I have seen various opinions on News posted here and there, but recently the only threads have been about CD distribution, which is a little sad. I'd like to start this thread to share our opinions and our feelings about the music in News? What do you all think? Which songs do you like? What influences do you hear? Which instruments/solos/sections of the tracks really do it for you?

Here's my short bit: At first I thought these tracks were free-running jams. I liked them for sure, but I didn't see them as composed songs that I would want to play often like Prince's more conventional works. But as time has gone on I'm getting a sense of the structure and the flow of each track, and I'm really digging it. These songs are really something special. Some of the melodies and playing are the sweetest sounds I've heard from Prince. Right now I'm especially enjoying the bass work towards the end of a couple of tracks and those quiet and subtle last few minutes. Some it sounds a little Pink Floyish (from Animals), some of it brings together some of Prince's catalogue of sounds. There's a lot more in there.

Anyway, I'm no good at describing music, and perhaps most of us aren't which is why we hear very simple views such as 'I like it' or 'It sucks'. I'd like to hear from the eloquent wordsmiths and reviewers that I know lurk around here! It's all part of the anticipation while we wait for our CDs. Over to you.

I honestly think that those who dismiss NEWS as elevator music or just uninspired pseudo-jazz muzak are just not listening carefully.

As happened with Xpectation, you got to take your time to really appreciate what Prince has done in this record. "North", for instance, has really grown on me and I find it just beatiful...the guitar is dreamy and evocative. And I can say the same about the other 3 tracks.

These NEWS are definitely good news for me

Funny, I was just listening to the snippet of east from the NPGMC and it felt realy eastern to me.

The soft roaring base, the quarter notes, the light drum and the agressive layer of guitar realy painted an angry, misunderstood but very ancient and educated culture too me !

But it might be my imagination (?)

The whole thing is actually quite good. I find "North" to be the weakest, but the piano breakdown at the end of that track is just as memorable as anything else on the CD. I think "East" is a tour de force throughout. It's just an excellent piece of music. West and South are both more funk influenced than the other two tracks, making this CD less jazz influenced than Xpectation. They are both filled with fantastic guitar and bass moments. South is particularly great in the last five minutes or so. I enjoy the album quite a bit, but it does take a few listens to grow on you, like any good Prince music does.

I am really enjoying NEWS! It's amazing how this CD can stir up so much emotion. It's a great demonstration of skill and talent!! I love the sax & guitar solos on North. East is fantastic! And the way Prince makes his guitar express such pain is unbelievable. It hurts so bad. The entire CD is great to me!

The last place I would ever want to hear NEWS playing is in an elevator. Take it to the dance floor; the music will move you.

... Elegant wordsmith huh? Hmm it's ok.
[This message was edited Fri Jun 27 9:13:47 PDT 2003 by Universaluv]

i think some of it sounds like music that went along with a sega mega drive game..

naw im jus foolin

Its not that well played at all.
It lacks consistance and soul.

IrishGecko said:

A bit like most of your posts, Gecko

.

giotto said:

Actualy, I didn't hear it YET but I welcome any INSTRUMENTAL effort from the brotha. I heard many intrumentals from him and most of the most, he didn't let me down.

But then again, what do you expect from most of the fans? Most of them were complaining about TRC when it came out, now THE SAME people who were bitching about it are adressing it as the modern day Parade. Whateva!

Like Musiq said "Juslisen" I know I am

Harlepolis said:[quote]Most of them were complaining about TRC when it came out, now THE SAME people who were bitching about it are adressing it as the modern day Parade. Whateva!
[quote]

There aint no way thats a modern day Parade.

Sdldawn said:[quote]Harlepolis said:[quote]Most of them were complaining about TRC when it came out, now THE SAME people who were bitching about it are adressing it as the modern day Parade. Whateva!


Tell 'em that

"NEWS" is Prince's worst instrumental album. There are some great moments here, but most of it is directionless, aimless, pointless and frankly DULL.

"Xpectation", on the other hand, is a near masterpiece. "C NOTE" was way better too.

Why he's released "NEWS" to retail instead of either of the above would be a mystery until you remember that this is what "freedom" really means to Prince - "freedom" to release the most lame-assed, half-baked funk he can come up with.

Sell it and we will come. Purple sheep to the till.
[This message was edited Fri Jun 27 12:00:23 PDT 2003 by JohnnyTheFox]

doesn't thrill me or kill me.

"That's her? that's the mashed potato girl? she's great... she's beautiful"

Form your own opinion people -- this is a beautiful piece of work; and like the start of this thread alluded to there is so much more to appreciate and talk about besides how NPGMC will get this music out. It's beautiful!

JohnnyTheFox said:

The C-Notes are good, but trust me, Xpectation is too much on the level of elevator muzak..

At least NEWS is interesting, and the proof is East. I dont think he should release any of these instrumentals, but if there was a choice in this matter, he picked the right one, cause these "4" tracks are very interesting, especially when compared to his last attempts (Xpectation).. I think its his best instrumentals in these last few years.

I think the other strong track IMO is North. It comes across as slow, but at times this track has got it goin on. The guitar playin, sax, strings and piano really did it for me.. It took me a few times to listen, but once I did, I fell in love with this track.. I still havent heard South, (only a few min) but I hope its as good as the first two.


And I applaud him on these Improvs.. because these tracks really do have a direction, even though the guidance that was involved was the next moment of feeling.

Im lookin forward to my cd, and hope my feelings about it only get stronger.

Venus De Milo, Alexa De Paris, and Gamillah are all GREAT instrumentals! Each one of them caught my attention immediately.

The Kamasutra CD was pretty good as well.

N.E.W.S. has not yet caught my attention. Granted that I've only listened to each track about 1 or 2 times. Hopefully it will grow on me. The masses will not have that kind of patience.

Also, C-Note, and Xpectation have only gotten about a listen and a half each, and not shown too much promise. One of these days I'll have a long drive somewhere and pop these in again and give them another whirl.

Come on folks! It is elevator music. Anyone that thinks it great alternative jazz, simply doesn't listen to Jazz.

Put it another way. If I turned up on this site with a un-named 14 minute improv like North, you would all say, boring, not my cup of tea.

As Prince has put his name to it, you all think, wow, this is alternative and different! I think It cool!

I hope Prince is having the last laugh, in that this CD is not him, but a bunch of 60 year old failed players from Uptown. All done for a bet, to prove how foolish a great deal of his fans are.

Prince wins the bet!

PS Where do you rate this against all the other Prince albums? I much Prefer NPS. I Got The One, Come On and Wasted Kisses.

Do you rate NEWS higher????

This is the lowest point yet. A one hour improv jam, released as a retail album!?!

Give me 1999 New master any day!

.
[This message was edited Fri Jun 27 18:37:48 PDT 2003 by SquirrelMeat]
[This message was edited Fri Jun 27 18:39:37 PDT 2003 by SquirrelMeat]

SquirrelMeat said:

where do I send it? I'll overnight you that sh*t!!!

-SWANGleapsin

Is this shit on Kazaa yet?

EvilWhiteMale said:

i bet it is.

It's on WinMX too.

It's nice to hear some views on the music

It seems that some people who don't like News that much, and also Xpectation, haven't taken the effort to listen them much. Saying something like 'I played it once and it's elevator music.' doesn't cut it. That kind of attitude just doesn't give the music a chance. I have listened to News a dozen times or so already (except for North because I missed the download, but that's something to look forward to with the CD , and it's growing on me, as any good music should.

I suggest that anybody who is having trouble enjoying News give it more of a chance. Chances are you'll find it rewarding, but if not so be it, at least it was given a chance. Also, there are a lot of subtle sounds in there, so try headphones for a real treat.

on the news reporter

I hate it. It sounds like a soundtrack to a movie.

sabaisabai wrote:

It seems that some people who don't like News that much, and also Xpectation, haven't taken the effort to listen them much. Saying something like 'I played it once and it's elevator music.' doesn't cut it. That kind of attitude just doesn't give the music a chance.

What about shoving bamboo shoots up your figernails? Does it get better the more often you do it? Listening to Prince's new music is kinda like that. It's not good the first time, and it sure as hell doesn't get any better.

EvilWhiteMale said:

Surely U don't rate the musical experience we have embarked upon as bad as all of that?! I'd venture this for a guess: if you shoved bamboo shafts up YOUR ASS and it hurt you ought to keep the bamboo away from YOUR JOY HOLE; say what? stop listening man! U are surely not that sparked on P's latest output that U can't refrain from listening are U?

... but if you can't refrain from listening it says what?

Oh yeah, this is not a flame, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night!

kmc said:

kmc wrote:

Surely U don't rate the musical experience we have embarked upon as bad as all of that?!

That's meant to be a corny statement, right?

I'd venture this for a guess: if you shoved bamboo shafts up YOUR ASS and it hurt you ought to keep the bamboo away from YOUR JOY HOLE; say what? stop listening man! U are surely not that sparked on P's latest output that U can't refrain from listening are U?

... but if you can't refrain from listening it says what?

Well, the truth is that I'm really not listening to it. I download tracks here and there and dump them if I ain't diggen em. I sure as fuck never pay for his garbage. I just give a quick listen once in a while to see what he's up to. Unfortunately he's only making music for a small group of listeners.