R.I.P Prince

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kingricefan

All-being, keeper of Space, Time & Dimension.
Jul 11, 2006
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I regret not buying it when it officially came out on cd, but my budget was more limited at the time and I had it taped on cassette. It's out on vinyl here now, my store has it (along with a number of 12" singles), but I don't play vinyl. I asked but they couldn't get it on cd.
Is it not on vinyl in the US at the moment?

I relistened it on Youtube. It's good, but not quite as good as I remembered it to be. Bob George is fantastic though.
The US has most all of his original vinyl albums out along with those maxi-singles that the fans loved when he released them. It was always like a special present sent directly from Prince when he released a single because the 'B' side usually was a brand new song that we hadn't heard before.
 

Gerald

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Sep 8, 2011
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The US has most all of his original vinyl albums out along with those maxi-singles that the fans loved when he released them. It was always like a special present sent directly from Prince when he released a single because the 'B' side usually was a brand new song that we hadn't heard before.

Which aren't on vinyl in the US?

He also made videoclips for a number of the extended versions/remixes/reworkings which is a surpise.
On the whole though the budgets for his musicvideos are always moderate - he never actually seems to have done something that is really expensive (or looks expensive), like, say, Madonna's Express Yourself, or something like a complete mini-movie like Jackson's Thriller - his videos on the whole never tell some kind of story as '80s videos often did.
 

Gerald

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On a related note (Clinton was on Prince's Paisley Park label after all, and he also knows a thing or two about the funk) I wonder what happened to Parliament's Medicaid Fraud Dog. It was announced already on the sleeve of (the absolutely brilliant) First Ya Gotta Shake the Gate from 2014.
There are lots of clips on Youtube of him working on it and playing parts of it, but it still isn't out. He had it aimed for last April, I think, so I suppose it's long finished, but might have run into other problems, like distribution or legal hassle perhaps.
I actually thought it was finally out, as there was something new in my store, but it was the new Funkadelic Reworked by Detroiters album.
 

Gerald

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For those who don't have First Ya Gotta Shake the Gate, here's evidence how superb it is:


It's one of those albums I have played forever and still never get tired of. It's among Funkadelic/Parliament/Clinton's best, imo. And it's also probably the most diverse one he has done, as it has many different styles. I don't know if he made the cover orange on purpose to make it feel like Emancipation, but it is a very similar album: 3 long discs (it's even longer than Emancipation) showing off the wide range of the artists.
 

kingricefan

All-being, keeper of Space, Time & Dimension.
Jul 11, 2006
30,011
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Spokane, WA
For those who don't have First Ya Gotta Shake the Gate, here's evidence how superb it is:


It's one of those albums I have played forever and still never get tired of. It's among Funkadelic/Parliament/Clinton's best, imo. And it's also probably the most diverse one he has done, as it has many different styles. I don't know if he made the cover orange on purpose to make it feel like Emancipation, but it is a very similar album: 3 long discs (it's even longer than Emancipation) showing off the wide range of the artists.
Ironically I was into Parliament/Funkadelic way before I was into Prince. I had most of P/F early albums. Loved the one with Mothership Connection on it! That was the JAM!!!
 

Gerald

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Parliament/Funkadelic is always in Amsterdam each year, at the best known rock venue, Paradiso. I've been to two shows and it's quite unforgettable, it feels like one long jam that goes on for two hours at least - there's an enormous sense of playfulness and fun. On the other hand, when I listen objectively to their shows on Youtube, they're also quite chaotic live. The instrumental part is really good, but the singing on the whole is not that great. And the constant riling up of the public ('Jump! Jump!') makes it even more chaotic. But still somehow in a sense of pure fun, they're just about the best gigs you can go to.

I wonder though what happened to Clinton's voice. I suspect he was never a truly great singer, as the singing on the Parliament/Funkadelic records is often others as well, but it must have been better than it is now. Now it's not much more than a muffled, hoarse kind of screaming. On a track on Bootsy Collins' Tha Funk Capital of the World he even says 'I can't sing.'
I also wonder practically how exactly he makes the music, because he does conceive and write it (along with other members), but I don't ever have seen him play an instrument.
 

fljoe0

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Apr 5, 2008
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Parliament/Funkadelic is always in Amsterdam each year, at the best known rock venue, Paradiso. I've been to two shows and it's quite unforgettable, it feels like one long jam that goes on for two hours at least - there's an enormous sense of playfulness and fun. On the other hand, when I listen objectively to their shows on Youtube, they're also quite chaotic live. The instrumental part is really good, but the singing on the whole is not that great. And the constant riling up of the public ('Jump! Jump!') makes it even more chaotic. But still somehow in a sense of pure fun, they're just about the best gigs you can go to.

I wonder though what happened to Clinton's voice. I suspect he was never a truly great singer, as the singing on the Parliament/Funkadelic records is often others as well, but it must have been better than it is now. Now it's not much more than a muffled, hoarse kind of screaming. On a track on Bootsy Collins' Tha Funk Capital of the World he even says 'I can't sing.'
I also wonder practically how exactly he makes the music, because he does conceive and write it (along with other members), but I don't ever have seen him play an instrument.

If you're looking for good cds, here are good ones:

There's a 2cd compilation of Parliament called Tear The Roof Off that is probably the best compilation of the 70s stuff you'll find.

My favorite Funkadelic album is Maggot Brain. The guitar work of Eddie Hazel is special. I think he's on all the Funkadelic albums until the late 70s. I think he may have played in Parliament too but I'm not sure. The early 70s Funkadelic rocks.
 

kingricefan

All-being, keeper of Space, Time & Dimension.
Jul 11, 2006
30,011
127,446
Spokane, WA
Parliament/Funkadelic is always in Amsterdam each year, at the best known rock venue, Paradiso. I've been to two shows and it's quite unforgettable, it feels like one long jam that goes on for two hours at least - there's an enormous sense of playfulness and fun. On the other hand, when I listen objectively to their shows on Youtube, they're also quite chaotic live. The instrumental part is really good, but the singing on the whole is not that great. And the constant riling up of the public ('Jump! Jump!') makes it even more chaotic. But still somehow in a sense of pure fun, they're just about the best gigs you can go to.

I wonder though what happened to Clinton's voice. I suspect he was never a truly great singer, as the singing on the Parliament/Funkadelic records is often others as well, but it must have been better than it is now. Now it's not much more than a muffled, hoarse kind of screaming. On a track on Bootsy Collins' Tha Funk Capital of the World he even says 'I can't sing.'
I also wonder practically how exactly he makes the music, because he does conceive and write it (along with other members), but I don't ever have seen him play an instrument.
It's all of the ganga that he smokes, man!!! ;-D
 

kingricefan

All-being, keeper of Space, Time & Dimension.
Jul 11, 2006
30,011
127,446
Spokane, WA
If you're looking for good cds, here are good ones:

There's a 2cd compilation of Parliament called Tear The Roof Off that is probably the best compilation of the 70s stuff you'll find.

My favorite Funkadelic album is Maggot Brain. The guitar work of Eddie Hazel is special. I think he's on all the Funkadelic albums until the late 70s. I think he may have played in Parliament too but I'm not sure. The early 70s Funkadelic rocks.
'Can you imagine doobie in yo funk?' ;-D
 

Gerald

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Sep 8, 2011
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My favorite Funkadelic album is Maggot Brain. The guitar work of Eddie Hazel is special. I think he's on all the Funkadelic albums until the late 70s. I think he may have played in Parliament too but I'm not sure. The early 70s Funkadelic rocks.

Maggot Brain is great. Michael Hampton played the title guitar track at the first concert I was at, it was quite magical.

It's hard to pick a favourite Funkadelic album, I think they're all real good. One Nation Under a Groove and Cosmic Slop seem obvious choices. But I like First Ya Gotta Shake the Gate a lot too.
Funkentelechy vs. The Placebo Syndrome is probably the best Parliament.

Unfortunately I only have the first two solo-albums of Clinton from the eighties on - they're harder to find than the seventies albums. I found them as used cd's. They don't seem so popular apart from the first, Computer Games, which has Atomic Dog.
 

Gerald

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Nearly all true Prince fans love Clinton too. It's almost impossible to love one and not the other.
Parliament/Funkadelic feels to me like somewhere halfway Prince and Frank Zappa, who I like too. Zappa of course, because of the humor and the insane songtitles, because Zappa clearly isn't funk/soul/R&B/disco, but rather jazz/experimental/classical, but they both rock. Sometimes Clinton plays parts of Zappa tunes in his set, like 'I'm the slime'.
 

Gerald

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They need to start releasing ALL of the videos from this album. This album is an underrated gem!

I think they will release them all, as they already have released so many. I don't know how many songs from the album have a video?
I don't think the album was underrated - I remember positive reviews at the time, more positive than predecessor Come. I can't help but even like Come though, and other albums that are generally not well received, like Chaos and Disorder, which I think is a rather rocking album.
If you look at Allmusic for example, you see Gold Experience is highly rated:

Prince | Album Discography | AllMusic

I would say overall my least favourite album is New Power Soul (1998) and I haven't played N.E.W.S. a lot either.
 

kingricefan

All-being, keeper of Space, Time & Dimension.
Jul 11, 2006
30,011
127,446
Spokane, WA
I think they will release them all, as they already have released so many. I don't know how many songs from the album have a video?
I don't think the album was underrated - I remember positive reviews at the time, more positive than predecessor Come. I can't help but even like Come though, and other albums that are generally not well received, like Chaos and Disorder, which I think is a rather rocking album.
If you look at Allmusic for example, you see Gold Experience is highly rated:

Prince | Album Discography | AllMusic

I would say overall my least favourite album is New Power Soul (1998) and I haven't played N.E.W.S. a lot either.
I was going by the reviews from members of Prince.org. Seems a lot of folks there don't care for the Gold album much. They think Prince 'sold out' and went for hits instead of making 'music'. They don't like the rap on it. They think it's too much 'all over the place' with no theme. Did you know that Prince considered the song 'Gold' to be his next Purple Rain. He wanted that song to be a huge hit and it just didn't catch on.
 

SteveValek

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Jan 10, 2018
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I was going by the reviews from members of Prince.org. Seems a lot of folks there don't care for the Gold album much. They think Prince 'sold out' and went for hits instead of making 'music'. They don't like the rap on it. They think it's too much 'all over the place' with no theme. Did you know that Prince considered the song 'Gold' to be his next Purple Rain. He wanted that song to be a huge hit and it just didn't catch on.

Personally,I agree with "Gold Experience"
The UK gave Prince his first Number 1 with "The Most Beautiful Girl In The World",and it's a song I've never liked,mainly because it feels "Hit written",and predominantly a chart made goal,in my opinion.
There was a lot of "self indulgence",after the success of "Purple Rain",and some people can get put off by the accessibility,and the fact you have to delve deeper,through multiple play,in order for the songs to grow on you..
A lot of great stuff,but difficult to instantly appeal.

I saw Prince in Manchester in 1990..an open air football ground,and although criticism at the time on stage (just over an hour!),the guy was phenomenal!
It was a re-scheduled gig,from earlier in the year,due to Prince finishing off his movie "Graffiti Bridge",and I spent a lot of time playing that soundtrack,and LOVE it!
Not a great movie,but like I stated earlier,a lot of Prince's music needed constant playing..
 

Gerald

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Sep 8, 2011
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I was going by the reviews from members of Prince.org. Seems a lot of folks there don't care for the Gold album much. They think Prince 'sold out' and went for hits instead of making 'music'. They don't like the rap on it. They think it's too much 'all over the place' with no theme. Did you know that Prince considered the song 'Gold' to be his next Purple Rain. He wanted that song to be a huge hit and it just didn't catch on.

There was also rap on Diamonds and Pearls.

To me Gold Experience feels similar to Diamonds and Pearls (although it isn't quite as good). Just like that album it feels like a strong affirmation of his strengths after some lesser received album(s). P. Control as opener feels like Thunder, just a forceful opener that seems to say that he's back in full force.

'The Most Beautiful Girl in the World' is the only track that feels like he's selling out, the rest is very good.
I remember getting it (on cassette at the time) and instantly loving it.

I wonder if Graffiti Bridge might have done better if the title song had been better. Overall it's a good album, but since it's the follow-up to Purple Rain you expect the title song to be a standout - but it is probably the weakest track on it.
 
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Ebdim9th

Dressing the Gothic interval in tritones
Jul 1, 2009
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I used to have the Gold Experience on cassette too, now I just see the case and wonder what happened to the tape? whenever I want to listen to 'Dolphin', the song from that album that most often pops into my head. Speaking of Zappa, I was just following along (yesterday, that is) with the MIDI to a PowerTab someone did of A Watermelon In Easter Hay .....