Just come back from 2nite's show. Just about made it to our seats before he came on stage. And he did Baby I'm a Star, hey I asked for that on a thread today! I do believe that someone is reading our posts and passing it onto the main man. As suggested in O2Review's post. But why so many covers 2nite, there's no need for it. He rehearsed 150 songs, and has five nites left, so roll them out. Don't roll down the river, or come together, play soft and wet, u know u said that was too old school 2nite, but hey that's what we want! I was screaming for Head, so to speak, and 17 days. I think he should have played `the cross' instead of Come Together, which also went on too long. Still it was a great night, Love the medleys, as always, a favourite segment for me. Oh and ok, I'll forgive Foo Fighters - The Best, as I love that song, so much!

purplepassion72 said:

Hey you, trouble! You can't have it both ways: either "covers" or "not", not just the ones you like.

I thought the piano version of Somewhere Here On Earth was absolutely stunning. He really enjoyed the piano bit tonight and the synth at the end worked well.

I have heard Play That Funky Music White Boy enough now... Play something else and stop getting people up. It's only a load of miserable prima donnas and some poor sap dude.

And for the first time in a long while, i got stuck in traffic getting out of the car park. If there is an aftershow, it may well be empty!

purplepassion72 said:

he's an artist not a puppet - and i guess we'll get whatever he feels like doing that day which is how it should be - roll on the 13th for which I have no expectations but i know it will be brilliant

The only thing that "bothered" me last night was Come Together. It was an extended version, and for a short main show anyway with only one encore, I'd rather he didn't pad it out with covers that the actual fans have heard lots of times before.

Then again, one of my friends who went last night to her first and only show really enjoyed that part.

I really don't get why people have a problem with him playing covers. I think its actually quite interesting to hear what songs other than his own Prince chooses to play - a little glimpse in to the many influences of his musical fecund and great to hear him acknowledging other works.

Furthermore, he's a fantastic musician who often adds to those songs in his own unique way. I'm all for it and, frankly, would go and see him even if I knew it was ALL covers. Its not exactly Kareoke now, is it?!

Not only that - we've had around 70 different Prince songs played during the tour and that's not even including the aftershows - and I'd hazard a guess at 80% of those being hits - is that not enough? Surely we can allow him to indulge in him enjoying playing other people's great music.

Just be happy to see one of the greatest entertainers ever doing his (and others) thing - bring it on! Even though its not a Prince song, he usually ends up making it his own.
[Edited 9/9/07 22:44pm]

ritaw said:

How come he takes money for private performances then

Mindflux said:

I thought that too. It's quite nice isn't it

ritaw said:

Comments like this really puzzle me.

How do you KNOW he's going to be briliant? Granted, a P concert is better than 99% of anything else out there even on a bad day.

But to know he's going to be brilliant is more that you've convinced yourself than what he actually performs. If you go to see these concerts multiple times, you see it them for what they are... Great performances, yes. Perfect setlists, no.

There is a sloppiness to his choice of covers and, whilst I admire his trying new music, as a greatest hits tour, I can't accept them in the setlist.

I think people are getting spoilt! The 150 songs he rehearsed included the cover version's he's performed.Its HIS show so let him perform it and ENJOY IT!!
Jesus, I've been dragged to fucking Bon Jovi gigs for the last ten years with friends and I can reel off what songs and in wht order almost! BORING!
I live so far away from London ,I can only afford to go see Prince 3 times
People who can afford to go and live nearby who are going most nights and complain that the show isnt exactly what they wanted should stop being so fucking ungrateful!

bungle said:

So am I one of those ungrateful people?? He is the main man, it's his show and he can do whatever he wants. But, there were too many covers, and so early on in last nite's show. I love hearing Crazy, and Best of You, but I'd also like to hear some of the other 80 songs that he has rehearsed. I'm entitled to my opinion, nuff' said.

PorterUK said:

Hey u, sorry to hear about the traffic probs, I got home no trouble, oh public transport don'tcha just love it?! Why can't I have the covers that I want? I was just pointing out that I liked those two covers out of the ones he did. that dude made me laugh, how funny was he? But he did a good job, respect to him! Now I know what's gona happen I'm gonna be late for work again cos' of this site...I do have a life, I do have a life...

purplepassion72 said:

Yes and so am I . end of.

bungle said:

Is it a matter of being ungrateful?

I see it as a matter of responsibility. Prince's responsibility to give us what he advertised. It's meant to be a Greatest Hits tour and, with a back catalogue of 400+ released songs over 25 years, I feel his use of covers is unnecessary.

It's interesting for him to play Come Together or Long And Winding Road, but not justified (in my humble opinion) when he's leaving out major hits such as MBGITW - his only UK number one may I remind you.

On another note: yes, we are privileged to live close to the arena and have the means to see multiple shows but tht doesn't mean that we'll readily and happily accept everything the man dishes out. That would be akin to religious worshipping.

He's human, he's fallible and therefore we have a right to express opinion, thoughts and even disappointment about his performances.

Pulling the "be grateful" card is just plain petty on your behalf.


Chris.

ritaw said:

Just a quick comment on this remark.

Is this not the ultimate dream? What fan wouldn't want him to perform solely for them?

I'd like to sit his ar$e down at my piano and entertain me for a fortnight. Like the little puppet-master i am...

I have to say i agree with Purplepassion72 and PorterUK.

As great as it is to hear a cover done well it's even better to hear his own songs. I love the Beatles, Hendrix and the Foo Fighters - and his covers of those are superb....but he really should concentrate on his own massive back catalogue. I also think that he shouldn't do 'I feel 4 u' or 'Nothing compares 2 u' either - as Chaka and Sinead have really made those songs their own and it's almost like he's doing a cover there too! ....But that's just my personal opinion, and does not mean i don't enjoy them when he sings them.

It's not a case of being ungrateful - it's a case of fans going to see someone sing their songs. If i wanted to see a singer sing loads of other peoples songs i'd get my arse down Butlins to listen to the entertainment rep!

As pointed out, to leave out TMBGITW is bonkers, considering it is his only UK numero uno - and i quite like that one as well i must say!

I am extremely grateful every time i see the Princemeister, always puts on a top drawer show and he gives more in one show than most performers give in an entire tour - but we are all entitled to have an opinion.

Just to end..Prince has ALWAYS played covers at his concerts, so it's not anything new. It's just that there do seem to be more covers per show this tour, and they are also treated to more stage time than...say Sign 'O' The Times, D.M.S.R, Diamonds & Pearls etc. that he sings a few lines or a verse of during the piano medley. And i think most people would rather swap Come Together for 2 of those!

PorterUK said:

I didnt say 'be grateful' I said people should stop being 'ungrateful'.
And when I say that I mean people are getting very picky about their favorite songs not being performed rather than the performance itself.
I feel grateful for the privilege of seeing Prince at his best, on stage.
If I have offended people with my comments ,I apologise ,but those are my feelings.

iloveannie said:

not sure whether this makes a difference to what he plays - but have never been to a private performance

bungle said:

I consider myself to be a big fan.

I'll listen and watch anything Prince performs. What I wouldn't do is watch him cut his toenails and then clap wildly and look at him adoringly.

Is that 'ungrateful'?

PorterUK said:

Obviously my comments on this thread including my apology have been totally disregarded so I will give up now.

Half the problem with these covers is the sound quality in the O2 arena isnt good enough to allow you to work out exactly what is being played when its a "half familiar" track.

Is it one of princes old ones or is it some other random person's. I mean playing an INXS track was just ridiculous and i can do without seeing shelby sing so much on the main show... save that for aftershow.

you lot are so ungrateful i can´t believe it. he plays 21 nights at 30 quid a pop and all you can do is be negative. we are well lucky for him to be playing london. he might not be back for years, lets enjoy it.

Let's wrap this up.

Bungle, well done for offering an apology though one isn't necessary. We're all entitled to our opinions.

Boringbastard, if you look back through my previous posts, they're not all negative. It's true in life as well as within this forum that the good is usually glossed over but the bad is regurgitated over and over.

Why would I sit on this forum spouting out how wonderful Prince is (which he is) and how much a genius he is (which he is)? I wouldn't because that's not debate for a forum. They're just blind statements.

If you check the back of your ticket, it mentions the statutory rights of a consumer. I'm exercising my right to discussion... here... on this forum.

I apologise if I'm not a sheep.

Boringbastard said:

If you read what's been said in this thread and others you'll see that we are not being negative, we've all enjoyed the main shows muchly, loved the medleys, loved the fact he's played a few different songs of his own each show, played blinding aftershows (generally) that everyone has had a great time at, and generally given tip top value for money.

All we're saying here is pointling out - quite correctly - that, 1) He has more than enough of his own great songs that people would rather hear to a cover, 2) He plays too many covers.

Is that negative?
[Edited 9/10/07 8:00am]

yeah prince why don't u stop playing the covers and the hits from the 80's and focus on nothing but the hits from 90's til present ..geez is that so hard 2 do? ghatdamn ...


12 days left ...

I can understand people complaining about not hearing their personal favourite songs, but I can't understand the complains about not playing enough different songs which has been mentioned here earlier..

Any other major artist will play an identical concert with identical set list every single night for a year (give or take one different song for each leg), and some people are complaining because Prince has only played about 35 hits and a few dozen covers during these sixteen dates? Some people really have been spoiled rotten, and they've lost their perspective on what to expect...

It's a good thing I haven't been spending much time here, because it makes it so much easier to just stop coming here if this is the attitude other fans have.

L4OATheOriginal said:

Probably because that would mean a show with about 15 songs!

If you are Love4OneAnotherTheOriginal, then how come you don't think about anyone else when it comes to song choice? A majority of fans still want to hear his 80s output and there will be first-timers there who have never heard Purple Rain Live. You're not exactly living up to your chosen moniker by selfishly demanding what YOU want all the time.

Its getting seriously boring all this "oh he hasn't played this or that" BS!! Wake up people and smell the Prince - he is playing a MASSIVE selection of songs, many more that ANY other artist you might go and see.

bungle said:

Seems like I caused a right old fuss with my post....yipee! I will not apologise for having an opinion. I also posted it, in the hope that the purple one will sneak a peek, and think `God damn, I need to dig deep for those old skool hits and get them out there, or purplepassion72 might never forgive my sorry ass!'

PorterUK said: