Prince: Sign 'O' the Times

What was the Prince film you saw at the Edinburgh Festival in 1984? You made it sound like the most conceited work of self-indulgence ever, yet you still seemed to like it. You never managed to convert me to When Doves Cry or Purple Rain. Ah, yes, that must be the film: Purple Rain.

For years and years people have been telling me how great Prince is, and whenever I listen I miss what's so special.

I have to assume, then, that the failing is with me. Having failed so chronically, a serious course of treatment was called for.

I heard that Sign 'O' the Times was the place to start, and I heard that Michaelangelo Matos's book about it was pretty hot too. So I bought them both.

Together they made up half of the book-and-double-album double bill that I took on holiday to Norway for a week last spring. The other half was Chess Pieces and The Record Men.

What can I say? I enjoyed the other half more. I still miss what's so special. I didn't even like the book that much.

MusicBrainz entry for disc 1 disc 2