Oi! Prince! No!

I've been a Prince fan since way, way back in 1984. I was aware and fond of "1999" and "Little Red Corvette" but it really started one Thursday night when, as I watched "Top of the Pops", I saw a clip of "When Doves Cry" in a section of the show they called the "top 40 breakers" (new songs which had just dented the charts, if not reached the highest levels.) I'd never heard anything like it and, in some senses, haven't heard anything like it since, and from that moment I was a fan. Soon after this I bought the "Purple Rain" album on cassette, was blown away by it, and continued to buy every album he released as soon as it came out, and I still do to this day.

The problem however is that he just isn't as good as he used to be.

Since the "Lovesexy" album in 1988 his output has deteriorated, only occasionally showing flashes of what he was really capable of, such as "A Million Days" on "Musicology", "Slave" and "The Holy River" on the dismal "Emancipation", and about half of the "The Gold Experience" album. Still awesome live (I've seen him six times) he has consistently failed to deliver on record now for over ten years.

The fan community is currently buzzing as he released his first new single in a couple of years yesterday, "Te Amo Corazon", and I've just heard it. Perfectly competent it may be, but exciting it is not. The song is a dull ballad, hardly making me think "I can't wait for the album!" ("3121", out sometime next year) and I actually grew bored of it while watching the video a few moments ago.

Am I still a fan? Yes - the memories of 1984 to 1988 still make it all worthwhile (that run of "Purple Rain" to the original aborted release of "The Black Album" - an album I love incidentally - is unsurpassable) plus as I mentioned earlier his concerts are fabulous. When the album comes out in 2006 I'll buy it on the day of release, and I might even be excited about it. He's also announced a world tour for next year, and I'll endeavour to be there at least once, not least because he's promised that "some old friends" will be joining him. Could it be the reformation of The Revolution? I doubt it, but I can dream.

***

Realised earlier this week that I screwed up in an earlier posting when I announced my albums of the year (not that anybody cares, mind). The list should have been more like this:

1. "Funeral" - Arcade Fire
2. "Takk..." - Sigur Ros
3. "The Great Destroyer" - Low (how could I have forgotten?)
4. "Leaders of the Free World" - Elbow
5. "Aerial" - Kate Bush

Honourary mentions to Black Rebel Motorcycle Club for "Howl", which truly surprised me, and The Cardigans for "Super Extra Gravity" which, although a disappointment after "Long Gone Before Daylight" (my favourite album of all time) can't be dismissed if it includes songs as good as "Good Morning Joan", "Little Black Cloud", "I Need Some Fine Wine and You, You Need to be Nicer", and "Give Me Your Eyes."

***

Currently running 2072 (SQL 2000 Admin) in Manchester and am doing the same in Leeds next week. Christmas is coming and I can't wait. Our tree and decorations go up at home this weekend. Huzzah!

***

Currently reading "Strange Fascination", an excellent book about David Bowie by David Buckley. Jolly good stuff. Recently finished (and loved) "Girlfriend in a Coma" by the fantastic Douglas Coupland.

***

"Within" news: Still progressing, if only in my head and not on paper. That's the way I do it though, and when it is "ready" I write the whole thing in one go. This could be a long one though...