The Hits 2 - Prince (CD 1993)

At parties and bars there are artists and songs that appeal to just about everybody. You know the ones Piano Man by Billy Joel, Jack and Diane by John Mellencamp, and a few others represent this exceptionally elite group of songs. One artist who consistently appears among these is Prince.

I m the first to admit that it s not in the least bit cool to enjoy Prince. But, there s just something about the guy you ve gotta love. Seriously. How can you not, deep down, enjoy Little Red Corvette or Raspberry Beret? You know you get off on hearing Gett Off and Cream. Here are three seconds to admit to yourself and the world that you do in fact enjoy Prince before I get on with this review

one .

two

three.

Today we all know Prince as the smooth sex-talkin , butt showing, funk/pop/rock James Brown of the 1980 s. But, before he was a sensation in the mainstream his music found an audience in the discotheques of the 1970 s. Prince was born Prince Rogers Nelson (yes, it is his real name) and was raised in Mid-West metropolis Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Prince recorded and released two albums in the late 1970 s before he began is journey to the top with 1980 s Dirty Mind. What followed was a long string of musically innovative and interesting albums including Controversy [1981], 1999 [1983], Purple Rain [1984], Around the World in a Day [1985], Parade [1986], Sign o The Times [1987], and Lovesexy [1988]. Each album held a few gems. No fewer than two of the LP s were judged to be perfect. Some might even argue as many as four.

In the early 1990 s, Prince put together three discs (also released as a boxed set) representing his most popular songs up to that point in time. 1993 s The Hits 1, The Hits 2, and The B-Sides proved to be exceedingly popular. The albums were released on Prince s own Paisley Park label (the same label responsible for many of the artist s 1980 s hits).

Of the three discs, my favorite is The Hits 2 although I wish that songs like 7, 1999, Nothing Compares 2 U, When Doves Cry, and Let s Go Crazy were on the disc instead a few of the clunkers. The arrangement of the songs seems to make no sense whatsoever. The album begins with Controversy and wraps up with track 18 Purple Rain. Despite the illogical ordering, the collection is in my opinion the stronger of the two. Sure, the first five songs get boring, but from track six through the end a cross section of Prince s most luminous hits is presented.

The most glaring problems with The Hits 2 is the two new tracks. Neither Pope nor Peach seem to blend with the rest of the album. For Prince to have chosen to place these songs on this album is strange. It would have been better to rely on the earlier, stronger, and more appealing hit singles. Pope tries a bit too hard to be cool, urban, and funky. The problem is that in the end it just sounds dated and boring. Peach really isn t that bad, but it s rock riffs are unfortunately sandwiched between two very popular and impressive tracks.

It would be easy to get carried away talking about Prince and these songs. They are fun, sexy, hip, and cool. His gender-bending persona comes across wonderfully on each of the songs. The two most undeniably sexual songs on the album are Gett Off and Cream. Both titles adequately describe the subject matter. With that said, I really am a sucker for Cream. I love the funky beat, understated melody, and synthesizers with Prince backed by drum machines and lovely female vocals. The guy just doesn t get better than this.

Purple Rain is also a personal favorite. It might just have something to do with walking in to my husband s (then boyfriend s) house and catching he and his obviously drunken roommate singing the lyrics at the top of their musically challenged lungs. That aside, the song really is great. Not just good. Purple Rain is the kind of the song that defines a career and garners a career s worth of critical acclaim. Soft, emotional, melodic, and creative you can t help but feel melancholic while listening.

On a more upbeat note, songs likeKiss, Raspberry Beret and Little Red Corvette are perennial classics. But some other lesser-known songs on this album are just as good. It s impossible to deny the infectious upbeat tempo of U Got the Look. The multiple layers of vocals including the talents of Sheena Easton are entertaining and musically impressive. The track manages to translate well despite being fifteen years old now.

Another great track is Delirious. It represents the early work of Prince nicely and provides a chronological bridge to the songs that would later make his a legend. The production is a little shoddy, but I suppose the fact it was recorded for the brilliant 1999 [1983]. A must listen to say the very least.

Like I said, I could go on forever. What most needs to be said is that this is not a complete disc. In order to fully appreciate The Hits 2 it s important to own The Hits 1. If you have one and not the other you re missing out on fully half of what Prince has to offer including my all-time favorite 7. If you like anything about Prince, do yourself a favor and get both CD s. You won t be disappointed.

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Track Listing:
1. Controversy [Controversy, 1981]
2. Dirty Mind [Dirty Mind, 1980]
3. I Wanna Be Your Lover [Prince, 1979]
4. Head [Dirty Mind, 1980]
5. Do Me, Baby [Controversy, 1981]
6. Delirious [1999, 1983]
7. Little Red Corvette [1999, 1983]
8. I Would Die 4 U [Purple Rain, 1984]
9. Raspberry Beret [Around The World In A Day, 1985]
10. If I Was Your Girlfriend [Sign o the Times, 1987]
11. Kiss [Parade, 1986]
12. Peach [previously unreleased]
13. U Got The Look - (with Sheena Easton) [Sign o the Times, 1987]
14. Sexy M.F. [Love Symbol Album, 1992]
15. Gett Off [Diamonds and Pearls, 1991]
16. Cream [Diamonds and Pearls, 1991]
17. Pope [previously unreleased]
18. Purple Rain [Purple Rain, 1984]