Warning…long post.

I don’t even know where to begin y’all. So many things were going on and my head is still in the clouds thanks to the incomparable Mr. Nelson who once again outdid himself as only he can with a 3 show trifecta. The setlists have been posted so I’m just sharing some of my impressions here…please bear with me.

Macy’s
For the record, Macy got it right. This is how to organize and promote an event. The fragrance dept was all done up with purple curtains, chandeliers, Prince pictures and 3121 everywhere. The event staff was very courteous, enthusiastic and informative. The kind souls waiting in line all night told us that Macy’s reps said we should show up around 8am for instructions and true to their word they came out shortly after 8 with further info and additional numbered wrist bands. We were then free to leave until just before showtime. After making sure we could pick up our First Ave tix later, we entered Macys at 2:50 and went straight to the 8th floor which was decked out in purple and orange including the carpets. It was a long wait but at least we were inside with the a/c and carpeting so I just chilled listening to the sound check. Cheering ensued as Larry Graham, following Tina, made his way along the line shaking our hands.

Finally we were let inside the beautiful ballroom where they were spinning a mix of tunes till showtime. I had a good spot right behind DigMeNow and her mom. Prince took the stage at last and it was on! He got me bouncing with 3121, which I never get tired of hearing. Other highlights for me were Guitar, (which he ripped for all he was worth), Girls and Boys, The Glamourous Life and OMG, GET ON THE BOAT which I’ve been praying to hear live. Man, was I ever happy to see Sheila up there and she delivered the goods with her typical style and grace. One thing I love about Mr. Nelson is that whether you paid $31.21 or $3000 and no matter if the crowd is 1500 or 15 thousand, he gives his all when he hits the stage and today was no different. He was as dapper as ever in his white suit, shades and beautiful ascot style tie at his neck as he danced smoothly and strutted confidently while conducting his band. Did anybody else catch that beautiful boyish smile he flashed during Girls and Boys? Yeah, I liked that. And I knew he was up to something when he gave that impish little smirk right before stage diving onto my buddy Julie and other lucky folks. In retrospect, I’m glad I wasn’t over there since I have carpal tunnel and might have dropped the poor guy! LOL!

For some reason, I always lose my appetite the day before I see Prince so afterward we ran down to Macy’s basement to grab a bite, (food wasn’t bad, btw) and guess what? They had chocolate cupcakes with purple icing with the Prince symbol outlined in white icing and get this…a cake with Prince profile done in chocolate icing, I KID YOU NOT!

A quick shower and change we headed over to First Ave to pick up our after show tix. A kind gentleman at the door let us wait inside after we got them since the Target center show was delayed. Thankfully, once again I didn’t have to swelter in the heat outside.

Despite the waiting and sound issues, the Target Center show had some great moments as well. I thought that opening with Purple Rain was very befitting to a homecoming show (outstanding guitar btw). Other highlights for me were Shhh, (I almost died) , 7, (almost died again), and the segment where he played the keyboard, especially IWBYL. IMO the song that suffered the most from the sound problem was The One U Wanna C. I loved Play That Funky Music with the John Goodman character…homeboy was doin’ his thang and it was the biggest laugh I had all day. Also Prince teasing the lady by saying she looked like a bootlegger, funny!

I have to say that although Wendy has never been one of my favorites, even I was glad to see her Saturday and I enjoyed her playing with Prince very much, especially LRC. I was really touched to see him up there with her and Sheila…two ladies who have always had real love for him. It made for good vibes, I tell ya. Musicology was a lot of fun and for the record Prince, when it comes to sharing music, love and positivity…I belong to you as well and your words meant a lot to me.

Leaving the Target center in that humongous crowd, I had the misfortune of falling on the street in front of First Avenue so I dashed back to the Radisson to put ice on my scraped knee and my head so I wouldn’t get a lump, (I’m fine y’all). When we got back there we were let in right away and the place was packed like sardines. I managed to wrangle a good spot with a clear sight line right next to the stairs, (sometimes it’s good to be a tall girl). Despite a few drunken knuckle heads pushing and shoving, I had a feeling the best was yet to come and I was right.

GOOD LAWD WHAT A SHOW!!! The absolute best of the whole day. After yet another long wait, the band members take the stage one by one and after first seeing dapper Prince at Macy’s and master-showman Prince at Target, guess who showed up at First Ave??? BADA$$, LOW DOWN, GUT BUCKET PRINCE SHOWED UP AND I KNEW I WAS IN TROUBLE!!! LOL! Anybody who thought he was going to be tired after two shows was sadly mistaken. He really should bottle and sell that energy of his. This version of Prince clearly came to kick a$$ and take names. When I saw that military style outfit with the shades and the bandana tied low-rider style all I could think was OH SH!T! Brotha man blew me away before he even sang a single note.

We got an extended 3121 for the opener and I was bouncing once again even though my feet were protesting. My friends were Prince virgins so I had to show them the hand movements during Girls and Boys and other little things. He burned the hell outta Controversy like I’ve never heard before. The bluesy song about the Cockeyed, Underhanded woman gave me the next biggest laugh of the night and he broke down Gotta Broken Heart so sweet and beautiful that I wanted to go down on the floor but the place was too packed. I mean it, Prince voice on that song had such clarity and fullness that it made me weak in the knees and gave me chills. I will never forget it. I was also treated to some of the finest guitar playing ever by Prince and LG plus Wendy. (don’t y’all start…brotha LG was shown much love and he played great).

Sheila was tearing it up as usual, Mr. Hayes did a splendid solo with the church organ vibe that I love so much and what can I say about Mike Philly except that he was outstanding! (how long can that guy hold a note???) Along with Shelby’s powerhouse voice, Renato, Cora and the rest it was a free styling, free for all that left my head spinning. As long as the music was playing I didn’t even think about getting tired. Prince was prepared to pull an all nighter but alas, it was not to be since we’d already gone an hour over time by law. I wasn’t too bothered about it after what I’d just witnessed and even though I’d love for Prince to play on and on, I also wanted him to rest. I knew from the sound of his voice that he was bummed about it but everything happens for a reason.

I tell ya, I’m almost afraid to ask what Prince has in store for us next. Thank you Mr. Nelson for yet another incredible experience. Just when I thought nothing could top being in the half time show, you raised the bar yet again. Btw, I like your city and look forward to returning…please don’t sell Paisley Park before we get a chance to congregate there one more time. It’s the only thing I truly regretted not seeing. Don’t forget to bring Maceo, I miss him.

I gotta give some shout outs to the peeps I met during this awesome weekend…

MzFlash…I had a feeling you were a quality person and I was not wrong. I can’t thank you enough for your kindness.

XXaXX…A pleasure chatting with you before the show.

The beautiful and talented Ms. Wonder505...The first face I saw on tv when I arrived in MPLS, you aced that interview like you’ve been doing it all your life.

SUPA!!!…As sweet as I imagined you to be.

Anx…Lucky for you I’m ain’t a young girl no mo’ or I would have kidnapped your handsome self!

Nathan and Ivy…I was really looking forward to spending more time with you but there was sooo much going on.

2Elijah…unforgettable… your spirit radiates warmth.

DJ Lenka, Mojo and Sonya who helped me out at First Avenue, thanks for everything. Friday night at First Ave. was great.

My traveling buddy J. and her pal Julie…Another fun Prince adventure under our belts!

PurpleFunkLover and his wife Lovesexy1958...two angels whom I am eternally grateful to.

My apologies to anyone whose name escapes me at the moment and many thanks to those who hung in there to read this loooong review.

Babynoz

Good write up! I had no idea you or xXaXx were even there. So many people I missed.

Can't wait to read this!

babynoz said:



Awww... thaannnkkkk yyoooouuuuu!!! It's nice to be appreciated...it was so nice seeing you again since the shows at the Empire in Vegas in May/06, and chatting away this past Saturday, while we waited inside Macy's on the 8th floor to get into the show...was 07/07/07 awesome or what?? Despite waiting on the line and the heat...I didn't make the aftershow because I didn't have time to get a ticket, and I was so drained from the fantastic performances from the energy of the Macy's and Target shows anyway!...but what more could one ask for? Although, I heard just about 1 hour after we got back to the hotel they were letting people in the aftershow, but I was just too out of it to take a cab back down to First Ave. I'm sure this won't be the last show I attend should the Master Genius of music, Mr. Nelson, decides to do another show either in NY or somewhere less than 4 hours of flight time...all in all..what an experience!!!!! Great report by the way!!!
[Edited 7/10/07 16:32pm]

I still have to catch up on sleep and come down on my purple high, if I ever, LOL!.

I must say it was an absolute pleasure to meet Babynoz, 2elijah and Ivy aka Stymie, and CaptainCrunch from England. You guys are so cool and so incredibly down to earth! You made my first trip to Minneapolis a wonderful unforgettable experience.

It was great meeting Anxiety and CarrieMpls sorry I didn't get to meet you formally but Ivy pointed you out to me.

I'm still at a lost for words on how surreal and great my experience was.

This is what makes the Prince experience so cool. Not only do we get to enjoy one of the greatest musician on earth, but to meet all the beautiful fans.
[Edited 7/10/07 15:30pm]

wonder505 said:

Thanks Wonder505!!!!It was so nice to meet you finally as well!

babynoz said:

it was a pleasure meeting you - yer sweeter than a box of godivas! the next time we're waiting in a crazy line we're gonna have to pull up some sidewalk and have some quality chat time, definitely.

RipHer2Shreds said:

Me too...it was such a whirlwind. I think I spotted Dansa and Jakesaurus but I didn't get to say hello.

babynoz said:

oh my goodness, i completely forgot to keep an eye out for jakesaurus...though i got to hang out with dansa all day in line and we had a blast!

2elijah said:

It was great seeing you again. I figured they must have let in more people because it got really tight in there.

Sorry to hear you missed the aftershow. If I'd have had to wait in that line for the aftershow I couldn't have done it so I wouldn't have made it either. We were told to be at First Ave. at 9 and luckily that's what we did. I thought it was only for the free cd but soon after we got in we were told about the presale so we were just in the right place at the right time.

wonder505 said:

Hey girl, good to see you've recovered. I totally forgot about Captain Crunch, The last I heard he was bringing me a bottle of water but things were so hectic I didn't see him anymore. Thanks for jogging my memory...I also met CarrieMPLS and Endo too.

Anxiety said:

Awwww, thanks sweetie...it's a date.

babynoz said:

Was a pleasure meeting you. Glad you had as good a time as I did!

babynoz said:

sorry i left the target center early without saying goodbye, babynoz. i wanted to dodge the "humongous crowd" and exit safely. like i told you, crowds make me nervous and that crowd was kinda drunk and rowdy. NOT that this is a bad thing, necessarily.

i guess overall i didn't have the same experience you did. i woke up saturday morning with the mother of all, let's just say, my 'friend' came to town. so i wasn't feeling great when i hauled my ass downtown to get the macy's red wristband at 8:30 a.m.

turns out the red wristband, which was supposed to get me into the macy's performance early, simply made it so i suffered an even LONGER wait in line for the macy's show than i would have otherwise due to the late start there

and that wait made the target center show start late. plus, the target center show was one of the crappiest sounding shows i've ever heard at that venue.

i mean, we were in the lower level and it was hard to even tell what song he was playing. he bantered with the crowd a lot but his words were not audible.

add to that the fact that my back was hurting (i narrowly avoided having back surgery three months ago) and it kinda adds up to one kinda sucky concert experience, imho.

mind you, i am a prince fan and will definitely make an effort to see him if he plays here again, but i wouldn't say the experience was totally enjoyable.

prince does tend to make his fans suffer, moreso than any other artist i've seen live.

still and all, it was great seeing him enjoy himself. just my 2c

XxAxX said:

am I crazy or have we never met? Why you holdin out on the locals?

endorphin74 said:

sorry sweetie i will try to meet up with you all at the next event

XxAxX said:

yes, please!!

CarrieMpls said:

i'm not that special, yanno. it's just me. but thank you

endorphin74 said:

i missed a chance to meet XxAxX?!?!

Anxiety said:

okay you people are starting to scare me in a GOOD way, i mean, a good way

Anxiety said:

has ANYbody ever met this girl? i mean seriously, i probably ran into her a 1000 times in Minnie by now and didn't even know it.

that's prolly just how she likes it too!

HiinEnkelte said:

yes indeed! especially when it comes to folks like you who advocate against the rights of homosexual people to marry on a religious basis, and womens' rights to make decisions concerning their own reproductive freedoms

XxAxX said:

snob!!!

Anxiety said:

you forgot 'hothead'

XxAxX said:

actually, i was gonna go with "cabbagehead" next - close!

XxAxX said:

well, i posted this in a light and good spirited playful manner, not knowing that it would really catch you in such a, oh i don't know, "mood", maybe...? or whatever. maybe it's not a mood and is just your coldly calculated rational take on it all.

okay.

HiinEnkelte said:

fine. if and when we meet just let's avoid all talk of religion and women's rights. that way i will not have to push a piece of pie into your face

sorry to jack your thread babynoz

XxAxX said:

fine. but if i'm really hungry for some pie, ya know, i just might asking about the latest news headlines

HiinEnkelte said:

dang!

XxAxX said:

sorry i left the target center early without saying goodbye, babynoz. i wanted to dodge the "humongous crowd" and exit safely. like i told you, crowds make me nervous and that crowd was kinda drunk and rowdy. NOT that this is a bad thing, necessarily.

i guess overall i didn't have the same experience you did. i woke up saturday morning with the mother of all, let's just say, my 'friend' came to town. so i wasn't feeling great when i hauled my ass downtown to get the macy's red wristband at 8:30 a.m.

turns out the red wristband, which was supposed to get me into the macy's performance early, simply made it so i suffered an even LONGER wait in line for the macy's show than i would have otherwise due to the late start there

and that wait made the target center show start late. plus, the target center show was one of the crappiest sounding shows i've ever heard at that venue.

i mean, we were in the lower level and it was hard to even tell what song he was playing. he bantered with the crowd a lot but his words were not audible.

add to that the fact that my back was hurting (i narrowly avoided having back surgery three months ago) and it kinda adds up to one kinda sucky concert experience, imho.

mind you, i am a prince fan and will definitely make an effort to see him if he plays here again, but i wouldn't say the experience was totally enjoyable.

prince does tend to make his fans suffer, moreso than any other artist i've seen live.

still and all, it was great seeing him enjoy himself. just my 2c[/quote]





Hi, I wondered what happened to you? I didn't know about your back.

I enjoyed our chat before the show and I'm truly sorry it wasn't better for you,
I do agree that the logistics at Target and First Avenue left a lot to be desired, but my post would have been way too long if I did more than touch on it briefly.

I thought that Macy's was the most organized. They gave very clear instructions. We came at 8, got our instructions and the red band and left. When we returned, we went straight to the air conditoned 8th floor. Waiting for P to complete soundcheck was the main bug and threw the timing off for the rest of the shows. How comes the people who already had the first wrist band were waiting hours on line outside?

Believe it or not, the Target show was better soundwise than the Hard Rock show in Fla. and I had floor seats there.

I wouldn't have been able to wait in that line for the aftershow tix. I only got in because I was at First Avenue early the night before, asked questions and did exactly as I was told. No connections...just happened to be in the right place at the right time.

The worst thing that happened to me was falling down in the middle of First Ave and I wasn't drinking anything but Vitamin Water. :

As I mentioned to you, I don't plan to continue doing this if things get much more complicated because I do think that the entertainment factor shouldn't be outweighed by a tedious ticketing process. Luckily, that wasn't the case this time.

One thing I can say is that I have an intense love of music, (got BB King tix for 7/24) and when great music starts playing I'm instantly transported out of myself to another place. Other cares and concerns usually kind of fade into the background for me during that time.

Another thing is I've always been a lemons to lemonade type of person...it's just my nature.

Hopefully it will be better for you next time, I look forward to seeing you again.