Mountains IS the reason I bought this album in the summer of 1986!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was 12yrs old and had to cut grass to make that $10.00 to buy the album at Kmart. I also entered the MTV Under the Cherry Moon contest that summer, I treasure this album because many terrible things happened that year. I also LOVE Alexa De Paris and Love or Money.....
"I Wonder U", even though short is very experimental and beautiful. I like the musical snapshot quality. Artistically it caught my attention. "Anotherloverholeinyohead", is another track that stands out artistically and beautifully arranged. AND dude...I can't even even belief you didn't mention "Alexa De Paris"! What in the world? Though a B-side track, its worth mentioning. Anyway, you are a Prince fan so I will give you a thumbs up regardless.;-)
Two names, one massive influence : Claire Fischer. If the Linn drum was Prince's fingerprint and cornerstone, then Claire is along with Susan Rogers, Wendy and Lisa unsung heroes and always brings the aesthetic to a higher place. This album really blew me away, conceptually segues like one perfect movement and of course April, is the melancholy masterpiece...bittersweet adieu to the band and girls in hindsight. Magical.
Sometimes It Snows In April was also recorded on April 21, 1985 which makes it even more relevant as a eulogy of sorts... It's kind of mesmerizing how cyclical everything was with Prince
This entire album is a masterpiece! So different & experimental. It was nothing I expected but great! It all flows so well together. I love every song, except Sometimes It Snows.... It's always been so sad, especially now. Christopher Tracy's Parade, I Wonder You, New Position, Under the Cherry Moon, Venus DeMilo, Girls & Boys, Anotherlover, Life Can be So Nice, Do You Lie.... Great!
Whaaaaaa??? Life can be so nice is the jam! But to each his own😁 Yes, kiss is the single that everyone loves, but it's so out of place on the album. Dont get me wrong, I love it, I just wish it had been on a different album. Mountains is a wonderful song, it showcases the best of that era. Venus de Milo is my favorite on the album, and as I've said, my dream is for Tori Amos to cover it Anotherloverholeinyourhead is right behind it, I love the backup vocals so much, and it's so damn funky and danceable. 💜sometimes it snows in april💜
So as to the sudden ending of "life can be so nice", there is a specific, profound reason for that. The clue to its meaning is tipped-off if you look up the tracks placement in the early configurations of the parade album; it's the 2nd to last track on those early versions, right before "sometimes it snows in april". The lyric talks about enjoying life, and the noisy chaos increases until the song suddenly and unexpectedly ends. In a dead stop. Then the next song is a meditation on the inevitable nature of mortality. Makes perfect sense in the context of the films themes and perfectly reflects lyrical references to death in other songs such as under the cherry moon. When he changed the track order, the meaning became subtle and easy to miss, but even then the pleasant introspective sound of venus de milo still betrays a kind of funeral home quality, and I think the song's placement in the film when mary reads his letter is also a nod to that. This is just my opinion, but that has always been my read on the dead stop ending of Life can be so nice.
This entire album just flows beautifully. It will always be one of my favorites. I even went to the movies to see Under the Cherry Moon, and liked it! Still do!
UTCM is my fav movie and every song was perfect in it. No matter if the song goes off a little, it will have something in it to make u appreciate the genius of Prince. The movie is so funny with some really clever lines. I only listen to Prince. I find it hard to listen to someone else trying to cover his song. I don't know, it's his voice and the way he plays his guitar and piano, I think. Mountains is my fav too. BTW, in France, 'Nice' is pronounced like 'niece'. It's the French way. Thank you for sharing your great review.
Parade is one of my favorite Album's by Prince . I liked that he added horn players really showed a maturity in his music. Also , I missed you and your reviews 💜💜
I've never thought of Parade as just "the album that has Kiss on it." I actually love every single track on the album. It makes me want to drive around in a convertible on a sunny spring day. You're right though, that Mountains is probably the best track on the album. It's got tough competition, but I think Mountains is extremely underrated in Prince's catalogue. The extended versions of Mountains, Kiss and Anotherloverholeinyourhead are all amazing as well. The only downside of this album is that it didn't contain Love Or Money or Alexa de Paris on it.
Enjoyed listening to this review. Parade was a good album with many enjoyable songs. The 'Kiss' song was also featured in a scene of the movie 'Pretty Woman' starring Richard Gere. Kiss is an incredible commercial song, true classic. 'Anotherloverholenyohead' is just sublime, an emotional tearjerker that grooves with a real hook of a bass line. 'Sometimes it Snows in April' is truly a beautiful song. 'Girls & Boys' is a masterpiece of the Funk groove. 'Mountains' is fabulous. A truly tremendous album by Prince and the Revolution.
My first Prince concert was Wembley in London 1986. He had started his live tours with the first track from the new album, however he had not toured with Around The World In A Day so he began his Parade tour with Around The World In A Day in the dark and then went into Christopher Tracy's Parade combining two opening tracks together. Love this album and his tour was awesome. Life Could Be So Nice was a little messy in my opinion, but he still played it live, so Prince obviously liked it. Also, he wrote kiss for Mazarati and when they came in the next morning Prince told David Z, "This song is too good for you, I'm keeping it"
The way you go b&w for the review is a nice touch. I love everything on this album. Rhythmically murky, eerie, cool and quirky the whole way through. Prince was an Artist who occasionally made pop music ($ome of the world's best and most challenging and yet, undeniable-- the mark of inspirational genius). The world was never ready. Ever dance with the devil under the cherry moon light? Oh, and Mountains is so effing awesome. Black and white as this album may be, Prince, band and Claire Fischer paint in pastel all over it. Love this. No one should sleep on this. Prince just showing us more of all he had to offer the musical world. Bless him.
Because of Prince and Under the Cherry Moon, I've been going to Nice, France for the last nine years. I can't get enough of the place! One of my favorite tunes on this album is Do U Lie? Great review, my friend. Thank you.
Hello Prince’s friend I just wanted 2 thank U 4 posting these reviews, I’ve been a fan ever since Batdance and been obsessed ever since. I love how listening 2 Ur reviews has given me a broader insight in2 the albums and songs. Thanks 4 doing this! I’m a new subscriber
I honestly forgot about “mountains” it is a great song . I really love the funk that is “Girls and Boys” and “Kiss”. It’s why I love Prince and why I bought this cassette back in the day
KISS was originally a bluesy/funk number similar to "Outta Sight" by James Brown. Mazarati worked it into a pop/r&b jam. Prince then took it back & transformed it into a post-disco/minimalist funk masterpiece.
I don't blame you for preferring 'Mountains' to 'Kiss'. They're by far the highlights on Parade. 'Kiss' was one of the two or three songs that got me into Prince, easily one of my top 5 favorite Prince songs. 'Mountains' is another one of my very favorite of his songs.
Mountains is my number one song on the album. My next choices follow as 2.)Anotherloverholeinyohead 3.)Sometimes It Snows In April 4.)Kiss That's my top four of the album. Great review bro. I love all of these reviews because I can relate to what you think on all of them and I think the main reason is we are the exact same age and grew up to Prince the way we did and I can agree with almost everything you believe and get out of his albums/ songs. Keep up the great work. 💜😊🙏😍🕊☔🙌😘
This album was the first album that I ever had, I have a personal love to the movie, and obviously, the all album. Here’s my ranking: 12- Girls & Boys 11- Venus De Milo 10- Life Can Be So Nice 9- I Wonder U 8- Christopher Tracy's Parade 7- Do U Lie? 6- Sometimes It Snow In April 5- Under The Cherry Moon 4- New Position 3- Kiss 2- Mountains 1- Anotherloverholenyohead
Wow you really look so much different In two years! You've lost weight and look like you have evolved comfortably as one of the best Prince channels on You Tube! Congrats! You had it from day one. Now your set looks amazing and you have worked hard to get the recognition you deserve. Compliments ! This was a great review. It's fun to look back at your older reviews and seems like he left us just yesterday. 3 years! How many videos have you done so far? Having a day job , a family , and doing this must leave you little time to relax. Have fun as I think this will become full time for you !
Wow! Thanks so much. Yeah, my show haven’t really change they much just more of the production quality. But it’s just been me from the beginning. Thanks for dipping back into older reviews too. :)
Just found this channel, listened to a few reviews and have subbed. I think this is my favourite album, I bought it on release. Like all best Prince albums it took me a while to get into it - now its one of my favourites.
www.metatube.com/en/videos/304048/The-Tonight-Show-DAngelo-ft-Princess-Sometimes-It-Snows-in-April/. I think you'll have to copy and paste in browser.:( Couldn't get the hyperlink to come across.
Excellent to have you back and I hope the family are well! Parade was a well polished album, full of style and class. Some thoughts on your reveiw: Life can be so nice: I get that it's loud...and busy...and for a long time it just represented a headache for me! But as I got older and wiser I started to be able to break the music down easier and feel where he was coming from with this musically. It is a very powerful track that has deep funk hidden in its metallic wrap. I love it! I hope people listen to it more... Kiss: My second favourite Prince song of all! The guitar and snare are crisp and the sparseness always allows the imagination to play... For me it is far better than Mountains..though that is a fantastic track! - especially the 10 minute version I'm sure you've heard... Anotherlover: OK here's where I really disagree! This is one of the funkiest Prince tracks ever! It has no flaw to it in any way in my opinion. The full version is wonderfully Prince....but even the 7 inch...the layering of the vocals in the second verse are totally off the scale in the same way "Forever in my life" is.... This is third only to Kiss and Girls and Boys on this joint 😊... Too funky. This album was amazing. Great concept album. Flawless. Even the short tracks served a purpose and helped the concept attain its black and white contrast of appeal and experience. Kiss arguably would not have worked so well without a Do U Lie before it.. I think the man knew he was controlling our ears pretty good! Thank you for doing this. You are doing a wonderful job my friend.... 👊
+Neil Patel very good points and I love that we can disagree and still love it all. None of the tracks are "bad" really, but I like some way more than others.
Prince's Friend Yea... 👍... I think with Prince albums pre-2000 tracks were arranged in a sequence that helped to highlight each other. Albums were very skillfully ordered to contrast and add depth to the listener. Just like a movie. And Parade definitely moves from scene to scene...so for me, each scene is necessary to add complexity contrast and detail to the piece... Keep up the fantastic work friend ✌️ love it all!
Absolutely agree that Mountains is the best!!! I think Alexa De Paris should have been on the album. I adore Anotherloverholeinyohead as well. I hope there is more from this era in the vault. I can’t get enough of Parade.
About Kiss there’s an arrangement that exists out there I don’t know if it came from the vault but Kiss also has a slower acoustic and not falsetto singing version. Part of the chorus of the background singers came from the group Prince tried to give the song to. It seemed to be he gave up because he got stuck and then the group he wrote it for, did it so good, that he said “okay I’ll have it back now it’s my song.” But thank god he came up the idea to take it back because it’s part of my life. Kiss was my introduction to Prince as a child so I will have my fond memories of me jumping in the car seat for all my life. And I can easily say that this doesn’t need a bassline due to the fact that the song would be so different with one.
I've watched a lot of your videos and l love your energy, but we are on almost on completely different spectrums on what we love about Prince. Mountains was my least favorite tracks on the album. The song you like least Do I Lie, is one of my favorites. I tend to like the more vocal creative songs and more of the R&B/Funk elements more than the Pop/Rock. That's a good thing about Prince, he had so many styles that appealed to so me people.
Exactly! I can only share what I love about Prince, but he didn’t make albums just for me to enjoy. He explored different sounds and genres that appeal to others and then bet part is he put them all on the same album so we’re all exposed to each other’s likes. Thanks for checking out my reviews in any case And sharing your thoughts on Princes music.
This is my favorite album mostly from the existence of Kiss. I forgot the year was 86 and not 88. But unlike Around the world in a day, I actually gave this soundtrack like a good week to blast it the last week of April. I have a funny story though. The three days after prince died I had a meet and greet with the band pentatonix. I saw their countertenor Mitch staring at my mom’s prince pin when I thought it made no sense for her do that. But after that meet and greet I would blast that album with the meet and greet picture in the background. I later found out that my hunch was correct. It’s a fun memory I have.
I'm gonna agree with u about mountains... it's funkier than kiss... god forbid. But kiss is pop mountains was funk and I like funk! Long Live the Funk!
I agree about "Mountains"..one if the best songs! the horns..the music is just awesome..IA love "Kiss" of course..but yes Mountains is better to me! you're the first one I've heard say this!:) thanks for the review
The Prince Parade album is the one that's being heard in the movie "Under the Cherry moon". Due to the singles "Kiss", "Mountains", "Anotherloverholenyohead" and "Girls & Boys" you had to go to the "wrecka stow" to buy the 12 inch singles when you want more music, additional instruments dialogues, and time.
I'm late but besides the great PRINCE content though MJ is my everything n who I grew up on I've grown to appreciate PRINCE and what we had when he was alive yes sir. I have to send congrats on the baby and happy Father's Day.
I almost forgot to mention how I liked in the beginning how you talked about your set up change and a little bit about your family outside of Prince’s friend. Because you’re more than a prince fan you’re a human with a life too.
Agree with you about Mountains, it is a great song, so uplifting to me I am not all that familiar with this particuliar album, so nice to hear your comments Also love Sometimes It Snows In April not only because Prince surprisingly died in the month of April which is reason in itself, but for me, personally, April has often been a month of pain, loss, grief and sorrow. My father was almost killed in a very bad car crash in April1976, my mother died in April 1998, I lost a baby in April 2010, and in April 2018 was trying to get on with my life and was searching for a new home in the cold and snow after the break up of my 16 year union with my now ex-partner. But life does go on, there is no sweet without the sour, and now I am ready to welcome the sweet !!! Anyway, another great review, thank you X From a Prince Friend
@@PrincesFriend Glad to know you didn't think that was too much Info ! Prince has touched my life in so many ways I am sure to share with you again soon
I noticed that he started to play kind of jazz/r&b music from his pop rock music.Well that is also the moment when the revolution relationship with prince started to fall out...wish that they stayed together until the dream factory album.btw i love ur review soo much!!!
My concluding thoughts would be i can still enjoy the album for what it is. I can listen to the album with the slow songs and without them. The slow songs are meant to be in the album and the movie because it’s supposed to have slow parts in the movie. I’m not sure if the songs after mountains if they had a place in the movie or not, but regardless they’re in this album and it makes it better, because the last song yes it’s sad and erie to Prince’s death, it’s still very beautiful. And I want this album to stop getting sleeped on. I too have referred to “the album that has kiss on it” instead of “the soundtrack to the movie” with under the cherry moon, still has other bops, I don’t expect all to like everything but the other songs need more attention because they deserve it.
I will forever die on the hill of this being one of his **BEST** albums. I love his artsy side and Im glad its ranked among his best by critics nowadays
I like how this album has songs like Venus de milo and the album title to fit with the romantic feel for the movie and the album even if it isn’t for me. I mostly like partying to prince and I’m not at the age or the time in my life to have a heavy romantic life. But it still works.
The way how you said “cacophony of noise” and then at the beginning of Venus you said “after the craziness of the last track” I just thought it was big lol. Because it is crazy I just love how it was emphasized in the review.
This is his greatest album for me. life can be so nice is awesome and probably the hardest track of his career. i think a band like slayer would have done a good cover of it. parade has everything thats good about prince on one record. its catchy, funky and jazzy, folky etc etc. what makes it his best for me is that i found it his most surprising record, which for a prince record is saying something
I watched this video when it originally was uploaded but just watched again since I’m working on a Parade review for my blog. We’re totally aligned except for Life Can Be So Nice. I love the messiness of that song but I get why some don’t, as it can be a bit of a polarizing sound. My favorite song tends to vary from Mountains, Kiss, Sometimes it Snows & even New Position sometimes. Such an underrated album from the general public perspective.
Thanks, what I try to do is pepper my posts with personal memories of the music or albums I’m writing about while also trying to be informative. It’s a challenge so I may take you up on it sometime!
Great review, I kind of agree on most part with you except that "Anotherlover" is a very good solid track for me. On the other hand I'm really annoyed by all those weird little tracks that doesn't make sense, I think track 2 and 3 could have been hits if done as a proprer song. "Life can be" is just too bizarre almost a disaster, and "Sometimes it snow" is beautiful but too sad for this album, but yeah the 4 singles were solid hits and really good creative songs.
I like life can be so nice much bro😅 also genious mountains, kiss, venus de milo and of couse sometimes it snows in April, and i read that he even recorded this song in a Other atmosphere with lisa and wendy on 21.4.85 this means on the day that he sadly passes 31 years after that recording, sad.. thats why the Best track for Tribute to the prince❤
My first concert of P's, my favorite album and by far my favorite movie EVER!! Did my own UTCM tour last September of filming sites, etc and it was everything!!! #princeismusic
So you sing „Under the cherry moon“ together with your wife? That‘s cute and great. You‘re a lucky guy. My (former) wife fell asleep at a Prince-Aftershow in London - the one with Amy Winehouse in 2007. So be glad for what you‘ve got.
I know it's difficult to have favourite albums with Prince, At least with me anyway. I'm not the kind of person who likes to have preferences. That said, this is the album I have signed by The Revolution. There are a couple of other tracks I associate with this album too, at least subconsciously, like 💜 or 💲.Incidentally, I had a little giggle when I was a student when I was younger on reading the sheet music. If you don't spot the repeat sign, the words appear as 'I like to :|| moon'. Maybe I was a little immature.
Now THIS album is my jam. It came out when I was 16 isn't that the perfect age to get into an album? I'm sure any record you get into at that age, sticks with you for the rest of your life. It doesnt feel like a short album to me as it's so rich and textured, a very satisfying album to me. Edit: hey! You missed out Girls and Boys! One of the best tracks, on the album! 😬
A epic album, I like to put it on on cool rainy days. My 2nd favorite only because of it's emotionally heavy pulls. I'm not always in a mood for it's feels.
I found that "Parade" worked better for me as an album, after I collected all the 12-inches with the extended cuts & B-sides. The accompaniment of the preceding material, gives the work more of a 'fleshed-out' feel which I think the original album was sorely missing. My initial reaction to the album was that it was rushed, and the overall feel belies the fact that he was perhaps distracted with the handling of multiple tasks related to the film at the time. The music kind of sleep walks through-out, and the songs seem more like short dream sequences stitched together. Is that why the movie is in black & white, instead of color? I listened to the album more in appreciation of it's production quality, than the actual performances. There seems to have been a lot of 'knob twiddling' and studio wizardry done later, to make the album seem like there was more going on with the music than what was actually captured in the studio. In fact, I would even venture to say, that it seems like more work done in the post-production phase of the album, than in the actual recording of it.
I forgot to mention that I actually have an excellent condition original pressing of Parade that I found at a Goodwill a number of years ago. I play it often and it's still in great shape. Same can be said for my copy of Ice Cream Castle which came from the same place. I have a thrift store copy of Purple Rain that's a bit warped but it doesn't effect playback. I paid quite a bit more for Sign O' the Times but that was in an actual record store. They had Lovesexy too but I only really had money for one record. I keep thinking... damn, I'd like to have it now. I should probably check Discogs or something.
If I had to choose between Sign o the times and lovesexy, I probably would pick lovesexy. I think I’m in the minority there LOL. Glad you found your copy of parade though!
Mountains!!!! 👍🏿I am 100% with you. This is a great review. I love this disc. Kiss is a great song. Love the Dynasty reference. Premier party for UC pretty awesome.
Nah, you got the Kiss story all wrong. Prince provided a 12-bar blues guitar track. Brown Mark killed it with the fuzzy gated guitar. Prince took it back, added the wah guitar and vocals.
and at sometimes it snows in April I yelled no and covered my face with my shirt I love the song but it so sad when you think about the fact that he passed in April and that's my pawpaw birthday month that passed last year so I Love/Hate this song
Thank you for this...For what its worth...IMO PARADE is the most stand alone GORGEOUS and timeless piece in Princes Ouvre .You listen to it today and its like nothing else by no one else including Prince ...ever....and yet...it manages to sound familiar because it is an in its own way Classic...Prince often said, in later years, "Ya,ll arent ready for this"...I believe that to be the truth for most of his music...It changes you...if you are new to Princes music you have to let go of any preconceived ideas of what Music should be, and you have to constantly remind yourself that this is real music...not loops and samples...... REAL INSTRUMENTS.....His voice bends and twists and soars and is an instrument unto itself... Parade is my GO To Album when I dont know what to listen to...its EVERFRESH....
One of the best albums Prince made, I think. It is one of those albums you need to listens to from beginning to end. It is the best way to appreciate it. It is very theatrical and one of a kind
You have to disconnect this album from the movie. I love the journey of Christopher Tracy. Its the story of birth.. the roller coaster of life and then death. Its an amazing adventure. One of my favorite albums...
This album was way better than batman album still some songs that don't do nothing for you but as a fan he had 6 great songs loved the movie I think Morris should have been it
Back in 86 when I was 9 years old...We used to have to rent a vcr at the video store! I can’t tell you how much it all cost because it was my Grandmother paying for it all...but I clearly remember being inside Tops Friendly Markets in New York and picking out a movie to rent along with the vcr. The way they had it set up was they had these little wallet sized cards with the film cover and title on them And you took it to the service desk and it all proceeded from there. But anyway that’s how I saw Under the cherry moon for the first time. I’ll also add that when I passed the 4th grade at Casey Park Elementary School ( nice little side note ...my 4th grade teacher Mrs.Turner was Brett Michaels (Poison) Aunt) ..anyway ..the summer of 1986 My grandmother gave me 2 gift options for passing...I could either have a 110 camera that I’d been asking for or The new album by Prince (Parade) ...And I chose Prince! I got it on a cassette tape and I listened to it forwards and backwards for days on end! Back then my favorite song off the album was Girls and Boys ...It was the perfect song to be a goofy 9 year old who danced and made fart noises and loved music at the same time! Today I can’t really decide on my favorite being Snow or Mountains because I love many of the songs just as much as each other...but it is indeed a very memorable album and I thank you for allowing me to time travel back to those days!
P.S / I’m sorry for the long comments. I’m really not a motor mouth I just love music,Prince is one of my absolute favorites and I just like to add a little detail to my stories. These days it’s all about nostalgia and I like to think I’m taking others back there as well!
Was socked at the review. Prince just got better and better creatively at this period with each album. Around the world pushed it further than p. Rain and parade took it even further. I love life can be so nice too. Not saying the review is wrong just surprised at the slightly negative feel.
Naaa...we do not agree on this one 😄. Life can be so nice is one of my favourite Parade songs! The tempo change and the lyrics when it speeds up towards the end are really something else! 😉 BUT...Mountains IS one of my favourite Parade song, so we still agree on that!
Don't know how I missed this. The album was fun when it came out but it's not one I revisit. I Wonder You was way better live. Nice in the case of the French city is pronounced like the word niece. I agree with you regarding that song. Never got the big deal behind it
Life can be so nice, I can still listen to it, I don’t hate it at all, for you to say it’s performed sloppily I can agree with that statement, it’s pretty visible. The whole fact it was made in France it makes a whole lot of sense why French would be in certain places but it made sense. Life can be so nice’s playing it’s rememberable but it’s sloppiness in a way almost is purposeful and it could work for the song in a way even though it’s also not quite fitting if you look at the international route.
🤣🤣🤣🤣You had negative thoughts about Parade? I guess because I knew the length (and even some of the simplicity) was so it could fit the movie I feel differently. 😁😁😁. I’m really hoping this has a deluxe edition coming. Warner should be accommodating to the idea imo.
I don’t think I knew there was a movie until after I bought it too, which is why it threw me. Expectations have a lot to do with how you first interact with an album. That said, even years later, it’s good but isn’t nearly as good as almost any other album he’s done. But like I’ve said before, even Prince’s worst is better than others people’s best 😂
i cant keep my body easy when i hear that song i love prince singing it it better i love that song to it is so sad and pofound tragic i cried when i heard i sometimes hum it because i heard it is a song about loss somebody close to u passing awsy or any one i heard that song on u tube it was prince final show and it was his piano and micarphone session it was sad i was crying along with the world of prince fans luved him stil do m caffery dublin ireland huge big prince fan his royal purple badnessxxxxxxxxx 9 royal kisses for him rip
