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Purple reign: 'Prince of wails' returns to his throne

By John Lamb, The Forum
Published Tuesday, April 27, 2004

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Prince's landmark album, "Purple Rain," and the artist formerly known as a symbol is celebrating in royal fashion.

Minnesota's favorite purple hit maker (depending on what you think of motor mouth Viking Chris Hovan) was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in February and also kicked off the 2004 Grammys with a tribute to "Purple Rain."

As a show of the album's lasting impact, he was joined onstage by Beyonce Knowles, who wasn't even 3 years old when the disc was released.

The Purple One has also reclaimed his rightful court, taking a classics concert tour across the country. Ticket holders get a free copy of Prince's new album, "Musicology," confounding the popular belief that artists tour in support of their recordings; not the other way around.

Critics might suggest Symbolina's greatest hits tour is an attempt to mask another inadequate album by the prolific performer, but even the most skeptical reviewer will be warmed by Prince's best album of recent years. "Musicology" delivers what the name suggests – a listening lesson of diverse styles.


As always, Prince is up to the challenge, acting as the ringmaster of his own tuneful circus and he doesn't disappoint. He lays down heavy funk with jazz overtones, rips off rock guitar riffs and segues into some blistering soul singing, but never loses sight of what makes a good pop song.

The diminutive song-and-dance man has been the biggest contributor to party mixes for the past 25 years and he adds to the catalog with the aptly-titled, "Life o' the Party," and lively, name-checking title track.

But parties were only Prince's primers. The gold standard has always been his smoldering, sensual bedroom hooks and come-hither licks. Whether it's his age or his recent conversion to Jehovah's Witnesses, the singer now seems more interested in a hug than in a steamy romp in the back seat of a car.

Listeners could read a lot into the singer's marital fidelity with a triptych of troubled relationships. He warns a friend that if he strays from his woman, the singer will swoop in. "That's when I'm gonna lay her/Across my piano stool and sing to her." It's hardly as scandalous as the Purple One's prime prowling, but it's still more than many women could refuse.

"If Eye Was the Man in Your Life" is a punchy, hopeful confessional and whimpers into the repentant, soulful "On the Couch."

The past five years were lost to a bitter fight with his former label, Warner Brothers, during which the singer scrawled "Slave" into his cheek and released half-baked albums on his own NPG Records. ("Musicology" is also released on NPG, but benefits from a distribution deal with Sony/Columbia.)

While Prince seems to have emerged with a tamer libido, his political awareness is raised. "Dear Mr. Man" flashes of Marvin Gaye social consciousness and "Call My Name" will send a shiver off John Ashcroft's spine if he's bugging the singer's speakers. "Cinnamon Girl" not only shares a title with a Neil Young song, but the driving guitars and anti-war stance are reminiscent of the Crazy Horse-rider.

"Musicology" will not go down as one of the great Prince records. While overall very good, his music is becoming derivative. Still, secondhand Prince is more potent than many artists' best albums.

If the disc is a birthday cake and the concert a touring party, accept the invitation. It may not be the steamy kiss the rocker once offered, but who could turn down the chance to kick up heels with rock royalty?

Readers can reach Forum reporter John Lamb at (701) 241-5533



"Musicology"

Prince

NPG Records

Three and a half out of four stars

WHAT PEOPLE HAVE 2 REALIZE IS THAT U CANT STAY THE SAME FOREVER
THE MAN HAS MATURED
DEAL WITH IT, AND ENJOY THE MUSIC
PEACE AND BE WILD
REMEMBER LIFE IS DEATH WITHOUT ADVENTURE

Hey, I think it's all a sign of things to come. With all eyes on him, I bet he makes the most of it. Looking forward to more surprises coming soon.