Join GFM’s Ivan Orr, Ricky Wyatt, and me with Prince scholars, Zaheer Ali, Miles Marshall Lewis, and Harold Pride as we discuss one of the funkiest albums ever recorded by anyone, the album with no name which was eventually dubbed “The Black Album,” on Grown Folks Music’s Inside The Album podcast. The album was so funky that Camille couldn’t give it a name and Prince ultimately decided to pull it from its intended original release. As a result, this masterpiece became one of the most bootlegged albums ever until its official 1994 release.
This album is the gift that keeps on giving more than thirty years later. Our three-hour conversation is a testament to that and that’s after editing it down from four. We hope you enjoy the listen, as we agree and disagree (just as often) on an album that we all love, dearly!
You can also find this podcast on iTunes or Stitcher:
Episode notes:
Writings referenced:
- George, Nelson. The Death of Rhythm and Blues, 1988
- George, Nelson. “Rhythm & Blues,†Billboard, 1 Feb. 1986.
- Sky Magazine, October 1991
- Tudahl, Duane. Prince and the Purple Rain Era Studio Sessions: 1983 and 1984 (Expanded Edition), 2018
Podcasts referenced:
- GFM’s Inside The Album Podcast: Prince 1987 Flood
- GFM’s Inside The Album Podcast: Madhouse 8
- GFM’s Inside The Album Podcast: Purple Rain Deluxe w/ Duane Tudahl & Miss TLC (Part 1 of a 2-part conversation)
- GFM’s Behind The Book Podcast: Prince and the Purple Rain Era Studio Sessions: 1983 and 1984
- Questlove Supreme Episode 4, September 28, 2016: The Revolution