----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael Bennett" <mrhonorama@hotmail.com>
> Now, I'm slowly acquring Prince's classic stuff on CD, so maybe hearing
> PARADE again might bring my assessment closer to yours.

I'm betting it will.  This album has held up remarkably well, and indeed
Prince will often close his shows with "Sometimes It Snows In April," which
I'm betting is a way better song than you remember.  I have come to consider
this one of his best (and better than ATWIAD, which today reads a little
like a novelty, whereas the other sounds timeless.  Although "Around the
World in a Day" and "Christopher Tracy's Parade" are basically the same
song.)