Prince (1)Reseñas

I first gave this three stars after listening to the audiobook which was an entirely fine production. I've read reviews that say the editor takes up too much space in the first third of the book, and I agree. After getting the hard copy from my library, I'm adding another extra star! The archival goods and eccentricities of Prince's personal writings add a more personal and tangible dimension to this semi-autobiography. The digitization of some of the photos and ephemera are so crisp it felt like I could pick them up off the page. I'd highly recommend the print experience in addition to or instead of the audio experience.

The intro by Piepenbring had a confusing format that made it hard to follow along. It was well-written but the way it jumped into larger font size was just weird and disrupted the flow a couple times. Otherwise, it provided insight to what it was like working with Prince.

I'm on the fence about whether or not those close to Prince should have contributed to the book or if it should have included more interviews rather than the snippets that caption the photographs. The intention was for it to be Prince's own words. I was delighted to see his own writing in the photographs and thought that was a wonderful addition.

Reading in interviews with Piepenbring, the point of the book was to feel Prince's absence. Which, yes, while reading it I thought how good the book could have been if Prince was able to see it through completion. That's not an easy shadow to live in, even for a book.

Don't waste your time! Pointless, boring, maddening...

I grabbed the audio for this but ended up checking the book out because I really wanted to see all the photos in it. I was never a huge Prince fan but I enjoyed his music and the first part of the book gives you a bit of an outsider looking in on the life of Prince before he died. He was working with Dan Piepenbring to write his autobiography and there are some parts of this that talk about his early years. There is a section that covers the development of Purple Rain. I think it would have been better if the publisher did the book in a larger format to take advantage of the larger format for all the reproductions of the handwritten pages reproduced in here. The bits at the end of excerpts of past interviews with photos tries to give a bit more of his insights about his lift that wasn’t written down.

1-1 Jam Of The Year
Saxophone [Sax] – Walter Chancellor, Jr.
Tenor Saxophone [Tenor], Flute – Eric Leeds
Vocals [Additional Vox] – Rosie Gaines
6:10
1-2 Right Back Here In My Arms
Vocals [Vox Sample By] – The Poet 99
4:43
1-3 Somebody's Somebody
Written-By [Written With] – Brenda Lee Eager, Hilliard Wilson
4:43
1-4 Get Yo Groove On
Baritone Saxophone [Baritone Sax] – Eric Leeds
Bass – Rhonda S.*
Vocals [Additional Vox] – Girl!, Kat Dyson*, Montalbo Stewart, Rhonda S.*
6:31
1-5 Courtin' Time 2:46
1-6 Betcha By Golly Wow
Written-By – Linda Creed, Thomas Randolph Bell*
3:31
1-7 We Gets Up
Bass – Rhonda S.*
Horns – Brian Lynch, Eric Leeds
4:18
1-8 White Mansion
Voice Actor [Bold Girl] – Janice Garcia
4:47
1-9 Damned If I Do
Arranged By [Hornz Arranged By] – Michael B. Nelson*, The Artist (Formerly Known As Prince)
Voice Actor [Spanish By] – Friend (11), Janelle*
5:21
1-10 I Can't Make U Love Me
Fretless Bass – Rhonda S.*
Keyboards [Additional Keys] – Todd Burrell
Saxophone [Sax] – Eric Leeds
Written-By – James Allen Shamblin*, Michael Barry Reid*
6:37
1-11 Mr. Happy
Performer [Sample From 'What Can I Do' Performed By] – Ice Cube
Rap – Scrap D.
Written-By [Sample From 'What Can I Do' Written By] – Artur Ross*, Ice Cube, Leon Ware, Mychal-Kaye Simmons, Victor Nathan Taylor
4:46
1-12 In This Bed I Scream 5:40
2-1 Sex In The Summer
Bass – Rhonda S.*
Guitar [Dirty Guitar] – K Dyson*
Horns [Hornz] – Eric Leeds
Piano – Ricky Peterson
5:57
2-2 One Kiss At A Time 4:41
2-3 Soul Sanctuary
Lyrics By [Lyric Co-Written By] – Sandra St. Victor
4:41
2-4 Emale
Guitar – K. Dyson*
Horns [Hornz] – Brian Lynch, Eric Leeds
3:38
2-5 Curious Child 2:57
2-6 Dreamin' About U
Bass – Rhonda S.*
Guitar – K. Dyson*
Saxophone [Sax] – Eric Leeds
3:52
2-7 Joint 2 Joint
Performer [Driver Played By] – HM Buff*
Scratches – Michael Mac
Tap Dance [Special Tap Performance] – Savion Glover
Voice Actor [Spoken Word By] – The Poet 99
7:52
2-8 The Holy River 6:55
2-9 Let's Have A Baby 4:07
2-10 Saviour
Keyboards [Additional Keys] – Ricky Peterson
5:48
2-11 The Plan 1:47
2-12 Friend, Lover, Sister, Mother / Wife
Vocals [Additional Vox] – Kathleen Bradford, Rhonda Johnson
7:37
3-1 Slave 4:51
3-2 New World 3:43
3-3 The Human Body
Programmed By [Additional Programming By] – Cesar Sogbe, Joe Galdo
5:42
3-4 Face Down
Voice [Vox Sample By] – The Poet 99
3:17
3-5 La, La, La Means I Love U
Guitar – Mike Scott (7)
Vocals [Additional Vox] – Chanté Moore
Written-By – Thomas Randolph Bell*, William Hart
3:59
3-6 Style
Horns [Additional Hornz] – Brian Lynch, Eric Leeds
Performer [Contains A Sample Of 'Atomic Dog' As Performed By] – George Clinton
Saxophone [Sax Solo], Soloist [Sax Solo] – Walter Chancellor Jr.*
Voice [Jobless Pothead By] – Azifwekaré
Voice [Shouts By] – Michael Mac, Scrap*, Smooth G.
Written-By [Contains A Sample Of 'Atomic Dog' Written By] – David Lee Spradley*, Garry Marshall Shider*, George Clinton Jr.*
6:40
3-7 Sleep Around
Performer [Contains A Replay Section From 'Squibcakes' As Performed By] – Tower Of Power
Programmed By [Additional Programming By] – Cesar Sogbe, Joe Galdo
Written-By [Contains A Replay Section From 'Squibcakes' Written By] – Chester Thompson (2)
7:42
3-8 Da, Da, Da
Rap – Scrap D.
5:15
3-9 My Computer
Vocals [Additional Vox] – Kate Bush
4:37
3-10 One Of Us
Backing Vocals [Backing Vox] – Mayte
Written-By – Eric M. Bazilian*
5:19
3-11 The Love We Make
Guitar – K. Dyson*
4:39
3-12 Emancipation 4:12

Prince– Controversy
Backing Vocals – Lisa*
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince
3:36
2 Prince– Dirty Mind
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince
Synthesizer – Dr. Fink
Written-By – Dr. Fink, Prince
3:49
3 Prince– I Wanna Be Your Lover
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince
2:58
4 Prince– Head
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince
Synthesizer – Dr. Fink
Vocals – Lisa Coleman
4:43
5 Prince– Do Me, Baby
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince
3:57
6 Prince– Delirious
Backing Vocals – Lisa*
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince
2:39
7 Prince– Little Red Corvette
Guitar [Guitar Solos], Soloist [Guitar Solos] – Dez*
Lead Vocals [Co-lead Vocals] – Dez*, Lisa*
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince
4:56
8 Prince And The Revolution– I Would Die 4 U
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince And The Revolution
2:56
9 Prince And The Revolution– Raspberry Beret
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince And The Revolution
3:32
10 Prince– If I Was Your Girlfriend
Lead Vocals – Camille (3)
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince
3:46
11 Prince And The Revolution– Kiss
Arranged By – David Z.
Producer, Composed By, Performer – Prince And The Revolution
Voice [Background Voice] – Mazarati
3:46
12 Prince– Peach 3:48
13 Prince– U Got The Look
Drums, Percussion – Sheila E*
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince, Sheena Easton
Vocals – Camille (3)
3:47
14 Prince And The New Power Generation– Sexy M.F.
Composed By – Levi Seacer, Jr.*, Prince, Tony M.
Producer, Arranged By, Performer – Prince, The New Power Generation
5:26
15 Prince And The New Power Generation– Gett Off
Flute – Eric Leeds
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince, The New Power Generation
4:30
16 Prince And The New Power Generation– Cream
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince, The New Power Generation
4:13
17 Prince– Pope
Lead Vocals [Co-lead Vox] – Mayte
3:29
18 Prince And The Revolution– Purple Rain
Arranged By [Strings Arranged By] – Lisa*, Prince
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince And The Revolution
8:40

1 I Wanna Be Your Lover
Engineer – Gary Brandt
Engineer [Assistant] – Mark Ettel
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince
Remix – Bob Mockler, Prince
2:57
2 1999
Engineer [2nd] – Don Batts
Lead Vocals [Co-Lead Vocals] – Dez*, J.J.*, Lisa*
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince
Recorded By, Mixed By – Peggy McCreary
3:37
3 Little Red Corvette
Engineer [2nd] – Don Batts
Lead Vocals [Co-Lead Vocals] – Dez*, Lisa*
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince
Recorded By, Mixed By – Peggy McCreary
Soloist [Guitar Solos] – Dez*
4:56
4 When Doves Cry
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince
Recorded By – David Leonard, Peggy Mac*
3:48
5 Let's Go Crazy
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince And The Revolution
Recorded By – David Leonard, Susan Rogers
4:40
6 Purple Rain
Arranged By [Strings] – Lisa*, Prince
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince And The Revolution
Recorded By – David Leonard, David Rivkin
8:40
7 I Would Die 4 U
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince And The Revolution
Recorded By – David Leonard, David Rivkin
2:56
8 Raspberry Beret
Engineer – David Leonard, David Tickle, Prince, Susan Rogers
Mixed By – Prince
Mixed By [Assistant] – Susan Rogers
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince And The Revolution
Recorded By – Susan Rogers
3:32
9 Kiss
Arranged By – David Z.
Backing Vocals – Mazarati
Producer, Composed By, Performer – Prince And The Revolution
Recorded By – Coke Johnson, David Leonard, David Tickle, David Z., Peggy Mac*, Susan Rogers
3:46
10 Sign 'O' The Times
Engineer – Coke Johnson, Prince, Susan Rogers
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince
3:43
11 U Got The Look
Drums, Percussion – Sheila E*
Engineer – Coke Johnson, Prince, Susan Rogers
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer [With] – Sheena Easton
Vocals – Camille (3)
3:47
12 Alphabet St.
Bass, Vocals – Levi Seacer, Jr.*
Brass, Vocals – Atlanta Bliss, Eric Leeds
Computer, Keyboards – Dr. Fink
Drums, Percussion, Vocals – Sheila E*
Guitar, Vocals – Miko*
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince
Recorded By – Eddie Miller, Joe Blaney, Prince
Vocals, Organ [Hammond] – Boni Boyer
5:39
13 Thieves In The Temple
Mixed By – Prince
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince
Recorded By – Michael Koppelman, Tom Garneau
3:20
14 Gett Off
Engineer [2nd] – Ray Hahnfeldt, Steve Noonan
Flute – Eric Leeds
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince, The New Power Generation
Recorded By – Michael Koppelman
4:31
15 Cream
Engineer [2nd] – Tim Penn*
Mixed By – Keith Cohen
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince, The New Power Generation
Recorded By – Michael Koppelman
4:13
16 Diamonds And Pearls
Engineer [2nd] – Tim Penn*
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince, The New Power Generation
Recorded By, Mixed By – Michael Koppelman
4:20
17 Money Don't Matter 2 Night
Engineer [2nd] – Tim Penn*
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince, The New Power Generation
Recorded By, Mixed By – Michael Koppelman
4:47

uhh this is mostly the story of one young white man's tragic big-break-that-could-have-been then about 30 handwritten pages that prince almost certainly would have wanted to edit. what's good is one of prince's scrapbooks from when he was 19 & of course loads of other pictures of prince who would honestly look hot in a burlap sack rapidly rolling down the side of a mountain. it's a big marketing scam but a great way to hide that is of course to show somebody so many pictures of prince they're foaming at the mouth & smashin that Life Alert button w/ abandon. maybe don't give these people any more money since they're doin some spiritual organ harvesting w/ this one...

Prince, elusive, mysterious, and to a lot of western journalists, sexual, which partly is the problem with this collection of interviews; don’t let the title and subtitle fool you: this is a collection of interviews and an introduction by Hanif Abdurraqib.

From the introduction, by Abdurraqib:

Reading these interviews now is to see just how much Prince adhered to this type of negotiation. Not included here are several interviews where Prince barely offered up more than one-sentence answers, and even in the more substantial interviews this collection gathers, interviewers clearly had to work to get Prince into an actual dialogue, sometimes with wince-inducing results. In an interview for Q Magazine in 1994, when pushed on a question about why sex was such a dominant theme in his work (the interviewer insisted that “Come,” the title track of his then newest album, had to be about orgasm), Prince responds: “Is it? That’s your interpretation? Come where? Come to whom? Come for what? [laughs] That’s just the way you see it. It’s your mind.”

Prince was old-school. I love this recollection:

For a lascivious figure, he followed for much of his life (and up to a point) the strict orthodoxy of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. No alcohol or drugs; he didn’t even swear. On Twitter, Talib Kweli recounted the story about DJing gangsta rap at a party that Prince had attended. He approached Kweli to tell him: “I ain’t get dressed up to come out and hear curses.”

I also must add this, which is something:

Also mysterious was how, in one performance of “My Guitar Gently Weeps” with Tom Petty for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, he finished an astounding solo by throwing his guitar up into the rafters. It never came back down.

Regardless of the above, after the introduction, the interviews flow in chronological order. It’s sweet to see a magazine from Minneapolis draw this out:

Prince plays by ear. “I’ve had about two lessons, but they didn’t help much. I think you’ll always be able to do what your ear tells you, so just think how great you’d be with lessons also,” he said. “I advise anyone who wants to learn guitar to get a teacher unless they are very musically inclined. One should learn all their scales too. That is very important,” he continued.

This one’s quite sweet as well:

SCHWARTZ: Are there any records of the last few months or year that struck you as particularly exciting or special?

PRINCE: I wish there was, but I guess if there were we wouldn’t be in the slump we are in the music business.

What strikes me as one of Prince’s most lovely aspects in handling stupid, non-researched, and tabloidish questions, is how he turned them into gold. This quote is inspirational:

SCHWARTZ: How about your stage show? Like don’t you think you look a little silly to some people when you’re up there in a jockstrap?

PRINCE: Maybe to people who only read about it, but I think the people who come to see it already expect it and wanna get into that [i.e., his underpants]. I’ve gotten a lot of criticism from outsiders, but once they see the show they understand why I wear what I wear. The show’s real athletic and we run around a lot. and I have to be real comfortable. The decision was left up to me, and when I thought about what I was most comfortable in, it’s what I sleep in . . . I just can’t stand clothes.

The man went from “don’t you think you look a little silly?” to completely leaving the interviewer, as it were, in a state of undress, by stating that he doesn’t stand clothes? Again, I must state that Prince was an interview alchemist.

This, from a live TV interview, is also brilliant:

FARGNOLI: Speaking of movies, when and how did you first get the idea for Purple Rain? Did you really spend a year or so taking notes in a purple notebook, like some people have said?

PRINCE: Yes.

I also dig this quote:

PRINCE: James Brown played a big influence in my style. When I was about ten years old, my stepdad put me on stage with him, and I danced a little bit until the bodyguard took me off. The reason I liked James Brown so much is that, on my way out, I saw some of the finest dancing girls I ever seen in my life. And I think, in that respect, he influenced me by his control over his group. Another big influence was Joni Mitchell. She taught me a lot about color and sound, and to her, I’m very grateful.

As Abdurraqib writes in his introduction, it’s easy to spot the points where Prince reacts to insipid, vapid, and stupid interviewers:

DEEVOY: What happens in your life when you’re not doing music?

THE ARTIST: [Hikes, eyebrows, looks incredulous] When I’m not doing music?

DEEVOY: Do you have a life outside of your work?

THE ARTIST: Yes.

DEEVOY: And what does that involve?

THE ARTIST: [Pinteresque pause] Have you never read about me? I’m a very private person.

DEEVOY: I’m not prying, I’m just interested.

THE ARTIST: I know. I understand.

His words on vegetarianism are laudable; I dig the last part of the first paragraph in this quote:

Mayte cooks for us. She’s always trying new things. The wonderful thing about vegetarianism is there is no favorite dish because there is no addiction. Non-vegetarians always speak about their favorite because it usually involves something artificial or something that doesn’t belong in them. Ah, the universe keeps expanding!

Compassion is an action word with no boundaries. It is never wasted. To eat a tomato and then replant it for your nutrition as opposed to killing a cow or a pig for your meal is reducing the amount of suffering in the world. Besides, pigs are too cute to die.

Here’s another part, from the same interview as the above, that fascinates me:

CENSOR: Do you worry that fans of your music might be put off by the message of songs like “Animal Kingdom” or by the public declaration of your vegetarianism?

THE ARTIST: Fan is short for “fanatic.” I call my supporters “friends.” My friends are very forward-thinking individuals. I’m not sure how many are meat eaters but soon all will know the consequences of a barbarian lifestyle. It’s called karma! My music is dictated by the spirit. Not worrying about people’s reaction is what has sustained me. I believe.

The man was early on Internet, describing the inevitable death of record companies. Here, he speaks with some Yahoo! Internet interviewer, in 1997:

GREENMAN: Are there any sites that you think are especially good?

THE ARTIST: Love 4 One Another. I also like the news section on AOL.

GREENMAN: Are there any sites that you think are especially bad?

THE ARTIST: Bad is not a word I use unless I am describing a fine girl.

GREENMAN: Since you broke with Warner Bros., you’ve explored alternatives to traditional distribution. Do you have any plans to sell your music directly to consumers via the Net?

THE ARTIST: Yes. NPG Records will sell as well as give away a lot of new and old music over the internet in the not-toodistant future.

GREENMAN: Will record labels eventually disappear?

THE ARTIST: The writing is on the wall. Other souls were successful in their divide-and-conquer approach 4 a while. But now that we communicate with each other on a worldwide basis, the need 4 an “in4mation censor” is no longer a reality. The process of manufacturing and delivering music 2 a “friend” is not brain surgery.

Towards the later part of his life, he had an all-female band (bar himself, of course).

Prince specifically wanted a female band, seeking out members via YouTube—back in 2010, he had discovered Nielsen on MySpace. “We’re in the feminine aspect now,” he says. “That’s where society is. You’re gonna get a woman president soon. Men have gone as far as they can, right? . . . I learn from women a lot quicker than I do from men . . . At a certain point, you’re supposed to know what it means to be a man, but now what do you know about what it means to be a woman? Do you know how to listen? Most men don’t know how to listen.”

I dig some of his weird conspiracy theories thrown in:

He has thoughts on the JFK assassination (“The car slows down—why doesn’t it speed up?”); AIDS (“It’s rising in some communities, and it’s not rising in others—any primate could figure out why”); and the airplane trails known in some circles as chemtrails (“Think about where they appear, why they appear, how often and what particular times of the year”).

Regardless of how I loathe Chris Brown for his sexism, abuse of women, and homophobia, it’s still quite easy to get why Prince says the following:

He mentions a desire to mentor Chris Brown, says he invited him to Paisley Park. I note that some people think what Brown did to Rihanna was unforgivable. He’s shocked. “Unforgivable?” he says. “Goodness. That’s when we go check the master, Christ . . . Have you ever instantly forgiven somebody?” I shake my head. “It’s the best feeling in the world, and it totally dismantles that person’s whole stance.”

He talks more about mentoring and helping peers, so I wonder aloud if he thinks he could’ve forestalled Michael Jackson’s fate. “I don’t want to talk about it,” Prince says at first. “I’m too close to it.” He goes on: “He is just one of many who have gone through that door—Amy Winehouse and folks. We’re all connected, right, we’re all brothers and sisters, and the minute we lock that in, we wouldn’t let anybody in our family fall. That’s why I called Chris Brown. All of us need to be able to reach out and just fix stuff. There’s nothing that’s unforgivable.”

During his last published interview:

Nevertheless, it’s turning out to be harder to ask questions than you might think. Prince is seated at a microphone behind a keyboard, which he keeps playing. This is quite disconcerting: if he doesn’t like a question, he strikes up with the theme from The Twilight Zone and shakes his head.

Brilliant.

There’s a lot of weirdness left after the book is read, but this is—I feel—from the dregs of interviews that weren’t conducted properly. The naïvité of the first interview is just sweet, but the most sensationalistic stuff…I gather that Prince graciously put up with that to get through the day.

I’ll leave you with a part from the very last interview, that wraps things up fairly lovely:

Last night, he says, he sat here alone, after everyone else had gone home, and played and sang for three hours straight. “I just couldn’t stop,” he says. He’d got “in the zone . . . like an out-of-body experience”: it felt like he was sitting in the audience watching himself. “That’s what you want. Transcendence. When that happens”—he shakes his head—“Oh, boy.”

The Beautiful Ones
by Prince, Dan Piepenbring
2019
Spiegel & Grau
4.0 / 5.0

This is the memoir Prince was working on, at the time of his death. Never before seen photos, pages from Prince's personal scrapbook and sheets of his lyrics, handwritten. Printed on thick, glossy stock, this is a lush and gorgeous tribute. The first 50 pages are Dan Piepenbring explaining how he was chosen by Prince to edit his memoir, and his short time collaborating with Prince, before his untimely death.

The Beautiful Ones refer to eyes, like his mothers, who Prince seems to look up to, and love deeply. With many insightful passages and quotes from Prince, this is a memoir that will make you feel, somehow, closer to the mystery known as Prince.

I did enjoy this but, maybe because it was never really finished by Prince, it has a disjointed and rushed feel. Essential for fans, and a great read for the rest!

I enjoyed this. It helps to know on the front end what you are getting or at least go in with an open mind. This book couldn't be what it was supposed to be for obvious reasons. But it turned out to be a good (albeit short) read and has great pictures and end notes.

Totally worth it, though there isn't much here.

Prince left us with only a few chapters of what was to become his memoir.

He had big plans for his book which aren't realised here, but I'm glad we get to see what he had written, and I'm glad I decided to get the hardback dead-tree edition as I believe it is the best way to present the large number of photos, of Prince and many of his handwritten prose, which (along with quotes from various interviews) make up the bulk of this work.

Absolutely worth reading for fans, just know that what is here is sadly incomplete.

The Beautiful Ones is an essential deep read for Prince fans (for the disinterested, a quick look at the pictures will do), a monologue from a unique artist who was always determined to shock and pleasure the world. Here, finally, Prince Rogers Nelson surrenders his vaunted privacy and gives away some secrets. Dan Piepinbring (who should be given a bigger credit here) began editing the manuscript only a few months before Prince’s tragic, premature death, and in the aftermath was given free rein in Paisley Park to search out additional material to fulfill the publishing contract. He also adds a critical introduction explaining how their collaboration came about, and muses on how Prince’s compulsion to create new art had faded as he revisited his earlier works, purifying and stripping them bare, generating the posthumous album and his final solo tour, Piano & A Microphone.

This is an amusing and revealing story, brimming with childhood memories, photos, drawings, handwritten song lyrics to "1999" and "Little Red Corvette", scrapbooks from the early '70s, and his initial 1982 outline for what would become the film Purple Rain. If Prince had lived, this might have been the first of many volumes - or maybe he would have gotten bored and left only this as his singular non-musical legacy (think Dylan and his Chronicles Volume One). If he had been having fun pulling aside the curtain on his remarkable career, we might have learned how he learned how to play so many instruments so magnificently; how Minneapolis kept him anchored and sane; how he felt about collaborations with Misty Copeland, Morris Day, Sheila E, Chaka Khan, his bands – and so much more.

Prince's soundtrack to the Prince musical about Prince.

4/4 (Great).

I'm not a fan of most Prince music, but every now and then he deigned to write a commercial pop song and it would be amazing. In the case of Purple Rain, he did that for an entire album.½

The church parade march
Performed by the Prince's orchestra

Cylinder Preservation and Digitization Project
Department of Special Collections
Donald C. Davidson Library, University of California, Santa Barbara

Product Details

* Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
* Original Release Date: July 6, 1987
* Number of Discs: 2
* Label: Warner Bros / Wea
* Catalog Number: 25577
* ASIN: B000002LBM
* Also Available in: Audio Cassette | LP Record
* Average Customer Review: based on 136 reviews. (Write a review.)
* Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,781 in Music (See Top Sellers in Music)
Yesterday: #5,926 in Music

Listen to Samples
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Disc: 1 Windows Media RealOne Player
1. Sign 'O' The Times Listen
2. Play In The Sunshine Listen
3. Housequake Listen
4. Ballad Of Dorothy Parker Listen
5. It Listen
6. Starfish and Coffee Listen
7. Slow Love Listen
8. Hot Thing Listen
9. Forever In My Life Listen
Disc: 2 Windows Media RealOne Player
1. U Got The Look Listen Listen
2. If I Was Your Girlfriend Listen Listen
3. Strange Relationship Listen Listen
4. I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man Listen Listen
5. The Cross Listen Listen
6. It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Night Listen
7. Adore Listen
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
It begins with the insistent drip-drop of a sequencer and ends with some old school R&B. In between, the artist who was still calling himself Prince unfurls an encyclopedia of moods, genres, and grooves. Widely heralded as a groundbreaker in 1987, when it was released, some of the music in oh-so-'80s synths sounds a bit dated. Yet this two-CD set is clearly the sound of a performer at the height of his power. On songs like the title track, "If I Was Your Girlfriend," and the thunderous "The Cross," Prince proves why the hype was justified. --Amy Linden
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23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
Brilliant Album Overflowing With Genius, October 20, 2000
Reviewer: Marq (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
I have no idea what the guy who called this album "Un-genius like" is talking about. The music on this album is overflowing with genius, style, and creativity. Before this album no-one had ever used a synthesizer and Linn-Drum Computer to the perfection that Prince did on the tracks "If I Was Your Girlfriend", and "The Ballad Of Dorothy Parker". The thought provoking lyrics of the title track"Sign O' The Times" and the simplicity of its music is unbelievable. "Play in the Sunshine" is a gospel meets rock and go-go track that makes u want to dance and shout. The rock guitar riffs, bass line and drum work are amazing. Its hard to belive that this is one musician playing all of the instruments. If dance tracks are what u are looking for, they are here in many forms, from "Housequake" and "Hot Thing" to "U got the Look" and "It's Gonna Be a Beautiful Night". For the rock guitar lovers u have "The Cross", and the brilliant "I Could Never Take The Place of Your Man" that will blow u away. If this is not enough....U have the most inspired ballads ever written by Prince, the peaceful "Slow Love", the marriage minded "Forever In My Life" which was used by the late John F. Kennedy Jr. at his wedding for the first dance, and the eclectic jam "Adore", which has one of the most inspired vocal performances that Prince has ever put on any album. However, the most impressive song of the set is the aforemntioned "If I Was Your Girlfriend" which has the most complex lyrical content I have ever heard. The song shows a man's vulnerabilty when it comes to love, and the way in which he wants to give his woman everything, while being her everything. The music of this track is equally impressive as the lyrics. "Strange Relationship" serves as the counter to "If I was Your Girlfriend" by showing the feelings that also go along with the ups and downs of a relationship. The most amazing thing about the track is the way in which Prince put such a happy musical track, to such depressing lyrics. The song is a true gem.

What can I say this album is brilliant, complex, moody, dark, and happy at the same time. The music is timeless and has influenced many musicians from Lenny Kravitz, Beck, and D'Angelo, to Macy Gray, Jill Scott, and Angie Stone. This is one of the most important albums released in the last 25 years along with "Songs In The Key of Life", by Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye's "Here My Dear" and Sly Stone's "There's A Riot Goin' On". If u like good music I suggest u purchase this album today. The music is revolutionary and timeless.

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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
One For All Times, February 8, 2001
Reviewer: Thomas Magnum (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)
Just about every major musical artist at one time in their career's have released a double album. Often they are bombastic, overblown and contain alot of filler. Prince had already released a double album, 1999, a mere five years before 1987's Sign O' The Times in 1987 and neither album are any of the above. Some argue that Sign O' Times is Prince's greatest achievement. The album contains the best musicianship of his career. His playing is tight and loose all at the same time. Whether he's singing about being happy and having fun in the bright "Play In The Sunshine" or is taking a sobering look at the problems facing society in the powerfully brilliant title track, Prince is on the top of his game. He can tear up the funk in "Housequake" & "U Got The Look" (a duet with Sheena Easton), sing shiny pop tunes like "I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man" & "Starfish & Coffee", smooth it out on sensual slow jams like "Slow Love" & "Adore", look at religion in "The Cross" or make timeless hits like "If I Was Your Girlfriend". The album is a sprawling, brilliant, well-crafted masterwork.

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PURE GENIUS!!, March 1, 2006
Reviewer: Carla Bryant "cybryant" (Nashville, Tennessee United States) - See all my reviews
From the first track to the last..... One of the best albums ever put out! It is one of the few albums that that I love from beginning to end. When I first bought it, on CASSETTE, I wore out 2 cassettes. Thank goodness for CD's. One thing I would like to happen to this cd is to have it digitally remastered!

Product Details

* Audio CD (November 22, 1994)
* Original Release Date: 1989
* Number of Discs: 1
* Format: Original recording reissued
* Label: Warner Bros / Wea
* ASIN: B000008JLN
* Also Available in: Audio Cassette
* Average Customer Review: based on 11 reviews. (Write a review.)
* Amazon.com Sales Rank: #11,692 in Music (See Top Sellers in Music)
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The legendary Black album.
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6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
Legendary but underwhelming bootleg, November 26, 2003
Reviewer: Greekfreak (Pusan Korea (South)) - See all my reviews
The history of this album is well-documented, but in a nutshell (for those not in the know), Prince wrote and recorded it for Sheila E.'s birthday one night, and eventually decided not to release it due to religious reasons. The acetate got out, however, and the rest is history. This version is the Warner Brothers 1994 re-issue, and it contains no liner notes. The songs are merely listed on the disc itself.

It's unfortunate that the hype machine got ahold of this album before it could be properly reviewed. It contains exactly HALF an album worth of good material, and the rest is experimental at best.

The gems? "2 Nigs United For West Compton"; a funk/fusion classic that probably belonged in a live set somewhere. "Rock Hard In A Funky Place", a low-key funkfest that's similar to "Housequake", but way more minimalistic. "Superfunkicalifragisexy", a rave-up that surely belonged on "Parade".

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4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
Dead On It!, September 11, 2004
Reviewer: Andre' S Grindle "Funk Meister" (Bangor,ME.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
The point this legendary bootleg does hit is in it's pure
funkiness but 'The Black Album' isn't the work of pure genius
it's said to be.Most of the songs sound like half-finished
outtakes that didn't make the cut of Prince's better albums.
Plus the lyrics are often too profane even for Prince!So it
revels in it's grooves,talks alot but doesn't say much!

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2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
Not his best but acceptable..., October 22, 2005
Reviewer: jdjlovah "JD!!!!!!" (Houston,Tx,USA) - See all my reviews
The Black Album by Prince was somewaha of a dub because obviously you can tell that most of the outtakes are WIP's[work in progress].There's also the story wher ehe had a "trip" on ecstasy 7 days before the album was due to hit, but instead he came back with Lovesexy.Now this album in itself it kind of odd to listen to because the voice changes and sped up voices are obviously Prince, Cat, and Sheila.Throughout the album you notice each and everyone.So in conclusion, it was right for Prince to keep this album locked in his vaults because it would literally be a waste of vinyl to listen to this.Bob George is quite disturbing but it isn't as bad as everyone claims it is.Most of the album is uptempo, Cindy C is a standout track...

Product Details

* Audio CD (September 14, 1993)
* Original Release Date: September 14, 1993
* Number of Discs: 3
* Format: Box set, Explicit Lyrics
* Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
* Label: Warner Bros / Wea
* Catalog Number: 45440
* ASIN: B000002MNF
* Other Editions: Audio Cassette
* Average Customer Review: based on 60 reviews. (Write a review.)
* Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,717 in Music (See Top Sellers in Music)
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Disc: 1
1. When Doves Cry Listen Listen
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4. I Feel For You Listen
5. Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad? Listen
6. When You Were Mine Listen
See all 18 tracks on this disc
Disc: 2
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4. Head Listen
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Disc: 3
1. Hello - Prince And The Revolution Listen
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Amazon.com essential recording
Assignment: To write 100 words on 56 songs by the greatest artist the '80s produced. Even with single edits substituting for full-length versions in a handful of cases, The Hits/The B-Sides is a mighty testament to the man we once called Prince. (For that matter, we still do.) In addition to most of his singles, from "I Wanna Be Your Lover" to "Thieves in the Temple," from "When Doves Cry" to "7," this triple-CD set throws in some worthwhile new music and a full disc of the fantastic flips that made buying 7- and 12-inches a must even when you already owned the A-side. "You can be the side effect," he mutters herein. "I'd rather be the dope." Witness some of the funkiest pharmaceuticals around. --Rickey Wright
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24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
The ultimate Prince collection you'll ever need, February 3, 2002
Reviewer: Daniel J. Hamlow (Farmington, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
Question: Is this Prince 3-CD collection, comprising the Hits 1, Hits 2, and the B-Sides, the latter of which is available only in this three-pack, worth it for the Prince fan? Well, yes!

This collection aptly gathers the multitude of hits accumulated by the Purple One from 1978 up till 1992, when his [Symbol] album heralded a change in things to come, such as his name from 1993 to 2000. This was also Prince at his most potent.

In glancing through, one can tell by the number of singles per album which was considered his weakest--Parade, LoveSexy, and Graffiti Bridge boast only one song. Albums like Dirty Mind, 1999, Purple Rain, and Sign 'O' The Times are thought to be the notable peaks in the Prince mountain range. Around The World In A Day would definitely be the most colourful. The importance of Dirty Mind is brought to light here with the number of songs from it included here. Not one of his best sellers, but it did define Prince as an artist in his own right instead of being a second-rate Stevie Wonder.

This collection is an asset in several ways. One, it has the single edit of songs like "1999," "When Doves Cry," "I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man," "Controversy," and "I Wanna Be Your Lover." Mix tape makers, rejoice! Second, there are a few new songs scattered on the first two discs, such as "Pink Cashmere," the hard-driving "Peach," and "Pope." His rendition of "Nothing Compares 2 U," originally done by his project group The Family, (Sinead O'Connor fans take note and pull out your hair, if you have any) unfortunately does not compare to the original.

Most of my favorite songs made it here except for "Mountains" from Parade. Minor complaint really. However, here's an experiment: program the first CD so that it plays in this sequence: "Soft And Wet," "I Feel For You," "Uptown," "1999," "Let's Go Crazy," "Pop Life," "I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man," "Alphabet St.," "Thieves In The Temple," and "7." Notice the shift in styles, especially from "Crazy" to "Pop Life?" The man, like David Bowie, keeps on evolving!

It's the B-Sides material that is the real treat. Many of these could have become singles in their own right, such as "17 Days," "Gotta Stop Messin' Around," the naughty "Erotic City," and the rockabilly "Horny Toad." "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore" should be familiar to fans of Stephanie Mills and Alicia Keys, both of whom covered this B-side to the "1999" single. "4 The Tears In Your Eyes" is different from the version he did on the We Are The World album. "200 Balloons" is the only representative of the Batman soundtrack to make it here.

Face it, material like Emancipation, Chaos & Disorder, and the Crystal Ball were released merely to get out of his contract with Warner Bros. and is hence substandard Artist material compared to the treasure trove found in this definitive compilation. Final note: one or two A-sides from the Batman soundtrack may have helped, but all three CDs are brimming to the max, so...

Product Details

* Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
* Original Release Date: 2000
* Number of Discs: 1
* Label: Warner Bros / Wea
* Catalog Number: 23720
* ASIN: B000002KY8
* Other Editions: Audio Cassette
* Average Customer Review: based on 95 reviews. (Write a review.)
* Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,569 in Music (See Top Sellers in Music)
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1. 1999 Listen Listen
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8. Free Listen
9. Lady Cab Driver Listen
10. All The Critics Love U In New York Listen
11. International Lover Listen
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Prince's fifth album came right before the lascivious multi-instrumentalist became a huge star with his 1984 film and soundtrack, Purple Rain. But Prince had already proved himself to be the most audacious talent to emerge in the 1980s, and 1999, the bulk of which features Prince on all the instruments, reflects the dance-rock styles that he also brought to the acts he produced, particularly the Time. Prince knows how to run a one-man-band individual instruments don't blend together as much as they compete in a funky showdown which allows tracks like "Automatic," "D.M.S.R.," and "Delirious" to sustain their long playing times. But the album's two enduring hits, "1999" and "Little Red Corvette," outshine the rest, and define the essential roles that rock and funk play in Prince's music. "Little Red Corvette" is a sexy song about a car, which would have been enough to make it a terrific rock song even if it didn't also boast an infectious chorus and a great guitar part. As for "1999," count on it being the dance song of the millennial year. --John Milward
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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
2000 zero-zero party's over oops out of time, April 21, 2002
Reviewer: Daniel J. Hamlow (Farmington, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
Looking back, I don't know if we were ever that close to nuclear war, but Prince put out a double-LP worth of songs (due to the plethora of long songs) back in 1982 and declared that he was gonna "party like it's 1999." That album made 17 years before the title year is one of Prince's most vital, danceable, and best albums.

"1999" is one of Prince's masterpieces, punctuated by punchy synthesizers and an infectious percussive beat, with Cold War nuclear angst lyrics: "Everybody's got a bomb/we could all die anyway. Jill Jones, keyboardist Lisa Coleman, and guitarist Dez Dickerson all have guest vocal duties. The song closes with a poignant child-like question "Mommy, why does everybody have a bomb?" Why indeed?

That classic number is followed by "Little Red Corvette," the highest charting single from this album, and rivalling "1999" in importance, career-wise. Using a hot red car as a metaphor to a red hot, love'em and leave'em lover before AIDS was a concern works. Lisa and Dez have more co-lead vocal contributions here.

"Delirious" follows with an infectious backbeat and squeaky keyboards. Hey, I don't know how else to describe it, okay?

Things get a little bit hotter with "Let's Pretend We're Married," hotter meaning explicit content. I've no doubt that it was the single edit that was played on the radio and not the unexpurgated version here. As this is an unabashed paean to free love, the line "all the hippies sing together" is apposite. It also paraphrases the 60's slogan, "if it feels good, do it." Key lyric: "My baby's gone and she don't care at all/And if she did, so what, come on baby, let's ----."

"D.M.S.R." continues the party but with a funkier tone, handclaps, synthesizers, and in a more fun, Bacchanalian vein.

For a song to clock in over nine minutes, it had better be good. Well, "Automatic," though not as rowdy as "D.M.S.R.", is compelling even at its great length.

"Free" starts out as a ballad before exploding into a gospelish-style number. If John Stuart Mill ever needed a song to associate to, this would be it. Prince is ever the populist, civil libertarian, and this is his best political song. The song tells us to be glad that we are free compared to other countries in the world. What about Holland or Denmark? For those worried about the denting of our personal liberties in the wake of 9-11, these lyrics seem apropos: "Soldiers are a marching they're writing brand new laws/We will all fight together for the most important cause/Will we all fight for the right to be free?" And I'm NOT referring to the terrorists! A wonderful song, with backing vocals courtesy of Jill Jones, Lisa, Vanity, and Wendy Melvoin.

Prince then asks a "Lady Cab Driver" (Jill Jones) to take him away from his "trouble winds [that] are blowin hard" and back to her place, where some heavy action takes place. It would be more appropriate to call Jill's lines, "sounds." Yes, THOSE kinds of sounds. Come on, this is a Prince album!

"International Lover" is done in the same vein as Controversy's "Do Me Baby." He uses the analogy of a pilot inviting a passenger aboard, flying to one's destination, and preparing to land an airplane to a date and sex. After the climactic falsetto screams, he gasps, exhausted but satisfied, "Thank you for flying Prince International." Sheer genius of the man!

Trivia: on the album cover, notice the football-shaped bulge in the "I" of "Prince." Spelt backwards are the words "and the Revolution." The unisex symbol that would be on Prince's Purple Rain motorcycle can be seen in the first "9."...

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Product Details

* Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
* Original Release Date: 2000
* Number of Discs: 1
* Label: Warner Bros / Wea
* Catalog Number: 3478
* ASIN: B000002KLP
* Other Editions: Audio Cassette
* Average Customer Review: based on 71 reviews. (Write a review.)
* Amazon.com Sales Rank: #22,882 in Music (See Top Sellers in Music)
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1. Dirty Mind Listen Listen
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8. Partyup Listen
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Amazon.com essential recording
On this 1980 tour de force, Prince produced the template for most of his '80s albums: a mixture of lust and longing, synth pop combined with gut bucket rock and roll. Although this was his third CD, Dirty Mind was the one that truly established "When You Were Mine," which still ranks as one of his best songs, ever. The gender- and race-bending Dirty Mind was nasty and freaky--and you could dance to it. Still can. --Amy Linden
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
The LP that defines the Artist is indeed a classic., December 30, 1999
Reviewer: namepeace "namepeace" (Nashville, TN United States) - See all my reviews
"Dirty Mind" sets the tone for the rest of Prince's unparalleled career. In fact, most people think it's his first album. It might as well have been because, despite his impressive first 2 LP's (For You and Prince), he really got recognized for the image he crafted through his music. But it's the great music that makes this album endure, for it created the "Prince sound."

The minimalist approach to this LP is its hallmark. Stripped of all pretensions and indulgences,and centered around funk guitar and synths, it is one of the tightest -- and raunchiest -- Prince LP's. What really makes this LP are 4 all-time classic Prince songs: the title track, the outstanding "When You Were Mine," "Do It All Night," and "Uptown." They are the heart and soul of a great LP. Unfortunately, radio wasn't as liberal as it is now, but I'd like to think this LP contributed to more adventurous music in all genres. If not for this album, would Madonna, 2 Live Crew, Nine Inch Nails, etc. even gotten radio play? Maybe not.

This is an essential 80's record, an essential Prince record, and an undisputed classic. Buy it.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Masterpiece, November 29, 2005
Reviewer: Sean Zimmerman - See all my reviews
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Let's face it... Prince's albums up through Sign 'O the Times are brilliant. Dirty Mind in particular ranks as one of his very best (some would say his very best). Unlike many pop albums this is not merely a collection of songs, i.e. some radio hits and a bunch of filler. This album works organically as a whole, i.e. each track is integral to the album. Every track is excellent and the production and sound is very stripped back and "raw". This is pure pop/funk genius. Probably my favorite Prince album after Purple Rain and just above Controversy. Essential= Get it!

Product Details

* Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
* Original Release Date: 2000
* Number of Discs: 1
* Label: Warner Bros / Wea
* Catalog Number: 3601
* ASIN: B000002KMV
* Other Editions: Audio Cassette
* Average Customer Review: based on 44 reviews. (Write a review.)
* Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,676 in Music (See Top Sellers in Music)
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1. Controversy Listen Listen
2. Sexuality Listen Listen
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4. Private Joy Listen Listen
5. Ronnie, Talk To Russia Listen Listen
6. Let's Work Listen
7. Annie Christian Listen
8. Jack U Off Listen
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Written, produced, arranged, and performed by that little old funkmaster, Controversy hit stores in 1981 and still rocks 17 years later. As the title suggests, the subject matter Prince tackles here was meant to spark discussion. From the nasty anthems "Sexuality" and "Do Me Baby", to the slice of '80s political commentary "Ronnie Talk to Russia" and "Annie Christian," Prince does just that. Oh, and he doesn't forget about the booty either, making this the ultimate agit-prop, sex-you-up soundtrack. --Amy Linden
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
Controversy--Prince parties like it's 1981. Oh, it was 1981!, November 11, 2001
Reviewer: Daniel J. Hamlow (Farmington, NM USA) - See all my reviews
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Review from The Controversial Daily--dated 2001.

On the title track, which begans with a funky beat, he poses such questions as "I can't believe all the things people say/controversy/Am I black or white/am I straight or gay?" "Do I believe in God, or do I believe in me?" Obviously with the release of Dirty Mind, lots of critics and people were really wondering about him and had a few things to say. Well, this is Prince's take on that.

His reciting the Lord's Prayer and his provocative utopian view is also included in the title track, which is the most potent and important track on this album: "People call me rude/I wish we all were nude/I wish there was no black or white/I wish there were no rules." Given the traditional U.S. view of sex which has refused to get out of its Puritan shadow and covert racism, those lines are not to be laughed off lightly. It makes me think, "Well, sure, why not?"

The irresistible "Sexuality", a political disco number of the principles of the new breed leaders: in their regime, one needs no money, clothes, anti-segregation anti-racism, anti-tourists, given that tourists are pocket-camera-visioned idiots, "a bunch of double-drags who tell their kids that loving is bad." He furthers his argument that "no child is bad from the beginning, they only imitate their atmosphere."

"Do Me Baby" is probably one of the damn, hottest and sexiest songs he has ever written. After the singing, he goes into a monologue where he is making love to a woman while the music plays. One biographer described the song as Prince making love on hot dripping wax--wax as in what LPs are made of. And people wonder why the single version clocks in at 3:55?

"Private Joy" is a boppable song with the same organ synthesizer, hand claps, and bass.

The brief adrenalized organ synth dance of "Ronnie Talk To Russia" has a direct and simple message: "Ronnie talk to Russia before it's too late/Before they blow up my world." It has fiery guitar, machine-gun firing, and at the end, the bomb, which segues into the funky "Let's Work".

"Annie Christian", a.k.a. anti-Christ, is a rap song about the Atlanta child murders, shootings of John Lennon, Ronald Reagan, and the ABSCAM scandal. The song is not as effective as political songs done by other groups or artists. He did better on "Ronnie Talk To Russia" and his angry protest song "Partyup" on Dirty Mind. Still, the idea of embodying evil in one entity is a good one.

And need I detail what fun "Jack U Off" is about? I don't? I didn't think so.

Controversy further strengthens the political foundation established in "Partyup" and sets the stage for the next chapter, both a year later, or seventeen years later: namely, 1999.

Product Details

* Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
* Original Release Date: 2000
* Number of Discs: 1
* Label: Warner Bros / Wea
* Catalog Number: 3366
* ASIN: B000002KKN
* Other Editions: Audio Cassette
* Average Customer Review: based on 36 reviews. (Write a review.)
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1. I Wanna Be Your Lover Listen Listen
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
Prince defies sophomore jinx with this one, January 30, 2003
Reviewer: Daniel J. Hamlow (Farmington, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
The disco synthesizer and its soul/funk beat of "I Wanna Be Your Lover" gave Prince his first Billboard's Top 20 single (it reached #11), and also topped the Black Charts, and no wonder. Lyrically and rhythmically it's tighter and punchier. The song has a line where he wants to be some overarching expression of love, where he sings, "I wanna be your brother/I wanna be your mother and sister, too." It's sexually charged in one part. This is the full 5:47 version and not the single edit, meaning there's an extended instrumental section. I wonder if there's a 12" mix of this available.

The other single, "Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?" is another out-and-out synthesizer dance number, articulated with some rock guitar chords, kind of an expansion of what he did in "I'm Yours". I like this better than "I Wanna Be Your Lover". A rock guitar solo, more closer to Hendrix, is included. More shades of Purple Rain.

The upbeat stuff continues with "Sexy Dancer", which has simple lyrics, about the effects of what that sexy dancer has on him: "Sexy dancer, you got my body screaming" etc. One line is more explicit than the others. Some panting is included here, as well as monologue, something he would use in many of his future songs.

"When We're Dancing Close And Slow" is a contrast to the previous three floor-burners. It's closer to a nocturne, featuring a quiet acoustic guitar, piano, and drum.

"With You" is more a Lionel Richie-type radio ballad than "Close And Slow" is, as there's a constant synthesizer backing. It's more a romantic tune without the sex references in "Closer And Slow".

The rock-guitar tinged "Bambi", is surprising coming from someone who advocates sexual openness like him. The title character is a lesbian and he screams out the chorus: "Bambi, can't you understand?/Bambi, it's better with a man."

The piano-dominant ballad "Still Waiting" is the trials of a man waiting for that true love to come around. A similar sound would be used in "Gotta Broken Heart Again" on his next album.

The mid-paced third single, "I Feel For You" had its start here before Chaka Khan took it to the Top Ten in 1984. With the layer of moog-synthesizers, I definitely prefer this version.

A single edit of the 5:30 "It's Gonna Be Lonely" could've made this a good radio ballad. I like this lyric: "I'd be in a messed-up state of blue."

Like Prince, this was another one-man production, yet the fact that he thanks Bobby Z, Andre Cymone, Dez Dickerson, Gayle Chapman, and Matt Fink, who comprised his band, indicates that he may have had some kind of help from them. It's difficult to tell from the liner notes and credits. Prince has better songs, cohesive rhythms, and catchier tunes and outdoes his opening shot, For You.

rehearsals and show

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