Say what you want about the new album, tour,etc....

It's becoming apparent that after all of the things that Prince has fought for and been through since the early 90's (name changes/record company disputes/sprawling triple albums)- it was all worth it. Some of his fans didn't understand it, most of the press still don't (they act as if Prince has been in a hole for the last decade) but Prince's determination to do everything his way has finally paid off.

Prince's recent mainstream onslaught has reawakened the general public to everything we (Prince fans) have known since 1988 or earlier. Prince is a genius/legend/icon for the ages. A new generation of fans, many of whom were not even born when Purple Rain hit, have discovered something very new to them in him. Some of my students in school were talking about the new video/song and they speak glowingly of Prince in ways much like you (a Prince fan) probably did when you first were hipped to him. It was quite amusing to me that a few of my students erroneously thought that he was only a couple years older than Andre 3000.

Yes, it has paid off. Not because of the tour success, not because of the charts, the album sales, the heavy MTV rotation, or favorable press coverage. It's because of the new wave of fans who get to enjoy the music as much as us. It's because they now see Prince as a man who sings and writes his own songs, blends together a multitude of genres, has his own sound, plays all of his own instruments, and (most of all) plays by his own rules. Just like he always has, he is still playing by his own rules and winning. And just like when he 1st appeared on MTV 20 years ago, he is the most original/unique thing going. Isn't that why we (Prince fans) dug him in the 1st place?

Exactly. Keep up the good work. I really enjoy your posts. There will be some kids who will just enjoy this CD at this moment, but there will be some that will enter into a journey of discovery. Like when i finally dicovered Joni Mitchell 20 yrs into her career.

yes