Willing And Able

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Willing And Able

Diamondsandpearls.jpg
from the album Diamonds And Pearls
Willingandable single.png
single art for Willing And Able
Song details
Performer: Prince and the New Power Generation
First Released: 1 October 1991 - Diamonds And Pearls album
Album(s): Diamonds And Pearls
Writer(s): Prince, Levi Seacer, Jr., Tony M.
Producer(s): Prince and the New Power Generation
Live Appearances
First and last live appearance:
Performed regularly on tour:
Performed occasionally in shows:

Willing And Able is the sixth track on Prince's 13th album Diamonds And Pearls, the first album to be credited to Prince and the New Power Generation, and, eight months after the album's release, Willing And Able was released to radio as a promotional single in the USA.

While specific recording dates are not known, initial tracking took place in August/September 1990 at Warner Pioneer Studio, Tokyo, Japan, during the same sessions that produced Strollin', Money Don't Matter 2 Night, 5 Women and Something Funky (This House Comes). The song evolved from a jam session, in which Michael B. began playing a drum pattern from an unknown song by British band Rockpile. Levi Seacer, Jr. added a bass line, and Prince began to add guitar chords. Additional recording took place in December 1990 at Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA. It was included as the fifth track on a December 1990, configuration of Diamonds And Pearls, and was included as the sixth track on a 1 March 1991, configuration of the album. The drum intro for the track was also used as the musical background for the track Joyful Sound, and when that track was added to a Spring 1991 configuration of the album, the intro was removed from Willing And Able, which was included as the seventh track. The edited version was included as the sixth track on the 8 May 1991, configuration, where it remained for release. The track was re-recorded for the Willing And Able promo video, most likely in early 1992 at Paisley Park Studios.


Recording Information
Recording Sessions
Date Studio Additional info
Late August - early September 1990 Warner Pioneer Studio, Tokyo, Japan Initial tracking
December 1990 Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA Additional recording
Early 1992 Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA Re-recording for promo video
Recording Personnel
  • Prince - all vocals and instruments, except where noted (liner notes state "insatiable")
  • Michael B. - drums
  • Levi Seacer, Jr. - bass guitar (credited for "rhythm guitar and backing vox")
  • Tommy Barbarella - keyboards (liner notes state "Purpleaxxe™ sampler, other various keys and sex symbol")
  • Rosie Gaines - background vocals and keyboards (liner notes state "co-lead backing vox, Purpleaxxe™ sampler and organ")
  • Tony M. - rap (credited for "lead raps and backing vox")
  • Kirk Johnson - percussion (credited for "backing vox and percussion")
  • Damon Dickson - percussion (credited for "backing vox and percussion")
  • Fred Steele - background vocals
  • JD Steele - background vocals
  • Jearlyn Steele - background vocals
  • Jevetta Steele - background vocals
  • Janice Steele - background vocals

Versions
Released Versions
Title Length Released Version Additional info
Willing And Able 4:59 Diamonds And Pearls album
Willing And Able promo
Studio
Willing And Able (Edit) 4:15 Willing And Able promo Edit
Willing And Able (Edit) 4:15 NPG Ahdio Show # 9 mp3 (not available as a separate track) Studio Alternate version with slightly different ending
Video Versions
Title Length Released Version Additional info
Willing And Able ?:?? Diamonds And Pearls Video Collection VHS/DVD Promo video Re-recording; see Willing And Able video for details
Sampled, Referred to, Quoted in...
Title Length Released Version Additional info
Joyful Sound Studio Recorded late 1990; contains drum intro from earlier version of Willing And Able
Unreleased Versions
Title Version Additional Info
Willing And Able Studio Longer version with 30-second drum intro by Michael B., and background vocals by Prince instead of The Steeles
 
Additional Information

See also Trivia


References
Wild And Loose   < < < All Songs Unreleased Songs > > >   Wintersong