I have to say that the fact Prince was credited with all the instruments was the big draw when I first read about him. I don't know why, but the notion always struck me as really cool.
In fact, that was what drew me to Harry Nilsson, who was heavily involved with his first album production and arranging, singing all the parts (as I understand it), writing most of the material (of course) and pushing the limits of bouncing. I'd done my first overdub project a few years earlier when I was in junior high and I was fascinated by the idea of one person layering up a bunch of vocals. Since I couldn't sing a lick [at the time and some would say, ever
] that seemed especially exotic.