These lyrics from the song "Fixurlifeup" from the new album PlectrumElectrum by Prince and his all-female backup band, 3rdEyeGirl, seem to sum up his progressive mindset toward women musicians. From his very first band in the late '70s, which featured keyboardist Gayle Chapman, Prince has always been inclusive of female musical talent.
In this regard, Prince presents an interesting paradox: being much more forward-thinking than many of his male peers when it comes to hiring female musicians, while at the same time dressing the women he employs in skimpy costumes that emphasize their gender.
3rdEyeGirl features the talents of Canadian guitar player Donna Grantis, Danish bassist Ida Kristine Nielsen and American drummer Hannah Ford. As the women have proven in numerous live performances with Prince over the past couple of years and on last week's episode of Saturday Night Live, they are capable musicians who can give any man a run for his money.
PlectrumElectrum is a collection of songs in which the 3rdEyeGirl members presumably trade lead vocals and instrumental licks with their formidable boss. I use the word "presumably" because the album's liner notes don't credit who is singing and playing instruments on which tracks. Perhaps this is intentional, with Prince trying to avoid the conflicts that can arise when one member of a band is pushed out front, forcing the other members to seethe in her shadow.
3rdEyeGirl's motto, apparently, is all for one and one for all. Girl power, right?
PlectrumElectrum opens with "Wow," which is pretty much a straight-out rock song with Prince handling lead vocals. "Wow" channels the Jimi Hendrix vibe that Prince seems to be exuding of late with both his music and his look, complete with '60s-style outfits and a wild afro.
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What does "PlectrumElectrum" mean, anyway? The American Heritage dictionary defines "plectrum" as "a thin piece of metal, plastic, or similar material used to pluck the strings of certain musical instruments, such as the guitar." And "electrum," as defined by Wikipedia, is "a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver."
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"Boytrouble" features lead vocals by a female singer (not exactly sure who, judging from the vague liner notes). This upbeat ditty about men hitting on women sounds like it could have been an outtake from the Vanity 6 or Apollonia 6 album in the early to mid-'80s, with a little Niki Minaj-style rapping thrown in by guest artists Lizzo and Sophia Eris.
The album closes with "Funknroll," a danceable number that channels classic Prince party jams like "Housequake" from the Sign o' the Times album. "Funkroll" is also included on Prince's new solo album, Art Official Age, which was released simultaneously with PlectrumElectrum on Sept. 30. (You can read my review of Prince's new album at this link: http://chrisbournea.blogspot.com/2014/11/my-take-on-princes-new-age.html)
It's great that Grantis, Nielsen and Ford present a united front that speaks (and sings) with one voice. But it would help listeners to feel more connected to the band's music if we knew more about each of them as individual artists and people.
It would also be a real treat, as a longtime Prince fan, to see him launch a tour that would feature a female super-group. The group could encompass 3rdEyeGirl and many of the female musicians who have either worked with the Minneapolis Genius over the years or been inspired by him: Revolution members Lisa Coleman and Wendy Melvoin, New Power Generation vocalist/keyboardist Rosie Gaines, saxophonist Candy Dulfer, bassist Meshell Ndegeocello, and legendary percussionist/vocalist Sheila E.
(You can read my review of Sheila E.'s new memoir, To The Beat of My Own Drum, in which she talks about her years with Prince at this link http://chrisbournea.blogspot.com/2014/10/some-beats-about-sheila-es-memoir.htmland my review of her excellent new album, Icon, at this link http://chrisbournea.blogspot.com/2014/08/icon-sheila-e-releases-new-album-memoir.html)
Next week, I'll further explore Prince's influence on other artists in a post I plan to publish on Saturday, Nov. 15. In this post, I'll take a look back at some of the most famous Prince "protégés" - and some who are not so well-known, but deserve to be.
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