I'm sitting here listening to "I Can't Make You Love Me" (Bonnie's version) & I'm thinking... Prince could have kicked the SHIT outta this song!!

WHY in the hell did he redo such a GREAT song w/ his casio keyboard???

What a waste! I blame Mayte!

I like it, actually. One of my faves off that set. But, yeah, that's not saying too much. He coulda killed it--and many other "Emancipation" tracks--if he'd gotten rid of the programmed dreck.

Personally, I think all his covers on Emancipation are lackluster.

POOK said:

Somebody get this song to Pook immediately!!

MendesCity said:

I'm not saying his version sucks nuts or anything - I actually like it too BUT I know how much better it could have been if he recorded it, say, NOW (or anytime in the past 3 years or so)... w/ real music for real musicians & whatnot Think about it - it's an amazing song & done RIGHT w/ PRINCE singing it???


.
[This message was edited Wed May 26 13:46:28 2004 by CalhounSq]

CalhounSq said:

another case for ousourcing/sharing production

CalhounSq said:

I agree. I'll never forgive him for the hatchett job he did on this song One of my all time favorites butchered by one of my all time favorites. For conrasting purposes, listen to George Michael's version. They were done at roughly the same time. His sounds fresh, but stays true to the original, and it's miles ahead of Prince's. Bonnie's is still my favorite though.

CalhounSq said:

I don't blame Mayte. Who could? The woman flipped quarters on her tummy, fer cryin' out loud!

But, you're right. Prince could've laid a real drum set track, wheeled out a real piano and mixed the song better so that it had the ROOM it deserves. I think he went the cheap-n-cheesy route to minimize comparisons to Bonnie's masterful version. Bruce Hornsby he ain't, baby. But, he could've torn it up.

GrayKing said:

I'm looking online - where can I find George Michael's version?

CalhounSq said:

hmmmm i know he did it on his unplugged. and it was a b-side. oh! yeah! it was on his 2-cd best of from 1998.... the US version anyway. not sure about the UK version.

God, that version is boring. The only boring Prince ballad.

GrayKing said:

Thanks!

CalhounSq said:

no, blame kirky j or whatever the hell the dancing fools name was. his beats were weak!

the fact that prince was between bands probably has alot to do with it too.

Jhasten said:

the problem is, he WASN'T between bands when the bulk of the Emancipation sessions were done. obviously, though, the stuff he chose to put on the album was the more solo-centered work.


this album would have been much better with the 93-96 era NPG playing on most of the tracks. Kirky J as a one-man substitute is what drags most of it down, you're right.

Supernova said:

hell nah, he TORE UP La La Means I Love You, WOOOH! that was dope!

Supernova said:

i really like his One Of Us

GrayKing said:

I think that was the one exception
and Betcha By Golly Wow reeked of but it wasn't so bad.
[This message was edited Wed May 26 19:46:24 2004 by psykosoul]

CalhounSq said:

My sentiments too. But I blame Kirk "Kirky J" Johnson... that bastid.

paisleypark4 said:

What's this nonsense about Prince screwing up remakes???

Betcha Bye Golly Wow! ~ way up!
La, La, La, Means I Love You ~ way up!
One of Us ~ way up!

paisleypark4 said:

I wouldn't say he tore it up (he ain't no Jackson 5 now ) but it's alright

I agree that he could have done better. And I, too, blame Kirky J.

I also must second the recommendation that you listen to George Michael's version of the song. Far superior to Prince's.

Revolution said:

I Can't Make You Love Me
Everyday Is A Winding Road

todd305 said:

Oooh, let me add a 3rd voice to that recommendation. GM does a terrific job with that song. It's a truly beautiful rendition. I always felt like Prince didn't quite "get" that song with the whole lame bed/church addition.

I don't have a problem with "fake instruments", but they can be used right, and used wrong, just like "real instruments".

"Bruce Hornsby he ain't, baby. But, he could've torn it up".

I'm gonna defend Prince here. Even though on another thread people are getting defensive.

Prince is Bruce Hornsby x 10. Remember, his pops was a very talented jazz musician, which is where Prince gets his stuff. If you don't think Prince could tear Bruce H. up, I suggest you check out some concert footage of him on the piano messing around. Problem is, Prince doesn't show this side of him off, but when he does you aren't going to forget it.

U can say what u want about this period.. but Holy River is something I hold closely.. He did a wonderful job on it...