Discovering Prince later albums

[@tracyface69]

I love the Emancipation album and his cover of “I can’t make You Love Me” is one of my favorites. This album was fun and as I get older, I love it even more.

[@TheSkuncle]

I saw Prince in 2013, he was doing three one off shows in my area in December of that year. I debated going, tickets went on sale three weeks before the shows. I decided at the last minute to go. A woman sitting next to me left early because he wasn’t doing a lot of hits. This wasn’t Prince in his prime, but it was PRINCE. Towards the end he did a long medley with snippets of well known songs. He ended with Purple Rain. I had goosebumps. To be hearing the song live by the man himself was outstanding. So glad I went, he never came back to the area and then he was gone.

[@rameybutler-hm7nx]

Im glad i found your channel. Todays a bad day im sick, and its nothing but negativity on youtube. You are a breathe of fresh air. Keep on doing what your doing. Im not a record fan but i am a fan of your channel and thats what counts.

[@seanmccarthy8755]

For Emancipation - only someone like Prince could pull this off: each CD clocked in at exactly 60 minutes. 'Emancipation' could definitely have used an editor, but given all that Prince went through to produce this, it absolutely deserves its 36 track length - flaws and all.

[@zoltanszabo4242]

I got my appreciation for Prince from my oldest sister, who was a fanatic in the '80s - and still is. I listen to everything until Batman very often (have them all on vinyl), but everything from Graffiti Bridge on very rarely (have most of them on CD). Those two boxes kinda prove that sometimes CD is the superior format. The Originals collection is great.

[@alexnejako777]

the Purple one! Prince is one of the artists where it's worth listening to every deep track because you never know what he's going to do. Fan since I first saw him on Night Flight in 1982.

[@alexnejako777]

i played Sinead's Nothing Compares 2 U, Mandinka, The Emperor's New Clothes and You Cause as Much Sorrtow from my cassette tapes on my college radio show in 1990-1991 or so.

[@klipkultur3680]

My favorite Prince album is ''Around the World in a Day'', and that ''God'' B-side of Purple Rain single, which was kind of a precursor to his most psychedelic production.

[@bowes77]

So if Purple Rain is your second favorite album of all time, what’s your number 1? Aja? Pet Sounds?

[@stephenrostkoski837]

Like you, I kind of drifted away from Prince after Sign O' the Times. I did get to see him on the Musicology tour though. Thanks for reminding me about Emancipation and One Microphone. I'll have to pull those out now. I do like his later 3rdeyegirl album, which was the closest he got to the guitar album I wished he'd done.

[@grooveyerbouti]

Came to Prince with the release of Symbol album which is probably still my favourite era. The run from lovesexy to Emancipation Is my go to.

[@MissSylvouille]

I love Prince and I feel so lucky to have seen him in concert… I need to dig deeper in his discography… there is soooo much stuff ! Looking forward to part 2 ( great singing at the end 😂)

[@YnotNomis]

By the way, Prince did perfform a lot of Covers LIVE in concerts back in the day. But he has said in interviews that WB didn't want him to do covers on his studio albums. Which is why he finally did it on 'Emancipation' after he got out of his contract

[@funkyp4rtyman249]

Hello and greetings from Germany 🇩🇪. Great album 👍 nothing compares to Prince

[@YnotNomis]

Man, I've been a Prince fanatic since his FIRST single: 'Soft and Wet' back in '78. One of the first 45 (A record for the kids that dont' know) that I ever brought with my own money! And I was a fan through all his many musical changes. Some I dig more than others, but every change was exciting for me. for me, '1999' is my favorite album. I seen him live 3 times (1999 'triple threat tour, Purple Rain tour, and Musicology' tour) and he was awesome everytime. If you never seen him live you really missed something special. Possibly the best live performer ever ! The One thing us Old school Prince fan knows is to never 'pigeon whole" him in one style. Know that keep me as a lifelong fan. As for latter album I dig are the 'Hit and Run Phases 1 and 2' and 'Welcome 2 America'. The man was a genius.

[@brianjames5685]

I love playing Bob George from the black album at DJ'ing gigs. Somebody always asks what it is and they always look at me like I'm one of those asshole DJ's that is secretive about the tracks that I played. But yeah Bob George is one bad ass tune for sure.

[@jillionsofcrafts6255]

Love hearing your appreciation for Emancipation! My faves are Joint 2 Joint, The Love We Make, Face Down, and Sleep Around. But the entire set is so underrated. Kate Bush does backing vocals on My Computer. Love it. Great video!!!!

[@YoStabbaStabba]

"you weren't even logged in." 😂

[@chrisgunya2227]

Great video! Like that you are focusing on the later Prince!

[@paulboggan]

my prince love seems very similar to yours. I love everything he dud upto and including graffiti Bridge and then drifted away. originals is an amazing collection.

[@breaknrun76]

This was great…..can’t wait for part 2. Give Crystal Ball another listen….it’s definitely uneven and kind of a hodge of randomness but there is some great stuff on there too.

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

Great video! Around The World In A Day is my favorite album.

[@djvinylvertigo]

Saw Prince about 5 times. Always amazing.

[@davidatkinson-Music-and-More]

Loving the love for Emancipation. Desert island disc.

[@musicmandave3439]

I remember when Emancipation was released in fall of 1996 working in a record store. I didn’t buy it until I was released as a cutout for $5.99! For three discs that was a no brainer! That was in 2001. I liked the collection but I felt like three separate albums to me. Like yourself, some songs would be better served as B-sides. I think a double cd would’ve worked, with a third CD released later. Love the outfit! Your videos are always a treat!

[@aminahmed2220]

What a fantastic video have a wonderful weekend ❤❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@RobertFithen]

Thanks!!

[@rich4u1973]

I never was into Prince as a teenager. I only ever knew his hits No at 50, ive been into vinyl 6 years. I am gonna revisit his work

[@sidefour]

It’s funny. That Love Symbol album (with 7) is my absolute favorite Prince album! A lot of Prince’s later material that he released while alive is awesome. There were some misses, but there’s a lot of good stuff in there.

[@Ed-Topo-108]

Emancipation & The Gold Experience are both 5 stars for me from that period. Wasn’t a big fan of the “Seven” song but saw him live playing that & Mayte did a whirling Dervish dance with a massive sword balanced on her head! Was impressive! Still not sure what it all meant though.

[@djvinylvertigo]

If feel like you read my mind with this video!! Great talk about later Prince!! I did like Diamonds and Pearls, but there were a few tracks that were clichéd musically, so I understand why you didn't care for it. Thanks!!

[@jasperburchfield2028]

I too first got into Prince with the 1999 album and drifted away in the early 90s. Looks like I may have to dip a toe back in and that Emancipation set looks appealing.

[@ricksendeavors]

I love Prince! Your videos are so informative and entertaining. I think I have a little crush on you *blush*

[@sjbang5764]

A stupid but fond memory. I was crazy about Raspberry Beret. One day I just played that song over and over and over again, until I hear this knock at the front door of our house and it's the next-door neighbor, telling me he likes Prince too, but can i please just play a different song.

[@djvinylvertigo]

Face Down is my jam!!!!! The video is great fun!!! I also dig Crystal Ball. There are a few clunkers on it, but some really strong tunes.

[@jillionsofcrafts6255]

I LOVE Face Down!! And the video is great. (I like Mr. Happy, too. 😳 I know most people don’t.)

[@djvinylvertigo]

Mr. Happy is fun!!!

[@jeffreypeeling8341]

Robert, I also was a 1999 and Purple Rain fan primarily and also lost interest around Diamonds and Pearls. My sincere recommendation from his later work is the album "Art Official Age." With the exception of the opening track ( which I find a little annoying) The whole album is full of bangers.

[@Love_Street]

I heard LR Corvette on the radio and got the 1999 album. I ended up getting all of them and stopped on Sign.. Saw him in Houston in 85. It was great but a few songs were extended with too long jams imo. Currently i am rediscovering Tom Pettys albums after Southern Accents which is where I left off. I’m currently closing in on all his studio vinyl. Wildflowers is a classic

[@davidellis5141]

Emancipation is an excellent Prince album it's very ambitious but very fulfilling.

[@BognarRegis]

Wow. My copy of Emancipation is on purple swirl wax.

[@paulaidenmusic]

I saw the One Nite Alone tour and it was the best concert I have ever seen in my life. It was a small venue in Manchester, UK. Great video as usual, love the channel!

[@RobertFithen]

I've heard about those small club Prince concerts. It must have been amazing.

[@paulaidenmusic]

Actually that one nite alone show was a theatre with about 2,500 people but small for Prince (that was the size of the venues for that tour, I think he got tired of arenas). I was lucky to see him live by chance when I was 10 years old in 1992 and went on to see him live 21 times including a few aftershow gigs. The One Nite Alone aftershow was also released on vinyl a couple of years ago but I wasn’t a big fan of that album. There’s an official aftershow CD called Indigo Nights which was included in a book for his 21 nights in London shows which is worth checking out. Looking forward to part 2.

[@marcoesquandolez4737]

Great video! One album you might like is LotusFlower - it’s got some great guitar work on it

[@AttackFromDownunda]

I did a similar thing downloading his entire discography and listening to it in order. Really picked out some amazing deep tracks, i do have " Emancipation "on C.D. Also enjoyed 3121 and bought it on vinyl. Enjoyed the video Robert.

[@RobertFithen]

Thanks!! I still need to hear 3121

[@jobeonetwothree2126]

Prince falsetto, Robert falsetto.....I can't tell the difference. 3rdEyeGirl stuff is pretty good too. A Purple Rain musical? Is the girl from the Jardiance commercial playing the Prince roll?

[@marcusnolte7476]

"even Kenny Rogers..." same here I bought everything with a prince track on it. Felt the same way about diamonds and pearls and symbol, was surprised how good "the gold experience" was from that period (except the interludes...). Rainbow children was surprinsingly good too. We will never see a versatile genius like prince again in our lifetime. His live shows were the best money could buy, especially in his later years in the new millenium. I could just listen to him play guitar for days on end... Just check out his montreux jazz festival runs (here on youtube if you're lucky) 2009: two totally different shows the same night, or 2013 3 shows with 3 bands and 3 themes on three nights!

[@RobertFithen]

He was so versatile, you always got something different. I've seen a few live videos, but never actually experienced him live.

[@djvinylvertigo]

Prince also wrote songs for Patti Labelle, Mica Paris, Nona Gaye (Marvin's daughter) & Chaka Khan

[@happyhippythevinylguy]

I liked Prince's first couple albums, man. I did not really like purple rain even though I own it, 1999 was a beast! My first album by him was the one with "I want to your lover".

[@jefferysteen1041]

Robert Lynch...nice ring to it!😅

[@H-mu4bo]

"Controversy"... like the Vanity 6 album, had the hyperkinetic funk/New Wave vibe down pat. He broke the charts in Australia before anywhere else. "Sexuality" and "Controversy" were Top 20 hits. "1999" was the luxury suite version of "Controversy". Prince was prime ready for superstar status and the album was a wide screen farewell to the funk/new wave of Prince's first era. "Purple Rain" was engineered to dominate world wide and become the biggest rock star since Hendrix. The Minneapolis sound was perfected. "Around the world in a day" was ornate Renaissance era psychedelia meets Sgt Pepper. "Parade" was Cotton Club era Prince. "Sign o' the times" was the "Innervisions" and "There's a Riot Going On" era filtered through the Minneapolis sound. "Lovesexy" marked the end of the 2nd period with a quirky pop filled confection. The 3rd era was a mix of commercial and extremely prolific, but the magic was petering out. "Batman" was typical soundtrack fare. Prince playing it very straight. "Diamonds and Pearls" was Walmart friendly commercial pop. The albums were generally like most albums in the 90's were too long and filled out 70 to 80 mins with quirky segues and more filler than a cheap sausage.

[@RobertFithen]

Excellent descriptions.

[@greenalishi222]

Dude, Jill Jones? Best Prince side thing

[@tomflorio3639]

Later Prince could be a mixed bag, but glad you got to discover these. Regarding the part on "One Night Alone" where he changes peoples' names - that was right before performing "Family Name", and he was making a point. About how, when the Africans were brought over as slaves, they were stripped of their names and given new ones. Hence "Blackburn", "Outlaw", and "Lynch". I thought it was fairly obvious what he was doing, and you seem like a pretty smart guy so I have to imagine you got what he was doing, too. Unless you weren't listening as closely to the song lyrics, which is understandable - you had a lot of material to cover! Regarding the "Glyph/Symbol" album that you didn't like (the one with "Seven"), I originally wasn't crazy about it, but revisited it later on and found that I really liked a lot of it. We mature, tastes change. Maybe give that one another spin. Great review! And nice job with the backwards masking at the end. :)

[@tomflorio3639]

Ha - I just watched your follow up where you review The Rainbow Children LP, so yeah, you didn't need me to fill you in. However, I guess I'd still ask, if you knew what he was doing there, why would you have taken offense if he'd have "changed your name" at the concert? Thanks again.

[@RobertFithen]

It was more about choosing the name "Lynch" specifically.

[@dansheldon1762]

I collect Prince records, mostly 12" singles (over 500 from 20+ countries). It's ok to say "Purple Rain" is your favorite because it's an awesome album! Parade is my personal favorite. Not sure if anyone said this (I didn't read all the comments), "It's not over,,,The Aftershow" was released on vinyl the same day as "One nite alone" and "One nite alone....live", they were released as three separate albums. The version of "Piano & A Microphone '83" you have is the deluxe version, there is a separate version without the CD. "Emancipation" was his first album after getting out of his Warner contract and Prince fans have whittled it down to one disc since it came out LOL! "Face down" came out as a 12" promo with a remix and a cappella version. You want EDM Prince? find "Hit N Run vol 1", his second to last album before passing.

[@RobertFithen]

Thanks for all the info! Sounds like you have an incredible collection.

[@dansheldon1762]

@@RobertFithen please take a look at my 12" single collection (this video is a little outdated) :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/eofWg5l3atx2gMk

[@miketomlin6040]

Ponce or Prance I call him, I once had an interesting chat with a Muso who agreed his vinyls were banal muzak but insisted his live shows had merit. I doubt it, my lens!

[@terrywilliams7827]

You can play the cd in the car

[@electricavenuemusic9282]

Great commentary and insight! My favorite later album from him is Gold Experience (his best of the 90s IMO), and things get more spotty after that. You should add that and Come to your later album reviews/purchases. I'm one of those with a 16 track highlights playlist of Emancipation...Makes it a better, more varied album (the 2nd drags a bit). Really like it though. Rave Un2 the Joy is pretty downhill from there 4 me. His sales tactics were even worse. Didn't care for Musicology or 3121 either (outside of Black Sweat, which is phenomenal). Really nothing on excellent level until his very last rather low key album release, HitnRun Phase 2...check that out. Oh and My Computer on Emancipation is a Kate Bush collaboration if you weren't aware. Thanks again for this in-depth examination of The Purple One!

[@RobertFithen]

Thanks!! I had no idea that Kate Bush was a part of that.

[@electricavenuemusic9282]

She is the "voice of the computer" LOL. He also appeared on a couple of her songs on her Red Shoes album. He just couldn't stop when a certain lady was in his sights 😆

[@IvanMusicMan]

Do you have two copy of Emancipation, the plastic is still on ? 🤔

[@RobertFithen]

I have 3 small slices in the shrink wrap. Just enough to get one record out at a time

[@CBCDs]

what in the world? Backwards singing at the end???

[@RobertFithen]

Has it been awhile since you've heard "Darling Nikki"?

[@DavidMander-rs4uk]

You're not a true Prince fan because one of your favourite albums is 'Purple Rain' 😆

[@therealbushboy6440]

Ok so what lps did you take out of your collection to stop it from growing bigger?🤣

[@RobertFithen]

Ray Parker Jr and some children's records.

[@WXFD-Media]

No one? Yet?

[@PrankZabba]

My favorite Prince would be in Cheech & Chong Still Smoking movie. They use Delirious during the weed restaurant scene along the water. Speaking of bootlegs. I found some weird Prince double album years ago. Didnt even know it was him. Forget whats on it. But the front cover is just him with a Gretsch guitar. And I'm like, what? Just because I never seen a photo of him with one before. Was alright, but it was all studio songs that I never heard of before. Emancipation was still $10 on cd when it was finally in the cutout bins back in the day. How 1999. If its from 1996. Last Prince related score was finding one of the 45's of The Family. But never really heard much of anything after Purple Rain. 1999 was probably my 2nd tape by him then. The hell just happened?!?

[@brunohebert1351]

oh no, a Purple Rain musical? really? ....

[@RobertFithen]

Unfortunately, yes.

[@Thompsdan]

I like your videos, but I can’t stand Ponce, sorry - Prince! Go figure.