independent and unofficial
Prince fan community
Welcome! Sign up or enter username and password to remember me
Forum jump
Forums > Prince: Music and More > Top 5 Prince Albums You'd Recommend to a Newbie?
« Previous topic  Next topic »
Page 2 of 2 <12
  New topic   Printable     (Log in to 'subscribe' to this topic)
Reply #30 posted 06/28/19 8:23pm

AvocadosMax

Depends on what they like, ig.

- I’ll recommend Ultimate Prince. The first disc is similar to Very Best of, which is a good intro to basic Prince tracks. They’ll get sucked into the extended mixes probably after listening to the other albums I’d recommend

- My own ‘best of’ playlist that consists of songs that relate to my hypothetical friends preferred genre(s)


- Gold Experience
I’ll just give em a heads up and tell them to skip the first track. Lol

- SOTT
Duh.

— Parade
Beautiful album



That’s how I’d do it. But if I were to choose actual albums?

1) Purple Rain
2) Dirty Mind
3) Gold
4) Parade
5) SOTT
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #31 posted 06/28/19 8:24pm

AvocadosMax

SPOOKYGAS said:

NEWS


The Rainbow Children


Kamasutra


Xpectation


Indigo Nights


Just make a playlist of the best tracks from these albums and voila: best album ever, right? Haha
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #32 posted 06/28/19 8:28pm

AvocadosMax

🎵 a feast! a feast!
a smorgasbord at least!
a brunch! a munch!
of cake if just a piece 🎵
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #33 posted 06/28/19 9:00pm

Poplife88

avatar

PR
1999
Controversy
Diamonds & Pearls
Gold Experience
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #34 posted 06/28/19 10:03pm

Moonbeam

avatar

jaawwnn said:

My answer is still the best, go with mine.


Yours is quite good, indeed! Only quibble I have is The Very Best of Prince - it skips too many albums to be a good introduction, IMO. I think a worthy 1-disc Prince set is possible, but I don't think that one serves his legacy well.

Feel free to join in the Prince Album Poll 2018! Let'a celebrate his legacy by counting down the most beloved Prince albums, as decided by you!
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #35 posted 06/29/19 5:47am

barnswallow

1. The Hits 1

2. Purple Rain

3. Parade

4. Come

5. 3121

Mainly because those were in the collection that I accessed when I first started listening; my curiousity was piqued and I started the search. An alternate would be Diamonds and Pearls because I shared that with someone who simply couldn't give it back. We've had a running joke about that cd and whether I'd ever see it again. I even found and purchased another copy. When last Christmas came around, I sternly demanded he return it, then I'd giftwrap and give him the new one. He finally gave it back last week.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #36 posted 06/29/19 11:10pm

ChickenMcNugge
ts

avatar

1999
Purple Rain
Gold Experience
Art Official Age
Ultimate

This combination would’ve almost certainly transformed me into a hardcore Prince nut much earlier, if someone had recommended these to me when I was first trying to get ‘properly’ into Prince in the early/mid 2010s. Instead, I ended up getting The Hits/B-sides and being turned off by so much more obscure/weird stuff that my unadjusted ears weren’t ready for back then.

I do love said obscure/weird material *now*, obviously. But The Hits/B-sides isn’t a very ‘casual fan’ friendly album IMO - the constant jumping between eras wrecks any sense of flow. Prince is definitely (mostly) an artist where you need to hear his own original albums for the most part, rather than hits compilations - *but* I did include Ultimate because the extended versions are just *so* good, and they flow well on the album in the order they’re in.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #37 posted 06/30/19 4:22am

jaawwnn

I can't see any person new to Prince being delighted with hearing those extended versions on Ultimate, they just want to hear Raspberry Beret and Cream as they hear them on the radio already.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #38 posted 06/30/19 8:25am

Wolfie87

jaawwnn said:

I can't see any person new to Prince being delighted with hearing those extended versions on Ultimate, they just want to hear Raspberry Beret and Cream as they hear them on the radio already.



I believe someone in here enlightened a friend when they played him/her the extended version of She's Always In My Hair. You have to show different sides of Prince. Just My Imagination Small Club is as essential as Purple Rain or WDC. Prince's deep cuts are as important if not more than the mainstream.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #39 posted 06/30/19 8:42am

ChickenMcNugge
ts

avatar

jaawwnn said:

I can't see any person new to Prince being delighted with hearing those extended versions on Ultimate, they just want to hear Raspberry Beret and Cream as they hear them on the radio already.

Depends on the given person's pre-existing tastes. I was into extended funk and disco edits long before I was really into Prince, so it would've worked on me. I just wouldn't have known on which compilation album I'd have found them.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #40 posted 06/30/19 2:36pm

databank

avatar

sro100 said:

I mentioned I was getting into "Originals" and one of my co-workers then told me she was then going to buy the vinyl; this was going to be her introduction to Prince; she doesn't even know Purple Rain; I was going to say something to the extent "it's not his best" but I didn't.

So....to someone who doesn't even know Purple Rain what 5 Prince albums would recommend to start with???

I'll start:

Purple Rain.

The Gold Experience (pure power pop)

1999

Art Offical Age (best of the later period)

Ultimate Prince (for the 12 inchers)

Y'all?

It so totally depends on the person's age and musical tastes, that no one can answer that.

For example assuming someone may enjoy PR and AOA as their first taste of Prince is very bold. You should expose people to different Prince albums based on what you know of them, not the records themselves.

A COMPREHENSIVE PRINCE DISCOGRAPHY (work in progress ^^): https://sites.google.com/...scography/
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #41 posted 07/01/19 11:39am

rusty1

Halen said:

Purple Rain


Sign 'O' The Times


1999


Parade


Dirty Mind



agree 100%
BOB4theFUNK
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #42 posted 07/01/19 12:08pm

jfenster

rusty1 said:

Halen said:

Purple Rain

Sign 'O' The Times

1999

Parade

Dirty Mind

agree 100%

best choices ..but think what REALLY got U into him....for me ....the live and outtakes

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #43 posted 07/01/19 12:53pm

Genesia

avatar

jfenster said:

Genesia said:


I still have my original vinyl and it sounds great … shrug

But by all means, let's ignore the artistry of Sign O The Times because you have to turn the volume up on the CD. rolleyes

a newbie might neglect the artistry....judging from the sound level


Then they should be left to wallow in their ignorance – they are not worth the effort.

We don’t mourn artists because we knew them. We mourn them because they helped us know ourselves.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #44 posted 07/01/19 1:53pm

jfenster

better way may be to play 20 random songs of totally different styles

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #45 posted 07/02/19 8:58am

jaawwnn

ChickenMcNuggets said:



jaawwnn said:


I can't see any person new to Prince being delighted with hearing those extended versions on Ultimate, they just want to hear Raspberry Beret and Cream as they hear them on the radio already.




Depends on the given person's pre-existing tastes. I was into extended funk and disco edits long before I was really into Prince, so it would've worked on me. I just wouldn't have known on which compilation album I'd have found them.


Well, yes, i mean a similar argument can be made for literally every album in his catalogue. Going in blind though I'm gonna say I'd be surprised if the majority of new fans were likely to be converted by hearing Prince and Jill Jones simulate an argument in front of the tv in the extended Kiss but not the single edit.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #46 posted 07/02/19 1:26pm

GiggityGoo

avatar

If you're excluding the "The Hits" collection, the best bet would be (in this order):

.

- Purple Rain (pretty much his most accessible album)

.

- 1999 (more accessible hits)

.

- Sign 'O' The Times (at this point, you can hit them with some diversity, mixed with hits)

.

- Around The World In A Day (more hits, but another level of diverse music with the neo-psych stuff)

.

- Parade (this is the most eclectic of his "classic" albums, so you need to save this one for last)

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #47 posted 07/02/19 1:50pm

Wolfie87

GiggityGoo said:

If you're excluding the "The Hits" collection, the best bet would be (in this order):


.


- Purple Rain (pretty much his most accessible album)


.


- 1999 (more accessible hits)


.


- Sign 'O' The Times (at this point, you can hit them with some diversity, mixed with hits)


.


- Around The World In A Day (more hits, but another level of diverse music with the neo-psych stuff)


.


- Parade (this is the most eclectic of his "classic" albums, so you need to save this one for last)



PR & 1999, back to back? They're to similar in drum programming and rooted in that sound. This is actually harder than some think. I just watched the purple medley on AMA 1995. That had a great variety of songs. Especially loved the Diamonds and Pearls part of said medley. You need to mix up the songs. From complex to hyper commercial. From ballad to horny synths. From straight up rock to nasty funk.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #48 posted 07/02/19 3:57pm

BlueShakooo

I prefer to give away boots:
Atlanta '80
Miami '85 Soundcheck
Osaka '89 Soundcheck
Montreux 2009
Montreux 2013
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #49 posted 07/02/19 4:28pm

TrivialPursuit

avatar

Part 1 of a 2 part article, 17 Prince Songs You Ain't...But Should. Obviously, for Prince fans they'll have heard every one. But the list is meant for those who want to know more beyond "When Doves Cry", or what to know Prince in general having never heard his music.

[Edited 7/3/19 20:33pm]

"eye don’t really care so much what people say about me because it is a reflection of who they r."
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #50 posted 07/03/19 7:14am

mediumdry

AvocadosMax said:

Depends on what they like, ig.

.

dingdingding, we have a winner. I have a friend who has wide ranging tastes. He didn't know much Prince and asked me to listen to him. So I made some mixtapes/playlists focussing on different things, drums, keys, horns, guitar, headbob and weirdness. He loved most of it, but he hated Let's Go Crazy, Computer Blue and the more guitar heavy Prince stuff.

.

So there is no telling, really. Just go for the widest range of what you like. If I had to, for a random person, suggest 5 albums though, I'd probably do this:

.

-Around the world in a day

-The Rainbow Children

-NPG-Exodus

-For You

-The Truth

.

Mostly because everyone will have heard the hits and they are easily played through spotify and the like by going to the most played songs. This is meant to show a much wider view into what he was and did.

Paisley Park is in your heart - Love Is Here!
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #51 posted 07/03/19 10:01am

jfenster

power fantastic

the love we make

sign o the times

supercalifragisexy

uptown

beautiful strange

319

anna stesia

irresistable bitch

family name

black muse

revelation

colonized mind

and god created woman

sexuality

.....these should convert the most stubborn

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #52 posted 07/03/19 3:50pm

herb4

Depends on what they're into. Pop, funk, rock, etc.

I'd personally start anyone out with 1999 but that's just me.

IF they can't find anything to like on that record, they're beyond hope.

[Edited 7/3/19 15:52pm]

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #53 posted 07/05/19 5:45am

PurpleColossus

avatar

1) Purple Rain

2) Controversy

3) 1999

4) Graffiti Bridge

5) Diamonds & Pearls

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #54 posted 07/08/19 8:42am

RJOrion

Sign O' The Times
Prince
Dirty Mind
Purple Rain
Love Symbol
[Edited 7/8/19 8:44am]
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #55 posted 07/08/19 9:04am

darkroman

I was once asked this question by someone who knew Prince from his singles but that was it.

Without hesitation I immediately recommended Madhouse's 8 - the perfect compliment to his hits, his diversity and music genious.


cool

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #56 posted 07/08/19 12:11pm

RobotFix

avatar

Prince (self-titled album)

1999

Musicology

The Hits/The B-Sides

Sign O' The Times

Givin' up food for funk.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #57 posted 07/09/19 5:16pm

nonesuch

1. The Rainbow Children

2. Lotusflow3r

3. Sign O The Times

4. Parade

5. Around The World In A Day

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #58 posted 07/12/19 12:24pm

jfenster

BlueShakooo said:

I prefer to give away boots: Atlanta '80 Miami '85 Soundcheck Osaka '89 Soundcheck Montreux 2009 Montreux 2013

osaka sndck? whats on it?

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #59 posted 07/12/19 1:55pm

FrankieCoco1

Perhaps rather than albums, introduce Prince to someone in batches of 10, starting with the best known/most popular singles, like this.

1-10
1999
Little Red Corvette
When Doves Cry
Let’s Go Crazy
Purple Rain
Raspberry Beret
Kiss
Sign O’ The Times
U Got The Look
The Most Beautiful Girl In The World

11-20
I Wanna Be Your Lover
Take Me With You
I Would Die 4 U
Alphabet Street
Batdance
Partyman
Gett Off
Cream
Diamonds And Pearls
Sexy MF

21-30
Soft And Wet
Dirty Mind
Controversy
Paisley Park
Girls & Boys
If I Was Your Girlfriend
Thieves In The Temple
My Name Is Prince
7
Peach

31-40
Sexy Dancer
Let’s Work
Delirious
Pop Life
Anotherloverholenyohead
Mountains
Money Don’t Matter 2 Night
Get Wild
I Hate U
Gold

41-50
Uptown
America
I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man
Hot Thing
Glam Slam
I Wish U Heaven
Letitgo
Musicology
Black Sweat
Guitar
There may or may not be something coming!
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Page 2 of 2 <12
  New topic   Printable     (Log in to 'subscribe' to this topic)
« Previous topic  Next topic »
Forums > Prince: Music and More > Top 5 Prince Albums You'd Recommend to a Newbie?