Intro/Concert Clip
Today kicked off with footage from the Miami Purple Rain tour stop, April 7, 1985. The theme for today’s clip was intended to be “funny Prince” and it was indeed that! And also….Haha not family friendly Prince. He lasted one song before his shirt was mostly no more…among other moans, dips, and thrusts… Must be something about that last tour stop buzz to really pull out all the stops! 🙃
Break
Uneventful this time! We went to look at the fence. Full of wonderful tributes! This one in particular was pretty cool!
In Studio
Panel discussion with sound engineers Susan Rogers, Chris James (Art Official Age, Hitnrun Phase 2/Plectrumelectrum), Dylan Dresdow (Hitnrun Phase 2/Judith Hill’s P Produced Back in time)
Chord progression of Power Fantastic and Mountains was written by Wendy and Lisa, finished by Prince.
P did not like singing vocals in front of anyone when laying down tracks. Usually did them by himself. On the rare occasions when an engineer was there, he would not allow them to have a direct line of sight to him.
Susan repeated the story of when the Revolution was a recording a song at Prince’s home studio. They did not have enough headphones to go around and it was important for at least the band members to have some. They were positioned all around the house recording together as the instruments could not fit all in one place. Everyone had headphones except Susan and she was in the control room with Prince singing lead vocals. He positioned the microphone in the corner and sang facing the corner. And he made her position herself with her back to him so she couldn’t watch him sing. She did have a treat though… she got to hear Prince singing in a raw full out way without hearing everyone’s else’s parts mixed in. 💜
The pattern of Prince writing a song :
Music first. Rides around with it in the car to come up with lyrics. Records them on top of the music by himself in the studio.
Lyrics first. Drums, Bass, Guitar, etc.
Live Band. Hears in his head…Teaches people parts. Makes adjustments, sometimes allowed people to interpolate his musical ideas.
On Prince giving compliments :
Susan was working really late putting together a sound rig. She had been up all night working on it all by herself. P came in to check on her around 4am, Sheila was with him. Not talking directly to Susan, Prince said “if a woman is really good at one thing she usually doesn’t know how to cook. Can you cook Sheila?” Sheila says “I can cook on the drums…” And Prince says “Well Susan [is special she] can cook too…”
Tender moment with Chris James :
When he was a little boy, he used to watch MTV just as it was getting started. He would put on his raincoat and play guitar using one he fashioned from old blinds…“Because I wanted to be like Prince. So to sit up here on this stage now…” And he started to cry. 😢
Paisley Park Tour
This part to be honest was a little disappointing, but I think it’s because we had already taken the VIP tour last October when we are here for the tribute. We only got to see Studio A & C (No magical Studio B or Galaxy Room!), the album spotlight rooms and his office were roped off so you could only peek in vs walk into them, and the video editing bay was closed. We’re not sure if it was like that due to the volume of people there and the limited amount of time to peruse, or if all the tours are that way now. Shout a holler if you’ve been recently and say!
The Time Concert
A jam as to be expected! And special shout out to my friend! She got scooped up to dance the Bird on stage!!!
*Pictures from Paisley Park Tumblr, Zimbio
Day 4 : You are Now Part of the New Power Generation & Wrap Up
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