i just got back from the Oakland show and it was, by far, the best concert i've ever attended, including other prince tours. i'll let someone else give a complete set list. great show

I just got in too. It was da bomb. There was no mention of an aftershow. He may show up somewhere around town, but I ain't into looking for him. I had 2nd row, in the pit. Close enough to see his makeup. It was the usual setlist, though I was too busy groovin' to write it down. Bobby ( the Prince.org t-shirt model) got to go onstage and strut his stuff. Prince said 'get up on stage Pimp, as he was dressed in his purple full length fur jacket and white fur hat.

Had much fun, Great meeting Saffire7 and Soulflower from the Org. and not to mention Ben and his wife. I didn't realize you lived so close to me. BTW, I was the guy in the black Doo-Rag. I'll be seein' ya at the next Dream Factory party.

Cheers

I gotta agree with Camille2002. The show was extraordinary. How can one tiny little man have so much talent? Not only is he an awesome musician, he's hella funny and he was really kicking some serious knowledge. The old guy who got up on stage and strutted back and forth was hilarious. Yeah, Prince, Oakland claims him too.
Thank you Prince. See you at the Celebration.

camille2002 said:

Couldn't agree more - absolutely, hands down THE BEST concert experience of my life!!! My 7th time seeing P - LUCKY 7!!!

Too tired to elaborate now, will add more later. That boy wore me OUT - I wanted him to do it all over again, i.e. an aftershow but no dice! Shocking, isn't it??? I just KNEW he'd do one, but I'm so tired maybe it's better this way... no Calhoun Square for me!

OFF TO BED TO DREAM ABOUT THE ASS KICKING I GOT TONIGHT!!!

I think I'll start a thread called: PRINCE KICKED MY ASS! And I LOVED it!!!

THANK YOU, PRINCE, THANK YOU!!!

This is what I need 2 B reading just B4 he plays this way 4 2-shows....but I got 2 say I love seeing him live right there in my hometown & around the Bay Area...It sounds like Prince ripped the roof off Oakland yet again....I know my Sxy counterpart was experiencing something truly mindblowing last night~ Can't wait 2 read the full Oakland review~

Calhoun, PLEASE give us a full-lenght review!

I'm waiting 2... GET UP, lol

I know I shouldn't read any reports or comments anymore for a while for sure. Why? Allways when it comes to a Prince concert near where I am, it's always something with me, I can't go to see his performances. What a mistery!

i'll get to writing my comments tonight.....however, i am soooo tired of people showing up at his shows acting like *they* are the reason for everyone coming together...grandstanding and the like...*oye*....(i aint saying names...but damn, theres a reason prince is on the marquee..not u).....hehehehehehe

ohh yeah..and about the concert.....id have to agree..his best setlist yet..(well, since ive been going).

Just a quick note of some of the highlights for me.

Soundcheck: very jazzy, I think he mentioned "Expectation" before starting the band through a jam I didn't recognize. It felt like it might be part of the Xenophobia numbers. The personal highlight was a wonderful version of She Loves Me For Me. Also did Dorothy Parker.

Show: Over three hours long. The set list was near what has been mentioned in previous shows with a couple of exceptions. During the Piano part of the show, he brought the full band back out to do Joy in Repetition. He also did a lengthy version of Purple Rain with a speech about how the audience was in "Harmony" with him during the latter part of the song. I'll let someone else give more details. One fuuny part was during Adore when he sang about smashing the ride. Then he asked who was also in the car and then said "Not Carlos Santana?" the audience grew in expectations as if Carlos may appear.

Overall: It was as good as advertised during the reviews from other cities.

Here's my take on it:

I was 7th row, just about center. My friend and I showed up at the Paramount around 2:30. People in line were very nice, and some gave out free snacks and drinks. Maceo walked past the line, and most people didn't recognize him. As he walked by I just nodded to him. My friend and his wife are expecting their third son in a month and had been deciding on a name. After the show my friend decided to name his child Maceo. I'm not kidding, and I think it's a very cool name.

The Soundcheck:

The band did 3 or 4 jazz numbers, The Ghetto, Ballad of Dorothy Parker, She Loves Me 4 Me, and a cool version of Cream that mixed in the lyrics of Girls and Boys. He also did Do U Lie, which was fun, and just an instrumental version of Condition of the Heart.

Prince was very laid back during the soundcheck. He was sitting in the back of the theater, and after everyone was seated, walked up to the stage. His bodyguard was right behind him. I laughed because Prince had his "cool" walk going, and I heard the girl next to me say to her friend, "Oh God, I'm going to sh*t my pants!" when she saw Prince.

There were no crazy people that I could tell at the soundcheck, but one guy tried to give Prince a large picture. Prince declined and handled it very well, joking how he can't handle too many pictures of himself.

The Concert:

It was absolutely amazing. I loved seeing how Prince has matured as a performer as well as a musician. I've never seen him so relaxed as I did last night. I had worried that Prince might not be as exciting to watch since he's focusing on playing more than dancing, as well as jazzier material, but if anything he's more thrilling to watch now. For those who haven't seen this tour, please check it out. I consider this the best Prince concert I've seen, and I'm counting all the video tape boots I've seen as well as live shows I've been to. (Yes, I liked it more than the SOTT, Parade and PR tours, I know that sounds shocking to some.) Prince was riveting, and he's about the only person I've ever seen who makes playing a keyboard while standing look cool.

Setlist: at least from what I can remember-
The Rainbow children
Muse 2 the Pharoah
Xenophobia (this was on fire!)
A case of U
Mellow
1+1+1=3 (love rollercoaster)
The Other Side of the Pillow
Strange Relationship
Pass the Peas
Sing a Simple Song
La La La Means I Love You
When You Were Mine
Avalanche (very Beautiful and well done)
Family Name
Take Me With U
Raspberry Beret
Everlasting Now
Piano Medley including Adore, Starfish and Coffee, Do me Baby, I want to Be your lover, Sometimes it snows in April, The most beautiful girl in the world, Girls and Boys, The Beautiful Ones, Condition of the Heart, Purple Rain,
Joy in Repetition (Full version with a great solo)
How come U don't call me anymore
Annastesia/Rise Up

Prince's band is awe inspiring, each and every one of them. Renato Neto is by far the best keyboardinst Prince ahs ever had in his band. I'd seen him play with Sheila E and the E-Train a few years ago and was amazed then too. Rhonda was phenomenal on bass. Greg Boyer did some of the funkiest trombone solos I've ever heard. John Blackwell is better than I could have imagined, and a great musician as well as performer. Maceo proves his living legend status, and compliments the band beautifully. Prince is much more fluid and jazzy in his guitar playing that before. He is equally skilled at keyboards and it's amazing to watch how easily it all is for him.

As my friend pointed out after the concert, this is the first time Prince has seemed like a normal guy. He's wearing a suit, showing off his great sense of humor, and seems to honestly want to connect with his fans. Instead of this ruining the image that Prince is some other-worldly person, it made me have all the more respect for him. Here's a guy, just like the rest of us, who's incredibly talented, cool and funny, and passing on a positive and wonderful message to anyone who wants to listen.

Join the Club!

yeah. ditto.

Thank you NightGod.

SkletonKee said:

I'm new here so I might get slammed for this.This guy seemed to have a lot of friends at the show. Who was the guy that got onstage and danced with the big purple furry coat on and the hat? I was one of the people standing behing him and I could not see because of hsi big ugly coat. He danced wild and stupid all night and he never sat down. Even Prince told him he was hot in that coat - take it off jerk! No body cares about your getup. I wanna see Prince not the back of your stupid hat. Why cant people have fun but let other peeps enjoy the show too? I hope he reads this. He sucks!