that tried to denounce you here, Vanity played an impactful role in the beginning stages of Prince's career. Like it or not. The book left out a significant amount of information regarding her time with him - like how her hypnotic delivery of the song" Nasty girls" invigorated his audience, like how the excitement of her magnetism in the group vanity 6 helped to inflame the fervor that surrounded his creativity, like how she was received by the AA culture, like how she was practically every little boy's dream girl of the 80's (especially if they liked Prince), Like how Prince's mysterious aura benefitted from her beauty and charisma, as she cultivated commotion as his girlfriend. Achieving exactly what he crafted her in his trajectory to achieve. However cosmetic, it was the art of her dynamics. She should be noted more soundly. Hopefully, in the future, there will be a book apart from her own that does her sojourn in Vanity 6 and her time with Prince justice….

[Edited 9/2/17 14:53pm]

luvgirl said:

purplefam99 said:

luvgirl said:

My Gosh…. Sorry you had to take such heat Purplefam99. Welcome to prince.org! You've passed the initiation...!

*

I understood what you meant as well. Although I agree that Taylor and Burton is a much better analogy, what you were trying to relay wasn't that hard to garner. You used the name of Jesus and Mary in the context of a metaphor. Not to be taken literally... You were saying that it's important to tell the full story of Prince in which Vanity played a paramount role when he was at his crossroads. She should be noted for her efforts in a more substantial way... Although she might not be revered by the author of "The Rise of Prince" and by those that tried to denounce you here, Vanity played an impactful role in the beginning stages of Prince's career. Like it or not. The book left out a significant amount of information regarding her time with him - like how her hypnotic delivery of the song" Nasty girls" invigorated his audience, like how the excitement of her magnetism in the group vanity 6 helped to inflame the fervor that surrounded his creativity, like how she was received by the AA culture, like how she was practically every little boy's dream girl of the 80's (especially if they liked Prince), Like how Prince's mysterious aura benefitted from her beauty and charisma, as she cultivated commotion as his girlfriend. Achieving exactly what he crafted her in his trajectory to achieve. However cosmetic, it was the art of her dynamics. She should be noted more soundly. Hopefully, in the future, there will be a book apart from her own that does her sojourn in Vanity 6 and her time with Prince justice….

[Edited 9/2/17 14:53pm]

Your words are brilliantly put..... thank you!!!

One of the most significant of Vanity's influence was that the movie Purple Rain was actually about her and Prince's life to a degree. She abetted and bolstered the initial excitement and pandemonium for the movie, as Purple Rain was initially touted as being about the life of Prince and his mesmerizing girlfriend Vanity from his girl group Vanity 6. I remember it. They caused quite a stir. My friends and I were waiting with bated breaths to see them in the movie together. We were extremely disappointed when they broke up and Apollonia had to play the part of Vanity. I'd like to read a book that goes deeper into Vanity's influence on the movie Purple Rain. I saw that you posted that you've read Toure's book. I'm in the process of reading that book now. What can I expect from it? Does Toure's book touch on her influence? I know for a fact that "The Making Of Purple Rain" (a book on this list) does not delve deep enough.

[Edited 9/3/17 14:11pm]

luvgirl said:

TrivialPursuit said:

muleFunk said:

Hahn's is just as bad.

Nope, his is a must-read.

Yes. His book is a must read for any Prince fan.

Adorecream said:

purplefam99 said:

Adorecream said: Tell me why Toure's is rot. I'll admit you have to be gen X to enjoy the larger perspective that it is written from.

It goes on about generations and about some slut who goes on about Prince's sex preferences like watching 2 girls at once. That type of shit belongs in Playboy not a public book. It is also badly written with a lot of big words used out of context, has an arrogant snarky tone in it and is very disjointed and hard to follow.

.

And I am generation X although I am NON AMERICAN, although Generations don't really apply in our socialist utopia.

I am offended by your use of the word "slut"

If it was a man you would NEVER use this word.

ISaidLifeIsJustAGame said:

Adorecream said:

It goes on about generations and about some slut who goes on about Prince's sex preferences like watching 2 girls at once. That type of shit belongs in Playboy not a public book. It is also badly written with a lot of big words used out of context, has an arrogant snarky tone in it and is very disjointed and hard to follow.

.

And I am generation X although I am NON AMERICAN, although Generations don't really apply in our socialist utopia.

I am offended by your use of the word "slut"

If it was a man you would NEVER use this word.

.

Really? I guess I'll have to read the book to find out about wether the slut is a man or a woman. It's a normal word where I'm from and doesn't indicate gender. If anything, I've known more male sluts than female. More's the pity.

muleFunk said:

TrivialPursuit said:

OK listen, we can all debate over good and bad books all day but that Liz Jones book is truly garbage. Most of the book is pulled from his interview with Oprah Winfrey, and never does she credit Winfrey or mention the interview as her source. She quotes it left and right. The rest of the book is superficial at best.

Dave & Per's books are both staples in a Prince bibliography. I think most would agree. I like Alex's book because it wasn't a kiss-ass book, but it wasn't a gossipy book either. I will say this - while I like Mr. Hahn, and he's been quite a gentleman while doing the Rise rewrite and talking to fans, a couple of band members (some of whom I've talked with long ago) said he took their off-the-record quotes and put them in the book. To me, it's not great ethics as a writer. One Revolution member had to do a little damage control with Prince after Possessed came out. But, it's still a necessary read overall, I believe. I've not read Rise yet, but plan to. I still consider DMSR one of the essential books, especially with all the recording information in the back, the tour dates, release dates, set lists, etc. That alone is a major undertaking.

The only other book I'd lump in with Jones' fluff piece is Ronin Ro's cockamamie waste of trees.

I will agree to disagree with Jones' book.

As for Mr. Hahn there are several things that made me dislike his work.

1. Hahn contacted me here via PM about a well known at the time incident about Prince and Troy Beyer. The information was fourth or fifth hand information. I asked myself was he doing this in regards to other information he was collecting for this book? I also found out that he was contacting others here. Taking off the record statements is lowball and unethical. If you take that route in writing a book then what other unethical methods were used? IMO that book cannot be considered canon in the life of Prince.

2. There was bias because of his work with the Uptown Magazine lawsuit. I happened to agree with the opinions of Mr. Hahn and the Uptown Magazine people I am of the belief that this book was written with the intent to "get back" at the man. He called the book The Rise and Fall of Prince but never documented the Comeback of Prince 2004-2009. He had opportunities to do so but didn't. Everyone loves a comeback story yet he didn't write at that time. He waits until his mysterious death to do so just to cash in .....just like everyone else.

[Edited 8/27/17 9:26am]

This, it's plain to see.

Some may think he's an opportunistic ambulance chasing lawyer

http://podcastjuice.net/category/shows/the-prince-podcast/

Interview with the author were she discusses why she picked these books.

ISaidLifeIsJustAGame said:

Toure's book is self-absorbed trash, and comes off as pseudo-intellectual gibberish...

Steven Ivory's book is fan-boy trash...

Ronin Ro's book brings nothing new to the table....

i dont know enough about Hahn to speak on what others have spoken on regarding him, but his books were great reads, IMO....