*Rince Takes a Chance With'purplerain'
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The Duquesne Duke Friday, September 7, 1 984 *rince takes a chance with'PurpleRain' 8<- Carol Sanford The suicide of Prince's disturbed father By Tim Irr in Purple Rain was the unfortunate event ten. "Let's Go Crazy." on side one. is the Duke Staff Writer more powerful of the two. It is a definite Entertainment Editor which woke Prince up to the reality of his situation. He began to open up his mind With his fourth album. Purple Rain, pop tune, yet it has a strong bass line running through the song. Purple Rain is a movie flooded with and heart to the ideas of others. the versatile artist Prince has taken on a One redeeming factor of this movie more commercial twist than previous On the other hand, side two's "When any bizarre undertones. Starring the Doves Cry" has less of a strong sound and imous (or infamous) musician. Prince, were the concert appearances that The releases, but still manages to keep an edge appears to be the song written to make 'urple Rain is a rather confusing film Revolution made at several points throug over his radio cohorts. out the film. Prince captivated his audience Prince's 1982 double album 1999 yiel- number one. Both songs are indicative of bout a confused young man who is their respective sides. Tying to express himself through his with his stage antics, gymnastic abilities, ded three top-forty hits and was the first "Take Me With U" follows "Let's Go nusic. and Hendrix-like manipulation of his financial break for the Minneapolis na- Crazy" on side one and is a typical boy- Prince is the lead singer of The Revo- guitar. tive. With success as an incentive, most meets-girl-falls-in-love type song in the i ution (both in the movie and in real life). Purple Rain is not a bad movie, but it is bands opt for the "big cash without even Prince style, which makes it untypical to The film finds The Revolution and Prince poor in the sense of its actor's inabilities trying" route, and while Prince and his most boy-meets-girl type songs heard on in a rut as Prince refuses to experiment and erratic storyline. I give Purple Rain band. The Revolution, have indeed reach- the radio (i.e. Lionel Ritchie). vith music that other band members credit for taking a chance, daring to be ed star-studded success with the original Before the side ends. Prince uses an have composed. His egocentricity leaves different. Maybe half of its appeal is its motion picture soundtrack to the movie interesting guitar break and voice tech- his fans and his band alienated from the ambiguity and bizarre point of view. Purple Rain, they've done it without Whether or not you enjoy Prince's losing any of the unique qualitites that niques reminiscent of James Brown to meaning of his lyrics. make "Computer Blue" one of the best, if Prince's home life seems to have had a music. Purple Rain is a movie worth surround the persona of Prince. not the best dance song, on the L. P. .aeat impact on Prince emotionally. His seeing because of its unique approach in Sides one and two are both kicked off "Darling Nikki" ends side one and is ilack father both physically and verbally telling a story. by songs currently flying high in the top another characteristically Prince song. ibuses his Italian mother, and Prince is Most of the record buying public will tuck in the middle of this depraved, dismiss "Nikki" as trashy filler ment to lemented domestic situation. take up space. But then again, how many Prince's girlfriend, (in the movie as well hits has Brian Eno ever had? is real life) Apollonia. proved to be a The second side is undoubtedly the pmeless. manipulated, weak character in most accessable of the two, but that's nol Purple Rain. She is indeed a beautiful taking any credit away from it. .vuman, but she cannot act. She reminds Following the lead off. "When Doves me somewhat of a dark-haired Bo Derek. Cry,"are"l Would Die for IT'and "Baby Purple Rain cannot be evaluated as an I'm a Star."The two songs literally blend r-rJinary movie might be in light of its into one long song that constantly keeps vubject matter and point of view, but ascending with its beat until finally, at the '.here is no excuse for the poor acting end of "Baby I'm a Star, "the sound is one which ran rampant throughout the movie. of complete fren/> If this movie reflects the life of Prince Since there would be no possible way to any great degree, it is no wonder why to top the fury of those two cuts. Prince today's society is flooded with such hard closes the album with the title track, core rebellious music. With adverse "Purple Rain," which is a total reverse in pressures and influences in people's lives, rhythm. Prince could not have come up musicians seem to manifest their fru- with a better conclusion to the sound- stration and anger through their music. track than he did with "Purple Rain." It even encompasses touches of Gospel. Now when's the last time Michael Jackson ever did that'.' Correction Purple Rain can be appreciated for It was announced in last week's issue of many things: the music, the lyrics and the Duke that Peter Lance, investigative how they fit in with the theme of the reporter for television's 20/20 would be movie and its huge success. But the main speaking and conducting workshops on thing that should be appreciated is the Sept. 14. This date was incorrect. Instead. fact that Prince did not simply churn out Mr. L.ance will be on the Duquesne cam- mindless fluff mixed with synthesizers to pus on Tuesday, Oct. 23. At that time he equal dollar signs. Instead, he used his will give an afternoon workshop and talent to make a solid record that sold hold a general lecture at 8 pm. well, but can still be respected by his fans. Prince and his band from astlalbum. '1999.' Hepburn (Cont'd, from pg 14) Their relationship held at bay by Tra- cy's marriage to another and his refusal to divorce based on Cannon Law, these two highly emotional actors brought emo- tional dimensions to their characters that none have been able to duplicate. Born and raised in Hartford. Conn., this daughter of a surgeon father and a suffragette mother made her movie debut in 1931 with A Bill of Divorcement. At only 24 years of age she made Bill with John Barrymore. Now, approaching 75 (her birthday will be Nov. 8) she will star in her most recent film. The Ultimate Solution of Grace Quigley, with Nick Nolte (The Deep. Cannery Ron). Between the Hepburn film festival in the Hamlet Street theatre and the regular expansive film repertory in the Craft Ave. theatre this promises to be a very enter- taining month at the Playhouse. For irrfo on either the Hepburn scries or the daily films, call 621-4445. Price for both movie offerings is $2.95. .athenne Hepburn in Morning Ulory ... ,- .