Prince proving once again he's the real thing

[Shiny_Beast]

gHoUU7bZ4PA#!

[Dave2512]

Not sure he has anything to prove but that was great.

[Cornbread]

blocked


:(


This video contains content from UMPG Publishing, who has blocked it in your country on copyright grounds.

[jackio]

Like wow

[jads57]

Not sure why people think his guitar playing etc. is great! This is not meant to be a slam on the OP's opinion. It's just being old enough to remember when Jimi Hendrix, Otis Redding, James Brown etc. were current and even on the AM radio.
I find Prince to be at best a pale facsimile. It always feels forced and rehearsed rather than natural and off the cuff. If you watch or listen to old Jimi Hendrix live concerts he rarely played the song the exact same way twice. And it some times was actually pretty awful at times, lol!

[Scott Whigham]

Dang - I'm late to the party:

This video contains content from UMPG Publishing, who has blocked it in your country on copyright grounds.

[aliensporebomb]

Blocked in the U.S.A.

[Shiny_Beast]

Not sure why people think his guitar playing etc. is great! This is not meant to be a slam on the OP's opinion. It's just being old enough to remember when Jimi Hendrix, Otis Redding, James Brown etc. were current and even on the AM radio.
I find Prince to be at best a pale facsimile. It always feels forced and rehearsed rather than natural and off the cuff. If you watch or listen to old Jimi Hendrix live concerts he rarely played the song the exact same way twice. And it some times was actually pretty awful at times, lol!

That's the glass half empty version, I'd call it prepared.

He brings the roof down. that lead break at the end was guitar hero 101. Had the crowd going, beautiul phrasing and melodies, just when you thought it was over it wasn't etc...

His guitar playing can be a bit overrted, he's not a blues legend, although I've never seen what he's capable of in that context.

[Lemon Crush]

Not sure why people think his guitar playing etc. is great! This is not meant to be a slam on the OP's opinion. It's just being old enough to remember when Jimi Hendrix, Otis Redding, James Brown etc. were current and even on the AM radio.
I find Prince to be at best a pale facsimile. It always feels forced and rehearsed rather than natural and off the cuff. If you watch or listen to old Jimi Hendrix live concerts he rarely played the song the exact same way twice. And it some times was actually pretty awful at times, lol!

A facsimile of what? He's completely original. Just as original as Hendrix, or J. Brown.

Yes, he's been influenced by a lot of people, but that doesn't mean he's a copy. Tha'ts like saying Hendrix was a pale facsimile of Jeff Beck and Ernie Isley.

[jads57]

Not to disagree w/ the above post but I think you meant Ernie Isley and Jeff Beck were influenced by Jimi Hendrix. I just don't think Prince is even in the same league as Jeff Beck,Carlos Santana,etc. But hey different strokes as they say.
Miles Davis and Jeff Beck both love him as well. Me , I don't get it? I don't feel any warmth ,humor, or real soul from him. I just hear someone who's trying too hard too impress people. And the crazy thing for me, as much as that description might fit Yngwie Malmsteen, Ritchie Blackmoore as well. Those guys I actually can appreciate guitar wise.

[zorak]

Not to disagree w/ the above post but I think you meant Ernie Isley and Jeff Beck were influenced by Jimi Hendrix. I just don't think Prince is even in the same league as Jeff Beck,Carlos Santana,etc. But hey different strokes as they say.
Miles Davis and Jeff Beck both love him as well. Me , I don't get it? I don't feel any warmth ,humor, or real soul from him. I just hear someone who's trying too hard too impress people. And the crazy thing for me, as much as that description might fit Yngwie Malmsteen, Ritchie Blackmoore as well. Those guys I actually can appreciate guitar wise.

No, I think he actually meant Ernie Isley and Jeff Beck influencing Hendrix. Do the research and you'll find out what Hendrix thought about the two of them.

As far as the OP, I think Prince is probably the most important R&B/Pop/Funk guitarist of the last 30+ years. Which, if you agree, would mean his influence and importance is huge in just the guitar department.

[Lucidology]

As far as the OP, I think Prince is probably the most important R&B/Pop/Funk guitarist of the last 30+ years. Which, if you agree, would mean his influence and importance is huge in just the guitar department.

Ditto ...:agree

[Lotis]

Badness personified!

[Lemon Crush]

Not to disagree w/ the above post but I think you meant Ernie Isley and Jeff Beck were influenced by Jimi Hendrix. I just don't think Prince is even in the same league as Jeff Beck,Carlos Santana,etc. But hey different strokes as they say.
Miles Davis and Jeff Beck both love him as well. Me , I don't get it? I don't feel any warmth ,humor, or real soul from him. I just hear someone who's trying too hard too impress people. And the crazy thing for me, as much as that description might fit Yngwie Malmsteen, Ritchie Blackmoore as well. Those guys I actually can appreciate guitar wise.

No, Hendrix was tremendously influenced by Jeff Beck AND Isley and even Clapton. He was influenced by Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan. Hendrix was actually in the Isley Bros. Is Jimi a copy of any of them? No.

Just as Prince, while hugely influed by James Brown, Hendrix, and a host of other musicians, is not a copy of any of them.

[jads57]

Wow, so tell me the song Kiss isn't just a modern copy of James Bown's Papa's gotta brand new bag? And sorry but from a Historic perspective Ernie Isley was not even in the band before Jimi. Not even sure he even played guitar yet. As far as Jeff Beck, I think you'll find he was more influenced by Jimi than the other way around. Why did he later switch to a Strat w/ a whammy bar. You'll find his earlier recordings were either a Esquire/Tele or Sunburst Les Paul up to 1971-3
I'm a die hard Jeff Beck fan and have been since 1968 when Truth came out.
As far as the last 30 years of Rock and Roll, w/ the exception of The Police, King Crimson, and guitarist Eddie Van Halen . There really hasn't been anything very inspiring. But as a bass player friend once told me. "Every generation needs to feel they invented Rock & Roll".

[84superchamp]

Blocked in the U.S.A.

yeah, what's up with that. UMPG hates the USA?

[Nashville Slim]

As far as the last 30 years of Rock and Roll, w/ the exception of The Police, King Crimson, and guitarist Eddie Van Halen . There really hasn't been anything very inspiring.

You might want to get out more.

[2leod]

Not to worry , US cousins - here in Canada we get that restriction from time to time as well.

[Lemon Crush]

yeah, what's up with that. UMPG hates the USA?

Prince isn't exactly in touch with reality, so he really doesn't grasp the fact that youtube videos of him will help him, not hurt him.

[Lemon Crush]

Wow, so tell me the song Kiss isn't just a modern copy of James Bown's Papa's gotta brand new bag? And sorry but from a Historic perspective Ernie Isley was not even in the band before Jimi. Not even sure he even played guitar yet. As far as Jeff Beck, I think you'll find he was more influenced by Jimi than the other way around. Why did he later switch to a Strat w/ a whammy bar. You'll find his earlier recordings were either a Esquire/Tele or Sunburst Les Paul up to 1971-3


Kiss sounds like Papa's got a brand new bag? Srsly? One guitar riff (that has been used in COUNTLESS funk songs), makes it sound similar?

And yes, Ernie and Jimi played together, and Jimi got a lot of ideas regarding feedback and distortion from Jeff Beck.

[jads57]

Got to say I finally understand the older Jazz guys now, that Ive reached their point in life. In other words I thought I knew everything in my 20's &30's Wow, was I stupid and egotistical. It's funny but I am so underwhelmed by today's popular music, what absolute garbage! But hey if it sells it must be good. Man, ain't marketing and Hype great!

[DRS]

No, I think he actually meant Ernie Isley and Jeff Beck influencing Hendrix. Do the research and you'll find out what Hendrix thought about the two of them.

As far as the OP, I think Prince is probably the most important R&B/Pop/Funk guitarist of the last 30+ years. Which, if you agree, would mean his influence and importance is huge in just the guitar department.
Reality check!

Ernie Isley didn't begin playing guitar until 1968 when he was 16. Ernie didn't come into prominence until the 1973 album 3+3. Hendrix, of course, died in 1970.

Back to Prince. If you are totally guitarcentric, then yes, Prince may not be the be all and end all of guitar players. But he is pretty damn good and when combined with his multi-instrumental talents, song writing and entertainment prowess, he is a pretty great package.

[BigViolin]

Yup, guitar just happens to be one of the many instruments the cat can play. Add in the writing and producing, and the kind of swagger that very few can pull off....huuuuge talent.

[patentcad]

I find Prince to be at best a pale facsimile. It always feels forced and rehearsed rather than natural and off the cuff.

Oh stop.

[Calaban]

Jeez. The naysaying!

That shit is good.....end of story!

*sigh*

[patentcad]

This proves that no matter what you do, you'll piss somebody off. How anybody could piss on Prince's guitar playing is beyond me. The dude is brilliant. I'm sure Jimi (God rest his rock n roll soul) would have loved him.

[Lucidology]

Wow, so tell me the song Kiss isn't just a modern copy of James Bown's Papa's gotta brand new bag?

OF course you're referring to the similar strum on the downbeat which incorporates a 32's phrase...
why yes it ..
however, it's not the same chord vocing ...(a mistake a lot of folk make ...)

& since I've played both of those songs forever I'd have to disagree ...
However, I do LOVE 'em both ....

Listen ... you have a right to your feelings about Prince ...
No one's going to argue that ...
However, if you're going to argue that it's the same truth for everyone ...
then expect to be called on stating an absolute viewpoint ...

[hearmecrybaby]

Newsflash: Prince is a great musician.

I wonder if 80 million people (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_music_artists) knew that before it was posted on tgp...

[jhumber]

Love it. The ultimate showman, for me.
I also love that his stage monitors are Mesa boogie 4x12s :-)

[greggorypeccary]

Jeez. The naysaying!

That shit is good.....end of story!

*sigh*

Dude, this is The Gear Page. So whenever a bunch of folks are discussing something they like, someone else must tell them they are all wrong.

Prince is definitely a bad ass musician/performer/entertainer. I finally got to see him last spring and it was one of the best concerts I've been to over the past 30 years.

[oldtelefart]

Prince = Seriously weird diva/star persona.
Prince = Seriously brilliant songwriter/producer/performer/singer.
Prince = Seriously hot MFing guitar player.

And (according to Charlie Murphy) pretty hot at shooting hoops in high heels.

[Teleplayer]

Prince is....well.....Prince.

Dude's been rainin' down the funk and kickin' out the jams for what.....3 decades? He's. well.......Prince.

Next topic/argument.

[ejecta]

Not sure why people think his guitar playing etc. is great! This is not meant to be a slam on the OP's opinion. It's just being old enough to remember when Jimi Hendrix, Otis Redding, James Brown etc. were current and even on the AM radio.
I find Prince to be at best a pale facsimile. It always feels forced and rehearsed rather than natural and off the cuff. If you watch or listen to old Jimi Hendrix live concerts he rarely played the song the exact same way twice. And it some times was actually pretty awful at times, lol!


http://laughingsquid.com/wp-content/uploads/haters-gonna-hate-20101013-120823.jpg

[VH5150]

Reality check!

Ernie Isley didn't begin playing guitar until 1968 when he was 16. Ernie didn't come into prominence until the 1973 album 3+3. Hendrix, of course, died in 1970.


:agree

[ransacker]

This man is the REAL thing. He is a keeper of an extraordinary and singular vision that simultaneously respects and acknowledges the past and builds towards the future. That being said, I pretty much lost any connectedness to him or his music years ago. Not that any of what he did was sub-par, it just wasn't my cup of tea. The fact that he can display an advanced sense of funk mechanics and history, perform, produce, dance, sing, play his a** off and run a small empire is worthy of genuine awe.

[Lemon Crush]

Prince = Seriously weird diva/star persona.
Prince = Seriously brilliant songwriter/producer/performer/singer.
Prince = Seriously hot MFing guitar player.

And (according to Charlie Murphy) pretty hot at shooting hoops in high heels.

While he is completely batshit, I gotta say I probably ould be if I had people telling me I was a genius since I was 16, and been a millionaire since age 20.

[jtwang]

Prince is a master of letting what's between the notes do the job. I wish I could edit my playing half as well.

[Bassomatic]

Prince batsh*t crazy?

News to me.

Unusual convictions don't equal insanity, where I come from (and a good thing, too!).

[dsolse]

Here is another one. You can see how bad he stinks around 3:25

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lZ1Mu78VFM

[billconnorsfan]

KbJrcpqLui8


That is all... :D

[Blackmoreguitar]

Not sure why people think his guitar playing etc. is great! This is not meant to be a slam on the OP's opinion. It's just being old enough to remember when Jimi Hendrix, Otis Redding, James Brown etc. were current and even on the AM radio.
I find Prince to be at best a pale facsimile. It always feels forced and rehearsed rather than natural and off the cuff. If you watch or listen to old Jimi Hendrix live concerts he rarely played the song the exact same way twice. And it some times was actually pretty awful at times, lol!

I just don't get it. The posted vid was great, a current artist playing a great original song, live, great vocals, along with some great guitar playing; ie, just what most people on this kind of forum are crying out for, and you just dismiss it with a 'well Hendrix was better' quip???????

[Average Joe]

Prince = Seriously weird diva/star persona.
Prince = Seriously brilliant songwriter/producer/performer/singer.
Prince = Seriously hot MFing guitar player.

And (according to Charlie Murphy) pretty hot at shooting hoops in high heels.

This. It may not be everybody's favourite music, but how can anyone ot respect what Prince bring?

[hangten]

KbJrcpqLui8


That is all... :D

That was great!

[danielkn]

Saw him on the 25th. 6 encores, 3 hours of funky music. :D The man didn't break a sweat once.

[mixwiz]

40 years from now, 20 year olds will be saying "hey, you gotta check out this Prince dude".

[guitarnut]

prince is undisputedly one of the great writers / performers of our time ... oh wait ... someones disputing it ... whatevs ... prince is a genius

[jads57]

I would venture a guess that most not all of Prince's great admiration comes from people who are 40 and under. And while no doubt he has talent in a lot of musical areas, most of what he does is simply resurrecting Jimi Hendrix,Sly Stone, and James Brown music w/ a Circus environment. I actually like When Dove's Cry, and a few other select songs HE actually came up with! It just seems he's more concerned w/ his image even when it comes to his guitar playing as opposed to letting it naturally flow. I think if he did that, he actually might be one of the greats.

[ejecta]

I would venture a guess that most not all of Prince's great admiration comes from people who are 40 and under. And while no doubt he has talent in a lot of musical areas, most of what he does is simply resurrecting Jimi Hendrix,Sly Stone, and James Brown music w/ a Circus environment. I actually like When Dove's Cry, and a few other select songs HE actually came up with! It just seems he's more concerned w/ his image even when it comes to his guitar playing as opposed to letting it naturally flow. I think if he did that, he actually might be one of the greats.

Like I said...



http://laughingsquid.com/wp-content/uploads/haters-gonna-hate-20101013-120823.jpg

[Lemon Crush]

Prince batsh*t crazy?

News to me.

Unusual convictions don't equal insanity, where I come from (and a good thing, too!).

He thinks the government is controlling our minds with vapor trails from jetliners. I love Prince (seriously, my #1 favorite and I'm somewhat of a collector I guess), but he is completely nutty.

[Shiny_Beast]

It's importand to remember, freestyle off the cuff blues improv isn't everybody's cup of tea. I love it, but it's cool to see someone bring the house down doing the big mojo thing, even if it might be blocked out a bit more than the usual rock act. That's probably a gpood thing for Prince's demographic.

Many of the greatest guitar legends were more rehearsed than Hendrix or Winter. SRV is a good example of being half way there. EVH, while he seems to play off the cuff a lot in concert, it's just a collection licks and tricks. What about Gilmore, he seems to play around live a bit, but IMO his big thing was "writing" lead breaks.

[Rad Skronker]

I saw Prince live.

The man is THE REAL DEAL.

There is NO FAKE IN HIS FUNK.

I was a fan before I saw him, so seeing him live just confirmed my admiration of his talents

He plays GREAT guitar - funk - rock - jazz all played like he'd done only that style all of his career
oh yeah he also plays bass, keyboards, drums, sings, records and produces records, runs a business
yeah I know a lot of other people have done the same but few have done it as successfully for as long

The man has international appeal

You show me a person who hates Princes music and you'll have shown me a person who might be dead inside...lol!

PRINCE RULES!

[aliensporebomb]

If none of you have seen it I highly recommend "Kevin Smith Talks About Prince" on youtube. It's interesting. He's very talented but if you watch the video with Smith it gives you some ideas that Prince's world is a bit insular with not a lot of people telling him no around him and thus he have the same problem Michael Jackson did - lots of yes men and maybe just a bit of delusion. But a hell of a producer/writer/player/performer too.

[Rad Skronker]

If none of you have seen it I highly recommend "Kevin Smith Talks About Prince" on youtube. It's interesting. He's very talented but if you watch the video with Smith it gives you some ideas that Prince's world is a bit insular with not a lot of people telling him no around him and thus he have the same problem Michael Jackson did - lots of yes men and maybe just a bit of delusion. But a hell of a producer/writer/player/performer too.


From what Kevin has seen first hand I guess Prince can be or is eccentric.
I personally don't care because I don't have to deal with whatever his particular brand of crazy may be, I dig the music and think he is a musical genius.

[Polynitro]

being old...and...pale...feels...awful at times, lol!

dude, we get it you dont like Prince. Now stop being silly trying to convince everyone they are wrong because they dont agree with you.

[DRS]

From what Kevin has seen first hand I guess Prince can be or is eccentric.
I personally don't care because I don't have to deal with whatever his particular brand of crazy may be, I dig the music and think he is a musical genius.
Exactly

I watched Kevin Smith's youtubes and it was pretty interesting.
This is why I don't want to meet my musical heroes. I don't want to discover that they are weird or rude or just generally dicks. I just listen to the music and stay happy with my impressions and imaginings.

[harry65]

i dig some of his music but i think he i a very subpar guitar player , sloppy as all heck , bad tone and not harmonically interesting , ymmv.............:omg

[Lucidology]

i dig some of his music but i think he i a very subpar guitar player , sloppy as all heck , bad tone and not harmonically interesting , ymmv.............:omg

Started a thread once on this very subject

Prince~Let's hear U play Syncopated Rhythms w/hip Chord Shapes? (http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=592471) (http://img.thegearpage.net/board/images/misc/multipage.gif 1 (http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=592471) 2 (http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=592471&page=2) 3 (http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=592471&page=3) 4 (http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=592471&page=4) 5 (http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=592471&page=5))

[greggorypeccary]

Some folks posting in this thread obviously haven't listened to too much of the man's music.

[mc2]

Liking him more and more. Too bad the clip is blocked. Check out the superbowl press conference clip. He's got it all. Attitude style badness on a tele and a cranked Marshall.

[Lemon Crush]

i dig some of his music but i think he i a very subpar guitar player , sloppy as all heck , bad tone and not harmonically interesting , ymmv.............:omg

And you think you've heard enough of his material (30+ albums, and that's just what he's released) to come to such a conclusion.

[harry65]

And you think you've heard enough of his material (30+ albums, and that's just what he's released) to come to such a conclusion.

yes..........

[tsar nicholas]

I would venture a guess that most not all of Prince's great admiration comes from people who are 40 and under. And while no doubt he has talent in a lot of musical areas, most of what he does is simply resurrecting Jimi Hendrix,Sly Stone, and James Brown music w/ a Circus environment. I actually like When Dove's Cry, and a few other select songs HE actually came up with! It just seems he's more concerned w/ his image even when it comes to his guitar playing as opposed to letting it naturally flow. I think if he did that, he actually might be one of the greats.

^ I have a hard time believing that you've listened to much of Prince's music. He's about as far from being an imitator as anyone can be. The range of styles and moods represented by his compositions is just staggering.

Is he influenced by and does he pay homage to Brown, Stone, Hendrix, Clinton? Of course. Is he trying to carbon-copy imitate them? No way. Listen to the albums "Dirty Mind," and then "1999," and then "Sign O' The Times," and then "Diamonds and Pearls," and tell me that he's not startlingly original.

With regard to the argument that he's not an outstanding guitar player with a unique style, well -- I just don't see a way that could make sense. I defy anyone to listen to "Alphabet Street" or "Seven" and make that assertion with a straight face.

[filtersweep]

He is a showman and a pop star--- and one of the best. How many pop stars exhibit this level of talent and creativity? Seriously? I am not a big fan of Prince, btw. But he really hasn't positioned himself to be a musician's musician (like a Jeff Beck), if you know what I mean. I lived in Mpls for years, and the purple one's live shows are legendary. Of course, what I write might fit well with your opinion.... but subpar? Really? Subpar is the Edge ;)


i dig some of his music but i think he i a very subpar guitar player , sloppy as all heck , bad tone and not harmonically interesting , ymmv.............:omg

[Bazaboy33]

I'm going to see him on Monday. I missed the Lovesexy tour back in the day and have regretted it. I'm not a huge fan, but have much respect for the man as a showman and guitarist. I have no doubt that he will put on a great show that will leave me truly satisfied and feeling that I have gotten my $'s worth. Unlike The Police reunion show, which cost at least 3x more for seats much further away only to have to endure Sting's son's band as an opener and a sloppy Police show only redeemed by my nostalgia for a band I worshipped in highschool...Prince will bring it!!!

Oh yeah, if you don't think that he can play guitar, just watch the "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" performance from the RRHOF. That poor guy note-for-noting Clapton had no idea what hit him once Prince went off...

[Laroosco!]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMjB6S45-cI&feature=related

[tamader74]

....I caught prince a few years back jamming with Jeff Lynn, Harrison's boy,Jeff Beck...and I believe Carlos was in on it to and a few others...Out walks Prince with his Tele.,,,,and I was blown away....anybody posting on this thread that sez/thinks the man can't play.....Just gotta' be hatin'.....I'm a ol' boy from back in the day that has to admit I didn't care for his "personna" and 'his modding' of Tele.'s.....But, Dang the boy can play......Can't be all bad loves Tele.'s, Football....

[Rad Skronker]

i dig some of his music but i think he i a very subpar guitar player , sloppy as all heck , bad tone and not harmonically interesting , ymmv.............:omg

So who makes your list as a good guitarist?

[harry65]

So who makes your list as a good guitarist?

jeff beck
al dimeola
vince gill
stochelo rosenberg
johny hiland
guthrie govan
john scofield
scott henderson
uli roth
srv
bryan sutton
allan holdsworth
yngwie
tony rice
joscho stephan to name a few............

look i like his music and owned a few cd's back in the day , but to rave about him as a "monster player" on a musicians site imo is ludicrous.

great performer - check
good pop songwriter - check
charismatic - check
monster guitarist - errrr no

as always ymmv............:)

tony rice

[Bassomatic]

A few names I love to death on that list^, but Prince brings sooo much more to the table than mere guitarissmo.

As a singer he has few peers. Ditto writer. Ditto producer.

His game and groove are deep as hell.

[harry65]

A few names I love to death on that list^, but Prince brings sooo much more to the table than mere guitarissmo.

As a singer he has few peers. Ditto writer. Ditto producer.

His game and groove are deep as hell.

agreed on above points but again to call him a "monster guitarist" ?????????

[teleman1]

Above all, Prince is a performer. He's a whole package kinda guy.For me he's one of a handful of guiding lights in this doldrum slow agonizing death of Rocknroll. I saw Hendrix. I've seen Prince and been into him since 1980. Prince does not travel nor can travel on uncharted waters music wise because RNR as we think we know it, started to die some 25 years ago. Most of anything since the 80's is REHASH. The Difference with Jimi and other artists of the time;they were making it in UNCHARTED waters. Jimi's concerts were loose an avant-garde in comparison to Prince's James Brown regiment.
Perhaps if Prince was in Jimi's era, there could have been competition. But then Prince would have a different set of influences.
My point is that Prince borrows for his show/performance today. There's heavy influence from Funk/R&B,Jazz, & JIMI HENDRIX. Jimi took influences to uncharted waters and came out giving a lot of young people in the later 60's and beyond great joy. Especially if they picked up a guitar.

Since I'm rambling, I'm gonna ramble.

[greggorypeccary]

agreed on above points but again to call him a "monster guitarist" ?????????

He's as great in his genre as the folks you mentioned in your list are in theirs.

[harry65]

He's as great in his genre as the folks you mentioned in your list are in theirs.

what genre?????? pop music??????? i rest my case..........:omg

[tsar nicholas]

^ There is not a better funk guitar player alive than Prince

[harry65]

^ There is not a better funk guitar player alive than Prince
i disagree , he's just not that good imo , he's a pop star that happens to play guitar , i don't think either of us will convince each other otherwise , that's cool..............

[Bassomatic]

i disagree , he's just not that good imo , he's a pop star that happens to play guitar , i don't think either of us will convince each other otherwise , that's cool..............

Prince is about as far away from the present paradigm of pop star as can be imagined.

He's got a lot more in common with folks like Sly, Clinton, and even Zappa (listen to the arrangements on Lovesexy, for example).

If he's not a "monster guitarist", he has a way of commanding a stage, while playing guitar, that most of the superior technicians you cite can't touch.

[zerocharisma]

I'm 29. I was not a huge fan of Prince in the sense that I had all his albums or knew many of his songs besides the radio staples, i.e. Purple Rain, When Doves Cry, etc. However, my 25 yr old girlfriend is a major fan of his, so she convinced me to go see his 21 Nite Stand tour at the Great Western Forum this past spring. Whoa. I knew he was a talented singer, songwriter, musician, but I was convinced after that night that he is a MONSTER guitar player, regardless of what anyone says. And his stage presence is undeniable. That was definitely one of the most impressive concerts I'd ever been to, and I've seen TGP legends like Michael Landau, Eric Johnson, and John Mayer live...

I won't try to convince the haters to stop drinking the Haterade. It's just sad to see other "musicians" so close-minded and unwilling to acknowledge real talent...

[greggorypeccary]

i disagree , he's just not that good imo , he's a pop star that happens to play guitar , i don't think either of us will convince each other otherwise , that's cool..............

Pop star who happens to play guitar?

:facepalm

[Lemon Crush]

what genre?????? pop music??????? i rest my case..........:omg

Stevie Wonder was a pop star who played keyobards. Would you say stevie is an amazing piano player?

[harry65]

Stevie Wonder was a pop star who played keyobards. Would you say stevie is an amazing piano player?

no , not a great pianist as far as i've ever heard , wonderful composer though........

[Lemon Crush]

no , not a great pianist as far as i've ever heard , wonderful composer though........

Then you are sick in the brain and probably should be playing music.

FYI, mastery of in instrument isn't measured by nps. It's measured by ability to create with it. Therefore, because he's an awesome composer ON PIANO, that makes him a good piano player.

[harry65]

Prince is about as far away from the present paradigm of pop star as can be imagined.

He's got a lot more in common with folks like Sly, Clinton, and even Zappa (listen to the arrangements on Lovesexy, for example).

If he's not a "monster guitarist", he has a way of commanding a stage, while playing guitar, that most of the superior technicians you cite can't touch.

what the heck does "commanding a stage" whatever that means have to do with being a monster player???????????

something in common with zappa who was a real genius??????? good lord.........:bonk:bonk:bonk

[Lemon Crush]

what the heck does "commanding a stage" whatever that means have to do with being a monster player???????????


Everything...

Seriously, are you trolling. :huh

[harry65]

Then you are sick in the brain and probably should be playing music.

FYI, mastery of in instrument isn't measured by nps. It's measured by ability to create with it. Therefore, because he's an awesome composer ON PIANO, that makes him a good piano player.

it doesn't make him a "monster piano player" like a meldau , let me guess something , you're a clapton guy............

[harry65]

Everything...

Seriously, are you trolling. :huh

no , i just devour and adore music for the sake of music , not cool clothes , light shows and dance moves...........

[Lemon Crush]

it doesn't make him a "monster piano player" like a meldau , let me guess something , you're a clapton guy............

When I was 16. Hate him now though.

[Lemon Crush]

no , i just devour and adore music for the sake of music , not cool clothes , light shows and dance moves...........

Exactly. But your other posts indicate otherwise. It sounds like your hating on him because he has a good stage show and completely ignoring his compositional and songwriting skills.

[harry65]

Exactly. But your other posts indicate otherwise. It sounds like your hating on him because he has a good stage show and completely ignoring his compositional and songwriting skills.

i never said he couldn't compose or perform , never once , just not a very good guitar player imo , certainly not a "monster"...............

[Lemon Crush]

i never said he couldn't compose or perform , never once , just not a very good guitar player imo , certainly not a "monster"...............

He can compose well on guitar, therefore he is a good guitarist.

[frickengruvin]

The title of this thread is: Prince proving once again he's the real thing
Not trying to put words in anyone's mouth, but it's pretty clear he is.....and I'm not a big fan...sure, I enjoy some of "hits", but there's no denying the man's talent. He plays 27 different instruments...I can't begin to name the mega talent that has come out of his musical tutilage...

Not that this means anything, but I saw one of his shows in 2002 or 2003 here in Reno...I was floored by his show. Not a sitdown moment in over 2 hours of playing. Paul McCartney attended this show....as a spectator.

To say he's not a monster player is somewhat ludicrous. His music encompasses funk, r&b, pop and even some techno-probably more....my point is he excels at all of them, seemingly making them his own. Without a doubt he "owns" whatever it is he releases. Personally, I believe all the greats are instantly identifiable in voice (he is), and rarely, but also in this case in musicianship.

Like I said, I'm not a big fan, but got to give this man his props...They are well deserved in my opinion.

[tsar nicholas]

The title of this thread is: Prince proving once again he's the real thing ...
To say he's not a monster player is somewhat ludicrous.

^ My thoughts precisely.


As if more evidence was needed, here he is shredding up some '60s-style rock on Leno :

http://video.yandex.ru/users/crow-jane/view/34/

[harry65]

The title of this thread is: Prince proving once again he's the real thing
Not trying to put words in anyone's mouth, but it's pretty clear he is.....and I'm not a big fan...sure, I enjoy some of "hits", but there's no denying the man's talent. He plays 27 different instruments...I can't begin to name the mega talent that has come out of his musical tutilage...

Not that this means anything, but I saw one of his shows in 2002 or 2003 here in Reno...I was floored by his show. Not a sitdown moment in over 2 hours of playing. Paul McCartney attended this show....as a spectator.

To say he's not a monster player is somewhat ludicrous. His music encompasses funk, r&b, pop and even some techno-probably more....my point is he excels at all of them, seemingly making them his own. Without a doubt he "owns" whatever it is he releases. Personally, I believe all the greats are instantly identifiable in voice (he is), and rarely, but also in this case in musicianship.

Like I said, I'm not a big fan, but got to give this man his props...They are well deserved in my opinion.

but he's not a great guitar player imo , in fact rather sophomoric to me , to each his own...........

[harry65]

^ My thoughts precisely.


As if more evidence was needed, here he is shredding up some '60s-style rock on Leno :

http://video.yandex.ru/users/crow-jane/view/34/

that's "monster" playing??????????
:huh:huh:huh

[tsar nicholas]

^ OK pal, we 'get' that anybody who doesn't sound like Al DiMeola doesn't meet your "monster" criteria, you're certainly entitled to your opinion.



Anyway, apart from the fact that he's a genius and a master of the guitar, there's this:

IVvTvOrV8sw

[harry65]

^ OK pal, we 'get' that anybody who doesn't sound like Al DiMeola doesn't meet your "monster" criteria, you're certainly entitled to your opinion.



Anyway, apart from the fact that he's a genius and a master of the guitar, there's this:

IVvTvOrV8sw

he is not , never was and will probably never be a master of guitar , i'm really shocked peeps even consider him for real on guitar , we used to laugh our azzes off back in the day watching the let's get crazy video and that sloppy nasty toned solo thing at the end , i am really shocked , i would expect this on a fan site but not a musicians forum , bizarre..........:huh

[jerrycampbell]

he is not , never was and will probably never be a master of guitar , i'm really shocked peeps even consider him for real on guitar , we used to laugh our azzes off back in the day watching the let's get crazy video and that sloppy nasty toned solo thing at the end , i am really shocked , i would expect this on a fan site but not a musicians forum , bizarre..........:huh
Yeah, clown, we get it: you don't get it. Moving on...

[harry65]

Yeah, clown, we get it: you don't get it. Moving on...

thank god i don't get it...........:p

[zzmoore]

If I am allowed to give my HONEST OPINION.....
I saw him in the mid 1980's. I guess it was the tour for whatever record he released after Purple Rain.
I did not care much for his music, but my girlfriend of the time really did (common story). So I went to see him. I thought he was a pretty damn good guitar player......but A LOT of guys are. I was kind of more impressed with his piano playing. Then he also did some REAL decent work on percussion. He was and probably still is the most "versatile" musician I have ever seen live.
If you are a Prince fan, I can understand why. So just stop reading right here.
Personally.....I had to leave the show early. I couldn't stomach looking at him anymore. And that goes for half the audience. Perhaps just the sign of the times then. Don't know don't care. Never saw him again.
But I don't think anybody can honestly dismiss his many musical talents....including knowing his way around a guitar quite well.
Best.

[stratotastic]

For such an "innovative" guitar player, I've never heard anyone cite him as an influence of their's on guitar. Now that I said that I know they/you will come out of the woodwork to prove me wrong, but up to this point, I've never heard it. Not saying he's not a good player--he can wheedily-wheedily-whee with the best of 'em--but he's really not breaking any new ground on the instrument. Stage moves? Yeah. Songwriting? Sure. Bandleading? Absolutely. As an overall musician? No denying it. But as a straight up guitarist, I ain't buying it.

Yes I'm a hater because I have a different opinion than you, and no, I can't play better than he can. But I've heard enough guitarists to know who is doing novel things and those that are mainly just rehashing that which has come before.

Carry on...

[harry65]

For such an "innovative" guitar player, I've never heard anyone cite him as an influence of their's on guitar. Now that I said that I know they/you will come out of the woodwork to prove me wrong, but up to this point, I've never heard it. Not saying he's not a good player--he can wheedily-wheedily-whee with the best of 'em--but he's really not breaking any new ground on the instrument. Stage moves? Yeah. Songwriting? Sure. Bandleading? Absolutely. As an overall musician? No denying it. But as a straight up guitarist, I ain't buying it.

Yes I'm a hater because I have a different opinion than you, and no, I can't play better than he can. But I've heard enough guitarists to know who is doing novel things and those that are mainly just rehashing that which has come before.

Carry on...
:aok:aok:aok

[Laroosco!]

Yeah, clown, we get it: you don't get it. Moving on...

I'll second that

[jerrycampbell]

jeff beck
al dimeola
vince gill
stochelo rosenberg
johny hiland
guthrie govan
john scofield
scott henderson
uli roth
srv
bryan sutton
allan holdsworth
yngwie
tony rice
joscho stephan to name a few............

Oh, I get it. White guys only.

[EricPeterson]

thank god i don't get it...........:p


Here is what I dont get, you dont like prince, why the hell are you in this thread? To tell us you dont like prince? Noted. Now why are you still in this thread? Do you have nothing better to do than discuss a guitarist you dont like? Seems like a very sad place to be in ones life. Or maybe you have some other motive, and I think I might have just fell for it.

[steveRB]

Prince is the greatest musical genius of our time, he will go down in history as the ultimate guitar god.

[harry65]

Oh, I get it. White guys only.

lol , pathetic , throw in wes , greg howe , tony macalpine , gatemouth brown , but prince still suxxx..............

[harry65]

Here is what I dont get, you dont like prince, why the hell are you in this thread? To tell us you dont like prince? Noted. Now why are you still in this thread? Do you have nothing better to do than discuss a guitarist you dont like? Seems like a very sad place to be in ones life. Or maybe you have some other motive, and I think I might have just fell for it.

just havin fun , although i am really shocked at all the prince lovers.........

[jerrycampbell]

lol , pathetic , throw in wes , greg howe , tony macalpine , gatemouth brown , but prince still suxxx..............
Backpedal, 'sparky'! Faster!

[Fitzer]

I would love to see some of you armchair critics try to pull off a guitar-heavy Prince song live on stage as well as he can. Won't happen. The guy is a class act. John Mayer can't even do it, and he is a pretty well-documented Prince fan, and covers him live on stage all the time when he is on tour. And if I recall correctly, a lot of you guys are big John Mayer fans. Not a diss on John Mayer. I'm a fan of his as much as I am a fan of Prince. It's just nobody can touch Prince. He will play drums, bass, piano, guitar, auxiliary percussion, any instrument better than anybody hating on him on this website. End of story.

[harry65]

Backpedal, 'sparky'! Faster!

i was talkin guys that are alive or wes would be a top 5 for me , not that i care what ya think , just not cool to go there.............

[tsar nicholas]

I think that a lot of people don't get how deep his skill is, even considering rhythm guitar only. Seriously, try to play and sing "Seven" sometime. It's tricky. And forget "Let's Work," "Alphabet St," or innumerable other funky hit masterpieces. He's as deadly in that mode as Jimmy Nolen or Garry Shider were, and he has an exceptionally unique sense of groove that makes his stuff instantly identifiable.

Guitar mastery isn't only about blazing 64th notes in the upper register.

[Bassomatic]

just havin fun , although i am really shocked at all the prince lovers.........

Dude...guitar myopia = total sadness.

Go spin some uber emotional Di Meola.

So tired of folks whose knowledge of Prince doesn't extend beyond 'Purple Rain' and their under-informed epionions on TGP.

[Bassomatic]

'Alphabet Street' is funky as hell. What a comping tone.

[Lemon Crush]

he is not , never was and will probably never be a master of guitar , i'm really shocked peeps even consider him for real on guitar , we used to laugh our azzes off back in the day watching the let's get crazy video and that sloppy nasty toned solo thing at the end , i am really shocked , i would expect this on a fan site but not a musicians forum , bizarre..........:huh

You're being hypocritical. You're saying "He's a great composer" but not a great guitarist? That doesn't make sense. You can't be good and bad at something at the same thing.

[Flyin' Brian]

dude, we get it you dont like Prince. Now stop being silly trying to convince everyone they are wrong because they dont agree with you.

:agree

5 posts saying you don't like him, that he's not the real thing etc. is enough. We GET it.

BTW Re: Your reference to demographics, I think that Prince is a real badass in every area and I'm thinking that I'm older than you.

And this quote is just plain condescending.

Got to say I finally understand the older Jazz guys now, that Ive reached their point in life. In other words I thought I knew everything in my 20's &30's Wow, was I stupid and egotistical. It's funny but I am so underwhelmed by today's popular music, what absolute garbage! But hey if it sells it must be good. Man, ain't marketing and Hype great!

[tsar nicholas]

'Alphabet Street' is funky as hell. What a comping tone.

^ Heck yes. I base my whole approach to Les Pauls on this tune. I really can't think of any songs that I like better, it's just a perfect execution.


Here's the wunderbar video.

http://www.mojvideo.com/video-prince-alphabet-street/da77abff6890b9804887

To me, this simplest of Prince songs just encapsulates everything that is great about Prince :


- Irresistible groove
- Brilliant, randy post-Chuck Berry lyrics
- Memorable melody
- Death-ray guitar playing
- Leaves you with a feeling like you could accomplish anything you put your mind to




_

[jads57]

I do need to apologize for sounding so condescending.But I just think it's important to point out how the musical bar has been lowered over the last 10-20 years. It seems like a lot of things these days, it's about who sells the most, or who has the most media coverage. I'm fine w/ Prince as a Pop Icon, but the musical , guitar genius thing is ridiculous. I think of genius being Mozart, Bach, Charlie Parker,John Coltrane, even Jimi Hendrix and Jaco Pastorius, but Prince falls quite below that musical bar.

[Lemon Crush]

^ Heck yes. I base my whole approach to Les Pauls on this tune. I really can't think of any songs that I like better, it's just a perfect execution.


Here's the wunderbar video.

http://www.mojvideo.com/video-prince-alphabet-street/da77abff6890b9804887

To me, this simplest of Prince songs just encapsulates everything that is great about Prince :


- Irresistible groove
- Brilliant, randy post-Chuck Berry lyrics
- Memorable melody
- Death-ray guitar playing
- Leaves you with a feeling like you could accomplish anything you put your mind to




_

But he doesn't play jazz like Demeola, so he sucks. [/sarcasm]


[Oh wait, he's totally actually done 2 or 3 jazz albums under his own name and 3 or 4 under different aliases :)]

[Lemon Crush]

I do need to apologize for sounding so condescending.But I just think it's important to point out how the musical bar has been lowered over the last 10-20 years. It seems like a lot of things these days, it's about who sells the most, or who has the most media coverage. I'm fine w/ Prince as a Pop Icon, but the musical , guitar genius thing is ridiculous. I think of genius being Mozart, Bach, Charlie Parker,John Coltrane, even Jimi Hendrix and Jaco Pastorius, but Prince falls quite below that musical bar.

Prince isn't a guitar genius in the shreeding speed sense. But his timing, and compositional skills cerainly have not been matched in the past couple decades.

[tsar nicholas]

Hey, I just found the uber rare video for one of the best Prince ballads, "Money Don't Matter 2nite." The message rings double true today, images haunt.

http://www.videodetective.com/music-videos/money-dont-matter-tonight-video/228030

[hearmecrybaby]

http://thechive.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/haters-gonna-hate-12.jpg?w=500&h=485

[rwe333]

Just caught him and his band from about 25' feet away... Real deal? A very far cry above that! You'd be very hard pressed to find tighter band and performance from any era.

[Lemon Crush]

Hey, I just found the uber rare video for one of the best Prince ballads, "Money Don't Matter 2nite." The message rings double true today, images haunt.

http://www.videodetective.com/music-videos/money-dont-matter-tonight-video/228030

Very good vibe to that song. Interesting chord progression with is brimming with jazz influence.

[Fitzer]

Hey, I just found the uber rare video for one of the best Prince ballads, "Money Don't Matter 2nite." The message rings double true today, images haunt.

http://www.videodetective.com/music-videos/money-dont-matter-tonight-video/228030

Awesome song.

[jads57]

Just to be clear on my part, I'm not basing my opinion on shredding ability. Far from that, I 'm talking about his harmonic abilities song writing as well as guitar playing. And I'm also not a big fan of Al DiMeola's either. Now John McLaughlin is the whole package!

[ejecta]

^

http://images.cheezburger.com/completestore/2010/11/18/1f4d585d-9577-4f9c-a429-7879012b95c4.jpg

[hearmecrybaby]

Just caught him and his band from about 25' feet away... Real deal? A very far cry above that! You'd be very hard pressed to find tighter band and performance from any era.

i read that prince forces his band to rehearse with him 9-10 hours a day 6 days a week for months in anticipation of a tour.

[Shiny_Beast]

He might not be a "guitarist's guitarist", or at least doesn't show it all the time, but I like to talk up my fav guitar heroes, and say that if you had a head cutting, and you had 30 seconds and all you were allowed to play was 5 notes, when the dust settled it would be between Mic Ronson and Neil Young. I'd bet Prince would make a hell of a showing in said contest.

[TubeStack]

Wow! Incredible. Thanks for posting. :beer

[TNJ]

I think Prince's real genius comes from his versatility in the studio and his commanding charisma and absolute confidence onstage. He's a really good guitarist, a really good bassist, a really good vocalist, an outtasite percussionist, a decent keyboardist in his style, a tremendous bandleader, a tremendous songwriter and arranger, a world class producer and he has a firm command of the art of style...musically and otherwise.

Yep...he's all that.

My .02,

S.
j