I was halfway into writing my next LP review when the shocker came. Prince is dead. My first reaction was to consider it as an internet hoax. Ten minutes and some research later, it was a confirmed piece of news. Yet another musical giant gone.

A great sense of loss set in along with his great songs reeling in my head, especially from the path-breaking 1984 album, ‘Purple Rain’. It was close to midnight. I pulled out the purple disc from its flashy cover, put the needle on it and decided to write about this album instead of the one I was working on.

Prince is at his orchestral best in ‘Purple Rain’. With lusty funk-pop behind him (although it has a sprinkling of lust), this is the first album he released with his backing band, the Revolution, and it cemented him as one of the pop music’s essential stars. It’s glorious, ecstatic, piercing, with anthems of quiet desperation and boundless energy and that one supreme soulful ballad, the last track, the title track.

The man’s contribution to the world of music is immense and beautifully varied. But even if he had made just this one song, he would have been the same legend. It’s the craft of song-making at its best. That guitar refrain start, the entry of the subtly piercing vocals with I never meant to cause you any sorrow…, the build-up followed by the impeccable lead guitar, then back to the guitar refrain and the famous Hoo-Hoo-Hoo fusing into the piano solo and orchestral strings, fading but never ending.

I must’ve heard it a million times and every time it’s a charming new journey. One of the best 8 minutes and 41 seconds in the history of music.

The album, which is also the soundtrack for the movie by the same name, has several other chart toppers like Let’s Go Crazy, When Doves Cry, I Would Die 4 U, and appears in numerous lists of all-time greats. And for many of us, it also symbolizes the quintessential 80’s sound at its peak.

Prince was a prolific musician and it is said that there are many great songs lying in his so called Vault. We can just hope that we get to hear them soon.

Thank you for all the music, Prince Rogers Nelson!

Year: 1984

Genre: Pop, R&B, Funk, Rock,

Duration: 43:51

Label: Warner Bros.

Producer: Prince and The Revolution

Rating: *****

Reviewed by Meraj Hasan

Meraj Hasan is a Mumbai based communication professional (and an amateur poet/musician) with a passion for listening to music the vinyl way. His 25 year old Technics turntable along with a humble collection of LPs across genres like Classic rock, Classical, Blues and Jazz (amongst others) are his prized possessions.

He can be reached at +91 9833410791 or email: meraj.hasan@gmail.com