Photo from the L.A. Times
If you're a Prince fan like me, this is BIG news. Prince has just unveiled a new website at Lotusflow3r.com. The website is still in its early stages of development, and more is promised to be added to it later, but that doesn't matter. What does matter is that he has made 3 new tracks available for streaming on the site. The tracks are "Another Boy" featuring his latest protégé - Bria Valente, "Colonized Mind" and an instrumental track "Discojellyfish". All 3 tracks are pure Prince, in other words brilliant.
To celebrate the launch of the site and to showcase his 3 forthcoming albums promised in 2009, yes that's 3 albums - most artists barely manage 1 new album every 3 years - he invited 30 people from the record industry, press and 3 fans (lucky, lucky people) to his Beverley Hills mansion for a presentation on his plans and a live gig by the man himself. Rolling Stone have a great write-up of their experience on the night. I especially love this bit about when Prince got his Internet "geek" up on stage at the gig:
Near the end of the second set, it’s nearly 3 a.m. as Prince and bassist Josh Dunham jump into a sticky groove that’s instantly recognizable as a 1976 riff from Wild Cherry. Prince points directly at Clay, his Internet guru, by now pealed out of his tweed at the edge of the dance floor. He calls him over to the microphone, and Clay immediately begins singing, reading from an oversized lyric sheet: “Play that funky music, white boy! Play that funky music right!”
Prince leans back against drummer Cora Dunham, still slashing at his guitar, eyebrows rising, as if he can’t believe what he is witnessing. But it’s a kind of unbelievable, brilliant moment, one of many during more than three hours of live music. Clay is still dancing behind the microphone, his dress shirt soaked, and for one moment the baddest white dude on the West Coast. “That’s pretty funky, right?” he asks. With Prince and the band behind him, it could hardly be anything else.
Another review of the night, this time from 1 of the 3 members of the general public were invited can be found here. I'm so jealous! So, if you're a Prince fan or any kind of music fan, head on over to Lotusflow3r.com and put the 3 cassettes into the purple boom box to hear some new masterpieces. What I'm listening to right now: Prince - "Discojellyfish" and am loving the madness of it.
Welcome to my blog. My name is Kieron Donoghue and I am the founder of ShareMyPlaylists.com, ContentNow.co.uk and some other stuff. I have no idea why I'm blue on this photo though but I like it!
He’s also one of the best guitar players I’ve seen, but doesn’t get much credit for that. I guess when he launches his album there’ll be more quips in the papers about his height rather than the music.
I absolutely agree with the point made by Mishoni. This is incredible stuff really. Three of the most phenomenal songs I’ve ever come across.
That piano is amazing! I want one.
Seriously, Prince is one of the greatest songwriters and musicians of our times. I have to wonder if he’s going to distribute these new albums via internet (a la Radiohead’s In Rainbows a few years ago) or through standard means…
Thats cool of what hes done with the website, I like the concept of clicking the cassette tapes in order to get the song to play, but I would not have known to do that, if I did not read you talking about it. But perhaps it is suppose to be a mystery kind of a deal?
Anyways, still pretty cool and I can’t wait to see the final website.
Till then,
Jean
where a u prince i have been a fan of yours since the purple rain tour which i saw in london as i am from wales. i think you a a fantastic performer and a wonderful artist.