By George Varga
San Diego Union-Tribune Pop Music Critic

September 2, 2004

In music, timing is everything, and right now Prince is having the time of his life.
At 46, he is enjoying his greatest prominence, commercially if not artistically, since his "Purple Rain" heyday 20 years ago. And while the artist once again known as Prince insists he isn't making a comeback, simply because he never really went away, his high profile this year suggests a major re-emergence at the very least.

In February, he opened the Grammy Awards telecast by ripping through such hits as "Let's Go Crazy" and "Baby I'm a Star," before duetting on "Purple Rain" with Beyoncé (who looked crazy in awe at her legendary vocal partner).

A month later, he celebrated his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with a show-stealing opening performance of "Let's Go Crazy," "Sign 'o' the Times" and "Kiss." Later that night, he joined Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne and other all-star rockers for a potent version of the Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." His impassioned guitar solo was so dazzling that Petty, et al., watched in amazement.
The Grammys and the Hall of Fame bash were well-timed preludes to the late-March launch of Prince's "Musicology" tour, which stops here Sunday for a show at SDSU's Cox Arena.

While many Prince fans have hailed his highly lucrative "circle in the round" concert trek as both a welcome return and the start of a vibrant new chapter in his career, in many ways "Musicology" (also the name of his latest album) is business as usual. That is, he's touring to promote his current release – and to remind people of his formidable legacy, although it hasn't been so formidable in recent years.

The key difference is that, after spending too many years under the radar making substandard albums and performing by-the-numbers concerts, this diminutive musical giant is eager to reclaim his place in the spotlight. So far, his quest has been wildly successful, if not problem-free.

His coast-to-coast performances were originally billed as Prince's first arena tour in six years. This surely came as a surprise to any fans who attended his 2001 concert here at Cox Arena, or at any of the other arenas he performed in that year or the next.

"Musicology" is also being being billed as "Prince per4ming his greatest hits 4 the last time." It's a claim he has already started to back away from, suggesting his "farewell" to his best-known songs is more a matter of smart marketing than factual accuracy.

The tour has won rave reviews from most critics, who are eager to embrace genuine skill, vision and charisma in an age of teen-pop automatons and hollow hip-hop shills.

It officially opened March 29 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, after a warm-up date in Reno. Like most of his subsequent shows, the Staples date was sold out, although some tickets still remain for his concert here Sunday.

Prince's L.A. gig drew a star-studded audience of fans that included Eddie Murphy, Sugar Ray Leonard and Gwen Stefani. He was accorded a hero's welcome by the audience, which danced and sang along throughout the two-hour-plus show.

Alternately rousing and disappointing, "Musicology" is a notable improvement over his 2001 tour, which saw him deliver an unfocused performance here that at times seemed to be operating on cruise control.

"Musicology's" staging and production values are impeccable, and Prince's new two-woman, six-man band is superior in terms of both musical ability and showmanship.

The presence of former James Brown alto sax dynamo Maceo Parker is an added bonus, especially since his role was filled in 2001 by smooth-jazz confectioner Najee, who is better suited to making soundtracks for film documentaries about cotton candy.

Less welcome is Prince's continuing penchant for performing some of his most vital songs in abbreviated form or in truncated medleys, an annoying trait that has marred his concerts for years. His tour-opening L.A. gig found him zipping through five songs – including back-to-back versions of "Let's Go Crazy," "I Would Die 4 U" and "Baby I'm a Star" – in just 12 minutes.

He fared far better with "Controversy" and "Purple Rain," which clocked in at seven and 15 minutes, respectively, and enabled his band to build a level of dynamic tension and release.

Alas, as at his Cox show here three years ago, Prince is still prone to erratic pacing. He demonstrated this at Staples by following the fiery "Controversy" with an extended, Kenny G-styled duet by Parker and pianist Renato Neto that was as smarmy as it was amorphous.

The rest of his L.A. concert was similarly uneven, with Prince soaring one moment, only to land with a thud the next. The musical peaks he ascended were so heady and rewarding one can only wonder why he can't stay there for an entire show.

Ever the canny marketer, Prince has arranged for each fan attending his current tour to receive a copy of his so-so "Musicology" album (which is also available through a special, one-time-only distribution deal he signed with Columbia Records). But rather than make this a free giveaway, he quietly built the retail price of each CD into the ticket price.

This enabled him to almost instantly make "Musicology" his best-selling album in at least a decade, since SoundScan (which tracks national sales) is counting each tour ticket as an official album sale. Prince is also using "Musicology," which echoes rather than furthers his best work, to draw traffic to his online Musicology Download Store in order to market his previous and future recordings.

Business strategies aside, where once Prince was a brilliant, cutting-edge maverick who pushed the envelope as often as possible, now he's a morally upstanding champion of old-school aesthetic values.

"We do not believe in lip-syncing," he told his L.A. audience, sounding a refrain that's been repeated at each tour stop. "This is real music by real musicians."

That, without question, it is.

But while Prince's "Musicology" tour celebrates his previous triumphs, it does little to suggest that his best work isn't a decade or two behind him. Now, it's up to him to prove he's an artist whose future is as bright as his storied past. Here's hoping it is.

"But while Prince's "Musicology" tour celebrates his previous triumphs, it does little to suggest that his best work isn't a decade or two behind him..."


Prince's live show is (arguably) the best it's ever been. As far as his albums, I have a theory-
If Prince would have released "musicology" in 1987 and "Sign O' the Times" was released now, "musicology" would be considered his masterpiece and would be as beloved as "Sign O' the Times".

Skywalker, I totally agree. I think that alot of people have gotten spoiled because of the fact that Prince puts out so much music. It gives them more 2 critisize. He plays all types of music and until people except that they will never understand his albums. Especially now.

Bull said:

i think we can agree to disagree.

i think even prince agrees with the writer of this story, based on the songs he's now playing in concert.

from his 1st seattle show, only 3 of the 30 songs played were off his new album. "prince & the band" can be considered new... of the rest of the 25 songs, only ONE was from the 90s ("Shhh")...

next tour? none of the Musicology tracks will be played... yet, he will always play tracks from his best albums... (whether or not he says he will or not.)

"This is my final tour." (Prince, 1993)

prince enjoys being #1 at the bank too much not to play his "moneymakers" in concert anymore.

let's see... gross $100M, or play smaller venues where only the longtime fans will appreciate the unreleased/new music... this is prince we're talking about here... c'mon lol...

We all know this is not Prince's greatest album. But it is a damn enjoyable good CD! Better than most anything on the radio! I can't wait for this concert, San Diego has waited long enough, bring on the Musicology!!

To the reviewer:

At what point was the One Nite Alone tour "by the numbers"?

Have you listened to the musicality in "The Rainbow Children'"? How can that album be considered "sub-standard"?

What in this show is disappointing? Do you want Prince to only do full versions of songs? In that case, I guess he'll only perform about 10 to 15 per show.

Suomynona, 1st off This tour is covering 25 years of his music, How many songs from the new CD is he surpose 2 fit in? If he played more songs from This CD then people would be complaining that he didn't play enough of the older songs. And then u have people like yourself that say that he didn't play enough of the new CD. Your making my point 4 me. The man just can't win no matter what he does sometimes. Yes the money is nice 2 him, but I think that if he were in it 4 the money at this he would have stayed with WB. Its about his art and his freedom. Why do folks have such a hard time with that. Maybe we may do things alittle differently, but he is the 1 that writes the songs, and makes the music and most importantly, it is his life.

And u forgot, The One, nothing compares 2 u, 7, and cream among others.

suomynona said:

**snicker**



Well damn...that's when the brother takes his break, and WE fans need a breather.

I wonder do any of you dotOrgers feel the same way. Personally, I don't...but that's just me.
[Edited 9/2/04 21:03pm]

Bull said:

the one was not played in seattle, nor was nc2u (which is from the 80s... lol)

7 and cream were from 91, so you got me there.

so, 3 songs (out of 30) from the 90s... and another 3 from the current cd.

i still stand by what i said... prince knows when his better material came out... that's why you never hear anything he's released via the npgmc performed live in front of people that paid $50-75+...

just sayin'...

prince backs up what the reviewers say by the setlists he plays. it's been this way for a very long time now.

skywalker said:

The "Musicology" CD is solid and polished but is nowhere near as innovative, experimental, and groundbreaking as the "SOTT" CD and other songs done in that period (like "Crystal Ball" and "Joy In Repetition"). If I had never heard it and SOTT dropped today, I'm pretty sure my jaw would still drop in amazement when I listened to "SOTT", "Housequake", "If I Was Your Girlfriend", "It", etc.
[Edited 9/2/04 22:14pm]

I was at a nearby Italian restaurant having Chicken Marsala, and got a copy of the Union-Trib. from today, and saw this very article, and thought at first, "Cool. They're giving Prince props." To some extent, they do, but they also do some of same tired old criticizing that has been done, namely that Musicology is "so-so", and that he plays his hits too short, and on and on and on.

The Trib has never been known for it's positive reporting, however, I will say.

If you go online at the union tribs site, you can read the 2 1/2 star review that same guy (George Varga) gives musicology back in April. Just for y'all s enjoyment: http://entertainment.sign...ile/272127

poetbear68 said:

justlikethesun said:

Can't say I've ever noticed that the UT was particularly negative in its reporting. I think George Varga is the best music critic at the UT as far as my musical taste and perspective goes. To me, 2 & 1/2 stars for Musicology seems about right...

suomynona said:

'7' ain't from '91 sunshine. Best you start revising some of you duff info mate.

Shockamattica said:

omg, i was off by a year sorry, but i never listen to either of them anymore... regardless, my point stands... and prince continues to back it up with the setlists.

suomynona said:

Prince is playing mainly 80s songs on the Musicology tour because those are the songs he wishes to "retire". Now whether he does retire them or not that's his intention. IF, you are going to retire certian songs it makes sense to retire the older ones - ones which have been played many many times in the past. Despite how good they are/compare.

Also I did wonder if it had anything to do Mayte/Warners, i.e. trying not to recount memories of that particular past.

Comparing recent npgmc tracks to 80s hits is not a fair comparison. A more fairer comparison would be to compare the newer npgmc tracks to 80s B-sides, un-released bootlegs from the period, etc. Neither of these eras are then well represented/played.

KAB said:

i think that should be the next org poll.

"Do you really believe Prince when he says that this is the last tour that he's going to perform Purple Rain?" (and if that answer is yes, i have a an official npg release titled "roadhouse garden" i'd like to sell you.)

i mean, i bought the "This is my last tour" lie he sold us in 1993... but that was the last time.

suomynona said:

I believe he has already retracted it slightly by stating the songs won't be be played for "for some time".

After 1993 on which tour did he next play Purple Rain? It was semi-retired for a few years wasn't it?

I don't believe him, no.

KAB said:

i believe he next played it in hawaii...

Ya'll...I believe what he is saying is this:

From second-hand experience, being in the music business there's a lot of pressure - drugs, sex, misleading mgmt, etc.

If those in the business don't have spirituality in their life, they fall right into that trap that Prince may have found himself in.

It's his personal life-lesson he's giving advice on, NOT an order (like previously mentioned). he wasn't saying "No one EVER get into the music industry EVER!"

All he is saying is get your soul in order first BEFORE you get into the business!!!

suomynona and others-

I doubt that Prince is playing a great deal of songs from the 80's and early 90's because he feels that those songs are of a higher quality. More likely, his set list has to do with the fact that the casual fans are more familiar with those songs.

Face it: His feud with Warner Bros. and ditching a major label didn't do him any favors as far as getting songs on the radio. That aspect, combined by the auto-monotony of corporate controlled playlists and charts, basically took Prince off of the pop radio-not lack of song quality.

suomynona, U keep saying that Prince knows when his better songs were released, by better I think that u mean most popular. Yes the 80's were the most popular years of his career,but that hardly qualifies as his best musis. Its his most popular music. If u were 2 ask him if he is a better musician now he and any1 else that plays some kind of music would tell u that they were better now. Thats the great thing about music, the more u play and experiment, the better u get. U may not be as popular, but u will be better. I hope I'm getting my point across
P.S. And yes of coarse if he's going 2 have a world or big arena tour he is going 2 play his most popular songs. Thats how u sell the most tickets by playing what most people want 2 hear.

Bull. (and i think you know what i mean when i say that)

over the last... oh let's say forever... whether it's been any tour where he isn't exclusively promoting a single record... the songs he plays are the ones that will keep the crowd pumped.

hence, you RARELY hear anything from 89-current, unless it is that record that he is trying to sell.

(which is why the tour promoting newpower soul was so god-awful.) combine medleys with push it up and i like funky music... and the stellar musicianship of kirky j and doug e. fresh... woo hoo...

is anyone else thankful prince didn't choose any of the past oh... 5 or 6 years as his comback year instead of 2004? it was perfect timing... these songs mix pretty well with his best material.

my point still stands... and you've made me expand it a little... prince believes his best music is from 79-88, and has *always* backed it up with his setlists (not just this tour).

you won't get anyone to deny prince is a hell of a lot better musician now than he was 79-88... but his output now is garbage when you compare the two. look at 'musicology' without comparing it to the 79-88 material, and it's pretty good. compare it to 'sott' and you'll never listen to it again.

my friend made a good point about a month ago. if it wasn't prince, would you even listen to 'musicology'? i don't think so...

suomynona said:

Well, I want to draw a contrast. In these same years that you mention, all it seems Prince played was his hits. Well with Diamonds & Pearls, The Gold Experience, Emancipation, and The Rainbow Experience, he played from setlits surrounding these albums, and I LOVED THESE TOURS!

suomynona said:

suomynona said:

I grew up in the 80's and I still have my original 1999 and purple rain albums, yes the album and I want to hear all the old stuff...my fav color has always been purple as my maternal grandmother..in school I wore it everyday, had a purple phone and had my room painted purple...both me and Prince share the same zodiac sign...

Nothing Compares 2 U wasn't released by Prince until the "The Hits" albums which was the 90s. No one cares about The Family.

Illusion Coma Pimp and Circumstance, along with Musicology and Dear Mr. Man are three of the best songs he's done in years,

The musicianship on Rainbow Children was phenomonal, but the album on a whole was nothing more but religious psycho babble and quite frankly "sub-standard" isn't a strong enough term for it. His worse since Chaos and Disorder. Which is absolutely fucking awful (except for I Like It There).

I disagree that NPGMC material wouldnt fit in on these tour. Vavoom. My Medallion and When Eye Lay My Hands On You would hook anyone who has taste in music. And imagine what those would sound like live.

I dont believe anything Prince says. Ever. Says he doesn't have anything against Michael Jackson- we all know he has something against Michael Jackson. Said He and Mayte weren't getting divorced, it was just that marriage was a contract and the word contract has the prefix CON and blah blah blah blah blah blah. He and Mayte got divorced. Said he was rerecording all his WB albums. Never rerecorded all his WB albums. Talks about peace and spirituality and brotherly love. Stands by and watches bodyguard rough up a guy who took his picture in an airport and break the camera.

Prince and I share same amount of letters in our last name, and we both dig the Puerto Riclettes. I have every album from For You to Batman on vinyl. The room I'm writing this in is purple.

Purple Rain in Chinese is pronounced "Tzzzz Yu".

suomynona said:

why u putting amazon links in all the articles. You ain't slick. lol.

There has never been a Prince concert that was "by the numbers"...