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jacktheimprovident said: Yeah that was pretty long-winded I admitt, LOL. I just had a lot to say. To me it's kinda pointless as you can't really quantify the value of art or the relative value of artists. One last thing I will say though, is that no matter how prolific or eclectic an artists is, you're always gonna give a little more credit to the pioneers who came before them, even if their predecessors' body of work isn't as impressive. That's why Little Richard, Elvis presley, etc were inducted before the Beatles, that's why Ray Charles is viewed in slightly higher regard than Stevie Wonder, and it's one of the reasons I'd say Stevie Wonder is a better artists than Prince. What does any of this have to with who's more talented? I have no idea.
Comparing artists is a misguided concept, particularly when they're from different eras. Different times and different influences are at work. That's like comparing Dr. J to MJ or Babe Ruth to Hank Aaron or Barry Bonds. Bowie and Stevie would make for a "better" comparison but it's still apples and oranges. Personally, I think Stevie is a better singer and songwriter. Prince is a better musician, entertainer and is more artistic. Prince is more likely to surprise you and amaze you whereas Stevie is more likely to inspire and uplift you (you being me  ). This is just personal preference so I won't insult anybody and act like it's fact. |
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You're right, it's pointless to rank people and I like them both. I kinda disagree with you about prince being a better musician and more artistic, but once again a lot of this subjective. | |
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jacktheimprovident said: Testify Brotha  .
However, I have to disagree with you about Rick James. Prince is very clearly a superior artist to Rick James, even if he wasn't always a superior musician on every instrument. Perhaps Prince stole ideas from Rick, but Rick stole ideas from Prince too and Prince if far more prolific and eclectic, which makes a big difference when you're talking about someone with as small and unvaried an output in comparison. That being said though, Rick had some killer grooves that prince rarely if ever matched, but Prince was just more versatile. One of my favorite stories about their relationship was how they each accused the other of stealing the girl group idea from one another, when they really both stole the idea from George Clinton. Now that's a good point. I don't know why I never thought of that. George Clinton had a girl group long before Prince or Rick. Now back to the topic of Prince and Stevie Wonder. A lot of people have posted things like "what is the last great thing Stevie has done" or "when was the last time you heard something new from Stevie". The question I asked in my thread was "who do you think is more talented". Talent has nothing to do with who has more albums or who has been around longer. I agree with some of the posts I have read about Prince's influences such as James Brown, Sly Stone, and Jimi Hendrix. Prince had role models to follow....who did Stevie have to look up to? I think that's a very good point as to who is more talented or original. I haven't read up enough on Stevie to know about his influences or role models but I have never heard any mentioned. Someone is truly talented if they have no one to look up to or follow as a guide. Like I said, I haven't read up enough on Stevie to know about his influences but if he doesn't have any.....that reason alone makes him far more talented than Prince. Back to the subject of Prince still being around today and releasing current albums that sell. All that has nothing to do with talent. If Prince or Stevie both retired today, that wouldn't take anything away from their talent. Their talent is still there whether they choose to do anything with it or not. Exposure to the public also has nothing to do with talent. Public exposure is all in the way you market and advertise. For all we know, there could be some unknown artist out there still trying to get their "big break" with more talent than Prince and Stevie put together. Talent is just something you have....it has nothing to do with how popular you are or how many records you have sold. Look at today's music for example. There are artists out there that are selling millions that do not have one lick of talent. It's all a matter of who you have in your corner. Andy is a four letter word. | |
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Everyone has influences and idols. Stevie's idol of course was that other great blind piano playing "genius" (I use quotes because it isn't just an adjective, it was his stock epithet) Ray Charles. Duke Ellington would also be one of them, and perhaps you could say the Beatles and Bob Dylan.
My take is that Prince relies a little more on immitating or combining elements of his idols. Obviously he's made plenty of James Brown and Hendrix homages/immitations, as well as plenty of P-Funk, EWF or Ohio Players type stuff. I also think Prince has sounded a lot like Bowie at times. My personally favorite immitation however is 3 Chains O' Gold, which captures queen's style very well. Stevie doesn't sound a damn thing like Ray Charles, Duke Ellington, The Beatles or Bob Dylan, or at least not in as obvious ways. Even Sir Duke sounded way more like Stevie than like Duke. The only song of Stevie's I can think of analogous to 3 chains O' Gold is Master Blaster Jammin'. | |
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whodknee said: jacktheimprovident said: Yeah that was pretty long-winded I admitt, LOL. I just had a lot to say. To me it's kinda pointless as you can't really quantify the value of art or the relative value of artists. One last thing I will say though, is that no matter how prolific or eclectic an artists is, you're always gonna give a little more credit to the pioneers who came before them, even if their predecessors' body of work isn't as impressive. That's why Little Richard, Elvis presley, etc were inducted before the Beatles, that's why Ray Charles is viewed in slightly higher regard than Stevie Wonder, and it's one of the reasons I'd say Stevie Wonder is a better artists than Prince. What does any of this have to with who's more talented? I have no idea.
Comparing artists is a misguided concept, particularly when they're from different eras. Different times and different influences are at work. That's like comparing Dr. J to MJ or Babe Ruth to Hank Aaron or Barry Bonds. Bowie and Stevie would make for a "better" comparison but it's still apples and oranges. Personally, I think Stevie is a better singer and songwriter. Prince is a better musician, entertainer and is more artistic. Prince is more likely to surprise you and amaze you whereas Stevie is more likely to inspire and uplift you (you being me ). This is just personal preference so I won't insult anybody and act like it's fact.I can agree with that  | |
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How can you compare apples to oranges? Both taste good but they're different like day & night.
Hell, why even make a comparision? Leave that shit to kindergarden kids and grow the fuck up. | |
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YticEnots said:
1. Stevie Wonder has been documented as being to play every instrument he has picked up(including strings,organ,piano,synths,clavinets,harspchords,,arps,harps,harmonicas,drums,congos,timbales, & yes he can play guitar & bass
PROOF? is there any recording of stevie playing real ac/el guitar (not synth) or real bass (not synth), or whatever ton of other non-drum,non-keyboard,non-harmonica instruments to back it up? as far as i know its only a claim. whilst prince shows he plays various instruments on his records and his live shows. dont get me wrong. i love stevie. but on the multi-instrumentalist side,im trying 2 b objective on facts, not fanaticism. so ,again..dont hate me just becoz i dont include stevie on my list. but its all up 2 u 2 put whoever on ur own list. friggin' simple eh? [Edited 9/1/04 10:23am] "it's 2 o'clock in the mornin' and  just can't sleep..." | |
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vainandy said: I haven't read up enough on Stevie to know about his influences or role models but I have never heard any mentioned. Someone is truly talented if they have no one to look up to or follow as a guide. Like I said, I haven't read up enough on Stevie to know about his influences but if he doesn't have any.....that reason alone makes him far more talented than Prince.
Reality check time, Andy: EVERYBODY who ever recorded music has influences. If they didn't they wouldn't bother to get in front of that crowd to sing or pick up that instrument to play it in the first place. This post not for the wimp contingent. All whiny wusses avert your eyes. | |
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vainandy said:[quote] [/b]
who did Stevie have to look up to? I think that's a very good point as to who is more talented or original. I haven't read up enough on Stevie to know about his influences or role models but I have never heard any mentioned. Someone is truly talented if they have no one to look up to or follow as a guide. Like I said, I haven't read up enough on Stevie to know about his influences but if he doesn't have any.....that reason alone makes him far more talented than Prince. "it's 2 o'clock in the mornin' and just can't sleep..." | |
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vainandy said:[quote] [/b]
who did Stevie have to look up to? I think that's a very good point as to who is more talented or original. I haven't read up enough on Stevie to know about his influences or role models but I have never heard any mentioned. Someone is truly talented if they have no one to look up to or follow as a guide. Like I said, I haven't read up enough on Stevie to know about his influences but if he doesn't have any.....that reason alone makes him far more talented than Prince. stevie doesnt have any influence on his music? HELLOOOO?...ray charles???duke ellington?or even...BOB MARLEY? [Edited 9/1/04 11:34am] "it's 2 o'clock in the mornin' and just can't sleep..." | |
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You're joking right?
Prince is on a whole 'nother different plane .....he's UNTO himself. Let me put it to you this way...STEVIE is a great musician. PRINCE is a great musician, and so much more... Thanks for the laughs, arguments and overall enjoyment for the last umpteen years. It's time for me to retire from Prince.org and engage in the real world...lol. Above all, I appreciated the talent Prince. You were one of a kind. | |
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Yeah so much more....he's a great musician and a crappy actor  | |
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As many mentioned, Stevie is the better singer and songwriter.
So I gotta say Stevie 4 sure | |
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jacktheimprovident said: Yeah so much more....he's a great musician and a crappy actor Get it right...he's a crappy screen kisser.
But he's also... Actor Dancer Visionary Director Screenwriter Style Coordinator Money machine Businessman #1 Front man (according to spin) Bandleader Choreographer Trendsetter Singer Publicist The list can go on and on... Prince is UNTO himself...a one-man wrecking ball. Thanks for the laughs, arguments and overall enjoyment for the last umpteen years. It's time for me to retire from Prince.org and engage in the real world...lol. Above all, I appreciated the talent Prince. You were one of a kind. | |
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plenty of other musicians can claim to be all those things too, that doesn't mean they're that good at any of them or are going to be remembered for them. | |
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elmariachi said
stevie doesnt have any influence on his music? HELLOOOO?...ray charles???duke ellington?or even...BOB MARLEY? Those are very good influences for Stevie. As I said before, I have not read enough about Stevie to know about his influences. As I said in my post "if" Stevie did not have any influences..... I'm glad you told me about his influences because like I said before, I didn't know. Andy is a four letter word. | |
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Supernova said
[/quote]
Reality check time, Andy: EVERYBODY who ever recorded music has influences. If they didn't they wouldn't bother to get in front of that crowd to sing or pick up that instrument to play it in the first place. Very true. Andy is a four letter word. | |
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Prince is my boy and all, but a guy like Stevie stands alone at the top because of the content and messages he has expressed throughout his career. Stevie's songs, are by and large good for the soul and we can't say that about a majority of Prince's. I think that Prince has come to this realization himself. You can't constantly play on both sides of the line-- sinning on one hand and begging God for redemption on the other. Ask R. Kelly, Al Green, etc.
This isn't a judgment of these two men because their paths are completely different but this is how I feel about their music. Curtis Mayfield is the only artist comparable to Stevie as I see it and to say one is better than the other is impossible. |
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psykosoul said: Supernova said: Zelaira-style, I'm quoting myself for the first time ever. Although I believe that post, I've changed my mind about some of it. But I shall not say who. ` [This message was edited Mon Aug 16 23:08:29 2004 by Supernova]  Are you calling Supernova a cock?  | |
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whodknee said: Prince is my boy and all, but a guy like Stevie stands alone at the top because of the content and messages he has expressed throughout his career. Stevie's songs, are by and large good for the soul and we can't say that about a majority of Prince's. I think that Prince has come to this realization himself. You can't constantly play on both sides of the line-- sinning on one hand and begging God for redemption on the other. Ask R. Kelly, Al Green, etc.
This isn't a judgment of these two men because their paths are completely different but this is how I feel about their music. Curtis Mayfield is the only artist comparable to Stevie as I see it and to say one is better than the other is impossible. I understand your point but I will have to disagree with your statement about Prince not having a wide array of songs that are good for the soul. Good for the soul can be much larger than talking about social ills, being kind etc. The Darling Nikki's, Let's Pretend We're Married and Head's of the world are important because they give voice to feelings that all humans have. Moreover, they voice that physical gratification is a human emotion as well. Songs that challenge gender roles are important in a society with rigid gender lines like the U.S and they also help the two sexes relate better to one another. Prince challenges ideas of masculinity and he delves into the complexities of male/female relationships on a deeper level than romanticized fantasies of love. If I Was Your Girlfriend is arguably one of the most complex relationship songs ever written because he focuses on the reality of a realtionship; intimacy through communication, sharing day-to-day activities and truly understanding your partner. (Prince's songs are often written from blurred gender/sex perspectives. I think most people overlook the importance of an artist looking at love/relationships from both sides of the coin) Prince has a male vulnerability that is rarely heard in music, ie. The Ballad of Dorothy Parker, Forever In My Life, Empty Room, Train, Open Book, The Beautiful Ones, If I Was Your Girlfriend, I Hate U etc. Moreover, Prince has sensuality and his primal descriptions of the sexual act are both liberating and expressive. The aforementioned traits show his depth as a songwriter/lyricist because his execution can evoke a wide range of listener emotions. I personally love both Prince and Stevie, I think it's pointless to rank musicians because what one person deems important may be irrelevant to another. I think Stevie Wonder is a true genius of modern music, but I also think Sly Stone was just as important because he merged rock and funk together to create a new sound. Prince has my utmost respect because of his versatility and the complexity in his music. IMHO, Prince is more non-traditional than Stevie because many of his ideas come out of left field. (And yes I own and have heard Journey Through The Secret Life of Plants, the album is an anamoly in Wonder's Catalog) Someone stated earlier in the thread that Prince was nothing more than a hybrid of his influences and that they show through his music. I don't agree with that statment at all. If anything Prince synthesizes his influences into what is known as Prince. He takes elements from all forms of music and shapes it into a singular sound that is uniquely his. Songs like Three Chains of Gold are an anamoly in Prince's catalog. Prince is defined by combining completely different worlds. Dirty Mind is a prime example of his abilities. Who would dare sing falsetto over a punk/rock/funk track? The Dirty Mind album is so creative because it is essentially punk/funk/rock with a falsetto lead vocalist. Who else would come up with something as daring/creative as When Dove's Cry? The creativity of the intro to If I Was Your Girlfriend where sound effects, spoken words and music clips cover the span of a relationship. Prince made drum programming sound human, giving the complex programmed beat prominence in the music (Something In The Water, Dorothy P, It, If I Was Your Girlfriend, Hell the 1999 album). Most people focus on Prince's current jazz fascination because it is more explicit, however Prince's music has always shown a jazz sensibility. His piano work, guitar work and time keeping have a jazz foundation. Prince is also important because he gave an avant-garde perspective to black music, which is something that is not usually found in popular black culture; Prince is an alternative. (see Crystal Ball, Other's Hear With Us, Moonbeamlevels, Joy In Repetition, Sign 'O The Times/Parade Albums) Also, Prince's versatility is something that should not be understated. His albums have shown so much stylistic growth and each album usually sounds completely different from it's predecessor. Look at the changes and growth Prince made from For You through Lovesexy,contrast it with his sound today and you will notice that he is constantly evolving. Most important is Prince's self defining trait, an idea/expression that is sorely missing in non-white America or America as a whole for that matter. In the end its apples and oranges, I love and respect them both equally, but in completely different ways. [Edited 9/3/04 8:54am] | |
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This thread is stupid. It is ridiculous to compare them. Prince can do lot´s of things that Stevie can, and Prince cannot do lots of things that Stevie can. They´re both are great. THere is nothing to discuss..  |
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theVelvetRoper said: psykosoul said: Are you calling Supernova a cock?  This post not for the wimp contingent. All whiny wusses avert your eyes. | |
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DorothyParkerWasCool said: whodknee said: Prince is my boy and all, but a guy like Stevie stands alone at the top because of the content and messages he has expressed throughout his career. Stevie's songs, are by and large good for the soul and we can't say that about a majority of Prince's. I think that Prince has come to this realization himself. You can't constantly play on both sides of the line-- sinning on one hand and begging God for redemption on the other. Ask R. Kelly, Al Green, etc.
This isn't a judgment of these two men because their paths are completely different but this is how I feel about their music. Curtis Mayfield is the only artist comparable to Stevie as I see it and to say one is better than the other is impossible. I understand your point but I will have to disagree with your statement about Prince not having a wide array of songs that are good for the soul. Good for the soul can be much larger than talking about social ills, being kind etc. The Darling Nikki's, Let's Pretend We're Married and Head's of the world are important because they give voice to feelings that all humans have. Moreover, they voice that physical gratification is a human emotion as well. Songs that challenge gender roles are important in a society with rigid gender lines like the U.S and they also help the two sexes relate better to one another. Prince challenges ideas of masculinity and he delves into the complexities of male/female relationships on a deeper level than romanticized fantasies of love. If I Was Your Girlfriend is arguably one of the most complex relationship songs ever written because he focuses on the reality of a realtionship; intimacy through communication, sharing day-to-day activities and truly understanding your partner. (Prince's songs are often written from blurred gender/sex perspectives. I think most people overlook the importance of an artist looking at love/relationships from both sides of the coin) Prince has a male vulnerability that is rarely heard in music, ie. The Ballad of Dorothy Parker, Forever In My Life, Empty Room, Train, Open Book, The Beautiful Ones, If I Was Your Girlfriend, I Hate U etc. Moreover, Prince has sensuality and his primal descriptions of the sexual act are both liberating and expressive. The aforementioned traits show his depth as a songwriter/lyricist because his execution can evoke a wide range of listener emotions. I personally love both Prince and Stevie, I think it's pointless to rank musicians because what one person deems important may be irrelevant to another. I think Stevie Wonder is a true genius of modern music, but I also think Sly Stone was just as important because he merged rock and funk together to create a new sound. Prince has my utmost respect because of his versatility and the complexity in his music. IMHO, Prince is more non-traditional than Stevie because many of his ideas come out of left field. (And yes I own and have heard Journey Through The Secret Life of Plants, the album is an anamoly in Wonder's Catalog) Someone stated earlier in the thread that Prince was nothing more than a hybrid of his influences and that they show through his music. I don't agree with that statment at all. If anything Prince synthesizes his influences into what is known as Prince. He takes elements from all forms of music and shapes it into a singular sound that is uniquely his. Songs like Three Chains of Gold are an anamoly in Prince's catalog. Prince is defined by combining completely different worlds. Dirty Mind is a prime example of his abilities. Who would dare sing falsetto over a punk/rock/funk track? The Dirty Mind album is so creative because it is essentially punk/funk/rock with a falsetto lead vocalist. Who else would come up with something as daring/creative as When Dove's Cry? The creativity of the intro to If I Was Your Girlfriend where sound effects, spoken words and music clips cover the span of a relationship. Prince made drum programming sound human, giving the complex programmed beat prominence in the music (Something In The Water, Dorothy P, It, If I Was Your Girlfriend, Hell the 1999 album). Most people focus on Prince's current jazz fascination because it is more explicit, however Prince's music has always shown a jazz sensibility. His piano work, guitar work and time keeping have a jazz foundation. Prince is also important because he gave an avant-garde perspective to black music, which is something that is not usually found in popular black culture; Prince is an alternative. (see Crystal Ball, Other's Hear With Us, Moonbeamlevels, Joy In Repetition, Sign 'O The Times/Parade Albums) Also, Prince's versatility is something that should not be understated. His albums have shown so much stylistic growth and each album usually sounds completely different from it's predecessor. Look at the changes and growth Prince made from For You through Lovesexy,contrast it with his sound today and you will notice that he is constantly evolving. Most important is Prince's self defining trait, an idea/expression that is sorely missing in non-white America or America as a whole for that matter. In the end its apples and oranges, I love and respect them both equally, but in completely different ways. [Edited 9/3/04 8:54am] If there was a forum called Classic Archives on this site, that post should and would go into it. A truly epic post that gets to the heart of the matter right there.  This post not for the wimp contingent. All whiny wusses avert your eyes. | |
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Supernova said: DorothyParkerWasCool said: I understand your point but I will have to disagree with your statement about Prince not having a wide array of songs that are good for the soul. Good for the soul can be much larger than talking about social ills, being kind etc. The Darling Nikki's, Let's Pretend We're Married and Head's of the world are important because they give voice to feelings that all humans have. Moreover, they voice that physical gratification is a human emotion as well. Songs that challenge gender roles are important in a society with rigid gender lines like the U.S and they also help the two sexes relate better to one another. Prince challenges ideas of masculinity and he delves into the complexities of male/female relationships on a deeper level than romanticized fantasies of love. If I Was Your Girlfriend is arguably one of the most complex relationship songs ever written because he focuses on the reality of a realtionship; intimacy through communication, sharing day-to-day activities and truly understanding your partner. (Prince's songs are often written from blurred gender/sex perspectives. I think most people overlook the importance of an artist looking at love/relationships from both sides of the coin) Prince has a male vulnerability that is rarely heard in music, ie. The Ballad of Dorothy Parker, Forever In My Life, Empty Room, Train, Open Book, The Beautiful Ones, If I Was Your Girlfriend, I Hate U etc. Moreover, Prince has sensuality and his primal descriptions of the sexual act are both liberating and expressive. The aforementioned traits show his depth as a songwriter/lyricist because his execution can evoke a wide range of listener emotions. I personally love both Prince and Stevie, I think it's pointless to rank musicians because what one person deems important may be irrelevant to another. I think Stevie Wonder is a true genius of modern music, but I also think Sly Stone was just as important because he merged rock and funk together to create a new sound. Prince has my utmost respect because of his versatility and the complexity in his music. IMHO, Prince is more non-traditional than Stevie because many of his ideas come out of left field. (And yes I own and have heard Journey Through The Secret Life of Plants, the album is an anamoly in Wonder's Catalog) Someone stated earlier in the thread that Prince was nothing more than a hybrid of his influences and that they show through his music. I don't agree with that statment at all. If anything Prince synthesizes his influences into what is known as Prince. He takes elements from all forms of music and shapes it into a singular sound that is uniquely his. Songs like Three Chains of Gold are an anamoly in Prince's catalog. Prince is defined by combining completely different worlds. Dirty Mind is a prime example of his abilities. Who would dare sing falsetto over a punk/rock/funk track? The Dirty Mind album is so creative because it is essentially punk/funk/rock with a falsetto lead vocalist. Who else would come up with something as daring/creative as When Dove's Cry? The creativity of the intro to If I Was Your Girlfriend where sound effects, spoken words and music clips cover the span of a relationship. Prince made drum programming sound human, giving the complex programmed beat prominence in the music (Something In The Water, Dorothy P, It, If I Was Your Girlfriend, Hell the 1999 album). Most people focus on Prince's current jazz fascination because it is more explicit, however Prince's music has always shown a jazz sensibility. His piano work, guitar work and time keeping have a jazz foundation. Prince is also important because he gave an avant-garde perspective to black music, which is something that is not usually found in popular black culture; Prince is an alternative. (see Crystal Ball, Other's Hear With Us, Moonbeamlevels, Joy In Repetition, Sign 'O The Times/Parade Albums) Also, Prince's versatility is something that should not be understated. His albums have shown so much stylistic growth and each album usually sounds completely different from it's predecessor. Look at the changes and growth Prince made from For You through Lovesexy,contrast it with his sound today and you will notice that he is constantly evolving. Most important is Prince's self defining trait, an idea/expression that is sorely missing in non-white America or America as a whole for that matter. In the end its apples and oranges, I love and respect them both equally, but in completely different ways. [Edited 9/3/04 8:54am] If there was a forum called Classic Archives on this site, that post should and would go into it. A truly epic post that gets to the heart of the matter right there. I second that. This is fantastic. I do however think that there is some merit in the critical thought required to rate and rank art and artists, even as silly, superficial and arrogantly presumptuous an activity that it is most of the time. Just because achieving objectivity in art appreciation is as impossible as human perfection, it doesn't mean that you don't strive for it. And if you're striving for it, then I most certainly can learn something from your rankings, ratings, and favorite lists. And hopefully I'll be doing the same and you can learn something from my goofy lists. | |
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jacktheimprovident said: Yeah so much more....he's a great musician and a crappy actor
At least he's made a movie have u? Luminous beings are we...not this crude matter.
Is this 2morrow or just the END of time? The Funk will always b with u "I've got a face, not just my race, Bang Bang I've got you babe!" | |
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Stevie wonder has been influenced by many people, 4 goodness sakes how can any body say that he came out out fully formed without influence....hello he grew up with the GREAT Motown artists of yesteryear. That influenced him, Ray Charles, Lil Richard, Duke Ellington, Louis Jordan all of these guys influenced lil Stevie Wonder.
When he grew he was influenced by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi, but especially Sly Stone. Sly was the reigning king of music in the early seventies. Stevie is all over Sly's conkers on Music of My Mind the first of the classic Wonder albums. Love having you around is pure Stone. However the album evens out and by it's end is all Wonder but the seeds of his influences are there. Later as someone else said Marley influenced him in many ways so there u have it. Every artist is inspired and influenced by something else. There are those that rip off and those that filter, Prince aint no rip off and neither is Stevie they are both filters. Prince once again is the greatest musical talent of the past 26 years. [Edited 9/4/04 2:52am] Luminous beings are we...not this crude matter.
Is this 2morrow or just the END of time? The Funk will always b with u "I've got a face, not just my race, Bang Bang I've got you babe!" | |
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WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? THEY BOTH MAKE GREAT MUSIC.
IF YOU DIG STEVIE FINE, IF YOU DIG PRINCE FINE. NOW WHO'S TO SAY IF STEVIE WASN'T BLIND HE COULDN'T DANCE LIKE PRINCE...
IF PRINCE WAS BLIND HE PROBABLY WOULDN'T DANCE. THERE ARE SO MANY GREAT ARTIST OUT THERE WHY PLAY THEM AGAINST EACH OTHER. PRINCE IS IN A NEW ERA OF HIS CAREER. HE'S EXPERIENCING WHAT STEVIE HAS ALREADY BEEN THROUGH. | |
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Just based on how many instruments they can play, I gotta pick Prince. I guess it depends on how you define talent. But I think it's safe to say that Prince is far more driven. As great as Stevie is, he sure has slowed down a lot the last 25 years. To date, Prince shows no signs of slowing down. But I think Stevie has other interests that maybe Prince doesn't. I love 'em both but I think I'll pick Prince. I am a much bigger Prince fan, so I do have a bias. | |
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rialb said: Just based on how many instruments they can play, I gotta pick Prince. I guess it depends on how you define talent. But I think it's safe to say that Prince is far more driven. As great as Stevie is, he sure has slowed down a lot the last 25 years. To date, Prince shows no signs of slowing down. But I think Stevie has other interests that maybe Prince doesn't. I love 'em both but I think I'll pick Prince. I am a much bigger Prince fan, so I do have a bias.
I don't think Prince has slowed down, but I think maybe he should have. Prince's music since after Lovesexy, in my opinion has been endlessly recycling himself. His songs past that point all sound so damn similar to me. As I said before, Prince bores me when it's obvious that he's not doing anything new. Even in the 90s albums that everyone considers to be among his best, I've found the music to be overrated and not really anything new or exciting. You could probably say the same about James Brown, or even Stevie, or even any number of other artists, but I guess it just doesn't bother me as much with them because, even as a strong prince fan, the way he sings and what he sings about annoys me sometimes. | |
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Of course the subject is ridiculous (I mean, come on, how do you measure talent?), but let me just say one thing:
Being blind doesn't really affect a person's musical abilities. It might take you a little longer to learn to play an instrument, that's all. Some people even think that blind musicians have an advantage, since they supposedly listen better. Personally, I think there are a lot of visual things about music that can stop you from being creative. When you look at your fingers on the guitar or the piano, you tend to go to "safe" places, and play mostly things that you know, things that you've played before. So in a way, being blind might actually help you... But that's just my theory. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is: if you really must compare Stevie's talent with Prince's (or anyone else's for that matter), his blindness is really irrelevant. | |
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