Mine is "Alphabet St."

Purple Music for sure, takes me to a new level

"Alphabet St." is a rather simple drum pattern. There is some rhythm sections to it, but the actual drum loop is not that exciting.

For me, the interesting stuff is "777-9311," "Something In The Water." "Computer Blue" is high on the light just from the clanky sound he often did with the toms and that guitar pedal detuned et al. I also have affection for "Anotherloverholenyohead." I feel like I could write ten songs over that beat.

I think what's more interesting, not from a loop standpoint, is something like "Annie Christian," which basically sounds like some 1960s home organ.

TrivialPursuit said:

"Alphabet St." is a rather simple drum pattern. There is some rhythm sections to it, but the actual drum loop is not that exciting.

For me, the interesting stuff is "777-9311," "Something In The Water." "Computer Blue" is high on the light just from the clanky sound he often did with the toms and that guitar pedal detuned et al. I also have affection for "Anotherloverholenyohead." I feel like I could write ten songs over that beat.

I think what's more interesting, not from a loop standpoint, is something like "Annie Christian," which basically sounds like some 1960s home organ.

I am not saying that I disagree that there are not 10 Prince songs with more interesting beats than Alphabet Street. However, there can be excellence and elegance in the execution of simplicity that can leave contrived complexity sounding like crap.

Alphabet St's drum pattern perfectly matches the simplicity in the overall feel of the song. Having said that, in my opinion, programmed loops will always play second fiddle to live drum patterns.

IanRG said:

TrivialPursuit said:

lurker316 said:

TrivialPursuit said:

"Alphabet St." is a rather simple drum pattern. There is some rhythm sections to it, but the actual drum loop is not that exciting.

For me, the interesting stuff is "777-9311," "Something In The Water." "Computer Blue" is high on the light just from the clanky sound he often did with the toms and that guitar pedal detuned et al. I also have affection for "Anotherloverholenyohead." I feel like I could write ten songs over that beat.

I think what's more interesting, not from a loop standpoint, is something like "Annie Christian," which basically sounds like some 1960s home organ.

To me, Annie Christian sounds like a cheap 1980s Casio Keyboard.

Ha, yes, six of one. And if you saw the box it came from, you'd think, "of course it sounds like that."

"Annie Christian" is GOATed. Best track on Controversy.

"777-9311" is his greatest/most innovative drum pattern. Homie literally invented trap beats like 25 years ahead of schedule.

IanRG said:

Having said that, in my opinion, programmed loops will always play second fiddle to live drum patterns.

How often did we get those in 80s prime Prince though? Even the few people allege are played live are always mixed/produced to almost emulate the Linn.

WhisperingDandelions said:

"Annie Christian" is GOATed. Best track on Controversy.

"777-9311" is his greatest/most innovative drum pattern. Homie literally invented trap beats like 25 years ahead of schedule.

IanRG said:

Having said that, in my opinion, programmed loops will always play second fiddle to live drum patterns.

How often did we get those in 80s prime Prince though? Even the few people allege are played live are always mixed/produced to almost emulate the Linn.

I love Annie Christian. But I can still concede that it sounds like it was made on a Casio Keyboard.

WhisperingDandelions said:

"Annie Christian" is GOATed. Best track on Controversy.

"777-9311" is his greatest/most innovative drum pattern. Homie literally invented trap beats like 25 years ahead of schedule.

IanRG said:

Having said that, in my opinion, programmed loops will always play second fiddle to live drum patterns.

How often did we get those in 80s prime Prince though? Even the few people allege are played live are always mixed/produced to almost emulate the Linn.

Often enough. Real drums were used in a high proportion of tracks with or instead of or a feed to a drum machine (normally, but not exclusivley, an LM-1). It is simply not true that there were only few with real drums, nor is it true that these were always mixed/produced to almost emulate the Linn.

Indeed, it is the opposite: Songs that had exclusively LM-1 loops with no real drums were the exception, not the rule. Besides, mixing tracks to get a sound does not mean real drums become like a programmed drum loop.

[Edited 8/23/23 23:53pm]

The programmed drum sounds on Lovesexy are really strong, some of the best. But my favourite right now is Automatic.

IanRG said:

WhisperingDandelions said:

"Annie Christian" is GOATed. Best track on Controversy.

"777-9311" is his greatest/most innovative drum pattern. Homie literally invented trap beats like 25 years ahead of schedule.

How often did we get those in 80s prime Prince though? Even the few people allege are played live are always mixed/produced to almost emulate the Linn.

Often enough. Real drums were used in a high proportion of tracks with or instead of or a feed to a drum machine (normally, but not exclusivley, an LM-1). It is simply not true that there were only few with real drums, nor is it true that these were always mixed/produced to almost emulate the Linn.

Indeed, it is the opposite: Songs that had exclusively LM-1 loops with no real drums were the exception, not the rule. Besides, mixing tracks to get a sound does not mean real drums become like a programmed drum loop.

[Edited 8/23/23 23:53pm]

The exception not the rule? On 80s Prince albums we're talking about?

And I'd argue it's preciesely that: if you produce and mix drums to be a facsimile of programmed drums then... they're closer to a facsimile of programmed drums than "real drums." Generally people picture "real drums" to have some semblance of organic quality to it. You saying you prefer real drums implies there's an innately unique quality you prefer about it that can't be captured in programmed loops.

And your assessment just seems incorrect. Dirty Mind had real drums, but otherwise percentage-wise album-by-album it's gotta be hovering around the 80-85% programmed range if I'm being super generous. And if it really is below 50% like you're implying that's a testament to the crux of your last argument becaue wtf is the point of producing real drums to emulate programmed loops if the entire decade exudes the feeling of programmed loops so potently?

WhisperingDandelions said:

IanRG said:

Often enough. Real drums were used in a high proportion of tracks with or instead of or a feed to a drum machine (normally, but not exclusivley, an LM-1). It is simply not true that there were only few with real drums, nor is it true that these were always mixed/produced to almost emulate the Linn.

Indeed, it is the opposite: Songs that had exclusively LM-1 loops with no real drums were the exception, not the rule. Besides, mixing tracks to get a sound does not mean real drums become like a programmed drum loop.

[Edited 8/23/23 23:53pm]

The exception not the rule? On 80s Prince albums we're talking about?

And I'd argue it's preciesely that: if you produce and mix drums to be a facsimile of programmed drums then... they're closer to a facsimile of programmed drums than "real drums." Generally people picture "real drums" to have some semblance of organic quality to it. You saying you prefer real drums implies there's an innately unique quality you prefer about it that can't be captured in programmed loops.

And your assessment just seems incorrect. Dirty Mind had real drums, but otherwise percentage-wise album-by-album it's gotta be hovering around the 80-85% programmed range if I'm being super generous. And if it really is below 50% like you're implying that's a testament to the crux of your last argument becaue wtf is the point of producing real drums to emulate programmed loops if the entire decade exudes the feeling of programmed loops so potently?

You need to learn a lot more about Prince's music. You could start by watching the shows and reading the individual song accreditations. Almost no song is exclusively LM1.

I will help you: 1980s prime Prince:
1999 almost none have drums,
PR almost all have drums being a mix of normal, electronic and linked to LM-1,
SOTT about 2/3rds have drums.

[Edited 8/24/23 13:00pm]

Actually, Round and Round. Now ders a loop.

Talking about simplicity; I have the looped beat from Forever In My Life as a ringtone on my phone. It's just right.

HamsterHuey said:

nayroo2002 said:

Mine is "Alphabet St."

DOVES! <3

RJOrion said:

HamsterHuey said:

The Ballad Of Dorothy Parker

themanfromneptune said:

The Ballad Of Dorothy Parker

Now we're talking!

TrivialPursuit said:

IanRG said:

TrivialPursuit said:

"Alphabet St." is a rather simple drum pattern. There is some rhythm sections to it, but the actual drum loop is not that exciting.

For me, the interesting stuff is "777-9311," "Something In The Water." "Computer Blue" is high on the light just from the clanky sound he often did with the toms and that guitar pedal detuned et al. I also have affection for "Anotherloverholenyohead." I feel like I could write ten songs over that beat.

I think what's more interesting, not from a loop standpoint, is something like "Annie Christian," which basically sounds like some 1960s home organ.

I am not saying that I disagree that there are not 10 Prince songs with more interesting beats than Alphabet Street. However, there can be excellence and elegance in the execution of simplicity that can leave contrived complexity sounding like crap.

Alphabet St's drum pattern perfectly matches the simplicity in the overall feel of the song. Having said that, in my opinion, programmed loops will always play second fiddle to live drum patterns.

Prince was a wizzard in programming his drum loops.

The whole 1999 & Purple Rain album,

specially 'When Doves Cry',

'Insatiable', 'Vicky Waiting', 'The Dance Electric',

the simplicity of 'Erotic City', the weirdness of 'Girl',

the flow of 'Come'...

on and on.

-

But indeed; "Tamborine..." for example, live drums to die for.

Vannormal said:

IanRG said:

I am not saying that I disagree that there are not 10 Prince songs with more interesting beats than Alphabet Street. However, there can be excellence and elegance in the execution of simplicity that can leave contrived complexity sounding like crap.

Alphabet St's drum pattern perfectly matches the simplicity in the overall feel of the song. Having said that, in my opinion, programmed loops will always play second fiddle to live drum patterns.

Prince was a wizzard in programming his drum loops.

The whole 1999 & Purple Rain album,

specially 'When Doves Cry',

'Insatiable', 'Vicky Waiting', 'The Dance Electric',

the simplicity of 'Erotic City', the weirdness of 'Girl',

the flow of 'Come'...

on and on.

-

But indeed; "Tamborine..." for example, live drums to die for.

Agreed - Not just in programming but in integrating actual drums as the interface. Roger Linn, himself, was amazed by what Prince could do and could not work out how he did it.

[Edited 8/30/23 4:01am]

Vannormal said:

specially 'When Doves Cry',

'Insatiable', 'Vicky Waiting', 'The Dance Electric',

I totally forgot about "The Dance Electric." There's a flange or something on it that really makes the beat unique. The 16th-hit high-hat keeps a consistency throughout the weirdness of the basic drums themselves.

That may be my vote, followed closely by "The Ballad of Dorothy Parker."

TrivialPursuit said:

Vannormal said:

specially 'When Doves Cry',

'Insatiable', 'Vicky Waiting', 'The Dance Electric',

I totally forgot about "The Dance Electric." There's a flange or something on it that really makes the beat unique. The 16th-hit high-hat keeps a consistency throughout the weirdness of the basic drums themselves.

That may be my vote, followed closely by "The Ballad of Dorothy Parker."

Prince was also unique to connect these machines in a creative 'sound' way with pedals, etc

He experimented within his own field with loads of things

Mountains

What Do U Want Me 2 Do?

Nasty Girl

SexMe?SexMeNot

Anotherloverholenyohead

Forever In My Life

Jerk Out

("When 2 R In Love" is secretly "Alphabet St." slowed down)