I know people here have varying opinions of Mayte at this time but whatever may be the case

about how you feel about her it is amazing to go through Emancipation and count how many

songs on that album are inspired by her. He either REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, loved her or

he really, really, really thought he did. Evidence is all over the album.

Love2tha9s said:

I agree... Of course, I could tell she was 'different' in his eyes all the way back with the album. You could just tell she wasn't another toss off.

Absolutely beautiful love songs.

i think even during NEW POWER SOUL he still loved her like crazy... listen to THE ONE and look at the vid.

Although, musically.. it wasnt his best.. it was something that kept me believing he still had what kept me loving him for so many years...

I agree and I'm a big fan of this period for that reason. I call it the "Let's not PRETEND we're married" period. He dug into marriage and monogamy and all that w/ the same ferver he had back when he was into being a player. It was awesome. SLEEP AROUND, THE ONE, RIGHT BACK HERE IN MY ARMS, THE HOLY RIVER... lots of GREAT stuff, IMO.

I just saw it in the store for $5.99

Emancipation

EvilWhiteMale said:

Dude, I bought Emancipation at Media Play a few years ago for $9.99. I took it up front because I thought it was a mistake .
I still think I got the sweet end of that deal. It may be an uneven album to some, but I appreciate the effort that went into it. It's not even one of my favorite albums, but oh how I love the handful of gems that are on there.
If I only like 12-15 songs out of the 36 on there, I still only paid $9.99.

EvilWhiteMale said:

I did too. Too bad I already have a copy. Well if mine's gets scratched or something I

know I can get another one cheap.

What store has it for $5.99?

I got it for around $6 as part of a "Get 3 CDs regularly priced 9.99 for 17.99!!!" deal. Second Prince album I ever bought, and I still love it.

calioasis said:

Record Explosion


And they always overcharge for CD's.

He was definitely inspired at this time. But I think it was about what was going on in his head as much as it was about her.
I think you may be on to something when you say he thought he loved her.
She is perfect for him on paper.

Beautiful--in an extreme way
Young--she won't lose her looks until Prince is dead, or close to it.
Innocent--("the kind of girl you want to teach")
A Dancer--the perfect complement to a musician
Coffee complexion--his apparent type. it reminds him of him
A Virgin?--("not only do I want to be the first, I want to be the last")

But it didn't work in real life (can't say I really feel sorry for the lucky bastard).
Prince thought he could take this most beautiful blank slate and mold her into the perfect woman for him. He must not have realized how much of a person's personality is formed in the first few years of life.
His other big mistake was thinking that just because he might have been ready to settle down, that she would be too.
He made a go at true love (in a John & Yoko kind of way), but it always seemed a bit forced to me. Emancipation seemed like it was about him finding love, more than it was about her being that love.
The fact that he has not publicized his current relationship makes me believe it more.

EvilWhiteMale said:

In Jackson, MS it was even cheaper..

Love2tha9s said:

I already have a copy, or maybe a little more than A COPY... But it doesn't stop me from re-buying it every time I pass it in the wrecka store. I just can't turn down a good deal.

Love2tha9s said:

Yeah, I wish Mani could start some serious song inspiring. 'Call my name' doesn't even begin to compare to Disc 2 of Emancipation.

SoSaysEye said:

co sign, i think mayte had more than a disc, she had a nearly the whole album. mani just doesn't compare 2 mayte.

missfee said:

Mayte did had pretty much the entire album, but disk 2 had some amazing love songs.

I love Emancipation... and I think Prince will always be feeling Mayte... Mani has to be a little intimidated when she hears those songs

andyman91 said:

YES! perfectly stated. i sooooo agree.

I've seen it on sale for 1.50£ myself.

I bought Emancipation at Coconuts in Birmingham, AL for $4.99 just yesterday.

.
.
.
I totally agree on the Mayte inspiration factor.

.
.
None of Prince's former flames have inspired him to the great music Mayte did (except maybe Susannah) Not Carmen, Not Apollonia, no Vanitay, not Mani, not Kim Bassinger. NO ONE.

Emancipaiton CD2 is especially beautifu.

YES, he did. A lot of those lyrics are like, 'how much higher can you go'?...I this CD set, it's a lot of emotional outpour from Prince...it's a very lovely album.
[This message was edited Sat May 29 18:32:40 2004 by Starmist7]

Emancipation is funny.

It's funny that the album cover features fire, fists and the breaking of chains but what we get inside is 3 hours of mostly bland music with a production style that I can only describe as toothless.

It's funny that there is a song on there called Get yo groove on.

It's funny that a lot of people trash the song Courtin' time when it's one of the few songs on there with any personality.

Emancipation seems to be about showing the Warner folks that he can release as much music as he wants and people will buy it as opposed to showing the world that he is still capable of producing exciting ground breaking music.

As far as the Mayte stuff goes. I thought those songs were a little too literal and personal for my tastes. I used to enjoy trying to decipher what Prince was getting at with his lyrics.

SPRAKA said:

yea, this CD always falls real flat for me, everytimg i put it on it just confirms for me that i'm really not into it. I think you make an excellent point about the literal subject matter, i never thought of it like that buy you hit the nail on the head. There aren't even any layers or mystery, they are just sub par songs that are exactly what they seem to be

LAProducer said:

Differences make the world go round

friend lover sister mother wife

my father plays this for my mother everyday before he lies down and cries himself to sleep.


-HRH Gregory Alive
Using The Electric Purple