purplerainbowchild said:

POP2000 said:

Prince borrowed Donna's guitar early on, when they were jamming in the dark, at a point when it looked like things were "unravelling" slightly. He gave it back to her before asking the crowd one of those "Y'all still feelin' good?"

Also: Janelle Monae stepped up to mic--briefly.

[Edited 3/9/14 4:28am]

This was right after "Don't Stop" but before "Cool." For me it was the strangest part of the set. It almost stoped the concert for the people around me. At first I thought Prince was simply showing Donna the lick he wanted her to play, however, after awhile, it almost seemed as if Prince left the building. I mean, his back was to the audience, his attention focused on Hannah and the guitar and it almost seemed like he forgot he was in the middle of a concert. This all happened at the rear of the stage so it was hard to see what was going on. Even Donna seemed caught off-guard over what was taking place. I think Prince had given some instructions to Hannah, but only a few words. Most of the time he was playing the guitar--but he way he played it. Oh the way he played it. It didn't appear to me to be a simple matter of Prince really being into the guitar solo. He almost seemed in a trance for a few minutes. He seemed like a man on a mission--to "get these sounds out of my head." My conclusion is that Prince was essentially writing a song in his head based on the groove he was feeling. I could be totally wrong about this, but that was impression. It was just an odd 5-7 minutes, yet kind of cool if he actually was "composing in his head." Oh, at the end of these few minutes, he seemed to recompose himself (pun not intended) and went back to the mic for "Cool." Anybodyelse find those few minutes strange? He didn't pick up the guitar until the end of the show.

Like I said above: "unraveling." I like your version., though.

Prince has not lost a step!!

He is truly a living muzical GENIUS!!!!

#hollywood 3-08-14

Allanya said:

Everyone in LA was so lucky...

If Prince had asked everyone in attendance to pay another $100 on the way out

I wouldnt find any argument against. Dont get me wrong I am not wealthy by

any means but if there is any compliment that can be made Id be willing to

make. Thank you for everything.

Rank amateurs and charlatans.

That’s how 99% of today’s pop and R&B musicians come off compared to the masterful-
on-multiple-fronts performance Prince and his New Power Generation band delivered Saturday during his surprise show at the Hollywood Palladium.

http://www.latimes.com/en...z2vWXOemja

The relentless spectacle of Prince's talent initially proved a lot to take in. The onslaught of relentless virtuosity grew a bit numbing, with the thrilling passages alternating with the night's more enervating, indulgent moments; there was also a reactionary, quasi-Luddite feel to the proceedings, with Prince praising "real live music" throughout, and having security eject anyone who might deign to take a picture with their iPhone.

http://www.spin.com/articles/prince-los-angeles-palladium-concert/

I enjoyed all of it. I had the idea he might put the horns away and do some shredding 3rdeye stuff, but only did so at the very last encore. I'm really liking the 3rdeye versions of Always In My Hair and Bambi, could have used some of that.But I'm not complaining. I thought the quintet of female singers was better utilized at this show than at the 21 Nights sets in 2011. And I loved the dance troupe that came out and did synchronized moves for Funk N Roll!

I guess that was Lianne LaHavas that sang lead on a number? That was very good.

I had to sit down in the balcony or slump against the back wall a few times, I just couldn't stand up that long. I broke my leg a few months ago and this was my first real endurance test. Today I'm sore but my spirit is light.

I wasn't that into the aggressive DJing prior to the show but thought some of the music choices were great. What the hell, the Palladium's a dance club. And I liked Doug's appearance on stage a lot. It was short, to the point and impressive.

It reminded me a lot of seeing Parliament-Funkadelic there in the early 90s, another show where I basically collapsed against the wall at the three hour mark after pogoing and putting my hands in the air for a long time.

The fact that it was a light crowd actually worked in my favor, I was able to walk right up and get close to the stage, and there was plenty of room to sit down upstairs when I needed a rest. I think LA people don't go drive somewhere to wait in line very often; had he sold tickets on ticketmaster starting 11am that day it might have sold out. Announcing it more than 8 hours in advance might have been good too! But that's fine, if it had been at the Avalon or Troubadour it would have been mega sold out, less people getting to see it.I'd say it was my most positive experience at the Palladium ever.

I'm kind of surprised to see such negative responses to what I thought was an epic show. I can sympathize with people who have their favorite stuff and say "I wish it had been more like this and less like that." I find it impressive that in 17 years of going to see him at least once pretty much every time he's come to LA, I never see the same show twice. In terms of setlist variety, I'm struggling to think of more than Purple Rain & Let's Go Crazy that were repeated from the 3EG Anaheim show last year. And while it might have been my preference to hear some more heavy guitar rockers, was fine with letting it go where he wanted to in the moment.

theblueangel said:

trax said:

I wish he would tour and announce the shows that are 3rdeyegirl and the ones that are NPG so that we could pick which one we want to see. Two nights in each city(one with each band would be cool). I want to see the 3rdeyegirl show and if I went and got the NPG show I would be very disappointed so I wish he would announce it so the fans could pick which ones they want to see. That way the rock fans could see the rock show and R&B fans can get their show. Just a hope that Prince would consider this. I know some people would go to both but I could care less about the R&B show and I am sure R&B fans could care less about the rock show. This way everyone wuld know what to expect and would be happy

I completely agree with you, and I'm not sure why he doesn't do this. I would kill to see 3rdEyeGirl but not at all interested in seeing the tired old NPG again💞...

If Prince did do it; booking two shows in each city, he would make fans do the guessing game. He wouldn't announce which band would play the early and the late show. He would force fans to buy tickets for one show and you would get an NPG show, when you wanted to see a 3EG show.

powersoul99 said:

'enguin, please let it go now.

i am as pissed as you are, but no point in continuing to moan about at every given opportunity

he'll do you right next time

Wish he would come to NYC...

Allanya said:

Wish he would come to NYC...

Thanks for adding that to the discussion

Allanya said:

Everyone in LA was so lucky...

Only about 1600 people in LA were SUPER lucky. A lot of other people are very bummed they didn't know and/or couldn't go at the last minute. I was so hyped and wilded out, (turned up, outta control) because I felt so lucky and grateful to be there and felt so happy for the people there that had no idea how lucky they were. A couple I met were just walking by, she said they always go for a walk around the area, and happened to see Prince & 3rd Eye Girl and came on in. My friend was trying to guess how many people would be walk ins. We knew it wasn't going to sell out and we didn't particularly rush to get down there. How could they sell out 3700 tickets in less than 24 hours after P announced it on stage? My friend picked up tix around 6:30 and we hung in the bar until about 8:40PM then walked in to a sparse crowd. It was amazing to have such a small crowd. The fact that it was soooo long, soooo empty (feeling) and sooooo GOOOD made it an awesome Prince dance party. This chick in LA was LUCKY AS a MF.

antoinet said:

Allanya said:

Everyone in LA was so lucky...

Only about 1600 people in LA were SUPER lucky. A lot of other people are very bummed they didn't know and/or couldn't go at the last minute. I was so hyped and wilded out, (turned up, outta control) because I felt so lucky and grateful to be there and felt so happy for the people there that had no idea how lucky they were. A couple I met were just walking by, she said they always go for a walk around the area, and happened to see Prince & 3rd Eye Girl and came on in. My friend was trying to guess how many people would be walk ins. We knew it wasn't going to sell out and we didn't particularly rush to get down there. How could they sell out 3700 tickets in less than 24 hours after P announced it on stage? My friend picked up tix around 6:30 and we hung in the bar until about 8:40PM then walked in to a sparse crowd. It was amazing to have such a small crowd. The fact that it was soooo long, soooo empty (feeling) and sooooo GOOOD made it an awesome Prince dance party. This chick in LA was LUCKY AS a MF.

Meant to say not only sell out in less than 24 hours but BOX OFFICE $100 CASH ONLY???? No on line sales? Us Prince Heads who keep in touch were golden to get in.

It was amazing to have such a small crowd. The fact that it was soooo long, soooo empty (feeling) and sooooo GOOOD made it an awesome Prince dance party. This chick in LA was LUCKY AS a MF.

I'm with you. It was a real special night.

Quite simply the most amazing live event I have ever witnessed. Looking at the setlist is extraordinary in itself, but the energy and finesse with which each song was arranged and performed was mind-blowing. Hardly any jams, it all seemed rehearsed, everyone was drilled to what they should be doing at all times. And still at the end of nearly 4 hours, Prince looked fresh enough to carry on! Well, most of us in the crowd were running on empty...

Highlights - Big City opener, 1999 in full, Days of Wild, the COOL jam when he gave licks with Donna's guitar, Something In the Water (first time I heard it live!), Let's Go Crazy (finally picks up HIS guitar!), Dark (another first...), Forever In My Life (1st again...), Mutiny - the list goes on...

*All Apologies
I understand that there's something infuriating about reading that you missed the greatest Prince show since the last great Prince show. The good news is that judging from the performance, it will be this way for eternity.

http://www.laweekly.com/westcoastsound/2014/03/10/prince-hollywood-palladium-march-8-2014

Did he clean up "Days of Wild"?

I saw him do 10+ miutes of "Days of Wild" in Chicago in 1998 right around the time the 4CD had come out.

He certainly didn't clean it up that night. FAR from it.

Such an immensely TREMENDOUS and POWERFUL piece of music is "Days of Wild." Just when you think you have a pretty firm idea of how much musical pleasure it is actually possible for you to stand, "Days of Wild" forcefully compels you to revise that amount upwardly, considerably, and immediately.

Love the pics!! Wow, nearly four hours?!

http://thelosangelesbeat....palladium/

My full review for the LA Beat.

last time he did 4 hour show was in Montreal.

http://www.princevault.com/index.php/24_June,_2011

Looks like the show in LA was another amazing one

[Edited 3/11/14 5:02am]

What can't be argued is how his stage presence is unparalleled. His voice was on point, hitting all those high notes, and he danced up a storm with his crew. Saxophone solos reigned over the night and enjoyably so. We can't help but bow down to this rock legend.

http://laist.com/2014/03/09/prince_brings_down_the_house_for_4-.php

Very cool

bobzilla77 said:

http://thelosangelesbeat....palladium/

My full review for the LA Beat.

I posted this in the comments section on Dr. F's site, but thought I would paste and post it here too. Today was the first moment I was able to put words into what I experienced Sat.

This was my third official time seeing Prince in concert.The first being all 3 shows at the House of Blues (our friend was the manager) in 2011 maybe?, last year in Anaheim with 3rdEyeGirl and then of course this past Saturday at the Palladium. And while my first 2 experiences were incredible in their own right, this concert at the Palladium was in a class of its OWN. It honestly felt like Prince was punishing us with his genius.While I know this will eventually spin off like a bright sparkling star into the cosmos of legendary live Prince shows, there was this expression on everyone’s face like they were witnessing something historical. And I’m pretty sure we were.

There was the usual chatter pre-concert. Everyone was nervous that the crowd was too small. Prince wouldn’t be happy. Then there was the ‘I hope he plays the hits’ from the new fans and the ‘I hope he digs deep’ from the veterans. Then Doug E. Fresh started spinning old school rap from the back of the room. Well played Prince. I was tiring of their conversation and wanted to dance anyway.

Also, I thought I was lookin’ good Saturday night, but then Prince comes on stage and shames you with his beauty. The man is like some kind of mythical creature. He never tires, never sweats, never ages. I’ve finally decided that it’s best to stop trying to figure it out and just enjoy it.

We were lucky enough to be front row to the right of his microphone. To watch that 4+ hour spectacle from that close…there really are NO WORDS. I would have walked away with my mind blown after the main set and first encore. But then he kept coming and coming. By the 6th encore I really DID get freaky and let my hair down. At one point he said, “Don’t you feel bad for the people who aren’t here?” We all scream YES! And he matter-of-factly replies, “I don’t” and then launches into the Beautiful Ones on piano.

If you were too far and physically couldn’t get there, then I am sad for you and I hope he does something anywhere near this epic in a town close to you. The good thing is, if you are reading this then you are already in the right place. Dr. F keeps it real and seems to get the info to the people. But if you live anywhere near LA and you were not there? You REALLY missed out. Because if you’ve always wanted to see Prince get downright funky with moves that should embarrass the 20- year-old professionals he had on stage, you missed it. If you’ve always wanted to see Prince sing his heartfelt ballads while on piano, sorry you missed it. If you have always wanted to see Prince rip it up on bass, je suis désolé…but you missed it. If you have always wanted to see him shred on guitar, guess what? He did that too. And you missed it.

And I’m not taking anything away from 3rdEyeGirl and the NPG. They are crazy talented and left it all on the stage Saturday night. I was so, so, so impressed by all of them.

The highlights for me? Days of Wild, Partyman, The Sweeter She Is, and Dark. Although every one of the 60 songs they played were stunning displays of musicianship.

And for those who complained about not being able to take pics with their cell phones, I really DO feel bad for you. Not because you couldn’t take pictures, but because you were even thinking about that. I would have gladly crushed my phone with my too-tall platforms and lay the remains of wires and glass at his golden-heeled feet for one more encore. Live your lives!

Nice post Cyd!

Thank you very much for very detailed reviews^^! I didn't even know he was in town...