The Max vs. Pablo Picasso

Song:  The Max
Album:  The Love Symbol Album
Year:  1992

I've mentioned before in this blog that the 90s, and especially the early 90s, were a period in which I became enamored of goth and industrial music; simultaneously shunning most mainstream music.  Still, I recall purchasing this cassette and playing it frequently enough that I remember most of  the tracks to this day.  Back then I thought that Prince's foray into incorporating rap into his songs was both a bit too commercial and not all that interesting and this track is no exception.  It's a nice funky groove that starts strong and continues to jam without really breaking new ground or developing as a song.  The lyrics are a jumble of thoughts about how Prince never quits.  OK.  The added rap lyrics don't add much either stylistically or contextually.  Still, it's a nice danceable number that may not draw me to the dance floor but wouldn't drive me off of it either.

As a side note, the Wikipedia entry on Tony M is pretty interesting.  Evidently his rapping was initially incorporated into Prince's live shows to up Prince's street cred.  Things went downhill from there.  Click the link above for more.

Verdict:  3/5

Would I sing it at karaoke?  If it was a dance-heavy night, sure.

Song:  Pablo Picasso
Album:  Reality
Year:  2003

I first heard the song Pablo Picasso as the Burning Sensations' version in the film Repo Man.  It was only many years later that I discovered it was originally penned and performed by Jonathan Richman.

I could also swear I've heard a Iggy Pop version of this on an album somewhere, but Spotify disagrees.  I did, however, find this nice video that sounds exactly how I'd expect an Iggy Pop version to sound:

My point is that I have a fairly long history of hearing this song in various forms (including some wicked awesome Jonathan Richman live performances) and yet have not heard this David Bowie cover until just now.  I like it!  It's different enough to make me pay attention to a song I thought I already knew, including a smattering of phased Spanish guitar at the opening and later leading into the final minute of the song.  Bowie's delivery deviates enough from that of Jonathan Richman (a deadpan wink and a nod), Burning Sensations (bored) and Iggy Pop (obey) to make this a fine addition to this song's history.

Verdict:  4/5 stars

Would I sing it at karaoke?  The song, yes.  Perhaps not this version . . . Jonathan's remains the best

Winner:  Pablo Picasso

Running Score:  Bowie 17, Prince 8