...i have never heard prince play, in my life, like he played at the aftershow in dallas...anybody who ever doubted him...sorry you weren't there...

okay..well i'm getting ahead of myself..so...
first..i was in a hotel in dallas with no internet access, so i didn't get the email about the soundcheck being cancelled...so i showed up at the venue around 4:45 but that was cool..cos the people working the door were making sure people got signed up for seating so ev'ryone would get to choose a seat based on the order we arrived...

i heard the story about the lady who was out of her mind on whatever throwing a fit and getting in before anyone else...but she didn't end up getting to keep the good seat, so justice was served...it went to a kid, prolly about 9 years old, and his mom...(i wonder if he'll pick up any instruments after this experience?...)
and my advice to the lady..choose your chemicals a little more wisely before the next concert...

we were all moved into the basement cos of the weather sirens goin' off...but ev'ryone remained calm and cooperative throughout...and again the people working the venue kept an eye on who was where and, when it came time to enter the venue, what order people were to be in...saw a few folks trying to walk in with us..they were quickly escorted out...so..that just proved that things were being handled appropriately...

most folks were cooperative when it came to the seating arrangement...most folks...but you know how that goes...
but when it was all said and done i think most people were satisfied with the way it all when down...especially since a seating situation like this hasn't really been tried before this tour...it's amazing it flows as smoothly as it does...

the setlist is very similar to the ones reported from the other shows..but the energy was high..we got maceo and candy dulfer at this show..so i think there may've been more 'jamming' cos some songs were left out and it still lasted from 9 til almost 12...

highlights for me...'strange relationship'..'family name'...'1+1+1=3'...seriously..'the rainbow children' live is amazing..all the songs from that album that were played were outstanding...

'a case of you' made me cry...and the song ev'ryone is calling 'avalanche' was one of the most painfully emotionally things i've ever heard from anyone...agree or disagree with prince's point of view...but he's always gonna make you think...and feel somethin...

so much of this show was so amazing..the band was great...prince seemed to be in good spirits...and the crowd was on their feet most of the time..despite the fact that the ushers kept asking us to take our seats...

so like i leave the concert feeling completely elevated...no other way to describe it...just lifted...and that would've been enough...but then..the aftershow...
the red jacket is a fairly intimate place to see a band...cos there isn't really a 'stage'..it's more of a dance club really...

so prince and company (he did refer to them as the npg, by the way...)..set up on a stage that was very small and proceeded to just rock...
i have never in my life heard prince play like that...
buddy miles was there, so he may've been playin for him..but he was just wailing on the guitar...he played a crazy version of 'alphabet st.'...'calhoun square'...and 'the ride'...erykah badu came out for a minute and did 'didn't cha know...'and buddy came out during 'the ride' and did some improvisational vocals and had a lot of kind words to say about prince..and prince him...
the band was great...rhonda gets better all the time...blackwell is undeniable...renato was like some crazy mad scientist from a 50's B-movie....
maceo parker..is..well..maceo parker....man..
candy dulfer was great...
and greg boyer..i had never heard of him before this tour...but he certainly managed to hold his own with the other hornplayers...and that was no small feat...they did a lot of jamming...seemed to just be making up some stuff on the spot...which was great to me...

prince seemed so liberated...possibly from not playing the hits...or maybe just from what all he's come thru in the recent past...but i was proud to be a member of the npgmc...and to be included in this very personal performance...
i ran into a musician friend from dallas who plays in an 'acid jazz'combo...he had shown up at the aftershow and not the concert..he said 'that little pass got you in a good spot, huh?'... then he said 'well i've never seen him before...but i'm glad i saw him now...he seemed to be at the top of his game...that was crazy...'
yes..it was crazy...

by the way...shoutouts to brent & family...betsy...lolinex...and anybody else i spoke with who's name escapes me now...glad you could share in this experience with me and hopefully we'll have plenty more...

whew...that was a long one...sorry...

great report rio! sounds like a great show. wish i could have gone.

Good report Rio. I'm in total agreeance with you. It was a fabulous show. My wife and I just watched in awe as he did his slow song medley for his encore. It was 2:45 minutes of damn near ecstacy. Looking at the stage, were you sitting to the left or right, cause to the right there looked to be a couple of party crashing girls standing over by the big bald guard! Hope they didn't disturb the overall enjoyment for you.

Rio the after show was off the hook. I have never heard him play the guitar like that before. I think he holds back a little at concert and lets loose during the Aftershows.

I also agree with you when it comes to Avalanche. I told Gina I have never heard a history lesson like that before.

Much Love,
LoLinex

Glad to see you made it home safe.

Twas a great show!!

There were plenty of crashers on my aisle too.....after a while it became a big distraction because the cops came down to escort a couple out....and the usher kept shining her damn flashlight in our faces to verify we were members. Every 5 minutes she would have to push 2-4 people back up the aisle...so it really was a pain in the arse.


I got a question for the native Texans...is it NORMAL for people to all sit down at a concert during some of the songs? It threw me off a couple times and I think it bothered P too. After a few times, he finally said "Now I DARE you to sit down on this!!" Of course he came with some funk that brought everybody to their feet! I had a big laugh, cause I thought it was strange that people would sit down at a concert of P's magnitude.

Its a little too laid back at times here in Texas, huh?

codshort said:

well in our area the ushers were tellin us to sit...so i dunno..i would've remained standing throughout...

Oh OK! .....It really weirded me out that the entire floor would sit down at the same time during the show....it was like military precision.....

The ushers in Texas sound kind of intense

But really, I think its great that the venue has ushers to make sure that there are no crashers into the NPGMC seats. Those seats cost $125, plus the $100 membership. If the crashers didn't pay that, they have no right to those seats.

I have been to Prince shows and seen the crowding in the aisles from people trying to sneak up from the back get really bad. So I think having ushers who do their jobs is great.

Nikki's right. You guys paid top dollar for those seats, anyone who crashes in, I'd want out also. Good 4 U guys!

codshort said:

You know me I would of stayed standing, but the ushers were saying sit down. Plus I was trying to be nice and let the ppl see behind me. Dang why do I have to be soooo nice sometimes LOL

Much Love,
LoLinex

Rio, buddy, you deserved to have the wonderful experience you did. I am thrilled for you.

Speaking of crashers. At the aftershow on the Dance floor a guy said he would buy me a drink if I would go get them. I asked him why he couldn't go and get his own. He said I don't have a laminate, I asked him why and he said he snuck down on the floor when they first let people on. So do you think I went and got him a drink?

okay...my sources have just informed me that greg boyer is a veteran of parliament/funkadelic....
no wonder...

High Rio!
We're so glad you had a good time!
As you know, we went to the louisville KY show, and it was a blast as well! I, (and probably most orgers here) would go and see every show if it were possible!
Oh man!
This is the greatest time to be alive, and I am sooooo thankful 4 it!!!

Erika Badu was at the aftershow, A?
Wow!
I loved seeing her at Paisley Park, she's funky and fine!!

well, thanks 4 the report,
Oh and Happy unbirthday!
Luv yas
Melody
[This message was edited Thu Apr 18 8:43:49 PDT 2002 by HappySunshine]

AAAHHHH reading everybody's report makes me sad I hope Prince comes to Denver then all will be wonderful and I can post a report. It'll be a good one too!

Xclnt report, Rio! I really wish I could have gone. The report made me feel like I standing there at the Red Jacket.

codshort said:

codshort,

Though I didn't get the privelege of going to the concert, I must agree with you (even as a native Texan). It's crazy to sit down at a concert, ESPECIALLY of P's magnitude. That just couldn't have been me sitting down.

Anyone in Texas wanna make a few bucks on a small gig in assisting me with two tix to the Eagles in Lubbock for June 28. I hate using TicketMaster. I would gladly pay U $ for your services. Send me an org note.

I'm still a bit shocked that there were that many Prince fans in Dallas willing to pay over $125 for seats.. I've lived in North Dallas for years, and still have yet to meet anyone that listens to Prince (aside from people at shows, and the celebrations)

All Wrong.

Plenty of people listen to Prince in Texas.

Just becasue people sit down at a concert does not mean they are not feeling it.


When you want to observe something you have never seen before you sit down and watch.

Sitting down means nothing.

Prince wins the contest for the strangest fans. Some of the people I talked to were wierd.

Most people could not believe how long the show was. What surprised me was that people were singing lyrics from The Rainbow Children and most NPGMC members do not even have The Rainbow Children CD.

The Afterparty was better than the show, Plus I met Badu Buddy Miles and the NPG Band. Blackwell was TIRED.

What yall think about Xenophobia?

Who recorded it? I'm gone have to call up to red jacket.

NatTurner said:

...how strange his fans would be 'wierd' considering how normal he's always been..hehe...

I was the first to show up at the venue @10:30. I was surprised at how fast the day went. It was cool talking with others that share a common intrest in Prince and his music. I hope to increase my trading circle with some those that I met.

Prince does draw a deverse audience. I had a lady setting behind me that was every bit of 60 years old. She stood and danced for most of the show.

I have long thought that Prince cared very little about Dallas, largly due to the 9 years we went without seeing him (1988-1997). The ONA show certainly proved to me that the fans of Dallas do mean something to the Kid.