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Princely power of surrender

Colin Smith
canada.com


Wednesday, May 29, 2002

One of the most enigmatic and critically acclaimed artists in contemporary music, Prince, performed in Vancouver on Tuesday, May 28.

Is it better to give or to receive? Will you contemplate 'the power of surrender'?

Those are the questions Prince posited, over and over again, to an adoring congregation of music fans that 'gave as good as it got' on Tuesday night.

Vancouver was the first stop on a 10-date Canadian tour that transports Prince and his latest New Power Generation band across the country before ending up in Montreal on June 18.

His Purpleness announced a rare 'soft-seater' tour with scarcely any notice or accompanying hype.

He's eliminated record company involvement in his career, carefully controlled his concert promotion business partners and even dismissed the media for the time being.

All that leaves behind is a host of unabashed fans, music lovers with 'big ears' and an odd assortment of well-heeled curiosity seekers. Ticket prices are set at a mind-boggling $99 and $150 plus service charges. So if you're gonna go to the show people, you gotta believe.

But don't take a critic's word for it.

Ask any one of the 2200 or so purple people eaters who shouted, screamed and cooed his name, his lyrics, his serio-comic la la la's.

The audience was a fascinating mix of young and older folks, straight and gay, cocky and conservative types. Well, how conservatively might you expect people to behave at a Prince concert?

Surrounded by floor-to-ceiling purple tapestries and lit by a tasteful array of tightly focused soft-hued spotlights, the Orpheum's elegantly constructed stage was a minimalist affair that underscored the potential power of the service. Er, performance.

The show began with a stunning display of jazzy notes and melodies that gave everyone pause - especially as you consider Prince's track record as a pop/funk star. It was a bit of a shocker for some souls who were certain the Vancouver International Jazz Festival was suddenly fast upon us.

The five-piece band (keyboards, electric/standup bass, drums and saxaphone) was fluid, relaxed and yet, right in the pocket on every tune. The songs were served with a rare mixture of precision playing and periodic departures from convention in the form of gentle jamming.

As if that weren't enough, the sound quality too was impeccable.

(This brings to mind a comment by alt.country artist Steve Earle who played here in the early 90s. He was so incensed by the monitor sound on the Orpheum's stage to bellow, "I'll never play this goddamn mausoleum again!" Well, he did a few years later.)

A giant projection screen behind the stage broadcast images and words portraying documents associated with 19th century slavery, the freedom railroad, quotes from Abraham Lincoln, all of which was juxtaposed against images of institutional slavery and oppression. This included a list of corporate conglomerated radio stations and some amusing yet disturbing scenes of current airport security methods.

But forget the messages and the medium for a moment. Imagine the music!

Prince and his hardcore troubadours put on a show that deftly defies comparison to anything on the current pop music landscape. It was joyous, it was provocative, it was so sexy and it was a genuine thrill to be there.

The band's musical itinerary was populated by an eclectic combination of jazz, funk, blues and rock-tinged pop explorations with numerous breaks-changes in both modulation and tempo. Songs segued seamlessly in and out of musical styles but nothing ever seemed misplaced or unworkable.

As a matter of fact, it all 'worked' magnificently.

(Again, ask the dozen or so people who were invited to sit/dance on stage at various times during the gig.)

Throughout his career as a singer/guitarist/keyboardist and songwriter par excellence, Prince Rogers Nelson has demonstrated a natural kinship with some of the greatest talents to ever grace a stage. Misters Stevie Ray Vaughan, Marvin Gaye and the godfather of soul, James Brown, all immediately spring to mind.

Two and half hours of mood enhancing and life affirming music, delivered with unbridled passion, intelligence and emotion... whew. What more could one ask for? Nada.

So, is it better to give or to receive?

One night 'alone' with Prince and I think we have the answer. Little brother Nelson, we surrender to your charm and grace and strength of purpose. Keep the faith* and stay tuned to WNPG.

Canadian Theatre Tour Dates

Vancouver - Orpheum Theatre, May 28
Edmonton - Northern Alberta Jubilee, May 31
Calgary - Southern Alberta Jubilee, June 2
Regina - Saskatchewan Centre of the Arts, June 3
Saskatoon - Centennial Auditorium, June 4
Winnipeg - Walker Theatre, June 6
Hamilton - Hamilton Place Theatre, June 13
Toronto - Massey Hall, June 15
Ottawa - National Arts Centre, June 16
Montreal - Molson Centre Theatre, June 18

*This review is dedicated to the unidentified woman who was assaulted in Vancouver's Stanley Park on Monday night. Peace.

© Copyright 2002 canada.com

Excellent!

Ooops, sorry... a Prince topic... ill get out of here!... heh.

Where are the reviews from the fans that attended the show. Where are you?? Post your thoughts.

Great review, but as kisscamille said where are all the org. reports.

Not that anyone will read them, cos everyones in General Discussion

Wooohooo!

Great review.

kisscamille said:

Word up! No Vancouver Prince fams in here?

Whassup?!

I've got goosebumps.

kisscamille said:

The fans that were there have been working to pay for thier well worth it tickets. Prince is the ONLY artist I would ever pay $150 for one ticket and after the show i felt like I had just gotten the best deal ever. My only regret is that Prince was so close and emotionally open to connecting with his fans...and I didn't go up to meet him. NEXT TIME! Prince seemed so grounded and just plain RADIANT! All I have time to say right at this moment is that His Royal Badness put on the best concert I have ever had the priviledge to experience from any performer.
I was at the Vancouver show and i was seated in row 7. ( i would have gotten a better seat if I had actually known that he was going to be in concert sooner. My near-miss of this concert is what prompted me to go online and search for a fan club. ( it actually feels kind of "last millenium" to be on a fan club website because of where I am in my life...HMMM...I wonder if Prince writes to any fan clubs. Maybe I should give him my address
Probably, my most memorable moment was when Prince posed the statement to the fans, "It is better to give than to receive" several times until everyone was in a feverish chant. And then he asked a person in the front row, "Is it better to give or to receive?" The person responded in the obvious way,"It is better to give." And then Prince (Bless his Beautiful ways) tells the fan, "Well, then why don't you give your front row seat up to that person back there?"
If you would like to know what happened next, ask me...

Stay Blessed,

Cherry Star

Cherrystar...what happened next. I know for sure that I am not giving up my seat when the two tickets cost over $300.

I was one of the two fans who gave up front-row seats at the Vancouver show and believe me, in this case, give!!!
[This message was edited Tue Jun 4 15:55:34 PDT 2002 by orangesky]

I was there to give up my seat and it was damn well worth it! Orange was there with me. We got our seats back after we gave them up.