Disco de Prince: “The Hits 1”

This is a good collection for those interested in the sex-tinged r&b/pop/funk of the multi-talented Prince. However, as the header suggests, you're probably better off heading to the 3-disc boxed set entitled _The Hits/The B-Sides_. There you get everything included on this disc, the companion "hits" package to this one, _The Hits 2_, as well as an all B-side and rarities disc thrown in for good measure. The extra cost for the package may intimidate some, but it's more worthwhile.

It's made very obvious that the "machine" wanted to make more money, as there are a couple of unreleased tracks on here that you won't find anywhere else. It's great for the beginners who don't own any Prince, but bad for the obsessed fans who own many of Prince's studio albums - having to pay extra money for 90% of music they already own just to hear a couple of unreleased treasures. Also, many of these "hits" are edited versions, as opposed to the full-length versions found on the studio albums. All of this is pretty irritating to me. Should I quit all this bellyaching? Maybe - but I'm a very frugal person when it comes to money...or anything else.

Anyway, the disc chronicles Prince's hits from 1978-1993. It obviously features smashes like the bassless "When Doves Cry," the rowdy and exciting "Let's Go Crazy," "1999" and countless others. However, I'll cut to the chase and talk about the unreleased tracks. "Pink Cashmere" is a sultry, sensual mid-tempo r&b number. Something for the fans of Prince's sex-tinged ballads. The other is Prince's own rendition of "Nothing Compares 2 U." At first, I have to admit, after hearing Sinead O'Connor's atmospheric, sad, melancholy and poignant version, I didn't think Prince could hold much of a candle to her version (and he's the one who wrote the thing.) However, I was surprisingly silenced. The arrangement is much different than Sinead O'Connor's version, but, it's equally melodic, moving and injected with more of an r&b/gospel flavor -- as opposed to the wistful, pop/new age-esque version from O'Connor. This version is also performed live with guest vocalist Rosie Gaines, who would later join Prince's band The New Power Generation.

A good collection, but as I've noted, to make this one much more worthwhile, you're probably better off getting this as 1/3 of the 3-disc boxed set, _The Hits/The B-Sides_, or just pick up a Prince album like _Purple Rain_ or _1999_ for starters. Despite the mishaps of this collection, it's still a decent buy for the beginner who has interest in the talent and genius of the purple one.

i've never been a big fan of prince, but i'll admit that he makes me shake my skinny white booty. and for that, anyone deserves a certain amount of props. aside from the incomparable "when doves cry"--one of the greatest singles of all time--the bigger hits aren't all that much better than the lesser-known tracks. a consistent comp, if not as drop-dead amazing as purple rain or sign o' the times.

This is a great collection of Prince music. THE HITS 1 shows his diversity as an artist. There is also THE HITS 2, and THE HITS/THE B-SIDES which includes THE HITS 1 & 2 plus a disc of b-sides. If you don't want to shell out that much money for the 3 discs, then this is perfect, but part 2 also is essential to own.

Early hits like "Pop Life", "Soft and Wet", "When You Were Mine", make up the early part of the album. The collection opens with "When Doves Cry", which was a huge huge hit from his PURPLE RAIN soundtrack. "Nothing Compares 2 U" is on here, which was later covered by Sinead O Conner and a big hit for her. Same goes for "I Feel For You", which makes an appearance here. It was later covered by Chaka Khan and a hit for her.

Other hits include "Uptown", "Let's Go Crazy", "1999", "Adore", etc. As well, two new tracks, his version of "Nothing Compares 2 U" and "Pink Cashmere". The problem with the collection is that obviously there's some hits missing that didnt make 1 or 2, but also, the flow of the album is questionable since it jumps from one year to another. It would have been better in my opinion, to have it flow in chronological order, but oh well it's still a great collection.

One of my favorite Prince hits is on here, "Alphabet St." from his LOVESEXY album. This is classic Prince! The last part of the album closes off with hits such as "7", "Diamonds And Pearls", "Sign O The Times" and "Theives In The Temple".

Overall, this is a must have for hardcore fans (who probably would have the 3 CD version) but this is great for casual fans who want a general idea of Prince's music and his influence on ths 80s.

Not only is this a classic album, it is a surprise for a greatest hits album. Unlike the hits 2, this album includes more songs that did not do as well on the charts, but are actually better then those commercial hits. That's right. It has the original version of the underrated "Why you wanna treat me so bad?" This song was an example in 1979 and 1980 that Prince would end up exploding in the 1980's, with it being so flashy. The most special bonuses are the songs that were popular with other artists that we here him singing. One of the them is "I Feel You". It is absolutely fantastic as he sings it. Why this was not released as a single in 1979 and 1980 during the "Prince" album period is anybodies guess. One of the best songs, and a real classic is "When You Were Mine". That song alone can tell a kid Prince is a genius. Cydni Lauper covered this song on "She's So Unusual", but Prince does it better. Soft 'n Wet is also included, a song M.C. Hammer would use for his hit album. Last, but not least, is a concert version of Prince and Rosie Gaines singing "Nothing Compares 2 U". You would forget Sinead O'Connor ever existed. If you do want some popular hits, you will get them. The original version of "Let's Go Crazy" is on the album. Also, the single versions of "When Doves Cry", "1999", and last, but not least, "Sign o' the Times" are present. Even though they are the single versions, they are fantastic. It is also a thrill to see "Pop Life", "Thieves In The Temple", and "Diamonds and Pearls". Those are classics in their own right. If you never bought any Prince albums or were thinking of buying more albums from him, and you do not have this, this is the one to buy. It's thrilling!

Over the years, I have enjoyed this album that I must have played it hundreds of times! As I stated in Hits 2, the main reason this is such a great collection is that Hits 1 shows the many different sides of Prince. His early disco years (Soft and wet; I feel for you), the ballad side (Diamonds and pearls), the rock side (When doves cry) and controversial side (Uptown). Thus, this collection is both ideal for hardcore fans as well as casual ones.

I do agree that if you buy Hits 1, then you MUST buy Hits 2. Yes, there are hits missing still such as Mountains but if you already have that song, it won't make a difference. I enjoyed the liner notes, too!