Except “Love… Thy Will Be Done” in 1991, all other songs were recorded in 1981-1985.
This is the time of Controversy, 1999, Purple Rain and Around the World in a Day. To say Prince was prolific is an understatement.
I find amazing that he had so much material he could just put in the freezer these very nice songs. They are so good that many are the best material and hits of other artists.
Perhaps he gave some songs as a reward and others as a way to provide legs to his creativity, who knows. But I think he was very generous and his excellence inspired many.
This makes Prince unique for one more reason.
Listening and enjoying the CD as I write, thank you very much @Fetchezlavache.
Rafael, good insight on the dates of these releases, I did not know that they were all written around this period.
If Prince was only a song writer he would have been a musical great, and that was only one of the things he could do.
I really hope that one day his back catalogue is given a proper reappraisal as there are so many gems in there away from the golden period of his 80’s and early 90’s work.
Ah, Rafael you have unearthed another passion of mine, cars!
The E9 ‘Batmobile’ would be my lottery win car for sure as it would also be usable on track days and is about the coolest car ever made, but we have to make do with our E24 and i3!
Just browsing this thread a bit. The 1985 Syracuse concert has been released on hi-res. I found it on HD Tracks - I assume it can be gotten elsewhere, too. It serves as a nice historical document of a live show from his prime, but personally I found the sound quality to be poor and the listening experience exhausting as a result.
Week 44 (October 18th): ‘Welcome to America’ - 2021
Its a real surprise to read that ‘Welcome to America’ was actually recorded in 2010 and was a fully finished Prince Album which he simply shelved for release at a later date. It opens up the tantalising prospect of more such releases.
Personally, I really enjoyed this album, Highlights for more would be ‘1000 light years from here’ (sections of which was used in ‘Black Muse’ from ‘Hit N Run Phase 2’), ‘Stand-up and B Strong’ and ‘Welcome to America’. The title track has a ‘Sign o’ the times’ type of feel to it, with its considered commentary on society.
Its a really strong release, its amazing he simply shelved it and moved onto other projects.
Stats:
Studio albums finished: 43
Total Studio album tracks: 488
Posthumous Releases: 3
Posthumous Tracks: 36
Total vault tracks: 127 (-)
Compilation/ Live albums: 4
Albums finished (production only): 12
Music videos: 26
Live Concerts: 4
( - ‘B’ Side, Vault tracks, demo tracks - 7/12 inch edits etc)
Thank you Rafael, I have greatly enjoyed this leisurely stroll through his work and your excellent thoughts, support and knowledge. But I fear that we have run out of albums, until the next release that is. Time to fine tune our ‘best of’ compilations for next week…
Just a few more thank you’s if I can. @Airdavid@marcusman , @Singlespeed@vgonx all the other regular contributors. Your insight and knowledge and support has been brilliant and I am so grateful for all you input. Your help has turned a Prince fan into a super-fan!
And to the Naim community in general, thank you so much for the safe space to post this musical journey, your tolerance and patience is much appreciated!
Dear Fetchezlavache, dear All,
I am very sorry if I have not participated much in the last few weeks in this thread: my love for Prince, the musician, the man, his musical research and evolution have accompanied me (and will continue to accompany me) ever since I first saw the video and I appreciated the sound of “when doves cry” and especially when at 12 I left the house after doing my homework and I went to buy the original cassette of “Sign o the times” in a music store (which now no longer exists ) in Piazza Venezia in Rome …
but I intend to participate soon with my personal 25/30 songs list!
This is an impossible task, so I go without thinking too much.
This list I can play in any order in any moment in any place. The first 20 or so I went through the discography and selected, the last are a few I forgot but included from memory.
There are some periods of Prince when I was not really interested, others when Prince was at the center of my music life. Today I still play his discs and always find new things. Some of my favorites are just the favorites of others, a friend or a DJ in a club we used to go… Prince always brings good memories.
In making the list there is joy and sadness. He is no more, but his work will live for ever.
Some great choices here, covered the bases with the classics and the some great other choices.
'The most beautiful girl in the world ’ is a good choice, it was not an album release if i remember rightly?
‘Cindy C’, great choice, the Black Album is easily one of my favourite Prince Albums and some great choices from ‘Sign o’the times’ and even a song from ‘Batman’.
You are right, it is an impossible task, it can almost change day to day with your different mood. So many great songs to choose from…
I just counted 63 Prince albums and boxes in my shelves. Very difficult to say which one is my favorite, but I will try to bring up a new review for next week.
Hi Rafael, that’s a great idea, I will be delighted to concede control of where we go now to you as I have come to the end of the regular releases available on Tidal.
