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Thread started 08/15/06 8:38am

BananaCologne

Bland Is Back Part #4

The previous threads all auto-locked after a certain number of posts, so please feel free to continue your questions and discussions between the one-and-only Mr Michael Bland here.

As ever, a heartfelt thankyou to Michael from all of us for regularly taking time out to interact on prince.org.

For your ref: http://www.prince.org/msg/5/192408

Over to you guys...

Last question from thread #3:

jayARDAHB said:

Could you share some examples?

I agree with you - some of his records are great examples of 'what-could have been'!

Again, thanks for responding!

Also, what do you think of what I said about MJ and Madonna not being all that without an assist from an outside producer?

Peace
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Reply #1 posted 08/15/06 10:42am

ebonyrhythmbud
dha

Last question from thread #3:

jayARDAHB said:

Could you share some examples?

I agree with you - some of his records are great examples of 'what-could have been'!

Again, thanks for responding!

Also, what do you think of what I said about MJ and Madonna not being all that without an assist from an outside producer?

Peace


It would take me a minute to come up with specific instances.. i may return to this question, later on...

as far as mj and madonna relying solely on producers.. they've both used many different producers and still had hits, consistently.. the common denominator in those scenarios is them.. so, i would argue that they bring SOMETHING to the table..

michael b.
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Reply #2 posted 08/15/06 11:17am

Sowhat

avatar

Michael,

Congratulations on thread #4!

On an earlier thread (3.11 or something like that) you said that yourself and Phil from the Rembrandts were brought together by frustration. You specifically said frustration working with Prince.

Was that because he was not touring enough, or not doing enough "Rock" music or what exactly was it that you were frustrated with?
"Always blessings, never losses......"

Ya te dije....no manches guey!!!!!

mad I'm a guy!!!!

"....i can open my-eyes "underwater"..there4 i will NOT drown...." - mzkqueen03 eek lol
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Reply #3 posted 08/15/06 11:19am

Sowhat

avatar

Michael,

I had heard talk of Miko coming out with a solo effort after he left Prince, do you know if that project ever saw the light of day?
"Always blessings, never losses......"

Ya te dije....no manches guey!!!!!

mad I'm a guy!!!!

"....i can open my-eyes "underwater"..there4 i will NOT drown...." - mzkqueen03 eek lol
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Reply #4 posted 08/15/06 11:34am

Sowhat

avatar

Michael,

I know many Prince fans "blame" Tony M. and Larry Graham and others for greatly influencing some of Prince's work and his lifestyle. But I get the impression that Prince is a grown man and makes his own decisions and no one can really "talk" him into anything if he does not want to do it. He basically does what he wants.

Since you worked with him closely for several years, do you make the same assessment?
"Always blessings, never losses......"

Ya te dije....no manches guey!!!!!

mad I'm a guy!!!!

"....i can open my-eyes "underwater"..there4 i will NOT drown...." - mzkqueen03 eek lol
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Reply #5 posted 08/15/06 12:25pm

Sifi

Sowhat said:

Michael,

I had heard talk of Miko coming out with a solo effort after he left Prince, do you know if that project ever saw the light of day?


If I may interrupt smile...
Many Dutch Prince-fans will remember Miko & The Boombox, they did some shows over here in the mid-90's (if my memory is right)...some demo's were recorded, here in Holland too, but I am not sure if there ever was a proper CD release.
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Reply #6 posted 08/15/06 12:30pm

Sowhat

avatar

Sifi said:

Sowhat said:

Michael,

I had heard talk of Miko coming out with a solo effort after he left Prince, do you know if that project ever saw the light of day?


If I may interrupt smile...
Many Dutch Prince-fans will remember Miko & The Boombox, they did some shows over here in the mid-90's (if my memory is right)...some demo's were recorded, here in Holland too, but I am not sure if there ever was a proper CD release.


Cool....thanks.
"Always blessings, never losses......"

Ya te dije....no manches guey!!!!!

mad I'm a guy!!!!

"....i can open my-eyes "underwater"..there4 i will NOT drown...." - mzkqueen03 eek lol
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Reply #7 posted 08/15/06 1:58pm

jayARDAHB

Thanks Mike...

Here's my next question:

Why do you think Prince doesn't have hits anymore?

I think his music is as catchy as it ever has been (Love and Incense and Candles from 3121 are great examples of radio friendly songs that my friends love!).

Thanks again,


Jay B
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Reply #8 posted 08/15/06 4:23pm

haleno1

hi Michael
good to hear from you my favourite drummer Prince has had in his bands. (no suck-up by the way)
i gotta ask
what was it with you and those chicken buckets back then?
There was definately something about you and chicken in the same sentence LOL.
Seriously though
If you could pick out a favourite time from your days in the NPG what would it be.?
Business Manager to Cat Glover.
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Reply #9 posted 08/15/06 11:20pm

ebonyrhythmbud
dha

Sowhat said:

Michael,

Congratulations on thread #4!

On an earlier thread (3.11 or something like that) you said that yourself and Phil from the Rembrandts were brought together by frustration. You specifically said frustration working with Prince.

Was that because he was not touring enough, or not doing enough "Rock" music or what exactly was it that you were frustrated with?


we weren't touring, and had no plans to.. everyday, sonny, tommy, morris, and i would rehearse the same 30 songs, without prince or mayte there..
and go home.. just doing busywork and playing late night parties at paisley.. plus, the whole name change thing was in full swing.. people constantly asking, "so, what do you call him?" and us wanting to smack them on their necks..

michael b.
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Reply #10 posted 08/15/06 11:21pm

ebonyrhythmbud
dha

Sowhat said:

Michael,

I had heard talk of Miko coming out with a solo effort after he left Prince, do you know if that project ever saw the light of day?


i don't know anything about it..

michael b.
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Reply #11 posted 08/15/06 11:22pm

ebonyrhythmbud
dha

Sowhat said:

Michael,

I know many Prince fans "blame" Tony M. and Larry Graham and others for greatly influencing some of Prince's work and his lifestyle. But I get the impression that Prince is a grown man and makes his own decisions and no one can really "talk" him into anything if he does not want to do it. He basically does what he wants.

Since you worked with him closely for several years, do you make the same assessment?

even if it's destructive to him, directly, he goes his own way..

michael b.
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Reply #12 posted 08/15/06 11:23pm

ebonyrhythmbud
dha

jayARDAHB said:

Thanks Mike...

Here's my next question:

Why do you think Prince doesn't have hits anymore?

I think his music is as catchy as it ever has been (Love and Incense and Candles from 3121 are great examples of radio friendly songs that my friends love!).

Thanks again,


Jay B

"musicology" charted ok, didn't it?

michael b.
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Reply #13 posted 08/15/06 11:28pm

ebonyrhythmbud
dha

haleno1 said:

hi Michael
good to hear from you my favourite drummer Prince has had in his bands. (no suck-up by the way)
i gotta ask
what was it with you and those chicken buckets back then?
There was definately something about you and chicken in the same sentence LOL.
Seriously though
If you could pick out a favourite time from your days in the NPG what would it be.?


being in the npg could be a bit of a minstrel show, from time to time..

'90 -'92...

michael b.
[Edited 8/15/06 23:28pm]
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Reply #14 posted 08/16/06 6:12am

xenophobia2002

Sifi said:

Sowhat said:

Michael,

I had heard talk of Miko coming out with a solo effort after he left Prince, do you know if that project ever saw the light of day?


If I may interrupt smile...
Many Dutch Prince-fans will remember Miko & The Boombox, they did some shows over here in the mid-90's (if my memory is right)...some demo's were recorded, here in Holland too, but I am not sure if there ever was a proper CD release.


Miko played in Vlaardingen 2 weeks ago at www.zomerfestival.nl if my sister is correct about it
I AM LOOKING FOR USED PRINCE CONCERT TICKETS ... https://www.facebook.com/...erttickets
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Reply #15 posted 08/16/06 6:45am

Sowhat

avatar

ebonyrhythmbuddha said:

Sowhat said:

Michael,

Congratulations on thread #4!

On an earlier thread (3.11 or something like that) you said that yourself and Phil from the Rembrandts were brought together by frustration. You specifically said frustration working with Prince.

Was that because he was not touring enough, or not doing enough "Rock" music or what exactly was it that you were frustrated with?


we weren't touring, and had no plans to.. everyday, sonny, tommy, morris, and i would rehearse the same 30 songs, without prince or mayte there..
and go home.. just doing busywork and playing late night parties at paisley.. plus, the whole name change thing was in full swing.. people constantly asking, "so, what do you call him?" and us wanting to smack them on their necks..
michael b.


lol

Did Prince ever explain the reason for the name change to you?
"Always blessings, never losses......"

Ya te dije....no manches guey!!!!!

mad I'm a guy!!!!

"....i can open my-eyes "underwater"..there4 i will NOT drown...." - mzkqueen03 eek lol
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Reply #16 posted 08/16/06 6:47am

Sowhat

avatar

Michael,

Did you, Tommy, Sonny, and Morris have more input in the "NPG" projects (Exodus, etc...) than with the "Prince" projects (Gold Experience, etc...)
"Always blessings, never losses......"

Ya te dije....no manches guey!!!!!

mad I'm a guy!!!!

"....i can open my-eyes "underwater"..there4 i will NOT drown...." - mzkqueen03 eek lol
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #17 posted 08/16/06 9:30am

ebonyrhythmbud
dha

Sowhat said:

ebonyrhythmbuddha said:



we weren't touring, and had no plans to.. everyday, sonny, tommy, morris, and i would rehearse the same 30 songs, without prince or mayte there..
and go home.. just doing busywork and playing late night parties at paisley.. plus, the whole name change thing was in full swing.. people constantly asking, "so, what do you call him?" and us wanting to smack them on their necks..
michael b.


lol

Did Prince ever explain the reason for the name change to you?

i don't recall him doing so..

michael b.
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Reply #18 posted 08/16/06 9:31am

ebonyrhythmbud
dha

Sowhat said:

Michael,

Did you, Tommy, Sonny, and Morris have more input in the "NPG" projects (Exodus, etc...) than with the "Prince" projects (Gold Experience, etc...)


i wouldn't say so..

michael b.
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Reply #19 posted 08/16/06 10:00am

Sifi

xenophobia2002 said:


Miko played in Vlaardingen 2 weeks ago at www.zomerfestival.nl if my sister is correct about it


OFFTOPIC: I think your sister's wrong OR the link is wrong (see http://www.zomerterras.nl...=programma ) OR both...or Miko played under a disguise name...and why didn't we go to that gig Xeno??!?!?!

smile
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Reply #20 posted 08/16/06 10:56am

Sowhat

avatar

Michael,

Would you ever consider doing one of those reality shows like "Supergroup" that was on VH1 where they teamed up various musicians to form a group?

In the first series they teamed up:

Sebastian Bach on vocals
Jason Bonham on drums
Scott Ian on guitar
Ted Nugent on Guitar
Evan Seinfeld on Bass
"Always blessings, never losses......"

Ya te dije....no manches guey!!!!!

mad I'm a guy!!!!

"....i can open my-eyes "underwater"..there4 i will NOT drown...." - mzkqueen03 eek lol
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Reply #21 posted 08/17/06 9:51am

Marco81

Hi Michael, nice 2 have u here and reading your posts wink
I saw u and Sonny back in 2000 in Monopoli (south Italy, near Bari...where i live) when u were touring with Giorgia...u also signed a little piece of paper 2 me that night biggrin

I got a couple of question for u:

1) Did u (and Sonny) enjoy working with Giorgia and how did u meet her for the first time and decided 2 play together? was it boring recording that kind of music? (meaning that is different from Prince style and other styles u have covered)

2) question about 2 instrumental jams u guys used 2 play back in 93 / 94:
first one is the guitar instrumental usually played in 1993 tour after she's always in my hair (a guitar outro with some sort of echo) and also played a few times in 1994 (intro at the Stars & Bars show in Montecarlo).
The other one is the instrumental played before The Ride on the Undertaker VHS...when Vanessa Marcil enters Paisley Park...
Were these 2 just instrumental jams?...unreleased material (unreleased songs)? or instrumental covers I don't recognize?

Thanx 4 replying Michael wink
[Edited 8/17/06 9:52am]
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Reply #22 posted 08/17/06 1:22pm

NDRU

avatar

Hi Michael,

I hope I don't repeat anyone's question too closely!

I found the NPG--beginning with Diamonds & Pearls--to be a huge change in Prince's sound, due in no small part to you.

I know you're a fan of some of the 80's stuff like Lovesexy. Did you feel the NPG was a logical progression from Prince's classic 80's sound or something new entirely?
[Edited 8/17/06 13:23pm]
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Reply #23 posted 08/20/06 4:12am

monte

hi michael,

1) do you know if prince has perfect pitch?

2) do you find any moments on prince records where it is 'out'? (for example the high vocals in God) Or do you recall any times playing with prince that you felt he was out of tune and he didn't notice it?

3) do you find music such as indian music painful to your perfect pitch?

4) did you believe prince when he told you he played saxaphone on the purple rain score?

4) do members of prince's bands have to sign confidentiality agreements?

5) you said it would be wierd if a thirty year old prince was friends with a 19 year old. What about all those extra young girlfriends? did you find the age difference between him and his girlfreinds to be wrong?

6) you don't have to but could you rate the following albums in order from best to worst?

D&P, Symbol, Gold Nigga, Come, Gold Exeperience, Exodus, Chaos & Disorder, The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale, Emancipation

it would interest me what you think of these albums and what bias you feel you have towards certain projects lol
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Reply #24 posted 08/20/06 4:18am

monte

hi again michael. sorry for bombarding you with more questions

was prince comfortable playing drums infront of you?
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Reply #25 posted 08/20/06 5:16pm

ebonyrhythmbud
dha

Sowhat said:

Michael,

Would you ever consider doing one of those reality shows like "Supergroup" that was on VH1 where they teamed up various musicians to form a group?

In the first series they teamed up:

Sebastian Bach on vocals
Jason Bonham on drums
Scott Ian on guitar
Ted Nugent on Guitar
Evan Seinfeld on Bass


i dunno.. depends on who else they asked..

michael b.
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Reply #26 posted 08/20/06 5:20pm

ebonyrhythmbud
dha

Marco81 said:

Hi Michael, nice 2 have u here and reading your posts wink
I saw u and Sonny back in 2000 in Monopoli (south Italy, near Bari...where i live) when u were touring with Giorgia...u also signed a little piece of paper 2 me that night biggrin

I got a couple of question for u:

1) Did u (and Sonny) enjoy working with Giorgia and how did u meet her for the first time and decided 2 play together? was it boring recording that kind of music? (meaning that is different from Prince style and other styles u have covered)

2) question about 2 instrumental jams u guys used 2 play back in 93 / 94:
first one is the guitar instrumental usually played in 1993 tour after she's always in my hair (a guitar outro with some sort of echo) and also played a few times in 1994 (intro at the Stars & Bars show in Montecarlo).
The other one is the instrumental played before The Ride on the Undertaker VHS...when Vanessa Marcil enters Paisley Park...
Were these 2 just instrumental jams?...unreleased material (unreleased songs)? or instrumental covers I don't recognize?

Thanx 4 replying Michael wink
[Edited 8/17/06 9:52am]

yes, we enjoyed working with giorgia. rickey minor called and said that he and michael baker had a conflict with some of giorgia'a dates. he wanted me and sonny to cover for them. she dug us, and asked us back, later on.
no, it wasn't boring, but definitely different. we had to take her music and "americanize" it. italian pop is a bit archaic, and behind whatever is happening in the states. she wanted us to give her songs kinda a facelift..
we had alot of fun. italy is like my home away from home. i love it there...

i don't know what songs you're talking about.. sorry-

michael b.
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Reply #27 posted 08/20/06 5:22pm

ebonyrhythmbud
dha

NDRU said:

Hi Michael,

I hope I don't repeat anyone's question too closely!

I found the NPG--beginning with Diamonds & Pearls--to be a huge change in Prince's sound, due in no small part to you.

I know you're a fan of some of the 80's stuff like Lovesexy. Did you feel the NPG was a logical progression from Prince's classic 80's sound or something new entirely?
[Edited 8/17/06 13:23pm]


i felt it was more organic than some of the stuff prior to my arrival. it was more of an ensemble sound. alot of prince's records sound like he did just about everything. he really encouraged our personalities to be heard through the music.. we sounded like a band.

michael b.
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Reply #28 posted 08/20/06 5:30pm

ebonyrhythmbud
dha

monte said:

hi michael,

1) do you know if prince has perfect pitch?

2) do you find any moments on prince records where it is 'out'? (for example the high vocals in God) Or do you recall any times playing with prince that you felt he was out of tune and he didn't notice it?

3) do you find music such as indian music painful to your perfect pitch?

4) did you believe prince when he told you he played saxaphone on the purple rain score?

4) do members of prince's bands have to sign confidentiality agreements?

5) you said it would be wierd if a thirty year old prince was friends with a 19 year old. What about all those extra young girlfriends? did you find the age difference between him and his girlfreinds to be wrong?

6) you don't have to but could you rate the following albums in order from best to worst?

D&P, Symbol, Gold Nigga, Come, Gold Exeperience, Exodus, Chaos & Disorder, The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale, Emancipation

it would interest me what you think of these albums and what bias you feel you have towards certain projects lol


1. probably relative pitch..
2. no. the thing on "God" is just prince being free and un-selfconscious.. that's my favorite prince. he's just freaky, and doesn't care who knows it, on that track.. just raw..
3. a little, with the quarter tones, and whatnot..
4. yes.
5. you know, i never really thought about it. my mind, mostly, was on work.
i dunno. history is littered with similar relationships.
6. this is not a question that can be answered, effectively. my criticisms start with my own flaws and misgivings, and trickle down to composition and subject matter.. doesn't seem like a worthwhile exercise.. sorry, no.

michael b.
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Reply #29 posted 08/21/06 3:44am

myrtobelly

avatar

[/quote]
yes, we enjoyed working with giorgia. rickey minor called and said that he and michael baker had a conflict with some of giorgia'a dates. he wanted me and sonny to cover for them. she dug us, and asked us back, later on.
no, it wasn't boring, but definitely different. we had to take her music and "americanize" it. italian pop is a bit archaic, and behind whatever is happening in the states. she wanted us to give her songs kinda a facelift..
we had alot of fun. italy is like my home away from home. i love it there...

michael b.[/quote]

Great work with Giorgia! It's nice to see Mike Scott, Tommy Barbarella work with her too!
-Why don't you work with her anymore (would you work with her again)?
-What's your favorite Giorgia song?

Bye

Myrto pussy pussy pussy
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