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Rating:  -
After Purple Rain broke Prince big, he made his first of many decisions that baffled fans and critics alike: he abandoned his signature funk-rock sound and put on a trippy sheen. This resulted in the "whimsical" personal displayed on Around the World in a Day. Then he filmed the infamous, widely panned vanity project Under the Cherry Moon (which I've never seen), and put this out as its soundtrack. It sure is a weird one - it opens with a good four part suite ("Christopher Tracy's Parade", "New Position", "I Wonder U", "Under the Cherry Moon") that has elements of jazz, R&B, psychedelia and experimental music, but not funk, and even the funky "Girls and Boys" has an endearingly eccentric arrangement, including a retro bari sax and a quacking keyboard. "Life Can Be So Nice" seems like a pop song, but it's oddly built on flute, ocarina and harpsichord. The loopy "Mountains" also has a lot of Prince's eccentricity, and it was one weird choice for a single. Sadly, there's also some soundtracky stuff, like the gloppy instrumental "Venus de Milo" and the flat-out incompetent "Do U Lie", with an awful accordion. But after that comes one of his best tunes, the enthusiastic no-bass funk of "Kiss", one of the few songs with Prince's infamous hypersexual lyrics and an awesome wah-wah guitar solo. And he keeps the hot streak up with the even funkier "Anotherloverholenyohead", with a really long title that rules (I like really long one word-titles that are pretty much a bunch of words sqgluiashed - yes, "sqgluiashed", I couldn't make up my mind between "squashed", "squished" and "glushed", so I just sqgluiashed the three words together), a fantastic piano hook, and slap bass. I love slap bass. It can make any song good all by itself. I bet that if even the Eagles made a song with a slap bass in it, it would be good just because of the slap bass. Then again, the Eagles have no sense of funk, because they have no sense of groove or sense of humor or sense of how to make even remotely worthwhile music. The Eagles aside, the album closes with one of Prince's loveliest acoustic ballads, "Sometimes it Snows in April", concerning death and the afterlife. There's a lot to like about this album, but it also marks the first time in Prince history when he didn't shake things up and put out an album that had nothing to do with what came before it. In short, this is Prince getting set in his ways, and you'll get the same mileage out of this as you will out of Around the World in a Day. But he would quickly get out of this semi-rut, forget about genre barriers entirely, and put out the double-album that everyone but me considers his defining artistic statement.
Rating: -
Usually when an album does not follow the success of a landmark album, the expectations for the second follow-up are not high. Not was the case when Prince would prepare to release his 1986"Parade" album. Prince was less than one year from his "Around the World in a Day" album which was the follow-up to his landmark album "Purple Rain". "Around the World in a Day" would go in a completely different direction from "Purple Rain" - abandoning the Rock-infused style of "Purple Rain" in favor of a psychedelic sound on "Around the World in a Day". This sound might have disappointed some of the expanded fan base that Prince acquired during the success of "Purple Rain", but it would add a whole new element to both Prince's music and the "Minneapolis Sound". However with the case of "Parade", things were different because "Parade" was going to represent the soundtrack for Prince's follow-up film to "Purple Rain" - "Under the Cherry Moon". Many fans of that film were also hoping for a film with the energy and intensity of "Purple Rain". Unfortunately even many loyal Prince fans would be disappointed with the follow-up film. However, while musically Prince did not re-create "Purple Rain", he would once again continue to refine the "Minneapolis Sound" and keep his legacy moving forward.
The "Minneapolis Sound" contained a mixture of Funk, Pop, R&B, and Rock. Prince was largely responsible for being a contributing architect to this sound movement. As mentioned for 1985's "Around the World in a Day", Prince would add a psychedelic element to the "Minneapolis Sound". On "Parade", Prince would continue to explore the psychedelic element as well as focus around a Funk element. The one new element he would add is a "European influence" - this would be because "Parade" served as a soundtrack for "Under the Cherry Moon" which would take place in France.
Here is a song by song synopsis of the nine tracks of "Around the World in a Day". Most of the songs seem to follow a loose segue from one to another, but the first four songs are near continuous and tightly coupled.
"Christopher Tracy's Parade": This song is best described as psychedelic music meeting marching band. I loved this track and was surprised that this didn't get any radio airplay. This song is named after the lead character in "Under the Cherry Moon" John L. Nelson - Prince's father is a co-songwriter on this track and once again proves he is a worthy songwriter.
"New Position": This song proves this isn't "Purple Rain". This song takes a little while to get used to. I would describe this song as Funk with some Caribbean percussion.
"I Wonder U": This song begins with a quasi "live setting". The beginning also almost sounds like 2000's hip-hop, but quickly this song takes on the psychedelic feel of "Around the World in a Day". Not my favorite track, but the song does have an interesting sound.
"Under the Cherry Moon": This is another song co-written by John L. Nelson. This is the title of the movie from which the music from this film comes from. This is the first song with a strong "European Sound" (this almost has an Eastern European sound). This is a slow track and like "New Position", this song is going to take a few listens to get used to.
"Girls and Boys": This is classic "Minneapolis Sound" funk. Prince effectively uses Sheila E, Wendy Melvoin, Susannah Melvoin, and Lisa Coleman to provide female vocals. When Prince collaborates with other vocalists, it usually works very well. This song is no exception.
"Life Can Be So Nice": A terrific mix of psychedelic sound and Funk. This song "flew under the radar" in terms of recognition. I particularly like the use of the percussion on this track. This song also has a perfect segue as it flows from "Girls and Boys".
"Venus de Milo": The opening piano sequence reminds me of Tears For Fears' "I Believe", but this quickly flows into a very classical sounding instrumental that is dominated by piano. This song is pure instrumental and once again shows the European influence that is present on this album.
"Mountains": This song flows very nicely from the classical "Venus de Milo" and back into a good mix of psychedelic music and Funk. While this song garnered radio airplay, I'm surprised it didn't climb to number one. The harmonies of this song are simply outstanding. I also like the horn work on this song.
"Do U Lie": This is perhaps the most European sounding song of the whole collection - and in particular the most French sounding song. This song also takes a few listens to grow on you.
"Kiss": This would become a number one song. This song is near a cappella and has become a fan favorite. However, I just don't like it. I feel Prince has many songs which are better than this one.
"Anotherloverholenyohead": This song has a perfect hand-off and transition from "Kiss". It almost starts out like Jody Watley's "Looking for a New Lover". It quickly becomes classic Funk-infused "Minneapolis Sound". This was a single and I'm surprised it didn't have greater success.
"Sometimes It Snows in April": This is a very soft and sad song. It is not one to listen to while you are depressed. It contrasts the positive sounds heard on the opening "Christopher Tracy's Parade". I think this song wraps up the CD perfectly.
There are no lyrics in my liner notes on this collection. This would turn out to be the last album Prince would do with his band - the Revolution. Overall, while Prince doesn't try to recreate "Purple Rain", he does succeed in continuing to refine and solidify the "Minneapolis Sound". While still not as strong an album as "Purple Rain", I do think this is stronger than "Around the World in a Day". Definitely worth checking out.
Rating: -
The intrigue of this soundtrack is that it shows Prince's range. Due to the blandness of the film, I think this CD is often overlooked for its merit. It widely swings from bare soulful depths (Sometimes it Snows...) to fun ensemble pieces (Christopher Tracy...) through the more established sound of Prince, between. The music from this release did not get much attention, but in terms of observing Prince's development as an artist, you can't overlook where this phase of his sound led him in later productions. It was a turnkey era in his career.
Rating:  -
After listening to this CD recently, I've come to the conclusion that this is my favorite Prince record. This record is mature, yet funky, with great lyrics and interesting 'sounds'. I love how the drums stand out on 'New Position' and the funky synth on 'Girls and Boys'. Prince explores jazz with 'Do U Lie' and 'Sometimes It Snows In April' is simply outstanding. Buy this record!!!
Rating: -
After the revolutionary "Purple Rain" and the experimental "Around the World in a Day", Prince continues his creative peak with "Parade". Instead of Beatles-esque psychadelia, here we find Prince combining his usual sleek electro-funk with European sounds (clearly inspired by the Paris setting of the "Under the Cherry Moon" film that this album is actually the soundtrack to). The film was hopelessly silly, but this album is anything but. It's everything the best Prince music is: beautfiul, bizarre, sexy, intuitive and groundbreaking.
Damn, do I miss the Revolution.
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