Michael Bland and Tommy Barbarella of the New Power Generation talk 'Diamonds and Pearls'

On the 30th anniversary of Prince's "Diamonds and Pearls" album, drummer Michael Bland and keyboardist Tommy Barbarella of the New Power Generation join The Current's Sean McPherson to compare notes and to share memories of recording "Diamonds and Pearls," working with Prince, and being part of a great band and the lively Minneapolis music scene.
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[@joergschulzhamburg]

...so nice to listen to, how this great album was brought together by so many wonderful musicians!

[@djmylesmatisse]

I could've listened to another couple of hours of Tommy and Michael.

[@rayasalter9650]

This is cool. Michael Bland should start a podcast I could listen to him talk forever. Almost forever lol.

[@michaelblandofficial1922]

Ha!! I might start one to see just how long you'll listen! lol

[@rayasalter9650]

@@michaelblandofficial1922 do it! 😁

[@ryanjohnson985]

Great work as always, Sean! Love Michael B and Tommy.

[@AlexanderNevermind888]

Great interview! The NPG was hands-down Prince's best band. It's very telling that he knew that the NPG musicians were so good that he trusted them to be in the recording studio with him. That wasn't the case with The Revolution. The majority of that time with the Revolution, EVERYONE knew that those albums were pretty much all Prince. The Revolution were just a backing band. They simply were not as good musically as the groups he formed with the NPG members.

[@NorfMPLSRes]

This is just wonderful. Thank you!

[@raymondhanson1718]

Refreshing to hear inside commentary past the 80s! Thank u to The Current, Michael and Tommy!

[@mellozappa583]

Most " fans" don't make it past Purple Rain..... sad to say 😞

[@darkbluebossa]

Always loved these oral stories, specially by my fave Prince band, the 90s NPG

[@johnpetrou6]

Love u guys!

[@doalwa]

Two living legends, thanks for that! 🤘

[@cmberrian]

Man, I know the exact feeling Michael was talking about when he's describing how he felt during that time...and that feeling sucks!!! Man. Lol. I can't believe he recorded like that. Damn. Well, great job, Michael 😊

[@drclarerountree]

Thoroughly enjoyed this!!!!! Amazing guys so talented and ain't no band like that band!!!!!!

[@dwightdavis5894]

Masters

[@Think632]

What a great choice of interviewer for these two cats! When Bland is talking about filtering hip-hop into a live band setting, you know Sean knows what he's talking about!

[@melvinrushii153]

As a musician (keys) this is GREAT

[@jordanhal2814]

Interesting stuff! Some of the best players in the purple circle. Thanks!

[@horrorpowerfilms9481]

Awesome interview, love the honesty, no doubt the original NPG was the last great Prince band. Michael Bland is on point here 26:58 the 90s was the beginning of the end of musicianship for the industry. Today's everybody is a Janet Jackson.

[@margi6035]

Would like to ask the question of all the musicians, if they missed the rehearsals with Prince. Also if they the jam sessions and just the atmosphere of working with such a talent, particularly if he was having a good day.

[@saa9099]

Thanks for sharing. Tommy did prince tell you to grow your hair out? Just curious, Michael said you had short hair before you were with prince. And he did tell Matt Atlanta Bliss to grow out his hair. I guess it was like a control issue, prince changing things on people. The hair seemed like one of his favorite things to change, especially with girls. Anyway your long hair was great. Love your playing too. Hi Michael, did prince ask you to make a change with yourself? Did you start your podcast yet? I love your drumming, and on "SHHH" did you come up with the beginning? That's a great sound.

[@countfrankleton]

this npg was a motherfucking BEAST

[@melvinrushii153]

Some of Prince's hip hop was interesting

[@fisilk]

This cuts off - is the rest of it somewhere?

[@cheboy]

💜🐾

[@cheboy]

this is out there 4 24 hours now and has only bin played 5, 6 hunderd times . . . i dont understand .

[@cheboy]

Michael knows a Lot ! really like listening 2 him talkin'shop & prn ofcource.

[@GlobalMiles]

What about Brian... RIP.

[@michaelblandofficial1922]

Brian Gallagher was a great player, great guy. He's sorely missed by many. He and Prince actually didn't die too far apart from one another, if my memory serves me correctly.

[@melvinrushii153]

I had beef with hip hop right away

[@michaelblandofficial1922]

So did Prince. But, a true artist is always evolving and trying things. He kept pushing and creating until he figured out how to incorporate those sounds and that approach into his own style.

[@ROCKNROLLFAN]

I just wonder if these guys would be telling all of these personal stories if Prince was still alive.

[@cheboy]

maybe thats bcause ur a r&rfan. But the awnser is no, they would not. (Funkfan)

[@michaelblandofficial1922]

Probably not, cuz' he was very litigious. But, it's not for profit. The Current didn't pay us anything. All we're doing is telling the truth as we experienced it. Nobody is lying on anybody. Do you feel we were treasonous in this interview?

[@michaelblandofficial1922]

@@cheboy Did we say something you thought was out of line?

[@cheboy]

@@michaelblandofficial1922 No Michael, not @ all. Prince was all about control and had a lot of it when He was still alive. It was only after He passed away people that where really close 2 Him start opening up. But thats just my opservation. That being said, U Michael was His best drummer! (sorry John) (oh b4 i 4get i Love them story's (interviews) U'r sharing! (like the Peter Gabriel story 😊💜🐾)

[@saa9099]

@@michaelblandofficial1922 Thanks for sharing. You haven't said anything out of line. We love hearing personal stories about prince, it makes him more human to those from afar. And I'd love to watch your podcast if you decide to have one. You have great integrity and a good personality too.