Okay, where do I begin?

I will cut to the chase...



First let me give thanks to Prince and the NPG band for gracing us with their presence in New York City and rocking the aftershow last night! Or should I say this morning? Also, much love to the Prince camp for the aftershow ticket giveaway and working with HQ and Prince.org to give fans a chance to compete in a contest to win those tickets...MUCH LOVE!

Prince was in a fantastic mood at the aftershow and feeding off the positive vibe of the audience.He gave us some rock, blues and funk and some jazz. Let's face it, Prince and the band rocked the aftershow last night. When you thought he sang or played the last song, it wasn't the last. He kept on going. The energy that comes out of that man is unbelievable, and of course if you want to party with Prince and his band, then you should always be prepared to party with Prince into the wee hours of the morning.

I believe he started the show close to 1:00 am and finished around 4:00 am. He sang/played some classic covers like "Come Together", "Without Love" (Doobie Brothers) cover) "Crimson and Clover", "I Wanna Be Free" and "Can't Hide Love" by EWF, some Blues songs (can't remember all of them, see other fans' reports); Shelby sang "Brown Skin", Marva sang Sheila E's "Glamourous Life". The band played "Stratus"; Prince sang "&", "Shh", "Miss You", "Alphabet Street", "Sexy Dancer", "The Bird", "Jungle Love" just to name a few. I'm not good with setlists but I'm sure others will post the songs played. Purplecam, I'm sure will give the rundown on the playlist when he has time to post it

Marva King and Shelby graced us with their beautiful voices. I have to say that Shelby J, has an amazing, powerful and soulful voice, and I can't wait to get her new album. NYC showed her much love yesterday and she gave it right back to the crowd, she wore long braids that complimented her, and wears them as a style of her own. Prince's drummer, Cora, ripped the drums and got much respect from the crowd. Her husband Josh, kept smiling over at her,looking proud at his wife, especially when the crowd showed her respect and appreciation for her drum playing skills. Prince had an awesome Harmonica player also that came on stage and performed through some of the songs.

I did notice that all the band members basically smiled through the entire show, ao I know they were embracing that NYC love and vibe we were throwing at them! I mean how could they resist? They seem to know that New Yorkers can give them some positive love and party all night, into the wee hours of the morning.

I have to add that comedian Dave Chappelle was there, and was hilarious! He came on stage twice and entertained us, when Prince and the band went on breaks. He was trying to tell a story about his experience on the plane on his way to NYC, but kept toying with the audience about the story and never really told us what happened. He said, "Look this isn't my show", "This is Prince's show!". He also went on stage earlier when Prince and his band called some fans on stage to dance, and he played the tambourine.

When Prince returned, Prince actually sat down on the steps in front of the stage and played his guitar, while Shelby sang "Brown Skin," and of course audience members were delighted to have him sitting right there in front of them. I liked that it was a raised stage, because if you were in the back, you were still able to have a good view. When Prince completed the show, he gave some audience members some high-fives. I have to say Prince was in a great mood playing for the Aftershow crowd last night. At times he joked around on stage during his performance. It was great to see him vibing off the positivity of the crowd as we gave it back. He really gave us a show.

We also saw Anderson Cooper there, and he pretty much kept low-keyed, but it was nice to see him in person after watching him on tv most of the time.

I enjoyed myself, and so did my son. I ran into about 2 people I haven't seen in a while at the show, and it was good to see and talk to them. Some of the staff at the hotel were very gracious, especially one particular person whose name I will leave out, but thank her in spirit for her kindness and hospitality.

When I was leaving the show, a staff member gave me a gift that was given to some of the contest winners. It's awesome. It's a purple, waxed, candle lantern that has 2 purple Prince symbols affixed to it on opposite sides. I did not expect to get that and will put it among the rest of my Prince souvenirs.

My gratitude goes to the Org for giving me the opportunity to win tickets to the aftershow, again I greatly appreciate it. (Thanks Anx!!), and to Prince and his camp for allowing fans to attend...much love!. The aftershow was an awesome experience and I felt like it was "Part 2" to the Butter show in NYC two years ago!!! Like Prince always says "It Ain't Ova!"
[Edited 10/17/08 10:04am]

Took your son, huh? If that's the kind of Mom you are, where do I sign up to get adopted?

Wow! Thanks for the great report sis. Princey pops up just when I was starting to miss him. Maybe he will come this way soon.

I have a new respect for Anderson Cooper.

Glad you had fun.

CJBabyDaddy said:

"M" you are so funny. I'm sure you would have definitely enjoyed the aftershow. As soon as we got there, my son ran into some friends who happened to be at the show, so once we got into the Aftershow space, he stood with his friends about 7 to 10 people back from the stage on the right the whole night. It was funny because I told him he would probably run into people he knew, and it wasn't 5 minutes after we got to will call that he recognized some friends, sso I'm glad he had some friends to hang with while I was shaking my groove thang and getting into the music. I was near the left, front and just partied with the people in that area. Prince worked us! He was in such great spirits and all the band members were smiling and looking so happy to be playing for a NYC crowd. That's what made the vibe good in the room.

Prince and his band vibed off the crowd and we vibed off of them. This is why when people complain of setlists, that it makes no sense, because Prince could play the same song 5 nights a week, but the arrangements will be different each night and how the crowd gets into it is the important thing.

Well, the crowd did not get tired and didn't want Prince to leave to tell you the truth. I loved it when Prince got into his dancing and was feeling the vibe. He also had us laughing with his sense of humor. We don't get to have Prince in NYC much, so we had to take it all in as much as we could while he was here and show him some big NYC love, and embrace the moment. The positive vibe flowing through the room kept Prince going, and you know how hard it is to please a New York crowd? Well, from what I've seen looking around at the majority of people who were in the room, they were feeling Prince and the band's music. I have to say they rocked vibe through the wee hours of the morning.

It was a blast. My son enjoyed the show and I'm glad he had a chance to see Prince perform in an intimate setting compared to a large arena.
[Edited 10/11/08 18:36pm]

babynoz said:

Thanks! Prince was feeling the positive vibe in the room and smiling and teasing the audience with bits of humor in between his performances, and we enjoyed every minute of it. Shelby sang Ledisi's "In the Morning" so beautifully. I tell you, Shelby haa such a powerful voice. All the band members were just smiling away, like they hit the jackpot... It was an awesome aftershow. At the end of the show. The staff gave some of the contest winners a purple, square candle lantern, made of wax with Prince's symbol on both sides. I love it. I didn't expect to receive anything from them, but I'm not complaining. Also, Ruth was pretty good with making sure contest winners got into the Aftershow before everyone else. I was standing at the door with everyone else, and didn't realize she was calling out to the contest winners to come in through a different entrance to be let in first. The good thing though is that it was a raised stage so that everyone had a good view of him, even if they were in the back


Also, Anderson Cooper was pretty much low-keyed but did acknowledge those that spoke to him. But Dave Chappelle was a riot. He entertained us when Prince and the band went on a break.
.
[Edited 10/11/08 15:01pm]

2elijah said:

I knew you'd go straight to the spot.

Meet you there next time.

CJBabyDaddy said:

Actually in the front, from left to right was an excellent view, even if you were 5 t0 10 people back, you were still able to have a good view. Even if I was near the front, the view from anywhere in the room was good, because the stage was raised about 4 feet from the ground like at the Rio. At first though, I had no idea they were going to let contest winners in first. While we were originally waiting with everyone else in front of the door, outside the performance area, it was my son's friend who was motioning to me that Ruth was calling the contest winners to come over because she wanted us to enter from the side door first.

I just thought I had to stand outside the door where all the other fans were. I had no idea they would let us in first. I was surprised and honored to find out just 5 minutes before they let everyone else in, that we were getting in earlier. I guess that was one of the perks of being a contest winner.

The band first entered from the left, but Prince entered later from the right because it was the side I guess his dressing room was at, and when the band took breaks, they also exited and entered from the right. On stage Prince was stationed in the center. It was a very small stage so everyone had a very good view of him. The show was awesome.
[Edited 10/11/08 15:18pm]

glad you had a great time. that's what music is about man, coming together and having fun and I'm so glad you had a blast. now you got my mouth watering. i'm definately ready to see him live again, hopefully real soon.

wonder505 said:

Thanks!!! It so great to see Prince perform in a smaller setting than in an arena. Even though I don't mind seeing him perform in an arena, but the smaller venues are much more intimate. I had to take off my shoes as soon as I got in the car and put on some comfortable ones. When I woke up this morning, both my legs and feet were killing me. They feel a lot better now, but that's what being at a Prince aftershow will do to you!

What's funny is usually when I come home from a Prince show, I at least get on the site to post a quick report and then come back later to give more details. This time when I got home, I was so tired I decided to wait until I got some zzzz's and post a report later in the day.
[Edited 10/11/08 15:24pm]

2elijah said:

hi zelija! thanks!
really enjoyed reading your report..great memories 4 u & your son!
just wanted 2 say i agree with u about shelby..
she's got something special, & amazing strong voice..she was a good find imo!
love her image, the long hair & she wears style very well, with her 'real woman' figure
great pix of her in the 21 nights book & your observations about the band very sweet
sounds like an absolutely crazy night, the sort u wake up the next day & ask yourself 'did i really just do that!'
very cool

2elijah said:

they just knew you'd get the party started

lottielooloo1968 said:

Thanks, I had a great time! Yes Shelby's voice is very strong, worth buying her album, as we patiently wait for one. I loved the way she sang Ledisi's "In the Morning"..awesome!

I am laughing at the last line in your post because it feels like it was all a dream! Funny thing is, I wasn't planning on attending due to other obligations, but then I decided to play the game out of the blue and won the ticket..still can't believe it as I never win anything. This is the first time. Had an awesome time!

lottielooloo1968 said:

Good try, but I doubt that. I guess letting the contest winners in before everyone else was eventually part of the plan, which I had no problem with obviously.

Now once Prince got the party started all the fans in the room helped him continue it. There was a lot of booty shaking, and throw your hands in the air like you just don't care going on!
[Edited 10/11/08 18:24pm]

Thanks again for all the reports NYC people!

Sounds like you had a wonderful, memorable time, 2elijah! Felt like I was there. Too bad you couldn't get pics.

Edited to add that I'd have gone if I could have just seen Dave Chappelle.
[Edited 10/13/08 18:41pm]

noimageatall said:

Hi!, thanks I did have a great time, and no we are not allowed to take pics at his shows, which is okay with me. It was an exciting show and fun as usual!