there are so many ugrateful people on that belong to the npgmc..they read the previous reviews from previous soundchecks and envision how their experience is going to be.. and when it's not..poof!!!,,time to complain and whine..the funny thing is after all the complaining..not to mention the need to grab attention from fellow org people by posting their comments..these people will remain a prince fan..er..fam...i'm noticing that these are the same people that complain about his music,his wife,his friends, and everything else. people,people the name of the game is love for one another..love your SELF and then your mother,father,sister,and brother...

I still don't think many people here are getting the point. I am not the type of Fam that has "interacted" with Prince before. I am not the type of Fam that can fly all over the country following him on tour. I am not the type of Fam that has Gone to Minneapolis for a week in June. I am the type of Fam that has never been to Paisly Park. I AM A FAM NONTHELESS. I came into the whole situation completely Blind to the fact that I shouldn't expect much. When I heard members would be able to sit in on sound checks I was thrilled. Then, when I heard Prince had been having Q&A sessions at these sound checks, I was just in disbelief because I know how rare that is. BELIEVE IT OR NOT EVERYONE, I expected those things in Houston.

I thoroughly enjoyed the soundcheck itself. But like I said there were things that happened that night that did not have to happen. I will be honest and say that although I was "stoked" about the soundcheck, I was most looking forward to the Q&A. Imagine if Prince had been having 20 minute Q&A sessions in every concert stop. But when he got to your city, he announces he will only take one question and that question is whispered to him and he whispers the answer back, and then Princes says it's over and walk away. I'm sure most people here would still be greatful for the soundcheck but would be dissappointed about the Q&A. Well, this is how I and MOST of the club members in the soundcheck felt because most of us seemed to be isolated from him. It's shameful to say, but I was looking forward to reading the reviews of the soundcheck on this site to find out what happend, AND I ACTUALLY WAS AT THE SOUNDCHECK MYSELF. 95% of us were left out and that is where the disappointment comes in. So, for those that say the members in the soundcheck have no right to be disapppointed about anything and should just keep quite, I think you should try to put yourself in my shoes.

Lastly, just to clarify, I was not dissappointed that Prince didn't talk to ME, or shake MY hand, I just thought the club members as a whole could have gotten a little better treatment from the seating fiasco on up (I know that wasn't his fault). And before anyone lashes out, Yes, I know that Prince can have bad days like everyone else (although he was not mean), he has to know that if he is not having his best day and he is dealing with Club members for the first time,it is quite possible those members may not just "suck it up". Call me negative or whatever, but this was MY experience.

Faatech, I'm sorry you (and others) ended up not being able to hear the conversations. We made a split-second decision to sit 2nd row center instead of front row on the side as we came in. It looks like you chose the opposite. I remember thinking at the time that hardly anyone could hear what was being said. Hell, I was right there and I could barely hear everything because Prince is such a low-talker.

As far as the lack of passion that you saw in the playing, I saw something different. I saw a focus on improvised jamming with his band without much attention to the crowd. That was ok with me, because he was rehearsing, not performing. I thought it was very cool.

The desire I expressed to my friends while waiting for the soundcheck was that he wouldn't talk much and just play. I came for the music, not the discussions. And it turned out that I pretty much got my way.

VelvetJ: You'd like us to put ourselves in your shoes? I would friggin' love to! Y'see, I couldn't afford to go to the Houston show, or to renew my NPGMC membership, but I'm not whining about it. That's my problem, not Prince's. You are one of the lucky people to see this show, and get invited to a souncheck, and you're complaining because he didn't do all the same things he did in other cities? Umm, okay....

So, you complain because he didn't have an extensive Q&A? Well, as I understand it, the whole access to soundchecks thing is a club bonus, and the content wasn't defined. Did you receive word that Prince was going to have a Q&A? Not every show is the same, so why should every soundcheck? Maybe Prince didn't have time for the Q&A? I don't know the reason, but I do think you should be more gracious. Prince has done some fugged up things in the past, but this is not one of them. I would have LOVED to have seen the soundcheck. Hell, I would have loved to have been there at all! Sure, you payed $100 for the club, plus $125 for your ticket, and I agree that that's awfully steep. You must consider, however, that other artists have had much more expensive shows without the promise of a soundcheck, or of getting CDs later in the year. Madonna concert tickets started at $350 in some venues, more than your club memebership and ticket combined. This did not include a soundcheck, Q&A, four CDs, a three-hour show, etc, etc. (hell, for that price Maddy should come out in the audience and personally blow all of her fans). U2 had comparable tickets prices, again without a soundcheck. Ultimately, you are looking a gift horse in the mouth. You paid for the club membership, you paid for a concert, you got those. To complain about the extras is just silly.

Good point jchamp! Why would you want to hear Prince talk anyway? half the time he says some weird, cryptic stuff no one can understand! I would much prefer the man to just shut up and jam!

jedipadawan said:

Jedipadawan, you are correct, that IS your problem. I could afford to go and don't feel guilty about it. It looks like I will have to repeat myself. I enjoyed the soundcheck and was very greatful for it, otherwise I would not have shown up. That is not the point. I can only hope that you get word that Prince will be stopping by every residence on your street and he passes yours up, just so you can get a clearer picture of what I am saying. Afterwards, I will be sure to contact you to tell you how greatful you should be that he was on your street, even though he knew you were the biggest Prince Fam in a 5 mile radius. Jedipadawan, I wish you WERE there as well with the most of us to watch him end the soundcheck, walk over to one side of the stage, sit down and talk to a handful of the clubmembers, while the rest of the 190 are standing in silence not being able to hear a word. I will say again that because there were SOOO many of us, if he was going to have a Q&A, he should have had on a mic or stood at a mic. I would rather he didn't have a Q&A session than to get what we got. If you still don't understand why so many clubmembers were dissappointed at this, then, "Umm, okay....."

By the way, Madonna and U2 are not concerns of mine. We must not loose sight of the fact that just as artists bless us, we BLESS them as well. They owe us just as much as we owe them. With all of the support I have given Prince since 1978, I have a right to be discontented if I like and have a right to express it.

OK, I would like to chime in. When I wrote the the thread about FEELING dissed I was a little upset about the end of the soundcheck. I then used the forum to vent and get out what I felt. I admitt that my perception of some stuff was not justifiable after reading some other opinions. This was the other reason I put it out there was to see if my slant was wrong. I had several people WHO WHERE THERE AGREE with me, but those who were not ignored those post. Probably because they only read the initial post and ran with it. I will admitt after relooking at what took place and reading post that actually tried to see what I was saying instead of completely dismissing it all as BS whinning, I now have a different view of what took place. Some of my views have changed, but one remains the same.

I admitt I was completely focused on Prince and therefor blamed him completely for what transpired. This I now believe was wrong. The soundcheck although short as hell, was nice. I was pissed so I bashed the whole moment. The real problem that I have with it still remains as such.

THERE WHERE OVERE 200 PLUS PEOPLE THERE AND WHEN PRINCE DID TALK IT WAS WITHOUT A MIC AND ONLY TO TWO OR THREE PEOPLE. ABOUT 95% OF THE CLUB MEMBERS WHERE COMPLETELY ALIENATED. NOW YOU CAN CALL THIS BITCHIN, BAD LUCK, PRINCE HAD A BAD DAY OR WHATEVER. THE END RESULT IS THAT HE MADE HIMSELF AVAILABLE ONLY TO ONE OR TWO PEOPLE AND THE REST OF US WHERE LEFT OUT. AND THIS WAS DONE IN FRONT OF US ON THE EDGE OF CENTER STAGE. NOW THIS WAS MOSTLY DUE TO SOME CHICK TELLING HIM A LONG LONG LONG LONG ASS STORY AND TAKING UP THE REST OF THE TIME FROM EVERYONE ELSE. THIS I SEE AND UNDERSTAND, BUT ALSO SINCE HE DECIDED TO TALK TO US IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE IF HE WOULD HAVE TALKED TO ALL OF US. I DON'T GIVE A SH*T THAT HE DIDN'T PERSONALLY TALK TO ME NOR I HE. IT WAS THE WAY IT WENT DOWN THAT LEFT A BAD FEELING WITH SOME OF US WHO PAID THE SAME CASH, WAITED IN THE SAME LINE AND ACTED CIVIAL AND DIDN'T BUMB RUSH HIM. HELL, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN FINE IF WE (THE 200 PLUS) WOULD HAVE EVEN BEEN ABLE TO HEAR WHAT THE H*LL WAS BEING SAID.

THAT WAS MY GRIPE. I'M OVER IT. IT IS A PAST EVENT. I DO BELIEVE THERE IS SOME POSTIVENESS THAT CAN COME FROM WHAT I POSTED. IF YOU ARE TALKING TO PRINCE AND THERE ARE A SH*T LOAD OF OTHER PEOPLE, DON'T BE RUDE AND TAKE UP THE ENTIRE TIME. LIKE SOME ONE SAID TO ME, HE WAS PROBABLY TRYING TO BE NICE AND NOT CUT HER OFF AND AFTER THAT LONG *SS STORY HE COULDN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE.

OK, I'M DONE. BASH IT, TRASH IT I DON'T REALLY CARE. BUT I AM MAN ENOUGH TO ADMITT WHEN I'M WRONG AND STAND BY WHAT I THINK IS RIGHT.

Thanks for caring. Thanks for sharing. Peace, Luv and Hair Grease.

COOL FAATECH, I still got your back and I still love Prince. I just feel some need to realize that people have their own experiences, and just because you admire and love an artist, does not mean that the Artist can do no wrong or make a mistake in any way shape or form.

Peace to everyone.

i was there on sunday...i agree w/ FAATECH. i am grateful for the soundcheck--it was unlike anything i had ever had an opportunity to experience. i was also disappointed when it was over before it even began. i believe the real problem here is the chick w/ the stupid story...i went to hear prince talk or even babble; not some nitwit...prince could'nt very well interupt her and tell her her story is waste of time, we all just had to suffer. so as a result we all got shortchanged--even prince-- because that story SUCKED! i just wonder how she feels now about her 'purple curse' with her being trashed on the internet...
anyway if was the worst part of the night (which it was) we're all very lucky...

VelvetJ said:

Simple question: When did Prince EVER say he'd be "stopping by every residence" at the sound check??...If he never said that, then not only is your parallel irrelevant, but your complaint is, too...and if you can't grasp that, then by all means keep wallowing in the self-pity of "Prince talked to those guys over there, but not to us guys over here..."...because that's exactly what it is, self pity...you guys aren't saying "too bad he didn't talk to us all...oh well, no biggie"...you're saying "What a disappointment!!...Prince should have known better!!...how could he diss us like that!!"...

You need to read morgan's post...because not only does she NOT blame Prince for his lack of addressing everyone(she blames the idiot woman who occupied his time), she ALSO says "if this was the worst part of the night(which it was) then we're all very lucky.."...meaning, she KNOWS this is some trivial shit to get worked up over....too bad more people here can't follow her lead and bring up something they didn't like, and do it with some sense of perspective and proportionality, instead of blowing every stinkin' thing up to gigantic size...







.....heh...
[This message was edited Tue Apr 16 22:16:27 PDT 2002 by wellbeyond]

In my opinion, it is entirely Prince's decision to maintain a sense of chaos and disorder at these soundchecks. As long as they remain disorganized, Prince can come and go as he pleases, play for an hour, or not play at all, stay for 5 minutes and leave, or not show up at all.

If the soundchecks were organized, they would stop being a "when he's in the mood" type of thing and become an "offical event."

Yall are gonna make Prince stop having these open sound checks. He dosent have to let you into the sound check. He tried to offer some decent club member perks, and people still wanna bitch. Stop crying ,damn. He walked in, but he didnt say hello. He said hello but he didnt say hello to me. He didnt smile. He didnt play w/ passion. He didnt shake my hand. He didnt hug me, and interact enough. What is this madness? He should have left you in line, and sent you a cd and a thank you note. What was he supposed to do?

I'm still bugging, this person actually said he didnt interact enough. When there are no more open sound checks maybe youll be happy.

WHINERS

Ok, lets try this once again. Let's say I hold a press conference in a large arena to announce some very big news. I invite all of the media and media from all around the world attends. I only tell the news to representatives from only one news station and walk away. From what I am understanding the rest of the media people from around the world should just be greatful they were invited, whether they knew the news or not.

I STILL STAND BY MY DISAPPOINTMENT. I WAS AT THE SOUNDCHECK, THERE WAS A Q&A PERIOD, (BEFORE THIS TOUR HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE IN A SITUATION WITH PRINCE WHERE THERE WAS A Q&A?) AND MAYBE ONLY 8 PEOPLE OUT OF 200 GOT TO EVEN HEAR THE Q&A. I DON'T CARE WHAT ANY OF YOU SAY, THIS DID NOT HAVE TO HAPPEN IF HE WAS GOING TO HAVE A Q&A. I WAS PHYSICALLY AT THE SOUNDCHECK/Q&A AND I HAD TO WAIT 24 HOURS TO COME TO THIS SITE TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED AT THE SOUNDCHECK. THIS DID NOT HAVE TO HAPPEN. DID IT RUIN MY EXPERIENCE, NO, BUT WAS THAT SITUATION A DISAPPOINTMENT, YES.

THIS WAS MAYBE A ONCE IN A LIFE TIME SITUATION (THE Q&A) AND ONLY 8 PEOPLE OUT OF 200 COULD ACTUALLY HEAR IT. IS IT REALLY THAT DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE OTHER 192 CLUBMEMBERS WOULD BE DISAPPOINTED?

BY THE WAY, I WILL BE A WHINER AS LONG AS I PAY MY MONEY.

Prince interacted with us MUSICALLY.
[This message was edited Tue Apr 29 23:04:26 PDT 2003 by daysofwild]

z
[This message was edited Wed May 15 20:57:37 PDT 2002 by ChickenLittle]

I WISH THAT STUPID GIRL WOULD TAKE HER STUPID POSTERS AND HER STUPID STORY BACK HOME AND STAY AWAY FROM ALL PRINCE FUNCTIONS BECAUSE SHE IS A TWIT!!

VelvetJ said:

Venting here is fine, but if you really want to be heard on this issue you have to voice your concerns to the NPGMC.

A politely worded email spelling out your feelings and concerns can be sent to the club. Never mind the people here who post about "whiners" and what a great time they had at the soundcheck or aftershow in their city. Their experience is not your experience.

All I know is I was at the very first open soundcheck in Oakland, CA last year. It was fucking magical - him @ ease, answering questions, asking people about the club, playing a "special" version of Purple Rain (?) just for us.

I'm so grateful that he's done this & I'm sorry some people didn't get to experience cool soundchecks. Yes, I'll be disappointed if he nixes the soundcheck or aftershow in my town for ONA, but I'm NOT gonna bitch & whine about it. Maybe he has to get moving for the next city? Maybe he's tired? He's human, y'all.

If you're carrying a grudge about a bloody soundcheck or a cancelled aftershow, you need a life quick...

CalhounSq said:

Nothing will ever change and the people "bitching and whining" will never get a good soundcheck or aftershow for their city if they just sit quietly and say nothing. How enjoyable is a soundcheck when Prince comes out for 5 minutes, listens to one person, and then leaves?

As far as him being "human" and getting tired, why is it that he is never tired in certain cities, but he is always tired in others?

If you want anything, and this applies to any situation not just to this issue, you must make your voice heard. If no one says anything, the status quo will remain in place, i.e., the same cities year after year will receive extras and special attention while others get little or nothing.

The people who "need a life quick" are the ones who sit and do nothing. To everyone who received their great soundchecks and aftershows, fine, good for you. However, there are those of us who have not, and we have every right to make our voices heard..

.
[This message was edited Tue May 14 19:21:24 PDT 2002 by Swinger]

Batdance said:

Hey Batdance, it is refreshing to see that someone understands my point. I am thankful for the soundcheck/Q&A but to see him end the soundcheck, go over to the left side of the stage, hang his feet over and talk to the members that are immediately in front of him when there are over 200 members could have been handled a little better. While this was going on,we were all standing at our seats and you could hear a pin drop in there because everyone was trying to be respectful and was trying to hear (every once in a while, we would hear a few people laughing at something he apparantly said). Some people had their hands raised throughout the crowd to ask a question but before he could acknowledge them he was walking off stage. I can understand that he had to go, but that isn't my issue. I think the thing was, we all wanted him to get a microphone (there was an abundance of them on the stage) so we could at least hear. I felt like I had been invited to a VIP Q&A at Paisely Park and (forget participating) I couldn't even hear not one question or answer. What's the point of inviting me to a Q&A? I know this was a Soundcheck, but Prince DECIDED to have a Q&A in Houston but what was the point of it if only a few could actually hear it. If Prince decides to end them because some members didn't have the time of their lives, then so be it. I would have rather him just end the soundcheck and walk off stage rather than to isolate (intentially or unintentially) the overwhelming large percentage of club members.

I will let the NPGMC know I feel.

Thanks Batdance for understanding my point of view.

since we put Prince so high up on a pedestal, when he does something that we don't like, we take it personal.....but do we ever wonder what it would be like to not be able to run to the local CVS for some pizza flavored Pringles without a mob scene? to open the soundcheck doors to fanatics? (i've seen them at a few shows so far), to constantly be in the public eye? ,to be constantly put down by the media?, etc. the list goes on....all i'm saying is that perhaps we should just be happy that we have some decent music to listen to and leave it at that

VelvetJ said:

I hear you. What is the point of having the Q&A sessions if nobody can hear him except those sitting right in front? What is the point of having afterparties and not playing any music? What is the point of picking and choosing who's going to be let into the party and leaving the rest of the fams standing outside? The same thing was done at the Rave taping and at the afterparty at the first celebration. The fams were left outside waiting.

I would rather see the soundchecks and aftershows end than to keep having Prince seperate his fams into the chosen Rainbow Children who get all the treats and the Banished Ones who are the demons who have to be stopped at the gates. I don't even understand what I did to become a Banished One.

Some of y'all are taking this Prince stuff too seriously. He's just a musician. Don't get all heated because you didn't get an aftershow or he didn't talk to you at a soundcheck.

Most of what Prince says is gibberish anyway, so why bother worrying about what he's saying?

Take the reports from the aftershows with a grain of salt. A lot of it is just bullshit. Folks going on about how they've never seen Prince do this, that, or other, and he only did it at their soundcheck or aftershow or they did a special version of Purple Rain just for them are full of it.

They're not seeing anything that Prince hasn't done before. If you have been to a Paisley Friday night jam session, or to the celebrations you have already experienced the same thing that happens at aftershows.

Calm down. In the wider scene of life, One Nite Alone soundchecks and aftershows are just minor entertainment diversions. You are not going to have any profound special life affirming night just because Prince plays an aftershow in your town.

Say what you've got to say. These sheep want everybody to believe that everybody is getting "extras."


Prince

Swinger, did you read about the conditions before you joined the NPGMC? That's the only question and answer that matters.....

daysofwild said:

yes i agree in new orleans the next night when he came to the mike to talk to us i sensed he was a little tired when he asked us when was the last time he had been here....the girl from the previous night with the long story asked him if he wanted to hear it again and he said "no" playfully...when sean asked to play guitar and started ripping bambi it knda woke him up!!!his eyes kinda lit up and from then on (about a hour) our soundcheck was cool....you can't predict how someone will be feeling...we were just lucky...not because it was new orleans or anything...it was luck (and sean!)

AnotherLoverHoleinYoHead said:

Yes, I read it. I am also very aware that the city I traveled to is one of the ones Prince chose to not give any extras. He NEVER performs aftershows in my hometown, so I spent several hundred dollars traveling to a big city. Only to have him CANCEL the SOUNDCHECK and NOT have NOT EVEN ONE AFTERSHOW.

You would be pissed, too.


Prince