dodger said:

TheEnglishGent said:

macaylasdad said:

I am giving Emancipation a listen after many years... I think it would of been more tolerable if the songs weren't so damn long.... There are 24 songs over 4 mins 30 sec and most of them way to drawn out... I found myself skipping to the next track... Anyone else feeling the same?

NO! It was COMPLETELY planned out!

The album is notable for its format: it consists of three discs, each containing 12 songs with exactly 60 minutes per disc. Prince(r.i.p.) insinuated to the press at the time that the number of songs, discs and length of the album had a connection with the Egyptians and Egyptian pyramids.

WHY complain about Prince's(r.i.p.) concept of the album he was BORN TO MAKE!!??

macaylasdad said:

udo said:

.

You show signs of millennial-type behaviour:

reduced attention span.

That is not an issue related to the CD but it is related to the person complaining.

If 4.5 minutes are a problem, then what about real music?

No sir....i am a Gen X product,

.

Type.

Not are.

.

give me what I need and I will do what needs to be done.

.

Not exactly as was indicated that the songs are boring.

.

As far as "real" music is concerned. The most covered song in history is a song called "Yesterday"...over 2000 covers of the song that came in JUST over 2 mins 03 seconds...btw the group was the Beatles. I don't think there will be over 2000 covers of Sleep Around, Style or Joint 2 Joint of that "real" music you're speaking of.. Just sayin.

.

What are you trying to say here?

That songs can be shorter?

That songs need to be imitated?

That song titles need to be one word?

That songs should be by the Beatles only?

That imitations are important?

You are quite unclear.

.

Simply listen and enjoy.

Even if the songs are longer than 2 minutes and three seconds.

slyjackson said:

Germanegro said:

I believe that there are no "too long songs." > The only case to be made for such is where completely repetative notes extend throughout, where melody is the objective, and even that can be a subjective measure, right? I am sorry but not sorry that none will convince me that this is ever the case for any song in the Emancipation collection. > Yes, long songs exist. Especially the ones that a listener does not favor. > IMO shortening an Emancipation song is akin to artistic trespassing and censorship! Armchair editors, please stand down.

Love your point of view.

udo said:

macaylasdad said:

I am giving Emancipation a listen after many years... I think it would of been more tolerable if the songs weren't so damn long.... There are 24 songs over 4 mins 30 sec and most of them way to drawn out... I found myself skipping to the next track... Anyone else feeling the same?

.

You show signs of millennial-type behaviour:

reduced attention span.

That is not an issue related to the CD but it is related to the person complaining.

If 4.5 minutes are a problem, then what about real music?

Get a grip grandpa, complaining about the next generation having no attention span is as old as the very idea of generations itself.

Emancipation absolutely suffers from too many songs sounding very like each other, it's what he wanted though.

[Edited 4/10/20 5:02am]

All of this bolded business is a ridiculous assessment. I laugh at it one time--ha.

jaawwnn said:

udo said:

.

You show signs of millennial-type behaviour:

reduced attention span.

That is not an issue related to the CD but it is related to the person complaining.

If 4.5 minutes are a problem, then what about real music?

Get a grip grandpa, complaining about the next generation having no attention span is as old as the very idea of generations itself.

Emancipation absolutely suffers from too many songs sounding very like each other, it's what he wanted though.

[Edited 4/10/20 5:02am]

Maybe I worded it badly, it wasn't supposed to be a controversial statement.

There's 36 tracks on there, they all have very similar production and the ones that stand out as sounding a bit different (Courtin' Time, Holy River, In this Bed, Face Down, New World) really stand out imho. I also think the album sounds exactly as he wanted it to sound.

I think the live in the studio Somebody's Somebody is a good example of how a bit of production variety would have helped it a lot. You disagree?

[Edited 4/10/20 6:00am]

jaawwnn said:

Germanegro said:

I believe that there are no "too long songs." > The only case to be made for such is where completely repetative notes extend throughout, where melody is the objective, and even that can be a subjective measure, right? I am sorry but not sorry that none will convince me that this is ever the case for any song in the Emancipation collection. > Yes, long songs exist. Especially the ones that a listener does not favor. > IMO shortening an Emancipation song is akin to artistic trespassing and censorship! Armchair editors, please stand down.

oh puuleeze.

Thank you. I have been so advised.

jaawwnn said:

udo said:

.

You show signs of millennial-type behaviour:

reduced attention span.

That is not an issue related to the CD but it is related to the person complaining.

If 4.5 minutes are a problem, then what about real music?

Get a grip grandpa, complaining about the next generation having no attention span is as old as the very idea of generations itself.

.

It is a defect.

Perhaps created by all the gizmo's they need to attend to.

Bad upbringing, both parents working, single parent families, etc.

I do not know, I am not an expert in any area.

.

Emancipation absolutely suffers from too many songs sounding very like each other, it's what he wanted though.

.

I see it as not having respect for the musician.

If you think it is too long, then why play it, when why not dismiss all songs over 3 minutes?

Why are you still here?

ChocolateBox3121 said:

macaylasdad said:

I am giving Emancipation a listen after many years... I think it would of been more tolerable if the songs weren't so damn long.... There are 24 songs over 4 mins 30 sec and most of them way to drawn out... I found myself skipping to the next track... Anyone else feeling the same?

NO! It was COMPLETELY planned out!

The album is notable for its format: it consists of three discs, each containing 12 songs with exactly 60 minutes per disc. Prince(r.i.p.) insinuated to the press at the time that the number of songs, discs and length of the album had a connection with the Egyptians and Egyptian pyramids.

WHY complain about Prince's(r.i.p.) concept of the album he was BORN TO MAKE!!??

I am sure it was album that he was born to make...the concept was a bad one, who really cared if the album WAS 60 mins in length? Would you not of bought if it was 59 mins? 12 songs on each disc, again, i would of bought it if was 10-10-16...you would of too. I've must of missed the Egyptian connection. Can you explain it to me?

udo said:

macaylasdad said:

.

Not exactly as was indicated that the songs are boring.

.

As far as "real" music is concerned. The most covered song in history is a song called "Yesterday"...over 2000 covers of the song that came in JUST over 2 mins 03 seconds...btw the group was the Beatles. I don't think there will be over 2000 covers of Sleep Around, Style or Joint 2 Joint of that "real" music you're speaking of.. Just sayin.

.

What are you trying to say here? My opinion

That songs can be shorter?

That songs need to be imitated?

That song titles need to be one word?

That songs should be by the Beatles only?

That imitations are important?

You are quite unclear.

.

Simply listen and enjoy.

Even if the songs are longer than 2 minutes and three seconds.

What are you trying to say here? My opinion

That songs can be shorter? Sure, why not?

That songs need to be imitated? Nope, that would boring now would it?

That song titles need to be one word? Nope

That songs should be by the Beatles only? Nope

That imitations are important? Nope

You are quite unclear. Only to you

.

Simply listen and enjoy. I do, but when a song goes on too long, off to the next track I go!

Even if the songs are longer than 2 minutes and three seconds.

Most albums I enjoy generally strive for a uniformity in production as a standard for the project, maybe with a live element injected for some variety of sonic texture, or to add a different perspective to the sound. Having too many varying production techniques included in an album to me would make a recording sound uneven or disjointed. Unless, of course, the definitive point is to showcase different producton techniques between volumes of a multi-disc album. I certainly don't believe that Prince would publish a record of a sound quality he was dissatisfied with--thats's a daft notion, to be sure.

>

I don't have any criticisms to make of the production variety aproach, or the production values of Emancipation, but merely say is a different approach than had previously been executed--I don't have issues with the sound and happily take it as it is. Why? Simply said, it is the sound of Prince at that moment in time, and to me is precious as such. I don't consider a point so obscure to what actually exists in a recording, as what one might anticipate receiving from the artist, as a concerning issue--that's probably easy for me to day because he recorded so much. To this point the critics may laugh, and that's okay--different strokes.... It's been expressed that Prince strove to acheive a unique sound in his recordings in a deliberate measure to stand out from the contemporary field of recordings and this is done here.

>

Perhaps in time people may cover songs from this project and use a different production approach, which--by account of the criticisms that I read like yours--could address that audience concern--called "flat and plastic"--and make a lovely statement toward Prince's compositions.

>

However, other people remain who have everything negative to say about the value of many of the album's songs, that if given credence would leave you fit-to-be-tied to even make such effort.

>

Of course, IMO, I feel that where one is inspired, criticisms can easily be disregarded, and if any artist would enjoy a song well enough and can pay the clearances, to go for it and rock it out as a compliment and tribute to cool artist that Prince is.

jaawwnn said:

Maybe I worded it badly, it wasn't supposed to be a controversial statement.

There's 36 tracks on there, they all have very similar production and the ones that stand out as sounding a bit different (Courtin' Time, Holy River, In this Bed, Face Down, New World) really stand out imho. I also think the album sounds exactly as he wanted it to sound.

I think the live in the studio Somebody's Somebody is a good example of how a bit of production variety would have helped it a lot. You disagree?

[Edited 4/10/20 6:00am]

macaylasdad said:

Germanegro said:

I believe that there are no "too long songs." > The only case to be made for such is where completely repetative notes extend throughout, where melody is the objective, and even that can be a subjective measure, right? I am sorry but not sorry that none will convince me that this is ever the case for any song in the Emancipation collection. > Yes, long songs exist. Especially the ones that a listener does not favor. > IMO shortening an Emancipation song is akin to artistic trespassing and censorship! Armchair editors, please stand down.

oh puuleeze.

Thank you. I have been so advised.

"Can Prince play his guitar now?"

In a weird way, I think it's an album that works pretty well on vinyl. The natural punctuation points provided by the different sides with three tracks apiece makes me less inclined to want to skip anything, while (paradoxically) making me better appreciate the majesty of the entire thing. Maybe that's just me, though.

Regardless, like Love Symbol, Emancipation's a bit of an overambitious 'messterpiece', and I kinda love it for that, TBH. I don't even complain much about it having 'too many overwrought ballads' anymore, lol.

Germanegro said:

Most albums I enjoy generally strive for a uniformity in production as a standard for the project, maybe with a live element injected for some variety of sonic texture, or to add a different perspective to the sound. Having too many varying production techniques included in an album to me would make a recording sound uneven or disjointed. Unless, of course, the definitive point is to showcase different producton techniques between volumes of a multi-disc album. I certainly don't believe that Prince would publish a record of a sound quality he was dissatisfied with--thats's a daft notion, to be sure.

>

I don't have any criticisms to make of the production variety aproach, or the production values of Emancipation, but merely say is a different approach than had previously been executed--I don't have issues with the sound and happily take it as it is. Why? Simply said, it is the sound of Prince at that moment in time, and to me is precious as such. I don't consider a point so obscure to what actually exists in a recording, as what one might anticipate receiving from the artist, as a concerning issue--that's probably easy for me to day because he recorded so much. To this point the critics may laugh, and that's okay--different strokes.... It's been expressed that Prince strove to acheive a unique sound in his recordings in a deliberate measure to stand out from the contemporary field of recordings and this is done here.

>

Perhaps in time people may cover songs from this project and use a different production approach, which--by account of the criticisms that I read like yours--could address that audience concern--called "flat and plastic"--and make a lovely statement toward Prince's compositions.

>

However, other people remain who have everything negative to say about the value of many of the album's songs, that if given credence would leave you fit-to-be-tied to even make such effort.

>

Of course, IMO, I feel that where one is inspired, criticisms can easily be disregarded, and if any artist would enjoy a song well enough and can pay the clearances, to go for it and rock it out as a compliment and tribute to cool artist that Prince is.

I know what you're saying, and I largely agree, there's still something about Emancipation that just becomes a bit boring after a while, and I say this as a fan of 90% of the tracks on the album. I don't know if it's the order of the tracks or what. The production of SOTT is fairly consistent but it never gets boring.

udo said:

jaawwnn said:

.

It is a defect.

Perhaps created by all the gizmo's they need to attend to.

Bad upbringing, both parents working, single parent families, etc.

I do not know, I am not an expert in any area.

hahaha

If this was the 80s you would absolutely be working for the PMRC trying to get Prince banned.

.

Emancipation absolutely suffers from too many songs sounding very like each other, it's what he wanted though.

.

I see it as not having respect for the musician.

If you think it is too long, then why play it, when why not dismiss all songs over 3 minutes?

Why are you still here?

Well ok fair enough. I don't personally agree with editing the songs down like the original poster but I think they're broadly onto something. I'm personally fascinated how everyone has their own 1 disc emancipation and they're all different. I think it's a sign that Prince was probably right with what he went with, but I still don't often play any of the discs start to finish.

jaawwnn said:

Germanegro said:

Most albums I enjoy generally strive for a uniformity in production as a standard for the project, maybe with a live element injected for some variety of sonic texture, or to add a different perspective to the sound. Having too many varying production techniques included in an album to me would make a recording sound uneven or disjointed. Unless, of course, the definitive point is to showcase different producton techniques between volumes of a multi-disc album. I certainly don't believe that Prince would publish a record of a sound quality he was dissatisfied with--thats's a daft notion, to be sure.

>

I don't have any criticisms to make of the production variety aproach, or the production values of Emancipation, but merely say is a different approach than had previously been executed--I don't have issues with the sound and happily take it as it is. Why? Simply said, it is the sound of Prince at that moment in time, and to me is precious as such. I don't consider a point so obscure to what actually exists in a recording, as what one might anticipate receiving from the artist, as a concerning issue--that's probably easy for me to day because he recorded so much. To this point the critics may laugh, and that's okay--different strokes.... It's been expressed that Prince strove to acheive a unique sound in his recordings in a deliberate measure to stand out from the contemporary field of recordings and this is done here.

>

Perhaps in time people may cover songs from this project and use a different production approach, which--by account of the criticisms that I read like yours--could address that audience concern--called "flat and plastic"--and make a lovely statement toward Prince's compositions.

>

However, other people remain who have everything negative to say about the value of many of the album's songs, that if given credence would leave you fit-to-be-tied to even make such effort.

>

Of course, IMO, I feel that where one is inspired, criticisms can easily be disregarded, and if any artist would enjoy a song well enough and can pay the clearances, to go for it and rock it out as a compliment and tribute to cool artist that Prince is.

I know what you're saying, and I largely agree, there's still something about Emancipation that just becomes a bit boring after a while, and I say this as a fan of 90% of the tracks on the album. I don't know if it's the order of the tracks or what. The production of SOTT is fairly consistent but it never gets boring.

That thing could be the 3-CD length--LOL! Many times I break it up and play as much as I need to listen at one time. I usually play one section per listen--each disc seems to cover a different mood for me, so that works! Then there are other times when I just want to hear it all.

Like the album or not but this thread is EXACTLY why Prince titled Emancipation EMANCIPATION.

macaylasdad said:

ChocolateBox3121 said:

NO! It was COMPLETELY planned out!

The album is notable for its format: it consists of three discs, each containing 12 songs with exactly 60 minutes per disc. Prince(r.i.p.) insinuated to the press at the time that the number of songs, discs and length of the album had a connection with the Egyptians and Egyptian pyramids.

WHY complain about Prince's(r.i.p.) concept of the album he was BORN TO MAKE!!??

I am sure it was album that he was born to make...the concept was a bad one, who really cared if the album WAS 60 mins in length? Would you not of bought if it was 59 mins? 12 songs on each disc, again, i would of bought it if was 10-10-16...you would of too. I've must of missed the Egyptian connection. Can you explain it to me?

Prince(r.i.p.) cared! "Emancipation" was a VERY monumental album for Prince(r.i.p.) He went through HELL getting Emancipated from WBR. "Emancipation" was a celebration for Prince's(r.i.p.) new found independence as an independent artist. At that time period had NEVER been done by a major artist on a major label. I mean obviously it meant a lot to him going through the whole thing even though Ahmir passed away. So for ANYONE of U to CONSTANTLY complain about the concept of it that he strategically planned is an INSULT to his legacy!

Prince(r.i.p.) had an Egyptian connection to his first wife Mayte. He felt they were kindred spirits that was reincarnated from Egypt and dedicated the WHOLE album to their union with the Egyptian concept. Anymore questions> I know everything.

[Edited 4/10/20 14:57pm]

ChocolateBox3121 said:

ChocolateBox3121 said:

macaylasdad said:

I am sure it was album that he was born to make...the concept was a bad one, who really cared if the album WAS 60 mins in length? Would you not of bought if it was 59 mins? 12 songs on each disc, again, i would of bought it if was 10-10-16...you would of too. I've must of missed the Egyptian connection. Can you explain it to me?

Prince(r.i.p.) cared! "Emancipation" was a VERY monumental album for Prince(r.i.p.) He went through HELL getting Emancipated from WBR. "Emancipation" was a celebration for Prince's(r.i.p.) new found independence as an independent artist. At that time period had NEVER been done by a major artist on a major label. I mean obviously it meant a lot to him going through the whole thing even though Ahmir passed away. So for ANYONE of U to CONSTANTLY complain about the concept of it that he strategically planned is an INSULT to his legacy!

Prince(r.i.p.) had an Egyptian connection to his first wife Mayte. He felt they were kindred spirits that was reincarnated from Egypt and dedicated the WHOLE album to their union with the Egyptian concept. Anymore questions> I know everything.

[Edited 4/10/20 14:57pm]

I am sorry, the concept was lost to many... I mearly said the songs were too long. They are and that is a fact.

MattyJam said:

macaylasdad said:

my days are dancing have been long over, especially if i had to dance to Sleep Around for the full but unneccessary 7 mins 42 secs...

Oh God, that one is insufferable. Definitely one of the worst culprits.

"Sleep Around" is one of the best songs on the album.It should have been the first single.

SoulAlive said:

MattyJam said:

macaylasdad said: Oh God, that one is insufferable. Definitely one of the worst culprits.

"Sleep Around" is one of the best songs on the album.It should have been the first single.

Prince's(r.i.p.) performance of "SLeep Around" on Oprah was one of his best TV performances.

I've stated it before on here- you can hear Prince's joy and happiness in every single song on this album. He had broken the 'chains' with WBR and was experiencing true happiness in his personal and professional life and it clearly comes through here. Sure, some songs do go on for longer than they need to, but so what? It's what Prince wanted and he over-indulged quite a few times in his career. Soul Sanctuary is one of the best songs in his career.

ChocolateBox3121 said:

macaylasdad said:

I am sure it was album that he was born to make...the concept was a bad one, who really cared if the album WAS 60 mins in length? Would you not of bought if it was 59 mins? 12 songs on each disc, again, i would of bought it if was 10-10-16...you would of too. I've must of missed the Egyptian connection. Can you explain it to me?

Prince(r.i.p.) cared! "Emancipation" was a VERY monumental album for Prince(r.i.p.) He went through HELL getting Emancipated from WBR. "Emancipation" was a celebration for Prince's(r.i.p.) new found independence as an independent artist. At that time period had NEVER been done by a major artist on a major label. I mean obviously it meant a lot to him going through the whole thing even though Ahmir passed away. So for ANYONE of U to CONSTANTLY complain about the concept of it that he strategically planned is an INSULT to his legacy!

Prince(r.i.p.) had an Egyptian connection to his first wife Mayte. He felt they were kindred spirits that was reincarnated from Egypt and dedicated the WHOLE album to their union with the Egyptian concept. Anymore questions> I know everything.

[Edited 4/10/20 14:57pm]

kingricefan said:

I've stated it before on here- you can hear Prince's joy and happiness in every single song on this album. He had broken the 'chains' with WBR and was experiencing true happiness in his personal and professional life and it clearly comes through here. Sure, some songs do go on for longer than they need to, but so what? It's what Prince wanted and he over-indulged quite a few times in his career. Soul Sanctuary is one of the best songs in his career.

ChocolateBox3121 said:

Prince(r.i.p.) cared! "Emancipation" was a VERY monumental album for Prince(r.i.p.) He went through HELL getting Emancipated from WBR. "Emancipation" was a celebration for Prince's(r.i.p.) new found independence as an independent artist. At that time period had NEVER been done by a major artist on a major label. I mean obviously it meant a lot to him going through the whole thing even though Ahmir passed away. So for ANYONE of U to CONSTANTLY complain about the concept of it that he strategically planned is an INSULT to his legacy!

Prince(r.i.p.) had an Egyptian connection to his first wife Mayte. He felt they were kindred spirits that was reincarnated from Egypt and dedicated the WHOLE album to their union with the Egyptian concept. Anymore questions> I know everything.

[Edited 4/10/20 14:57pm]

EXACTLY! Prince(r.i.p.) was the happiest he ever been in his life when he put together the concept of Emancipation. U know EXACTLY what was going on & described it PERFECTLY. U right "SO WHAT" how long the songs were doesn't matter. I agree "Soul Sanctuary" is one of his best songs . Actually the second disk is my favorite and couldn't have been more perfect.

I would have been interested, years ago, to hear the original before Mayte got pregnant and the whole albulm became padded and a means for him to justify and convince himself and the public of the path he chose to go down.

[Edited 4/12/20 13:10pm]

Adrasteia said:

MattyJam said:

Adrasteia said:

I would have been interested, years ago, to hear the original before Mayte got pregnant and the whole albulm became padded and a means for him to justify and convince himself and the public of the path he chose to go down.

What does this even mean?

It means the whole "love story" wasn't believable then, and it sure ain't believable now. It seemed forced, fake and dishonest. The albulm was supposed to be about his Emancipation from Corporate Media instead it got diluted and turned into a publicity campaign about something else. He became famous so young I don't know if he knew how to process things outside of or seperate from work or his public image.

It totally altered the album and I felt he was trying to convince himself and the public he was now a family man who'd found the love of his life-which was totally unbelievable and very sad. I'm not saying some of the songs aren't beautiful but I never believed them in the context of the Mayte soulmate routine/fantasy for one second unless he was singing to someone else we don't know about (which is very possible given he was never faithful to her/anyone as far as we know). I don't think he was in a good space at all and was making poor decisions, he looked shell shocked and unhappy. Take a look at the Oprah interview, or even the decision to do that; clearly deep trauma and cognitive dissodance. I'm sure the edit on the albulm in Dec/early January was totally different than it was by Feb., and I would guess not for the better.