OK y'all...hold onto your soul...'cause we got a long way to go. There's no way I can put together a coherent, sequential, organized review of what happened Friday night, but Prince blew the roof off the Kodak and the Highlands Club with the most smokin' spectacle of guitar pyrotechnics I've ever seen. Out of the 30 shows, two Celebrations, numerous Paisley Park gigs and 10 aftershows I've seen, last night was one of the absolute best.

The Kodak Theatre established the good vibes at 2 P.M. on the Hollywood Walk of Fame by passing out free bottled water to the NPGMC members lined up outside. When's the last time you saw anything free at a Prince gig? Props out to all the members of LA's "Bump Squad" and all the folks from Bay NPG and San Francisco's Dream Factory, who kept the line organized with no drama whatsoever. The West Coast was out in force, the sun was shining brightly on the golden stars in the sidewalk, and "that look" covered dozens of faces. You know the look - that "aawwwww yeah y'all" special grin when everything paisley is about to jump off.

The crowd was so pumped and happy for the soundcheck, Prince noticed immediately. "My, my, an excitable group," he said as we took our seats in the beautiful new Kodak Theatre, still fresh from its Academy Award premiere in March. "You happy? Good. We're gonna have some fun in here tonight," he continued, "cause I got my sleep. I'm all rested up," hinting at the marathon to come. "Y'all ain't gotta sit down," he told the giddy crowd squirming in their seats. Everyone stood up and started groovin', energy was crackling through the NPGMC like a live wire.

The soundcheck was relatively short - maybe five or six tunes with no Q&A. He played Peach, Extraordinary, She Loves Me for Me, and a couple instrumentals (sorry, he packed too many sensations into one night and my memory is only holding a few). At the end of the soundcheck, theatre representatives came out and told members that the afterparty would be at the Highlands - a new club high atop the sprawling Hollywood & Highland complex.

The show was riveting. You've all seen the set lists. His guitar playing was astonishing. Tracks from "The Rainbow Children" were excellent in the live setting. Candy Boyer tore it up on horns all night. Prince played full versions, no medley/hits BS, and LA gave up the love from the orchestra pit all the way to the third balcony. Even the jaded LA music industry types were losing their sh*t. LA brings out the best (Key Club '98) and the worst (Forum '98) in Prince, and tonight, it was the best. Prince seemed determined to show the music biz capital what real music was all about.

"A Case of You" with gorgeous vocals, "Joy in Repetition" and "Family Name" were my personal favorites. After witnessing an emotional "Purple Rain" at the piano, and a revelatory "Anna Stesia" on guitar to close the show, I was not expecting a performance at the afterparty. Number one, it was only the first night of the weekend, and number two, I thought he gave all his energy on the stage at the Kodak. Boy, was I wrong.

Climbing the stairs to The Highlands was like ascending to a heavenly cloud above the fray. With beautiful panoramic views of downtown LA and the endless lights of the LA basin, the venue was stunning. The maze of secret rooms, hidden staircases and multiple outdoor decks added a mysterious "inner sanctum" feel. Plush couches, fresh flowers, and lighted marble bars surrounded a dance floor with a very small stage in the middle. Oh my lord, I realized as I entered around midnight and saw amps and equipment, he's going to play!

And play he did. Coming out around 12:30 AM in a passionate red suit, he strapped on his Hohner Tele and laid waste to all comers with a nuclear version of "Bambi." Sparks seemed to fly from his guitar. He made it wail, moan and bark with a fusillade of burning licks. Props out to Rio from Texas, who was correct in his assessment from the Dallas aftershow: Prince is currently displaying the most awesome guitar skills of his entire career.

"The Ride" followed, and the raucous crowd ate it up. I was in such a euphoric state at that point, it all became a purple haze of sound for the next 90-120 minutes. I do remember Larry Graham coming out to throw down on "Sing a Simple Song" or "You Can Make It If You Try." Prince saluted Santana with a ripping "Soul Sacrifice (Santana Medley)" followed by an extended "Oye Como Va." Sheila E appeared and sang "Love Bizarre" while Prince laid down a furious rythym on his guitar. "Paisley Park" was a crowd singalong, performed in a rowdy psychedelic rock style. He also performed an unreleased tune - perhaps for the first time ever - and absolutely flattened everyone in the room by the time he left the stage at 2:30 AM.

"It ain't over, it ain't over," the crowd chanted, wild out of their minds with Paisley Fever. I was standing next to Jerome (from the Time) and he grinned at the crowd telling Prince what to do. "It's over," he said in his "Under the Cherry Moon" deadpan comedy voice. Sure enough, tell Prince what to do, and he's sure to do the opposite. Candy waved goodbye as if to say, "It's really over y'all, thanks."

Prince kicked my ass last night. Run, don't walk; fly; drive; whip a 40-dog sled if you have to, but see this tour no matter what. Get on a plane and fly to Oakland on Wednesday. It's that good. Peace!

kewl.

Sounds like just 2 - 2 - 2 much Xcitement!


& thank u 4 the report.....



*****
[This message was edited Sat Apr 20 13:28:52 PDT 2002 by touche]

Temptation, thanks so much for the review. Man, wish I could have been there. I'm glad that you peeps had such an awesome time.

and this crazy show happens just after I move out of LA! I've got to have the worst luck ever

"Coming out around 12:30 AM in a passionate red suit, he strapped on his Hohner Tele and laid waste to all comers with a nuclear version of "Bambi." Sparks seemed to fly from his guitar. He made it wail, moan and bark with a fusillade of burning licks."

MY GOODNESS! Temptation that is one of the coolest quotes/descriptions I have EVER heard someone say about Prince

Temptation, that is EXACTLY how I felt it too. What an outstanding review!

Wow, he lit up the Ibanez on several Rainbow Children trax. Hearing him play those songs live was better than I could have imagined. The entire band was tight, everyone did an outstanding job.

Prince really blew me away with "Joy in Repetition" and "AnnaStesia," both played on Habibi. Although I loved the entire show, those two songs were my favorites of the evening.

I was willing to do the work, and found myself in the second row, center stage, completely mesmerized by the evening.

See one of these shows! I am so upset to be missing the Oakland show next week, but I am comforted by having been transformed by my L.A. experience. Also, thankx to JSeven and the Bump Squad - you were terrific. L.A. fans were the coolest - love from TheMax. Also enjoyed meeting Bay Area members - Bobby and Clay. Finally, Brian - thankx for the ticket for my L.A. sister.

TheMax

_____

Great review. thanks

damn, I can't read these reviews anymore...I can't...

I concur - the show was the best, I scheduled an appointment to get my tattoo on Wednesday! This man has been & always will be a part of my life! His music has & always will be a part of my life!
I was brought to tears & damn near sobbing while he sang 'Adore' & 'Joy in Repetition' - it was so emotionally overwhelming.
I only wish I could have made the aftershow! I carpooled w/some folks who just had to get home - BUT - my heart was there! Prince made me hear TRC in a whole different way & I haven't been able to listen to anything else, since!
I have to give it up to the band - in total agreement with Temptation because this band w/Prince seemed to be vibing with each other like I've never seen nor heard.
I cannot really say anything more than Temptation - BUT I wanted to add a funny thing Prince said I thought is when during Soundcheck, he walked off the stage thru the crowd & took a seat a few rows behind us & as everyone turned around & stared at him he laughingly says "Why ya'll lookin at me? I ain't doin nuthin" - we all laughed.. then his beautiful wife came out of nowhere & snapped a picture of him sitting there with his mic in hand talking to the band... it was GREAT!
If I had known it was going to be THAT Awesome - I would have gone both nights for sure.!!!
TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW - do NOT miss this show!!!
I can only hope now that we will be given the NPGMC Priviledge of buying this Tour on DVD!!!!!

Peace everybody - Dont miss out!

Great review, Temptation...Friday night's show was excellent...Prince tore thru some songs like a madman, and EVERYTHING was funky, even the spaces in between songs...lol...Loved his "Lenny Kravitz" joke during "Adore" as well..lol..."DON'T...SMASH...THE RIDE!!.."...

Fuck I need to go again...when's he hittin' Vegas??

what lenny kravitz joke?

NatTurner said:

During the part in "Adore" where Prince sings "you can burn up my clothes, smash up my ride...", he stops after "smash up", and walks away from the piano shaking his head "no" silently..lol..then came back to the mic and says "Do NOT...SMASH...THE RIDE!!...Do NOT....SMASH...THE RIDE!!"...lol..then he sits back down, and acts out a scene with his "gf" after she tells him she did indeed "smash up the ride"...and he's sayin' shit like "Oh, baby, no...not the grill!!"...lol..then he tops it off by saying "Someone was what??..in the passenger seat??...Who was in the passenger seat??.....(long pause)...LENNY KRAVITZ??!!"..lol...Everyone was rollin' after that...lol

OY! Don't encourage these fools to come to Oakland!!!

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!!

One concert in LA has a fire, and one has sunshine. Oh well, I understand.


Thank you for the report.....! AGAIN
[This message was edited Mon Apr 22 7:49:09 PDT 2002 by touche]

wellbeyond, can we expect a complete review from you?

I think I remember someone talking about a photographer at one of the shows. Can anyone confirm this?

Yes I saw the picture taken and within seconds the man who snapped the picture was physically removed by Prince's people and well literally thrown out of the club. They warned about it!
Was my 2nd Prince concert but 1st aftershow and it will be something that can never be described fully but will always be fresh in my mind and heart. We were in 4th row right in front of his piano, could see every sexy expression on his incredibly sexy face! Thanks very much bumpsquad for all your help and organization!

Killer review! I hope he comes 2 New England.

The "it ain't over" chant was too funky. He kept bringing the crowd into it for like the last half hour. He beckons for the chant at the last beat and the chant continues for about 2 minutes after he leaves the stage.
Man, both the aftershows should be released. They were incredible.

wellbeyond said:

LOL, he did something similar in DC only sans the Lenny Kravitz part.
[This message was edited Mon Apr 22 15:42:28 PDT 2002 by Ifsixwuz9]

Additional recollections I was too tired to remember when I wrote my initial report:

"777-9311" was my favorite jam during the 4/19 soundcheck, even though Blackwell had a little trouble with the beat. It is a difficult beat to play (just like ?uestlove said in his NYC review). Prince called out to Blackwell and tapped his guitar in time to show Blackwell where to find the beat. It was a nice look at Prince as the firm, masterful bandleader.

"Peach" was played not only at the soundcheck, but also at the aftershow. The aftershow's meltdown progression of Bambi>The Ride>Peach provided over 30 minutes of blazing rock guitar solos. It felt like we were all soaring in those crazy red clouds from the "Flash Gordon" movie that came out in the early 80's. Whew!

I hope he plays an aftershow in Oakland!

calldapplwondery83 said:

The Saturday night show had a professional photographer onhand snaping pictures from center stage, as well as for the entire time between the soundcheck and the show. Hopefully these will make it into a scrapbook / tourbook somewhere down the road.

I did talk with the photographer that second night and he said that he was taking photos for a book that Prnce wants to put together. He didn't know when or if Prince would actually release it...I believe that he said that it was a book of poetry. He's also filmed many videos for Prince and most never saw the light of day...Prince was impressed with the videos and asked if he wanted to take stills, so he figured what the heck...Really nice guy...I know I made it into more than a few of the shots...Aloha
Tony