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Thread started 12/19/20 12:23pm

controversy99

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I finally figured out why some people call SotT a Revolution album

A major annoyance in the mostly great Sign SDE release is folks calling it a Prince & the Revolution album. It's ridiculous, but even some folks close to the project have said or implied it. I think I finally figured out why. It's certainly not because it's true, but it does reveal something.

1. Prince & the Revolution albums were largely Prince solo albums and becoming more so.
Purple Rain = Rev on 5 of 9 tracks, Around the World = Rev on 3 of 9 tracks (plus W&L on background vocals only on some), Parade = Rev on 3 of 12 tracks (plus W&L on many tracks mostly background vocals only). So the full band is only on 56%, 33%, and 25% of each album.
Then on Sign o the Times, the Rev is on 1 of 16 tracks, which is 6% of the album. How that makes it a Prince & the Revolution album is beyond me.

2. People new to Prince's band probably didn't realize that band members always had to learn songs from scratch before a tour because they didn't play on them. Folks like Cat and probably Boni, who were handed tracks to learn, might've thought that the prior band did them. But in fact, the same would've applied if the Revolution toured for Sign. The Rev would've been learning most of these songs.

3. People confuse recording during the era with actually contributing to the album. Sure, the Revolution recorded some with Prince during parts of this period (well, mostly W&L were). But most of those songs aren't on the album. Sheila, Levi, Brooks, etc. also recorded with Prince during this era. And most of their stuff isn't on the album either. It's largely a Prince solo album, like 1999 is mostly, except with the important addition of Eric and Atlanta.

Just some observations

"Love & honesty, peace & harmony"
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Reply #1 posted 12/19/20 1:12pm

langebleu

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controversy99 said:

A major annoyance in the mostly great Sign SDE release is folks calling it a Prince & the Revolution album. It's ridiculous, but even some folks close to the project have said or implied it. I think I finally figured out why. It's certainly not because it's true, but it does reveal something.

1. Prince & the Revolution albums were largely Prince solo albums and becoming more so.
Purple Rain = Rev on 5 of 9 tracks, Around the World = Rev on 3 of 9 tracks (plus W&L on background vocals only on some), Parade = Rev on 3 of 12 tracks (plus W&L on many tracks mostly background vocals only). So the full band is only on 56%, 33%, and 25% of each album.
Then on Sign o the Times, the Rev is on 1 of 16 tracks, which is 6% of the album. How that makes it a Prince & the Revolution album is beyond me.

2. People new to Prince's band probably didn't realize that band members always had to learn songs from scratch before a tour because they didn't play on them. Folks like Cat and probably Boni, who were handed tracks to learn, might've thought that the prior band did them. But in fact, the same would've applied if the Revolution toured for Sign. The Rev would've been learning most of these songs.

3. People confuse recording during the era with actually contributing to the album. Sure, the Revolution recorded some with Prince during parts of this period (well, mostly W&L were). But most of those songs aren't on the album. Sheila, Levi, Brooks, etc. also recorded with Prince during this era. And most of their stuff isn't on the album either. It's largely a Prince solo album, like 1999 is mostly, except with the important addition of Eric and Atlanta.

Just some observations


If there are a significant or vocal number of 'folks calling it [the great Sign SDE release] a Prince & the Revolution album', it either must have passed me by, or I've been diverted by other recent issues which I thought better merited the description of 'a major annoyance' and warranted a little more attention.

ALT+PLS+RTN: Pure as a pane of ice. It's a gift.
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Reply #2 posted 12/19/20 6:00pm

OldFriends4Sal
e

controversy99 said:

A major annoyance in the mostly great Sign SDE release is folks calling it a Prince & the Revolution album. It's ridiculous, but even some folks close to the project have said or implied it. I think I finally figured out why. It's certainly not because it's true, but it does reveal something.

1. Prince & the Revolution albums were largely Prince solo albums and becoming more so.
Purple Rain = Rev on 5 of 9 tracks, Around the World = Rev on 3 of 9 tracks (plus W&L on background vocals only on some), Parade = Rev on 3 of 12 tracks (plus W&L on many tracks mostly background vocals only). So the full band is only on 56%, 33%, and 25% of each album.
Then on Sign o the Times, the Rev is on 1 of 16 tracks, which is 6% of the album. How that makes it a Prince & the Revolution album is beyond me.

2. People new to Prince's band probably didn't realize that band members always had to learn songs from scratch before a tour because they didn't play on them. Folks like Cat and probably Boni, who were handed tracks to learn, might've thought that the prior band did them. But in fact, the same would've applied if the Revolution toured for Sign. The Rev would've been learning most of these songs.

3. People confuse recording during the era with actually contributing to the album. Sure, the Revolution recorded some with Prince during parts of this period (well, mostly W&L were). But most of those songs aren't on the album. Sheila, Levi, Brooks, etc. also recorded with Prince during this era. And most of their stuff isn't on the album either. It's largely a Prince solo album, like 1999 is mostly, except with the important addition of Eric and Atlanta.

Just some observations

Don't U think that is kinda reversed? From 1978-1986 it was largely Prince solo albums becoming Prince and (band)Revolution etc albums? From Dirty Mind onward band members increasingly contributed. More musicians like Novi Novog Suzi Katayama David Coleman Jonathan Melvoin Claire Fischer Eddie M Eric Leeds Atlanta Bliss and other singers like Susannah Melvoin Taja Seville,

every song might not include every band member. But might have other musicians in the camp at the time. That includes musicians from the Time, noituloveRevolution, the Family, Sheila E contributing to music/albums coming out of Uptown. As well as studio and instrument technicians
.
The direction of the album period(s) cannot be disconnected from the people in the band/camp. It's just a real synergetic a part of the direction. Did the Time band(contribute) to the majority of the Time's first 3 albums? No, but the synergy of the individual bands did. And then inspired the next step of what will be. Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Jessie Johnson, Lisa Coleman Andre Cymone and BrownMark just to name a few have all side a lot of what you heard realized on the album came out of rehearsals and jam sessions. That it was to a point they could tell if it was still them or Prince. I forget what song it was but it was something from the Dirty Mind album, where one of the songs was being fleshed out in a studio session by the band and then the next day Prince presented the fully recorded song.

How do you disconnect the people and what lead up to the final recording?

The colors Peach and Black were Susannah's favorite colors. And that peach outfit was Susannah Melvoins prior to her leaving. How do we disconnect Susannah from from that SOTT visual era. How do we seperate Vanity from the Purple Rain movie? In that we all know Purple Rain was inspired by Prince and the noituloveR, the Time and Vanity 6.


Purple Rain is Revolution Let's Go Crazy Take Me With U Computer Blue Purple Rain I Would Die 4 U and Baby I'm a Star

Around the World in a Day; Condition of the Heart and Tamborine would be the only 'solo' Prince songs

Parade we also have to remember that there were songs that would not require a full band:Sometimes It Snows In April, Do U Lie or more than just Prince:Under the Cherry Moon, Venus de Milo

Now I don't call SOTT a Prince and the Revolution album. But after understanding what and where SOTT came from... I get it.

I mean I think of Graffiti Bridge the music. When you realize the majority of the songs came from that 1981-1987 period. And no one in the camp in 1990 (outside of Dr Fink Miko and the Time) were involved in that stuff and that people who were no in the camp in 1990 were on songs/in the camp including Wendy & Lisa, Jill, Eric and Atlanta Bliss.

Someway somehow Graffiti Bridge was inspired by the Time, Mazarati, Prince, Madonna, Cat the Lovesexy band et

The Black album was more of a solo effort, but Sheila E's birthday, Sheila E Susannah Cat etc contributed inspired etc

Lovesexy has 2 full band songs.

I mean I believe a big reason the 'Prince' sound changed/no longer 'purple music' after 1988 was because overall the majority of the people in the camp were gone by 1990

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Reply #3 posted 12/19/20 8:32pm

controversy99

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langebleu said:

controversy99 said:

A major annoyance in the mostly great Sign SDE release is folks calling it a Prince & the Revolution album. It's ridiculous, but even some folks close to the project have said or implied it. I think I finally figured out why. It's certainly not because it's true, but it does reveal something.

1. Prince & the Revolution albums were largely Prince solo albums and becoming more so.
Purple Rain = Rev on 5 of 9 tracks, Around the World = Rev on 3 of 9 tracks (plus W&L on background vocals only on some), Parade = Rev on 3 of 12 tracks (plus W&L on many tracks mostly background vocals only). So the full band is only on 56%, 33%, and 25% of each album.
Then on Sign o the Times, the Rev is on 1 of 16 tracks, which is 6% of the album. How that makes it a Prince & the Revolution album is beyond me.

2. People new to Prince's band probably didn't realize that band members always had to learn songs from scratch before a tour because they didn't play on them. Folks like Cat and probably Boni, who were handed tracks to learn, might've thought that the prior band did them. But in fact, the same would've applied if the Revolution toured for Sign. The Rev would've been learning most of these songs.

3. People confuse recording during the era with actually contributing to the album. Sure, the Revolution recorded some with Prince during parts of this period (well, mostly W&L were). But most of those songs aren't on the album. Sheila, Levi, Brooks, etc. also recorded with Prince during this era. And most of their stuff isn't on the album either. It's largely a Prince solo album, like 1999 is mostly, except with the important addition of Eric and Atlanta.

Just some observations


If there are a significant or vocal number of 'folks calling it [the great Sign SDE release] a Prince & the Revolution album', it either must have passed me by, or I've been diverted by other recent issues which I thought better merited the description of 'a major annoyance' and warranted a little more attention.

Well, yes, there are definitely more major annoyances out there than this little issue. I hear ya. But people who said this explicitly include Duane Tudahl and BrownMark. And The Current's Story Behind... podcast was basically making that argument.

Tudahl is likely the most egregioous and really makes me question the amount influence he has in putting together liner notes or commentary. On The Rhino Podcast, he said "The sad thing to me is it really is a Prince and the Revolution album. It really is their last album in many ways. It's just they didn't get their name on it as they should've." This is just bizarre. The Revolution is literally on 1 of 16 tracks. That's it. And more than half the people on that track weren't even members of The Revolution.

On the other hand, Dr. Fink and others have been clear that the Revolution's role was very limited. So there is balance out there, which is good.

And it's nice to know that you didn't hear it that view expressed much.

"Love & honesty, peace & harmony"
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Reply #4 posted 12/19/20 8:59pm

controversy99

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OldFriends4Sale said:

controversy99 said:

A major annoyance in the mostly great Sign SDE release is folks calling it a Prince & the Revolution album. It's ridiculous, but even some folks close to the project have said or implied it. I think I finally figured out why. It's certainly not because it's true, but it does reveal something.

1. Prince & the Revolution albums were largely Prince solo albums and becoming more so.
Purple Rain = Rev on 5 of 9 tracks, Around the World = Rev on 3 of 9 tracks (plus W&L on background vocals only on some), Parade = Rev on 3 of 12 tracks (plus W&L on many tracks mostly background vocals only). So the full band is only on 56%, 33%, and 25% of each album.
Then on Sign o the Times, the Rev is on 1 of 16 tracks, which is 6% of the album. How that makes it a Prince & the Revolution album is beyond me.

2. People new to Prince's band probably didn't realize that band members always had to learn songs from scratch before a tour because they didn't play on them. Folks like Cat and probably Boni, who were handed tracks to learn, might've thought that the prior band did them. But in fact, the same would've applied if the Revolution toured for Sign. The Rev would've been learning most of these songs.

3. People confuse recording during the era with actually contributing to the album. Sure, the Revolution recorded some with Prince during parts of this period (well, mostly W&L were). But most of those songs aren't on the album. Sheila, Levi, Brooks, etc. also recorded with Prince during this era. And most of their stuff isn't on the album either. It's largely a Prince solo album, like 1999 is mostly, except with the important addition of Eric and Atlanta.

Just some observations

Don't U think that is kinda reversed? From 1978-1986 it was largely Prince solo albums becoming Prince and (band)Revolution etc albums? From Dirty Mind onward band members increasingly contributed. More musicians like Novi Novog Suzi Katayama David Coleman Jonathan Melvoin Claire Fischer Eddie M Eric Leeds Atlanta Bliss and other singers like Susannah Melvoin Taja Seville,

every song might not include every band member. But might have other musicians in the camp at the time. That includes musicians from the Time, noituloveRevolution, the Family, Sheila E contributing to music/albums coming out of Uptown. As well as studio and instrument technicians
.
The direction of the album period(s) cannot be disconnected from the people in the band/camp. It's just a real synergetic a part of the direction. Did the Time band(contribute) to the majority of the Time's first 3 albums? No, but the synergy of the individual bands did. And then inspired the next step of what will be. Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Jessie Johnson, Lisa Coleman Andre Cymone and BrownMark just to name a few have all side a lot of what you heard realized on the album came out of rehearsals and jam sessions. That it was to a point they could tell if it was still them or Prince. I forget what song it was but it was something from the Dirty Mind album, where one of the songs was being fleshed out in a studio session by the band and then the next day Prince presented the fully recorded song.

How do you disconnect the people and what lead up to the final recording?

The colors Peach and Black were Susannah's favorite colors. And that peach outfit was Susannah Melvoins prior to her leaving. How do we disconnect Susannah from from that SOTT visual era. How do we seperate Vanity from the Purple Rain movie? In that we all know Purple Rain was inspired by Prince and the noituloveR, the Time and Vanity 6.


Purple Rain is Revolution Let's Go Crazy Take Me With U Computer Blue Purple Rain I Would Die 4 U and Baby I'm a Star

Around the World in a Day; Condition of the Heart and Tamborine would be the only 'solo' Prince songs

Parade we also have to remember that there were songs that would not require a full band:Sometimes It Snows In April, Do U Lie or more than just Prince:Under the Cherry Moon, Venus de Milo

Now I don't call SOTT a Prince and the Revolution album. But after understanding what and where SOTT came from... I get it.

I mean I think of Graffiti Bridge the music. When you realize the majority of the songs came from that 1981-1987 period. And no one in the camp in 1990 (outside of Dr Fink Miko and the Time) were involved in that stuff and that people who were no in the camp in 1990 were on songs/in the camp including Wendy & Lisa, Jill, Eric and Atlanta Bliss.

Someway somehow Graffiti Bridge was inspired by the Time, Mazarati, Prince, Madonna, Cat the Lovesexy band et

The Black album was more of a solo effort, but Sheila E's birthday, Sheila E Susannah Cat etc contributed inspired etc

Lovesexy has 2 full band songs.

I mean I believe a big reason the 'Prince' sound changed/no longer 'purple music' after 1988 was because overall the majority of the people in the camp were gone by 1990

I think you're proving my point. Those albums were less and less Revolution albums. Most of the people you named above weren't members of The Revolution. I agree with your good observation that a lot of musicians and other people were around, sometimes playing on the tracks, but I'd say the songs were still mostly Prince solo efforts.

"Love & honesty, peace & harmony"
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Reply #5 posted 12/19/20 9:17pm

langebleu

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controversy99 said:

langebleu said:


If there are a significant or vocal number of 'folks calling it [the great Sign SDE release] a Prince & the Revolution album', it either must have passed me by, or I've been diverted by other recent issues which I thought better merited the description of 'a major annoyance' and warranted a little more attention.

Well, yes, there are definitely more major annoyances out there than this little issue. I hear ya. But people who said this explicitly include Duane Tudahl and BrownMark. And The Current's Story Behind... podcast was basically making that argument.

Tudahl is likely the most egregioous and really makes me question the amount influence he has in putting together liner notes or commentary. On The Rhino Podcast, he said "The sad thing to me is it really is a Prince and the Revolution album. It really is their last album in many ways. It's just they didn't get their name on it as they should've." This is just bizarre. The Revolution is literally on 1 of 16 tracks. That's it. And more than half the people on that track weren't even members of The Revolution.

On the other hand, Dr. Fink and others have been clear that the Revolution's role was very limited. So there is balance out there, which is good.

And it's nice to know that you didn't hear it that view expressed much.


Thanks for the examples - I'll listen / revisit.

ALT+PLS+RTN: Pure as a pane of ice. It's a gift.
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Reply #6 posted 12/19/20 10:36pm

controversy99

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Ok, I feel a little bad about this post, if somebody from The Revolution read it -- like that would ever happen! biggrin biggrin biggrin Anyway, I like The Revolution. Don't get the wrong idea. They seem like nice people, mostly. But I don't like the false interpretations and narratives that have been put out there. Prince was on an incredible high of writing and recording great music on the lead up to Sign. It's a Prince album. Eric and Atlanta contributed nicely. There are a few touches by other musicians. That's about it.

"Love & honesty, peace & harmony"
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Reply #7 posted 12/20/20 12:34am

langebleu

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I wouldn't get overly concerned - it still says 'Prince' on the album, just as he originally released. smile

ALT+PLS+RTN: Pure as a pane of ice. It's a gift.
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Reply #8 posted 12/20/20 12:41am

jstar69

Not this hornets nest again
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Reply #9 posted 12/20/20 3:50am

funkbabyandthe
babysitters

People dont mean literally that the revolution were on it

They just mean that it emerged from .a period where they were still his band

You write according to who is around you
Who will play it live
Who will perform it
Prince wouldnt have written jughead or push when with the revolution for example

And he wouldn't have written paisley park when with the npg either

That is all it means
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Reply #10 posted 12/20/20 5:42am

muleFunk

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lol

lol

lol

lol

lol

jstar69 said:

Not this hornets nest again

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Reply #11 posted 12/21/20 10:58am

RJOrion

jstar69 said:

Not this hornets nest again



word.. ima sit this one out... these ecalate quickly
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Reply #12 posted 12/21/20 7:35pm

TrevorAyer

prince is an absolute talent but he would not have achieved anything on his own without hundreds of people funnelling all their creativity and hard work in his directioin and letting him do what felt like with it .. in many cases prince did the right thing with it but you can tell when he is surrounded by much lesser and less authentic talents than those from his golden age .. even his completely solo work suffers .. sign o the times is a revolution album in the same way the family is a prince album

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Reply #13 posted 12/22/20 4:28am

jaawwnn

Well "people" are wrong. SOTT ain't a Revolution album, and if they were still together in 1987 the tracklist and mix would have been quite a different thing i'm sure.

[Edited 12/22/20 4:29am]

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Reply #14 posted 12/22/20 6:18am

OldFriends4Sal
e

This

And like langbleu said, it's nothing to be overly concerned about

funkbabyandthebabysitters said:

People dont mean literally that the revolution were on it They just mean that it emerged from .a period where they were still his band You write according to who is around you Who will play it live Who will perform it Prince wouldnt have written jughead or push when with the revolution for example And he wouldn't have written paisley park when with the npg either That is all it means

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Reply #15 posted 12/22/20 6:32am

OldFriends4Sal
e

jaawwnn said:

Well "people" are wrong. SOTT ain't a Revolution album, and if they were still together in 1987 the tracklist and mix would have been quite a different thing i'm sure.

[Edited 12/22/20 4:29am]

Well 3 configurations for the Dream Factory album we've seen. It might have changed again before final release.

So many variables.

Most of the SOTT songs were on there. Also SOTT isn't what Prince initially wanted, he wanted the Crystal Ball.

if Ingrid didn't go to that club and get all deep with Prince(and Cat not gotten him the smack) 1987-88 would have been the Black album era. I actually would have loved a Black album era.. and a 2nd Vanity 6 era

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Reply #16 posted 12/22/20 7:56am

jaawwnn

OldFriends4Sale said:

jaawwnn said:

Well "people" are wrong. SOTT ain't a Revolution album, and if they were still together in 1987 the tracklist and mix would have been quite a different thing i'm sure.

[Edited 12/22/20 4:29am]

Well 3 configurations for the Dream Factory album we've seen. It might have changed again before final release.

So many variables.

Most of the SOTT songs were on there. Also SOTT isn't what Prince initially wanted, he wanted the Crystal Ball.

if Ingrid didn't go to that club and get all deep with Prince(and Cat not gotten him the smack) 1987-88 would have been the Black album era. I actually would have loved a Black album era.. and a 2nd Vanity 6 era

agreed, the variables are far too many, and for that reason I absolutely cannot call SOTT a Revolution album, despite them being around for the writing and recording of a lot of it.

On the one hand, we can hear what a Revolution involved version of Strange Relationship sounds like, on the other, who knows what W&L tracks like Honeymoon Express and Waterfall might have sounded like if Prince had been invoved in finishing them?

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Reply #17 posted 12/22/20 8:23am

TrevorAyer

that settles it .. sott is definitely the first prince and the npg album

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Reply #18 posted 12/22/20 8:32am

OldFriends4Sal
e

TrevorAyer said:

that settles it .. sott is definitely the first prince and the npg album

lOL you mean Lovesexy.

That concept didn't happen until Cat gave Prince that smack and Ingrid rebuked him

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Reply #19 posted 12/22/20 8:33am

OldFriends4Sal
e

jaawwnn said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Well 3 configurations for the Dream Factory album we've seen. It might have changed again before final release.

So many variables.

Most of the SOTT songs were on there. Also SOTT isn't what Prince initially wanted, he wanted the Crystal Ball.

if Ingrid didn't go to that club and get all deep with Prince(and Cat not gotten him the smack) 1987-88 would have been the Black album era. I actually would have loved a Black album era.. and a 2nd Vanity 6 era

agreed, the variables are far too many, and for that reason I absolutely cannot call SOTT a Revolution album, despite them being around for the writing and recording of a lot of it.

On the one hand, we can hear what a Revolution involved version of Strange Relationship sounds like, on the other, who knows what W&L tracks like Honeymoon Express and Waterfall might have sounded like if Prince had been invoved in finishing them?

No I wouldn't call it a Prince and the Revolution album... even though they 2nd to closing it out


Yes, I thought the same, what would those songs sound like with some Prince on it

And what would International Lover sound like by the Time

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Reply #20 posted 12/22/20 1:29pm

rebelenterpris
e

I'm not even going to speak on what I think about folks not liking The Revolution nowadays for whatever reason, because that "psychedelic" era was a big influence on what I did in my music with Exiles of the Nation. But we gotta think about it like this... What other albums really sound like "ATWIAD" + "Parade"? Not too many in anybody's discography, not just Prince's. They didn't play on every song on those albums, but the influence is there. But anyway, the one thing these deluxe versions have given me is the opportunity to actually put together a final Prince & The Revolution album that sounds good to my ears and around the same 40-45 minute length as those two albums I mentioned.

It goes like this:
1. Witness 4 The Prosecution (1) (W+L, Eric, Atlanta)
2. Love + Sex (PR Deluxe) (I've heard it said it's all P, but I hear some female vocals at the end)
3. Wonderful Ass (W+L)
4. Rebirth Of The Flesh (Eric + Atlanta, yes I consider them members of The Revolution, Counter or whatever. I know the lyrics are referencing the breakup of The Revolution somehow, but hey, sounds great after "Wonderful Ass".)
5. In A Large Room With No Light (W+L, Eric + Atlanta, Sheila)
6. We Can Fuck (W+L)
7. All My Dreams (W+L)
8. Power Fantastic (B-Sides Version) (The Revolution)

Running Time: 46:45

It would be called "Power Fantastic"...Would've been interesting if WB allowed P to release this in '89 on Paisley Park Records since "Batman" was strictly on WB.
[Edited 12/22/20 13:43pm]
Exiles of the Nation
"Liquidation", the NEW 18th LP. Available everywhere now.
https://youtube.com/chann...-ieACvEQMA
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Reply #21 posted 12/22/20 3:30pm

ThirdStrike

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SNIP - of4$

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Reply #22 posted 12/22/20 4:49pm

OldFriends4Sal
e

rebelenterprise said:

I'm not even going to speak on what I think about folks not liking The Revolution nowadays for whatever reason, because that "psychedelic" era was a big influence on what I did in my music with Exiles of the Nation. But we gotta think about it like this... What other albums really sound like "ATWIAD" + "Parade"? Not too many in anybody's discography, not just Prince's. They didn't play on every song on those albums, but the influence is there. But anyway, the one thing these deluxe versions have given me is the opportunity to actually put together a final Prince & The Revolution album that sounds good to my ears and around the same 40-45 minute length as those two albums I mentioned. It goes like this:
1. Witness 4 The Prosecution (1) (W+L, Eric, Atlanta)
2. Love + Sex (PR Deluxe) (I've heard it said it's all P, but I hear some female vocals at the end) 3. Wonderful Ass (W+L)
4. Rebirth Of The Flesh (Eric + Atlanta, yes I consider them members of The Revolution, Counter or whatever. I know the lyrics are referencing the breakup of The Revolution somehow, but hey, sounds great after "Wonderful Ass".)
5. In A Large Room With No Light (W+L, Eric + Atlanta, Sheila)
6. We Can Fuck (W+L)
7. All My Dreams (W+L)
8. Power Fantastic (B-Sides Version) (The Revolution) Running Time: 46:45 It would be called "Power Fantastic"...Would've been interesting if WB allowed P to release this in '89 on Paisley Park Records since "Batman" was strictly on WB. [Edited 12/22/20 13:43pm]

Isn't this always a fun thing to do?
I've put together a What Time Is It? and Ice Cream Castles fuller set

There was no 'counter-Revolution'

.

1. + Susannah Melvoin

2. I hear some other voices too and heard a distinct female voice at the end as well

5. + Norbert Satchell(sax) and Susannah Melvoin

6. + Jill Jones and David Coleman(oud and finger cymbals)

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Reply #23 posted 12/22/20 6:21pm

controversy99

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TrevorAyer said:

prince is an absolute talent but he would not have achieved anything on his own without hundreds of people funnelling all their creativity and hard work in his directioin and letting him do what felt like with it .. in many cases prince did the right thing with it but you can tell when he is surrounded by much lesser and less authentic talents than those from his golden age .. even his completely solo work suffers .. sign o the times is a revolution album in the same way the family is a prince album

This made a lot of sense ... until that last sentence.

Agreed that he had a lot of people around who influenced him. Not sure that they funnelled "all their creativity" in his direction, but they certainly influenced. In 1985 - January 1987, when Sign album was recorded, that included Lisa, Jill, Sheila, Bobby, Levi, Wendy, Brooks, Wally, Susannah, Jerome, Miko, Eric, Atlanta, Eddie M., Dr. Fink, Juan Escovedo, John L. Nelson, BrownMark, Susie Davis, etc., and those are just some of the musicians and singers. Plus there were friends, family, engineers, managers, etc. In other words, more folks than the Revolution. This is fine, not an issue.

"sign o the times is a revolution album in the same way the family is a prince album"; is this a mistake? Or a joke?

Some people call the Family a prince album because Prince played almost all the instruments and wrote almost all the songs. Your analogy, at least as you wrote it, would mean that the Revolution played almost all the instruments ... on Sign.... It's so bizarre that I can't even type it out. I'm gonna go with that was a joke.

"Love & honesty, peace & harmony"
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Reply #24 posted 12/22/20 6:22pm

controversy99

avatar

Thanks everbody for the reasonable feedback so far on what is a strangely contenious topic for some.

I'm actuallly so annoyed by Duane T's quote that I wrote him on facebook. I'm not sure if he'll reply. Everybody above in this thread, whether I agree with them or not, is more accurate than what Duane said, and he's actually working with the estate. Wow. That's just one of many ways things get messed up, even by the most thorough of people.

[Edited 12/22/20 18:28pm]

"Love & honesty, peace & harmony"
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Reply #25 posted 12/22/20 6:24pm

jfenster

How much credit did prince give others for stuff he wrote???
Out of generosity?
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Reply #26 posted 12/23/20 5:41am

jaawwnn

rebelenterprise said:

I'm not even going to speak on what I think about folks not liking The Revolution nowadays for whatever reason, because that "psychedelic" era was a big influence on what I did in my music with Exiles of the Nation. But we gotta think about it like this... What other albums really sound like "ATWIAD" + "Parade"? Not too many in anybody's discography, not just Prince's. They didn't play on every song on those albums, but the influence is there. But anyway, the one thing these deluxe versions have given me is the opportunity to actually put together a final Prince & The Revolution album that sounds good to my ears and around the same 40-45 minute length as those two albums I mentioned. It goes like this: 1. Witness 4 The Prosecution (1) (W+L, Eric, Atlanta) 2. Love + Sex (PR Deluxe) (I've heard it said it's all P, but I hear some female vocals at the end) 3. Wonderful Ass (W+L) 4. Rebirth Of The Flesh (Eric + Atlanta, yes I consider them members of The Revolution, Counter or whatever. I know the lyrics are referencing the breakup of The Revolution somehow, but hey, sounds great after "Wonderful Ass".) 5. In A Large Room With No Light (W+L, Eric + Atlanta, Sheila) 6. We Can Fuck (W+L) 7. All My Dreams (W+L) 8. Power Fantastic (B-Sides Version) (The Revolution) Running Time: 46:45 It would be called "Power Fantastic"...Would've been interesting if WB allowed P to release this in '89 on Paisley Park Records since "Batman" was strictly on WB. [Edited 12/22/20 13:43pm]

What do Wendy and Lisa have to do with We Can Fuck? Is that one not all Prince and David Coleman?

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Reply #27 posted 12/23/20 8:23am

TrevorAyer

well prince did a lot of work on the family but is mostly uncredited and his vocals are not featured .. the revolution did a lot of work on the sott songs but they are mostly uncredited and burried in the mix if not removed .. even when prince hears a riff the band came up with but records it all on his own does that mean he wrote it? .. and for the record .. nps is a 0(+> album .. ha! everyone knows that the family is a prince album and sott is the revolution album that p never made with the revolution cuz he fired them while it was n progress

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Reply #28 posted 12/23/20 9:34am

OldFriends4Sal
e

jaawwnn said:

rebelenterprise said:

I'm not even going to speak on what I think about folks not liking The Revolution nowadays for whatever reason, because that "psychedelic" era was a big influence on what I did in my music with Exiles of the Nation. But we gotta think about it like this... What other albums really sound like "ATWIAD" + "Parade"? Not too many in anybody's discography, not just Prince's. They didn't play on every song on those albums, but the influence is there. But anyway, the one thing these deluxe versions have given me is the opportunity to actually put together a final Prince & The Revolution album that sounds good to my ears and around the same 40-45 minute length as those two albums I mentioned. It goes like this: 1. Witness 4 The Prosecution (1) (W+L, Eric, Atlanta) 2. Love + Sex (PR Deluxe) (I've heard it said it's all P, but I hear some female vocals at the end) 3. Wonderful Ass (W+L) 4. Rebirth Of The Flesh (Eric + Atlanta, yes I consider them members of The Revolution, Counter or whatever. I know the lyrics are referencing the breakup of The Revolution somehow, but hey, sounds great after "Wonderful Ass".) 5. In A Large Room With No Light (W+L, Eric + Atlanta, Sheila) 6. We Can Fuck (W+L) 7. All My Dreams (W+L) 8. Power Fantastic (B-Sides Version) (The Revolution) Running Time: 46:45 It would be called "Power Fantastic"...Would've been interesting if WB allowed P to release this in '89 on Paisley Park Records since "Batman" was strictly on WB. [Edited 12/22/20 13:43pm]

What do Wendy and Lisa have to do with We Can Fuck? Is that one not all Prince and David Coleman?

Wendy and Lisa are on that one too, and Jill Jones wih extra vocals

That's why they are credited on the Graffiti Bridge(George Clinton)-We Can Funk version, because he mixed in the 1984 We Can Fuck

Graffiti Bridge version

They said this is on that came out of the ATWIAD vibe

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Reply #29 posted 12/23/20 6:52pm

tab32792

It simply isn’t and the fact that folks are still trying to push this is tiresome. Jesus Christ. They and by they I mean Wendy and Lisa were on a lot of stuff during this time period. But on the finished album, they are on at most beautiful night. Strange relationship was reworked with their stuff mixed down and or out. No matter how you try to spin it it’s a Prince album. No more no less. That was the point. Not him being sad over a “fiancé” leaving or him having to get a new band. And please stop bringing up the one song he wrong about them in the mid 90’s.
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Forums > Prince: Music and More > I finally figured out why some people call SotT a Revolution album