Alright folks!
For you impatient folks, here’s the s3 line summary:

1.no aftershow or party.
2.best Prince show I’ve ever seen
3.He was in a great mood during soundcheck and the show and wore a Leafs jersey.

And now for you more patient people, the details:
Hamilton is a small town outside of Toronto, an unlikely choice for Prince. Nonetheless, there was a decent size turnout for members. We took up 3 rows. Most ppl were from Toronto, a few from Windsor, Detroit and London nearby.


Sound check.
We were let in around 5:20
Prince was decked out in a white Maple Leafs jersey, white knit cap and funky white eskomo-lookin boots.

After a few hellos, Prince asked who was going to the Toronto show on Saturday…after an astounding show of hands he replied “Couldn’t u just wait?” he then informed us that nights show would be much better than Toronto’s…we shall see!

The band jumped into Sweet Baby. Prince was on the keys, perfect falsetto, and the band had a great run through of the song. They ran through the arrangement a few times, and Jon was getting ragged on for something I could never detect!

Next, Prince jumped into a song I’ve always dreamed he would play…from The Vault, a song that fit so perfectly in his current jazz vision: When the Lights Go Down!
I couldn’t believe I was hearing this. He said we’re gonna have a slumber party at the celebration and they needed a song to keep us up all night! Hey even is he wasn’t joking, I could dig this groove all night. He kept the same vocal delivery as on record, such soul and passion in that voice!

Next the band jumped into Strollin’! Another gem I’ve never heard live. They ran through several takes. Again Jon was to blame, according to Prince. He jumped into the 2nd row, and listened to the band redo this one section. He whispered that Jon would mess it up and find every other thing to blame it on except himself. Now, I fu asked anybody in the audience what Jon was doing “wrong” we wouldn’t have a clue, but Prince knew and Jon knew…that’s all that matters I guess.

Finally, after Jon got where he had to go, the band cut loose!
Prince stomped on to an effect pedal which functioned as a loop…at first it sounded like S&M Groove, as he tapped at it twice a few times. Once he let it rip, it was none other than Days of Wild! Sure the lyrics reflect days not as wild as ones passed, but the shiny new bass in his hand was wild enough for us all! He clanked down on that baby so bad and a jam could’ve lasted an hour as far I'm concerned (more likely 10 minutes) just out of this world FUNK! Cant do more to describe it.

On With the show!

Ill just cover the points of the show which I found extremely notable or different from the rest of the tour(s).

During Mellow:
“You could watch a tape of this mellow afterparty, Larry and Tina were there.”
Sure enough Mr. Larry Graham stepped to the stage a bit later. He didn’t pick up a bass, but he lent his baritone to a super funky Sing a Simple Song.

Everlasting Now and Family Name continually prove to be the funkiest joints Prince has produced in years. Although many people are split by the subject matter, those that cry for the “truly” funky creative days of Lovesexy…please see this live. You will see a man possessed by music passing through his pores with no shame! He sweat that funk so joyously and so easily it didn’t do justice to just clap and sway like I was doing. That’s not funky! NOTHING is funky compared to that! Don’t even try! I just stood and watched and let it hit me. And it hit me good. Towards the end of Everlasting Now I heard a bit of the Santana medley…but he decided not to go down that route…fine…lets hope he saves it for Sheila next Saturday!

Now a great performer knows how to play to his audience. Prince, as we’ve established is a great performer. Adapting your music to your crowd doesn’t always work out as planned. Example? Thomas Jefferson referring to us as “My Fellow Canadians” But don’t think we don’t appreciate the thought Prince!

As usual Take me With U and Raspberry brought the house down…hey if the other 45% of the crowd needed that to bounce back on, why chastise them? Let em have their pop. Its still great music!

I have to say, I was very surprised at the overall crowd response…it was so much better than I had thought! Now I’m referring to the large number of non-member attendees who may not be well acquainted with a lot of the songs. They had such great energy and positive feedback for such incredible musicianship! I was very proud of all the Ontario ppl for showing such great, well deserved love, especially when so many critics like to label Prince’s musicianship as “ jazz noodling.” Of course there were a few over zealous females who insisted on wishing Prince a happy birthday during Avalanche! But what can ya do?

Piano Medley:
When the man came back on for the piano medley, not a single light was up. He found his seat, had a small lamp at the keys for himself but the entire theatre was pitch black. If U can sit down to play for a few thousand people with just a piano and not a bulb in the house…How cool is that? In case we didn’t know. He reminded us.

He previewed a (to my understanding) new song, maybe titled “Prince and the Band” or “Clap Your Hands”. It seems like a preliminary try out for now. He had the lyrics which he spoke/rapped with a simple piano line (funny how I say simple. can I even begin to play that?!)

The lyrics dealt with his freedom from the record companies. I know, you may roll your eyes but its not an angry tone like face down or slave. Using blunt, positive words, he simply says This is Why I’m Happy Now.
If I can paraphrase one of the lines:
…make a million on your own, before the tax comes off, just buy some land. Don’t build nothin on it. Just clap your hands. Clap your hands. For Prince and the band.

It felt humbling witnessing the birth of new song. Has anyone heard of this being played ANYWHERE? I’d love to know (I’d really love to hear it hasn’t!)

After the new track, he moved onto a stunning Adore. In which he name dropped Toronto mayor Mel Lastman as the passenger in his smashed up ride.
“But that’s okay Alanis Morrisette will buy you a new one…no maybe Cher will.”

The rest of the piano medley featured songs he’s previously played, but I will mention my personal highlights, songs I haven’t heard before:

-Diamonds and pearls. Was never one of my faves on record, but anything done with a simple piano arrangement and a voice like gold can change anyone’s feelings!

-I wanna be your lover. An incredible piano-only funk number. Can someone explain how this can be? No drums, no bass, no guitar, yet it was as funky as ever. WOW!

-purple rain! Now when I heard the opening chords, I was excited yet disappointed. Even though this song is beautiful, and I haven’t heard it on piano…didn’t he say he wasn’t gonna play this? All the reports I’ve read that list purple Rain, sounded like he contradicted himself.

Well he started to explain. You could tell a sense of, not sadness, but melancholy came over him. He said he’s had a rough year, and though he didn’t feel like getting into it, he mentioned his father’s advice about constantly changing your life to move forward. About Purple Rain, he said he loves this song so much and he will never get tired of playing it. Each of his songs is like his children.

Now although I've heard this description before, it still never struck me why he had to play this song constantly for 18 years. Wasn’t it just catering to the pop market? But hearing how he felt about this song and what it represented, especially lately, he really believed he was sharing a gift by performing it for us. And I agree. Not just “cranking out the hits” as I’d previously assumed. It put a new spin on the song for me. Gave me a whole new appreciation for it. At least live.

Next was Anna Stesia, and with more passion and dedication than I have ever seen, he picked up Habibi and sang that song word for word as the Lovesexy record and played his heart out. Following purple rain with Anna Stesia seriously stunned me. I never expected to be hit that hard by such popular songs but there I was, a grown man, with a lump in my throat, immobile, and happy as a clam…I’m not a religious person, in fact I’m a big cynic/skeptic, so I wont say I this performance specifically made me believe, but it felt nice. I think that the idea of hope is a comforting one, no matter where u get that hope. I’ll leave it at that.


And then it was over. He warned us that this show would be better than Toronto. I can’t see how he can top this, but I cant wait to see him try!

Thanks NPG.

Bob

Nice review What really comes across is the joy you got from the show which is the best feeling in he world!! That feeling is called LOVESEXY!

thank you for your report

Fantastic review! Thank you! There's an amazing spirit in your words that comes across so clearly. So refreshing...

Thanks for the report...

Thank you for this terrific review. I am so happy you enjoyed the show, but I somehow knew you would anyway. Prince is the man and those of us in the know realize just what a superb musician he is. I can't wait for saturday. I bet he's going to blow the roof off MH. See you all there.

One more thing newpowernorth...was there anything good to buy at the concert (ie:cd's t-shirts)???

Thanks for the awesome review.

The Toronto show could be extra special because i recall reading a report from earlier in the tour and the recapper mentioned that prince mentioned something about a Live album and they might be recording the shows in T.O and Montreal for it. Let's Hope. Good review by the way. Can't wait til Tommorrow.

Finally a good canadian report!

WOW...what a review...I cannot believe he did "Strollin" and "When the Lights Go down" two of my FAVE songs by him!!! Oh God I hope he does those in MN!!

You are so lucky to go to these concerts, and

for those of you going to the Celebration, please give Prince Org. some reports, will ya?

I always just let my imagination go, and pretend I'm there.

I hope he makes a concert cd!

This was a very touching report, thanks.

Dat's what I'm talkin' 'bout?! NewPowerNorth holdin' it down ... had a tear of jealousy in my eye tho'. They did When The Lights Go Down?! Daaayum!!! I woulda packed up and walked out right after that, waving "that's really all I need 2 see, playa, right there ... huh? Show? MmmmMmmm, naw. U can't top that?!
xoxoxo (<- hugs & kisses NewPowerNorth, being that my bootleg server doesn't do the new emoticons. )
ONE LOVE

very very nice, thanks bob

Damn! I can't wait for Montreal!

Ever consider writing reviews for a paper/mag? Amazing review Bob.. very eloquent. So glad you had such a wonderful time.

Slumber Party at the Park? I'd better buy new PJ's and slippers!

kisscamille said:

well first of all, thanks for the kind words. it felt nice putting the feelings down in words.

As for merchandise, heres what they have (in cdn dollars):
cds:autographed rhonda, maceo and rainbow children(20, 20, 25)
tshirs: ONA was 40, girls baby t's were $50!, rainbow children shirts also 40. TRC poster, i forget how much.

the best value i saw was the ONA tour book. it was selling for 20, as opposed to the 25 US i saw previously.

pendant was 35, same witht he O(+? keychain. much cheaper than buying it online for 35 US PLUS another 15 shipping!!!

the rave un2 video, caps were 30, and i think thats all i can remember

the prices in some of the shirts may vary 35-40 i think.,i wasnt looking to buy so i didnt really dwell at the stand.

i wouldnt be surprised if the prices vary for tornto...depending on the size of venue or city they adapt i think. i've seen some change within US reports.

okay later,
Bob

NeptunEos said:

i'm glad u had a wonderful time as well Bob!! ...man oh man Nep...i'm in GAGONY over here!

great review though Bob...4 real

ELECTRICINTERCOURSE said:

gagony!
wtf kind of made up word is THAT!
u making us eloquent ppl look bad.
maybe it was that $20 drink u had last night...no wait $15...still sittin in your gut with the pizza!

Bob

ELECTRICINTERCOURSE said:

I'll bring u a doggy bag from the plane next week - if u think THIS is bad.. u just wait

Thanks for the info on the merchandise. I ain't payin 40 bucks for a t-shirt, that's for sure.

Great review!

Wow... I can't wait to get to the soundcheck today.

Bob, you hit the nail on the head.

This tour is about where Prince is at currently, and nothing seals it like that combo of Purple Rain/Anna Stesia, IMO. (Prince, can U hear me?)

Excellent review, and glad you had such a great time!

Fantastic report Bobby! You promised and you delivered. Had me re-living the whole awesome experience all over again.
It was great to meet you. (How did you lose your original seat?)

Cindy said:

i didnt lose it
my friends were sitting in the 2nd row so i jumped back with them
but i got 1st rowin TO dont u worry

nice 2 meet u too!

Bob