Prince (October 27, 2023) – “On ‘Diamonds,’ Prince Was Looking For A Change” Feature - Star Tribune
This substantial Star Tribune feature by Jon Bream revisits Prince’s Diamonds And Pearls period to coincide with the album’s expanded deluxe reissue. The article places the record at a turning point following the commercial disappointment of Graffiti Bridge, examining Prince’s decision to reinvent his approach with the New Power Generation and drawing on comments from NPG bassist and guitarist Sonny Thompson about Prince’s desire for a grittier, more street-oriented sound.
Publication: Star Tribune
Date: October 27, 2023
Country: United States
Writer: Jon Bream
THE STORY
Published under the headline “On ‘Diamonds,’ Prince was looking for a change”, the feature examines the circumstances surrounding the creation of Diamonds And Pearls and the arrival of the New Power Generation.
Bream describes Prince as being at a crossroads.
The article looks back to Prince’s extravagant Lovesexy tour, noting that it lost substantial money in 1988 and resulted in the dismissal of Prince’s long-time managers.
The 1990 film Graffiti Bridge is then described as having performed poorly at the box office.
Following what the writer describes as a difficult period, Prince once again decided to reinvent himself, this time assembling a fresh group that became the New Power Generation.
THE NEW POWER GENERATION
The article describes the New Power Generation as containing mostly Minneapolis musicians and specifically mentions Prince’s childhood idol and mentor.
NPG bassist and guitarist Sonny Thompson provides one of the key recollections used in the feature.
Thompson recalls:
“He was definitely searching for something new.”
According to Thompson, Prince wanted the music to become:
“a little more gritty, a little more street, just a little.”
The feature presents the New Power Generation as part of Prince’s attempt to reshape his sound and working methods entering the 1990s.
DIAMONDS AND PEARLS
The article describes Prince and the New Power Generation creating Diamonds And Pearls as a deliberately wide-ranging album.
Bream characterises the record as embracing:
pop, funk, soul, rock, gospel, jazz and funk
for the first time in a hip-hop-conscious context.
The article identifies Diamonds And Pearls as Prince’s 13th studio album.
Several of the album’s best-known recordings are highlighted, including:
“Cream”
“Gett Off”
“Money Don’t Matter 2 Night”
These songs are used to illustrate the commercial and stylistic character of the album.
DELUXE REISSUE
The feature was published alongside the expanded reissue of Diamonds And Pearls.
A box alongside the article identifies the release as a:
DELUXE REISSUE
and explains that Prince’s 13th studio album was newly available in expanded formats.
The clipping states that the release was available as:
12-LP
or:
Seven-CD set
Both configurations are described as containing 47 unreleased tracks together with a Blu-ray.
The deluxe edition provides the contemporary reason for the Star Tribune returning to the history of the album more than three decades after its original release.
PHOTOGRAPHY
A large colour portrait dominates the Variety section front page.
The image is credited:
Photo: Randee St. Nicholas / Paisley Park Enterprises
A quotation from Sonny Thompson is positioned directly across the photograph:
“He was definitely searching for something new. He wanted [the sound] to be a little more gritty, a little more street, just a little.”
Below the principal image, a smaller reproduction of the Diamonds And Pearls deluxe release artwork appears beside the reissue information.
CONTEXT AND NOTES
The feature appeared on the front page of the Star Tribune Variety section on October 27, 2023.
Rather than simply reviewing the deluxe set, Jon Bream uses the reissue as an opportunity to return to the circumstances in which Diamonds And Pearls was originally created.
The emphasis is therefore on reinvention: Prince emerging from a difficult commercial period, assembling the New Power Generation and deliberately looking for a different musical direction.
Sonny Thompson’s contemporary recollections provide an important Minneapolis connection, helping place the formation of the NPG within Prince’s continuing relationship with musicians from his home city.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Event: Diamonds And Pearls retrospective accompanying the deluxe reissue
Publication Date: October 27, 2023
Writer: Jon Bream
Era Discussed: Diamonds And Pearls / New Power Generation period
Deluxe Formats Mentioned: 12-LP and seven-CD sets
Additional Material Mentioned: 47 unreleased tracks and Blu-ray
Photography: Large colour portrait
Photo Credit: Randee St. Nicholas / Paisley Park Enterprises
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS
• Jon Bream revisiting the creation of Diamonds And Pearls
• Prince described as being at a career crossroads before the album
• Discussion of the financial difficulties surrounding the Lovesexy tour
• Reference to the commercial performance of Graffiti Bridge
• Formation of the New Power Generation
• Sonny Thompson describing Prince’s search for a grittier, more street-oriented sound
• Diamonds And Pearls identified as Prince’s 13th studio album
• References to “Cream,” “Gett Off” and “Money Don’t Matter 2 Night”
• Promotion of the expanded Diamonds And Pearls deluxe release
• 12-LP and seven-CD configurations highlighted
• 47 unreleased tracks and a Blu-ray mentioned as part of the expanded release
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