Diamonds and Pearls - Prince (CD 1991)

Welcome to 1991. What is your plan of attack? Surely you must hold some light and offering to your first effort: New Power Generation, released in 1990. The Revolution is out, the New Power Generation or lovingly referred to as the N.P.G., is in! This is the year when Prince had his last (unfortunate) number one jam: Cream and we were introduced to the heavily soulful Rosie Gaines, no pun intended. Aside, Diamonds and Pearls was his fifth album, debuting at number 1 on the Billboard charts and collecting a new flock of teenage fans and faith again in older fans. Indeed, it was a hot summer in 1991, with spicy singles like Cream & Get* Off who could resist the urge to go ahead and take home that guy who bought you a drink? As we revisit the luscious, dance-y pop/rock of Prince, let's hope these diamonds and pearls haven't lost their luster.


Thunder is a pop song sharing an eclectic rock Mideastern vibe to his second and therefore more successful, 1990s effort. Aside from this, Thunder is very funky and similar to 1990's Thieves in the Temple. These are one of the songs where you can ignore Prince's confusing lyrics and just get on down!

"Thunder all through the night, Promise to see Jesus in the morning light. Take my hand, it'll be alright. Go on save your soul tonight."

Daddy Pop is very early in the production and hip-hop style, it begins with a woman moaning and this is the first time when we hear hints of Rosie's beautiful voice and the overstuffed raps of Tony M who happens to be one of my favorite N.P.G. members. Not a favorite but still a great tune at a basketball half-time show.
"See all the people wonder why, You set your goals high - high as the sky. See the people runnin? from the truth, Livin' in the past, When they need to be livin' the new."

Diamonds and Pearls debuted as the second single off of the long-awaited album in September 1991, this may have been the one song after Cream that gave many Prince followers faith again in his plan of attack
"This will be the day that you will hear me say that I will never run away..."

Now Cream is the jazzy, bluesy-composition that you will only hear after a spoken-word session or at the gym. In this song, Rosie and Prince share a partnership that caused him to 'never duet with anybody else'. How many sexy ditties leave much to the imagination? After hearing a song like this, the impulse to dance with that special partner will probably be less restrained. Sadly, Cream was also the last number one Prince has been able to come up with since then.
"You're so good, babe there ain't nobody better. So you should, never ever go by the letter. It's your time, you've got the horn so why don't you blow it? You're so fine, you're filthy cute and baby you know it."

We are revisited once more with Strollin' and Prince's renowned falsetto. Strollin' is a lovely song that is self-explanatory: just "relax and ease your mind". Since when do pop artists make songs today about going on walks with your lover? Not many. Features Prince's guitar skills and
"Strollin', strollin' we could have fun just strollin'
Rockin', rollin', oh yeah,"

Willing and Able features some of the best guitar-playing and gives the imagery of taking risks when there seems to be no way out. A confident, self-proclamation that Prince isn t going anywhere for a while. He never seems to prove us wrong does he? Very nice song and very good music.
"I'm willing (willin') And able (able). My vision is all clear, I'm feelin' kinda stable."

After quite a long introductory into Diamonds and Pearls, the average Prince fan may begin to wonder: where is the raunchy guitar-playin' man I love? Not to worry, Get* Off is everything you need to feed the naughty appetite of the flesh-loving male/female. The lyrics tease and taunt you, yet at the same time, make you want to dance on the table pretending you're at the strip club yourself. Everyone was hummin' it in the heat, making it the biggest summer hit of '91.

"I clocked the j*zz from a friend of yours named Vanessa Bette, she said u told her a fantasy that got her all wet. Something about a little box with a mirror and a tongue inside. What she told me then got me so hot, I knew that we could slide."

Personally, those are the slickest lines I've heard from the player in a longgg time.

Before you immediately associate Walk Don't Walk with the pedestrian signs on the street, let me warn you that this next jingle sounds like a pre-paid Sesame Street ending. Not impressed Prince and Rosie. C- for can do better.
"Walk on their side of the street? Don't walk where it feels the best? Walk away from people u meet? Don't talk 2 strangers. Unless they walk the way u want them 2?"

Jughead instantly begins with the sound of a soulful crooner and is interrupted with Tony M. rapping incessantly about & 'gettin' stupid'. Due to the fact, that I can barely understand what Tony M. is saying, I was so shocked that I could barely stand Prince attempting to rap. At the end, Tony M. is arguing with Prince that he doesn't need a manager, the skit is pretty funny actually but at this point, I am desperately hoping that these jewels aren't losing their shine.

Money Don't Matter Tonight is an enjoyable, recycled-sounding tune from the economy-obsessed 1970s. It is the only song on D&P that focuses on something other than love or partying. Very catchy and applicable to your daily life.

"Money don't matter tonight, it sure didn't matter yesterday. Just when you think you got more than enough, that's when it all up and flies away."

Insatiable is the predictable lovemaking song that adorns every CD you will ever buy of Prince. Nonetheless, they are all worth listening to and Insatiable gives you that warm feeling inside that makes you want to cuddle with your lover and then some. Great tune and very underestimated.

"I'm insatiable and I cannot be stopped. Even if I wasn't thirsty, I would drink every drop."

Live 4 Love is a great song due to it's high energy and is perfect if you wanna boogie down or just sing along with the windows rolled down in your car.

"So here, my target is approaching .The angel on my shoulder starts coaching. Live 4 Love, without love u don't live"

There is no doubt that Diamonds and Pearls is a perfect beginning for the 90s Prince we all knew & still love.