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Reply #270 posted 10/11/20 2:58pm

JudasLChrist

avatar

Margot said:

I'd like to wager even one more bet. It seems to me that most of the "defenders" likely have not read the book AND are also the guys who discovered Prince at an impressionable/imprintable age.

I have noticed many of the overly'faithful' discovered him @13-18 (mostly guys) and Prince offered exciting stuff, something for everyone...sexiness, rule-breaking, gender fluidity etc. This was powerful. I've read about in the forums many times. Somehow, discussing Prince on a deeper level by anyone (not just Karlen) is OFF limits. Many orgers have been punished as well.



I became obsessed with Prince at age 12 listening to sides 3 and 4 of 1999. I love the book.

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Reply #271 posted 10/11/20 3:42pm

Margot

JudasLChrist said:

Margot said:

I'd like to wager even one more bet. It seems to me that most of the "defenders" likely have not read the book AND are also the guys who discovered Prince at an impressionable/imprintable age.

I have noticed many of the overly'faithful' discovered him @13-18 (mostly guys) and Prince offered exciting stuff, something for everyone...sexiness, rule-breaking, gender fluidity etc. This was powerful. I've read about in the forums many times. Somehow, discussing Prince on a deeper level by anyone (not just Karlen) is OFF limits. Many orgers have been punished as well.



I became obsessed with Prince at age 12 listening to sides 3 and 4 of 1999. I love the book.

I've been following your comments.

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Reply #272 posted 10/11/20 10:08pm

purplethunder3
121

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Ugh, what a wretched thread... razz Think I'll go listen to some Prince music to get the bad tast out of my mouth.

"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything." --Plato

https://youtu.be/CVwv9LZMah0
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Reply #273 posted 10/11/20 10:54pm

MoodyBlumes

JudasLChrist said:

simm0061 said:

Honest people generally don't try so hard to convince you they aren't lying. As I said in an earlier review, it's a case of "the lady doth protest too much'

He's telling of the truth reminds me of the Coen borthers' opening to Fargo. 'This is a true story. The events depicted in this film took place in Minnesota in 1987. At the request of the survivors, the names have been changed. Out of respect for the dead, the rest has been told exactly as it occurred.'

It's a good book, but Neal reveals several times that he's making some shit up for a better story. He just does so in a very clever way that leaves the reader scratching their head.


It wasn’t to convince people he wasn’t lying. It was to be clear that he was understood.

He is well understood. He calls Mayte's memoir, 'The Most Beautiful Girl in the World'. And puts Kim Berry's account next to Mayte's because apparently Kim needs to rubber stamp all content regarding Prince and Mayte's life. According to Neal she was Prince's hairdresser for '30 years', which is also BS.

[Edited 10/11/20 23:19pm]

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Reply #274 posted 10/12/20 3:36am

CharismaDove

Margot said:

I'd like to place a bet...I bet at least 75% of you groaners have not read the book.


  • It was the Office, not the Sopranos



Actually it WAS The Sopranos. Maybe you need to read the book yourself.

"Five years after that, Prince was watching a rerun of The Sopranos, one of the many shows he binge-watched. He brought up Amiir again after describing the episode he’d just seen, when the young son of psychotic Mafia capo Ralphie Cifaretto is seriously injured by an errant arrow shot by another little kid. Ralphie, who seemed to kill for pleasure as much as business, breaks down in the episode, sure his boy is being punished for his sins. “I’m Ralphie,” Prince said, hanging up, after briefly describing the episode."
Maybe eye do, just not like eye did before pimp2
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Reply #275 posted 10/12/20 10:30am

simm0061

avatar

JudasLChrist said:

ThatWhiteDude said:

JudasLChrist said: If you'd read the whole thread closely, you'd see that the main complaint is not about the book, it's about neal himself and what he did and said. I think people only find him credible because he wrote for rolling stone. If he'd be from the daily mail no one would give him their time of the day. Don't know how much you've seen from me on here, but I've nothing against prince being criticized if he was a legit asshole, but from what I've heard other people say who have the book, Prince comes off as totally unlikable person who didn't care about people. Yeah, the guy who paid hospital bills among other stuff for his employees.

Prince was fairly unlikable from what I heard growing up in Minneapolis. He could and did charm people, but he also was a jerk in a lot of ways. These stories have been told by other folks who aren't Neal. Ask the guys in The Time! Morris Day. If you Mayte's book she is very forgiving of him, but he's an incredible asshole to her. I knew multilpe people who worked for him, and knew OF many who worked for him in Minneapolis, and he did not have the greatest reputation personally.

My read of Neal's book, which again is really good, is that he's not criticizing Prince, just trying to paint a picture of him without bullshit. It's very plain. I really appreciate his candor. I think it's something that has been missing since P died.

[Edited 10/8/20 17:01pm]

This was true in the 1980s and 1990s but that began to slowly change around the time Prince became a Jehovah's witness...or as Neal said, around the time Prince turned 40. The people I know or met who worked for Prince after 2004ish, actually liked him a lot, and likewise, public opinion began to shift. Th adjative most used to describe Prince changed from "dick" to "sweet".

Folks from Neal's and P generation (i.e. over 60 years old) probably still didn't care for him but folks from my generation (I'm in my 40s) and younger, were either nuetral, liked, loved, or adored Prince. Neal is very much speaking for his generation and older in this book.

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Reply #276 posted 10/12/20 11:07am

Margot

simm0061 said:

JudasLChrist said:

Prince was fairly unlikable from what I heard growing up in Minneapolis. He could and did charm people, but he also was a jerk in a lot of ways. These stories have been told by other folks who aren't Neal. Ask the guys in The Time! Morris Day. If you Mayte's book she is very forgiving of him, but he's an incredible asshole to her. I knew multilpe people who worked for him, and knew OF many who worked for him in Minneapolis, and he did not have the greatest reputation personally.

My read of Neal's book, which again is really good, is that he's not criticizing Prince, just trying to paint a picture of him without bullshit. It's very plain. I really appreciate his candor. I think it's something that has been missing since P died.

[Edited 10/8/20 17:01pm]

This was true in the 1980s and 1990s but that began to slowly change around the time Prince became a Jehovah's witness...or as Neal said, around the time Prince turned 40. The people I know or met who worked for Prince after 2004ish, actually liked him a lot, and likewise, public opinion began to shift. Th adjative most used to describe Prince changed from "dick" to "sweet".

Folks from Neal's and P generation (i.e. over 60 years old) probably still didn't care for him but folks from my generation (I'm in my 40s) and younger, were either nuetral, liked, loved, or adored Prince. Neal is very much speaking for his generation and older in this book.

I enjoyed Neal's perception that Prince had "alot of time to be a genius" in his younger years.

I am paraphrasing, but he mentioned that as a result of Prince's early experiences, he had fairly

strong narcissistic traits. This gave him the space and focus he needed to rise without too much

concern about pain he might be causing others.

Per Neal, at around 40-ish, he started to try harder with people, "remembering their names, some hugging etc"

As a younger person, you may have seen the kinder and gentler Prince.

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Reply #277 posted 10/12/20 11:17am

MoodyBlumes

Margot said:



simm0061 said:




JudasLChrist said:



Prince was fairly unlikable from what I heard growing up in Minneapolis. He could and did charm people, but he also was a jerk in a lot of ways. These stories have been told by other folks who aren't Neal. Ask the guys in The Time! Morris Day. If you Mayte's book she is very forgiving of him, but he's an incredible asshole to her. I knew multilpe people who worked for him, and knew OF many who worked for him in Minneapolis, and he did not have the greatest reputation personally.

My read of Neal's book, which again is really good, is that he's not criticizing Prince, just trying to paint a picture of him without bullshit. It's very plain. I really appreciate his candor. I think it's something that has been missing since P died.


[Edited 10/8/20 17:01pm]



This was true in the 1980s and 1990s but that began to slowly change around the time Prince became a Jehovah's witness...or as Neal said, around the time Prince turned 40. The people I know or met who worked for Prince after 2004ish, actually liked him a lot, and likewise, public opinion began to shift. Th adjative most used to describe Prince changed from "dick" to "sweet".


Folks from Neal's and P generation (i.e. over 60 years old) probably still didn't care for him but folks from my generation (I'm in my 40s) and younger, were either nuetral, liked, loved, or adored Prince. Neal is very much speaking for his generation and older in this book.




I enjoyed Neal's perception that Prince had "alot of time to be a genius" in his younger years.


I am paraphrasing, but he mentioned that as a result of Prince's early experiences, he had fairly


strong narcissistic traits. This gave him the space and focus he needed to rise without too much


concern about pain he might be causing others.


Per Neal, at around 40-ish, he started to try harder with people, "remembering their names, some hugging etc"


As a younger person, you may have seen the kinder and gentler Prince.



...
Having a lot of time to be a genius in truth is working one's ass off - 20 hours a day by many accounts. That's what it takes to be a Picasso.
.

I'm not sure what world you and Neal live in, but guys tend to hug their girlfriends. Prince was running a business and I've never met a CEO who goes around 'hugging' and spilling their guts to staff. Neal seems to be bitter that he was not as successful as Prince... but he's working hard to change all that. Neal Karlen never was, and never will be Prince. But I hope you will put your money where your mouth is, and replace all your Prince stuff with Karlen's books. Nobody deserves to have Prince's music and chastise him for taking the time to make it. Same for his live performances...
[Edited 10/12/20 11:37am]
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Reply #278 posted 10/12/20 11:19am

MoodyBlumes

.
[Edited 10/12/20 11:27am]
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Reply #279 posted 10/12/20 11:37am

rednblue

MoodyBlumes said:

Margot said:

I enjoyed Neal's perception that Prince had "alot of time to be a genius" in his younger years.

I am paraphrasing, but he mentioned that as a result of Prince's early experiences, he had fairly

strong narcissistic traits. This gave him the space and focus he needed to rise without too much

concern about pain he might be causing others.

Per Neal, at around 40-ish, he started to try harder with people, "remembering their names, some hugging etc"

As a younger person, you may have seen the kinder and gentler Prince.

.... Having a lot of time to be a genius in truth is working one's ass off - 20 hours a day by many accounts. That's what it takes to be a Picasso.


I agree that in a lot of cases of genius, people neglect the working one's ass off. As if somehow a genius having genius "superpowers" means that working one's ass off can't be one of the biggest factors that allows the person to create an amazing body of work.

Percentages may vary, but always liked this observation: "Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration." biggrin

Logic can allow big percentages for both, so that both might be big factors.

Also, along the line of multiple factors, narcissistic traits during periods of a person's life could also be a big factor.

FWIW, from what I've read, Picasso is one of the artists most commonly associated with evidence of narcissistic traits.

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Reply #280 posted 10/12/20 11:41am

Margot

MoodyBlumes said:

Margot said:

I enjoyed Neal's perception that Prince had "alot of time to be a genius" in his younger years.

I am paraphrasing, but he mentioned that as a result of Prince's early experiences, he had fairly

strong narcissistic traits. This gave him the space and focus he needed to rise without too much

concern about pain he might be causing others.

Per Neal, at around 40-ish, he started to try harder with people, "remembering their names, some hugging etc"

As a younger person, you may have seen the kinder and gentler Prince.

... Having a lot of time to be a genius in truth is working one's ass off - 20 hours a day by many accounts. That's what it takes to be a Picasso. . I'm not sure what world you and Neal live in, but guys tend to hug their girlfriends. Prince was running a business and I've never met a CEO who goes around 'hugging' and spilling their guts to staff. Neal seems to be bitter that he was not as successful as Prince... but he's working hard to change all that. Neal Karlen never was, and never will be Prince. But I hope you will put your money where your mouth is, and replace all you Prince stuff with Karlen's books. Nobody deserves to have Prince's music and chastise him for taking the time to make it. Same for his live performances... [Edited 10/12/20 11:36am]

It's well-known that Prince treated a number of people poorly when he was younger.

That is well-documented by many. He even apologized for it.

He did what it took to get there.

And, to your comment about CEO's...many of them are narcissistic.

I'm not criticizing Prince, just keeping it real.

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Reply #281 posted 10/12/20 11:41am

MoodyBlumes

rednblue said:

MoodyBlumes said:

Margot said: .... Having a lot of time to be a genius in truth is working one's ass off - 20 hours a day by many accounts. That's what it takes to be a Picasso.


I agree that in a lot of cases of genius, people neglect the working one's ass off. As if somehow a genius having genius "superpowers" means that working one's ass off can't be one of the biggest factors that allows the person to create an amazing body of work.

Percentages may vary, but always liked this observation: "Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration." biggrin

Logic can allow big percentages for both, so that both might be big factors.

Also, along the line of multiple factors, narcissistic traits during periods of a person's life could also be a big factor.

FWIW, from what I've read, Picasso is one of the artists most commonly associated with evidence of narcissistic traits.

And all the nameless fonts on the forum are a peach...what if we wrote a book on your life? And Prince and Picasso weren't the only ones working their asses off.

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Reply #282 posted 10/12/20 11:53am

Margot

MoodyBlumes said:

rednblue said:


I agree that in a lot of cases of genius, people neglect the working one's ass off. As if somehow a genius having genius "superpowers" means that working one's ass off can't be one of the biggest factors that allows the person to create an amazing body of work.

Percentages may vary, but always liked this observation: "Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration." biggrin

Logic can allow big percentages for both, so that both might be big factors.

Also, along the line of multiple factors, narcissistic traits during periods of a person's life could also be a big factor.

FWIW, from what I've read, Picasso is one of the artists most commonly associated with evidence of narcissistic traits.

And all the nameless fonts on the forum are a peach...what if we wrote a book on your life? And Prince and Picasso weren't the only ones working their asses off.

You will likely be here all day playing defense...I would dial it down. becoming obvious.

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Reply #283 posted 10/12/20 12:00pm

MoodyBlumes

Margot said:

MoodyBlumes said:

Margot said: ... Having a lot of time to be a genius in truth is working one's ass off - 20 hours a day by many accounts. That's what it takes to be a Picasso. . I'm not sure what world you and Neal live in, but guys tend to hug their girlfriends. Prince was running a business and I've never met a CEO who goes around 'hugging' and spilling their guts to staff. Neal seems to be bitter that he was not as successful as Prince... but he's working hard to change all that. Neal Karlen never was, and never will be Prince. But I hope you will put your money where your mouth is, and replace all you Prince stuff with Karlen's books. Nobody deserves to have Prince's music and chastise him for taking the time to make it. Same for his live performances... [Edited 10/12/20 11:36am]

It's well-known that Prince treated a number of people poorly when he was younger.

That is well-documented by many. He even apologized for it.

He did what it took to get there.

And, to your comment about CEO's...many of them are narcissistic.

I'm not criticizing Prince, just keeping it real.

Here is what Morris was like on the set of Purple Rain:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuxEYzHk62c&t=1s

.

"The character Prince created could not be bothered to pay attention to the shooting schedule.

Alan: Morris was being very uncooperative during the making of Purple Rain. There were days where he wouldn't show up. It's not that he couldn't, he just was being an asshole. And of course Prince was having a fit, but he's trying to make a movie so he's sending me.

Prince: Go find Morris. What's wrong with him?

Alan: So Craig Rice, the AD, and I, we would have to actually go out and find him.

Craig: We had to get in a car, then back track to where he last was, and I would call someone else and they'd say 'he was at this house last night'. So we'd go there first and find out where he went and who he went with. Then we'd go to the next place, and then the next place, and then the next place. And once we finally found out where he was at, we literally had to physically get him up and get him into the car.

.

On any other set Morris would have been fired - just keeping it real.

.

And I mean what I say, give your Prince stuff to someone else if he bothers you so much, and follow someone else. Prince put his whole life into his craft.

[Edited 10/12/20 12:05pm]

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Reply #284 posted 10/12/20 12:02pm

MoodyBlumes

.

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

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Reply #285 posted 10/12/20 12:09pm

rednblue

MoodyBlumes said:

rednblue said:


I agree that in a lot of cases of genius, people neglect the working one's ass off. As if somehow a genius having genius "superpowers" means that working one's ass off can't be one of the biggest factors that allows the person to create an amazing body of work.

Percentages may vary, but always liked this observation: "Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration." biggrin

Logic can allow big percentages for both, so that both might be big factors.

Also, along the line of multiple factors, narcissistic traits during periods of a person's life could also be a big factor.

FWIW, from what I've read, Picasso is one of the artists most commonly associated with evidence of narcissistic traits.

And all the nameless fonts on the forum are a peach...what if we wrote a book on your life? And Prince and Picasso weren't the only ones working their asses off.


Now you've lost me. Who said nobody works hard but Prince and Picasso?

Anyway, I've got a ton of big faults, if that's what you're getting at.

If we want truthful biographies of human beings, they will include all sorts of moments of character: good, bad and in between.

Can honestly also see how some might think that biographies/memoirs/etc. shouldn't be done...that they're a net negative thing. Can understand that point of view. Others would think it would be way too huge a loss to not have such books.

I think I genuinely understand distress (even without present-at-the-scene-of-events/quotes/etc. level of knowledge...distress at the gut feeling that a person, or relationships, or true admirations have been unreasonabley doubted and "dragged" and seeing relatively little speaking up about it.

I've had this feeling about Prince's mom. Have you? Completely understand you may not want to continue to engage.


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Reply #286 posted 10/12/20 12:15pm

MoodyBlumes

rednblue said:

MoodyBlumes said:

And all the nameless fonts on the forum are a peach...what if we wrote a book on your life? And Prince and Picasso weren't the only ones working their asses off.


Now you've lost me. Who said nobody works hard but Prince and Picasso?

Anyway, I've got a ton of big faults, if that's what you're getting at.

If we want truthful biographies of human beings, they will include all sorts of moments of character: good, bad and in between.

Can honestly also see how some might think that biographies/memoirs/etc. shouldn't be done...that they're a net negative thing. Can understand that point of view. Others would think it would be way too huge a loss to not have such books.

I think I genuinely understand distress (even without present-at-the-scene-of-events/quotes/etc. level of knowledge...distress at the gut feeling that a person, or relationships, or true admirations have been unreasonabley doubted and "dragged" and seeing relatively little speaking up about it.

I've had this feeling about Prince's mom. Have you? Completely understand you may not want to continue to engage.


I respect what Prince said about his mom in his own memoir. Neal may have met Mattie -- but he didn't grow up with or live with her. And Prince was also living with the Andersons... but he spent more time with Mattie than Neal did. And people present their best faces in public... that is a given. I would even consider that Prince may have paid for her education -- because getting a master's degree ain't cheap. Prince was paying for the house she and Hayward lived in.

.

But Neal also diminishes Mayte's account of her life, and can't even bother getting the name of her memoir correct.

[Edited 10/12/20 12:17pm]

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Reply #287 posted 10/12/20 12:19pm

rednblue

MoodyBlumes said:

rednblue said:


Now you've lost me. Who said nobody works hard but Prince and Picasso?

Anyway, I've got a ton of big faults, if that's what you're getting at.

If we want truthful biographies of human beings, they will include all sorts of moments of character: good, bad and in between.

Can honestly also see how some might think that biographies/memoirs/etc. shouldn't be done...that they're a net negative thing. Can understand that point of view. Others would think it would be way too huge a loss to not have such books.

I think I genuinely understand distress (even without present-at-the-scene-of-events/quotes/etc. level of knowledge...distress at the gut feeling that a person, or relationships, or true admirations have been unreasonabley doubted and "dragged" and seeing relatively little speaking up about it.

I've had this feeling about Prince's mom. Have you? Completely understand you may not want to continue to engage.


I respect what Prince said about his mom in his own memoir. Neal may have met Mattie -- but he didn't grow up with or live with her. And Prince was also living with the Andersons... but he spent more time with Mattie than Neal did. And people present their best faces in public... that is a given. I would even consider that Prince may have paid for her education -- because getting a master's degree ain't cheap. Prince was paying for the house she and Hayward lived in.

.

But Neal also diminishes Mayte's account of her life, and can't even bother getting the name of her memoir correct.

[Edited 10/12/20 12:17pm]


There are some big errors, for sure.

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Reply #288 posted 10/12/20 12:48pm

MoodyBlumes

rednblue said:

MoodyBlumes said:

I respect what Prince said about his mom in his own memoir. Neal may have met Mattie -- but he didn't grow up with or live with her. And Prince was also living with the Andersons... but he spent more time with Mattie than Neal did. And people present their best faces in public... that is a given. I would even consider that Prince may have paid for her education -- because getting a master's degree ain't cheap. Prince was paying for the house she and Hayward lived in.

.

But Neal also diminishes Mayte's account of her life, and can't even bother getting the name of her memoir correct.

[Edited 10/12/20 12:17pm]


There are some big errors, for sure.

Yes, and as much as we'd like to believe the cool, nice stories... I can't take those much seriously given all the rest. Chris Moon also shared about where the 'purple' came from. He worked in advertising, and claims he helped Prince come up with a concept, which included purple. I don't know if I believe that much either, considering Prince rolled out a different color scheme with each album, and Purple Rain was 1984. But Chris did teach Prince studio-craft, helped him with his 1st demo and Prince did work for him -- those facts are true. In the same way, Prince did do a few articles with Neal, so had a 'relationship'. But knowing what we know, do I think Prince was calling up a journalist to pour out the depths of his heart... no.

[Edited 10/12/20 12:57pm]

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Reply #289 posted 10/12/20 2:10pm

rap

JudasLChrist said:

Just finished it. I've been reading prince biographies since the 80s. While I wouldn't quite call this I biography, it's more of a memoir of Neil's relationship with friends and a postmortem attempt at understanding who he was. The book is doomed to be hated by certain types of fans because it doesn't always paint a pretty picture, or flat out contradicts what they think they know about him. The thing that people are posting here getting mad because Neil believed that prince disliked Miles Davis as a person is a good example of that. I would remind folks that this is Neil's book and covers Neil's experience with prince, and is different than what prince presented to the public or to other people. I don't think Neil tells a single lie in this book, and he's very open about what he doesn't know.


There's definitely some tragic stuff in here about Prince believing in his created persona to his own detriment. Wendy Melvoin has talks about how prince never stopped being the "rockstar" enough to have been able to ask for help when he was dealing with addiction, and Neil deep dives into that idea further. Prince could never show that kind of "weakness", and was ashamed. There are things in this book which are painful to read for those of us that loved Prince, and whose lives were elevated by his music and grand visions.

Neil has done a real service in telling the truth about what he knew about this extraordinary musician. The narrative of who Prince was gets fleshed out in a more human way. I believe this is one of the most unique books about prince, and will be one of the most important for historians.

I grew up in Minneapolis, and i'm also very appreciative of the picture of Minnesota and it's stifling culture that Neil paints. I don't think I have ever seen or read such an accurate portrayal of this anywhere, and it's actually very important to Prince's story.

Would you say it's a good companion to The Beautiful Ones and worth purchasing or should I wait until my local library has a copy?

[Edited 10/12/20 14:11pm]

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Reply #290 posted 10/12/20 2:13pm

rednblue

MoodyBlumes said:



rednblue said:




MoodyBlumes said:



I respect what Prince said about his mom in his own memoir. Neal may have met Mattie -- but he didn't grow up with or live with her. And Prince was also living with the Andersons... but he spent more time with Mattie than Neal did. And people present their best faces in public... that is a given. I would even consider that Prince may have paid for her education -- because getting a master's degree ain't cheap. Prince was paying for the house she and Hayward lived in.


.


But Neal also diminishes Mayte's account of her life, and can't even bother getting the name of her memoir correct.



[Edited 10/12/20 12:17pm]




There are some big errors, for sure.



Yes, and as much as we'd like to believe the cool, nice stories... I can't take those much seriously given all the rest. Chris Moon also shared about where the 'purple' came from. He worked in advertising, and claims he helped Prince come up with a concept, which included purple. I don't know if I believe that much either, considering Prince rolled out a different color scheme with each album, and Purple Rain was 1984. But Chris did teach Prince studio-craft, helped him with his 1st demo and Prince did work for him -- those facts are true. In the same way, Prince did do a few articles with Neal, so had a 'relationship'. But knowing what we know, do I think Prince was calling up a journalist to pour out the depths of his heart... no.



[Edited 10/12/20 12:57pm]


It’s tough, too, because some of the quotes/descriptions/stories reflect more nicely on one associate than another, more nicely on one family member than another, etc. What’s nice in some ways can be not-so-nice in another. But that doesn’t go for every part of everything that’s written.

Honestly, some of my favorite things to read have been about fans, where the fans are talking about how they found Prince’s music, how they’ve loved it over the years, if they’ve introduced friends/ family to favorite songs, etc.
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Reply #291 posted 10/12/20 2:28pm

MoodyBlumes

rednblue said:

MoodyBlumes said:

Yes, and as much as we'd like to believe the cool, nice stories... I can't take those much seriously given all the rest. Chris Moon also shared about where the 'purple' came from. He worked in advertising, and claims he helped Prince come up with a concept, which included purple. I don't know if I believe that much either, considering Prince rolled out a different color scheme with each album, and Purple Rain was 1984. But Chris did teach Prince studio-craft, helped him with his 1st demo and Prince did work for him -- those facts are true. In the same way, Prince did do a few articles with Neal, so had a 'relationship'. But knowing what we know, do I think Prince was calling up a journalist to pour out the depths of his heart... no.

[Edited 10/12/20 12:57pm]

It’s tough, too, because some of the quotes/descriptions/stories reflect more nicely on one associate than another, more nicely on one family member than another, etc. What’s nice in some ways can be not-so-nice in another. But that doesn’t go for every part of everything that’s written. Honestly, some of my favorite things to read have been about fans, where the fans are talking about how they found Prince’s music, how they’ve loved it over the years, if they’ve introduced friends/ family to favorite songs, etc.

I enjoy reading those types of things from fans too. Duff McKagan's article below speaks to me too... Prince's music hit me on levels that go beyond a cool groove. And that's what great art is all about. I mentioned Picasso because he is another artist I love for many many reasons. We need artists in this world... Nice people are aplenty.

.

Duff: https://www.seattleweekly...lumn-on-3/

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Reply #292 posted 10/12/20 3:10pm

rednblue

MoodyBlumes said:



rednblue said:


MoodyBlumes said:


Yes, and as much as we'd like to believe the cool, nice stories... I can't take those much seriously given all the rest. Chris Moon also shared about where the 'purple' came from. He worked in advertising, and claims he helped Prince come up with a concept, which included purple. I don't know if I believe that much either, considering Prince rolled out a different color scheme with each album, and Purple Rain was 1984. But Chris did teach Prince studio-craft, helped him with his 1st demo and Prince did work for him -- those facts are true. In the same way, Prince did do a few articles with Neal, so had a 'relationship'. But knowing what we know, do I think Prince was calling up a journalist to pour out the depths of his heart... no.




[Edited 10/12/20 12:57pm]



It’s tough, too, because some of the quotes/descriptions/stories reflect more nicely on one associate than another, more nicely on one family member than another, etc. What’s nice in some ways can be not-so-nice in another. But that doesn’t go for every part of everything that’s written. Honestly, some of my favorite things to read have been about fans, where the fans are talking about how they found Prince’s music, how they’ve loved it over the years, if they’ve introduced friends/ family to favorite songs, etc.

I enjoy reading those types of things from fans too. Duff McKagan's article below speaks to me too... Prince's music hit me on levels that go beyond a cool groove. And that's what great art is all about. I mentioned Picasso because he is another artist I love for many many reasons. We need artists in this world... Nice people are aplenty.


.


Duff: https://www.seattleweekly...lumn-on-3/




Thanks! Happy to be able to check out very soon. Less than an hour to go in work day.
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Reply #293 posted 10/12/20 3:33pm

3rdeyedude

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MoodyBlumes said:

rednblue said:

MoodyBlumes said: It’s tough, too, because some of the quotes/descriptions/stories reflect more nicely on one associate than another, more nicely on one family member than another, etc. What’s nice in some ways can be not-so-nice in another. But that doesn’t go for every part of everything that’s written. Honestly, some of my favorite things to read have been about fans, where the fans are talking about how they found Prince’s music, how they’ve loved it over the years, if they’ve introduced friends/ family to favorite songs, etc.

I enjoy reading those types of things from fans too. Duff McKagan's article below speaks to me too... Prince's music hit me on levels that go beyond a cool groove. And that's what great art is all about. I mentioned Picasso because he is another artist I love for many many reasons. We need artists in this world... Nice people are aplenty.

.

Duff: https://www.seattleweekly...lumn-on-3/

I have one of Duff's books where he mentions Prince a lot. It's called "It's So Easy" and is pretty well written. He seems like the only cool member of GnR.

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Reply #294 posted 10/12/20 4:27pm

PURPLEIZED3121

Interesting to see how many have bought the book...seems like 50/50?

[Edited 10/12/20 16:31pm]

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Reply #295 posted 10/12/20 4:30pm

PURPLEIZED3121

Literally every angle covered in these comments - all very valid actually & a lot of truth. For me it's just Neal ...seems like a creep.

MoodyBlumes said:

Margot said:

I enjoyed Neal's perception that Prince had "alot of time to be a genius" in his younger years.

I am paraphrasing, but he mentioned that as a result of Prince's early experiences, he had fairly

strong narcissistic traits. This gave him the space and focus he needed to rise without too much

concern about pain he might be causing others.

Per Neal, at around 40-ish, he started to try harder with people, "remembering their names, some hugging etc"

As a younger person, you may have seen the kinder and gentler Prince.

... Having a lot of time to be a genius in truth is working one's ass off - 20 hours a day by many accounts. That's what it takes to be a Picasso. . I'm not sure what world you and Neal live in, but guys tend to hug their girlfriends. Prince was running a business and I've never met a CEO who goes around 'hugging' and spilling their guts to staff. Neal seems to be bitter that he was not as successful as Prince... but he's working hard to change all that. Neal Karlen never was, and never will be Prince. But I hope you will put your money where your mouth is, and replace all your Prince stuff with Karlen's books. Nobody deserves to have Prince's music and chastise him for taking the time to make it. Same for his live performances... [Edited 10/12/20 11:37am]

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Reply #296 posted 10/12/20 5:04pm

JudasLChrist

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rap said:

JudasLChrist said:

Just finished it. I've been reading prince biographies since the 80s. While I wouldn't quite call this I biography, it's more of a memoir of Neil's relationship with friends and a postmortem attempt at understanding who he was. The book is doomed to be hated by certain types of fans because it doesn't always paint a pretty picture, or flat out contradicts what they think they know about him. The thing that people are posting here getting mad because Neil believed that prince disliked Miles Davis as a person is a good example of that. I would remind folks that this is Neil's book and covers Neil's experience with prince, and is different than what prince presented to the public or to other people. I don't think Neil tells a single lie in this book, and he's very open about what he doesn't know.


There's definitely some tragic stuff in here about Prince believing in his created persona to his own detriment. Wendy Melvoin has talks about how prince never stopped being the "rockstar" enough to have been able to ask for help when he was dealing with addiction, and Neil deep dives into that idea further. Prince could never show that kind of "weakness", and was ashamed. There are things in this book which are painful to read for those of us that loved Prince, and whose lives were elevated by his music and grand visions.

Neil has done a real service in telling the truth about what he knew about this extraordinary musician. The narrative of who Prince was gets fleshed out in a more human way. I believe this is one of the most unique books about prince, and will be one of the most important for historians.

I grew up in Minneapolis, and i'm also very appreciative of the picture of Minnesota and it's stifling culture that Neil paints. I don't think I have ever seen or read such an accurate portrayal of this anywhere, and it's actually very important to Prince's story.

Would you say it's a good companion to The Beautiful Ones and worth purchasing or should I wait until my local library has a copy?

[Edited 10/12/20 14:11pm]



I'd say it's a good companion to Mayte's book "The Most Beautifu". Oddly, I haven't read The Beautiful ones yet. It's a bit painful for me out of all of them.

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Reply #297 posted 10/12/20 5:07pm

Wlcm2thdwn3

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He's just out to make money on this book.OPINIONS ARE LIKE ASSHOLES, EVEYRBODY'S GOT ONE AND SOMETIMES THEY STINK. Like this does. whofarted

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Reply #298 posted 10/12/20 5:10pm

Margot

PURPLEIZED3121 said:

Literally every angle covered in these comments - all very valid actually & a lot of truth. For me it's just Neal ...seems like a creep.

MoodyBlumes said:

Margot said: ... Having a lot of time to be a genius in truth is working one's ass off - 20 hours a day by many accounts. That's what it takes to be a Picasso. . I'm not sure what world you and Neal live in, but guys tend to hug their girlfriends. Prince was running a business and I've never met a CEO who goes around 'hugging' and spilling their guts to staff. Neal seems to be bitter that he was not as successful as Prince... but he's working hard to change all that. Neal Karlen never was, and never will be Prince. But I hope you will put your money where your mouth is, and replace all your Prince stuff with Karlen's books. Nobody deserves to have Prince's music and chastise him for taking the time to make it. Same for his live performances... [Edited 10/12/20 11:37am]

Neal gave credit to Prince for opening up and maturing but I agree that though he worked really hard, he also ran over some people who helped him and did not acknowledge their assist.

He was not as fair in his younger days. I agree with Neal's assessment of Prince's younger self.

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Reply #299 posted 10/12/20 5:33pm

rednblue

PURPLEIZED3121 said:

Literally every angle covered in these comments - all very valid actually & a lot of truth. For me it's just Neal ...seems like a creep.




MoodyBlumes said:


Margot said:



I enjoyed Neal's perception that Prince had "alot of time to be a genius" in his younger years.


I am paraphrasing, but he mentioned that as a result of Prince's early experiences, he had fairly


strong narcissistic traits. This gave him the space and focus he needed to rise without too much


concern about pain he might be causing others.


Per Neal, at around 40-ish, he started to try harder with people, "remembering their names, some hugging etc"


As a younger person, you may have seen the kinder and gentler Prince.




... Having a lot of time to be a genius in truth is working one's ass off - 20 hours a day by many accounts. That's what it takes to be a Picasso. . I'm not sure what world you and Neal live in, but guys tend to hug their girlfriends. Prince was running a business and I've never met a CEO who goes around 'hugging' and spilling their guts to staff. Neal seems to be bitter that he was not as successful as Prince... but he's working hard to change all that. Neal Karlen never was, and never will be Prince. But I hope you will put your money where your mouth is, and replace all your Prince stuff with Karlen's books. Nobody deserves to have Prince's music and chastise him for taking the time to make it. Same for his live performances... [Edited 10/12/20 11:37am]



Purpleized — it seems like the reaction here on the Org often depends a lot on just what family member or associate nice stuff is written about, and I’m talking about stuff written with all levels of substantiation/evidence. Reactions seem often to come down to who is being handed some respect. I appreciated respectful things written in this book. Was I present to verify? No. That’s true of everything I read about the purple world.

Respect paid to purple world people is often applauded here by folks who, like me, can’t 100 percent verify if the basis for the respect is true.

It’s like authors have to report on the approved “nice things,” not the unapproved “nice things.” With approval little related to verifiability, but instead related to not giving a nod to those you aren’t supposed to give a nod to.

Maybe I’ll post some of the respect and appreciation shown by the book at hand for someone important to Prince tomorrow.

Got done with work later than expected today and just want to read right now.

P.S. The concept of narcissism is far from some perfect idea from on high, but it might nonetheless be worth mentioning that this very imperfect construct involves the idea that people with strong traits often suffer greatly and in the case of genuine high achievement, have very likely overcome huge obstacles. Narcissism absolutely does not equate to nonimpressiveness, and the idea is contrary to an easy, unwounded life. All that said, some clinicians, including my cousin, refuse to use constructs to include narcissism, borderline, etc. traits because of problems with these ideas.
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