Calhoun - I so agree with you.

I'm not quite sure where I rank Emancipation in the Prince canon; I DO like it and it's got some amazing tracks (I can't imagine my Prince collection without "Dreamin' About U", "Somebody's Somebody", "Face Down", "My Computer" amongst others). However, I would LOVE to hear how these songs would have sounded with the present band line-up.

Funnily enough, I was watching the 'Rave...' DVD only a couple of days ago and was thinking exactly the same thing. I can't remember which particular song it was (maybe 'The Christ' or 'Purple Rain'?) but - with all due respect to Kirky J; I don't even play an instrument so who am I to judge? - I'm so pleased John Blackwell entered the fold. It's like watching drumming in slow motion. And no matter how essential Prince felt Kirky J was during the 1996 - 1998/9 period, I'm truly glad he's returned to the 'live', organic sound of his recent albums. There are a lot of jewels on the Emancipation album which would shine so much better if it wasn't for that 'plastic' production sound.

(I think you can draw parallels between Prince's 96-98/9 period with Stevie Wonders's 80's/90's period. Weird as this may sound - ! - sometimes, when I listen to Stevie Wonder's 80's output, I try to imagine how differently the songs would sound if he'd recorded them with Wonderlove or live instruments. Virtually everything he recorded after 'Hotter Than July' is criticised and - as much as I love Stevie - in some ways, I can see why. He wrote some FANTASTIC songs in the 80's and 90's but they suffer from those horrible 80's synthesisers that he was obsessed with. The material is great; it's just the production that's dated. If only he'd stuck with the 'live' feel of the 70's, I'm sure these records would be re-appraised. It's quite ironic how his 70's output still sounds fresher than his 80's output).

Calhoun - great topic!

(P.S. - I've never heard Bonnie Raitt's version of 'I Can't Make You Love Me' - although I hear it's beautiful - but George Michael's version IS great. Very moving).

onenitealone said:

I hear you! Notice how you can pickup an album from the 60's & 70's & the music STILL sounds good? Then you get to the 80's & 90's & shit starts to fall apart (minus Prince's 80's - mid 90's output, of course ). The plastic sound really kills the longevity of the music. Shit I used to love sounds crazy to me now, just so dated. It's sad to doom a song to an unlistenable fate (I'm talking plastic music in general, not specifically Emancipation).



Thanks And you MUST hear Bonnie's version of the song, it's very VERY nice. I'm gonna order George Michael's version - don't you hate when the ONE track you want isn't available on BuyMusic/ITunes?? But I do like George Michael, I can put that album to good use since I only have Faith on vinyl

Calhoun - agreed.

As for George Michael, he has released some superb albums! He's another of my favourite artists. As you've already got 'Faith', I'd highly recommend getting his back catalogue:

~ Listen Without Prejudice Vol 1 (the follow-up to 'Faith' and widely considered to be the quintessential GM album)

~ Older (a great, m-e-l-l-o-w album, written after the deaths of both his mother & partner)

~ Ladies & Gentlemen (a 2-disc 'Best Of' including all the hits and a few new tracks)

~ Songs From The Last Century (George's 'covers' album - not one of my particular favourites but, hey...)

~ Patience (His latest album - a few filler tracks but, otherwise, fantastic)


Anyway, if you do buy any, I'd be very interested to hear your thoughts. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Rockability said:

Actually, I already have heard Prince play piano live. He's good, but he's not what I'd consider a pianist's pianist. Hornsby's incredible on the keys in a way *just* better than prince (to me, IMHO, blah blah blah). In the same way Prince is good, but nowhere near being as tough as Renato (to me, IMHO, blah blah blah).

And, when I say that was an underwhelming, oversexed remake of a classic tune, I mean it.