Willing And Able

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Willing And Able

Diamondsandpearls.jpg
from the album Diamonds And Pearls

left
from the album
Diamonds And Pearls (Super) Deluxe Edition
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
Diamonds And Pearls Deluxe Edition and Super Deluxe Edition
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.

Basic tracking took place on 4 September 1990 at Warner Pioneer Studios, Tokyo, Japan (on the same day as Strollin’, 5 Women, Money Don’t Matter 2 Night and the instrumental Darkside, that would evolve into Blood On The Sheets). The song evolved from a jam session, in which Michael B. began playing a drum pattern from an not well-known song by British band Rockpile. Levi Seacer, Jr. added a bass line, and Prince began to add guitar chords. Additional recording took place after the Nude Tour in September and later in December 1990 at Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota.

The song 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 now included as the seventh track. The edited version was also included as the sixth track on the 8 May 1991, configuration, where it remained for release.

The live in the studio take was re-recorded for the Willing And Able promo video, at Paisley Park Studios in Mid January 1992. This version was included as the fourtenth track of Singles Mixes & Edits Remastered, one of the discs included with the Diamonds And Pearls Deluxe and Super Deluxe Editions released in October 2023.


Recording Information
Recording Sessions
Date Studio Additional info
4 September 1990 Warner Pioneer Studios,
Tokyo, Japan
Tracking
18 September 1990 Paisley Park Studios,
Chanhassen, MN, USA
Additional recording
December 1990 Paisley Park Studios,
Chanhassen, MN, USA
Additional recording
Mid January 1992 Paisley Park Studios- Studio C,
Chanhassen, MN, USA
Live Studio re-recording for promo video
Recording Personnel
  • Prince - all vocals and instruments, except where noted (listed in liner notes as ‘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 4:59 Diamonds And Pearls (Super) Deluxe Edition Studio Remastered
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
Willing And Able (Edit) 4:15 Diamonds And Pearls (Super) Deluxe Edition Studio Remastered 2023
Willing And Able (Video Version) 5:09 Diamonds And Pearls Super Deluxe Edition Studio Remastered 2023
Willing And Able (Live At Glam Slam 1992) 5:40 Diamonds And Pearls Super Deluxe Edition Live 11 January 1992, Glam Slam, Minneapolis, MN, USA
Video Versions
Title Length Released Version Additional info
Willing And Able 5:09 Diamonds And Pearls Video Collection VHS/DVD

Diamonds And Pearls Super Deluxe Edition blu-ray

Promo video Re-recording; see Willing And Able video for details
Willing And Able (Live At Glam Slam 1992) 5:40 Diamonds And Pearls Super Deluxe Edition blu-ray Live 11 January 1992, Glam Slam, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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 Tonight   < < < All Songs Unreleased Songs > > >   Wintersong