Rainbow Children

Prince | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 10, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Npg
• ASIN: B0008EI762
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (228 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #346,044 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Rainbow Children

2. Muse 2 the Pharaoh

3. Digital Garden

4. The Work, Pt. 1

5. Everywhere

6. The Sensual Everafter

7. Mellow

8. 1+1+1 Is 3

9. Deconstruction

10. Wedding Feast

11. She Loves Me 4 Me

12. Family Name

13. The Everlasting Now

14. Last December

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Longtime followers of the artist once again known as Prince won't be surprised by the spiritual content of his erratic yet exhilarating new CD. After all, Prince has been straddling the gulf between the sacred and the profane for most of his career. Yet the almost nakedly religious tone of The Rainbow Children is compelling. Witness (and that's the operative word) the airy closing track "Last December," in which Prince and a choir proclaim "In the name of the Father and the name of the Son / We need 2 come together, come 2gether as one." The release is palpable, and throughout much of this CD, Prince, motivated by this love of the spirit, sounds as good as he has in years. From the gentle waltz "She Loves Me 4 Me" to the laid-back jazzy vibe of "Mellow," redemption is laced underneath the grooves. Even when Prince veers way off into left field (as he does with the cartoonish narrative throughout the CD), he makes a joyful and funky noise. --Amy Linden --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

The artist who first blurred lines between sexy and innocent, male and female, slavery and freedom is once again the topic of heated conversation. Prince's long-awaited controversial new album is now available. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Everlasting WOW!!!, November 20, 2001

By 

B. J. BROWN "Bunneh3000" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Rainbow Children (Audio CD)

Pros: Prince makes a spiritual and political statement without ignoring the music quality

Cons: Formatted just like "LoveSexy"; Entire CD is one track

(...)

In cyber promotions both on the NPGMusicClub site and elsewhere, the album was deemed "controversial". Being a newly converted Jehova’s Witness, Prince seems to have decided the make "The Rainbow Children" his showcase of his spiritual and political opinion. Therefore, if one were to disagree with any of his views, they would most likely dislike the album or particular song. Though this singles out those of his fans that aren’t spiritual in any sense of the word, Prince felt it his duty to make a statement. Surprisingly, the music on the album seemed to be his FIRST priority when making the album while the lyrics were a close second. Prince uses appealing genres of jazz, swing, rock, and funk to tell a story or provide a musical message of sorts. Despite the deep and hard to understand vocal alterations done on the interludes, each song is melded together so well that one might forget the whole hour plus album is not divided into tracks at all. As stated on some cyber promotions online, "The Rainbow Children" was meant to be experienced as a whole work rather than 15 or 16 pieces of music parted by occasional preachy interludes. Prince shows why he has been considered a musical genius for so long with this album. Each transition from song to song it smoothed out with a well placed instrumental or spoken word that directly links to the next song. He adds beautifully melted smooth grooves and funk driven toe tappers that will have fans of all ages talking about this album for years. Accompanying him is his trusted band called the New Power Generation including standouts Rhonda Smith on bass, John Blackwell on drums (amazing drum work on "Everywhere" track), and even jazz great Najee (flute and sax).

- "Rainbow Children" - a jazzy throw-back song with a soothing instrumental interlude just after

- "Muse 2 the Pharaoh" - a light hearted track spiced with a lot of spiritual meaning

- "Digital Garden" – an enchanting and hypnotic track laced with Prince’s unique guitar play

- "The Work — Pt. 1" – a funky dedication to James Brown with spiritual undertones

- "Everywhere" – a surprisingly uplifting track with powerful hornplay and choir-like vocals

- "The Sensual Everafter" – another soothing instrumental that calms your soul

- "Mellow" – just like the name of the track

- "1+1+1 Is 3" – a funk driven freestyle track with dynamic play on the keys

- "Deconstruction"

- "Wedding Feast" (interlude)

- "She Loves Me 4 Me" – a sedated love song

- "Family Name" – a declaration of spirituality and political views to a strong-willed track

- "The Everlasting Now" – a delightfully long declaration of Prince’s transition to his current faith; a funky jam session of instrument play and cuts from crowds screaming "We want Prince".

- "Last December" – the newest version of "Purple Rain", "The Cross", and "Holy River". Great guitar-play with a reoccurring them of "love4oneanother" and "becoming one"

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Move over Miles and James His Royal Badness is Back, November 20, 2001

By 

Dezbluengreen "dezotic" (Philadelphia, PA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Rainbow Children (Audio CD)

This album is definately hot. Prince has again stretched the boundaries of his music. It is definately a liberation CD. With John Blackwell, the Magnificent on Drums and Sir Larry Graham on bass; the rhythm section will take you home. At the same time you feel the Fusion of later Miles. Prince has laid it down, no one can touch him. Don't get too close he's on fire. Check the title track "Rainbow Children" and "Family Name" this cat is off the charts. You realize Prince was born from the union of funk and rock, and is back to claim his throne.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An AMAZING CD - buy it NOW!!!, December 12, 2001

By 

[e-mail] (Yorkshire, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Rainbow Children (Audio CD)

I consider myself 2 b a HUGE Prince fan, but must admit that over the past few years his CD's haven't reached the heights of his earlier work (such as Sign "O" The Times, Parade, Purple Rain, Diamonds & Pearls etc etc). Sure, Emancipation and The Gold Experience were gr8, but last year's Joy Un2 The Rave Fantastic was VERY disappointing. I think many true fans were starting 2 think his time had passed. After hearing The Rainbow Children though, it must b said that he's on top form creatively and musically yet again and seems 2 b moving in2 new areas. Sure, there r a few songs that could have been recorded by him anytime over the past 20years (i.e. they don't really go anywhere differently musically), but the vast majority of the material on this CD is absolutely amazing!!!! It seems that he's no longer concentrating on trying 2 record "hit records" (as he's been doing continually over the past few years) and instead is concentrating on creating music 4 himself.

The highlights of this CD? 2 many 2 mention. Personal favourites r The Digital Garden, She Loves Me 4 Me, The Last December, The Work......shall I continue?

Any1 who has any of Prince's many CD's should consider purchasing this CD - I guarantee that u won't b disappointed. As 4 the guy who gave him 1 star out of 5?!!!!!! Why? Stick 2 Savage Garden and Britney Spears m8 - I'm sure The Rainbow Children is much 2 challenging 4 u.

Just buy this CD folks - it's excellent!