The Best of 2014: Let's Party Like It's 1984!

For someone who's been a lifelong Prince fan, 2014 was a very big year. Not  only did "Purple Rain" mark its 30th anniversary, Prince released two new albums. His longtime collaborator, percussionist extraordinaire Sheila E., also released a new album as well as her autobiography.

So my "best of" list this year is pretty Prince-centric. Not everything on the list is related to the Minneapolis genius, but in 2014, we Prince fans were partying like it's 1984.

Here's my list:

Music

 

My "best of" selection for the music category is a two-way tie: Prince's "Art Official Age" and Sheila E.'s aptly-titled "Icon."

 

"Art Official Age" is classic Prince, and it marks his return to Warner Bros. Records, where he did much of his best work in the late '70s, '80s and '90s. The new album features party jams like "Funknroll," which recalls "Housequake" from '87's "Sign o' the Times" and "love doctor" grooves like "Breakfast Can Wait." You can read my full review of "Art Official Age" by clicking this link.  

 

Sheila E. was a working musician long before she met Prince in the late '70s and has continued to perform and record with a wide variety of artists since leaving his camp in the late '80s.

 

"Icon" marks Sheila's return as a phenomenal solo artist in her own right. From Latin-flavored dance tracks like "Fiesta" to introspective ballads like "Who I Am Now" to upbeat pop ditties like "Lovely Day," this album is the best of the best of any year. You can read my full review of "Icon" by clicking this link.

 

Books

 

Okay, I told you this list was going to be Prince-centric. And my picks for the "best of" in the books category both relate to His Royal Badness: Sheila E.'s excellent memoir "To the Beat of My Own Drum" and Alan Light's engaging "Let's Go Crazy: Prince and the Making of Purple Rain."

 

In her memoir, Sheila is admirably candid about the events of her amazing life, from surviving childhood sexual abuse at the hands of extended family and becoming a tireless advocate for abused children, to being one of the few high-profile female percussionists in a male-dominated industry, to her long-standing musical and personal relationship with Prince. In this page-turner, Sheila drops revelations that even I, a fan since her 1984 debut with "The Glamorous Life" had no idea about, including the fact that she and Prince were indeed lovers and were once engaged.

 

I recommend "To the Beat of My Own Drum" for anyone who loves music and inspirational stories about overcoming adversity and succeeding when there's no one else who does quite what you do. You can read my full review of Sheila's memoir by clicking this link.

 

In "Let's Go Crazy," Light marks the 30th anniversary of "Purple Rain" by giving us fans a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the making of Prince's groundbreaking movie and soundtrack. He offers insider perspectives from those who knew Prince best, from members of the Revolution to "Purple Rain" director Albert Magnoli.

 

And the best part is that Light, a journalist with "Rolling Stone" and other top publications, is a fan himself. He confesses that growing up in Cincinnati, he and his high school classmates were so obsessed with Prince that they devoted a locker to him, with a poster of The Purple One hanging inside.

 

If you're interested in music, filmmaking and show business, in general, you'll enjoy this book - whether you're into Prince or not.

 

Movies

 

This is where my list departs from Prince's kingdom, but doesn't stray very far. My pick for the best movie of the year is "Beyond the Lights" by writer/director Gina Prince-Bythewood ("Love & Basketball"). This romantic drama tells the riveting story of a young biracial pop star (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) who goes through an identity crisis and yearns to break free of the hyper-sexualized image she's been forced into by her record label and well-meaning yet overbearing stage mother (a well-cast Minnie Driver).

 

Along the way, the young star finds love with an African-American police officer (Nate Parker) who saves her life when she attempts suicide by jumping from a hotel balcony. The movie also has a powerful supporting performance by Danny Glover as the police officer's father.

 

"Beyond the Lights" has so many important things to say about how women are marketed in the cutthroat music business and the importance of being authentic.

 

An honorable mention is another movie starring Mbatha-Raw, the costume drama "Belle." Directed by Amma Asante, "Belle" tells the real-life story of Dido Elizbeth Belle, a free woman of color in the 1700s.  We need more movies like "Belle," which tell the full history of people of African descent.

 

Television

 

I love the new ABC sitcom "Cristela," which stars Mexican-American comedian Cristela Alonzo as a law intern living with extended family as she tries to build her career. I don't watch much TV, but I always make a point to tune in to see what Cristela is up to every week. And I'm looking forward to January, when legendary sitcom star Roseanne Bar joins the cast.

 

This is my last blog post of 2014 before I take a holiday break and begin posting regularly again on Monday, Jan. 5. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!