REPORT: Tamar and Prince in NYC

It's 2:30 am. just got back. here are my thoughts in no particular order:

* First, she pronounces her name "Tay--marr". I thought it was more like Ta-MARR like Lemar.

* I got there at 11 and the line was pretty long but I heard it was around the block earlier.

* wasn't as packed as one would've thought inside. lots of room upfront so I mosied on up to the front stage right so I could get a good view of hte keyboards. maybe lik 8 rows if there were seats.

* played so so music while we were waiting until they started playing Kiss Extended Mix (YAY!), Get It UP, Love Bizarre etc. THen some other stuff.

* THey took the stage a little afer midnight.

* Prince was wearing some kind of peach and black suit and a head wrap like he used to wear in the Typhoon hair-do days.

* I don't remember the first few songs they did. I think they are gonna be on Tamar's new album (btw they played what sounded like a duet over the PA with Prince and Tamar right before tehy came out).

* The first couple songs had Tamar rapping in between which was annoying.

* She sang a song called "Milk & Honey" which was was pretty good. I"m guessing it's influenced by Prince's religious tendencies, since that phrase is used in the Bible a lot. But the song was a love song and pretty good.

* The best song was probably the really souldful song called "Stay". I think it was original. Tamar can really sing.

* they did the covers I heard about from the other shows: Rock Steady, I never Loved A Man, etc.

* MY favorite cover was an old Me'lissa Morgan song called Love Changes. It was great and came across live really well. Tamar was surprised we knew the words. I saw Me'lissa Morgan recently in NY and she was shocked too how we NY'ers knew her stuff.

* Prince and the Twin dancers (who are really hot and sing backup too) did "What Have yu Done for me Lately". It was funky but the hook wasn't right. kinda surprising.

* They came back for either an encore or part 2 and did a rock-type song called Red Headed Step Child. I don't know if it was orignial or Lenny Kravitz cover (it sounded like Lenny).

* A few more songs.

* They called a guy up form the audicence to sing "Play That Funky Music White Boy"> He was really good. Prince was like "we gotta do the 2nd verse too" when he started doing it. It was kinda funny. Good to see Prince having fun.


* Oh yeah earlier they called upa gy and put him in a chiar while Tamar and the twins danced and talked to him. It was very reminiscent of when Sheila would call a planted guy up from the audience during the PR tour and sing "Wipe the lipstick off your collar". But Sheila did it better

* Tamar kept calling the crowd "Nokia!" "C'mon Nokia!" First, I never heard of the Nokia Theatre and I live here. Second, most artists will say "C'mon New York!" or something liik that. It got very tired. it was like Nokia was paying her for evertime she said their name. It's like..... Nokia is not a NY icon. It might have flown if we wre in Radio City or something.

* They came back and did one more encore.

* Prince broke into partyman for a little bit at one point.

* Show was over at 2 am.
[Edited 2/2/06 23:46pm]

Here's my (some of it might be repetitive, since I was evidently writing while GaryMF was.)

So I JUST got back from the Tamar show. I was able to pick up my NPG tix from will call at about 9:30, but had to wait in a line that was about 1/2 block long. We didn't get in the doors until 10:30 and then they made us wait outside the doors to the actual auditorium space until about 11:15.I did see the Black Sweat video playing on the big screen but didn't hear the song itself. Once inside my friend & I snagged a spot just behind the soundboard guys--but we were elevated about 4 feet from the floor area in front of the stage. Music (Pfunk, Joni Mitchell, Prince (Kiss extended version, Dorothy Parker), played for another hour; so the show started around 12:15am. The last song they played before the concert started was Beautiful, Loved & Blessed.

I thought it was so frickin' cool the way the show started...the stage was dark and Prince walked across and we could only see his silhouette--everyone screamed. Then they all came out--Tamar & twins in short pinstripe dresses, Prince was wearing a goldenrod colored suit with a black high collared shirt unbuttons and gold necklace--I think with the . He also had his hair wrapped in a black headband sort of thing (like in the Daddy Pop video.) Honestly, I wasn't feeling his outfit or hair. Mr Hayes on keyboards, Cora on drums, and I can't remember the bassist's name, but I think it was the same guy from the Cali shows.

I don't know all the names of the songs, and I might forget a few, but here's what I remember:

first was Every Little Step I Take (not the New Edition cover--not sure if that's the right title). Then No, No, No and the twins did the chair thing with a guy from the audience: "John the accountant." I am forgetting the songs already... She sang the song from the NAACP Vanguard Jam, Milk & Honey, Red Headed Stepchild (Prince tore up the guitar on that one!!), When a Man Loves a Woman, Rock Steady. I hope someone else can supplement my tracklist... Prince seemed to be in a Great mood, smiling a lot, making little jokes...and plenty of the funk face!! They brought someone onstage to sing Play that Funky Music (White Boy) and the guy started the 2nd verse, P was like, "Oh we're doing the 2nd verse too, I guess.)
There was a costume change at somepoint--the twins into professional football cheerleader-like costumes and Tamar in a red sequin halter-type dress. Prince took off his jacket. They did MJ's Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough, they Prince said, 'You can't have the brother without the sister" and they did Janet's What Have you Done for Me Lately?" He also did Partyman and then started the "It ain't over chant." They all left the stage, but the crowd kept clapping, they came back and did Higher (Sly) and Prince's solo was AMAZING. The audience was motionless and speechless watching him. It seemed to go on for minutes! Very very cool.(I'm pretty sure that was the song. I have a bad memory and am very tired & had some beer. ) They also did Love Rollercoaster and pulled audience members onto the stage. He also thanked NYC for showing love to him and his baby sister Tamar. They left then came back for an encore, Tamar sang a slower song, then Prince jammed some more--he had changed into a goldenrod colored shirt that matched his pants. (I really wish I could remember the order of the songs--I knew I should have written them down! Sorry!) Overall, I think it was pretty similar setlist to the Cali shows, but I think that Tamar & Prince were more into it. (Of course I'm biased.) The show got out about 1:45am.


Also interesting to note was that there was a profession video taper and photographer with a telescopic lens at the soundboard station. At one point during the show the video guy was standing next to me & my friend. Someone asked why he was taping and he said, "For Prince" A DVD release maybe?!?

And he did dance a little bit, so all you speculating about the hip b/c of no dancing in Black Sweat--I wouldn't "sweat" it...he's still got it.

There were SO many people taping the guitar solos with there cell phone cameras...and I even saw people with digital cameras taking pictures with FLASH. I know Prince had to have known it was happening, but he didn't chastize anyone...

I could have done w/out the twins, I felt like they were Diamond & Pearl all over (Yes, I know D & P weren't twins, but you get the general idea.) The crowd was kinda dull I thought, I was totally jamming but a lot people were just standing there like they were watching TV or something. I was like, come on people, Prince isn't gonna JAM if you don't show him some And Tamar kept calling us out, Nokia let me hear you. I was like, New York? Like she had to say that as part of their concert contrac--I mean "agreement." It got annoying, but Prince never said that, he always said NYC or New York.


Of course, I wish he would have played longer, but overall I thought it was COMPLETELY worth $31.21. Another friend and her boyfriend came and he is a Prince fan, but she had never seen him. After the show I could tell she was impressed.

And even though it's only been an hour since I left I can't even wait til SNL and the next chance to see him in concert! I want another concert Saturday after SNL. (I know I'm being greedy but I can't help it--he is such an amazing musician and performer!!)

[Edited 2/3/06 0:13am]

A few more thoughts....

The band..... was TIGHT. It was Morris Hayes on keys and man that guy can play some ORGAN!!!! He was the only keys player and was watching him closely (to try and learn! ) He had 4 keyboards but mainlky played the two facing Tamar as organ and piano.

Cora Coleman I think was her name (no relation to Lisa?) on drums.

"Joshua" no last name on bass.

Prince on guitar. That was it! But it sounded great.

Towards the end, another guy came out on guitar too. Didn't recognize him. Kinda stocky black guy with short dreads or twists.

GaryMF said:

A few more thoughts....

The band..... was TIGHT. It was Morris Hayes on keys and man that guy can play some ORGAN!!!! He was the only keys player and was watching him closely (to try and learn! ) He had 4 keyboards but mainlky played the two facing Tamar as organ and piano.

Cora Coleman I think was her name (no relation to Lisa?) on drums.

"Joshua" no last name on bass.

Prince on guitar. That was it! But it sounded great.

Towards the end, another guy came out on guitar too. Didn't recognize him. Kinda stocky black guy with short dreads or twists.

I was gonna write a full report but there is not too much to add to the above.

- The Walk: At the beginning, the show is just about to start (stage lights still set to the pre-show mood lighting) and Prince just walks across the empty stage from one wing to dissapear in the other... was off the hook.

just his profile (like the Black Sweat cover) like he's strolling in the park and it ain't no thang!

people went crazy
- Prince had some hot solos
- The twins have very short skirts (jailbait)
- Tamar has a great voice
- But the sound was not right. I never thought there could be too much bass but everything was real muddy, even the pre-show mix. Morris was hard to hear, Tamar's vocal mix was too dry, etc. The only thing that sounded right was Prince's guitar.
- Beautiful, Loved and Blessed was played on the PA before and after the show. They did not perform it, however. (Makes no sense to me)

- Pre-show mix was cool. Dorothy Parker, followed by Joni singing.

Cut in half, this show would be good to open on the Prince tour. I wonder how the group will be if Prince does not continue to play with them though. The band IS good, but the show was lifted up by Prince. It wasn't that our idol was present- Other people could play the guitar parts just fine... But PRINCE just brought a special something to show. We could tell that he was very passionate about the Tamar project.

Personally, I wasn't bored for a second and I'm not sure how anyone could have been. Was the show a *little* inconsistent? Yes. But only like almost any show you see (and she's JUST beginning). There was always something interesting enough, especially if you don't close your mind to songs you haven't heard before. She sang all sorts of things I didn't know, but her passion for the music prevailed, and there are moments when her raw talent really shines. I was quite Satisfied.

and with some more experience, Tamar is *could* be a big star.
[Edited 2/3/06 7:22am]

It all sounds pretty anti-climactic to me...

TheAStarr said:

jone70 said:

I have to say that I almost didn't go because I thought it would be anticlimactic. But I decided to give it a chance.

With these reviews I think most of us we try hard to give insightful observations in a slightly-impartial manner. I've realized that like the other shows from the last few weeks, these reviews are accurate, but do not capture the feeling of being there AT ALL.

I'm quite certain everyone got their groove on and enjoyed themselves plenty.

In terms of the sound and band..... i was standing real close to the big speakers up front on "our" right, and I heard Morris organs just fine. I couldn't hear the bass player at all though. Maybe the low end was too muddy.

Id n't know what "Dry" means but I heard Tamar just fine.

earlier I said the band was tight and they were. They didn't have perosnality, no , but they weren't supposed to. they are a backing band. but the thing is, they really had a big, full sound, yet they were really a sparse band. Morris basically was holding down the whole thing with the drummer, with P filling in on rhythm guitar and lead lines here and there. Most bands, even Prince's sparse oens, usually have at least 2 keyboard players and 2 guitars. so for them to have such a big sound with just 1 of each was cool.

I don'tn know about Tamar being a big star. Hard to tell. She can definitely sing, but is better on the slow stuff. the mid-song raps are just stupid and very 90's.

If Prince weren't in the band, I really don't know how it would've gone over. It was the stuff he said or did that made it exciting and fun.

I think the reports already posted here covered the show pretty well, so I'll just add a few of my own comments.

First of all, I was front and center on the floor, probably about three people back from the stage so I saw everything up close (like the twin dancers' treasure trails--maybe I'm strange, but I thought that was kinda hot ). The experience is definitely different being that close as opposed to sitting in one of the seats all the way in the back. I was having a fanatstic time the entire night!

I was talking a little to the guy who sang "Play That Funky Music" before he went onstage. He's an up-and-coming singer in the biz which is why he was so good.

I even had a good time listening to Prince's mix tape before the show started. Lots of classic stuff like:
Funkadelic - (Not Just) Knee Deep
D-Train - You're The One For Me
Mary Jane Girls - All Night Long
Con Funk Shun - Electric Lady
Steve Arrington - Nobody Can Be You
as well as P's own: Ballad Of Dorothy Parker, Get It Up, Kiss (Extended Version), and A Love Bizarre. And how cool was it to throw in the middle of all that funk Joni Mitchell's "Help Me"? Brilliant.

Finally, Tamar can really sing. And she put a lot of herself into her performance. I agree with the complaints about calling the audience the name of the theater as opposed to the name of the city like singers usually do.

GaryMF said:

They did MJ's Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough, they Prince said, 'You can't have the brother without the sister" and they did Janet's What Have you Done for Me Lately?"

<<< I luv that; coming from Prince it means a lot. I wonder what the MJ dissers here have 2 say.

luv2lick said:

GaryMF said:

jone70 said:

luv2lick said:

They did MJ's Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough, they Prince said, 'You can't have the brother without the sister" and they did Janet's What Have you Done for Me Lately?"

<<< I luv that; coming from Prince it means a lot. I wonder what the MJ dissers here have 2 say.

I don't know about all that, my interpretation was that
1. it also fit in with him referring to Tamar as his baby sis. (He's the "brother", she's the "sister". For a sec I even thought Larry might make an appearance, since he's always referring to P as his baby brother ) ...and
2. it could be Prince reminding people, that he's still badass (while MJ is...where??)
I thought to myself,"I dare MJ take one of Prince's songs and jam on it--no way MJ would be able to do it justice."

Now that U reason that way...true. & yes, I don't think MJ would b able 2 touch 1 of Prince's songs. But...perhaps we could b shocked.

set list anyone?

be the change you wish to see in the world.....ghandi.

vi

They played that mix at the Fillmore show also, with some other songs thrown in as well, I loved it, they played Rick James - Cold Blooded, Parliament - Mothership Connection, Prince - Hot Thing (Extended Remix) & Cream (NPG Mix).

sextonseven said:

I think the reports already posted here covered the show pretty well, so I'll just add a few of my own comments.

First of all, I was front and center on the floor, probably about three people back from the stage so I saw everything up close (like the twin dancers' treasure trails--maybe I'm strange, but I thought that was kinda hot ). The experience is definitely different being that close as opposed to sitting in one of the seats all the way in the back. I was having a fanatstic time the entire night!

I was talking a little to the guy who sang "Play That Funky Music" before he went onstage. He's an up-and-coming singer in the biz which is why he was so good.

I even had a good time listening to Prince's mix tape before the show started. Lots of classic stuff like:
Funkadelic - (Not Just) Knee Deep
D-Train - You're The One For Me
Mary Jane Girls - All Night Long
Con Funk Shun - Electric Lady
Steve Arrington - Nobody Can Be You
as well as P's own: Ballad Of Dorothy Parker, Get It Up, Kiss (Extended Version), and A Love Bizarre. And how cool was it to throw in the middle of all that funk Joni Mitchell's "Help Me"? Brilliant.

Finally, Tamar can really sing. And she put a lot of herself into her performance. I agree with the complaints about calling the audience the name of the theater as opposed to the name of the city like singers usually do.

jone70 said:

Here's my (some of it might be repetitive, since I was evidently writing while GaryMF was.)

So I JUST got back from the Tamar show. I was able to pick up my NPG tix from will call at about 9:30, but had to wait in a line that was about 1/2 block long. We didn't get in the doors until 10:30 and then they made us wait outside the doors to the actual auditorium space until about 11:15.I did see the Black Sweat video playing on the big screen but didn't hear the song itself. Once inside my friend & I snagged a spot just behind the soundboard guys--but we were elevated about 4 feet from the floor area in front of the stage. Music (Pfunk, Joni Mitchell, Prince (Kiss extended version, Dorothy Parker), played for another hour; so the show started around 12:15am. The last song they played before the concert started was Beautiful, Loved & Blessed.

I thought it was so frickin' cool the way the show started...the stage was dark and Prince walked across and we could only see his silhouette--everyone screamed. Then they all came out--Tamar & twins in short pinstripe dresses, Prince was wearing a goldenrod colored suit with a black high collared shirt unbuttons and gold necklace--I think with the . He also had his hair wrapped in a black headband sort of thing (like in the Daddy Pop video.) Honestly, I wasn't feeling his outfit or hair. Mr Hayes on keyboards, Cora on drums, and I can't remember the bassist's name, but I think it was the same guy from the Cali shows.

I don't know all the names of the songs, and I might forget a few, but here's what I remember:

first was Every Little Step I Take (not the New Edition cover--not sure if that's the right title). Then No, No, No and the twins did the chair thing with a guy from the audience: "John the accountant." I am forgetting the songs already... She sang the song from the NAACP Vanguard Jam, Milk & Honey, Red Headed Stepchild (Prince tore up the guitar on that one!!), When a Man Loves a Woman, Rock Steady. I hope someone else can supplement my tracklist... Prince seemed to be in a Great mood, smiling a lot, making little jokes...and plenty of the funk face!! They brought someone onstage to sing Play that Funky Music (White Boy) and the guy started the 2nd verse, P was like, "Oh we're doing the 2nd verse too, I guess.)
There was a costume change at somepoint--the twins into professional football cheerleader-like costumes and Tamar in a red sequin halter-type dress. Prince took off his jacket. They did MJ's Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough, they Prince said, 'You can't have the brother without the sister" and they did Janet's What Have you Done for Me Lately?" He also did Partyman and then started the "It ain't over chant." They all left the stage, but the crowd kept clapping, they came back and did Higher (Sly) and Prince's solo was AMAZING. The audience was motionless and speechless watching him. It seemed to go on for minutes! Very very cool.(I'm pretty sure that was the song. I have a bad memory and am very tired & had some beer. ) They also did Love Rollercoaster and pulled audience members onto the stage. He also thanked NYC for showing love to him and his baby sister Tamar. They left then came back for an encore, Tamar sang a slower song, then Prince jammed some more--he had changed into a goldenrod colored shirt that matched his pants. (I really wish I could remember the order of the songs--I knew I should have written them down! Sorry!) Overall, I think it was pretty similar setlist to the Cali shows, but I think that Tamar & Prince were more into it. (Of course I'm biased.) The show got out about 1:45am.


Also interesting to note was that there was a profession video taper and photographer with a telescopic lens at the soundboard station. At one point during the show the video guy was standing next to me & my friend. Someone asked why he was taping and he said, "For Prince" A DVD release maybe?!?

And he did dance a little bit, so all you speculating about the hip b/c of no dancing in Black Sweat--I wouldn't "sweat" it...he's still got it.

There were SO many people taping the guitar solos with there cell phone cameras...and I even saw people with digital cameras taking pictures with FLASH. I know Prince had to have known it was happening, but he didn't chastize anyone...

I could have done w/out the twins, I felt like they were Diamond & Pearl all over (Yes, I know D & P weren't twins, but you get the general idea.) The crowd was kinda dull I thought, I was totally jamming but a lot people were just standing there like they were watching TV or something. I was like, come on people, Prince isn't gonna JAM if you don't show him some And Tamar kept calling us out, Nokia let me hear you. I was like, New York? Like she had to say that as part of their concert contrac--I mean "agreement." It got annoying, but Prince never said that, he always said NYC or New York.


Of course, I wish he would have played longer, but overall I thought it was COMPLETELY worth $31.21. Another friend and her boyfriend came and he is a Prince fan, but she had never seen him. After the show I could tell she was impressed.

And even though it's only been an hour since I left I can't even wait til SNL and the next chance to see him in concert! I want another concert Saturday after SNL. (I know I'm being greedy but I can't help it--he is such an amazing musician and performer!!)

[Edited 2/3/06 0:13am]

GaryMF said:

A few more thoughts....

The band..... was TIGHT. It was Morris Hayes on keys and man that guy can play some ORGAN!!!! He was the only keys player and was watching him closely (to try and learn! ) He had 4 keyboards but mainlky played the two facing Tamar as organ and piano.

Cora Coleman I think was her name (no relation to Lisa?) on drums.

"Joshua" no last name on bass.

Prince on guitar. That was it! But it sounded great.

Towards the end, another guy came out on guitar too. Didn't recognize him. Kinda stocky black guy with short dreads or twists.

CalhounSq said:

GaryMF said:

* The best song was probably the really souldful song called "Stay". I think it was original. Tamar can really sing.

Bette Midler sang that in The Rose... a film from 1979

* They came back for either an encore or part 2 and did a rock-type song called Red Headed Step Child. I don't know if it was orignial or Lenny Kravitz cover (it sounded like Lenny).

Somebody research this, everyone keep saying that song sounds like Lenny. I dunno wny...

CalhounSq said:

GaryMF said:

* The best song was probably the really souldful song called "Stay". I think it was original. Tamar can really sing.

Bette Midler sang that in The Rose... a film from 1979

* They came back for either an encore or part 2 and did a rock-type song called Red Headed Step Child. I don't know if it was orignial or Lenny Kravitz cover (it sounded like Lenny).

Somebody research this, everyone keep saying that song sounds like Lenny. I dunno wny...