1991 studio album by Prince and the New Power Generation
Diamonds and Pearls is the thirteenth studio album by American recording artist Prince , and the first with his backing band The New Power Generation . It was released on October 1, 1991, by Paisley Park Records and Warner Bros. Records . The album produced several hit singles, including "Gett Off ", "Cream ", "Money Don't Matter 2 Night ", "Insatiable ", and the title track . Dancers Lori Werner (then dancing under the stage name of Lori Elle) and Robia LaMorte , known as "Diamond" and "Pearl" respectively, appeared on the holographic cover (re-pressings of the album are non holographic). Diamond and Pearl also appeared in the music videos for "Cream", "Strollin'", "Gett Off", and the title track, and also participated in Prince's Diamonds and Pearls Tour .
Diamonds and Pearls contains a hybrid of music styles, from the funk of "Daddy Pop", "Jughead", and first single "Gett Off", to some of the more mainstream pop /rock songs Prince had recorded in some time, such as "Cream", "Money Don't Matter 2 Night" and the title song. "Willing and Able" was used in a video montage during the closing credits of CBS ' coverage of Super Bowl XXVI .[ 15]
Diamonds and Pearls was released in the United States on October 1, 1991, and two days later internationally. It peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 , number two on the UK Albums Chart , and number one on the Billboard Top R&B Albums and the ARIA Albums Chart in Australia. It also peaked top 10 across several charts in Europe and New Zealand. The album gathered two top 5 singles, the title track , which peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the final number-one single on the Hot 100 of his career with "Cream ". Along with that, "Gett Off " and "Money Don't Matter 2 Night " both hit the top 40 on the Hot 100, peaking at 21 and 23, respectively.[ 17]
On August 24, 2023, it was announced that Diamonds and Pearls would be reissued in remastered, deluxe and super deluxe versions that were released on October 27, 2023. The super deluxe version contains a 2023 remaster of the album, 15 remastered versions of all the singles mixes and edits, 33 previously unreleased studio recordings from the vault, an unreleased live concert album of the official dress rehearsal of the Diamonds and Pearls Tour recorded at Glam Slam on January 11, 1992, a Blu-ray release of the dress rehearsal at Glam Slam on January 11, 1992, as well as footage from Special Olympics Concert recorded on July 20, 1991, and the soundcheck that took place the day before, and a completely restored version of the Diamonds and Pearls Video Collection . A limited edition 7" vinyl of all the singles from Diamonds and Pearls including the new single "Alice Through The Looking Glass" were released as well.[ 18]
Remastered, deluxe and super deluxe editions[ edit ]
All songs written by Prince and The New Power Generation , except where noted.
Disc 2 / LP3&4: Singles & Mixes Remastered track listing Title 1. "Gett Off (Damn Near 10 Minutes)" 9:36 2. "Gett Off (Houstyle)" 8:24 3. "Violet the Organ Grinder" 5:05 4. "Gangster Glam" 6:04 5. "Horny Pony" 4:19 6. "Cream" (NPG mix) 5:46 7. "Things Have Gotta Change" (Tony M. rap) 3:58 8. "Do Your Dance " (K.C. remix) 6:00 9. "Insatiable" (edit) 4:03 10. "Diamonds and Pearls" (edit) 4:21 11. "Money Don't Matter 2 Night" (edit) 4:14 12. "Call the Law" 4:19 13. "Willing and Able" (edit) 4:17 14. "Willing and Able" (video version) 5:09 15. "Thunder" (DJ fade) 3:20 Total length: 78:55
Disc 3 / LP5&6: Vault Tracks I track listing Title 1. "Schoolyard" 7:10 2. "My Tender Heart" 5:06 3. "Pain" 5:57 4. "Streetwalker" 4:48 5. "Lauriann" 4:15 6. "Darkside" 5:35 7. "Insatiable" (early mix – full version) 8:01 8. "Glam Slam '91" 6:16 9. "Live 4 Love" (early version) 7:32 10. "Cream" (Take 2) 4:50 11. "Skip to My You My Darling" 3:57 12. "Diamonds and Pearls" (long version) 5:32 Total length: 68:59
Disc 4 / LP7&8 (Side 1): Vault Tracks II track listing Title 1. "Daddy Pop" (long version) 6:07 2. "Martika's Kitchen " 4:21 3. "Spirit" 4:32 4. "Open Book" 4:59 5. "Work That Fat" 4:35 6. "Horny Pony" (Version 2) 4:21 7. "Something Funky (This House Comes)" (band version) 7:04 8. "Hold Me" 4:36 9. "Blood on the Sheets" 5:46 10. "The Last Dance (Bang Pow Zoom and the Whole Nine)" 5:36 11. "Don't Say U Love Me" 4:21 Total length: 56:18
Disc 5 / LP8&9 (Side 2): Vault Tracks III track listing Title 1. "Get Blue" 4:43 2. "Tip o' My Tongue" 4:08 3. "The Voice" 4:42 4. "Trouble" 5:36 5. "Alice Through the Looking Glass" 4:18 6. "Standing at the Altar" 4:48 7. "Hey U" 6:10 8. "Letter 4 Miles" 4:36 9. "I Pledge Allegiance to Your Love" 4:41 10. "The Thunder Ballet" 10:56 Total length: 54:38
Disc 6 / LP10&11 (Side 1): Live at Glam Slam 1992 I track listing Title 1. "Thunder" 4:18 2. "Daddy Pop" 6:23 3. "Diamonds and Pearls" 5:31 4. "Willing and Able" 4:12 5. "Jughead" 6:52 6. "The Sacrifice of Victor" 10:05 7. "Nothing Compares 2 U " 4:50 8. "Thieves in the Temple " 7:01 9. "Sexy M.F. " 5:45 Total length: 54:57
Disc 7 / LP11&12 (Side 2): Live at Glam Slam 1992 II track listing Title 1. "Insatiable" 7:42 2. "Cream / Well Done / I Want U / In the Socket" 13:58 3. "1999 / Baby I'm a Star / Push" 9:12 4. "Gett Off" 6:11 5. "Gett Off (Houstyle)" 8:05 Total length: 45:08
Blu-ray: Live at Glam Slam 1992 / Special Olympics at Minneapolis Metrodome 1991 / Diamonds and Pearls Video Collection track listing Title 1. "Thunder" (Live at Glam Slam January 11, 1992) 2. "Daddy Pop" (Live at Glam Slam January 11, 1992) 3. "Diamonds and Pearls" (Live at Glam Slam January 11, 1992) 4. "Willing and Able" (Live at Glam Slam January 11, 1992) 5. "Jughead" (Live at Glam Slam January 11, 1992) 6. "The Sacrifice of Victor" (Live at Glam Slam January 11, 1992) 7. "Nothing Compares 2 U" (Live at Glam Slam January 11, 1992) 8. "Thieves in the Temple" (Live at Glam Slam January 11, 1992) 9. "Sexy M.F." (Live at Glam Slam January 11, 1992) 10. "Insatiable" (Live at Glam Slam January 11, 1992) 11. "Cream / Well Done / I Want U / In the Socket" (Live at Glam Slam January 11, 1992) 12. "1999 / Baby I'm a Star / Push" (Live at Glam Slam January 11, 1992) 13. "Gett Off" (Live at Glam Slam January 11, 1992) 14. "Gett Off (Houstyle)" (Live at Glam Slam January 11, 1992) 15. "Let's Go Crazy / Baby I'm a Star / Push" (Special Olympics Soundcheck July 19, 1991) 16. "Diamonds and Pearls" (Special Olympics July 20, 1991) 17. "Let's Go Crazy / Baby I'm a Star / Push" (Special Olympics July 20, 1991) 18. "Introduction" (Diamonds and Pearls Video Collection) 19. "Thunder" (Live) (Diamonds and Pearls Video Collection) 20. "Gett Off" (Diamonds and Pearls Video Collection) 21. "Cream" (Diamonds and Pearls Video Collection) 22. "Diamonds and Pearls" (Diamonds and Pearls Video Collection) 23. "Dr. Feelgood" (Live) (Diamonds and Pearls Video Collection) 24. "Call the Law" (Diamonds and Pearls Video Collection) 25. "Willing and Able" (Diamonds and Pearls Video Collection) 26. "Jughead" (Live) (Diamonds and Pearls Video Collection) 27. "Insatiable" (Diamonds and Pearls Video Collection) 28. "Strollin'" (Diamonds and Pearls Video Collection) 29. "Money Don't Matter 2 Night" (Diamonds and Pearls Video Collection) 30. "Live 4 Love" (Live) (Diamonds and Pearls Video Collection)
Prince – lead and backing vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, Roland D-50 , E-mu Emax , Korg M1 , Korg T3, bass guitar, drums, Roland R-8 , Linn LM-1 , finger cymbals
Rosie Gaines – co-lead vocals (3, 7, 8, 11), backing vocals (2, 4, 6–9), Hammond organ (2, 4, 6), Korg T3 and Roland D-50 (9)
Tommy Barbarella – synthesizers (2–4, 6–8)
Levi Seacer, Jr. – bass guitar (2, 5, 6, 8–10), electric rhythm guitar (4, 7), backing vocals (7)
Sonny T. – bass guitar (3, 4, 7, 13)
Michael B. – drums (2–8, 10, 13)
Sheila E. – synth drum fills (3)
Damon Dickson – percussion (6, 7, 9), backing vocals (7)
Kirk Johnson – percussion (6, 7, 9), backing vocals (7)
Eric Leeds – flute (7)
Tony M. – rap (2, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13)
Elisa Fiorillo – additional vocals (2, 8)
Clare Fischer – sampled orchestration (11)
Arranged and produced by Prince and The New Power Generation[ 19]
Engineered by Keith "KC" Cohen, David Friedlander, Michael Koppelman, Matt Larson, Sylvia Massy , Steve Noonan, Tim Penn and Brian Poer
Mixed by Michael Koppelman, Keith Cohen and Tom Garneau
Mastered by Michael Koppelman
Atmos mixing by Chris James
Atmos mastering by Brad Blackwood
Vinyl and CD mastering Bernie Grundman
Singles and Hot 100 chart placings [ edit ]
"Gett Off " maxi-single (#21 US, #6 US R&B, #4 UK, #8 AUS)
"Gett Off"
"Horny Pony"
"Cream " maxi-single (#1 US, #15 UK, #2 AUS)
"Cream"
"Horny Pony"
"Insatiable"
"I Love U in Me"
"Diamonds and Pearls"
"Q in Doubt"
"Money Don't Matter 2 Night"
"Call the Law"
"Push" (UK)
"Thunder"
"Violet the Organ Grinder"
"Gett Off" (Thrust Dub)
Certifications and sales [ edit ]
^ Massey, Sylvia (February 1, 2010). "Gear Stories With Sylvia Massy—Prince and the Gemini II" . MIX . Future plc. Retrieved March 4, 2022 .
^ a b c Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Prince & the New Power Generation: Diamonds and Pearls > Review" at AllMusic . Retrieved September 15, 2011.
^ Williams. Stereo (April 29, 2016). "Let Love Decide: Prince's 'Diamonds and Pearls' " . Spin . Retrieved June 6, 2016 .
^ Watrous, Peter (January 1, 1992). "The Pop Life; Top 12's, or So" . The New York Times . ISSN 0362-4331 . OCLC 1645522 . Retrieved September 15, 2011 .
^ Blender review Archived August 24, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
^ Wagamese, Richard (October 6, 1991). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald .
^ Christgau, Robert . "Prince [extended]" . robertchristgau.com. Retrieved September 15, 2011 .
^ Browne, David (October 4, 1991). "Diamonds and Pearls : Prince" . Entertainment Weekly . No. #86. Time. ISSN 1049-0434 . Archived from the original on October 5, 2012. Retrieved September 15, 2011 .
^ Hull, Tom (n.d.). "Rock (1970s)" . tomhull.com . Retrieved July 1, 2020 .
^ Graff, Gary; Durchholz, Daniel, eds. (1999). MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide (2nd ed.). Farmington Hills, MI: Visible Ink Press. p. 897 . ISBN 1-57859-061-2 .
^ Martin, Gavin (October 5, 1991). "Long Play" . NME . p. 36. Retrieved May 2, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Jeff (April 30, 2016). "Prince/The New Power Generation: Diamonds and Pearls " . Pitchfork . Retrieved January 21, 2020 .
^ Juzwiak, Rich (October 30, 2023). "Prince / The New Power Generation: Diamonds and Pearls (Super Deluxe Edition) Album Review" . Pitchfork . Retrieved October 30, 2023 .
^ "Prince: Album Guide" . rollingstone.com . Archived from the original on March 20, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2016 .
^ Williams, Jennifer (January 27, 1992). "CBS GETS HIGH MARKS FOR ITS SUPER BOWL COVERAGE" . Daily Press .
^ "Prince Chart History: Hot 100" . Billboard . Retrieved October 30, 2023 .
^ https://store.prince.com/dept/diamonds-and-pearls?cp=103229_103238 [bare URL ]
^ "Diamonds and Pearls > Credits at AllMusic . Retrieved 15 September 2011.
^ "australian-charts.com Prince and The New Power Generation - Diamonds and Pearls " (ASP) . Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved April 9, 2014 .
^ "austriancharts.at Prince and The New Power Generation - Diamonds and Pearls " (ASP) . Hung Medien (in German). Retrieved April 3, 2014 .
^ "Top Albums/CDs - Volume 54, No. 25" . RPM . November 23, 1991. Archived from the original (PHP) on April 26, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2014 .
^ "dutchcharts.nl Prince and The New Power Generation - Diamonds and Pearls " (ASP) . Hung Medien . MegaCharts . Retrieved April 3, 2014 .
^ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Prince". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 204.
^ "InfoDisc : Tous les Albums classés par Artiste > Choisir Un Artiste Dans la Liste" (in French). infodisc.fr. Archived from the original on March 30, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2014 .
^ "Album Search: Prince and The New Power Generation - Diamonds and Pearls " (in German). Media Control. Retrieved April 3, 2014 .[dead link ]
^ "ダイヤモンズ・アンド・パールズ/プリンス-リリース-ORICON STYLE-ミュージック" [Highest position and charting weeks of Diamonds and Pearls by Prince and The New Power Generation]. oricon.co.jp (in Japanese). Oricon Style . Retrieved April 3, 2014 .
^ "charts.nz Prince and The New Power Generation - Diamonds and Pearls " (ASP) . Hung Medien . Recording Industry Association of New Zealand . Retrieved April 3, 2014 .
^ "norwegiancharts.com Prince and The New Power Generation - Diamonds and Pearls " (ASP) . Retrieved April 9, 2014 .
^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2 .
^ "swedishcharts.com Prince and The New Power Generation - Diamonds and Pearls " (ASP) (in Swedish). Retrieved April 8, 2014 .
^ "Prince and The New Power Generation - Diamonds and Pearls - hitparade.ch" (ASP) . Hung Medien (in German). Swiss Music Charts. Retrieved April 3, 2014 .
^ "Prince > Artists > Official Charts" . UK Albums Chart . Retrieved April 3, 2014 .
^ "Prince Chart History: Billboard 200" . Billboard . Retrieved August 5, 2023 .
^ "Prince Chart History: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums" . Billboard . Retrieved August 5, 2023 .
^ "Austriancharts.at – {{{artist}}} – {{{album}}}" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
^ "Ultratop.be – Prince & the New Power Generation – Diamonds and Pearls" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
^ "Ultratop.be – Prince & the New Power Generation – Diamonds and Pearls" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Prince & the New Power Generation – Diamonds and Pearls" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
^ "Offiziellecharts.de – {{{artist}}} – {{{album}}}" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts . Retrieved November 3, 2023.
^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2023. 44. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ . Retrieved November 9, 2023.
^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2023-11-06/p/3" (in Japanese). Oricon . Retrieved November 1, 2023.
^ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of November 1, 2023" . Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved November 1, 2023 .
^ "Portuguesecharts.com – Prince & the New Power Generation – Diamonds and Pearls" . Hung Medien. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100" . Official Charts Company . Retrieved November 4, 2023.
^ "Spanishcharts.com – Prince & the New Power Generation – Diamonds and Pearls" . Hung Medien. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
^ "RPM 100 Albums (CDs & Cassettes) of 1991" . RPM . December 21, 1991. Archived from the original on April 8, 2014. Retrieved December 6, 2010 .
^ "Dutch charts jaaroverzichten 1991" (in Dutch). Archived from the original (ASP) on August 24, 2014. Retrieved April 2, 2014 .
^ "Les Albums (CD) de 1991 par InfoDisc" (in French). infodisc.fr. Archived from the original (PHP) on October 23, 2014. Retrieved April 2, 2014 .
^ a b "Complete UK Year-End Album Charts" . Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved September 16, 2013 .
^ "Austriancharts.at - Jahreshitparade 1992" (in German). Hung Medien. Archived from the original (ASP) on August 4, 2015. Retrieved April 2, 2014 .
^ "Hitparade.ch - Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1992" . Hung Medien. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved April 2, 2014 .
^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums" . billboard.biz. Archived from the original on December 8, 2012. Retrieved April 5, 2013 .
^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1996 Albums" (PDF) . Australian Recording Industry Association .
^ "Austrian album certifications – Prince – Diamonds & Pearls" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved February 2, 2012 .
^ "Canadian album certifications – Prince – Diamonds and Pearls" . Music Canada . Retrieved February 2, 2012 .
^ "France: Around the French Companies" (PDF) . Billboard . Vol. 105, no. 21. May 22, 1993. p. F-4. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2023 .
^ "French album certifications – Prince & the New Power Generation – Diamonds and Pearls" (in French). InfoDisc. Select PRINCE & THE NEW POWER GENERATION and click OK.
^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Prince; ' Diamonds and Pearls' )" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie . Retrieved February 2, 2014 .
^ "Dutch album certifications – Prince – Diamonds and Pearls" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers . Retrieved February 2, 2011 . Enter Diamonds and Pearls in the "Artiest of titel" box.
^ "New Zealand album certifications – Prince and the New Power Generation – Diamonds and Pearls" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved December 11, 2019 .
^ Solo Exitos 1959–2002 Ano A Ano: Certificados 1991–1995 . Solo Exitos 1959–2002 Ano A Ano. 2005. ISBN 8480486392 .
^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden . Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2011. Retrieved September 8, 2018 .
^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (' Diamonds and Pearls' )" . IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 2, 2012 .
^ "British album certifications – Prince & the New Power Generation – Diamonds and Pearls" . British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved April 4, 2014 .
^ "American album certifications – Prince – Diamonds and Pearls" . Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved February 2, 2012 .
^ Souza Filho, Otávio (December 20, 1992). "Prince: muito discos, poucas vendas" . O Dia (in Portuguese): 7. Retrieved August 10, 2023 .
Studio albums Posthumous albums Demo albums Live albums Remix albums Compilation albums The NPG albums The NPG Orchestra albums Mixtapes Unreleased albums