Ok.....I'm running the risk of sounding negative w/ the following post. I really don't like the blind hate spewed towards anything new Prince puts out -- which is what I'm feeling.....but, that being said, I do wanna get some input on the current NPG band and have some discusssion:

My opinion: The current npg is an amazingly talented group of individuals. Renato can play the keyboards very well, John Blackwell -- a technically flawless drummer, Maceo -- enough said.

BUT -- They don't seem to have that imaginative, creative flair that marked the old NPG. I can't see them puttin out records w/ out being orchestrated by Prince. I remember "Exodus" -- Prince was all over, but it was an obvious NPG album, w/ Sonny T providing alot of the artistic leadership. I don't see that kinda ingenuity or ambition in this NPG.

It seems they play their part, they hit the solo when asked, start the drum beat on time, and know when to play in sinc w/ Prince. They are pretty much perfect -- but they are boring in their perfection. Exception -- Ronda. She's evolving as an artist -- but even she's getting into this role playing. Now, this doesn't detract from prince, if anything, it's a testament to his brilliance. But I miss the old NPG who looked as complete a "band" without Prince as with him. Who could potentially play a great gig w/ great songs like "new power soul," "the good life," and "return of the bumbsquad" without the help of Tora Tora Tora -- although not as excitingly.

I want some characters in the NPG -- people of whom its obvious they can think for themselves and have opinions on the music they have to play every day of their lives.

Hmm, I just want the band to be good. NPG is virgin tight, not boring @ all IMO - no complaints here... Also, I was never really interested in what his band was doing minus him. I'd long for his involvement anyway so it makes no difference to me if they're a unit unto themselves...






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[This message was edited Sat Mar 27 22:53:05 2004 by CalhounSq]

They play well, but they're missing something in the personality department

Hmmm, I think it's difficult to draw a comparison. Does the lack of a side-project CD (such as Exodus) prove that they're lacking something? On the infrequent occasions I listen to NEWS, I hear a band that could do some serious damage on their own. I know I'd buy their CD with a quickness!!!

I think it's impossible to draw a real conclusion, because your criteria are dependent upon what Prince chooses to release.

That's exactly why I miss RAD...you could tell by the way she dressed and carried herself that she was her own woman, and that she could bring ideas to the table.

I mean, when Rhonda's the one in the band with the AMAZING, EXCITING personality, then you KNOW you've got the most boring band Prince has ever had by FAR.

Now musically they're great, no doubt...but imagine if they had 1/10th the creative, visual, overall artistic flair of the Revolution or the Lovesexy band, or The Gold Era NPG.

I think it's because Prince has become so much more tame that he wants to seem wild and crazy in comparison...kinda how Madonna always has those 2 chunky back-up dancers to make her look thin!

Jatrig said:

Man, u're dreaming... Prince was behind all of it, & actually the NPG didn't even play on most of the tracks : Prince recorded the songs & asked Sonny 2 sing the lead vocals that Prince already recorded. "Exodus" is just another Prince album just like "Vanity 6", "The Family" "Jill Jones" or "Newpower Soul".

Prince's current band is incredible, as was the Exodus-era NPG, the Lovesexy band... I mean, Prince can pick em', which is the point. They all have their leanings: jazz, funk, rock, etc, depending on the time Prince complies them...

But if you think any of the old "side projects" were anything more than Prince spoon-feeding parts to the band, I think you're mistaken.

The Exodus had primo chops and alot of attitude, but I don't think we can say that the current band couldn't pull off something wild as well, given the opportunity, and a possessed Prince at the helm. I think we have to view that particular band through the filter of a bandleader who was ticked at the world. They were his "middle-finger" band", and he delivered his anger and passion through them. Prince's band tends to take on the character of himself, and these days he's classy, well-adjusted, and celebratory - just like the 2004 band!

My opinion.

I don't think personality's the problem, Candi, Blackwell and Renato seem to have plenty. My mine gripe is that they don't handle the rockier songs very well, turning them more into Vegas slop than real crunchers...but that might have more to do with P than with them, considering the rockier tracks on Musicology (which I like, in a sloppy Vegas way)

Jatrig said:

Prince puts 2gether a band based on his needs on stage during a particular tour or concept.