Prince vs Michael Jackson

That makes two of us. But it's mostly because of sentimental reasons. "Blood on the Tracks" pulled me out of the depths of depression after a horrible breakup.

 

I saw Michael Jackson and Prince two weekends apart back in the old Met Center in Minneapolis. The Mall of America is on the spot right now. I took a woman who I ended up having a torrid 3 month affair with to see Michael Jackson and then, two weeks later, we went to see Prince.

Michael had the flashier show with better explosions, more dramatic stage settings and even magic tricks. Michael disappeared on stage and then, ten seconds later, appeared on the other side of the arena.

It was surprising that Prince was almost as good a dancer as Michael. Musically, they were both outstanding shows but Prince's inherent talent won out. He was the better musician of the two.

I enjoyed Prince more.

 

I saw both MJ and Prince live... MJ when I was a kid, my first big (aka, not state fair free concert) show and it was a great show, but I will admit while I enjoyed it, I was satisfied and never felt compelled to see him again. When I finally saw Prince live, I was so enamored that I knew I had to see him again, and thankfully I did last year.

Only Madonna and Bruce that I've seen before inspired the "oh yes, I am doing this again next chance I get" feeling. MJ like many artists was fine as a one and done experience.

 

I think it pulled a lot of people out of the depts of depression after horrible breakups...add me to that list...I would say Blood on the Tracks, as well as Time out of Mind are as good as any 60s Dylan...but that is a different thread, huh...

I do give Michael the slight edge...Prince certainly for multi instrumentalist and always changing and experimenting..but comparing the best of each, I would have to give the slight edge to Michael Jackson.

 

Amen! It's a very cathartic listen for anyone that can relate to the subject matter. It reminds you that you're not the only one going through this and that you can overcome it just like Bob did. That gives one hope and strength.
But I digress, anyways, back on subject, there's more material that I enjoy by Prince but there's songs like P.Y.T. Demo and "Someone Put Your Handout" that I love more than Prince's entire catalog.

 

this.
but if you're comparing the best of each I have to go with MJ

for me:
1.Stevie (songwriter)
2.MJ (singer)
3.Prince (instrumentalist)

I always seem to have a thing for the writers.

 

You guys forgot about the Marvin Gaye. His 70's run was also impeccable.

What's Going On
Let's Get it On
I Want You
Here, My Dear

 

okay:
1. Stevie
2.Marvin
3.MJ
4.Prince

 

I hate to keep putting Prince last but the competition is just too high lol

 

You still placed Prince at the bottom. Shame on you!

You're comparing the best of each or full catalogs?

Crème de la crème
1. Michael Jackson
2. Marvin Gaye
3. Prince
4. Stevie Wonder

Discography
1. Prince
2. Michael Jackson (J5/Jacksons)
3. Marvin Gaye
4. Stevie Wonder

 

I guess just overall.. neither Prince or MJ has anything for me on the level of Innervisions or What's Going On.. Prince does has the vastest(that a word?) discography though, but my exposure is pretty limited.. (maybe we're getting to the core of the problem )

 

Marvin is good but admittedly I never really warmed up to him like the other four... I think a lot of his stuff (well the 70s stuff) would be better with a joint since it's got such a great chill-groove, but I don't smoke lol

 

Let's be honest, nobody in music has anything on par with "What's Going On". That's a monumental work of art that's even more relevant today than it was in 1971. If you strip away the music it's a profound protest record.
If you strip away the vocals and message it's a gorgeous piece of music. Yes. Vastest is the correct word. Pretty limited? That might be the problem. haha. What are you familiar with in Prince's catalog?

 

Oh, a little herb is the key to enjoy many MG albums. Especially I Want You.

 

Absolutely. It enhances the experience. Especially with "I Want You", as Jarvius posted above.

 

Now that we're naming a lot of 60s/70s icons like Marvin, Stevie (what about Sly?), who would be comparable late 70s/80s/early 90s comparisons to coincide with MJ and Prince's absolute heyday? Lionel Richie was too AC and lightweight. Rick James maybe? George Michael? (remember that he had major r&b crossover appeal in the Faith era and was the first white artist to have a #1 R&B album). Roger Troutman?

 

Just the usual suspects, 1999, Purple Rain, Around the World in a Day, Lovesexy, but not much else. the fact that he's not on streaming is part of the problem (and highly annoying, you can't even listen to all of She's So Unusual because Prince wrote "When You Were Mine").

 

80's - Luther Vandross
90's - R. Kelly
2000's - D'Angelo

 

Noooooooo! It hurts to even know that as music lover like yourself is missing out on some of his best work. This is exactly why his music needs to become more accessible in the future. Hopefully it makes it's way onto Spotify,Youtube,etc.

 

I don't know how I feel about that, I know he didn't want it to make it's way to Spotify, youtube... it would seem wrong to put it on now that he's gone.
Maybe I should get Tidal
or buy cd's, it would be a nightmare trying to collect Prince on vinyl right now..
how do you listen? not just to him, in general.

 

I've had his music for years. (since 2009) So it's been a long process. The easiest way to hear most of it is through Tidal. Unless you wait for the prices of vinyl/CDs to drop.

 

Just buy the music haha. I'm lucky enough to have For You-Lovesexy on vinyl. I have For You-20Ten in my iTunes. Honestly, I illegally downloaded them. I plan to have all of his stuff on wax eventually.

 

haha you're supposed to say SWIM illegally downloaded them

 

you have tidal? does it fill any other gaps in Spotify that you're aware of? I've been trying to decide if it's worth the extra per month

 

My roommate does but he got it to download "The Life of Pablo". To be honest, no. The "lossless" sound quality isn't even noticeable. I'm no audiophile so maybe I just don't pay that much attention to sound quality.