I have now gone back and relistened to TRC after listening to the TRC tracks on ONA LIVE and I like them a little bit more. Granted, this still isn't a GREAT album (TRC) but I really enjoyed the last two songs a bit more and could overlook the few tracks of racist remarks and the filler on TRC (Feast? PLEASE!). Overall, it has gone up in my standings, but still doesn't compare with his stuff from the 1980s (I know, I am a dinosaur in the modern age, but everyone has their favorites).

Regarding the live album, I wish he'd do this with every tour. The Rolling Stones have done it 6 or 7 times and people seem to enjoy it alot. The aftershow CD wasn't as good as some of the tapes that are circulating of other aftershows but I have to hand it to him for putting a live album out finally.

I am going to relisten to TRC again and see if it grows more on me. I still haven't gotten thru Xpectation and haven't gotten hungry enough to go buy NEWS yet, but soon. Especially now that I can hear where Prince is heading with this sound.

madhouseman said:

What are the racist remarks that all of the white people are crying about on TRC? Does Prince not speak the truth? Is it not the history?

And if you truly believe it is unfonded racism, why would you STILL consume it in the music? Axel Rose was blatantly racist with slurs against blacks in his music and I chose to never listen to his music. Is Prince on the level with this kind of ignorant, overrated, fallen rock star?

I think not.
[This message was edited Sat Sep 6 14:47:12 PDT 2003 by LaMont]

LaMont said:

Exactly. Put your money where your mouth is.

Supernova said:

Cool avatar, 9s. It made me think of my current car, but to refrain from jacking this thread I won't go into that.

Supernova said:

Just to clarify, and for the record I don't care about it, but I think you're mistaking where the racist remarks come from.

People don't protest about the statements of slavery in Family Name. However, the definition of "This or That" does have some racial undertones. For one, it defines any non-white as a part of a great group, and whites as that which are in opposition to it. It seems to suggest that a diverse group of tolerant people excludes white people. Now, I don't believe this, and I don't think this is what Prince meant to say, but that's still a little bit how it sounds.

I think the second racist remark comes from Prince's mentioning fairly Jewish-sounding names, and saying "well, at least you got your name", which seems to dismiss the idea that the holocaust and centuries of jewish oppression wasn't as bad as slavery. This is also racist sounding, because it seems to dismiss any suffering that wasn't from a colored group of people.

NOW BEFORE YOU ATTACK ME... I once again don't think this is what Prince meant to say, but that is still what many people hear. In addition to this, I don't care about these remarks, and I am just trying to re-state the arguments people gave for Prince's racism 2 years ago, when the CD was released. So, these are not my opinions, and if you criticize me for saying them, I am not here to defend them.

regards,
Sav

savoirfaire said:

I don't know where you get the defensive idea that I'd attack you for reiterating some interpretations.

And yes, I'm sure most here are well aware of those interpretations of some Orgers. Doesn't change the fact that if they're so offended by it they can put their money where their mouths are and STOP supporting this so-called racist. But they won't do that, because they don't really believe he is one, and in turn obviously don't really believe those interpretations.

Supernova said:

Sorry, I wasn't referring to you in particular supernova, I know you're not like that. But, I also know that some people are very stupid, and would consider me the spokesperson for these statements, and I wanted to make sure I didn't get involved.

That's all, I apologize for seeming defensive.

One can make racist statements but not be a total racist. For instance, I don't feel California Gubenatorial Candidate Bustamonte is a racist even though he used the word "nigger" accidentally in front of a crowd while speaking a year or two ago. It was a slip of the tongue but I can let him slide on that one. I can also let him slide on a group he belonged to in college that favors giving California back to Mexico. Racism can take many forms. It can be found in some of the comments on TRC (mentioning that the Holocaust may not have happened, and using the Jewish sounding names in the way that he did). Personally, when he asked "would you rather be dead or sold", I might choose sold. Personally, I don't think I'd ever compare the two situations. Both sucked and both make me sad. I don't think you only have to dislike one of them, but nobody told me I had to make a choice. Did someone tell him he had to make a choice about which one to hate?

On the subject of naive religious comments on TRC, I'd have to list the quote "if there is a just God, someone is going to pay". Well, according to the Bible I grew up with, someone already did pay for our sins, and his name was Jesus. If one accepts him into your life, all sins (even something as evil as slavery). From what I understood, there was nothing that the blood of Jesus didn't cover. It's not like someone could come up with something awful and God would say, "damn, I didn't see that one coming. OK, that isn't covered."

Regarding Prince speaking the "truth". The album is based on his interptetation of the Bible and his religion. It is hard to call that truth, only an interpretation. We all have them, but one day we'll find out who was right, that just ain't going to happen today, regardless of how strong you believe it.

Musically, I am enjoying TRC a little bit more lately. I will go into Prince's jazz venture with more of an open mind after hearing ONA Live. That was the basis for the original post.

Hope that explains a few things. Talk amongst yourselves.

Getting back to the original subject...

I listend to TRC this morning and my first thought was "My God, The Everlasting Now is so friggin' slow!!!" I've been watching the DVD too much!

Ha! I always skip all those TRC songs from ONA live. I can't stand TRC, i can't help it.

i love TRC
i never play NPS!

madhouseman said:

Just as the interpretations of his intentions lyrically by some Orgers are theirs/yours, and it's hard to call that truth. Only your interpretation.

madhouseman said:

That's welfare religion that does not hold people personally accountable and responsible for their actions.

Further, the quote is not from Prince, but from Thomas Jefferson, used to demonstrate that Mr. Jefferson KNEW that what he and his fellow countrymen were doing was wrong and in direct contravention of God.

The return of NwPwr makes my day !


Prince said during the TRC listening sessions in 2001,listening to TRC would make the listeners take inventory of themselves.
These questions of racism are a refection into the listeners souls rather than Prince's.

"Would you rather be dead or sold ?"

How is this being racist ?
Is any mention of the Holocaust other than Jews as victims an offense ?
I take this as a question being hurled toward Blacks rather toward Whites or Jews.

Listen to the lyrics !!!