Prince is playing more and more Funk-classics live ...
But he never formed a real funk-band.

Why??

Why doesn't he hire two guitarist with a great riff?
Why doesn't he use two drummers (or a drummer and a percusionist like Sheila E in the Purple Rain / Parade - area).
Why doesn't he hire a constant 4 member horn-section?

Just listen to the '70 recordings of the JB's or Parliament/Funkadelic ... that's how it's done!
Prince's Live-covers have never come close to the originals.

The band that comes close the a Funk-band is the Parade-Revolution ... with Miko and Wendy on guitar and ocassionally Sheila joined Bobby Z.

maybe we should ask him?

Milty said:

Yeah ... are you free next sunday?
Or do you think he isn't allowed to receive visitors on sundays?

he don't need additional guitar player.
when he is the only guitar player he is the best

thebanishedone said:

Prince needs a second guitarist to a be good solo-guitarist.
The musical genre he has choosen to play needs a constant guitar riff ...
Problem is that when Prince start to play a solo nowadays, the funk get's lost because the riffs are gone ...
Prince really can't fill in on both at the same time.
God ... how I miss Dez ...

If he choses to play funk, he should at least have a funk-band...

ThataintFunky said:

What set Prince apart for me was that he was more than a funk artist touching on many different styles and original ideas. Maybe there in lies Ur answer as to why he never formed a band just to play out and out funk.

JDINTERACTIVE said:

Okay ... be it sounds pathetic if Prince constantly shouts out phases like "Tell me that it ain't funky" and "I got the funkiest band in the universe" and so on ...

I don't mean to say that Prince never had a tight band.
But I would love to see him with a real funk band for once.
Maybe he should try to behave and do a gig with James Brown's band. James still got the tighest band!

It's a shame that Prince thinks he don't need a second guitar-player. Seems to me he's trying to prove he should be on the R.S. top 100.
I rather don't see him in the list and play some funky music, than see him on the list with the crap he's putting now

his current band is funky as hell

got that?


funky as HELL!

ThataintFunky said:

well see the thing there is...that ummm...see what i'm tryin' to say is...errr...you're wrong...yep..that's it... WRONG

I think he knows more than us.

Dan said:

Why ? I think he pulls it off just fine. I feel the best reply 4 that question is the fact his shows R not about just one form of music. Not just a "Funk" concert or funk music. He requires a band that can change up and also do other types of music. If that were his goal 2 do Funk solely ...trust he would've had the best band!

But 2 hire cats who R career Funk players would mean they wouldn't B much use 2 him outside of that. Flexibility has always been a solid asset with Prince & his bands. And U have 2 B able 2 keep up with the demands of someone who's such a great leader aka floor general like Prince. His musical concepts & last miniute change-ups R not 4 any musician.


And a new drummer like Miss E.? Theres only one Sheila. so I don't think U will find another...Kravitz drummer is the only one who reminds me "somewhat" but thats not enough. With a cat like John Blackwell...I wouldn't B suprised if he's playing with Prince another 5yrs...he's a keeper.


Prince's Purple Funk or brand of funk was his own. U got some James some Sly some P-Funk and a whole lotta Prince in the Mix. The 70's were just that...a amazing decade of music as a whole...Prince is 2 talanted and in-depth 2 B stuck playing straight Funk music or classics... I'd still dig his shows if they were...It would B "Skin Tight" but I'd rather have the Prince who will play me some Rock guitar etc...2

Then U see the fullest extent of his musical genius.

MrLovesexy said:

As If Funkadelic can't play Rock ...
Eddie Hazel would kick Prince's ass 70 times a week ...
Funkadelic can do it all ... if you can play a tight funk-set, you can certainly play some easy rock.
Listen to Bootsy's ballads ... Prince can't do that?!

The only thing a funk band couldn't stand about Prince's concerts are those awfull / boring piano-medleys ... would be great if those fuckin' medleys were skipped.

But I'm glad for most orgers that they're always enthousiastic about every move Prince makes ... in fact, I'm jealous.

Besides ... It wouldn't hurt any musical genre to have a second guitar-player ... most certainly not the Rock!

ThataintFunky said:

Well dude U only made real sense with your last entry..."Your glad about most Orgers being enthousiastic about every move Prince makes cuz your jealous etc"...Its cuz your stuck in Parade and can't get out...next-> Eddie Hazel...U don't got 2 tell me what a bad ass guitar player he was...but "was" speaks of (past) the brotha's dead cuz he loved them drugs more then his guitar playing...so on the grand scale of things...Hazel's not a Prince hair "on the arm" when it comes 2 being a "consistent" all around talent...Hazel let the drugs F*** him up like Sly did so U know what...that was there road they took...The Prince train will keep on Keepin on, and sad 4 U...he'll b doing more then just funk music...deal with it~

Like U I can't speak 4 every Orger...but I just have a understanding that the man likes 2 do what every the fuck he wants 2 do...maybe funk maybe jazz, maybe something that rocks...or whatever...open the dome 2 know how it is, not how U wish it were!

P.S. Sorry Prince wasn't the screw up Hazel was huh? Cuz I guess Prince should have been like that real genius was and been a drug junkie 1st, and a music junkie last...lol (Facedown)

Oh by the way...I had 2 cross check U...when it comes 2 Ballads, Bootsy's ballads don't hold the truest of weight like Prince's do...Please... It ain't what Prince can't do like Bootsy, as it is what Bootsy can't even do what Prince has done, not good but amazing! ~Stella U betta wakeup~

MrLovesexy said:

I'm not dissin' Prince in any way ...
I’m just speaking out my wish he would form a funk band.
I’m not sensitive to the fact that Prince can do it all ... If it takes 17 guys to play some briljant music, that’s okay for me. Eddie Hazel couldn’t do it all ... Maceo can’t neither ... but Parliament / Funkadelic as a whole could.

At least you now what you’re talking about, and I appreciate that!

I can feel what your now saying...but your asking why? Why don't Prince form a funk band etc...I'm just saying cuz his fabric is built up of more then just funk...perhaps 4 a man of his skill level would B bored just playing "one" thing. Thats the point thats missed. He'll play funk so much and let U know he's still funky, but he finds greater joy doing other things as well...its just the way he's been, and as he grows as a artist is the way he'll B.


Side note, U talked about: "The band that comes close the a Funk-band is the Parade-Revolution ... with Miko and Wendy on guitar and ocassionally Sheila joined Bobby Z."

Being into the music scene back in the day, at one of the early starts of trying 2 get into some sort of "promotion" I remember a conversation with a club owner and talking him into letting me help pass out fliers around the Bay Area 2 Miko & the Boombox. The 2 shows in Berkley were interesting...fresh off the Lovesexy Tour U felt he was still overshadowed by playing Prince...

He played some good gutiar and came out into the crowed playing his solos...4 me it was a laid back look at this cat with the cool line up of guitars, and who played with Prince. But it was truly about seeing this guy who desired 2 break out on his own try 2 make some waves...
I was just happy 2 earn a free pass in 2 dig on it...