U KNOW vs. 1984 - Live

Song:  U KNOW
Album:  Art Official Age
Year:  2014

The teaser on Spin.com reads thusly:

It’s Labor Day, and Prince knows the importance of letting loose. That’s why the rock legend’s new single, “U Know,” taken from his upcoming album Art Official Age (September 30) is a perfectly playful robotic trip through his Purple world with a little help from 3RDEYEGIRL. It’s smooth and sexy in all the right places, with the musician’s vocals transformed into a steady digi-drawl for the verses, before picking up steam and soul for those billowing choruses. It’s the kind of futuristic R&B that Prince prodigy Janelle Monáe has been letting loose for the past few years. 

They got one thing right(ish), it IS (one day after) Labor Day!  Coincidence or divine providence?  I'm going with coincidence given that this track is not all that strong and the Spin write-up not all that accurate.  The voice is auto-tuned, not "robotic".  The song never really picks up steam.  The "help" from 3RDEYEGIRL is little more than "uh-huhs" and "yeahs"  And referring to Janelle Monae as a Prince prodigy, though technically correct, is a bit insulting in this context if you are making the argument that Prince is following in HER footsteps on this one and not vice versa.

For all that it's not an especially BAD track, it's just not an especially memorable one.  I think the auto-tune is killing it for me.  It's an over-used trope and not at all needed from an accomplished vocalist such as Prince.  I don't dig the couple instances of back-masking . . . Prince did enough of this in the 80s and should have laid it to rest by now.  And there are no outstanding flourishes or memorable moments.  It just sits there and exists.

Verdict:  3/5 stars

Would I sing it at karaoke?  No.  Too boring.

Song:  1984 - Live
Album:  David Live
Year:  1974

A capable rendition of a song that may be considered a minor hit in the Bowie catalog.  The live performance doesn't stray far from the studio version though the starting (clarinet?  oboe?) lends it an eerie touch.  I've always liked the wah-wah guitar work that makes this one start off as if it's going to be a disco number and maybe that's what keeps it oddly relevant; it's a 45 year old song that still breaks the mold of other "classic rock" hits with which it might be bundled in an afternoon rock block.  I've always liked this one and still do.

I should note that the video above is from the Dick Cavett Show and not from the David Live album, though both were recorded in 1974.

Verdict:  4/5 stars

Would I sing it at karaoke?  Yes!!!

Winner:  1984 - Live

Running Score:  Bowie 24, Prince 16