Sign 'O' the Times

Performer: Prince
Artist: Sheena Easton; Sheila E.; Wendy Melvoin; Lisa Coleman; Eric Leeds
Producer: Prince
Distributor: WEA (Distributor)

Notes: Personnel: Prince (vocals, various instruments); Lisa Coleman (vocals, sitar, wooden flute, keyboards); Sheila E. (vocals, percussion); Susannah, Jill Jones, Sheena Eastson, Camille (vocals); Wendy Melvoin (guitar, percussion, background vocals); Mico Weaver (guitar); Eric Leeds (saxophone); Atlanta Bliss (trumpet); Greg Brooks, Wally Safford, Jerome Benton, Gilbert D., Coke J., Todd H., Susan R., Mike S., Brad M., The Penguin (background vocals). Engineers: Susan Rogers, Coke Johnson, Prince. Principally recorded at Paisley Park, Minneapolis, Minnesota and Sunset Sound, Los Angeles, California. Composer: Prince. Personnel: Prince (vocals, guitar, keyboards, drums, background vocals); Sheena Easton (vocals, background vocals); Camille (vocals); Wendy Melvoin (guitar, background vocals); Mico Weaver (guitar); Lisa Coleman (sitar, flute, background vocals); Eric Leeds (saxophone); Atlanta Bliss (trumpet); Sheila E. (drums, percussion); Jill Jones, Gregg Brooks, Susannah, Jerome Benton, Susanna Hoffs (background vocals). Recording information: Dierks Studio Mobile Trucks; Paisley Park Studios, Minneapolis, MN; Paris, France [live]; Sunset Sound Studios, Los Angeles, CA. Photographer: Jeff Katz. Unknown Contributor Roles: Penguin; Revolution; Mike Scheidt. Arranger: Prince. After an adventurous run through fields of Beatlesque psychedelia, Prince seemed ready to get back to the task of creating the epic that both his audience and adoring critics had been demanding since PURPLE RAIN. Originally put together as a three-LP opus titled CRYSTAL BALL (but pared down pre-release by the picky artist), SIGN O' THE TIMES wasn't exactly the historic merger of rock and R&B that the world had been expecting. Instead, it played like an ultimate mix-tape of Prince-ly styles--from grinding, house music-inspired funk ("Housequake") to idiosyncratic pieces of irresistibly sweet pop fare ("Starfish And Coffee"). Yet, the man's singular outlook could constantly be identified; and as varied as the music got, that outlook worked as a uniting factor. Abandoning the Revolution and returning to the one-man-band ethic made the overall sound of SIGN O' THE TIMES far more spare than recent efforts. Various members did make random contributions, and the entire group is featured on a lone live track (the driving extenda-groove, "It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Night"); but Prince seemed adamant about unshackling himself from the responsibilities of being a particular band's leader, and constructed an album that reflected his evolving musical vision, rather than the Revolution's signature sound. Though that sound still rears its head--particularly on "Play In The Sunshine"--on SIGN O' THE TIMES, it's only part of the picture. The other parts are as discombobulated as Prince the one-man-band had always been. Social relevance as a funky turn ("Sign O' The Times"), spiritual strength as heavy metal gospel ("The Cross"), and sex in every form and position possible were all moves Prince had already done, or at least hinted at. But never before had he delivered these moves with such maturity, or as such a complete package, which is why SIGN O' THE TIMES is undoubtedly among the apexes of Prince's career.

Rolling Stone - Ranked #74 in Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Albums Of The Eighties" survey. (Nov. 89) Rolling Stone (12/11/03, p.118) - Ranked #93 in Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums Of All Time" - "...One of the great albums of the Eighties..." Q (10/01, p.70) - Ranked #22 in Q's "Best 50 Albums of Q's Lifetime" Q - 5 Stars - Indispensible NME (Magazine) (9/25/93, p.18) - Ranked #4 among The 50 Greatest Albums Of The '80s - "...God's own pervdwarf at the peak of his prolific, unimpeachable creative powers..." NME (Magazine) (10/2/93, p.29) - Ranked #16 in NME's list of the 'Greatest Albums Of All Time.'

The word "genius" may be used a little too freely when describing pop musicians, but many would have to agree that Prince is deserving of such an accolade. Since his 1978 debut album, the Minneapolis-based multi-instrumentalist/songwriter/singer has scored numerous hits with his sexually charged, original funk/pop/dance/rock style, penned big hits for other artists, and has even tried his hand at acting as well. In the early 1990s, Prince's name-changing antics and his messy break with Warner Brothers overshadowed his music, but his extensive back catalog of amazing songs has secured his place in musical history.

Click Here for Shipping Options and Policies

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.25