I really hope I come to love this album coz it cost me 29 euro and I've been trying to find it for months.

How highly is it rated amongst Prince fans? I'm listening to it right now... absolutely love Fire & Desire and Give It To Me Baby. Not sure about Mr. Policeman though.

Is the live disc any good? Was Prince opening for Rick James at around that time?
[Edited 12/1/04 17:08pm]

I absolutly love the album,& that livealbum
is the bomb!!!! Such an energetic & funky show.
This was the peak in Rick James career,1981.
Prince opened 4 him 1979/80.
/peace Manki

'Street Songs' is a funk/R&B classic.It's Rick James' masterpiece,and it was one of those albums that totally dominated the airwaves in 1981.There is no filler on this disc,and there are numerous highlights...the New-Wave-styled "Super Freak" is alot of fun..."Give It To Me Baby" boasts one of the most memorable basslines in history..."Call Me Up" is an underrated funk jam...tracks like "Ghetto Life" and the reggae-styled "Mr.Policeman" bring a little social commentary into the mix....the two slow jams "Fire And Desire" and "Make Love To Me" are superb.And the album closes with "Below The Funk (Pass The J)",another hot jam that sizzles.


The live disc is EXPLOSIVE! An amazing performance! It was recorded in July 1981,and it even features Teena Marie coming out and doing a few songs.

DavidEye said:

EXPLOSIVE! was the word I was looking 4 lol.
When I heard that intstrumental intro 2 that show I was knocked 2 the
ground.Say David,have U checked out the superballad
Spacey love yet?
/peace Manki

manki said:

I sure did,and it is incredible

This is an excellent deluxe edition for the rare 12 Inch of "Super Freak" alone. I had been looking for that for years and couldn't even find it when it was popular.

The live disc is great too. This was when Rick James was at the very top. Only one complaint though, there should have been a live version of "Fire and Desire" with Rick James and Teena Marie. That would have really made the disc perfect.
[Edited 12/2/04 2:47am]

So you finally got your hands on "Spacey Love". Isn't that a great slow jam? It's one of my all time favorites along with "Hollywood".

vainandy said:

I'm surprised that they didn't include "Fire And Desire".On that tour,Rick and Teena performed a 20-minute (!) encore version of that song every night,and it was considered one of the highlights.

I had wondered if the reason the song was not included on the disc was because it wasn't performed on the tour and later became a classic song. I guess Motown figured 20 minutes would have taken up too much disc.

Now that Rick is gone, hopefully Motown will release some more of Rick's live music and include "Fire and Desire".

vainandy said:

Motown aint releasin' jackshit Rick's estate owns the masters now

I wonder if Motown were actually planning to release that "Live" album back then? Perhaps just in time for Christmas 1981? It would have been a 2-record set.

"Ghetto Life" is my shit

CalhounSq said:

TheRealFiness said:

"It's strange,the gossip is so tragic
they call me a faggot
and me and all my women laugh at that"

DavidEye said:

pure fuckin Genius..I miss Rick

TheRealFiness said:

Me too

[quote]

I read in another thread how little money was left in his estate. I guess we will be hearing more from Rick since they need the money.

I have the double disc as well and that intro on the "live" cd literally blew me away. His horn section was off the chains the entire show. Square Biz sound just like the vinyl. On of my fav. tracks was You and I, the intro was sick! Spacey Love is my all time fav. Rick James ballad, and coming in close second is O What A Night. I'm hoping they (Motown/Universal, whoever) releases at least one live concert.

Very cool special edition cd. I even keep it with my Prince stuff.Classic!

This album is fucking amazing, and deserves to rank up there with the very best#

Pass the Joint & Ghetto Life- Shit Hot

I'm really enjoying the album after a few listens, particularly the live disc. Reminds me more of James Brown than Prince though. I had expected more of a Prince similarity.

My first Rick James album (I just bought him for the first time last year

Ghettooo LAAAAAIIFE!!!



Get Cold Blooded next.... for..

P.I.M.P. the S.I.M.P. and Ebony Eyes alone

I've wanted this one for years. It's on my Christmas list now!

There are very little similarities of Prince and Rick James other than both had shocking images in their prime. Both artists are extemely talented with a style all their own.