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Filling His Empty Room

The good years for Prince keep rolling in since he (and everyone else) began believing his purple boat had sailed off into commercial oblivion. 2004 saw him become the highest grossing live act of the year, in 2006 he released a number one album, his first in 17 years, the year he also hit the jackpot in Vegas performing for 6 months at his own club selling out every show. 2007 he outshone the match at the Super Bowl and he continued his winning streak by selling nearly 400,000 concert tickets in London alone before any promotion even had the chance to take off. Reaching 50 years of age in 2008, Prince's thoughts will be turning to retirement. For the purple gravy train is on a roll, even though slightly derailed in the mid 90's, even he must be wondering when it will hit the buffers on the other end of its very long and eventful journey.

So is The Earth Tour his farewell visit to 20,000 seater venues? His choice of using huge venues again in Europe since his theatre-sized tour of 2002 was a brave one, but choosing to perform the entire European leg of The Earth Tour in just one location demonstrates that he is still exercising post-Warner's caution. Nevertheless, today, the only person on the real planet earth happier than Prince with this colossal resurge in his Purple Reign is his accountant. Free V-VIP board and lodging given to him by the Rio Suites Hotel for Prince's Las Vegas stint plus 50 sell out shows of his 1,500 capacity club with top tickets going for over $300, his record sales, Golden Globe, high profile appearances, namely choice award shows and pounding out Purple Rain during the largest event in the global sporting calendar, a reported $3m for performing a mere just seven shows in Hollywood, launching a private high-end perfume line, and 21 sell out shows in London all in 2007 alone makes Prince still the envy of his so called (albeit lesser) peers, as well as the music industry, Prince has quite aptly spelt how his success with the title of his new album, for he knows he has re-conquered Planet Earth and he is not ready to rest on his legend quite yet.

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Futuristic Fantasy

The press love to take the piss out of him but cant live without him. Warner's wanted shot of him and now must be begging for his return for Prince has hit the jackpot in Vegas. Lets take a look what has happened since Prince entered the dreaded 'abyss' of independence - he is winning Grammy's, headlining award ceremonies, selling out his $125 - $315 tickets at his purpose built club in Vegas, hitting number 1 in the album charts, performing to 140 million spectators at the Super Bowl, out-grossing any other touring artist in the US, getting inducted in to the US and UK Halls of Fame and picking up awards everywhere else. Not bad for someone who walked out from the suits of the music industry a decade ago. So what happened to cause his renaissance? A myriad of reasons.

The once reclusive Prince can't get enough of the media which is good considering he is now a draw to them now rather than a figure of fun. Many believed the Musicology Tour of 2004 would be their first or last chance to see Prince perform his hits after much talk of him retiring this-and-that song off. Was Prince changing, yes, but for the better, and that was what surprised us all. The tickets for that tour were inexpensive and the arenas on its 96-dates were filled. The Musicology album itself was surprisingly radio-friendly and went multi-platinum, his first album to do so since 1996. Fans who had left the fold were returning. The follow-up album, 3121, was even better received by critics and fans alike, it charted straight to number 1, his first album to do so since Batman in 1989. A few choice TV appearances later and Prince was firmly back in the hearts and minds of commercialism, the public and the music industry once again.

The secret is, that the marketing of Prince should be left to himself rather than confused record labels. So now the man has set up camp in Las Vegas, re-branding the failed Club Rio of the Rio Hotel Casino into Club 3121. Not only is he packing out the venue, he is also the talk of the town, the shot in the arm Vegas was craving. No one knows who needed the other the most, whether it were the Rio Hotel or Prince, or both, or how long his stint will last for, but we do know the partnership and timing is sheer perfection and as long as Prince is happy and the Rio gets people the people flowing into their off-Strip hotel, the shows will undoubtedly exist for some time to come. Even Vegas admits he is no ordinary 'past-it' Vegas act such as Elvis and Sinatra. Prince is still re-writing the rules and as long as he does he will continue to endure, weather he chooses to or not is down to him, a third successful album in a row will show his commitment to that. 'If you build it, they will come', why? Because in a world of ever-diminishing talent, it is the legends we all turn to.

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The Second Coming

Taking a listen to Te Amo Corazon did little to dispel any fans pre-album jitters for the release of 3121, but lets face it, were buoyed up because of Black Sweat and Fury and the simple fact that its another Prince album which gives any fan to get worked up about anyway. Were all worked up a bit more this year though. Musicology was crowd-pleasing but not exciting. The Rainbow Children was a musical extravaganza but let down but its lyrical content and went unnoticed by the industry. 3121, however, is mind blowing, I haven't got this excited about the release of a Prince album since, The Gold Experience. It sees the return of a style of Prince that we last saw with The Gold Experience, and possibly even before. 3121 has high hopes upon it, Prince has clearly relented to the ‘money over art’ brigade and there is nothing wrong with that. It’s the commercial Prince that we all love and none of his fans would have even dared believe that he would go ‘successful’ again, we all got used to buying his later albums off the internet because they were hard enough to find in shops, let alone played on the radio. With Mu$icology and 3121, Prince has gone commercial twice in a row. And have god to thank for that, well, the One Nite Alone tour really, that gave him the real confidence in that people still want to see him and that they still cared for his music. He made it into the Hall of Fame, but it was his opening up the 2004 Grammy’s, Prince felt he needed the support from Beyonce, which was remarkably well received and became his most important performance since Diamonds & Pearls. The Musicology tour sold out and had his first platinum selling album in more than a decade. A plan Prince realises that works best, he has done the same for the Brit Awards in 2006, reuniting with Wendy and Lisa, as equally as well received, but still having to reel in old hands Shelia E and Wendy. These are interesting times in which we live, we see a Prince we thought die in 1993, lets hope he keeps his commercial onslaught coming. He is 47 now, and getting that retirement fund sorted out can only be a good thing, both for his accountant and his fans.

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It Seems Like A Million Days

He has only been gone a year, but it really did seem like a million days. Now the drought has eventually meandered to its lingering end. The 2005 was one of those thankfully few occasions that Prince fans had to think about and concentrate on something else other than Prince, realising there is a life outside the purple haze. They start believing that its just possible to it alone, that they no longer need Prince, and check the websites less often and start to enjoy a life listening to other music. How, just in time for Christmas, prince give us a promise of a new record deal, new album, new videos, and a much longed for new tour - 3121, not merely a postal address but a musical AT-AT appearing on the horizon. Prince fans suddenly realise their detox had failed, for now they are hungrier than ever - bring on 3121.

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You'd Better Get Busy If You Wanna Get Paid

After an incredible run in the US, as the months pass, it seems now like school is out for Musicology. Realising that leaving it too long to move his commercial momentum over to Europe Prince settles down to soak up his glory in his new home '3121' high up in the Hollywood hills and entertaining only guests from the numerous award ceremonies in Los Angeles, and why not. Could it mean that Prince is instead working on something new that may lead to a new album/tour later in 2005. Thankfully, if his new as yet unreleased single 'Satisfied' (which sounds like Musicology's On The Coach) is anything to go the new album may not after all be the acoustic album he once touted but something continuing to be commercial. Unreleased is the operative word here as yet the distribution deal with Columbia was only for Musicology, but as Musicology turned out to be so successful, a second signing with Columbia should not to be ruled out. However nor will Prince find it difficult to find an alternative distributor, he seems content working his way through all the labels there are, and why not. Possibly intent in not making Musicology his Purple Rain of the 2000's, Prince would indeed be right if he has chosen to postpone any plans for an acoustic album, perhaps he is hoping to keep by giving his prospective record label something safer to sell - like Commercialology - and prove to the world that his recent success was not a blip nor because of a resurgence in 80's performers. Personally I hope Prince continues with his radio-friendly output, so lets hope Prince does not miss an opportunity here to keep the fire burning, show us the way, we're all waiting for you.

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Dear Mr Nelson, What's Wrong With A Tour 2day?

Prince's Musicology tour, the most successful shows in North America this year, finally wrapped its current run on 11 September. Weather the choice to make September 11 the date for the final show was merely by coincidence or not, the 90-date tour has amassed Prince somewhat in the region of $100 in ticket sales alone. But it leave no one surprised that Prince and the band are now happy to take a much needed break. So questions are now being raised what will come next, be it how long the break will last, will he continue playing North American venues or move the tour to other countries, or, more worryingly has the tour simply finished? With the release of Purple Rain SE, Graffiti Bridge and Under the Cherry Moon coming to DVD in Europe on 18 October, it seems a prime moment for Prince to just announce dates in Europe even if the shows may not take place until February. Also, not forgetting the album the tour promotes, Musicology, was released back in April and has long left the charts in Europe. Including the cost of the album in the price of the ticket (it does not mean the album is free) which is what he did for the US leg may not make this package too appealing to overseas fans who were unwilling to wait for their "giveaway" copy and bought in the shops anyway. Therefore I support any suggestion in not including this CD in the admission price for that exact reason, why force everyone to pay an extra $10 for a CD they already own. It all heightens the stakes for the show becoming a hit the scale of what he experienced in North America. The fact remains that his tickets should sell well overseas anyway, especially in Australia and Europe, even if he performs in 2005 because the performance will be a spectacle to behold. But now is the time for Prince to keep that ball rolling and just announce those dates, he will sell tickets to the already converted, but if he wants to attract the masses again overseas he will have to act soon. Prince has re-vitalised his career (weather he will admit that or not) but his global success still remains to be seen. This is his opportunity and the time to strike is now. The world cant wait - too long, or next time he performing at the theatres - again.

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I Need A Mothafunkin Bass Tonight

Yells Lenny Kravitz to his technician, who, at the start of the show, had left Kravitz's bass unwired to the speakers as 8,000 fans revel in a 70's style rock and roll. Its Wednesday 7 July and the venue is London's Wembley Arena and the crowd are going nuts over a stellar performance of Lenny's Baptism Tour reaching electrifying heights as he pounds out the immortal classic Are You Gonna Go My Way. During the show Kravitz treated us all jazz, funk, a taste of his drumming, bass and of course his masterful guitaring, just like Prince had done during the ONA Tour. But why were so many Prince fans absent from this show. What's up? Lenny is a masterful musician like Prince, an intense performer and crowd controller, just like Prince, he even sounds like Prince, plus is also a very close friend to Prince - but that's it, he is too close to Prince for their liking. Prince fans have gone off Lenny because aside from everything else he now even looks like Prince. Think of the man on the cover of Graffiti Bridge and you also have what appears to be the same person on the cover of Baptism. Is it a clone? The fans think so. Even my mum asked me why I bought a Prince t-shirt at a Lenny Kravitz concert. However, the truth be known they are both so alike spiritually, ethnically, musically, also talent and even temperamentally wise, so I think its fair to call for the Prince fans to stop ostracising Lenny, as they done Larry Graham and Tony M. What did Prince once say "I don't need suggestions about my hair...I rock therefore I am". We all know Lenny is no flash in the pan wannabe, he is up there with the best, so my advice to them is to stop being precious and start enjoying some of the finest music around from the finest musicians around. After all aren't we part of Prince's plan to school people in real music, its a bit hypocritical to start shunning one of them then from a man who's ability is unquestionable, just like Prince. Not all similarities should be baulked at.

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Hey Baby Im A Star, Again!

Its finally sinking into Prince and his purple followers that he is a star, for the first time to his more recent followers but for those under 18, but it may surprise them to hear Prince was also fairly well known long before they were even an itch in their daddy's panties. Though lets face it, we're all still pretty shocked about the commercial success of the Musicology tour and album. Long time fans and critics, even Prince himself cant believe his return to mega stardom, in fact Prince and his 'True Funk Soldiers' seem to be winning the war in getting the public educated in real music. Nice to hear in an age which is so full of so called "bands" that are no more than a product with a tiny shelf life than a collection of musicians. That's Prince's war you see, musicianship and live music is dying. Since 1993 the odds of Prince being taken seriously could only improve, and finally he comes up with a new crusade Musicology, a message that people are actually relating too. Lets face it, its the album included in the price of the concert admission that is keeping Musicology in the top 10, his success is down to the fact its finally sunk into people if they stopped poking fun at him and his name changes and actually listen to the music, they would realise that Prince was not the so called fool as the press wanted to portray him, the public were the fools, because they now appreciate listening to the best live act of our era. Prince is relishing in his reclaimed limelight, his new found success is just as a shock to him as it is to his long time fans, but why did he not think of this sooner? He knew perfectly well he could write a commercial album at the drop of a hat, but he chose to stay artistic and keep in the comfort zone of his loyal fans by giving the music they want. Anyone, especially Prince, could see that making a commercial comeback after losing Warner's was more unlikely than Bush inviting Saddam to his home for a Christmas drink up, but Prince simply plucked up the courage and writing that long awaited accessible album. He had nothing to lose, if the album was not a commercial success, his many internet fan club members would have snapped it up as a $7 download, but that would make Musicology a fizzle, and it deserved more than that, and in step Columbia, the Grammies and two very timely anniversaries. People wanted to like his music but by selling directly to only to the already converted internet fan base needing no promotion at all, Prince was happy with just having a nice and steady income flowing in to supplement his royalties for his retirement purely he knew deep down the days of the arena tours and platinum album sales were long gone and boy were we all wrong. Prince's follow up album will be his most important if he wants to stay in the game. The direction Prince will take in the future is completely unknown, who knows how it will turn out for him or us, were all intrigued, so my message to Prince is this, if you had a chance to see the future wont you try? Because if you will, so will I. Otherwise we shall just have to wait and see, but I somehow do not think we have any need to worry.

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The Reproduction of A New Breed

There has been much talk recently of Prince's 'comeback'. The truth is weather he likes the phrase it is in fact comeback, albeit commercially. With the album charting at number 3 in the US, Musicology has all but gone gold and may well go platinum and heralds the mark of unknown territory to the fans who have bought up his output over the last 10 years. Prince now back on the radio, the Billboard charts, and is selling more concert tickets than anyone else, so to suggest it is not a comeback of some sorts is quite frankly nonsense. What we have now are 'old' fans re-invigorated to the cause and even plenty of 'rookie' ones. It is with the rookie fans where Prince's future stardom lies. If he wants to retire on a decent pension, he can live off releasing the odd live recording and some more of his vast backlog to his existing fan-base that has over the past decade been watered down so much that only a hardcore survive. His hardcore are still sizeable enough for Prince not to consider his longer term future to be a problem. So why does he crave stardom then? Personally I don't think he craved for it when he wrote Musicology, he was set to release it under his NPG label even if the larger companies were not interested. It was 'that' performance on the Grammies got him signed. Out of the limelight for so long he had forgotten what true media attention was like, with the press writing more about his music than his name. Now Prince has re-discovered that long lost fame, he is loving every minute of it, because as only a Prince fan knows, not only is this experience unreal to them that they can declare in public that they are a Prince fan, they all still rightly appreciate it will not last forever. Prince knows his 'rookie' fans are fickle and will follow him as long he is an 'it' artist and because they simply be unable to accept that his next album will be too different to them. Everyone knew of Prince's existence 20 years ago and yet his new 'fans' never gave it a thought to get to his back catalogue until now. Because it is good music, no, because everyone is talking about it. How can anyone honestly be surprised that the greatest performer alive today has actually put out a good record, are people really that slow in letting the penny drop? This 'limelight' period - lets call it - is only a temporary blip; everyone was into dinosaurs in 1992, Titanic in 1997, now Prince in 2004. Could he sell out 6 dates the Staples Center on his old fan base - no. Roll on the theatre venues of 2005 when Prince's 'purple period' is back, because as certain as death and taxes, it will, but he and his hardcore will be around long after the masses have moved on to their next fad and Prince remains "number 1 at the bank".

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Musicology - Prince's Return to the Fold

Prince opens the doors - the tour has begun - schools is in. Musicology offers 12 reasons why the bosses at Sony can be very thankful they have signed the most dynamic artist alive today as Musicology marks Prince's comeback to 'commercialology'. We all knew Prince had a commercial album in him and now he has proved, if anything to himself, that commerciality and art can not only live together but work together so well. Intended to accompany the tour, the album Musicology makes a truly engaging listen and you even would not mind others catching you listening too it! All new recordings, Musicology is a brilliant combination of Prince of the past, future and now. Prince's head is on the ground here, there are no self indulging solos, just an accessible and well crafted album, very rare in the musical we hear in the charts today. Musicology underlines Prince's genius, in a time frame of three years his incredibly diverse and evolving output, The Rainbow Children, Xenophobia, NEWS and now Musicology leaves no one any doubt Prince is the master of his craft and continues to make so many 'artists' sound silent. The One Nite Alone Tour has increased Prince's confidence immeasurably and its evident in Musicology. Is it a classic Prince album post Warner Brothers? I want to be careful in saying it but I do really believe it is, some may say there is not much to choose from, but look at The Gold Experience. Has Prince made that elusive comeback? In truth he was never away and thank god for that, but I do want you to think of this, after 25 years he is still selling out 20,000 seaters. If its an 'ology' about anything, its about the ride of being a Prince fan, so if your a new Prince fan, slap yourself for waiting so long, and I'll see you at the concert. Prince has surprised the critics and fans once again.

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Is Prince’s Making His Mainstream “Comeback”?

Jesus did it, so in a biblical way (Prince will like that bit) it looks apt that Prince is pushing a comeback of his own too. Prince courting the Grammy’s was more than being a stand in for Janet Jackson, he showed the worlds top record execs that he was not only most talented and versatile musician act the world has seen over 20 years, he is available for a major signing. But could he be the cash cow he was in the 80’s and has he spent too long in commercial obscurity? His recent One Nite Alone tour seems to have done him wonders for his self confidence in respect of that the public and critics still love him. He seems in a position which most artists envy that he is making millions using the tiniest publicity marketing a largely internet only based private record deal. In a world where musicianship has been replaced by talent less clotheshorses, if Prince was to hit the market with a fully “commercial” album (i.e. an album with accessible music on it), then yes we can expect a glorious comeback for the Prince of rock and roll. The ball is firmly in his purple court but will he play ball with the industry he has spent years publicly criticizing?

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