|:. DISCLAIMER: J7 and the folx behind the 777 Update are not
affiliated with TDC.Org. Rather, J7 and RolThaDice@AOL.com are
part of the Prince online community, and we offered them space on the
net to keep us informed of all things Paisley. It has not been edited by
the TDC.Org staff in any way, well, except for coding and other small stuff, you know,
to make it look nice and pretty for our Motor Babies out there. DISCLAIMER .:|.
And now, the latest 777 Update, dated Monday, June 25, 2001.
"The news, not the bull ...."
"Rainbow Children Special" Edition
Hello & welcome to the 777 Update CD review of Prince's latest
project. First off, the 777 Update is a Prince Fan Newz Update not
affiliated with Paisley Park, NPG Records, Warner Brothers Records,
the NPG Music Club or NPGOnlineLTD in any way, shape or form. With that
out of the way, this will be the first of 2 updates concerning the celebration.
I want to solely concentrate on this CD for so many reasons. Basically
because it seems this CD is causing more controversy to fans then the
name change ever did. The fate of this CD is supposed to be an Internet-only
release. (Don't believe everything or else you are still walking into
record stores asking when "Roadhouse Garden" is coming out). For the
time being it is being said it will be released thru the
NPG Music Club, and that is all we know as we are going in to writing this.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN OBTAINING THE LYRICS TO THE
RAINBOW CHILDREN, READ THE BOTTOM OF THE UPDATE. So enough talk of the
album; let's get you into this ....
(Please note, the names of the tracks were assumed by me and were not
listed in the booklet, but the track length and tracks are definite
cuz I was looking right at the player the entire time.)
"The Rainbow Children"
1. The Rainbow Children
The title cut, which is nearly 7 minutes in length,
opens up the CD with a return of an all-but-too-familiar voice, (Bob George/Spooky Electric)
this time so slowed down that if it was not for the lyric book, you would
not be able to make out what he is saying. The voice states, "With the accurate
understanding of God and His law they went about the work of building a new
nation: THE RAINBOW CHILDREN. The Wise One who understood the law that was
handed down from God long ago reflected the true meaning 2 his woman every
day and she surrendered her discerning of it in2 his care and keeping 4 she
trusted he would lead her the right way. Her children in subjection 2 her,
she in subjection to the Wise One, and the wise one in subjection 2 the only
begotton one, all-4ever in subjection to God."
Directly after that are 3 voices : 1 is Prince's voice, one male voice and one
female voice together like a choir singing, "Just like the sun, the Rainbow Children rise/
Flying upon the wings of the New Translation/ See them fly, fly/ The
convenant will be kept this time/ Just like the sun, the Rainbow Children
rise/ Rainbow Children, it's time to rise!(x2)"
The Bob George voice pops in one more time and the lyrics stay religious -
like throughout the track setting the tone for the entire CD. He asks
you to question who your real father is. Basically the one who your mamma
obeys cuz she knows her role.
The only problem with this track is, as creative as the music is to
this track, and how straight-forward the lyrics are about religion,
Prince feels it nessasary to reuse lyrics from "Sexuality" ("Reproduction of
the new breed leader/Stand up and organize! (x2)"). Prince is trying to
let us know that he has been speaking of this since 1981 but in reality, Prince
believed in a different kind of God then which makes him "sampling" his old
lyrics irrelevant and tarnishes what the Prince-of-then symbolized. The song continues
back into the chorus and then fades away into the Bob George voice - "The Wise One who
understood the law that was handed down from God long ago, held fast in his belief that the
Lord would bring him another one who loved him so."
2. Untitled Guitar track
Less then 3 minutes long, it is a simple track of Prince
playing his electric guitar smoothly n slowly.
3. Muse 2 The Pharaoh
A slow RnB track with spiritual overtones flowing freely
everywhere. "If she could be Muse 2 the Pharaoh/ Then one day she might be
Queen.&qout; Prince uses innuendo like only he can by stating, "With the ebony
milk of her thighs/ If she could b Muse and let him decide/ Perhaps she'll let him decide."
Prince later speaks of the future that is in her belly (a woman who is pregnant) and
quotes from the scriptures by stating, &qout;And if the Proverb of the 31 and verse
10/ Becomes the song she sings again & again." Lyrically also pointing out
that the opposite of NATO is OTAN
and if the number 13 is an unlucky number or what not.
It seems that a woman to Prince or the person he is speaking for in the song
is below that of a man and can only be his Queen if he so picks her to be his
Pharaoh, then and only then will she be treated royally. This continues the
storyline of the title track that women know thier roles and to their man
they should obey. Again, musically this song is top-notch but the lyrics could
be quite bothersome from a man who it seems once put women on a pedestal far
above men. He is still doing that but you must be his chosen one
to get that treatment. He may have objectified women in the past, and most women
might look past these lyrics as somewhat romantic. If you look closely enough, he
is more or less talking down to her cuz he has to hip her to his agenda.
The most disturbing thing about "Muse 2 The Pharaoh" is this : "Holocaust
aside, many lived and died/ But when all truth be told/ Would you rather be
dead or be sold." Basically he's comparing the Holocaust the Jews faced to
slavery that of African-American's have faced. There can be no comparison and it
should not even be compared, plain and simple. No man should ever have owned another
man in the past, in this life, or the next. Just like no one should be killed
for what religion they were. Prince maybe should have delved more into the
subject instead of just mentioning it and moving on.
4. Rose in Bloom / Digital Garden
This song is about 3 minutes in length. For a song that could
be so syrupy, it is in fact much deeper than you would be lead to believe.
"In this brilliant darkness/So-called angels of light/Lies lies lies/He
speaks of the so-called angels as the Banished Ones." But just who were the banished
ones? At least to him? Which religion is leading him the wrong way? The one
he is following now or the ones he followed in the past? "The right one will
guide you and the Rainbow children will fight the everlasting fight/Those
that are willing 2 do the work."
The Bob George voice speaks again as the track fades out and speaks of the Rainbow
Children knocking door to door in search of those willing to do the work (show of hands how
many people knew this was what Prince was referring to on The Work, Pt. 1?)
5. The Work, Pt. 1
The funk work-out, James Brown-style. The lyrics to this show
now the true meaning of The Work and if you were just digging the
chorus, you missed his whole message and hint of what was to come. The song, no
matter what, had people bobbing their heads in the listening areas. So much like
James Brown, I wonder if/when they will do a version together. The only song that
sounded like the best James Brown song James Brown never did was "Sexy M. F. "
and this is no "Sexy M. F." Prince could do tracks like this half-conscious.
Not to take away the funkiness of this track, but it was not breaking any new
ground musically like the other tracks. The song works much better live with
John Blackwell's drums than Kirk's on this album track.
6. Everywhere
The track begins with the slowed-down voice yet again and
referring to the woman he thinks is the Muse. This is pure religion - and I mean
that in the way of Lovesexy how everyone could relate to his spiritual convictions
and thoughts. "Now I know what is in my heart/Now I am ready ready to start." It
is quite short musically and lyrically but for the first time on the record,
sans the last line about doing the work, it was more accessible to all.
It makes you feel more invited to join in on what he is experiencing instead of
feeling you are being forced down a road, whether you liked it or not.
Strangely enough, track 6 flows right into track 7 which is only 7 seconds
long.
7. (continuation of track 6)
8. Mellow Mellow
This is Morris Hayes' favorite track on the CD. With John Blackwell's
light playing, I was suprised. (John Blackwell is the drummer for all
songs with drums except for "The Work, Pt.1," by K.A.J.). Besides
mention of Macy Gray and Common in the lyrics, it is straight romance with
a hint of sex along the way. Classic Prince. The jazziness of the track will recall
"Willing & Able" but waaaay slowed-down. The contradiction of
this song tho is when Prince states to his woman that he will stand under her
makes me think of when Prince said that women must know their roles as not equal
to man. It made me think that Prince is like most men - he will say whatever it
takes to get the woman into bed, unless she is the chosen one.
9. The Sensual Everafter
This is another instrumental piece with light guitar and
keyboard recorded far in the background. The piece lasts less than 3 minutes.
10. 1 + 1 + 1 = 3
Yes, this song is about a threesome. But the people
involved are God, the Man, and the Woman. Again, the woman must obey
the man. "This is how it's gonna b/ If u wanna be with me/ Ain't no room
for disagree/1 + 1 + 1 = 3." This time being more nice about it and
allowing the woman time to think it thru if this is how she wants to be. In
order to be with him, you must obey God and him. A simple track but the message
should be left in the minds. This immediately goes into what should be another track
but is not. It picks up with a small Bob George passage voice concerning the
Banished Ones and how the Rainbow Children should join and dance and if not
they will kick you in your pants. Hmmm.
The voice then continues on this track speaking of the digital garden and
it's imminent destruction. It discusses laying treasures and how no one will
ever touch them again. Then another song, (same track) 30 seconds in length,
stating, "a feast a feast/a smorgasbord at least/A brunch, a munch/of cake if
just a piece." It then says we must eat a leaf since we are what we eat. Think
of the FANCY FEAST cat commercials on American TV and the orchestral music
played with it. It fits to a T! Absolutely ridiculous, but most likely its meant
that way for if you listen rather closely, you can hear Prince laugh right at
the end.
11. She Loves Me 4 Me
This song is sang in a voice that was so striking at first
that it made me actually wonder if it was Prince singing. It reminded me
of a track that I just could not put my finger on. The lyrics are not overly
religious again and sing praises to the woman who loves him. It's just the way he is,
wether he "writes 300 melodies to her it's just 3," or he doesn't have to comb
his hair, wear what he wants or nothing, "she doesn't care." This track, at just
under 3 minutes, is an absolute shame, even with a guitar solo at the end.
12. This & That/Black & White/What's U're Family Name?
Opening up with a woman in a voice kinda mocking "The Gold Experience"
voice says, "you have accessed the Akashic
Records
Genetic
Information
Division.
It walks you through the terms black, which can be construed as right, and white,
which again can be construed as wrong - so, you are either this or that. It
then switches to London, year 1600, as we are supposedly attending the first lynch.
Horrible imagining but he must have felt it relevant to go this far as he
pulled no punches before.
If it is to be such a concept album, why the "Mellow Mellow" and "
She Likes Me 4 Me" tracks? It delves right into a track that separates people
from thier last names and their hidden meanings and talks about 1914 as the last
year the devil was here ... but the first year of Jehovah ... . Is something not making
sense?
The one thing making sense is the attack on today's preachers who drive around
in a Lexus doing nothing to help nobody. Prince's message is unclear in the name
game but more then clear on the reverend who is afoul. It is basically summing up the mixed
feelings one can have on this CD. Either by now, you are feeling this record just by the
great music or you are upset by his facts of what his beliefs now are.
13. The Everlasting Now
The Prince of now belittles the Prince of then that had
the diverse crowd and yearned for it ever since high school. How dare he
could make integrated people sing that they are all stars? For in the end, no matter
what, they still saw him as a "spade." It seems that Prince is
reflecting on the past few years on how he has accepted he is a black man. It is quite obvious that
Prince feels shame on how he was younger he would denounce his "blackness"
and simply say that he was brought up in a "black & white world" and would
skip around the race issue as much as possible.
It is quite noticeable that in the past few years, he has felt shame of that
& has recorded songs "When Will We Be Paid" and others to make up
for it. He is basically stating that it seems that when black people make it, they
are considered more than black (think of the speech that Spike Lee made in 1989's
"Do The Right Thing" when
he mentioned Prince's name) and are frowned upon by the black community. Instead of
asking on why they are frowned upon, he agrees he sold out and shouldn't have.
By believing in God & Christ, it will bring peace to him and others in the
everlasting now. Basically stating, forget about that foolish person I was in the
past and let me guide my people to the future. Prince also sings about a stripper
and her plastic boobs and her job in life are never everlasting. Passing the judgment
on what is another man's fantasy is a silly whore's childish act.
14. In The Name Of The Father
The final track is one sung of Prince in deeper voice and
asks if your last December came, what would u do? Even in the new Prince's religious
beliefs, he still feels the end is near. But instead of partying, he wants you
to find the reason why we live before we die. Wanting everyone to come together
as one. Now what is odd about this is throughout the entire CD you are being
told that if you do not follow this path, you will be one of the banished
ones. But yet, he is asking us to come together as one? No. Only the ones
that do the work, that follow the right plan will come together as one. It is
a quite beautiful track nonetheless. The only problem is that the Prince of
"Lovesexy" and "Graffiti Bridge" thought anyone could make
it into the new world. But this Prince believes those who only know the truth
shall be let inside the gates.
15.-21. (dead air)
There are 5 seconds of dead air on each track leading up to track 21 where the
CD player flips out and has 111 run across it. (1 + 1 + 1 = 3)
* * * Analysis * * *
Hmmm, what to say what to say about this CD? Musically it is
beautiful but lyrically it is confusing. And I do not mean lyrically confusing in
a bad way at all. I remember back in 1990, Prince was upset about reading reviews
and how they were not concentrating on the lyrics, wishing that he included a
lyric book with "Graffiti Bridge." Prince is somewhat challenging you,
to delve into his lyrics, to probe what the opposite of NATO
is and why he felt he had to put it in a song. There is no way to confuse Prince's religious
message throughout though. It seems he provides his own distractions while either
thinking about the mellow mellow of his girl or pondering all the ways she
loves him for him. Much stronger then "Rave," but, as Prince intended, this
will be a CD with little or no commercial success, quite possibly selling far
less then "Lovesexy" did.
Now, the problems with this CD and the major detractor - The Voice that
narrates throughout it. Why was the Bob George voice chosen as the narrator
of something so spiritual? The voice he labeled as his second personality,
"Spooky Electric," the evil side of him, the person inside him that made
him make the "evil" CD - "The Black Album." Camille was tricked
remember? Camille was told by the critics that he was no longer funky, that he lost
that edge and he made that CD to shut them up. But, it was a trick - "Spooky Electric" won.
Camille cried. So in the Prince-sense, Bob George is evil and is full of tricks, right?
So, again I ask, "Why does Spooky Electric become the narrator?" If someone
so evil is telling you what to believe, and what is this & that, who the
banished ones are - why should WE listen to this voice? During the week of the
listening parties at The Celebration, Prince held many discussions with fans,
but that question was never asked. It could be, of course, reading too much into
it, or in fact, I may be "dead on it." When you look at it that way, it
sounds like Prince is trying to do what he is told is the right thing to do,
the right way to live, the right religion to follow, but is his heart into
it? We know his soul is into it, but exactly which soul? Spooky Electric or
Camille? Now this is a man who has stated on more then one occasion he has 2
different people living inside of him. So, if you do go by that, my story is
not too far fetched. And if Spooky Electric led him wrong before, who is to
say he will not again? Is it possible that Prince did the voice
subconsciously without really thinking about it?
On & on, the discussion can continue, but the main thing is, will this CD be
released anytime soon, so you can ponder your thoughts on the subject? If so,
it would be a trip to play "Bob George" and then the entire "Lovesexy" CD
and then pop in "The Rainbow
Children" and feel what the after-effects are like. I do
wish, however, that Prince's people would stop referring to every upcoming CD
as a return to "Sign O' The Times" or "Lovesexy." It either takes
away from those earlier CDs or makes it look like he has not had a good CD since.
Did they forget about "The Gold Experience?" Just let everyone go in
there with an open mind and let them decide where this CD falls.
With just one listen, and me constantly thinking about what he meant
lyrically, I still haven't decided if I like this CD. I am not blown away by
it, but tracks like "Mellow Mellow," "She Loves Me 4 Me" and
"In The Name Of The Father" are not just easily likable tracks. They are
also the more accessible tracks. It also seems that the people that were fortunate to have
a serious discussion with him about this CD, walked out with a better understanding
of where he was coming from and also enjoyed the CD far more then those who were
left out of the discussions.
With Prince's newfound religion taken from the Jehovah Witness Scriptures,
this CD and several aspects of Prince's lyrics, are not sitting well with most
fans. That could be a small reason why this CD will not be widely available.
I try to only report on the newz and keep my personal feelings about Prince
out of my updates, which leads many to believe that I am always positive when
it comes to Prince and everything he does. I am not a JW and I am a
free-minded person who thinks for himself. All I will say is this is Prince's
experience, his life, and this is where he is at right now. Some will dig
this CD, others will not. But, in the end, Prince will win. He made a CD that he
wanted to make. And he got the attention back on his lyrics which are still
being widely discussed online. We might have paid even more attention if not
for the detracting voice.
* * *
Again, if you are interested in obtaining the lyrics to "The
Rainbow Children" CD, feel free to email me at RolThaDice@AOL.Com and I will see what
I can do.
EDITOR'S NOTE :: The 777 Updates were supposed to be monthly and have
been since the first of this year. But with personal problems and other tragedies, it
made it nearly impossible to even start on an Update. I do apologize for not being
able to get any newz out to you but I sincerely hope you understand that unless
the problems were big, there is nothing that would stop me from getting the
updates out.
I appreciate your patience during this time. I did try to take
time to explain what happened to the updates - to people who attended the Mayte
chat in May and all those I told to email got the explanation and understand
that sometimes life takes centerstage over certain things.
This Update and the forthcoming California Edition is dedicated 2 Terry and Michele
from Northern California who showed their love 4 the man. This is also dedicate to the
other fans who handed out purple and green glowsticks to NPGMC members before the Oakland
show & for also making NPGMC signs for the Tonight Show with Jay Leno (NPGMC
asked fams to make signs for the Tonight Show BUT unfortunately, the signs
were not allowed in.) Your hard work n devotion does not go unrecognized. Mad
LOVE! . . . . J7
Shouldn't The 777 Update get its own darn site?
