Five things I learned from visiting with Prince: From album plans to thoughts on Prop. 8

Tuesday morning, I received the Golden Ticket of journalistic invitations: a summons to Prince's mansion, high atop Mulholland Drive, to hear the new music he'll be releasing sometime after the holidays. At 8 p.m. that evening, I drove my dirty Mazda past the fountain in his courtyard, parked by the limo in the back, and entered his manse. The man himself greeted me in a candelit study, where he was laboring over a laptop with his Web designers, Anthony Malzone and Scott Addison Clay.

The next five hours took me from that room to a car Prince referred to as "Miles Davis," where we listened to one set of songs; into a back room furnished with a round bed, faux-fur carpeting and a plexiglass Rhodes piano, where he played cuts by his new protege, the comely Bria Valente; and into that white limo, where the entirety of "Lotus Flower," the album previewed earlier this month on Indie 103.1, boomed through the speakers as we drove through Hollywood.

Needless to say, it was an amazing experience. After the jump, a few tidbits, including Prince's promise of three albums in 2009 and his thoughts on Proposition 8.

Prince will release not one, but three albums in the new year. He's in final negotiations with "a major retailer" to distribute the music in physical form, and a highly interactive website will also provide an opportunity to buy. He's not working with a record label. "The gatekeepers have to change," he said several times throughout the evening.

He's found his way back to the sound of "When Doves Cry." The first disc, tentatively titled "MPLSOUND," is an electro-flavored solo effort recorded at Paisley Park Studios. Prince experimented with Pro Tools and "new ways of recording" on these trippy, experimental pop songs. One features a Q-Tip rap; another calls a "Funky Congregation" to worship and may become a live set piece.

He's ready to revive the Quiet Storm. "We got sick of waiting for Sade to make a new album," he said, introducing Valente's new album, "Elixir." The tracks are chill, with Valente's buttery voice melding with beats by Morris Hayes and Prince's guitar lines. Some are explicitly sexual. "This music is nasty, but it's not dirty," Prince said, explaining how sensual music fits in with his much-discussed faith -- he's a Jehovah's Witness. "There's no profanity. It isn't promoting promiscuity. She's singing about her lover, who could be her partner for life."

He loves his guitar. As the tracks played on Indie 103.1 indicated, "Lotus Flower" is rooted in the instrument. Prince said he refocused on his playing while performing live dates with the singer Tamar Davis in 2006; with the spotlight trained on someone else, he could fall back in love with solos and riffs. "Lotus Flower" is a varied album, featuring cuts recorded over the course of two years, but standout tracks include some heavy rockers -- especially the apocalyptic "Dreamer," which Prince said was partly inspired by the radical black comedian Dick Gregory.

He did not vote for Proposition 8. In fact, he didn't vote at all. "I didn't vote for Obama either," he explained. "Jehovah's Witnesses haven't voted for their whole inception." The controversy over a recent New Yorker "Talk of the Town" item, which Prince feels implied he supported the gay-marriage ban, has upset him. It's the first thing he wanted to discuss when the Web geeks had gone and we were alone. "I have friends that are gay and we study the Bible together," he said. He added that two sides fighting "only benefit the third person" who instigated the fight.

Read more about my night with Prince in the Jan. 11 Sunday Calendar.

-- Ann Powers

Photo of Prince at Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in 2008 by Spencer Weiner/Los Angeles Times

Comments

[christopher Lawrence]

Who cares about this guy?
He is at best all hype and a minimum talent !
Please report on artists who actually make good music.

[Kelvin B.]

Man, this is great news. I am sooooo excited!!!

There'll Never B Another Like Prince!!!

[Jim W]

About the Bush comment from David....the point was that if you don't vote and get involved, you get a George Bush. It's baffling that Jehovahs's Witnesses can be so removed from the process. I also feel so sorry for the children of these people. Through no fault of their own, they have to suffer the embarrassment of "being different". They can't participate in so many activities that their friends enjoy.

I agree with the earlier poster who said that Jehovah's Witnesses are anti-gay. For Prince to say he didn't vote is just skirting the issue. He needs to "come out" and tell us his true feelings. Otherwise, can we all say El Coyote? Family members should not give this guy a dime until he does.

[Travis]

He is a little busy to vote. If he votes one way, the other half of the fans will slam him for not voting their way. I wouldn't even suggest what I voted for in the media. Americans are ABLE to vote but are not REQUIRED. Freedom Of Choice is an American right until you don't vote certain peoples way. Prince please keep making great music and not worrying about what some people say. Stay busy and great. Can't wait for the live shows.

[2009 baby]

I love you baby 2009 should be your best year ever.

[stebbes]

Prince truly is a genius. A real artist, a real musician. An endlessly creative spirit. Passionate, devoted, inspired, inspiring. Also one of the best guitarists out there. Bring it on, Prince!

[bart]

There are so many ways to look at things. I'm gay, but I don't believe marriage should be recognized by the government. I don't support gay or straight marriage. And all the legal rights that go with marriage should be given to everyone, insurance choices, hospital visitations. Single people pay for the bulk of the benefits given to married people. It's another unfair paradigm. I'm not for Prop 8, either, of course. Stay with who you want for the rest of your life, that's great, call it marriage, but straight or gay, you should not receive financial benefits from it, nor should you worry about what society thinks about your own personal choice/life.

[billygtexas]

Instead of overloading everyone's senses again with 3 albums, Prince should be concentrating on writing strong songs with pop-oriented melodies and hooks like he did on his 80's Warner Brothers albums.

[Charles]

Yawn, I thought he only played Vegas now, with Barry Manilow and Cher. Who cares what he thinks? Madonna has had the most significant career of all the 80s video artists. Springsteen, Jackson, Prince, Men At Work. None of them sell out stadiums anymore except her.

As for having friends who are gay and "studying the bible" with them: how generous. Does he go over to their house and study "gay" with them?

[Willenium]

There is enough room for Prince and Madonna. Both used to push the envelope and both still put on great shows. Prince still sells our venues and Madonna plays vegas as well. During his tour in London tickets for the first 3-4 sold out in a matter of minutes. Anyhow, regardless of religion, politics and various name changes, Prince, is a musical genius even if you do not like his music. He has written so much material for other artist like Sinead O'connor, Chaka Kahn, and Gwen Steffani and plays a number of plays a number of instruments like piano, guitar and percussions. So...I think he can still sell out a stadium or two despite what some believe.

[Nico]

Could one reason why so many ex-witnesses are disgruntled be because they want it all? They want to have an approved standing with God regular association with people trying their imperfect best to live by Bible standards and at the same time indulge in immoral behavior pursue a materialistic lifestyle and seek worldly prominence for themselves. Many just disagree with JW procedures and feel they know a better way. There are many who after being disfellowshipped have sought to come back. No one is forced or pressured to conform as some might assert. All JW's worship out of their own free will. Prince studied the Bible with JW's and came to his own conclusion and made a dedication out of the proddings of his own conscience. And as to seemingly unfulfilled prophecy, the Apostles of Jesus also experienced disappointment when their own prophetic expectations were not met. JW's have argued first amendment rights before the Supreme Court more than anyone except the US government. The results have benefited everyone including those who disagree with JW views. The best source about JW's is from a living breathing Jehovah's Witness him or herself. As Prince mentioned, the only one benefiting from all the divisions of the world is the third party instigator.

[dan]

i am a straight jehovah"s witness and i agree with billygtexas, we dont need three albums. he needs to work with a competent pop producer,pick the ten strongest tracks and call it a day.

[nosar]

No ,To the guy with the 2nd comming remark. We as Jehovah's Witnesses Do not belive that Jesus came in 1914. You my friend don't know your Bible.Luke 21:24,Jesus said"Jerusalem will be trampled on by the nations untill the appointed times of the nations are fulfilled. However these kings were unique among national leaders, they sat on Jehovah's throne as representives of God himself. October 607 B.C.E. to December 31, B.C.E. 606 1/4 years the Angel said let it pass seven times = 1,913 3/4 years. January 1, 1C.E. to October 1914. Read these scriptures in your Bible in this order:Luke 21:24,Paslm 48:1,2;1 Chronicles 29:23;2 Kings 25: 1-26; Ezekiel 21: 26,27; Luke 1:32,33 Daniel 4: 10-16 ; Ezekiel 17:22-24;31: 2-5 Revelation 12: 6-14 Numbers 14:34, Ezekiel 4:6
psaim 2:1-6;Daniel 7:13,14;Matthew 24:3-8;Luke21:11;2 Timothy 3: 1-5. Feel free to email me with your questions: mr_synister@sbcglobal.net (after the x-men charater)

[Jill]

Thanks so much 4 the article...I'm looking foward 2 the new CD's (enjoyed the premire of "Lotus flower" on Indie), the new website (I do miss NPGMC) and reading more about Ur night with Prince in Sunday Calendar next week.

[cindyc]

"Who cares about this guy?
He is at best all hype and a minimum talent !
Please report on artists who actually make good music."

This is a joke, right? A "minimum talent"? Um, who are you a fan of -- Britney Spears? Prince is a musical genius and amazing songwriter.

[Mary Davis]

There are at least two postings here from Jehovah's Witnesses shills.

Shill-pretending to be non-member who support & promote.

This is what's disturbing about this Watchtower cult,just like Scientology.
Fraud for God.

[christina]

um...someone thinks that beethoven was black?

[FutureUser]

Prince I hope it's good -- just got Joe Jackson's "The Afterparty" and it's COOKING. Anything like that will be a smash hit.

Not voting means Prince does not use the power of government to enforce his beliefs on others. Would you prefer JW's voting and making their beliefs into law?

As for gays -- live and let live. I'm incel, so I appreciate others letting me "live and let live". The issue on "gay marriage" is that, for a Christian or other believer, it seems like asking the government to redefine the law of gravity. Maybe the government should just not be in the marriage business -- just have a standard partnership contract or something like that. It just doesn't seem realistic to think that any human government could satisfy everyone's belief system and incorporate it into law.

[cindyc]

What a happy 2009 it will be!!!!!!! I can't wait for "MPLS sound." Reclaim your sound that others have hijacked Prince!!!!!!!! Bring it back, and make it fon-kay.

[Jeff]

Thank you Gus! Nicely put.

[Bashido]

Voting is an overrated privilege anyway. We vote for puppets on strings anyway.

[sal]

"He is at best all hype and a minimum talent !
Please report on artists who actually make good music."

Really? Cause, when you have Maceo Parker as a music director...thats just an instant win.

[Maine Dave]

Although I don't necessarily like his music, he's a very talented man and it's good to see him coming out with more material this year.

As for whether he votes or not, why is there so much intolerance displayed here? We may choose to vote or we may not choose to vote. It's our right as Americans to do either. To put down someone because he either didn't vote or if he DID, he didn't vote your way, is not very American. I think this next year should be a year of tolerance and understanding displayed by all sides of the issues. No more of this ironic hate from the people against h8.

Dave

[O.H. Boutilier]

Prince is an amazing artist who has contributed much to the music scene. Anyone who doesn't appreciate this talent probably doesn't like ice cream either.

His religious beliefs are betweenhim and his God, just like me. I don't care if he pushes Amway (no disrespect to the JW of course). I love his music, his art, his meticulous recordings, mixes and attention to technical detail underneith his expert performances. He didn't vote? Sheesh... he's part of a growing minority. Being politically correct in the USA got in the way of actually governing the country, so don't go blaming Prince for contributing to the mess, that's a long throw. No member of the animal kingdom nurses past maturity.

Prince: thanks man. Thanks for persisting, and thanks for all you do. Thanks for the great music that will be studied and appreciated. Thanks for being yourself for a living.

Orville

[Neil]

He's a celebrity, right? That means he is obligated to belong to some crazy outlandish religion. Let the man have his weird superstitions. I just wish he'd keep it to himself. Why should I care about his god? I don't. He is merely advertising his closed-mind.