kitbradley said:

If you are speaking of a musical decline (sales, voice, quality of music), I can't really think of anyone. Every artist has or will decline at some point. I don't expect anyone to stay at the top of the game forever.

Agree. The culture and fans change as well; new ideas, trends etc.

For me, it has to be Terence Trent D'Arby / Sananda Maitreya.

I'd have expected so much more out of his independence...

After Columbia Records pulled the plug, the thrill was gone.

kitbradley said:

psyche2 said:

It doesn't have anything to do with his music, but I think Johnnie Taylor is hardly ever mentioned when it comes to R&B/soul singers like others such as Otis Redding or Marvin Gaye. The only singer I've heard talking about Johnnie is Huey Lewis. JT started out in a doo wop group in the 1950s called The Five Echoes. He was also in the gospel groups Highway QCs & Soul Stirrers like Sam Cooke was. JT has more hits than Percy Sledge who has been inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame. Percy is mainly known today for 1 song.

MickyDolenz said:

RJOrion said:

SantanaMaitreya said:

RJOrion said:

he's a talented dude...but it seemed like the media would never stop with the MJ/Prince/Sam Cooke comparisons, and he never was presented as an original, or unique

And that pissed him off. He wanted to be more than a soul singer. He was influenced by classical music, Dylan and the Stones just as much as by soul music.

He actually is much more than a "soul singer". His tastes were as eclectic as can be, and it showed after the debut album. Musically, the progession of his first 4 albums is simply astonishing.

I had blind faith in his talents even on low budget, but his output from the last 20 years just don't come close to the brilliance of his early 90's albums.

Obviously Prince. I was excited about any and every new Prince track until I listened to "Emancipation". Seriously, there was something special about Prince that no other artist quite had to me. I really like "Emancipation" today but it was just too much mediocrity at the time. Lots of filler and a very generic production. For the first time Prince was boring. And this was after I was underwhelmed by "Chaoes And Distorder" and "Old Friends For Sale". I think he didn't really rebound until "3121"

psyche2 said:

alphastreet said:

whitechocolatebrotha said:

I'll go with Natalie Cole. Those dark years from 1981 - 1985 were pretty disappointing 4 me. I kept wishing and praying she'd hit the top of the charts (again), but it didn't happen really till "Jump Start." I wish she had her shit 2gether at Epic cuz they dumped her after only one album. It was rumored that she was gonna be paired up with Teena Marie (producing), but it never happened because of her downward spiral with drugs/rehab attempts.

How did you feel when she made a comeback in the 90s?

Happy New Year, alphastreet! Y'know..."Unforgettable...With Love" was AWESOME, but then it became overkill (she had 2 keep doin' duets with her father in the same fashion and then it was Jazz cover after Jazz cover.) I couldn't wait 4 her 2 actually come BACK with a bonafide R&B album and she didn't. Snowfall on the Sahara was just awful and her material continued 2 STAY awful (Leavin'.) If that wasn't bad enuff, she had 2 go out on a Spanish note! So, in answer 2 your question, I'll stay a fan of any of her works from '75 - '91 (minus Dangerous. That, 4 me, was another shitty album.)

The real comeback 4 Natalie, imho was "Everlasting." I'm also a huge fan of "I'm Ready," but that one wasn't promoted by Epic and it fell prey 2 her continued drug abuse. But STILL...a GREAT album! it was classic Natalie, but with an updated sound. Much luv! <3

whitechocolatebrotha said:

We got trolls here who hate Prince.

2freaky4church1 said:

I was very sad about the decline of Amy Winehouse. She was such a unique artrist, with real talent. She had a way of delivering a song in a way I hadn't seen or heard in decades. She was a terrific songwriter too. I love her music and wonder what about all the great music she would've given us had she lived. It's sad such a great artist is gone.

Empress said:

I was very sad about the decline of Amy Winehouse. She was such a unique artrist, with real talent. She had a way of delivering a song in a way I hadn't seen or heard in decades. She was a terrific songwriter too. I love her music and wonder what about all the great music she would've given us had she lived. It's sad such a great artist is gone.

This is the best answer on here.

psyche2 said: