Prince - why doesn't he utilize his full potential anymore? - Guitars101

rabbel · 08-26-2011, 03:13 AM

Having been a Prince fan for 30 years and ongoing, I just had the chance to experience another fantastic show in Zurich / Switzerland and I still wonder what happened to the tons of funky hits from the late 80's / early 90's <NPG> period. Why doesn't he perform great tunes like My Name is Prince, Sexy M.F., The Max, Sacrifice of Victor etc. anymore? For me those are absolute highlights with a strong funk character and usually resulted in long and funking fast jam sessions at his legendary after parties. Fortunately one can enjoy these songs thanks to this forum, however, I would (almost) die for another live experience like during that time

. Any view on this? Thanks!

PhilBoogie · 08-29-2011, 01:01 PM

Oh my, a personal opinion asked here. Ah, well, of course 2 each his own.

Yes, the guy made gr8 music in the past, still makes gr8 music, albeit way less than he used 2 (or at least, release it).

The songs U R referring 2 R from a single CD. Personally I didn't care about this particular 1 since it had so much (Tony M.) rap in it. But I do agree the music itself was funk. I like The Max 4 instance, but the lyrics I can do without (which is Y I like the soundcheck @ Rotterdam from 1992).

I like the funk he produces, but he did that already in 1978. Check out Just As Long As We're Together @ 3'30 from the original album. That was 33 years ago, already funky.

Cheers,
PhilBoogie

sijazz · 08-29-2011, 02:16 PM

Another reason why he doesn't perform Sexy MF & My Name Is Prince is probably due to him not using sexually explicit lyrics or songs of a sexual nature in his sets!

PhilBoogie · 08-30-2011, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhilBoogie

I like The Max 4 instance, but the lyrics I can do without (which is Y I like the soundcheck @ Rotterdam from 1992)

Replying2 my own post - LOL

Just listening 2 The Max @ the aftershow in Copenhagen. Fonky as hell. Yep, it's instrumental.

artist3121 · 08-30-2011, 04:38 AM

He's been neutered by religion.

novakev · 08-31-2011, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by artist3121

He's been neutered by religion.

That's exactly it, big part of it is -> Larry Graham showing Prince the way.. Like in one of the Hit 'n' Run shows he actually say's that Larry asked him why he used so many swearing in his shows. Said that he didn't need it to get over. And Prince thought he was right, so he stopped the swearing and the explicit sexual songs with it.

I would pay so much money for a set of him right now that includes a full band Darling Nikki, Sign o the times, Sexy MF, Computer Blue, My Name Is Prince, Erotic City,Get Off, Let's get married, Face Down......

But it will never happen again. I just hope that one day there will be a concert dvd collection, official release, with every tour complete (at least one european and one american leg of the each tour on dvd).

xtraloveable · 09-01-2011, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by novakev

That's exactly it, big part of it is -> Larry Graham showing Prince the way.. Like in one of the Hit 'n' Run shows he actually say's that Larry asked him why he used so many swearing in his shows. Said that he didn't need it to get over. And Prince thought he was right, so he stopped the swearing and the explicit sexual songs with it.

I would pay so much money for a set of him right now that includes a full band Darling Nikki, Sign o the times, Sexy MF, Computer Blue, My Name Is Prince, Erotic City,Get Off, Let's get married, Face Down......

But it will never happen again. I just hope that one day there will be a concert dvd collection, official release, with every tour complete (at least one european and one american leg of the each tour on dvd).

All the more reason why I do not like Larry Graham!!
He is a good bass player...but I hate his monotone voice...he is so extremely dull and way to overrated by the big "P"!!! I hope he does not join the stage with Prince in future,too much of that already!!

Musgrave2009 · 09-01-2011, 04:51 PM

Ya Please, Please, PLEASE don't get me started with Larry Graham,...... I'll never understand that Crazy Love Affair with that guy.....

Musgrave - Chicago

wazoo · 09-02-2011, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musgrave2009

Ya Please, Please, PLEASE don't get me started with Larry Graham,...... I'll never understand that Crazy Love Affair with that guy.....

Musgrave - Chicago

Jehova is the key of this "love affair" as yo say.
Larry Graham was the one who introduce Jehova's Witness theory and got Prince converted to one of them ...
I guess that could explain this relationship they have since then.

psychomajic666 · 09-02-2011, 08:08 AM

I can't be certain, but from what I gather from numerous articles and blogs, is that Larry Graham & the Jehova's Witness kick has alot to do with the current watered down version of Prince we've seen in the last 15 years or so.

Apparently, Larry (among many others) considers himself some moral authority on what music IS and how it SHOULD be expressed. Personally if Larry would've questioned my lyrical expression, I would've told him to go fuck himself - Prince should've done the same.

Instead, we're left with this:

Monotonous live performances - The same dozen tracks (many of them altered to please Jehova) and a handful of cover songs. If I'm paying big bucks to see a live Prince show, it's because I want to hear Prince music - not "Just My Imagination" for the hundredth time or that tired, overused "Play That Funky Music" which wasn't even cool when Wild Cherry did it. He's definately alienating his audience. Most of us hardcore fans can do without 1999 and Let's Go Crazy - but we'd like a Superfunkycalifragisexy or Irrisistible Bitch thrown in for good measure.

1995-present day - The albums are nowhere near what we were treated to 20-something years ago! All filler, to many cameos by no-name/no-talent rappers with one or two noteworthy tracks. The edge & funkiness is lacking, the mystique is gone. Recently, buying a Prince album is like paying $16 for a religious sermon set to music. It's a pretty sad state of affairs when the most exciting & "fun" CD as of late, was MPLS - and ok maybe 20Ten.

A Purple Police State - Thanks to forums like this one, we have our little corners of the web to enjoy Prince's golden years, but it's an uphill battle. It's as if Prince hired a team of lawyers with the instructions "Remove the funkiest, most innvative & interesting material you can find!". Many YouTubers have become casualties, having their accounts deleted - just for sharing priceless gems with the fans. Prince complains to much about bootlegs and piracy, yet he fails to understand that WE WOULD GLADY PAY for a collection of remastered tracks which are already floating around on the web. Heck, for a stereo quality version of "Fuchsia Light" or complete version of "Go", I'd shell out $20 for these alone!

This a good thread rabbel! I'd be interested to keep reading, as others offer their input on these recent years. It's not so much to say we don't like the current Prince - rather that we miss so much of the old.

wazoo · 09-02-2011, 08:53 AM

All of this is VERY WEEL SAID psychomajic666 !
And I agree.
We miss the guy who recorded "Take this beat", "Lady Cab Driver", "Witness", "So High" or even the guy who played the unbelievable "Superfunkycalifragisexy" in the middle of the night, on November 7th of 1988 at The Palace in LA. !!!

That said, I got the great chance to attend the New Morning concert in Paris in 2010, 4 hours of pure music & funk, and he was really amazing that night ...
So it's still IN HIM SOMEWHERE !
But he got to let it flow out of him more I guess ! ...

wazoo · 09-02-2011, 08:54 AM

... "very WELL said" I mean ...

Musgrave2009 · 09-02-2011, 10:59 AM

Ya don't get me wrong guys,.... He for sure still has it in him.... If you get a chance to see any of the (North Sea Jazz DVD's) floating around, he is Fantastic.

I guess I just get tired of seeing him still Drag Larry Graham out on stage and play songs with him..... I guess I just feel enough is enough already with that,,,,

Musgrave - Chicago

RockingLIVE · 09-02-2011, 11:17 AM

While I do miss some of the old days / younger Prince, I can only say that I think he has been really awesome on this recent tour!!! Not only the NSJ shows were great - although they surely were some of the best I have ever seen!!

And what about the Melkweg gigs? Come on guys, that was rare and very special Prince right there!!!! "What's My Name" - I almost freaked out when I heard that performance!!! Of course it's not his song, but the way he delivered it is amazing!!

In my opinion, Prince does show over and over again what he has in him ... Troubadour in LA comes to mind as well, and - as someone else mentioned already - New Morning in Paris last year!! To me Prince is still by far the best live performer around, no matter what setlist.

Having said all that ... yes, I can also do without Larry Graham on stage.

slikpete · 09-02-2011, 11:40 AM

w/o Larry Graham, Prince would not be the funk that he is today. Go buy the 70's collection of GCS albums if you don't know, you can't hate on Larry and love the funk, maybe you ain't funky?
Like the cussing prince used to do? Like that juvenille energy? Guess so, some of y'all like to rep the 666 in your alias.
Live in the past if you like. The present is so much more fun if you care to join us. Reminiscing is cool, whining and complaining is for kids silly rabbit.