Publication: Orange County Register [US]
Date: April 17, 1993
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Title: "Riding Prince's Paisley Train"
Written By: Mark Brown

It's a mind as spiritual as "God," as lewd as "Feel U Up. "

As compelling as "Purple Rain," as trite as "Under the Cherry Moon. "

As minimalist as "Kiss," as overblown as "Batdance. "

And here's poor Levi Seacer Jr. left trying to explain the mind of his boss, Prince.

Why? Because Prince said so.

Prince doesn't do interviews. But with lagging U.S. sales and a "mysterious" low profile that has lasted so long that the media is starting to get bored, Prince now allows his associates to talk about him. That was grounds for firing not long ago; now it's a job requirement, but talk is limited solely to music.

Which leaves bassist/guitarist/vocalist Seacer on the telephone from Florida, trying to explain Prince's often quirky, sometimes brilliant musical and career moves.

" Prince has always been Prince. He's never wanted to do interviews, so he just never does them," Seacer said. "It's a choice he makes. "

Despite his well-publicized flops _ particularly the movies "Under the Cherry Moon" and "Graffiti Bridge" _ Prince claimed a few years ago that he could write monster hits any time he wanted.

Some of his unreleased material that has leaked out _ the funk-steeped "Black Album," the Miles Davis collaboration on "Crucial" _ backs up that contention.

"The thing the public has to understand is he's done the big thing, the 'Purple Rain' thing. He's seen those big sales and been on top of the world," Seacer said. "But an artist has to be able to grow, feel like they're moving forward. You have to let the artist keep going or they'll die. Somebody's got to keep pushing; if we don't, everything will be safe all the time and we won't discover anything.

"It's a ride, and you have to take it. You have to stay on the train, ride it out, see where it goes. They can get off, but if they don't stay on the train, they'll miss the next stop. "

Nearly anyone who works with him is talented enough to have a thriving solo or session career; witness Sheila E., Morris Day and others. But being part of the New Power Generation means conforming to whatever whims Prince has. Turnover is high. "I decided I would stay longer because I like learning from him.

I'm content with that spot," said Seacer, who has worked with Prince since 1987.

That spot is based for the most part at Prince's thriving Paisley Park Studios outside Minneapolis. Most of Prince's work goes on tape while the rest of the world sleeps. Thus the NPG is on call 24 hours a day _ no weekends, no vacations.

"We call it the Funky Fire Department," Seacer said. "When inspiration hits you, that's when you record. You don't say 'Let's go in from 8 to 5 today and see what happens. ' "

Prince
Where: Universal Amphitheatre, 100 Universal Drive, Universal City
When: 8:15 tonight
Ticket availability: Sold out