Would you still treat his catalogue the way you treat it now?

I mean imagine the solo on Purple Rain was played by Dez...

What if, outside of lead and background vocals, Prince was really just the singer on his songs in the same fashion as let's say... Toni Braxton or someone like that.

Would this make a difference in how you viewed his catalogue?

Interesting question...but one that has no answer. We wouldn't be here if that were the fact. He would not be the musical genius he is. There would be no songs. It's the fact that he can play everthing...so well...that he is where he is today.

He'd be like Michael Jackson...if he'd even last that long. Most R&B singers have a short shelf life.

superspaceboy said:

But is he an R&B artist? Would he be one if he only played guitar?

skywalker said:

That is a good question. I have always considered him to be alternative R&B. More new wave than others esp in the 80's. More rock than rap in the 90's. Even in the mainstream, he's always had a different edge to him. In a category of his own. Bowie, Dylan, Prince. Classification is too difficult.

Though when I went in Virgin Music Whore yesterday, I found Prince in the R&B/Soul Section.

superspaceboy said:

I must agree. That music is a result of genius.

well, I think that even if he could only play one instrument he would still be the amazing writer, producer and composer that he is.

He porbably would not spend as much involved in his work as he does now so there would probably less content, but as far as quality is concerned I have no doubt he would be just as good.

What if Prince was a woman? Would you like him as much?

What if Prince was a squirrel or other type of rodent...would you still like him?

What if you came up with a realistic question and not something totally hypothetical and impossible?

RupertZ said:

Thanks Rupert... you've added so much to the discussion.

Anyways, let us all imagine that what we have is the same: the same records, album covers, backing vocals, except the players on each track were the band members from the particular time period of the album release.

One thing remains, Prince is an amazing songwriter... his song structures and melodies are, as far as I'm concerned, awesome! His basslines are sick and his keys are also super dope... but what if it wasn't Prince writing those parts? What if he was really just the singer and creator on guitar only? Would u still hold Prince and his catalogue in such high regard?

I mean it's amazing that many of his records were done all by himself and as far as I'm concerned it adds a hugh umph!! to the music and to how I perceive the songs!!

What do ya'll think? And Rupert... don't bother respond... You're obviously too smart for such a foolish discussion.

RupertZ said:

Depends. Would he just be an R+B squirrel? Or a Rock squirrel?

Yes, my opinion of him would change. His musical genius and ability on all the different instruments is what puts Prince above the others.

Also, I believe it is his mastery and understanding of all the instruments that makes his songwriting and structure so amazing. He wouldn't be able to construct songs in the same manner if he only played guitar. How many songs are based on guitar vs. bass vs. piano vs. drums? Prince writes songs based primarily on each of those instruments individually and thus different songs are created and structured around those instruments.