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PrintableBlaqueKnight said: I'm not sure how you define influence but many artists draw from the energy of other music. What influences one to write a song doesn't mean that the resulting song will bear any rersemblence to the song that influenced the artist. Sometimes its just a vibe that influences an artist.
You could be influenced by the stylings of an artist and that may help you write a song but the finished product could resemble a totally different influence - and that's what I'm getting at: I'm talking about the final influence and when I hear Van Hunt, although he says Prince is an influence, musically, it's not as clear as his other influences. Like I told y'all, Coltrane is one of my influences but if you listen to my music, you will not hear any music that resembles 'Trane. | |
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I think "Hot Stage Lights" is very Al Green-ish rather than Prince. | |
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chuckaducci said: BlaqueKnight said: I'm not sure how you define influence but many artists draw from the energy of other music. What influences one to write a song doesn't mean that the resulting song will bear any rersemblence to the song that influenced the artist. Sometimes its just a vibe that influences an artist.
You could be influenced by the stylings of an artist and that may help you write a song but the finished product could resemble a totally different influence - and that's what I'm getting at: I'm talking about the final influence and when I hear Van Hunt, although he says Prince is an influence, musically, it's not as clear as his other influences. Like I told y'all, Coltrane is one of my influences but if you listen to my music, you will not hear any music that resembles 'Trane. how can I hear your music? | |
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chuckaducci said: namepeace said: Prince has been listed as an influence by Van Hunt, but I hear Prince's reinterpretations of the Sly/Jimi sound in Van's sound as well. "Being A Girl" is the most obvious Princely sound on the album. Tracks 2 and 3 thing sound almost like Prince outtakes. Especially that whole colloquy in Track 2 ("If I take you home, will you write my name in a song/Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!") and the chorus of "Hot Stage Lights" (Prince braggadocio echoes in that track)
You're missing my point - again, just because you list someone as an influence doesn't mean that it's a musical one. I just checked Hunt's myspace page again and like I said earlier, he counts Thelonius Monk, Richard Pryor and Serge Gainsborough among his influences - You mean to tell me that I can expect to hear jazz and french styled pop underneath some jokes on his record? And I certainly disagree with Being A Girl and tracks 2 and 3 sounding like Prince. I've never heard Prince use a melody similar to what's heard in BAG, nor it's orchestral arrangement. What Prince song reminds you of Hot Stage Lights and that godawful and boring third track? But Van's primary influences are the same as Prince's. "No Sense of Crime" sounds like virtually everything from There's A Riot Goin' On, but if one didn't know Sly's music one would assume that the track is Princely by default. I also hear Curtis' influence more on this record. And Stevie, particularly with the ballads (on both albums).
I do agree with No Sense Of Crime sounding very much like Stone. But I hope you're not referring to my post where I stated that Hunt's debut didn't sound like Stone. I could be wrong though; if someone disagrees, point it out to me. Prince and Hunt may share some of the same influences, but I have a hard time hearing a direct Prince influence on Hunt's music. In my opinion the drums on Being A Girl are very prince like.. they sound like the drums on Nasty Girl to me. Also someone can inspire you musically in theory, the way you compose, the concept, and like someone else pointed out the vibe. I hear it. It may not be as overt as The Love Below but I can hear a Prince influence with Van Hunt. | |
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I just listened to If I Take You Home. The lyrics remind me of Dirty Mind era Prince. | |
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Something about the thrill of this love reminds me of The Sea And Cake. | |
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chuckaducci said:[quote] namepeace said: You're missing my point - again, just because you list someone as an influence doesn't mean that it's a musical one. I just checked Hunt's myspace page again and like I said earlier, he counts Thelonius Monk, Richard Pryor and Serge Gainsborough among his influences - You mean to tell me that I can expect to hear jazz and french styled pop underneath some jokes on his record? And I certainly disagree with Being A Girl and tracks 2 and 3 sounding like Prince. I've never heard Prince use a melody similar to what's heard in BAG, nor it's orchestral arrangement. What Prince song reminds you of Hot Stage Lights and that godawful and boring third track? No one's arguing on the point that an influence doesn't have to manifest itself explicitly in the music. And you might hear whatever influences are pertinent to you manifest themselves in the album simply because they register with you. You might hear Pryor's "Craps" or Monk's "Four In One" in the same song in which I hear Prince or Curtis or Camus for that matter. We disagree on whether Prince may be heard in any given song. That's okay. But I fail to see how your question is workable. You want me to compare riff for riff, melody for melody? That's not really possible, but that wasn't really the point.. I hear Prince IN the work. I hear a song in the vein of "She Spoke 2 Me," "Neon Telephone," "Crucial," "Good Love" and other tracks in BAG. The track is sparse and playful, much like many of Prince's tracks. That's just one person's opinion, and there is no right or wrong opinion in evaluating one's artistic output. In fact, artists strive for their work to be interpreted by the listener in different ways. The fact I hear something reminiscent of Prince in the work does not make the work any less the property or vision of Van Hunt any more than hearing shades of any other artist's work in Prince's music makes it any less Prince's. I meant the literal third track (HSL) not the next one, which is a ballad that kinda falls flat to my ears. Hot Stage Lights . . . I wasn't talking about the melody (though it sounds Princely or Slyly to the ears) as much as the tone of the song (the prideful, cocky protagonist v. the irresistible female object of affection). Hell, name whatever Prince song you want . . . "Shockadelica," "Little Red Corvette," etc. Using the "stage" as a metaphor for an "episode." Even the chorus: It's clear/I'm man of the year/But I won't go near/Them hot stage lights. Just one person's opinion. I do agree with No Sense Of Crime sounding very much like Stone. But I hope you're not referring to my post where I stated that Hunt's debut didn't sound like Stone. I could be wrong though; if someone disagrees, point it out to me. Prince and Hunt may share some of the same influences, but I have a hard time hearing a direct Prince influence on Hunt's music.
Nope. I was just talking about NSoC. Van Hunt the album didn't have a discernible Sly Stone-esque sound, at least to me. In fact, I heard more Stevie and a little Steely Dan in that one. You're the beholder of the music therefore your opinion isn't really wrong. Good night, sweet Prince | 7 June 1958 - 21 April 2016
Props will be withheld until the showing and proving has commenced. -- Aaron McGruder | |
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Blaque, where you at? Help a sista out! 
So I bought this album, eagerly anticipating it b/c of y'all... And I'm really good for hating something at first & then liking it later (I was pretty bored w/ Van's first album, but ended up digging it months & months later  )... So far (gulp) I'm not wowed  I will probably regret these words very soon as I continue to listen  but for now I'm really bothered by him singing off key on a lot of the songs (I'm only up to track 10). I know dude can sing, so wtf? 
Anyway, waiting for it to grow on me    I never met you, but I LOVE you & I will forever!! Thank you for being YOU - my little Princey, the best to EVER do it | |
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I noticed that, too but I quickly got over it. After quite a few spins, you'll have a favorite or two. Mine are "Hot Stage Lights", 'If I Take You home" and "Suspicion". A lot of his female fans seem to like "Being A Girl"
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 I'm gonna have to check this CD out.From the way you guys described it,I think I would like it. | |
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CalhounSq said: Blaque, where you at? Help a sista out!
So I bought this album, eagerly anticipating it b/c of y'all... And I'm really good for hating something at first & then liking it later (I was pretty bored w/ Van's first album, but ended up digging it months & months later )... So far (gulp) I'm not wowed I will probably regret these words very soon as I continue to listen but for now I'm really bothered by him singing off key on a lot of the songs (I'm only up to track 10). I know dude can sing, so wtf?
Anyway, waiting for it to grow on me i was the same way...look at my post at the start of the thread..but now i love it..and for me, if i am not impressed initially by a cd, those tend to be lifer cd's for me... Space for sale... | |
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namepeace said: No one's arguing on the point that an influence doesn't have to manifest itself explicitly in the music. And you might hear whatever influences are pertinent to you manifest themselves in the album simply because they register with you. You might hear Pryor's "Craps" or Monk's "Four In One" in the same song in which I hear Prince or Curtis or Camus for that matter.
I was making that argument because of the reaction I received when I asked people to point out a Prince musical influence on OTJF. Just because he says Prince is one of his influences, doesn't mean that it's a musical one. But it seems you get that....moving on: We disagree on whether Prince may be heard in any given song. That's okay. But I fail to see how your question is workable. You want me to compare riff for riff, melody for melody? That's not really possible, but that wasn't really the point..
It most certainly is as Kravitz's riff to "Are You Gonna Go My Way" is a rehashing of Hendrix's "Ezy Ryder's" break down. I hear Prince IN the work. I hear a song in the vein of "She Spoke 2 Me," "Neon Telephone," "Crucial," "Good Love" and other tracks in BAG. The track is sparse and playful, much like many of Prince's tracks. That's just one person's opinion, and there is no right or wrong opinion in evaluating one's artistic output.
Um, there are sets of established artistic qualities which render your last statement wrong. Nobody hails the Beatles as "the end all to be all" because they wrote ho-hum songs; there are standards in which to judge art. And again, I'm asking that your beliefs be explained - I'm not trying to be a twat but I seriously don't hear Prince off the jump when I hear Van Hunt! In fact, artists strive for their work to be interpreted by the listener in different ways. The fact I hear something reminiscent of Prince in the work does not make the work any less the property or vision of Van Hunt any more than hearing shades of any other artist's work in Prince's music makes it any less Prince's.
What kind of musical utopia are you living in? I think most artists these days could care less about how their art is interpreted - CREAM, baby. I agree with the rest of your statement 'though. Hot Stage Lights . . . I wasn't talking about the melody (though it sounds Princely or Slyly to the ears)
How so?!?!?! as much as the tone of the song (the prideful, cocky protagonist v. the irresistible female object of affection). Hell, name whatever Prince song you want . . . "Shockadelica," "Little Red Corvette," etc. Using the "stage" as a metaphor for an "episode." Even the chorus: It's clear/I'm man of the year/But I won't go near/Them hot stage lights. Just one person's opinion.
Prince does not own the artistic rights to that particular metaphor NP! What, if I were to write a song, using those same metaphors, I'd be copping Prince? That's crazy. Van Hunt the album didn't have a discernible Sly Stone-esque sound, at least to me. In fact, I heard more Stevie and a little Steely Dan in that one.
You're the beholder of the music therefore your opinion isn't really wrong. That's interesting, the Steely Dan and Stevie Wonder influences you heard. I'll have to listen to it again - I'm feeling the debut more than the recent release. There's nothing as classic as "Down Here In Hell With You" on OTJF. And everyone is entitled to an opinion, but that doesn't mean that it's uninformed. [Edited 4/25/06 12:50pm] | |
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I got both of Van Hunt's albums last week - On The Jungle Floor and the self-titled one - and both are brilliant records. At first, hardly any of the songs were catchy (on either albums), and I didn't really 'feel' too many of them. What kept me listening, though, was the throwback vibe the CD's had and the fact both albums were 'easy listening'. So I kept listening and listening...waiting for the penny to drop.
Then, bam! Within three or four spins, I was loving both of the CD's. All the songs were eventually stuck in my head, and the beauty in most of them shone through. There are a few throwaways here and there, but 90% of both albums is steller stuff. I prefer OTJF slightly because it is a tad more up-tempo and is a bit more experimental. VH's debut has a load of solid songs, but he's more or less in his comfort zone for the most of it. When he gets to OTJF he seems a little more confident and ready to let his hair down. Save for a couple of decent, but not spectacular tracks, it totally works. This guy seems to be the real deal. Both albums are really easy to listen to the whole way through with some cracking songs here and there. Favs on 'Van Hunt' - 'Hello, Goodbye', 'Anything', 'Highlights', 'Hold My Hand', Who Will Love Me In Winter'. Favs on OTJF - 'If I Take U Home','Hot Stage Lights', 'Daredevil, Baby', 'Suspicion', 'Priest Or Police', 'Character'. | |
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Channeling his inner-most Prince, Lenny, Sly AND.....RICK JAMES!!!!! I love It!!!! One of the BEST CD's of 2006 HANDS DOWN!!!!!  | |
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No one's arguing on the point that an influence doesn't have to manifest itself explicitly in the music. And you might hear whatever influences are pertinent to you manifest themselves in the album simply because they register with you. You might hear Pryor's "Craps" or Monk's "Four In One" in the same song in which I hear Prince or Curtis or Camus for that matter.
I was making that argument because of the reaction I received when I asked people to point out a Prince musical influence on OTJF. Just because he says Prince is one of his influences, doesn't mean that it's a musical one. But it seems you get that....moving on: I understood that when I started the thread. But many people have answered your challenge but you choose either to disregard or disagree. Which of course is your choice. We disagree on whether Prince may be heard in any given song. That's okay. But I fail to see how your question is workable. You want me to compare riff for riff, melody for melody? That's not really possible, but that wasn't really the point..
It most certainly is as Kravitz's riff to "Are You Gonna Go My Way" is a rehashing of Hendrix's "Ezy Ryder's" break down. "Rehash" isn't "influence." It's "Rehash." We're talking something different. I hear Prince IN the work. I hear a song in the vein of "She Spoke 2 Me," "Neon Telephone," "Crucial," "Good Love" and other tracks in BAG. The track is sparse and playful, much like many of Prince's tracks. That's just one person's opinion, and there is no right or wrong opinion in evaluating one's artistic output.
Um, there are sets of established artistic qualities which render your last statement wrong. Nobody hails the Beatles as "the end all to be all" because they wrote ho-hum songs; there are standards in which to judge art. And again, I'm asking that your beliefs be explained - I'm not trying to be a twat but I seriously don't hear Prince off the jump when I hear Van Hunt! This one made me smile. You're telling me that "established artistic qualities" can render one's opinion right or wrong in music. Okay. Let's deal with your own evaluation. Nobody hails the Beatles as "the end all to be all" because they wrote ho-hum songs
Sure about that? You may be right about the quality of their songs, but to imply that that opinion is universal based upon the "standards" you evoke is deeply misguided. In fact, artists strive for their work to be interpreted by the listener in different ways. The fact I hear something reminiscent of Prince in the work does not make the work any less the property or vision of Van Hunt any more than hearing shades of any other artist's work in Prince's music makes it any less Prince's.
What kind of musical utopia are you living in? I think most artists these days could care less about how their art is interpreted - CREAM, baby. I agree with the rest of your statement 'though. I couldn't stop laughing when I first read this, because now you're just spoiling for an argument. I seem to remember when one chuckaducci -- you ARE the same guy, right? -- lectured and berated me on a Bilal thread about how some musical artists are pure artists and DO care about their art and how it is interpreted, just one short year ago. So if I'm living in a musical utopia, I MUST be renting your old place there. Notwithstanding that I made the statement about artists in general, and not musical artists in particular, I would think that musical artists share the same goals. It would be naive to think that all musicians share that goal, but it would be naivete posing as cynicism that would cause one to believe that NO musicians share that goal (while of course wanting to make that money in the process). Hot Stage Lights . . . I wasn't talking about the melody (though it sounds Princely or Slyly to the ears)
How so?!?!?! I explained that already. Review my post again and disregard it or disagree with it if you wish. as much as the tone of the song (the prideful, cocky protagonist v. the irresistible female object of affection). Hell, name whatever Prince song you want . . . "Shockadelica," "Little Red Corvette," etc. Using the "stage" as a metaphor for an "episode." Even the chorus: It's clear/I'm man of the year/But I won't go near/Them hot stage lights. Just one person's opinion.
Prince does not own the artistic rights to that particular metaphor NP! What, if I were to write a song, using those same metaphors, I'd be copping Prince? That's crazy. Okay, chuckaducci, quit flying off the handle. Reminiscent does not mean copying. Many Prince songs evoke themes, melodies, lyrics propounded by Sly, Stevie, Al, Curtis, Joni, you name'em. But they're STILL Prince songs that may remind me of someone I've heard before. Same with Van and Prince. Van Hunt the album didn't have a discernible Sly Stone-esque sound, at least to me. In fact, I heard more Stevie and a little Steely Dan in that one.
You're the beholder of the music therefore your opinion isn't really wrong. That's interesting, the Steely Dan and Stevie Wonder influences you heard. I'll have to listen to it again - I'm feeling the debut more than the recent release. There's nothing as classic as "Down Here In Hell With You" on OTJF. And everyone is entitled to an opinion, but that doesn't mean that it's uninformed. Of COURSE everyone's entitled to an opinion. You don't hear a classic on OTJF, I hear a few potential classics (which are better judged in posterity than the present). No one should imply that anyone else's opinion is uninformed. I wouldn't do it to you or anyone else here and I'm sure you wouldn't do as such either. [Edited 4/25/06 14:18pm] Good night, sweet Prince | 7 June 1958 - 21 April 2016
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I get a Stevie vibe from Out Of The Sky on his debut, and the vocal portion of that song reminds me of Sly. Van is more of a hodgepodge artist. I don't think he intends on drawing from just one source. Therefore the influences may become less obvious. Let’s face it, if his sound was just like Prince's folks would be ripping him apart and saying that he is a complete unoriginal. Like they did with Lenny, and even Prince during the Around The World In A Day era. | |
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Bought this CD today. Great recommendation!
You can hear influences that seem to point towards hallmarks within the soul genre, but this man can write his own shit!! | |
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Every single person I've turned on to this album just keep tellin me what I knew on first listen.
"Damn, is this the best record that's come out in a long time or what?!" Like all great art it just gets better and better everytime I listen to it. On first listen I felt the first half was great and the second half lacked, then I listen again and it's like no, wait, the second half is better
Worth the $14 and when he tours I want everyone who posted to SCREAM on this board. While Prince and Van Hunt would be an awesome show I don't think Prince's ego could take it.
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CalhounSq said: Blaque, where you at? Help a sista out!
So I bought this album, eagerly anticipating it b/c of y'all... And I'm really good for hating something at first & then liking it later (I was pretty bored w/ Van's first album, but ended up digging it months & months later )... So far (gulp) I'm not wowed I will probably regret these words very soon as I continue to listen but for now I'm really bothered by him singing off key on a lot of the songs (I'm only up to track 10). I know dude can sing, so wtf?
Anyway, waiting for it to grow on me I can hear you about the singing but it's not seriously bad and I would rather a little more adventure musically than to hear shit I know he can do in his sleep like on the first album. I really dig this album a lot  You can remove the FunkyOrgangrinder but ya still got SUPAsexy! The org's original hottie  | |
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After all the love ya'll been given this brotha I had to drop my $13.00. on it.
No complaints. I do hear all the inspirations from other artist, Sly, Jimi Hendrix,Rick James, Curtis Mayfield and Prince. Right now my fave track is Character. Hits close to home. I only heard one track off his last cd so I'll go pick that up as well later. His music is refreshing. Not exactly original But It's not Garbage neither. Great Job.  | |
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Slave2DaGroove said:"While Prince and Van Hunt would be an awesome show I don't think Prince's ego could take it."
while IMO "On the Jungle Floor" TRUMPS "3121" on most levels, Van Hunt couldnt hold a candle to Prince live come on now.. [Edited 4/29/06 10:45am] | |
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LoveAlive said: Slave2DaGroove said:"While Prince and Van Hunt would be an awesome show I don't think Prince's ego could take it."
while IMO "On the Jungle Floor" TRUMPS "3121" on most levels, Van Hunt couldnt hold a candle to Prince live come on now.. [Edited 4/29/06 10:45am] I don't think anyone was implying that he could. If they had a show together, I would think Van Hunt would be opening for Prince. I think what was being implied is that Prince probably couldn't stand to see his own fans enjoying someone else's music so much. | |
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BlaqueKnight said: LoveAlive said: Slave2DaGroove said:"While Prince and Van Hunt would be an awesome show I don't think Prince's ego could take it."
while IMO "On the Jungle Floor" TRUMPS "3121" on most levels, Van Hunt couldnt hold a candle to Prince live come on now.. [Edited 4/29/06 10:45am] I don't think anyone was implying that he could. If they had a show together, I would think Van Hunt would be opening for Prince. I think what was being implied is that Prince probably couldn't stand to see his own fans enjoying someone else's music so much. LOL! U really think that? | |
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LoveAlive said: BlaqueKnight said: I don't think anyone was implying that he could. If they had a show together, I would think Van Hunt would be opening for Prince. I think what was being implied is that Prince probably couldn't stand to see his own fans enjoying someone else's music so much. LOL! U really think that? Congradulations, you've just passed Condescension 101. I'm sure your parents are soooo proud.  | |
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BlaqueKnight said: LoveAlive said: LOL! U really think that? Congradulations, you've just passed Condescension 101. I'm sure your parents are soooo proud. they're proud.. now for my speech... | |
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what the hell is so special about Van Hunt???!! Straight Jacket Funk Affair
Album plays and love for vinyl records. | |
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FINALLY got this CD, and... wow. It's really really really good. | |
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Alright guys, it's growing on me  My fave so far is "Daredevil, Baby" 
I don't think it's song for song BUT every spin makes me feel like I'm hearing some songs for the first time which is strange 
Hot Stage Lights is a grower, Mean Sleep is nice, Character, No Sense of Crime, At The End of a Slow Dance, The Thrill of This Love... it's a keeper for sure I never met you, but I LOVE you & I will forever!! Thank you for being YOU - my little Princey, the best to EVER do it | |
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