Diamonds and Pearls

This article is about the album. For other uses, see Diamond and Pearl (disambiguation).

Diamonds and Pearls
International cover
Studio album by
Prince and the New Power Generation
ReleasedOctober 1, 1991
RecordedJuly 1990 – May 1991
Studio
Genre
Length65:45
424:02 (Super Deluxe Edition)
LabelPaisley Park, Warner Bros.
ProducerPrince
Prince chronology
Graffiti Bridge
(1990) 		Diamonds and Pearls
(1991) 		Love Symbol
(1992)
US release
Singles from Diamonds and Pearls
  1. "Gett Off"
    Released: June 7, 1991
  2. "Cream"
    Released: September 9, 1991
  3. "Insatiable"
    Released: November 4, 1991
  4. "Diamonds and Pearls"
    Released: November 25, 1991
  5. "Money Don't Matter 2 Night"
    Released: March 3, 1992
  6. "Thunder"
    Released: June 15, 1992 (UK only)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
Blender[5]
Calgary HeraldB[6]
Christgau's Consumer Guide(2-star Honorable Mention)(2-star Honorable Mention)[7]
Entertainment WeeklyC[8]
Tom HullB+[9]
MusicHound Rock3.5/5[10]
NME6/10[11]
Pitchfork8.3/10 (2016)[12]
7.8/10 (2023)[13]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[14]

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]

  1. ^ Massey, Sylvia (February 1, 2010). "Gear Stories With Sylvia Massy—Prince and the Gemini II". MIX. Future plc. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Prince & the New Power Generation: Diamonds and Pearls > Review" at AllMusic. Retrieved September 15, 2011.
  3. ^ Williams. Stereo (April 29, 2016). "Let Love Decide: Prince's 'Diamonds and Pearls'". Spin. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ Blender review Archived August 24, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ Wagamese, Richard (October 6, 1991). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald.
  7. ^ Christgau, Robert. "Prince [extended]". robertchristgau.com. Retrieved September 15, 2011.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ Hull, Tom (n.d.). "Rock (1970s)". tomhull.com. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ Martin, Gavin (October 5, 1991). "Long Play". NME. p. 36. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  12. ^ Weiss, Jeff (April 30, 2016). "Prince/The New Power Generation: Diamonds and Pearls". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  13. ^ Juzwiak, Rich (October 30, 2023). "Prince / The New Power Generation: Diamonds and Pearls (Super Deluxe Edition) Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  14. ^ "Prince: Album Guide". rollingstone.com. Archived from the original on March 20, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  15. ^ Williams, Jennifer (January 27, 1992). "CBS GETS HIGH MARKS FOR ITS SUPER BOWL COVERAGE". Daily Press.