The Beautiful Ones

This has probably been mentioned before but I make no apologies to eulogise about it one more time

It was my second Prince show on the Glorious 6th and the set list was unbelievable. It started with Lets Go Crazy followed by 1999 and then straight into Take Me With U. I nearly came in my pants. This couldn't get any better ! But then halfway during the show the lights went light low and I could just make out Prince walking over to the Piano and he started to tinkle the ivories and began with The Morning Papers (brilliant) and then straight into Diamonds and Pearls.

Then it happened. It was the kind of feeling you get when you ask a girl that you've fancied for ages for a date and she says "yes !". The notes rang out and it took a short while for my brain to register what the tune was - OMG its the Beautfiul Ones I yelled. Sadly the couple next to me who had their arms crossed all night (heathens !) took no notice. Then with the opening line "Baby, baby, baby, whats it gonna be ?" my heart leaped and the small hairs on the back of my neck stood up. It was the most perfect performance of that song that I think I've ever heard and it was in full not just one or two lines. By the time Prince reached the climax he was full of passion, screaming, kicking back the stool - he put his heart and soul into that song. Its been said many a time before but I'll say it again - what a vocal range he has - he filled the O2 with such passion and power in his voice that the final crescendo of the song shooked the place. It is something I'll always remember.

For me it was the standout performance in a show that was studded with shimmering gems on that night. It was the Masterpiece in his Collection. It was the Jewel in his Purple Crown !!

I think I need to sit down for a bit.

Did that performance do the same for anyone else or is it just me ?

Shame I was not there, I LOVE LOVE LOVE that song!
Thanks for a wondrous description though.

You painted a perfect picture of it, he, he!

ScrummyMum said:

I was just bringing 2 life a vision in one's mind

There was a couple sitting in front of me at the main show (28th). During the piano-medley the guy went to the bar to get some drinks. When the beautiful ones started the girl stood up and looked around with panic in her eyes and within 30 seconds her boyfriend came running (without drinks!). The rest of the song they cuddled and cried. It must have been their song. It was heartwarming to see...

I wasn't there but you described it so well, I can nearly see it and hear it. Beautiful

I'm at work and it's a grey day here, this vision has suddenly lit up my day,

Thank you!

It was AMAZING my fav part of tour

aymiderham said:

... And mine too

Do you know if he did the whole song on any other night ?

( I went to the 31st and the 20th nights but he didn't do it then. )

JazzMeUp said:

Yes, I had it playing in the car on the way to work and it reminded me of that night. It's in my "system" !!

I wish Prince puts it out on a live DVD sometime in the near future. Wouldn't that be cool ?

the 6th was an absolute ripper and whilst it's not my favourite track that night's rendition of the beautiful ones was immense!

I just loved the bit after Crazy and before NC2U where he was shouting about the O2 being his house - awesome

the atmosphere that night was incredible

ionlywannafeeluup said:

Listening to the 6th show again right now at work, and you're right its a cracker!

I can hear it now through the ether ...


[Lots of Smoke, Prince and the band rise up to the stage]

... Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today ...

How are you listening to the show ?

I'm going Crazy !!!

I love the music/instrumental to this track, i can just fade away to it...too beautiful.

regalBlue said:

Presumably because he has a bootleg copy!!! I've orgnoted you as I have a great copy of that gig to

o2review said:

Org note me please about the bootleg copy??

Sander said:

Thats the funniest thing I've read today! It SO SERVES THEM right. Honestly, would you leave at any time DURING Prince performing? Any time it went over to 'mellow' sound, people took this queue to leave. It was really annoying that it made me lose concentration!

regalBlue said:

SO excited to read this!!!!! Its my ALL TIME ONE AND ONLY most best and favourite track. It makes me shake and completely lose control! Honestly, now I dont know what has come over me again.....
Ok, so slowly and calmly, may I take this opportunity to express the following

Carocool said:

LOL very well said!
Ive encountered many folks walking out and running back feeling dissapointed!

Carocool said:[quote]

regalBlue said:

SO excited to read this!!!!! Its my ALL TIME ONE AND ONLY most best and favourite track. It makes me shake and completely lose control! Honestly, now I dont know what has come over me again.....
Ok, so slowly and calmly, may I take this opportunity to express the following


Night of 6th, strangely enough I was seeing Prince with my ex husband (yes, correct). Had pretty good seats (lower tier) but unless you are on the floor, not too much partying going on here. Although, the girl next to me (bless her, thank you..) could have been up on stage, she did better than Shelby and we sang to each other all night, going completely bananas (unfortunately, my ex husband doesnt do that sort of thing and was distinctly embarrassed by my behaviour) I guess thats why he is EX !
Just before he was to disown me and move seats, Prince sat down at the keyboards and after the delicious Morning Papers, there came 'Whats it gonna be Babe? Do you want him or do you want me?'
It was all too much....my whole block had now sat down, leaving me standing alone screaming hysterically. I had never heard him sing this live after all these years. I thought I was going to wet myself, a breakdown maybe. I didn't know what to do, so I just stood and cried!

I went to 9 shows and not counting the last night, the 6th was definitely my best just because of this. Although I hate to tell you that he actually did play it on the last night as well, an incredibly extended one and it was this,
and the aftershow that finally laid me off work for a week with laringytus (?).
And I thought it was just me..

regalBlue said:

Sorry to be the one to have to break it you but he did it again on the last night.
Weirdly enough, I was trying all night to gain some momentum for a really loud calling to him to play The Beautiful Ones and I finally found a second of space to make my move.
As I screamed it hysterically, one second later (seriously) he said 'Baby, Baby
Babeeee, whats it gonna be tonight?'
As you can imagine, I fell off my chair

regalBlue said:

Hi i was also at this show and i have never really listened to this song a lot but MY GOD it was amazing made me have goose bumbs. My boyf loves this song, one of his favs, so when i went to the last night with my friend not him i had to call him when he sang this and i was shouting down the phone LISTEN LISTEN while crying, then again i was very emotional through the entire bloody show. (soppy cow that i am)

regalBlue said:

Thanks for sharing! Last time I saw Prince was during the Musicology Tour in Los Angeles. I remember, he'd done a few songs, and then there was a pause. I started to hear what I thought was the introduction of The Beautiful Ones, but I didn't want to get too excited and then be dissapointed. Well, to my delight, He did a full version of what I've decided is my favorite Prince song. I can only imagine how you and many others enjoyed that moment.....

I went to 8 main shows and if pushed i'd say 060907 was my favourite

The sound was particularly good this night...it's even obvious on the bootlegs!

excellent setlist, and excellent crowd response! (and a fine aftershow too!)

ArtVandelay71 said:

since the 22nd i've listened to nothing but the 6th main show and 16th aftershow - so chuffed they're both good quality bootlegs

Carocool said:

OMG ! He played it on the last night and in full !!

'Tis all the pity I wasn't there to witness it but by several accounts the 6th was a great night so I have that at least ( he said biting his lip as to re-assure himself )

I've seen him do it before and you're right, there's nothing like it. Prince is the greatest entertainer in the world.

I felt just the same as the original author. I was lucky enough to see him do the song on 2 nights and I had a huge lump in my throat the first time and I'm not ashamed to say that I had tears running down my face the second time. Perfection. A memory that will live with me FOREVER.

wlcm2thdwn said:

He's got to be one of the best reasons to watch real music live