The best bassplayer for Prince.

[SpankBazz]

Nik West

Tal Wilkenfeld

Nik West?
Interesting choice.

 

[jerry]

Andre' kicks butt on these pre-fame instrumentals.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

He definitely asked him. Sonny was prepping and preparing for the tour until he was told that Prince had changed his mind and hired Mark. I've never actually heard anyone say why, but Terry Lewis alluded to it in the lecture I linked above. Prince was still intimidated by Sonny. Actually, my impression is Prince was still intimidated by him until the end. Still, Sonny would have happily played the tour.

And I agree, I would have loved to have heard Sonny as the original bass player for that material. Mark played everything exactly as Prince would have played it.

My choices are Brownmark and Andre.
Even thought Sonny was his childhood idol, Prince spoke the most glowingly about Mark and Rhonda as his bass players.
Rhona even converted Prince to Laklands briefly.
IMO, Sonny had the misfortune of playing some of Prince's weakest material.
So I guess you'd have to listen to NPG (version 1.0 and 1.5) live playing the classics to compare fairly.
I've just never been moved to listen to that version of the NPG, which is not their fault because they are excellent musicians within or outside of Prince's music.

Prince was no fool. He wasn't going to let anyone in his band ( during THOSE times) that could possibly outshine him. I suspect that is why Gouche didn't last longer than he did.
I can see Prince trying to put limits on Sonny T's playing. I'm sure at that time he also didn't see Sonny as having the right " image" for the band.

Could you see Sonny up there in animal print spandex shirtless with eye make up on? NOPE!!!

Then Prince went to beautiful women after Sonny. It was all about image . Sex sells and we know that was Prince whole persona at the time.

Prince aged, matured and started to get more open to different styles of play. Andrew Gouche brought that Gospel extended range and I thought it worked well. I guess Prince agreed and also saw the genius in Mono Neon.

Sonny T, Gouche and Mono are all superb players that I think can play with anyone and still maintain their own unique style.

 

[DWBass]

Nik West?
Interesting choice.

Seriously? She's nowhere on the level of player Prince would require for his band. Tal? Does she even play Funk?

 

[SpankBazz]

Seriously? She's nowhere on the level of player Prince would require for his band. Tal? Does she even play Funk?

I said "interesting choice" to be nice.
Nik is more image than skills, IMO.
I'll leave it at that.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I said "interesting choice" to be nice.
Nik is more image than skills, IMO.
I'll leave it at that.

I agree!!!