I was at the Tranenpalast aftershow in Berlin that night after the 1994 mtv music awards. When it ended at 5 am, Michael B threw his used sticks in the audience and I was lucky to get one. And still have it of course. Thanks for the show.
The moment I heard Michael Bland, Sonny T and Tommy Barbarella were in Nick Jonas and the Administration, I knew I'd instantly love it not because I thought it would be funky but because I knew the three of them would craft an in the pocket groove and bring a musicality to the songs and arrangements that would be perfect. Even though Sonny didn't play on the album, when they performed live and did all those black and white videos recorded and filmed live in studio (they are on RUclips), Sonny played and killed it like they all did. The only thing that took me a second to process was seeing Sonny playing electric guitar because I love him most when he plays the bass because I'm so used to seeing him play it. And, personally, I think if Sonny had played bass on the entire album and on the tour and some other amazing guitarist had been brought on board and John Fields had only produced the album, the songs would have been even more incredible because no one can touch the pocket relationship Sonny and Michael have.
When Michael Bland talks about when they found some lyrics from Prince saying something about needing a band...a real band. It immediately made me think of the song I Need a Man (1986) that Prince wrote for Bonnie Raitt.
I saw an interview with Rosie way back, where she said she recorded 5 albums with prince and he didn't put out any of them. Showing the stingerer side of him. I wonder why he didn't release her album? Maybe it wasn't monetized enough for him. But as we know he wasn't hurting for money. I think he used that time to keep her voice in his shows, by making her believe she was going to have something to show for her time being there. She got burned by prince and the estate needs to release some of her music while she can still buy a new house. It must of been a big power trip for prince to burn so many "Friends ". But still Love him.
This is an unpopular opinion but I’ve always said that any configuration of the NPG was better and funkier than the Revolution but they are all great musicians
At the upcoming April 20th 2Gether show, what I would like to see and hear the original NPG band play would be everything they were a part of meaning singles and deep cuts from Diamonds and Pearls, The Symbol Album, The Gold Experience, Crystal Ball, Exodus, Gold N*gga. Some of those deeper cuts on all those albums never got enough love and most will never be played live by anybody let alone the original New Power Generation. The ONLY thing that ever bothered me about seeing Prince live the few times I did, was his insistence on always doing covers of other artists songs because I (and most others) went to a Prince concert wanting to hear Prince play his music, not other artist's songs. Prince was notorious with not being happy with other artists playing his songs, so the fact that he loved playing other artists songs so much was always kind of strange to me...and frankly disappointing. To me, Prince has too vast a discography, when you combine his and the music he wrote for others, to ever do anybody else's songs in concert. I'm not being disrespectful, I'm just speaking truth.
Thank you for the funky time 😊. We love you guys. Peace
2 cool
Dudes I was prince guitar tech for a few months in 95 and those guys were always good to me!
I Truly love this interview with Michael Bland and Sonny T. Thank you Funkatopia. 💜😊💜
Sonny doesn't do many interviews, great to get an interview with him, he's sort of a myth of the Prince world with a bit of mystery.
Wow Thank you so much ✨️🎶💜💕 there goes my Sunday 😂
I was at the Tranenpalast aftershow in Berlin that night after the 1994 mtv music awards. When it ended at 5 am, Michael B threw his used sticks in the audience and I was lucky to get one. And still have it of course. Thanks for the show.
Great Chat! I'm digging the single and real excited to hear more! Pumped these 2 are recording together once again
The moment I heard Michael Bland, Sonny T and Tommy Barbarella were in Nick Jonas and the Administration, I knew I'd instantly love it not because I thought it would be funky but because I knew the three of them would craft an in the pocket groove and bring a musicality to the songs and arrangements that would be perfect. Even though Sonny didn't play on the album, when they performed live and did all those black and white videos recorded and filmed live in studio (they are on RUclips), Sonny played and killed it like they all did. The only thing that took me a second to process was seeing Sonny playing electric guitar because I love him most when he plays the bass because I'm so used to seeing him play it. And, personally, I think if Sonny had played bass on the entire album and on the tour and some other amazing guitarist had been brought on board and John Fields had only produced the album, the songs would have been even more incredible because no one can touch the pocket relationship Sonny and Michael have.
First time I saw Michael bland was on the nude tour 1990 oh my god the sound of those drums so powerful unbelievable people were all freaking out 😂
When Michael Bland talks about when they found some lyrics from Prince saying something about needing a band...a real band. It immediately made me think of the song I Need a Man (1986) that Prince wrote for Bonnie Raitt.
What a great way to start my day off! Thanks Christopher and Jeff for getting Sonny to talk along with Michael!
The Parliament Funkadelic anecdote is hilarious.
It was but they were better off skipping the mothership.
I really hope they can get a live stream for the fans that can't make it to the show I would pay to watch !!!or take it on tour ❤😊
Sonny is an introvert and so dang humble and smart! He can't sit still🙂
The best interview. Thanks guys
I saw an interview with Rosie way back, where she said she recorded 5 albums with prince and he didn't put out any of them. Showing the stingerer side of him. I wonder why he didn't release her album? Maybe it wasn't monetized enough for him. But as we know he wasn't hurting for money. I think he used that time to keep her voice in his shows, by making her believe she was going to have something to show for her time being there. She got burned by prince and the estate needs to release some of her music while she can still buy a new house. It must of been a big power trip for prince to burn so many "Friends ". But still Love him.
She’s super talented and plays many instruments
gonna enjoy me this later on
thanx in advance 💜🐾
Incredible interview!! This show is going to be EPIC!!!!!!!
❤
Looking forward to checking this later.
I was lucky enough to attend the aftershow at Bagleys
This is an unpopular opinion but I’ve always said that any configuration of the NPG was better and funkier than the Revolution but they are all great musicians
Thanks Funkatopia!
At the upcoming April 20th 2Gether show, what I would like to see and hear the original NPG band play would be everything they were a part of meaning singles and deep cuts from Diamonds and Pearls, The Symbol Album, The Gold Experience, Crystal Ball, Exodus, Gold N*gga. Some of those deeper cuts on all those albums never got enough love and most will never be played live by anybody let alone the original New Power Generation.
The ONLY thing that ever bothered me about seeing Prince live the few times I did, was his insistence on always doing covers of other artists songs because I (and most others) went to a Prince concert wanting to hear Prince play his music, not other artist's songs.
Prince was notorious with not being happy with other artists playing his songs, so the fact that he loved playing other artists songs so much was always kind of strange to me...and frankly disappointing. To me, Prince has too vast a discography, when you combine his and the music he wrote for others, to ever do anybody else's songs in concert. I'm not being disrespectful, I'm just speaking truth.
Great people, great interview but damn those webcam angles are so annoying!!
Those 3 made the hottest music ever known to women, the whole world over. 🔥 ❤️ 🔥
If E.G."isn't"available,I Hope Y'all can get Jesse to,"Tun It Out"!!!!!