Publication: Hartford Courant [US]
Date: February 5, 1998
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Title: "The Artist's 'Crystal Ball' Hard To Get But Easy To Enjoy"
Reviewed By: Staff

Perhaps the hype that usually accompanies major new releases from major artists has been absent thus far in the case of Crystal Ball, the new collection from The Artist formerly known as Prince. Maybe it's because, after a long trend of flagging commercial appeal, he has at last lost his place in the public consciousness. Or maybe it is simply because the odds of running across Crystal Ball right now are roughly the same as those of winning the lottery.

Although a recently announced retail deal should lead to mass distribution next month, the new work is only available from The Artist (at www.1800newfunk.com on the Internet or over the phone at 800-639-3865) for $50 plus shipping.

Crystal Ball is a three cd, 30 -track set of 1983-1997 outtakes, though it includes a few previously issued tracks and remixes. Included as a bonus is a mostly acoustic fourth cd, The Truth, and, for direct orders, a fifth cd, the ballet Kamasutra, composed for his wife. The sheer volume of music might be overwhelming listen to casual fans, but the presence of old Prince standard types ensures familiar ground for all.

By no means are the old forms tired yet, as seen in the smooth pop funk of "Last Heart" and the lustrous yearning of "Crucial." Among the 10-minute-plus tracks on each disc, the best is a live version of the hard-kicking "Days Of Wild." "Hide The Bone" is a fine studio version of a concert highlight.

Variety is ever present; the straight-on "Interactive" will please new fans even as the title track satisfies those who wish the Artist would get back to the sorts of quirky things he used to specialize in.

The Truth tantalizes as a look at The Artist stripped down to his music essentials, and it often delivers in unadorned riffs that serve as a reminder of his unique voice as an instrumentalist, though there seems some noodling.

Often revelatory and always slick, Crystal Ball is a must-have for longtime Prince fans who didn't get enough the first time around. Others will find colorful moments, but be advised that the deep end is a tough swim.