A lot of you won't agree with this report, but it's the way I feel. I've been a Prince fan for along time, spending loads of money for flashes of brilliance. I've finally kicked the habit after seeing the NYC soundcheck, the show and the aftershow. He's lost it. I'll try to break this down into what I liked first and what finally caused me to realize he ain't what he used to be and why I feel he's milking his true fans dry of cash.

Here's what I liked-

Soundcheck- had a casual vibe, Power Fantastic and Extraordinary were great.

The show- Great guitar playing, Loved the piano medley, 1+1, Love Rollercoaster and Anna Stesia

Aftershow- Loved Joy in Repetition and 777.

What really pissed me off (in no particular order)

Spent $100 for the club and $150 for the "ticket" and still had to stress about getting in line early, waited for over 3 hours just to get in and scrambling for a seat. There was no chance of getting food because you would lose your place. By the time I got in, the middle seats of the first 20 rows were taken so I had to sit on the side. Some members had to sit way in the corner, sure they were in the 3rd row, but behind the speaker with obstructed views.

Prince's attitude at soundcheck was OK, but he had his typical wiseass behavior when he told people "they were late" as they came in. These are his fans that paid $100 to be in his club and just waited outside in the rain for at least 3 hours to get in and he says "they're late?" Then he goes and sits in the seats in the back and sings from there. He says he doesn't cuss anymore and asks us if we do. He said anyone who does cuss has turets. First of all what if I did have turets or someone I knew did. It ain't funny to pick on the handicapped. Second of all, Prince is the one who TAUGHT ME how to cuss and to be free and also LOVE GOD but it was OK TO HAVE SEX. Now he's saying I can't do that anymore? Fuck him.


The show was terribly paced. He would get a groove going with 1+1 and Love Rollercoaster and then lose it. When he did play any old songs they were the most overplayed boring songs of his career- Rasberry beret and Take Me With U? Why!? He attempted to play jazz and ended up really making me appreciate Santana and Herbie Hancock. As usual he featured Maceo way too much and brought out Larry Graham for another way too long Sly song for the oldies crowd. I won't even get into the Lincoln thing or the videos of planes. That's been discussed. All I know is I met some wonderful funny people in line who happened to be black, and Prince had to remind us that according to him we are still "seperate." His "joke" about "If your'e a giver then give up your seat" to the girl in the front row who had obviously been outside in line since 9am wasn't funny. She should receive nothing but respect from Prince not some sarcastic joke. Prince did his speech during Purple Rain how no New Yorkers had read the Scripture before 9/11 and now they do, he was sort of saying "I told ya so." Yea blame the victims. Real nice.

Here's the clincher that really did it for me that I thought was just WRONG- He started playing Anna Stesia and said it was a song we needed to hear during the turbulent times. I totally agreed and I love the song. About half way through Prince tells all the club members to raise their hands. He says to "put our hands out" and says that from no on all the good seats will be given to club members only and told everyone if they wanted good seats they had to join the club. This really pissed me off. During such an emotional and spriritual song Prince is trying to make money and using us. I felt like he was Pat Robertson on the 700 club. "Dig deep into your pockets and give me your money!" The NPG club web site was also on the screen. Very tacky.

After waiting in the rain in line for another 2 1/2 hours the club members were let in. What we heard was yet another playing of Alphabet Street, Joy In Repetition, Extraordinary- all which were played at soundcheck hours before. Then he went into a half hour jam with Pass the Peas (again!) and a lame Doug E fresh lame rap and more jamming with Larry and Geroge Clinton who was as high as a kite and couldn't get the braids out of his face. He did end strong with Musiq doing SLy's "If You Want Me to Stay" and Alicia I guess was OK, although I'm sick of the song I've heard it since it came out around 1983 and he also played this at the show that night and many tours prior.

After this experience my "Prince habit" is kicked. He doesn't dance anymore,whcih I didn't think I would miss, but I really do, he has lost most of his sex appeal much like Al Green did when he became a preacher. I thought I would like this, but I guess that a lot of what I liked about Prince was Dance, Music, Sex and Romance. All we got was lots of guitar solos and too much horn playing. He's forgotten about his many other performing talents. He also insists on preaching his way or the highway and jamming with the oldies of Maceo and Larry. The best songs of the set were from the 80's and early 90's. Think about what the crowd went nuts for- When U Were Mine, How Come U Don't Call Me, Joy In Repetition, Strange Relationship, Anna Stesia, Rasberry Beret, and the entire piano medley were all old songs, nothing from the early 90's on. He's over in my opinion and I won't be spending any more money on the man until he gets his shit together, but I think it's too late.

Wow I'm glad that's off my chest. If someone told me I could get to go see Prince soundcheck and perform from the 10th row and go to an aftershow and be in the second row I could die happy. The reality was that I was actually a little bored. It took me $300 for tickets and $100 for membership and a full 12 hours of hanging with Prince to finally realize that Prince's glory days are over, he's ripping his true fans off and he just ain't that great anymore. Sorry that's just my opinion, like to hear if any of you agree even a little. I'll still be posting on the org as a fan, but my habit is kicked and I am not spending anymore cash on this ungrateful, egotistical little twerp.

Danny, I'm sorry u feel that way. As 4 his "making fun of the handicapped," if one of u're friends had said it would u get offended? I think he was just making a casual joke. Granted the stuff the audience went nuts 4 was the older stuff, but I heard plenty of people singing along 2 the TRC stuff as well. I don't know, I thought it was a great show. I'm sorry that u didn't have a good time.
[This message was edited Wed Apr 10 21:42:41 PDT 2002 by getwild007]

DMSR said:[quote
Prince's attitude at soundcheck was OK, but he had his typical wiseass behavior when he told people "they were late" as they came in. These are his fans that paid $100 to be in his club and just waited outside in the rain for at least 3 hours to get in and he says "they're late?" Then he goes and sits in the seats in the back and sings from there. He says he doesn't cuss anymore and asks us if we do. He said anyone who does cuss has turets. First of all what if I did have turets or someone I knew did. It ain't funny to pick on the handicapped. Second of all, Prince is the one who TAUGHT ME how to cuss and to be free and also LOVE GOD but it was OK TO HAVE SEX. Now he's saying I can't do that anymore? Fuck him.

i had a girlfriend who whined as much as you.
damn i miss that bitch

Interesting points made, I do agree about waiting in line and having to fight for good seats for that kind of money.
I also think your point about him losing his sex appeal made sense. I am not sure what it is, I am digg'n his new stuff but I agree since he found his new way (which is fine) it doesn't seem as raw. Good or bad not sure?
MS

DMSR, I am getting tickets to the LA shows tomorrow and worry I might come away feeling the same way. Quite frankly, I can see the setlist being a huge turnoff to the vast majority of the audience. I mean, coming out and jamming The Rainbow Children down the audience's throat, with that idiotic distorted voice . . . I know that won't sit well with the crowd. It's nice that he continues to try new things, but let's face it, Prince has released virtually nothing but crap for more than a decade now. I wish he would just stick to his pre-90s catalog, like the 2000 Hit-N-Run tour, which was absolutely amazing.

DMSR said:

sure it is. look at the Divinity thread for proof...


I'M KIDDING!!!!


i'm not quite to your level of frustration, but i did decide i wasn't going to go to the show this time around, since i'm not exactly enthralled with TRC. i'll take a wait and see attitude now, before i decide to abandon his tunes. i just hope prince doesn't get to the point where "nobody's diggin' his music, but himself..."

DMSR, I respect your opinion, and I respect the fact that you chose to share what turned out to be a dissappointing Prince experience with the rest of the org. I've seen the ONA show, and I thought it was great. But to be totally honest with you, I have been pleasantly surprised to find out there are not more fans that feel the way you do.

After seeing the show, while I did enjoy it, one thing about the performance really stands out, and that is that Prince is certainly not a "dirty little Prince" anymore. Let's face it, people liked it when Prince was a "bad boy", and if that's the kind of show people want to see, I'm sure they will feel somewhat dissappointed just like you did.

When you stop and think about it, it's kind of funny. Because I can just imagine the casual admirer of Prince going to the show expecting the nasty/dirty Prince and then they go to show and find out he's actually talking about God.

So yes... let it be known to fans and non-fans alike that Prince has changed. Hopefully though, fans will understand that change is inevitable, and no one should reasonably expect Prince at 43 years old to act like the Prince of 23 years old. Things change, people change, and life goes on.

woah. thanks for the honesty in your report. when I saw him in va, couple of yrs ago he had a look on his face like running up and down the steps on stage were getting a bit much- not that he cant still do it-but it looked more like work for him then fun for him.

I woulda still loved to hear him do Power Fantastic live tho. How was that?

peace,

abucah said:

Well my main point wasn't just that he isn't dirty anymore, if you read the whole review.

And yes people do change, so I say move over old Prince-

BRING ON D'ANGELO!! He will be the new KING!

I saw prince for the Hit-N-Run tour in Virginia 2 years ago. Damn that was one hell of a show. He outdanced the female dancer he had on tour with him, who was half his age. Good lord, I hope the LA show doesn't suck . . . Can anyone tell me what the general reaction from non-hardcore fans has been to the setlist? I can imagine a general lack of disappointment and low energy, based on the horrific standard setlist so far.

GeMiNiSFuNkYJaMs said:

Power Fantastic was great, but it made me really miss the Revolution. Having a new band every two years sucks. This band has no personality and they'll be gone next tour anyway so you can't get attached to them.

THECROSS2002 said:

The crowd seemed a little perplexed at times. I saw Madonna this year and they had the same reaction to the lack of hits. U2 did it right. Half new stuff and a full hour of old stuff that rocked and fit the times. If this was truly "One Night Alone" with just Prince and maybe a bass or keyboard player it would have been amazing.

DMSR said:

I know, and that wasn't my main point either - my main point was simply that Prince has changed... and right, wrong or indifferent, some people will go with the flow, and some people will not - that's life I guess.

Yeah, but U2 was out behind a really strong new album. Prince hasn't had an album on the level of All That You Can't Leave Behind since Sign O' The Times. This self-indulgent crap is what has caused Prince's audience to dwindle. I really think he is completely incapable of coming up with a catchy melody anymore.

> from DMSR

Yeah Brotha, I hate to say it, but the Phunk is on your side. I checked out the show in ATL and while there were glimpses of his greatness (can you say When You Were Mine!), the pace of the show, well, sucked. Never in my life had I ever sat down at a Prince show, but I found myself sitting for over 5 songs at ONA. Maybe it was the fact I ws coming down off blow, but I really didn't get into this show like I would have liked.

THECROSS2002 said:

Why are you concerned about the reaction from non-hardcore fans? My perception though was that they responded just like anyone does to songs they've never heard before.

abucah said:

Right, I agree, and normally I would go there with Prince, but after the last10 years of mostly crap and LOTS OF MONEY I'm getting off the Ride. And believe me I'll still be buying his new stuff, but I guess in my "mind" I can get over the Prince obsession. I need to find somebody new to fill his shoes. Craig David? D'Angelo or somebody else I don't know, but Prince doesn't do it for me anymore. Instead of expecting a great show and album, I'll expect the worst and hopefully be very surprised someday when we get another masterpiece.

By the way DMSR, how were Purple Rain and Nothing Compares 2 U? Those are a couple of all-time classics--did he do them full and right?

abucah said:

Because it is kind of a downer when the energy level is low, and even though you are familiar with the new material, 90% of the audience is befuddled, in their seats, and looking like they'd rather be home watching C-SPAN.

DMSR said:

Excuse me??? D'angelo isn't going to be the new KING. He'll only be the old Prince...or at least his best attempt at it. "There are no KINGS in this world, only PRINCES."

BTW, I like D'angelo. I just had to set the record straight.

THECROSS2002 said:

So because of that, in your opinion, should Prince only play his back catalog of hits from now until forever?

THECROSS2002 said:

Those two songs were amazing as usual. I have never heard Purple Rain on the piano since that scene in the movie and it was very moving to be in NYC and here that song. Chills. I wish he had dropped the preachy part about not reading the scripture before 9/11, but it was still classic prince. Nothing Compares was almost a full version and I liked it better than the hits live version. Why the hell he didn't release this as a Prince single I'll never know. It is one of his best songs.

DMSR said:

Don't kid u'reself. D'angelo will NEVER be what Prince is.

Nisha42272 said:

D'Angelo has that same energy and sex appeal Prince used to have and he is still very new to the game. Remember that Dirty Mind was Prince's third album and look what happened after that. I saw D'Angelo last year and really think he has great potential. His live show was much better than the Voodoo album I do agree.

saw prince in 98 in columbia sc. still been listening and buying new cd's but lets face it he is my age. I started listening to him in 78 when my daughter was born. She was in college in columbia before I saw him in concert for first and last time. I will never go to another concert, that one was great though. I think his problem in my opinion is he thinks hes getting old. His problems started with larry graham and mayte. They were the worse things that ever happened to him. He could still be the genious if he got completely rid of those two. In my opinion. and if you listen to his music his trouble really started with mayte and the loss of their child. I don't think he really got over that, i think he's punishing himself/ and his fans too. As for me and my 43 year old self, i am going to greenville in may for my mothers day present with my youngest daughter who is now 21 to see poison, winger, fasterpussy cat and others. Will always love prince's music. but untill he gets rid of larry graham and comes out of his shell.....

abucah said:

Basically, yes. Until Prince releases some material on the level of his hall-of-fame 1980s work, I think that material should be the focus of his shows. I wouldn't mind a couple songs off TRC, but let's face it, most of that album, like his past 10 or so releases, is a bunch of cacophonic crap. Have you been to a ONA show yet? If so, answer honestly--is this show better than the last Hit-N-Run tour (which was amazing)?

He's ripping his true fans off? You can only speak for yourself. the majority of his true fans here seem to love what he's doing. Sorry you did not have a good time.

""Basically, yes. Until Prince releases some material on the level of his hall-of-fame 1980s work, I think that material should be the focus of his shows. I wouldn't mind a couple songs off TRC, but let's face it, most of that album, like his past 10 or so releases, is a bunch of cacophonic crap. Have you been to a ONA show yet? If so, answer honestly--is this show better than the last Hit-N-Run tour (which was amazing)?""


I agree. Prince has many many old songs he could still play other than the HUGE hits. Think of how many songs we've never heard live from 1979 until the early 90's. He could do Hit n Run part 2- all the B-sides and any other songs never released as singles from that era, throw a few cool covers in and you've got an awesome show. He could come out to "Hello" and end with "God"
[This message was edited Wed Apr 10 22:44:55 PDT 2002 by DMSR]

DMSR said:

OK, u're starting to sound a little more rational. I know our little Prince pissed u off, but u just need some time to get over it. Its gonna be alright...just breathe.

This sort of reaction was always gooing to happen with this tour. I'm surprised there has been so little negative reviews from some people.

The reason I say the above is not because I think the show is not good, it's just that some people were never going to appreciate the more mature, serious and artistic apprach to the current tour.

If Prince wanted to put on a show like the old days he could just play the hits forever. Because everyone knows the old songs the energy would be through the roof (especially when playing full versions).

The thing about the current tour is that it is about the musicianship and the art. It is not a pop show.

Some people just dont get it.