The Prince of funk charms KeyArena

http://www.tribnet.com/ne...9424c.html
ERNEST A. JASMIN; The News Tribune

His name is Prince. And he is definitely funky.

And judging by the recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee's dynamic in-the-round performance Monday night at KeyArena in Seattle, many an aspiring pop star could learn a thing or two from his "Musicology" course.


There is nary a performer who can touch Prince's charisma and style. And even at 46 (but still looking 26), the royal rocker still exhibited the fancy footwork of James Brown in his prime.


That most predictable of greatest hits tour traditions heralded the Purple One's entrance - namely a short retrospective film, which included clips from a permed '70s performance on "American Bandstand," "Purple Rain," the movie that made him a household name, and part of R&B star Alicia Keys' speech as she induced Prince into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame earlier this year.


The crowd let loose with the first of many waves of eardrum-bursting approval as the royal rocker rose from the catwalks that crisscrossed the stage through copious amounts of faux fog. He and his seven-piece New Power Generation - all dressed in crisp, white suits - kicked things off with "Musicology," the funky title track of the album that all 14,900 in attendance were handed as they walked into the building.


Prince kept up and dancing through most of the early set, moving seamlessly from one hit to another, often turning some of pops most memorable tunes into sprawling, jazzy jams. The band would tease fans with a snippet of "Kiss" or "1999" before launching into another hit; the hook from Beyonce's "Crazy In Love" made an appearance as Prince shook his groove thang during an extended jam of the '80s hit "D.M.S.R." The latter, which also included elements of Sheila E's "Love Bizarre," must have spanned 12 minutes, and it kept ecstatic fans dancing, screaming and clapping their hands throughout.


The early portion of the set also included several "Purple Rain" hits - "Let's Go Crazy," "I Would Die 4 U," "When Doves Cry" and "Baby I'm a Star" - and older staples like "Controversy" and "I Feel 4 U," before Prince ducked under the stage to change clothes.


In his absence, keyboard player Renato Smith launching into a maudlin riff, before saxophonist Maceo Parker (himself a legend) stepped forward for one of the night's nicest surprises - a cover of the late Ray Charles' "Georgia on My Mind."


Prince made his return, perched on a stool, after Renato played a few minutes of "Sometimes It Snows In April." It was time for the acoustic portion of the show, which began with a sing-a-long version of "Little Red Corvette," a hit from Prince's classic double album "1999."


He paused to jokingly chide the crowd near the start of the next number "Alphabet Street."


"You're supposed to sing right there," he said. "You all watch MTV too much. You thought the background was pre-recorded. Nah, you got to sing tonight."


In sing they did, after another explosive burst of applause.


The acoustic portion of the set also included "Cream," "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man," "Raspberry Beret," and "7." The band rejoined Prince for the second verse of the latter. And soon the crowd was up and dancing again for upbeat staples "Pop Life" and "Let's Work."


The royal rocker was still performing as the deadline for this review approached, but on previous tour dates he finished with his signature ballad "Purple Rain."


Few if any tickets remain for tonight's show, which begins at 7:30.

He will out do and over do tonight!

I wish I could have been there tonight.

That's why I just LOVE him! He treats the audience like it's a bunch of guests, sitting in his living room, while he's just strumming the guitar, for kicks. He treats the audience like his friends, like we're "old friends", which, I guess after 26 years, we are.

>>He paused to jokingly chide the crowd near the start of the next number "Alphabet Street."


"You're supposed to sing right there," he said. "You all watch MTV too much. You thought the background was pre-recorded. Nah, you got to sing tonight."

oh baby.
someone asked me how was the prince concert i went to on monday. I said it could be compared to the best sex you have ever had. at the end, you were sweaty, breathless and so completely satisfied that you almost couldn't handle any more. i was the person that had a purple head band on that had purple sparkle balls at the the top. i took my 12 year old son there and he said, mom, i didn't know you were so cool." i bought him one of the prince symbol necklaces and he hasn't taken it off since.
Few if any tickets remain for tonight's show, which begins at 7:30.[/quote]

My brother was at the secon d show on the 31st. It funky. Great moments thru out.

I got some ticket scans from the seecond concert
and some preshow newspaper articles. maybe i will post them up later.