I enjoy The Family record but I do think its a bit overrated around these parts.
Actually my favorite song on it is Susannah's Pajamas.
Nothing Compares 2U sucks,the ONLY version I wanna hear is the P & Rosie version!

Why is(to my ears)the emphasis on St.Paul's voice,while Susannah seems more like a background singer half the time,and why is she all whispery,airy,I know she can sing better than that.
I wanna say "SING DAMNIT SING,PUT YOUR HEART & SOUL INTO IT,STOP HOLDING BACK".
On the other hand,Paul's voice does nothing for me,matter of fact,I'd rather listen to Vanity sing...and I'm not joking!

Madhouse is a much better "side project",its perfect,IMO!!

THE FAMILLY 4EVER!!!

I LOVE THE ALBUM, I LOVE THE OUTAKES, I LOVE THE CONCERT REHEARSALS AND I LOVE MISS UNDERSTOOD

CAMILLE4U said:

All I have is the album.

gypsyfire said:

WHAT?! Crack kills.

You're right. The Family ain't shit compared to Madhouse. Still his best side project ever.

gypsyfire said:

I think the P and Rosie version of Nothing Compares 2 U sounds like something you'd hear at a Harlem talent show. Prince's solo version is the best. Besides, the St. Paul version was the first one I ever heard, so I like it.

THE FAMILY ALL THE WAY!!

WonderU said:

ditto. (from what I rememebr at least, I haven't heard the family album in its entirety for quite some time)
As far as pushing susannah's voice in the background, beats me, that never made sense to me, considering that he always had his girlfriends featured as the main attraction.

Man, The Family smokes Madhouse. If the Madhouse albums were half as fonky as "Yes" from the Family's album, they'd a been in the house...

Hey gypsifire,

St.Paul was VERY young when this record was make and he was Prince's puppet on the string. He had to sing exactly like Prince showed him.

Get his latest release "Everything" and I promise you won't regret it. St.Paul has such a wonderful voice and writes such wonderful songs, he should be heard nowadays and not only be connected with The Family.

gypsyfire said:

U need all of the above, it's all good!

Even thought I really like Madhouse I have to say that IMO The Family album is the best of all P's side project.
Not a filler, all first-rate songs.
Strange to say, this is the only side project album that I would really like to be a real Prince album (St.Paul's really good, but figure this under the name "Prince"...).
Still I think it ranks with P best solo works.
By the way, talking of NC2U, I absolutely love The Family version, more than P's reworked live version; the absence of any drum tracks give it that emotional feelings that makes the difference... just my opinion.

I like both,but MADHOUSE 8 &16 ARE MY DAWGS.Prince was trying to push ST.PAUL,but I do enjoy the female vocals much more.THE FAMILY was cool.MADHOUSE was great.

The Family & Madhouse are both my absolutely favorite Prince-Side Projects. I have to say though, that I like The Family a little bit better only because Mutiny is one of my favorite Prince songs, period. I wish Miss Understood was on there too (or at least a b-side).

CAMILLE4U said:

I hope you have the Family's one & only gig on video.Paul Peterson doesn't have much stage precence though.

gypsyfire said:

You mean you think Vanity is a better singer than paul??? Surely you're kidding, right?

PhilG said:

I havn't, although I would willingly cut off my legs for it!
If U check my list there I think it's the only piece of Familly related footage I don't have!

The Family was good.

On that album, I like

High Fashion
Mutiny
and of course: THE SCREAMS OF PASSION (The video is HILARIOUS!!!, yet COOL at the time!)

lovebizzare said:

Well..let's just say Vanity's "vocals" on Nasty Girl,Wet Dream & Vibrator are enjoyable,I don't know how to explain it,her voice is just interesting to listen to,I just like it.

PhilG said:

Man,I didn't know thay had a concert vid.I have the rehearsal on cd."MUTINY" in the second run-through is smashing!