I thought it would be fun and worthwhile creating a general chat type thread where everyone here can post random thoughts on anything to do with Prince.

Post whatever you feel like and whoever wants to respond, hopefully will. Introductions, shout outs, history, analysis, controversy, it's all welcome. Also, there's quite a few names here I don't recognise so I thought it'd be worthwhile for us all to get together as fellow fans and just chat about whatever comes to mind.

(cue the music: Let's Work)

the brotha needs a plate of collard greens.

Although I'm obsessed with Prince I realise that I've never really delved too much into the bootlegs. But that's mainly because I don't save the money for it. After following Prince for 15 years I could inspire myself all over again by taking some advice over what bootlegs to get. That could be fun

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

He's probably eating the greens...he just needs some ham-hocks or some salt-pork in 'em.

chickengrease said:

yeah, i know...pickin out the hamhocks, eatin the greens and eatin all the damn cornbread...

hey anji...long time.
prince for me is the ultimate performer. i don't always like what hes playing...hes gone through so many musical styles but he always performs with such passion...you can never fault that!

i've recently obtained a lotta old-skool stuff on video, p on tour, y'know...it's really hard 2 watch it all in one sittin. i sit and watch the footage and i think, "damn my youth! wish i coulda experienced all this..."

ConsciousContact said:

Sent you an Orgnote CC!

msserendipity said:

Ditto that msserendipity

Much love Pochacco

Personally, I listen to more related artist stuff than I do Prince.

I'm a huge fan of Sheila E., especially Romance 1600 (the whole album), and Madhouse.

VelvetSplash said:

Were Videos made to accompany the Romance 1600 Album?.I don't recall seeing any

msserendipity said:

Yo Sammy, how you doin?

Marrk said:

From memory, Love Bizarre, Sister Fate, I think that's it. (Never seen Sister Fate though, only heard of it).

VelvetSplash said:

You would have liked it. I did.

VelvetSplash said:

Hi Velvet. For some reason, I actually have never been interested in the related material. I still have yet to hear even one Madhouse or The Time record! Are there any really good ones?

VelvetSplash said:

Don't forget the live video w/ Prince & Revolution at the end doing Love Bizarre.

Anji said:

really??

I didn't madhouse until very recently (14 years after becoming a fan). It didn't do anything for me.

The Time - I have all their albums, and if you like the funky side of Prince, you'll love their albums. The first three are short, tight funky jams and are really good if you fancy a real upbeat listen.

The related material I really love is some of the female stuff, although the hit/miss ratio on most albums id far poorer than the average Prince album, so I tend to download the really good stuff and make my own compilations.

For me, Jill Jones' album is the only one that is consistently good all the way through. For me, it's right up there as one of my favourite prince albums.

Anji said:

Both Madhouse CDs are great IMO. The first two Time CDs are classics. Get these even if you have to get them on CDRs.

Anji said:

I guess it all depends on your definition of "good"

The only albums I'd put up there on par with Prince's are The Family and Jill Jones.

But, I'm a huge fan of pop music, and personally I would put Romance 1600 above any of Prince's 1994-2000 albums.

If you are into Prince, you have to check out Sheila E., The Family, Madhouse, Jill Jones, Vanity 6, Apollonia 6, The Time - they are all as much Prince albums as any other release from those periods.

I have a winamp tracklist with every Prince official release, and 99% of official related artist (i.e. Paisley Park and NPG records releases) all in one chronologicial order - and I tell you, it makes much more sense the progression of his work when you take into account the related artists albums.

1800NewHunk said:

Hello 1800. The only related albums I've heard are NPG ones, like Newpower Soul and Exodus. From what I hear, The Time sound like they had some essential funk on an earlier album. I remember reading it being compared to Controversy here, so it's got to be good; can't recall the name though. Also, there are a couple Madhouse records that everyone seems to rate; again, not sure which ones though.

What's the name of the Jill Jones album and what's Prince's involvement? To be honest, everything else seems hit and miss. Also, I've never been interested in following Wendy and Lisa either. If I like Prince, are they worth following up?

VelvetSplash said:

Ah cool, thanks Velvet! I absolutely adore A Love Bizarre, so I may be onto a winner with Romance 1600. Plus, I really like Sheila.

In terms of the other acts you mention that are as much Prince albums as any others from that period, can you list the absolute essential albums please?

I love Prince musaic ..it gets me in the heart. I lalso love Prince fans, even the ones who rag on him a lot etc. I love my purple family. Thanks Prince for this.

Anji said:

As Velvetsplash said, the early related artist albums had so much prince involvement that they are effectively Prince releases. During the Dirty Mind/1999/Purple Rain period, The Time served as Prince's funky alter ego, while Vanity/Apollonia 6 was the poppy alter ego. They make great companion pieces to the Prince albums released over that period.

The Family was the first Prince release to use Clare Fischer's strings, so it actually bridges the gap between ATWIAD & Parade very well.

Jill Jones's album is simply called Jill Jones. Prince wrote, performed & produced the whole album (except for her cover of 'With You', which is produced by David Rivkin. Strings are by Clare Fischer.

Wendy & Lisa I love, but there music has diverged strongly from Prince's - I like them as artists in their own right, whereas with the other associated artists it is generally Prince's involvement that really makes them. Girl Bros in particular is a wonderful album.

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

Same here, Dansa! I got into Prince when I was 11 because of the Batman mania. I used to love that record and only very recently have managed to get back into it. I hated Graffiti Bridge when it came out but it actually has now become one of my all-time favourites. Diamonds and Pearls through till Emancipation were my obsessed days. Kinda funny when I think about it now!

Anji said:

That's interesting - I got into Prince during Batman as well. (I was 14). But the albums released after I became a fan never fired me up as much as those released before I became a fan - I spent the 90s buying and loving all the new stuff, but gradually tracking down and really loving the earlier stuff.

PhilG said:

Love Bizarre video is cool... Sister of Fate I remember seeing it a few times and it is filmed around the same scenery as the back of the LP with all the band members with trees surrounding them...but I never got a chance to get a copy of it

rdhull said:

I haven't ever enjoyed hanging out with Prince fans, before I came here. I mean, I used to look around those concert halls when I was younger and think to myself, 'damn, I can't believe these people are into the funk!' Also, I used to have a 'I know better than them' attitude when I was younger, for some reason. Not anymore, well, not that much.

Anji said:

1800NewHunk said:

Same here, 1800. Actually, I've come full circle. I loved the 90's through till Emancipation but in the process, like yourself, found the sick, mad genius days somewhat more genuine. I'm actually in the process of rediscovering all those 90's albums again. Listening to the Symbol album right now, by the way. Love the scratches!

(cue the music: 7)

1800NewHunk said:

Ooh, The Family album sounds interesting! I don't think Wendy and Lisa sound like my cup of tea though.

Thanks for the info.