http://www.chron.com/cs/C...nt/2723883

REVIEW

Prince hypnotizes 1st packed audience

He's reinventing the past to make it interesting in the present

By MICHAEL D. CLARK
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle

Madonna. The Rolling Stones. U2.

Some artists can turn a concert into an event simply by showing up.

Prince definitely is one, but the master of kinky funk and propulsive R&B always goes a step further. With a twirl of his petite frame and that genius grin, the artist who once called himself simply "The Artist" makes every live performance a party.

Using his purple guitar the way the Pied Piper used a flute, Prince hypnotized a packed Toyota Center Friday night in the first of two Houston shows, with songs spanning a quarter-century of albums. Favorites ranging from a freaky-jazzy Controversy to a free-form Shhh dotted his set, but he focused particularly on two eras of his career.

Following the religious overtones of The Rainbow Children and the dense jazz of the instrumental N.E.W.S., Prince has returned to radio-friendly, club-ready hooks with his new Musicology.

As if to drive the point home, he mixed new cuts with the best songs from his film and soundtrack masterpiece Purple Rain. It seemed as if no time had passed between the albums.

"Are you ready for me?" Prince teased the audience shortly after taking the stage in a tan hybrid trench coat-dinner jacket. "Did you miss me?"

In response, the crowd danced as if the Toyota Center were a sweaty after-hours club.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Purple Rain. Prince kicked off a year-long celebration in February by singing a medley of its hits with Beyoncé at the Grammys. At this show, too, he was ready to party like it was 1984.

Prince led his band through a Purple Rain primer that included Let's Go Crazy, When Doves Cry and Baby I'm A Star.

Prince did not deny the audience the hits, but his loose rearrangement of I Feel For You as an extended funk jam and his solo acoustic versions of Little Red Corvette and Cream are more representative of where he is now musically. In the hands of a master, this concert was the best party in town

97.9 ...MoneyMade!

I can't wait 4the DVD!

Great show!

Oh my God! I went to the second show and it was off the chain. There is no one better than Prince in concert. These young Cats need to take a lesson. I am taking my niece to see Usher and I saw him on the BET awards all out of breathe dancin' and couldn't sing. She said it is because he is dancin' I said Prince can sing and dance at the same time. I named a few more artists thats an excuse! They need to learn to perform properly take a lesson from cats like Prince! He had the Toyota Center rockin' like a night club. I love live shows and if you name an act I have probably seen them and I have only seen that happen at a Prince show. He had them cut on the house lights and people were up just dancin all in the aisles! I took my two sisters and one said that was the most fun she ever had. No one and I mean no one can touch Prince!!!

Yes I was also blessed to be at this concert Friday night at the Toyota Center and I Took along my Bestfriend and his Girl and I brought a friend from work who loves him almost as much as I do and she had never been to see him live and she was floored by his peformance that night as was I. I had been to see 5 of his concerts now starting back in 98 and I got to go to the newyears concert here in Houston in 98 and it was amazing...But last friday was something all to its own really. I was simply blown away at the performance he put on. I was sober this concert and I found my self acting a fool as if I were wasted. The music just took control and I lost myself in it for the short time he performed...and It was longer then most concerts but for Prince I could have stayed and listened to him playing for 12 hours or more without a break...I just can't put into words the way I felt when I walked out that night...other then wanting more and more and more. I only regret not getting to the second show that Saturday night. But anyways...it was a fantastic concert and I pray to see him again on and on.

lolarose said:

CO SIGN. I attended the saturday show...and DAMN..what a Show it was!!!...this is the MAN, people. fromt he minute the lights went down, the crowd was in a frenzy...I think he even motioned for me to come forward as I ran up the aisle during one song. I am a lil peeved he didnt do Rasberry Beret (i dont think), or If I was your Girlfriend, but he more then made up for it with the instrumental for Sometimes it Snows....I am still thinking of this show here on Tuesday, and that was my 4th P Concert..and it was the best by far (and thats saying alot)...almost as entertaining as him were the outfits of the fans. loved em.... He Killed it on "Call my name" but i hear he didnt sing it on friday..he gave them "the beautiful ones"...either way...there are no kings on this earth...only PRINCES....

be easy

saturdays was good. had to go to houston since i missed him here. i heard fridays was longer though, and he did pop life. woulda liked to have seen that. still, i got whole lotta love, so i cant complain.

i was at both shows and got 2 dance on stage sat. nite (black pants burduundy shirt) and sing LOTP with prince AND candy.

4 those of u who have been to a couple of shows on this tour u know he usually only lets the girls sing to KISS, but when he opened the set with Let's Work and LOTP, then I sang, it opened the door for the other girls to sing not only KISS but take me w/ u.

i can die a happy woman now!! LOL!