Prince Draws on His Roots

Music More Jazz Infused as Artist Brings Tour to Lakeland

Friday, April 5, 2002

By BILL DEAN
The Ledger

Before he was "Prince," "The Artist Formerly Known as Prince" or simply "The Artist," Prince Rogers Nelson was the son of a Minneapolis jazz pianist who named his son after the pseudonym of his own group: the Prince Rogers Trio.

In many ways, Prince's recently released 23rd studio album -- and the concert tour he brings to Lakeland's Youkey Theatre on Saturday -- has him arcing ever closer to the father, as if returning full circle.

Released last November, Prince's "The Rainbow Children," is a jazz-and-gospel-fired funkfest so unexpectedly laden with improvisational riffs and jazz flourishes that some have dubbed it "Prince's jazz album."

Purely speaking, it isn't. But in feel, construction and delivery, Prince, like Halley's comet returning for a visit, is gravitating ever closer to his father's muse.

Perhaps the only thing more surprising is that it's taken the enigmatic, 43-year-old superstar that long.

At age 7, Prince started his musical odyssey by teaching himself to play piano.

Guitar and drums fell at 13 and 14, respectively; followed by bass, saxophone and enough others to make him the one-man band he would be on all of his early albums.

Unlike the also 43-year-old Michael Jackson and Madonna, both born within three months of Prince and both with successful careers sometimes compared with his, Prince has always done things his way.

He would write virtually every tune, play every instrument and produce every song on every album -- until the sixth, 1984's "Purple Rain," which marked the first time a backing band (then the Revolution), would be credited for playing on an album, though Prince continued to play and write most of the songs himself.

From the start, much of his sound was an unlikely blend of pop-rock and funk, as if the two had at first spoiled for a fight before deciding to make love and not war. Sexual imagery, lyrics and innuendo capped the mix almost from the start.

Early song titles like "Do Me, Baby" and "Dirty Mind" tantalized teen-aged thoughts, while stage antics like stripping down to black bikini underwear and performing "calisthenics" on a bed onstage fired up what was left to the imagination.

Prince's 24-year career has produced megahits ("When Doves Cry," "1999," "Purple Rain") and controversy, calculated or not, such as when he lampooned speculation about his androgynous image (in the 1981 song "Controversy") or changed his name to that unpronouncable symbol on his 35th birthday.

That name change in 1993 was a response to squabbles with his record company, Warner Bros., as was him painting the word "slave" on his face for photo sessions.

Last year, however, Prince methodically reclaimed his original brand-name, launched his own subscription music service (npgmusicclub.com) and released "The Rainbow Children."

He also got religion, adding sermonettes inspired by his joining the Jehovah's Witnesses. He delivered the whole package as if George Clinton, Miles Davis and Jimi Hendrix were all co-producers.

Acclaimed by critics as Prince's best recording since "Sign 'O' The Times" (1987), the new album also features jazz saxophonist Najee (among others), while the current tour has so far featured special guests like saxophonists Candy Dulfer and Maceo Parker.

Reviews of his concerts in other cities have praised his covers of songs by Sly and the Family Stone, the Ohio Players and others, along with much new, and some old Prince material ("Purple Rain" on solo keyboard, for example).

It appears Prince may be back with more than just his name, and remains anything but a musical pauper.

IF YOU GO
WHO: Prince
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday.
WHERE: Youkey Theatre, The Lakeland Center, 700 W. Lemon St., Lakeland.
COST: $100.75, $85.75, $50.75 and $20.75, on sale 10 a.m. today; Ticketmaster. Four-ticket limit per person; parking for concert is $5.
PHONE: 834-8111

Bill Dean can be reached at bill.dean@theledger.com or 863-802-7527.
http://www.theledger.com/...05prin.htm