Introduction
By the early 1990s, Prince had cemented his status as one of the biggest pop stars in the world. With smash hits like "Purple Rain" and "Kiss" under his belt, he had proven his talent for crafting catchy, funk-infused pop tunes. However, his last few albums in the late ’80s hadn’t achieved the same blockbuster commercial success.
Prince was ready for a comeback. In 1991, he released his 13th studio album, Diamonds and Pearls. This record marked a return to chart dominance for Prince, powered by his new backing band The New Power Generation. It also gave Prince his fifth US number one album and spawned several hit singles. For Prince fans and music critics alike, Diamonds and Pearls stood as a testament to his enduring artistry and ability to evolve his sound.
Album Origins
Prince had a clear creative vision when crafting his 13th studio album "Diamonds and Pearls." Coming off a few commercially underwhelming albums in the late ’80s, Prince was ready to showcase his talents with a new backing band he formed called The New Power Generation. This album allowed Prince to blend his signature funk/R&B sound with the New Jack Swing genre that was dominating the charts in the early ’90s.
To bring his vision to life, Prince assembled The New Power Generation, a versatile group of musicians who could keep up with Prince’s boundless creativity. Key members included bassist Sonny T., drummer Michael Bland, keyboardist Tommy Barbarella, and dancer/vocalist Tony M. Prince also brought in singer Rosie Gaines to provide sultry vocals and elevate several tracks on the album. Gaines’ soulful presence was the perfect complement to Prince’s vocals and songwriting.
With his new band locked in, Prince was ready to craft a collection of songs that highlighted his artistry. Diamonds and Pearls allowed Prince to update his sound for a new decade while staying true to his musical identity. The collaborative chemistry between Prince and The New Power Generation is palpable throughout the recording process and the final album.
Recording Process
Prince took a hands-on approach to producing "Diamonds and Pearls," overseeing every detail of the recording process. The sessions took place primarily at Prince’s Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota in 1990 and 1991. Engineer David Z described the environment as “Wonderland,” with Prince constantly experimenting with new sounds and production techniques.
The album was recorded live with Prince’s new backing band The New Power Generation. This allowed Prince to capture the organic energy and musicianship of the band. He guided the musicians, directing solos and arrangements, while also handling most of the instrumentation himself. Prince played guitar, bass, keyboards, and drums on many tracks.
To get the sound he wanted, Prince drew from a diverse palette of musical influences. He incorporated hip hop beats, jazz chords, Eastern melodies, and lush orchestrations. Prince constantly tweaked the mixing, overdubbing, and effects. He was a perfectionist, working long hours to craft each song. While the recording sessions were intense, they were also fun and collaborative. Prince wanted to create an album that showcased the talents of The New Power Generation while still bearing his artistic vision.
Hit Singles and Lyrics
"Diamonds and Pearls" featured some of Prince’s biggest hits of the 1990s, showcasing his songwriting brilliance and ability to craft infectious pop songs. Two singles in particular stand out as highlights of the album.
"Gett Off"
The raucous funk jam "Gett Off" was the lead single from "Diamonds and Pearls" and became an immediate hit. Built on a churning groove and powered by Prince’s gritty vocals, "Gett Off" contains highly suggestive lyrics dripping with sexual innuendos. When Prince intones "23 positions in a one night stand" and promises to "gett off" with his lover, the meaning is quite clear. The track builds to a frenzied climax, with Prince and featured vocalist Rosie Gaines trading passionate cries. With its mix of heavy beats and provocative lyrics, "Gett Off" exemplified Prince’s talent for blending musicality and sensuality into catchy pop perfection.
"Cream"
The second single "Cream" was another smash hit driven by its undeniable funk-pop flair. With a slinky bassline and Prince’s signature falsetto, "Cream" finds Prince using creamy desserts as a metaphor for his irresistible lover. Sensual lyrics like "You’re so good, baby there ain’t nobody better" made it another sexually-charged dancefloor classic. The track also features a rap verse by New Power Generation member Michael Bland that namechecks other Prince songs like "Kiss." With its blend of pop, funk, and hip hop, "Cream" showed Prince’s versatile artistry and ability to fuse multiple genres seamlessly.
Beyond these big singles, the rest of "Diamonds and Pearls" featured clever wordplay and lyrical depth. Songs like the title track mixed spiritual themes with Prince’s passion for his "diamond and pearl," while the slinky "Willing and Able" was a smooth ode to romance. As both a consummate pop craftsman and poetic lyricist, Prince showered the album with creative songwriting that made it both a critical and commercial triumph.
Critical Reception
Diamonds and Pearls received mostly positive reviews from major music publications upon its release. Critics praised Prince’s return to pop-oriented songwriting and the infectious funk/R&B grooves of the album. Many reviews highlighted the title track and lead single "Gett Off" as standout songs.
Rolling Stone magazine gave the album 4 out of 5 stars. Reviewer Parke Puterbaugh applauded Diamonds and Pearls as "Prince’s most cohesive album since Sign ’O’ the Times." He went on to describe the album as "a brilliant blend of sinewy funk, catchy pop melodicism and, most significantly, unabashed emotion."
Entertainment Weekly was also positive, scoring the album an A-. Writer David Browne called it "the most fluid album Prince has created since 1987’s Sign o’ the Times." He complimented Prince’s songwriting and the balance of ballads, rockers, and funk numbers. However, Browne felt the album’s length was "both its strength and weakness."
Some reviews offered more mixed opinions. Robert Christgau gave the album a B+ grade, appreciating the pop craftsmanship but critiquing the length and Prince’s "split persona." The New York Times review by Jon Pareles considered Diamonds and Pearls an unfocused effort, writing "the album careens from genre to genre" even though the singles stood out.
Overall critical reception highlighted Diamonds and Pearls as a strong return to form for Prince after a commercially disappointing period. While reviewers had some criticisms about cohesion and length, most agreed the album contained impressive singles showcasing Prince’s talents as a singer, songwriter, and producer.
Commercial Performance
Diamonds and Pearls saw major commercial success upon its release in October 1991. The album debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling over 3 million copies in the United States alone. It was certified triple platinum by the RIAA just a few months after its release. Internationally, the album reached #1 in Australia and the top 10 in many other countries.
The smash hit single "Cream" peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Prince his fifth chart-topping single in the US. The provocative funk track dominated radio airplay for weeks. The title track "Diamonds and Pearls" also reached the top 10 of the Hot 100, while "Gett Off" cracked the top 20.
The album’s mainstream popularity marked a major comeback for Prince after a few years without a major hit. Diamonds and Pearls showed that Prince could still deliver catchy pop hooks while retaining his unique artistic vision. For many critics and fans, it stands as one of the high points of his prolific career. Its commercial triumph cemented Prince’s status as an iconic pop star with crossover appeal.
Live Performances
The Diamonds and Pearls Tour was a showcase of Prince’s legendary showmanship and stage presence. Spanning Europe, Asia, and North America from 1991-1993, the tour featured elaborate sets and flamboyant costumes as Prince dazzled audiences night after night.
Many fans consider the Diamonds and Pearls Tour to be one of Prince’s most impressive concert experiences. During the shows, he would emerge on stage in a sheer, diamond-studded suit, immediately captivating the crowd. Prince’s energy was electric as he strutted across the stage, gyrating his hips and dancing with abandon. He interacted with the audience frequently, often bringing fans up on stage to dance with him.
Prince’s live performances of songs from Diamonds and Pearls highlighted his incredible vocal range and versatility as a musician. On funky tracks like "Gett Off," he would sing, rap, and even scream out high notes. For sensual ballads like "Cream," Prince would adopt a sultry singing style accompanied by suggestive dance moves. He would playfully toy with the audience, building the tension before launching into the soaring falsetto vocals of "Diamonds and Pearls."
The New Power Generation provided tight accompaniment for Prince’s dynamic performances. The band members got plenty of chances to showcase their skills, with the horn section delivering powerful brass lines and the rhythm section laying down danceable grooves. Prince led his band through extended jams, inciting the crowd’s cheers with his guitar solos and keyboard riffs. The synergy between Prince and The New Power Generation was at its peak during the Diamonds and Pearls Tour.
Prince’s Legacy
"Diamonds and Pearls" had a significant long-term impact on Prince’s career and artistic evolution. Coming off a string of more experimental and less commercially successful albums in the late ’80s, this record marked a return to the slick R&B-pop sound that first brought Prince mainstream success. The album’s catchy singles and polished production paved the way for Prince’s continued chart dominance throughout the ’90s.
Beyond just his own catalog, "Diamonds and Pearls" influenced a new generation of R&B and pop artists. The New Jack Swing sound and aesthetic that permeated the album served as inspiration for acts like Boyz II Men, TLC, and Usher. Prince embracing hip-hop and new jack swing elements expanded the sonic palette of pop and R&B at the time. The album’s provocative lyrics also pushed boundaries and allowed more explicit themes in mainstream music.
Over the years, "Diamonds and Pearls" has come to represent one of Prince’s most commercially successful periods. For both critics and fans, it exemplifies his ability to constantly reinvent himself and produce cutting-edge pop music. While it may not be considered his most groundbreaking work, the album undoubtedly contains some of Prince’s biggest hits and serves as a milestone in his expansive discography. Its influence continues to be felt, even if indirectly, through the work of the many artists Prince has inspired.
Collectibles
Prince’s "Diamonds and Pearls" album sparked a wave of official merchandise and memorabilia that is highly sought after by collectors today. The album’s iconic cover art featuring Prince with diamond eyelashes lent itself well to apparel and merchandise. Some of the notable collectibles from the era include:
-
T-Shirts – Several graphic t-shirt designs were released featuring the "Diamonds and Pearls" album cover and lyrics. These shirts with the iconic cover image remain popular with Prince fans and collectors.
-
Tour Jackets – Special satin tour jackets were created for the Diamonds and Pearls tour. These jackets featured custom artwork of Prince along with tour dates on the back. They were limited edition merchandise only available at the concerts.
-
Posters – Large posters with the album cover photography were sold commercially and given away as promotions. Other posters were made just for the tour with specialized artwork. These posters can fetch high prices in the collectors market.
-
Vinyl Records – The album was released on vinyl at a time when this format was declining in popularity. Sealed copies of the original vinyl release are rare and valuable. Special colored vinyl pressings were also created.
-
Cassette Tapes – Cassette releases came in standard and deluxe editions with different cover art. The cassette format allows collectors to own the album in an iconic physical format.
-
CDs – Along with standard CD editions, various countries had exclusive CD releases with alternate cover art and bonus tracks. The Japanese edition is especially sought after.
-
Backstage Passes – Passes that provided backstage access during the Diamonds and Pearls tour are some of the rarest Prince-related collectibles. Only a handful were produced.
Tips for Collectors:
-
Seek reputable sellers and auction houses to avoid counterfeit or bootleg memorabilia.
-
Inspect items closely for authenticity markers like copyright notices, logos, and holograms.
-
Be wary of "too good to be true" bargains which may indicate fakes.
-
Well-preserved items in original packaging command the highest prices.
-
Rare promo items and pieces with provable performance/tour origins are especially valuable.
-
Focus on what you love rather than investing – buy memorabilia because it speaks to you!
Conclusion
Prince’s 13th studio album "Diamonds and Pearls" marked an important era in the artist’s prolific career. Released in 1991, the album served as a comeback for Prince after a few commercially disappointing projects. It also introduced his new backing band The New Power Generation, who collaborated closely with Prince to create the album’s signature funk-pop sound.
"Diamonds and Pearls" endures as one of Prince’s most iconic and influential works. Songs like "Gett Off," "Cream," and the title track became smash hits that are still beloved today by fans and critics alike. Prince’s masterful songwriting and production elevated the album into a career-defining statement.
Now, over 30 years after its release, "Diamonds and Pearls" remains essential to understanding Prince’s artistic genius. The album exemplifies his ability to blend genres, push boundaries, and craft enduring pop music. For both longtime fans and new listeners, "Diamonds and Pearls" is a testament to Prince’s legacy as a trailblazing musician who created a brilliant, timeless body of work over his storied career. Its songs continue to inspire artists across generations, cementing the album’s enduring popularity and relevance.