We arrived just before 5pm to find about 10 other members waiting in the NAC lobby. Prince and his band were already rehearsing in the theatre and you could hear various songs resonating throughout - Pearls b4 the swine being one that sticks to my mind. By the time we got let into the theatre (5:30) I would say there were about 25-30 members there. We had the entire 1st row. The first thing Prince said as we got ushered in was "hey, hey, there's too many guys in the front row..." He was right.

Anyway, for the next 60 minutes we got to witness him rehearse several tunes, the highlight for me was watching him teach the band "Don't Know Why" by Norah Jones. I was hoping they might actually perform it that night during the show... He was wearing a Maple Leafs sweater and when he came over to my side of the stage he asked a few questions about Ottawa, mentioning that he had never been there before. "So this is the capital?", he said, I'm like "uh huh". "So I guess I better get this shirt off then huh". When I nodded (enthusiastically), he laughed and went on to ask if it was like "the Bloods and the Crips - Toronto and Ottawa". Needless to say, we didn't see the Leafs jersey again that night... It was good fun. He also gave the mic to someone in the front row to sing a verse of "You've got a friend"... he threatened to do the same during the show... Finally he asked if we had any requests, "Days of Wild" was shouted out he Prince obliged, giving us a long jam filled version of DOW! (Either he ingnored or didn't hear my request for Little Red Corvette It was awesome. The members were probably quieter than most cities but Prince didn't seem to mind, he just played more music.

About an hour later, the show got underway... in typical fashion - the set list being similar to the others.

probably incomplete but...
Rainbow Children
Muse
Xenophobia
Case of U
Mellow
1+1+1 is 3 (brought me and few other people on stage to dance - I'm still speechless...)
Love Rollercoaster
Larry Graham came on stage for Sing a Simple Song
You've got a friend (with guest vocals)
The Ride
Avalanche
Family Name
Take Me With U
Raspberry Beret
Everlasting Now

Finale:
Nothing Compares 2 U
Diamonds and Pearls
Prince and his band (damn cool - he had the lyrics typed out and he lay on the floor while he was rapping them)
Purple Rain

One more note, while I was on the stage I saw Rhonda's set list and it had several songs that never got played - Starfish and Coffee, How Come You Don't Call Me, Anna Stesia etc. So it seems like there is a standard set list (ie: Chicago 03/03/02) that Prince makes slight changes to from night to night.

There WAS an aftershow at Olivers at Carleton University, and when I asked the guitar tech - who by the way is a bit of a wanker - said that Prince would be playing. Unfortunately I couldn't go, but I'm sure we'll be getting some more reports soon...

"clap your hands, for Prince and his band"

how could I forget... during the encore, Prince also did an awesome version of The Beautiful Ones...
[This message was edited Mon Jun 17 6:41:31 PDT 2002 by ThePez]

The Ottawa after show, held at a Carleton University campus pub, was amazing! It had been announced at the end of the NAC concert and a long line had already formed in front of the bar's main entrance when my friends and I got there. We waited for a while and by the time they started letting people in, most of the band's equipment had been set up on a small stage. I couldn't believe it! Prince and his entourage eventually arrived and hung out in an enclosed area by the side of the stage. They all appeared very relaxed and were chatting with each other and having a drink.

When Prince and the band finally hit the stage, they played the following songs: (I am not sure if I got the order right...)

Bambi
Whole Lotta Love
Elephants and Flowers
The Jam
Days of Wild

It was a real jam session, with too many memorable moments to list. Prince seemed to be having the time of his life, displaying the same high level of energy he had earlier at the NAC. He often pointed the mike to the audience and encouraged us to sing 'Ottawa, Ottawa!' The music was extremely loud and funky. John Blackwell was really getting into it, evoking the memory of (a slightly funkier) John Bonham on the Led Zeppelin tune. All band members were there and played on some or all of the tunes. Rhonda Smith played during the first portion, but Larry Graham later went on stage and assumed the bass duties from that point on. He and Prince were very playful together. At one point, they both lied on the floor while playing.

I am still on a high from this performance. Not only was the music remarkable, but I left with a great feeling about my hometown. Ottawa has a reputation for not having much of nightlife... I was really surprised by the turnout, as well as the enthusiasm and appreciation shown by the audience, especially for a Sunday night. Hopefully, we will get to see Prince and the NPG again in the very near future.

‘It ain’t over!’ ‘It ain’t over!’ (an inside joke that everyone in attendance will understand)

Nice review...glad you had a good time!

Thanks for both reviews! Just imagine he would put up one or two aftershow songs for download...man, I'd scream my head off!

Whole Lotta Love...Elephants and Flowers... I gotta hear this!

calldapplwondery83 said:

Yeah, ur right man...

"real music, by real musicians".

An all nighter 4 Me...worked that nect day and servived everything.Thanks 2 Hom it may concern.

Even Met Larry G. & Wife on the streets of Ottawa near Readaux Mall the next day coming back from work.

Thank.

"WhereverUR!"
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