Phase3 said:

Idk but I think michael bland is the best drummer prince ever had

Yeah, my man was fierce. I think Blackwell was on his level though and I go back and forth on who brought more to the table.

The Revolution had different incarnations just as the NPG, but the NPG had very different incarnations as it last so much longer.
The Revolution with horns and Sheila is the best, and obviously more versatile and fit are wider scope. But overalll, i think the Revolution was pretty one dimensional with the classic Prince linn presets at its core. It's awesome, but it gets tiresome real fast.

.

The ONA NPG on the other hand, has way more to offer and you can listen to that with it it feeling tiresome.
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Of course, the Revolution was young and they tried super hard, VS the ONA NPG was the best of the best and they knew it. They never had to try and prove anything. They were badass an they knew it. And audiences knew it.

v10letblues said:

The Revolution had different incarnations just as the NPG, but the NPG had very different incarnations as it last so much longer.
The Revolution with horns and Sheila is the best, and obviously more versatile and fit are wider scope. But overalll, i think the Revolution was pretty one dimensional with the classic Prince linn presets at its core. It's awesome, but it gets tiresome real fast.

.

The ONA NPG on the other hand, has way more to offer and you can listen to that with it it feeling tiresome.
.

Of course, the Revolution was young and they tried super hard, VS the ONA NPG was the best of the best and they knew it. They never had to try and prove anything. They were badass an they knew it. And audiences knew it.

Well the Revolution was a bit different than how Prince did the NPG. It wasn't the same.

The Revolution with horns Eric & Eddie M or Eric and Atlanta Bliss. I don't think the SOTT band was the Revolution. It just was, and by Lovesexy's end would have ended up as the NPG.

The linn usage was mixed with live drums. The heavier linn usage(Prince's insistance) was for the PR tour. Not so much any ATWIAD performances or the Parade. Parade tour was a mixed of organic and electric drumming.

The use of the linn came in on the Controversy era. And I don't think I've ever heard anyone say they were tired of the 1999/What Time Is It?/Vanity 6 era full of linn

Didn't the parade tour have some of the Scott players like eric on horns? I'm just going by the videos I've seen and not by any true insight in the matter

v10letblues said:

Didn't the parade tour have some of the Scott players like eric on horns? I'm just going by the videos I've seen and not by any true insight in the matter

yes that's what I meant by Revolution(ATWIAD) with Eric and Eddie or Revolution(Parade) with Eric and Atlanta Bliss. Sheila E was a protege band with(Eddie M-sax) during this time.

There is something very cool with the rock n'roll aspect of the Dez Dickerson version of the Revolution

Came across a YouTube video of a Dez interview on Pat Robinsons 700 Club. Interesting how some from the Primce camp went from one extreme to the other, including Prince himself when it come to religion.

[Edited 8/2/20 9:51am]

I always go to the SOTT/TBA/Lovesexy and into Batman band. I just really love that sound and that era.

But, The Revolution is right up there too. Maybe they're tied.

The NPG original lineup is next.

I don't care much for 3EG. I appreciate that they re-inspired him though.

Prince's best backing band was Prince.

the noituloveR

v10letblues said:

There is something very cool with the rock n'roll aspect of the Dez Dickerson version of the Revolution

Came across a YouTube video of a Dez interview on Pat Robinsons 700 Club. Interesting how some from the Primce camp went from one extreme to the other, including Prince himself when it come to religion.

[Edited 8/2/20 9:51am]

New Power Trio of course!

Ah, it all depended on what he was going for that year, or even that gig. I liked how he basically had three bands near the end, 3rd Eye Girl, the NPG horns big band and the standard NPG that was like a mixture of them both.

Edit: that's not even 3rd Eye Girl in the picture on the first post, is it? That's Andy Allo with the guitar.

[Edited 8/6/20 8:08am]

It's so good to hear ..as with anything Prince, that there are so many different opinions as to what they like. He encompasses so many different things that inspire everyone differently.

v10letblues said:

It's so good to hear ..as with anything Prince, that there are so many different opinions as to what they like. He encompasses so many different things that inspire everyone differently.

Co-sign

But it's also the singular quality he had that leads to so many arguments too. I could compile a mix CD that would probably make many here barf. But, weirdly, when I play some of that shit for non fans or casual fans, it grabs their attention and they're often taken aback that it's really Prince.



I can't think of another band/artist that could inspire so many different "best of" set lists or "greatest hits" packages. It's really something and speaks more to his versatility than the quality of his work I've always felt.

You can compile a mix CD/tape (showing my age) for just about anyone you know who says they don't like Prince and, more often than not, utterly shock them with tracks they've never heard before. Even my metal head friends turn their heads when I play the Undertaker EP or something.

Related to the thread, a lot of times in ^^^these instances^^^ it has a LOT to do with the band(s) he assembled. Many MANY people think that Prince was primarily a pop/studio artist (and maybe he was) but he was far more than that and I think HE got better as his BANDS improved around him. The Revolution were fine but they were sort of rote in a bit "color by numbers", if that makes sense. Meaning Prince drew all the lines.

I just thank god he gave us so much to choose from.

herb4 said:

v10letblues said:

It's so good to hear ..as with anything Prince, that there are so many different opinions as to what they like. He encompasses so many different things that inspire everyone differently.

Co-sign

But it's also the singular quality he had that leads to so many arguments too. I could compile a mix CD that would probably make many here barf. But, weirdly, when I play some of that shit for non fans or casual fans, it grabs their attention and they're often taken aback that it's really Prince.



I can't think of another band/artist that could inspire so many different "best of" set lists or "greatest hits" packages. It's really something and speaks more to his versatility than the quality of his work I've always felt.

You can compile a mix CD/tape (showing my age) for just about anyone you know who says they don't like Prince and, more often than not, utterly shock them with tracks they've never heard before. Even my metal head friends turn their heads when I play the Undertaker EP or something.

Related to the thread, a lot of times in ^^^these instances^^^ it has a LOT to do with the band(s) he assembled. Many MANY people think that Prince was primarily a pop/studio artist (and maybe he was) but he was far more than that and I think HE got better as his BANDS improved around him. The Revolution were fine but they were sort of rote in a bit "color by numbers", if that makes sense. Meaning Prince drew all the lines.

I just thank god he gave us so much to choose from.

Absolutely. I have seen so many "best" compilations posted here on the org over the years that prove exactly that!

[Edited 8/6/20 15:04pm]

v10letblues said:

herb4 said:

Co-sign

But it's also the singular quality he had that leads to so many arguments too. I could compile a mix CD that would probably make many here barf. But, weirdly, when I play some of that shit for non fans or casual fans, it grabs their attention and they're often taken aback that it's really Prince.



I can't think of another band/artist that could inspire so many different "best of" set lists or "greatest hits" packages. It's really something and speaks more to his versatility than the quality of his work I've always felt.

You can compile a mix CD/tape (showing my age) for just about anyone you know who says they don't like Prince and, more often than not, utterly shock them with tracks they've never heard before. Even my metal head friends turn their heads when I play the Undertaker EP or something.

Related to the thread, a lot of times in ^^^these instances^^^ it has a LOT to do with the band(s) he assembled. Many MANY people think that Prince was primarily a pop/studio artist (and maybe he was) but he was far more than that and I think HE got better as his BANDS improved around him. The Revolution were fine but they were sort of rote in a bit "color by numbers", if that makes sense. Meaning Prince drew all the lines.

I just thank god he gave us so much to choose from.

Absolutely. I have seen so many "best" compilations posted here on the org over the years that prove exactly that!

[Edited 8/6/20 15:04pm]

I've seen plenty of "worst of" lists that prove the same thing.

That might be a fun thread idea:

The Best of the Worst of Prince.

People make an album of songs org people universally hate.

You all would REALLY hate mine

Se7en said:

herb4 said:

v10letblues said:

Absolutely. I have seen so many "best" compilations posted here on the org over the years that prove exactly that!

[Edited 8/6/20 15:04pm]

I've seen plenty of "worst of" lists that prove the same thing.

That might be a fun thread idea:

The Best of the Worst of Prince.

People make an album of songs org people universally hate.

You all would REALLY hate mine

i know i like alot of the songs that get hated here:

the entire Kamasura LP, especially the title song

Chocolate Invasion LP

The Slaughterhouse LP

Jughead

DaddyPop

Silicon

Housequake

New Power Generation

Dance On

Grafitti Bridge title song

shit, i even sometimes secretly enjoy "Arms Of Orion"

The New Power Generation was Prince's best band, be it in-studio or live on-stage. The personnel in this band would change, expand and contract, but my favorite lineups were:

1) John Blackwell, Rhonda Smith and Renato Neto

This lineup right here was limitless; whatever Prince needed, they could accomplish. They effortlessly played jazz fusion, funk, soul and rock. Blackwell's drumming was incredibly...incredible, Rhonda played 4,5,6 string and upright bass and Renato killed on the piano and synth. Prince recorded his first and only completely improvised album NEWS with them. And Prince would reach back out and play with this lineup from time to time. And this was the core to the amazing lineup/band that played his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction and Musicology tour.

2) Sonny T, Michael B., Tommy Barberlla and Morris Hayes

This lineup was powerful and rock solid! Sonny and Michael had perfect pitch and the keys and organ playing were phenomenal. Prince took deep dives into rock and blues with this band. And, again, he would reach back out to this lineup from time to time. GoldNigga, Exodus, Gold, Come, Chaos and Disorder, Old Friends 4 Sale, Emancipation as well as Diamonds and Pearls and The Love Symbol albums showcase the skills of this great core.

the SOTT/Lovesexy band is my 2nd choice as I've stated,

but looking at it closer, I prefer the Lovesexy band(but not the Lovesexy set up)

I would have prefered the Lovesexy band over the NPG(Nude Tour/GB) band

.

I also thought the SNL band would have made an interesting Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic band but so would the Lovesexy band.
.
I didn't care for the dancers overall from 1985-1991, I also liked the Twinz, but I didn't need to see them all the time. I thought that with Wally and Greg from seeing them in the Family band, then the Revolution then the SOTT band. There were certain song sets that it was cool having them on, but I did need them there especially so upfront as they were at times.

.

In the Family band, I know things would have been worked out for things to be smoother(if St Paul didn't leave) but the stage looked a bit cluttered, I felt the same with the 1986 Revolution(which basically took on the look of the Family band). The SOTT band was cleaner because there were less on stage, and everyone repositioned and some set on tiers.