Well the first time in 2 years i was definitely excited and raring to go.

Anyone who knows me knows I am nowhere near being an optimist. "Set your sights low and you can only do better" is my motto!

Well I am happy to say I was, again, pleasantly surprised by the NPG.

Going in expecting hits, I came away with a renewed appreciation for his performance talents. ONA was incredible musically, no real preening and showboating. This tour is the flashy showbiz Prince, for sure, but the music has never been lost!

The setlist was about 80% standard from most shows, I can't remember it all but I can give you the variations:

the acoustic set included telemarketers, bill collectors & fanatics with a lengthy improv with a Canaddian accent (what accent?!)
he was definitely at his most humourous and playful.

"when they call me up i just put on my best Candian accent and pretend it ain't me:
'who? prince? first name Prince or last name Prince? Ooh, the only Prince I know is that singer guy, the skinny one, eh. You think I sound like him? You think i sound like him with a Canadian accent? I dont appreciate that very much eh!' "

Alkso in the acoustic set he gave us: peach, ICNTTPOYM, cream, raspberry beret, and alphabet street. we were also treated to Pop Life, and The One/Fallin/Question of U. Much to our dismay we only got a teaser of Adore and Sweet Thing during the acoustic set.

after the show a rumour started brewing about a special performance at MuchMoreMusic the next day so we all scrambled to get to the nearest computer for details. the decision was so last minute, so the NPGMC sent us an email sometime during the concert! They only charged us 0.25...still dont know why, I guess they couldnt give them away??

We arrived on time, but should have known better. we lined up in the first studio. where talk shows are held and watched on the small monitor as they rehearsed DMSR. Prince sported a red Vince Carter jersey. He changed to a white one for the performance?!
an extra hour of waiting later we were led into the stage and formed a big circle around the hall, and there was no raised stage, all on the floor.

The band came out and kicked off Musicology and led into Kiss and DMSR. He invited members to dance with him and was quickly surrounded, security looked like they would have a coronary cuz they couldnt get t him, but luckily the fanatics controlled themselves. I set myself up behind Jon drum set...I've seen him close up many times, but I havent been on national TV before so watch out, I'm so pretty you may forget about Prince...or not...

After the set Prince came back out for an interview. Overall it was OK. nothing groundbreaking. when we arrived we were asked to write a question we'd like to have him answer and it was sent back to his management so they could pre-ask him what he liked, 4 were chosen but only 3 made it on the air (sorry High-Tone).

He was, as usual, avoiding direct questions, and found a way to completely lose the point and make us forget there should even be one...wait did that make sense? follow me? no? exactly!

After the performance we had a few hours to kill. we ate and drank. no report neccesary.

Nelly Furtado opened the second night and contrary to popular opinion here on the org she was great! shes fun, cute and had alot of confidence for an intimidating opening slot.

Prince seemed to lack the enthusiasm he had the first night.
He added Whole Lotta Love, which kicked major ass, and brought back memories of Xenophobia.
He also added a wonderful acoustic version of 17 days and his voice was just so damn pitch perfect!

Other than that, he seemed to go through the motions, skipping the Rolling Stone bit, and the whole comedy bit during Telemarketers.

He also left out Question of U/Fallin/The One, The beautiful ones, nothing compares 2 u.
although he did add Call my name to the encore just before Purple Rain, which got a rousing reaction to the hometown shoutout. Great performance, but overall he seemed...bored.

he did the ordering pizza bit, which he didnt do the first night.

Oh, did he start doing this Hendrix-ish feedback guitar thing, where he creates tons of feedback and simulates some sort of exorcism...at which point Takumi brings a towel to the stage and he lays it over the guitar like a souless dead body...first time I ever seen him do that.

All in all, a great show. no afterparties or shows, but the MuchMusic special was very cool and we got to experience a rare treat. He hasnt done a MTV TRL type thing with a live audience, although the Words and Music was pretty close.

Thanks NPG. Rhonda and Candy never looked and sounded better.

Prince, GIVE RHONDA SOME MORE SOLOS!!!!!


Oh, and to the lovely lady I met outside C-Lounge... I know you're reading this.

Shhh

He used a "minnesotan" accent during the telemarketers bit here in St. Paul so he's rehashing.

And you know they're pretty similar accent. Although you guys are a bit more nasal

Shame Dylan doesn't let looselike that. That would be a trip to hear that!

lovemachine said: