Prince
Musicology Tour
Monday, July 12, 2004 - 7:30 p.m.
Madison Square Garden
New York, New York

8:08 p.m.
Intro: Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame Video

Black & White Two-Toned Suit, White Boots with Gold Heel

Musicology
Let's Go Crazy
I Would Die 4 U
When Doves Cry
--Kiss
Intro: 1999
Baby I'm a Star
Interlude: Renato Neto

White Shirt with Black Polka Dots, White Fringed Pants, White Boots with Gold Heel

Shhh

White Shirt with Black Polka Dots, White Fringed Pants, White Heeled Sneakers

D.M.S.R.
--Crazy In Love
--The Way You Move
--Freaks On This Side
Intro: A Love Bizarre/The Glamorous Life
I Feel 4 U
Controversy
Interlude: Greg Boyer and Maceo Parker
--Housequake

Interlude: Renato Neto
What a Wonderful World: Renato Neto and Maceo Parker

White Shirt with Red Polka Dots, White Fringed Pants, White Boots with Sequinned Heel

Intro: Sometimes It Snows In April
Little Red Corvette
Cream
Raspberry Beret
Prince and the Band
Alphabet St.
--Black Sweat
12:01
Adore
Intro: Jailhouse Rock
I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man
7

Sign O' the Times
The Question of U
The One
--Fallin'
The Question of U (Reprise)
Let's Work
Interlude/Bass Solo: Lopsy Lu (Etc.)
U Got the Look
Life 'O' The Party
Soul Man
Kiss
Take Me With U
--Theme from The Flintstones
--Hollywood Swingin'
--Theme from Sanford & Son
--777-9311/Onedayi'mgonnabesomebody

-----

Turquois Two-Piece Suit with Fringed Sleeves, Turquois Boots, Turquois Handkerchief.

The Beautiful Ones
Nothing Compares 2 U
Purple Rain
10:40 p.m.
-- Denotes songs performed very briefly as a part of the previously listed song.


Commentary: Elvis is dead. All Hail the new King. His name is Prince. And he is funky.

I can barely type because I am still speechless, dumbfounded, and in utter awe of the man. Those of you who have not yet seen this tour should immediately go get tickets without question. Those of you who have already seen him, since New York fell so late in the tour, see him again if he comes back to your city. For real.

Meanwhile, indulge me while I break this down for the folks who have NOT seen him.

This show was the first of six nights in the New York metropolitan area. After a hot and sunny weekend, the forecast for Monday through Wednesday was scattered thunderstorms. Rain. Beautiful rain. I have never been so happy to see rain in my entire life.

When we picked up our NPG Music Club tickets and got to our seats, we could not believe how close we were. Shouts go out to all the true funk soldiers in Section 27, even the guys who didn't show up until the acoustic set. The section was on the floor, but slightly raised because it was on the side--the better side if you ask me. This meant we really had the 'best' seats because we were close AND we could see damn near everything. I guess it pays to buy pre-sale tickets the moment they go on sale, as opposed to an hour later.

Before the show, they played a long string of Prince hits to get people in the mood. Ironically, this is the first show (of the hundreds of shows I've been to) where they actually played music by the performing artist before the show. We were in heaven.

And at 8:08 p.m., the two hour and 32-minute show began.

After the video intro, he rose from center stage in a cloud of smoke, and then pimp-walked to each side of the stage to greet and check out the audience. We were losing our minds.

There has been some debate over whether "Musicology" is a strong enough song to open the show. But after tonight, I'm sold. He delivers it. He rocks it. He pimps it. Everyone was on their feet.

He flew through so many songs, and he snuck in snippets of songs within others. Even a die-hard fan could miss some of the riffs he played if you're not listening intently. So, if I missed any, don't be mad. I also heard songs tonight that I had not known to be performed from prior reports.

The first half of the show was fast-paced, uptempo, and high energy. The acoustic set, which started with brief chords from "Sometimes It Snow in April," allowed a much needed break from the jumping, dancing, and shouting that we were doing. And just when you thought he was almost done, he ran through another high-energy set, and then an encore to end all encores. I had a fit when he did a little bit of "Freaks On This Side." And I still can't believe he did "Nothing Compares 2 U." Wow.

There is no better Prince song than "Purple Rain." Period.

The stage was shaped almost like a cross, with four mini-runway platforms which jutted out to each side of the arena. The band members dwelled in lower areas between these platforms if they weren't performing on the main staged.

He used a gold microphone and gold mic stand and a black version of his classic gun-shaped microphone.

He used many familiar-looking guitars, including his leopard printed one and a beautiful purple acoustic guitar for the acoustic set. He used a hot candy apple red and white bass for his brief bass solo. He also brought out his shiny, purple glymph symbol-shaped guitar in the final set.

The crowd was definitely a true fan-heavy, opening night crowd. 90 percent of the audience stood the entire time, with the exception of most of the acoustic set.

Celebrities reportedly present at this show include: Mary J. Blige, P. Diddy, 50 Cent, Star Jones, Mya, Ahmad Rashad, and a host of other WNBA players and B- and C-list actors.

Highlights: "Y'all been waiting a long time for this," Prince said during his first set. "So have I."

For "Let's Go Crazy," white confetti strips and metallic purple streamers rained from the ceiling to get the party started. Definitely a classic, beautiful sight.

During "When Doves Cry," saxophonist Candy Dulfter handed him a large fedora which matched his suit, and he put it on. The crowd loved it.

During "Shhh," the band sat down on plush velvet chairs which were scattered about the band areas.

During his brief "Crazy in Love" bit, he said he couldn't shake it like Beyonce because he didn't have enough ass. But that all changed when keyboardist Chance Howard came over. You had to be there.

At the end of "Freaks On This Side," he taught us a "funk lesson" with the help of band member Rhonda Smith. "This is Rhonda, and she is funky," he said repeatedly. We definitely got it.

"Controversy" was amazing. What was so phenomenal to see, though, was the entire crowd, on the side Prince was facing, dancing in UNISON with Prince. He had us leaning forward, bringing it back up, leaning forward, bringing it back up. Everyone, all races, all ages. The audience was in motion, and it was a BEAUTIFUL thing. Wow. You had to see it.

Later in "Controversy" Horn players Greg Boyer and Maceo Parker entered the stage wearing academic caps and gowns while playing a little interlude. "Musicology," Prince shouted. "School's in, y'all!" Moments later, Prince said "Can't nobody mess with my band," then the music stopped, Prince feigned emotion and plopped down onto one of the chairs on stage. A band member came over and draped a purple velvet blanket over him while he visibly and emotionally dealt with how great his band is. Classic. Then he picked up a magazine, the recent Rolling Stone with him on the cover, and turns to his cover story. The crowd went wild.

During the acoustic set, during "Little Red Corvette," he let the audience sing the line "Baby, have you got enough gas?" Prince responded, "I know I do!"

On "Cream" he had us clapping our hands and singing with him... until some of us forgot the lyrics. "Don't tell me there's a bunch of lip syncers up in here," he said.

During "Raspberry Beret," he let the audience sing the line "Sheeeee wasn't too bright..." Prince responded, "It sounds like a tornado hit the Madison Square Garden!" At the end of the song, he had us change the lyric to say "I think I looooove you." He responded, "I love you, too." Nice.

"Prince and the Band" (I might have this title wrong), a commentary on the music industry and his own struggles and evolution from a business standpoint, received overwhelming cheers as he made quick jabs at his former record label, Warner Bros. "Freedom is a beautiful thang," he said.

Drummer John Blackwell did an amazing solo during "Sign O' the Times."

During "The Question of U," Prince ripped an amazing guitar solo. Then he started playing with the foot pedals of the guitar controls on the floor, making the baby blue guitar make loud, distorted sounds without really touching it. Then he placed the guitar on the floor, and did the same as if he were a magician making the guitar make noise without touching it. Then, he got on the floor, did one of his classic predator crawls towards the guitar, as if he were moving in for the kill. And then he killed the guitar with the slightest touch, the guitar sounded off in loud, distorted agony and faded out. The guitar was dead. A band member draped a white cloth on the guitar, and carried it off stage. Amazing.

Security folks hand-picked about 15-20 women to come on stage and dance during the high-energy set that included "U Got the Look" and "Life 'O' the Party." The latter song featured a cool dancehall breakdown.

After "Take Me With U," he said goodbye and left the stage. All was dark except for an image of his glymph symbol rotating on the video screens. People screamed, chanted, and stomped their feet for what seemed like six or seven minutes. When he finally came back for his 'encores,' he rose again from center stage into a cylindrical chandelier of beads hanging from the stage ceiling. Long white streamers also descended from the stage ceiling. He performed "The Beautiful Ones," and even got on the floor and gyrated profusely amidst a cloud of smoke as he has done in past performances.

The final song. "Purple Rain." Over 10 minutes long. Classic, amazing, breath-taking. With is shiny, purple glymph symbol-shaped guitar in hand. He performed like it was his last performance in life. We sang, we screamed, we cried. Everyone was on their feet. A few, like me, with lighters in the air like we did back in the day. Because it was raining outside, many of us had umbrellas. And yes, umbrellas were opened and put up all over the arena. My umbrella was up and proud as we sang the soprano ad libs near the end of the song. Definitely an emotional moment. And then, he was done. He bid farewell to each side of the audience. He and the band quietly left the stage. As the ending chords of the song continued on tape, the house lights came on. The smoke cleared and people began leaving to the sounds of the final chords of the song which ended an electrifying show in an oh so peaceful way.

When the music was done, we realized that drummer John Blackwell was still on stage. Wearing a t-shirt with a picture of his late daughter across the chest, he ran around waving goodbye to folks on all sides of the stage. His daughter drowned in the family pool just two weeks ago, causing the postponement of a few of the Chicago shows. He is a trooper beyond belief to be able to continue touring so soon after his daughter's death.

We slowly, quietly left the arena... drained but full of just what we wanted and even more of what we needed. Upon exiting, we were once again greeted with beautiful, pouring rain.

Rain. That's what we all need.

THANK YOU!

Thanks for taking the time to write such a thorough review.

Thank you for writing your detail packed review!!
You saved me alot of typing!!

T H A N K Y O U P R I N C E
WHAT A SHOW!!!! He told us he was going to
bring down the roof and ooohhh he did!!!
We were blown away! I have seen Prince shows
since 1988 and this one is up there with the
best I have ever seen. Without a doubt.
T H N N K Y O U S O M U C H P R I N C E!!!!

I was also at the show last night. I'm from south Jersey and my birthday was last night. I ordered my tickets the day they became available through the club. It's been a long 4 months. I hung out with my bubby who lives in the city all weekend and we could not wait until last night. We arrived at the garden at about 7:15, The energy was incredible. The will call lines moved very smoothly and in we went. The show started at about 8:10 and it was simply amazing. I have seen about 8 Prince shows live, and I have just about everyone on DVD, but I have to tell you that last night was just unbelievable. The crowed was so pumped, the band was so tight, and what surprised me the most was hit voice and his energy. He can't be touched. If you haven't seen this show yet, you need to go and get your tickets. Believe me you will not be dissapointed. And by the way. You NPGMC club members rock. Everyone was so polite and respectful. What a great birthday I had.

Aloha 2 U all from NYC~Just wanted to add that Spike Lee sat behind us and Usher was next 2 us during this show...I def. think that being on the sides of the stage and just above the floor is the best seats 4 this tour...Great review of the show ThankYou! I took my 12 year old guitar playing nephew to the show and he was in total awe...2nite he get's his 2nd Prince show with his Uncle Wish~Props as always 2 Takumi and Afshin 4 always being cool~Aloha~

I'm glad Usher was there,he needs to be schooled and brought down a peg!

And thats how its done! I dont think I can love Prince and NPG any more than I already do at this moment.

Nothinbutjoy said:

You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed!

chewymusic said:

Thanks! It's the only way I know how!

Beautifully written!

Awesome review!

2the9s said:

that was my first show ever and i have to say that i am truly amazed. i still can't believe that i finally got to see him and that he was just so damn good! i'm still in awe and probably will be for a long while.

JasmineFire said:

Aww shucks Jas! You were pretty cool yourself!

Oh, you mean Prince...

2the9s said:

although i did fail in my mission to get prince to marry me so that i would never have to go to work again. damn. what's a gal to do?

JasmineFire said:

Have you tried stalking him?

2the9s said:

that might work. i wonder if there are any job openings at paisley park?

JAMIESTARR said:

Also, this review is awesome just awesome! Gettin me all excited for Friday!