Great Show!!!

Set list be dammed!!!

11th forum show(?) for me and 4th forum for my wife and he tweeked it enough to make DIFFERENT for us. She said so.

I've been to all Saturday's and this crowd sat too much compared to the others. They also exited quickly after I-wood swinging.

As usual, wired purple so we went for a night cap at my usual spot.

I find that all music sounds better after a Prince gig.

MJB!!! Bouncing on those heels.... yum!

Incredible show. Incredible night. I got into the hottest ticket in town at the last minute due to the thoughtfulness of a friend...

Mary J. Blige took the stage around 8:40 pm and played the best opening set of the 21 Night Stand for forty five minutes. I saw Chaka Khan. Mint Condition. Esperanza Spaulding. Cassandra Wilson. Janelle Monae. Mary J. Blige performed the best opening set of the LA engagement to date...Sunday's show may top this one but we'll see. Heartfelt, earnest, genuine, soulfully evocative...powerful. Prince came out onstage to play with her on "Sweet Thing." Great moment to see the two of them onstage and Prince's expression when she kissed his cheek was priceless.

Scratch that. That wasn't an opening set. That was a concert in and of itself. We were blessed by her presence.

Prince...yeah. Back to form. Tighter, better, stronger. No comparison between last night and tonight's show. Prince didn't just get silly with it, he got downright ignorant with it. Very happy to see Prince give Maceo all the love and respect due to him and they played very well off of one another all night. I love me some Shelby but Mary singing Nothing Compares 2 U with Prince was genius. Fantastic performance. 'Nuff said.

Karoake:

When Doves Cry

Nasty Girl

Sign O' The Times

Hot Thing

Party All The Time

Most Beautiful Girl In The World

Darling Nikki

I Would Die 4 U

Forever In My Life

Concert:

Let's Go Crazy

Delirious; back to Let's Go Crazy

1999

Little Red Corvette

Nothing Compares 2 U w/ MJB

DMSR

Pop Life

Musicology; Prince & The Band

Shhhh w/ U Will Be With Me

Misty Blue

Renato Interlude

Take Me With U

Raspberry Beret (shortened)

Play That Funky Music

Cream

Cool w/ Don't Stop...

Let's Work

U Got The Look

Encores:

Purple Rain

Kiss

Controversy

Which Way Is Up

Maceo Jam

I Know You Got Soul

Inglewood Swinging

[Edited 5/29/11 3:53am]

GDB said:

ladyleap2u said:

u will be with me mixed in with shh. GDB said:

Incredible show. Incredible night. I got into the hottest ticket in town at the last minute due to the thoughtfulness of a friend...

Mary J. Blige took the stage around 8:40 pm and played the best opening set of the 21 Night Stand for forty five minutes. I saw Chaka Khan. Mint Condition. Esperanza Spaulding. Cassandra Wilson. Janelle Monae. Mary J. Blige performed the best opening set of the LA engagement to date...Sunday's show may top this one but we'll see. Heartfelt, earnest, genuine, soulfully evocative...powerful. Prince came out onstage to play with her on "Sweet Thing." Great moment to see the two of them onstage and Prince's expression when she kissed his cheek was priceless.

Scratch that. That wasn't an opening set. That was a concert in and of itself. We were blessed by her presence.

Prince...yeah. Back to form. Tighter, better, stronger. No comparison between last night and tonight's show. Prince didn't just get silly with it, he got downright ignorant with it. Very happy to see Prince give Maceo all the love and respect due to him and they played very well off of one another all night. I love me some Shelby but Mary singing Nothing Compares 2 U with Prince was genius. Fantastic performance. 'Nuff said.

Karoake:

When Doves Cry

Nasty Girl

Sign O' The Times

Hot Thing

Party All The Time

Most Beautiful Girl In The World

Darling Nikki

I Would Die 4 U

Forever In My Life

Concert:

Let's Go Crazy

Delirious; back to Let's Go Crazy

1999

Little Red Corvette

Nothing Compares 2 U w/ MJB

DMSR

Pop Life

Musicology; Prince & The Band

Shhhh

Misty Blue

Renato Interlude

Take Me With U

Raspberry Beret (shortened)

Play That Funky Music

Cream

Cool w/ Don't Stop...

Let's Work

U Got The Look

Encores:

Purple Rain

Kiss

Controversy

Which Way Is Up

Maceo Jam

I Know You Got Soul

Inglewood Swinging

hopefully he cancels the karaoke set in europe....man , i cant stand that....

ladyleap2u said:

u will be with me mixed in with shh.

You're right, forgot to put that one in.

I also heard the same thing from an employee

arkmay said:

Just heard someone who works at the Forum say that Sunday's show is NOT the last.

Next weekend, too?

brownstien said:

I also heard the same thing from an employee

arkmay said:

Just heard someone who works at the Forum say that Sunday's show is NOT the last.

Next weekend, too?

maybe the employee is just fakin the funk?

Well this was not some usher jabroni (no offense) this came from someone working security in the aftershow

myloveis4ever said:

brownstien said:

I also heard the same thing from an employee

maybe the employee is just fakin the funk?

[Edited 5/29/11 4:29am]

You were in the aftershow? Did you connect with Realtor? 'Cuz he was there too...LOL

Re the security & more shows...that's interesting because according to at least two mambers of the NPG (the band, not the fanclub) this weekend is it. But as with other issues in Prince's world I suppose that's subject to change as well. But according to several official sources this weekend is the end of the run so it will be interesting to see what happens after today.

GDB said:

You were in the aftershow? Did you connect with Realtor? 'Cuz he was there too...LOL

Re the security & more shows...that's interesting because according to at least two mambers of the NPG (the band, not the fanclub) this weekend is it. But as with other issues in Prince's world I suppose that's subject to change as well. But according to several official sources this weekend is the end of the run so it will be interesting to see what happens after today.

CITI has removed the Prince page from their site. It remained throught the run and today it's gone:

http://www.citiprivatepas...rince.html

bwdinhb said:

GDB said:

You were in the aftershow? Did you connect with Realtor? 'Cuz he was there too...LOL

Re the security & more shows...that's interesting because according to at least two mambers of the NPG (the band, not the fanclub) this weekend is it. But as with other issues in Prince's world I suppose that's subject to change as well. But according to several official sources this weekend is the end of the run so it will be interesting to see what happens after today.

CITI has removed the Prince page from their site. It remained throught the run and today it's gone:

http://www.citiprivatepas...rince.html

brownstien said:

I also heard the same thing from an employee

arkmay said:

Just heard someone who works at the Forum say that Sunday's show is NOT the last.

Next weekend, too?

We were also told the same thing by a Forum box office employee on Friday afternoon!

My 3rd show and by far the best and most energetic. In fact, I've seen P several times over the years and I was amazed at how he killed it last night. Danced his butt off and worked up a black sweat for sure. I was there with a well-known mastering guy who said Prince is getting better with age.

Anyone else see Russell Crowe in the VIP room? I was tempted to say hello, but didn't want any trouble. lol

MJB was killer, as well. I was impressed.

Btw, there are shows next weekend. Get your ticket money ready.

MarcelJ said:

My 3rd show and by far the best and most energetic. In fact, I've seen P several times over the years and I was amazed at how he killed it last night. Danced his butt off and worked up a black sweat for sure. I was there with a well-known mastering guy who said Prince is getting better with age.

Anyone else see Russell Crowe in the VIP room? I was tempted to say hello, but didn't want any trouble. lol

MJB was killer, as well. I was impressed.

Btw, there are shows next weekend. Get your ticket money ready.

I hope you're right. I finally get my girlfriends to go with me and now it's sold out. I see more tickets are on the broker's sites but I'm not going to pay 224.00 a ticket. I would if everyone else would pay that much but I'd have to pick up the slack. LOL Off to Hollywood instead today for some mimosas and a movie but I'd rather be at Prince concert.

brownstien said:

Well this was not some usher jabroni (no offense) this came from someone working security in the aftershow

props for the terminology [img:$uid]http://www.arkmay.com/images/chair.gif[/img:$uid]

funkycomic said:

OMFG!!!! Mary J killed it tonite!!!!!! Prince Killed it tonite!!!! Mary, Prince and Maceo singing nothing compares to u was the most incredible thing I have ever witnessed!! The show could have stopped there and I would be just as happy!!

1ststatestereo said:

Did anyone else think it was too loud? It definitely sounded louder than past shows.

I've noticed it really depends on where you sit. I thought Friday's show was waaay too loud and I was sitting in Loge 33. Last night, I sat in Loge 1 and the sound, view (light show was INCREDIBLE LAST NIGHT) and everything was perfect. I ended up moving, not exactly by choice, but it was all in good fun to Loge 30 and Floor A. And the sound and everything was good, not quite sure if it was as superb, but still good from both those areas, as well.

Realtor said:

funkycomic said:

OMFG!!!! Mary J killed it tonite!!!!!! Prince Killed it tonite!!!! Mary, Prince and Maceo singing nothing compares to u was the most incredible thing I have ever witnessed!! The show could have stopped there and I would be just as happy!!

MJB sang, "Nothing Compares to Prince."

There is no one like him.

legna said:

Realtor said:

MJB sang, "Nothing Compares to Prince."

There is no one like him.

And he ended the song with the lyric "Nothing compares to her..." Beautiful.

In regards to complaints about LA crowds:

You're right. We suck. I'm not talking about myself or ANYONE on this forum, but it's amazing how many people act like they don't want to be at a show. There were SEVERAL people at HOB whom I overheard say they just received tickets a few hours ago and decided to show up. Like it was that or going out to dinner, not the concert of a lifetime. I'm not even mentioning the people at the 10:00 show who were drunk and paying no attention to the music.

Think about it, two weekends ago I sat on the floor for $25. Now I can't get in the building. What's the difference? It's the last weekend and therefore the "place to be."

A previous post said how much better the Oakland crowds are. I believe it.

Anyways, some thoughts on concert:

MJB fucking tore it up. She attacks the stage and gets shit started. There's nothing smooth about her. She beat that shit up. I loved it.

The sampler set wasn't as good as the previous night. LRC was drawn out and perfect. I'm so sick Musicology/Prince and the Band.

There weren't any new songs, but LRC and Nothing Compares 2 U might have well been new. That was the highlight.

[Edited 5/29/11 12:27pm]

what a show last night and what a fun run its been.i just want to send a shout out to all the org members i met over the last few weeks either in the aftershow room or walking around the arena you guys have given me nothing but love so thanks !!!!

Thanks for redeeming us last night man. I was pissed that guy fucked up Raspberry Beret!

darklotus69 said:

what a show last night and what a fun run its been.i just want to send a shout out to all the org members i met over the last few weeks either in the aftershow room or walking around the arena you guys have given me nothing but love so thanks !!!!

"And they were dancin'...and singin'..."

darklotus69 said:

1ststatestereo said:

In regards to complaints about LA crowds:

You're right. We suck. I'm not talking about myself or ANYONE on this forum, but it's amazing how many people act like they don't want to be at a show. There were SEVERAL people at HOB whom I overheard say they just received tickets a few hours ago and decided to show up. Like it was that or going out to dinner, not the concert of a lifetime. I'm not even mentioning the people at the 10:00 show who were drunk and paying no attention to the music.

Think about it, two weekends ago I sat on the floor for $25. Now I can't get in the building. What's the difference? It's the last weekend and therefore the "place to be."

A previous post said how much better the Oakland crowds are. I believe it.

Anyways, some thoughts on concert:

MJB fucking tore it up. She attacks the stage and gets shit started. There's nothing smooth about her. She beat that shit up. I loved it.

The sampler set wasn't as good as the previous night. LRC was drawn out and perfect. I'm so sick Musicology/Prince and the Band.

There weren't any new songs, but LRC and Nothing Compares 2 U might have well been new. That was the highlight.

[Edited 5/29/11 12:27pm]

Co-sign on this. And that's what I was referring to re last Friday night. I noticed the crowd where I sat (Loge 1) was far more of a "real" crowd composed of fans young and old, ethnically diverse, new and old-school. who were there for the music and to enjoy themselves and not just to get drunk and walk back and forth from the VIP lounge to an empty seat to talk loudly.

Love your description of MJB. She's unrepentently raw, that's for sure. Prowled that glyph like a tiger hunting prey...

GDB said:

Incredible show. Incredible night. I got into the hottest ticket in town at the last minute due to the thoughtfulness of a friend...

Mary J. Blige took the stage around 8:40 pm and played the best opening set of the 21 Night Stand for forty five minutes. I saw Chaka Khan. Mint Condition. Esperanza Spaulding. Cassandra Wilson. Janelle Monae. Mary J. Blige performed the best opening set of the LA engagement to date...Sunday's show may top this one but we'll see. Heartfelt, earnest, genuine, soulfully evocative...powerful. Prince came out onstage to play with her on "Sweet Thing." Great moment to see the two of them onstage and Prince's expression when she kissed his cheek was priceless.

Scratch that. That wasn't an opening set. That was a concert in and of itself. We were blessed by her presence.

Prince...yeah. Back to form. Tighter, better, stronger. No comparison between last night and tonight's show. Prince didn't just get silly with it, he got downright ignorant with it. Very happy to see Prince give Maceo all the love and respect due to him and they played very well off of one another all night. I love me some Shelby but Mary singing Nothing Compares 2 U with Prince was genius. Fantastic performance. 'Nuff said.

Karoake:

When Doves Cry

Nasty Girl

Sign O' The Times

Hot Thing

Party All The Time

Most Beautiful Girl In The World

Darling Nikki

I Would Die 4 U

Forever In My Life

Concert:

Let's Go Crazy

Delirious; back to Let's Go Crazy

1999

Little Red Corvette

Nothing Compares 2 U w/ MJB

DMSR

Pop Life

Musicology; Prince & The Band

Shhhh w/ U Will Be With Me

Misty Blue

Renato Interlude

Take Me With U

Raspberry Beret (shortened)

Play That Funky Music

Cream

Cool w/ Don't Stop...

Let's Work

U Got The Look

Encores:

Purple Rain

Kiss

Controversy

Which Way Is Up

Maceo Jam

I Know You Got Soul

Inglewood Swinging

[Edited 5/29/11 3:53am]

Does anyone have any pictures of last night's concert?

GDB said:

legna said:

Realtor said:

MJB sang, "Nothing Compares to Prince."

There is no one like him.

The "Nothing Compares 2 U," with Prince, Mary J, and Maceo ALMOST became my favorite point of this entire 21 Night Stand. As some of you know, I can be brutually honest and do my best not to be a prisoner of the moment. So, I'll say after Prince's beautiful and touching delivery of "Sometimes It Snows In April," on April 14, 2011, this was my favorite moment of the entire stand. And here are some reasons why: With all due respect, I don't think Prince has done too good of job with the song this go around. For those of us that I've seen and heard him perform "Nothing Compares 2 U" over the years, beginning with duets w/Rosie Gaines, we've gotten accustomed to hearing and seeing something breaktaking. I will acknowledge that Shelby J sings very well and has an incredible voice. In fact, she's probably done better than Prince has per this particular song during this 21 Night Stand. But the song requires feeling. I will say this again, because observing and participating in these comparison/contrasts discussions about shows, singers, guitarists, etc, music boils down to how well someone can express feelings through it. I have never thought Mary J was a good technical singer . . . still don't . . . but what she does have is an ability to express herself through music in a powerful and soulful way. She ALSO has stage presence. Her presence, her expression of TRUE feelings for Prince and for her husband while she sang this song were displayed for all us to see and feel with her. With something that powerful, what else could happen other than the best being brought out of Prince?

I know people think exaggerations are made in this org . . . AND THEY ARE . . . but I'll be the one to offer an honest, unbiased assessment, and again I do not particularly care for Mary J. Blige as an artist, don't even like her perspectives in most of her material, and again, don't think her voice is great and don't think she is technically as good of a singer as Prince's background vocalists, in addition to Janelle Monae, Esperanza Spalding, and most of the others that have stepped on the stage during the 21 Night Stand. But that execution with Maceo and Prince blew away all of the other collaborations on the stage, including Prince and Nikka (Whole Lotta Love) and Prince and Stevie (Superstition).

If you want to see how a man can be inspired to sing well, watch a tape of that performance. If you want to hear how a man can be inspired to sing well, listen to a tape of that performance. That was an A+ delivery by Prince and when you are fortunate enough to get to experience things like that, you HAVE to step back and just be grateful you were there.

[Edited 5/29/11 12:46pm]