Highly Praised Music Artists That Don't Do a Thing for You

[Shakespeare In The Alley]

Nothing else about him, as an artist or as a man, is particularly uncommon.

I find this hard to accept. I can easily get someone not liking Prince, and that's perfectly fine, but who else in pop music, as a musician or a person, is like him?

[jff]

I find this hard to accept. I can easily get someone not liking Prince, and that's perfectly fine, but who else in pop music, as a musician or a person, is like him?

 

I like Prince. Let's get that out of the way.

 

I don't mean other musicians are similar to him as a persona. He's somewhat unique as a chracter, but most of the things that have been said about Prince* in this thread could be said, word for word, about, say, Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, or any number of other artists.

 

As a man, whatever it is that makes Prince a dick is probably quite common. The only thing unusual about it is that he has the money to fund his quirks, and the fame that gets people to pay attention. Without those things, you're just a run-of-the-mill unemployable mental case with delusions of grandeur.

 

*great muilti-instrumentalist - - can't argue there. that's a rare thing.

*Puts on a great show - - so do lots of artists.

*Wrote some of the most catchy music ever - - so have several dozen other songwriters.

*Is very diverse musically - - that's not uncommon at all.

*Purple Rain & Sign of the Times - - many, many other artists have put out two great albums. Some even manage to pop out three.

[Shakespeare In The Alley]

OK, I can accept that. Prince has more than two great albums though. PR and SOTT are at the top, of course. But there's more.

 

Anyway, he's a personal favorite of mine. I go through big phases of all the artists I really like, but none of them are ever as intense as when I get back into Prince's catalogue. I've yet to see him live, but it's been at the top of my dream concert list for a few years now.

[jff]

OK, I can accept that. Prince has more than two great albums though. PR and SOTT are at the top, of course. But there's more.

 

Anyway, he's a personal favorite of mine. I go through big phases of all the artists I really like, but none of them are ever as intense as when I get back into Prince's catalogue. I've yet to see him live, but it's been at the top of my dream concert list for a few years now.

 

No doubt, Prince has more than two great ones.

 

My wife got to see the Purple Rain tour. She said it was spectacular. When Purple Rain came out, I thought "Let's Go Crazy" was the most exciting thing I'd ever heard.

[Shakespeare In The Alley]

 

I'm 21 years old. Was not around for Prince's heyday. But those shows, from what I've seen/heard/read, were something else.

[jff]

 

I'm 21 years old. Was not around for Prince's heyday. But those shows, from what I've seen/heard/read, were something else.

 

Purple Rain (and stuff like 1999, Little Red Corvette) was pretty new and exciting stuff for people my age back then.

 

I'm probably somewhat jaded against Prince at this point, and although I'm confident I'll never consider him the most talented popular artist, I admit I might be giving him less credit than he rightfully deserves.

[GtrPlyr]

I think I'd place Prince near the top of the heap when it comes to multi-instrumental technical skill. I think Stevie Wonder beats him there, and Paul McCartney is probably his equal.

I don't know if I'd go so far to say that Stevie beats him. I'd say that Stevie's probably better on keyboards--though this is debatable as Prince has some mad piano skills--and harmonica; Prince is a better guitarist, and bassist. They're probably even on drums from what I've seen of their playing. Paul McCartney is another good choice, but chops wise I think Stevie and Prince would easily best him on Keys, and Prince is defnitely a stronger guitar player than Sir Paul. Paul probably couldn't come up with the the great funky bass parts that Prince does, and Prince probably wouldn't have Paul's knack for melodic bass lines.

 

 

*Puts on a great show - - so do lots of artists.

I can't think of many artists that put on as strong a show as Prince, especially in his prime (checkout footage of the Lovesexy tour, that guy was doing stuff musically and visually that few could top.) As a performer, Prince in his prime is right up there with vintage Springsteen, James Brown, and Funkadelic. I wouldn't say there's a lot of artists in the same league as these guys concert wise. Another thing to consider is Prince often does 2-3 hour small club shows after his main concert. The guy is a tireless performer.

 

 

*great muilti-instrumentalist - - can't argue there. that's a rare thing.

*Puts on a great show - - so do lots of artists.

*Wrote some of the most catchy music ever - - so have several dozen other songwriters.

*Is very diverse musically - - that's not uncommon at all.

*Purple Rain & Sign of the Times - - many, many other artists have put out two great albums. Some even manage to pop out three.

There is definitely others that have done some of these things, but few have covered all these bases with the same range as Prince. I know I mentioned Purple Rain and Sign 'o' the Times earlier, but there's definitely a lot more worth listening to: 1999, Around the World in a Day, Dirty Mind, The Black Album, Parade, Lovesexy, Graffiti Bridge... When you factor in the live with the recorded output and the instrumental and compositional skills, you'd be hardpressed to come up with a lot of names that can compare.

[stooka]

Prince -

Stevie Wonder -

Paul McCartney -

[froggie]

has anyone mentioned Justin Beiber yet?

[tinnitus photography]

 

 

I dig me some Zlad too

[mpolak21]

Prince is defnitely a stronger guitar player than Sir Paul.

 

 

I was going to come in here and point to the solo at the end of Too Many People on Ram as evidence of Macca's shredding talent, but as it turns out he didn't play that, Hugh McCracken did. Carry on.

 

--Mike

 

 

[smells like flowers]

Ah, yes, thanks for the reminder: may I add Sufjan Stevens and The National to my list.

 

Ditto for The National. I tried, I reallly did, but I don't get the appeal.

[welch79]

i was alive and kicking in the 80s (born in '79), and even listening to music on my own (my parents always had it on, and i inherited that from them...always being aware of music). i bring that up b/c i wanted to mention that i was around for born in the usa, but i still don't see why so many folk love, love, LOVE springsteen. i can appreciate that he has talent, don't get me wrong, and i've tried to like his stuff...i just can't.

 

you know, as i see these replies, it strikes me that the difference is personal impact. i can see myself, in a different life/upbringing/situation, really diggin the boss and his efforts, but that's just not how my life played out. so, when i read that some of you don't get some of my most personally affecting artists, i think, at least initially, "what an asshole." but then i come off that conclusion and really appreciate being exposed to diverse opinions as a way to think outside of my own head and realize that we all have very unique experiences that drive and wire us each to like a very personal set of music/genres/artists.

 

what unites us all, i think, is our visceral appreciation for music. when you are passionate about something, it's hard for emotion to not get in the way, but don't let it shut you down. allow yourself time to consider other perspectives and there will be reward.

 

(i am really giving myself a pep talk so pardon me.)

[Orkie]

Prince is amazing and several notches above the hacks in the blog year end lists.

[Orkie]

*Puts on a great show - - so do lots of artists.

 

 

No, a lot of artists don't put on great shows - especially the caliber of Prince. He's one of the remaining true entertainenrs, a real legend. There's no current live act that approaches his stage prowess in sheer physical performance.

[tinnitus photography]

No, a lot of artists don't put on great shows - especially the caliber of Prince. He's one of the remaining true entertainenrs, a real legend. There's no current live act that approaches his stage prowess in sheer physical performance.

 

how about Oxbow?

[PopTodd]

No, a lot of artists don't put on great shows - especially the caliber of Prince. He's one of the remaining true entertainenrs, a real legend. There's no current live act that approaches his stage prowess in sheer physical performance.

 

Agreed.

Although Fishbone did come pretty close when they were at the height of their powers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyguJEVSjzU

[froggie]

this André Rieu guy came out of nowhere down here and became the best thing since sliced bread

[jff]

No, a lot of artists don't put on great shows - especially the caliber of Prince. He's one of the remaining true entertainenrs, a real legend. There's no current live act that approaches his stage prowess in sheer physical performance.

 

I'll grant you that. Of the many artists who (still) put on great shows, I can't think of any, aside from Prince, who do so by running around the stage with the energy of a ten year old.

[PopTodd]

I'll grant you that. Of the many artists who (still) put on great shows, I can't think of any, aside from Prince, who do so by running around the stage with the energy of a ten year old.

And playing every instrument on the stage better than the folks whom he has paid to play in the band with him!

[jff]

Truly, the man is the greatest at everything of all time.

[cryptique]

I hear he makes a mean soufflé.

[uncool2pillow]

Truly, the man is the greatest at everything of all time.

Just like Randall Cunningham!

[jff]

And playing every instrument on the stage better than the folks whom he has paid to play in the band with him!

 

Is this because he is actually better than them on their instruments, or because he pays them to keep it simple so he can really shine when he gets to take over their instrument?

[Moss]

Dude can play hoops in high heels then make you pancakes!