Prince: A Celebration podcasts – listen to his musical evolution

Following the death of Prince, Getintothis’ Shaun Ponsonby compiled 12 hours of radio in which he chronicled his entire music career via hits, misses and rarities which you can listen to here. 

There’s no way to write this without shameless self-promotion, so I’ll get this out of the way now; I do a couple of radio shows.

KCC Live is primarily a youth station, so when Prince passed away on April 21, I was asked to compile an hour long Greatest Hits-type show so that the younger part of the audience could understand who Prince was. But, for me, it wasn’t enough. Prince deserved more than a quick, one-hour trawl through his hits.

The freedom one has at a community station versus just about anywhere else is such that I was able to turn one of my regular shows into an in-depth chronicle of Prince‘s work. For six weeks, I played not only the hits, favourite album tracks and b-sides, but also live performances, extreme rarities, proteges, songs he wrote for other artists and bootlegged never released songs. There are many highlights amongst the latter that I am sure even some big fans have never heard, starting with a home recording of a teenage Prince playing Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan classic Sweet Thing in his bedroom in around 1975, and including his original demos for the likes of Kiss and Manic Monday.

I separated the shows into six specific eras and gave the programmes names:

• Part 1: Uptown (1976-1984)
• Part 2: The Revolution (1984-1986)
• Part 3: Sign “O” The Times (1986-1990)
• Part 4: New Power Generation (1990-1994)
• Part 5: Slave (1994-2003)
• Part 6: Resolution (2003-2016)

I didn’t want to make it about the racial, sexual, gender and social barriers he challenged. Someone else will do that. No matter how important all of that may be, if there is one thing Prince would have wanted to be remembered for in my opinion, it was for his music. He would want to be remembered as a musician of the highest order. So, that is what I did. I crop up occasionally with my awful speaking voice to provide some context from a handful of notes – you kinda have to do that on the radio – but the focus is very much on the evolution of Prince‘s music. There are some glaring omissions, which is a real testament to his output that even with 12 hours of radio, there wasn’t enough time for everything.

It was an incredibly cathartic experience, and I have to thank KCC Live for not stopping me from doing it. I can’t imagine (m)any other radio stations allowing me to take up 12 hours of airtime to pay tribute to a single artist.

I was putting the shows up on Mixcloud, and our editor Peter Guy (who I’m sure everyone is aware is a huge Prince fan himself) was listening and suggested we put them up on the site so the shows could reach more people. As today is Prince‘s birthday, it seemed like the perfect time to publish them – despite his faith forbidding him to celebrate his birthday, there is nothing to say we can’t celebrate his life.

Amongst the songs he recorded as Prince, including credited bands The Revolution, New Power Generation, 3RDEYEGIRL and the unpronounceable , there are also covers, side projects, hits and rarities from; 94 East, Alicia Keys, Andre Cymone, Apollonia 6, The Bangles, Camille, Chaka Khan, Cyndi Lauper, The Family, George Clinton, Janelle Monae, Jill Jones, Kate Bush, Kid Creole & The Coconuts, Liv Warfield, Madhouse, Madonna, Martika, Mavis Staples, Mazarati, Nona Gaye, NPG Orchestra, Patti LaBelle, The Rebels, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Sheena Easton, Shelia E, Sinead O’ Connor, Tamar, Three O’ Clock, The Time and Vanity 6, thus proving how wide his scope reached musically.

Had I had time to plan more, I probably could have made it slicker. But I hope you enjoy the musical journey all the same.

Peace, b wild and may u live 2 c the dawn…

Prince’s pop life – Getintothis’ staff share their personal reflections

Part 1: Uptown (1976-1984)

1. For You (Prince) [For You, 1978]
2. Sweet Thing (Prince) [unreleased home recording,1976]
3. Just Another Sucker (94 East) [1977]
4. Soft and Wet (Prince) [For You, 1978]
5. I Wanna Be Your Lover (Prince) [Prince, 1979]
6. Bambi (Prince) [Prince, 1979]
7. Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad? (Prince) [Prince, 1979]
8. I Feel For You (Chaka Khan) [1984]
9. Loving You (The Rebels) [unreleased, 1980]
10. Uptown (Prince) [Dirty Mind, 1980]
11. When You Were Mine (Cyndi Lauper) [1983]
12. Partyup (Prince) [Dirty Mind, 1980]
13. Cool (The Time) [1981]
14. Controversy (Prince) [Controversy, 1981]
15. Let’s Work (Prince) [Controversy, 1981]
16. Nasty Girl (Vanity 6) [1982]
17. (Gotta Stop) Messin’ Around (Prince) [UK-only single, 1981]
18. Little Red Corvette (Prince) [1999, 1982]
19. He’s So Dull (Vanity 6) [1982]
20. 777-9311 (The Time) [1982]
21. Delirious (Prince) [1999, 1982]
22. How Come U Don’t Call Me? (Alicia Keys) [2001]
23. Let’s Pretend We’re Married (Prince) [1999, 1982]
24. 1999 (Prince) [1999, 1982]
25. Purple Rain (Prince & The Revolution) [Purple Rain, 1984]

Part 2: The Revolution (1984-1986)

1. When Doves Cry (Prince) [Purple Rain, 1984]
2. Take Me With U (Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings) [2009]
3. Jungle Love (The Time) [1984]
4. Computer Blue (Prince & The Revolution) [unreleased full version, 1984]
5. Darling Nikki (Prince & The Revolution) [Purple Rain, 1984]
6. Sugar Walls (Sheena Easton) [1984]
7. Erotic City (George Clinton) [1994]
8. 17 Days (Prince & The Revolution) [When Doves Cry b-side, 1984]
9. Sex Shooter (Apollonia 6) [1984]
10. The Bird (The Time) [1984]
11. Let’s Go Crazy (Prince & The Revolution) [Live, 1984]
12. The Glamorous Life (Shelia E) [1984]
13. I Would Die 4 U (Prince & The Revolution) [Purple Rain, 1984]
14. Pop Life (Prince & The Revolution) [Around The World in a Day, 1985]
15. Around The World in a Day (Prince & The Revolution) [Around The World in a Day, 1985]
16. The Dance Electric (Andre Cymone) [1985]
17. Raspberry Beret (Prince & The Revolution) [Around The World in a Day, 1985]
18. Paisley Park (Prince & The Revolution) [Around The World in a Day, 1985]
19. Mutiny (The Family) [1985]
20. She’s Always In My Hair (Prince & The Revolution) [Raspberry Beret b-side, 1985]
21. 4 The Tears In Ur Eyes (Prince & The Revolution) [1985, rare USA For Africa version]
22. 100 MPH (Mazarati) [1986]
23. Kiss (Prince) [unreleased acoustic demo, 1986]
24. Kiss (Prince & The Revolution) [Parade, 1986]
25. Anotherloverholenyohead (Prince & The Revolution) [Parade, 1986]
26. Manic Monday (Prince & Apollonia) [unreleased demo, 1984]
27. Manic Monday (The Bangles) [1986]
28. Mountains (Prince & The Revolution) [Parade, 1986]
29. A Love Bizare (Shelia E ft. Prince) [1985]
30. Sometimes It Snows In April (Prince & The Revolution) [Parade, 1986]

Part 3: Sign “O” The Times (1986-1990)

1. Housequake (Prince) [Sign “O” The Times, 1987]
2. Dream Factory (Prince & The Revolution) [1986, released on Crystal Ball 1998]
3. Witness 4 The Prosecution (Prince & The Revolution) [unreleased, 1986]
4. Rebirth Of the Flesh (Camille) [unreleased, 1987]
5. Crystall Ball (Prince) [1987, released on Crystal Ball 1998]
6. Sign “O” The Times (Prince) [Sign “O” The Times, 1987]
7. 6 (Madhouse) [1987]
8. Starfish & Coffee (Prince) [Sign “O” The Times, 1987]
9. Strange Relationship (Prince & The Revolution) [unreleased version, 1986]
10. Mia Bocca (Jill Jones) [1987]
11. If I Was Your Girlfriend (Prince) [Sign “O” The Times, 1987]
12. I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man (Prince) [Sign “O” The Times, 1987]
13. U Got The Look (Prince ft. Sheena Easton) [Sign “O” The Times, 1987]
14. It’s Gonna Be a Beautiful Night (Prince) [Live, 1987]
15. Le Grind (Prince) [The Black Album, 1987/released 1994]
16. Alphabet St (Prince) [LoveSexy, 1988]
17. When 2 R In Love (Prince) [LoveSexy, 1988]
18. LoveSexy (Prince) [Live, 1988]
19. Glam Slam (Prince) [Live, 1988]
20. Good Love (Prince) [Bright Lights Big City soundtrack, 1988]
21. Yo Mister (Patti LaBelle) [1989]
22. Neon Telephone (Three O’ Clock) [1988]
23. Batdance (Prince) [Batman, 1988]
24. Partyman (Prince) [Batman, 1988]
25. Love Song (Madonna ft. Prince) [1989]
26. Feel U Up (Prince) [Partyman b-side, 1989]
27. Nothing Compares 2 U (Sinead O’ Connor) [1990]

Part 4: New Power Generation (1990-1994)

1. New Power Generation (Prince) [Funky Weapon Mix, 1990]
2. Thieves In The Temple (Prince) [Graffiti Bridge, 1990]
3. The Question of U (Prince) [Graffiti Bridge, 1990]
4. Jerk Out (The Time) [1990]
5. Elephants and Flowers (Prince) [Graffiti Bridge, 1990]
6. Joy In Repetition (Prince) [Graffiti Bridge, 1990]
7. The Sex Of It (Kid Creole & The Coconuts) [1990]
8. Get Off (Prince) [New Power Generation maxi-single, 1990]
9. Gett Off (Prince & The New Power Generation) [Diamonds and Pearls, 1991]
10. Money Don’t Matter 2Night (Prince & The New Power Generation) [Diamonds and Pearls, 1991]
11. Martika’s Kitchen (Martika) [1991]
12. Diamonds & Pearls (Prince & The New Power Generation) [Diamonds and Pearls, 1991]
13. Cream (Prince & The New Power Generation) [Diamonds and Pearls, 1991]
14. Strollin’ (Prince & The New Power Generation) [Diamonds and Pearls, 1991]
15. Letter 4 Miles (Prince) [unreleased, 1991]
16. You Will Be Moved (Mavis Staples) [1993]
17. Sexy MF (Prince & The New Power Generation) [, 1992]
18. My Name Is Prince (Prince & The New Power Generation) [, 1992]
19. Blue Light (Prince & The New Power Generation) [, 1992]
20. Hollywood (George Clinton) [1993]
21. Segue #6 (Prince & The New Power Generation) [unreleased, 1992]
22. 7 (Prince & The New Power Generation) [, 1992]
23. Call The Law (New Power Generation) [1993]*
24. 3 Chains O’ Gold (Prince & The New Power Generation) [, 1992]
25. Carmen On Top (Carmen Electra) [unreleased, 1993]
26. Peach (Prince) [The Hits/The B-Sides, 1993]
27. The Ride (Prince) [1993, released on Crystal Ball 1998]
28. Letitgo (Prince) [Come, 1994]

Part 5: Slave (1994-2003)

1. Gold () [The Gold Experience, 1995]
2. What’s My Name (Prince) [1993, released on Crystal Ball 1998 as ]
3. Endorphinmachine () [The Gold Experience, 1995]
4. The Most Beautiful Girl In The World () [single version, 1994]
5. Shhh (Tevin Campbell) [1993]
6. Dolphin () [The Gold Experience, 1995]
7. Get Wild (New Power Generation) [1995]
8. Why Should I Love You? (Kate Bush) [1994]
9. If Eye Love U 2Night (Mayte) [1994]
10. Chaos and Disorder () [Chaos and Disorder, 1996]
11. Had U () [Chaos and Disorder, 1996]
12. Emancipation () [Emancipation, 1996]
13. Face Down () [Emancipation, 1996]
14. Betcha By Golly Wow () [Emancipation, 1996]
15. Get Yo Groove On () [Emancipation, 1996]
16. The Holy River () [Emancipation, 1996]
17. The Ever-Changing Light (NPG Orchestra) [1998]
18. The Truth () [The Truth, 1998]
19. The One (New Power Generation) [1998]
20. Don’t Talk 2 Strangers (Chaka Khan) [1998]
21. Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic () [Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic, 1999]
22. So Far, So Pleased ( ft. Gwen Stefani) [Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic, 1999]
23. The Rest Of My Life (Prince) [1992, released on The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale, 1999]
24. U Make My Sun Shine (Prince ft. Angie Stone) [single, 2000]
25. Last December (Prince) [The Rainbow Children, 2001]
26. A Case Of U (Prince) [One Nite Alone, 2002]
27. Muse 2 The Pharaoh (Prince) [One Nite Alone…Live, 2003]

Part 6: Resolution (2004-2016)

1. Musicology (Prince) [Musicology, 2004]
2. Cinnamon Girl (Prince) [Musicology, 2004]
3. Empty Room (Prince) [C-Note, 2004]
4. Northside (Prince) [The Slaughterhouse, 2004]
5. Vavoom (Prince) [The Chocolate Invasion, 2004]
6. Paradigm (George Clinton ft. Prince) [2005]
7. Black Sweat (Prince) [3121, 2006]
8. Lolita (Prince) [3121, 2006]
9. Beautiful, Loved & Blessed (Prince ft. Tamar) [3121, 2006]
10. Song of the Heart (Prince) [Happy Feet Soundtrack, 2006]
11. Guitar (Prince) [Planet Earth, 2007]
12. The One U Wanna C (Prince) [Planet Earth, 2007]
13. 3121/DMSR (Prince & The New Power Generation) [Indigo Nights – Live, 2008]
14. PFUnk (Prince) [rare fan club version, 2007]
15. Another Boy (Bria Valente) [2009]
16. Crimson & Clover (Prince) [LotusFlow3r cd version, 2009]
17. The Morning After (Prince) [LotusFlow3r digital version, 2009]
18. No More Candy 4 U (Prince) [MPLSouND, 2009]
19. Laydown (Prince) [20Ten, 2010]
20. Rich Friends (Prince) [Unreleased, 2010]
21. Give Em What They Love (Janelle Monae ft. Prince) [2013]
22. The Unexpected (Liv Warfield) [2014]
23. FunkNRoll (Prince & 3RDEYEGIRL) [PlectrumElectrum, 2014]
24. Clouds (Prince) [Art Official Age, 2014]
25. Baltimore (Prince) [single later released on HitNRun Phase II, 2015]
26. 1,000 Hugs & Kisses (Nona Gaye & Prince) [unreleased demo, 1992]
27. 1,000 X’s & O’s (Prince) [HitNRun Phase I, 2015]
28. Big City (Prince) [HitNRun Phase II, 2015]
29. Sometimes It Snows In April (Prince & The New Power Generation) [One Nite Alone…Live!, 2003]

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