Okay, dammit, here's my Tamar show report.

First, let me just say I wasn't expecting to get much out of Tamar. Her debut single, while pleasant enough, admittedly isn't my usual cuppa tea, and with that as my guide, I thought I'd be showing up to see some uninspired Jill Scott neo-soul clone with some cool guitar licks from Prince.

Boy, was I ever wrong.

Tamar has got pipes, and she knows how to use them to full effect. She also has energy for days, she can DANCE, and she has amazing stage presence. The twin back-up singer/dancers have been getting a lot of flak on the fan forums, but I thought they were great. They had all the fire and energy of the Ikettes on a great day, and at times they brought back the feverish excitement of seeing Kier Kirby performing live with Deee-Lite or watching Angela Bassett and the girls shake it in "What's Love Got To Do With It", or even better, watching Tina Turner strut her stuff as the Acid Queen in "Tommy".

They're that great. FIERY is a perfect word for Tamar and the twins when they're in full spasm.

What I loved about Tamar was the fact that she was a sexy performer who wasn't afraid to let herself get ugly and sweat-drenched and intense when the music called for it. She didn't hold back. This ain't your daddy's Vanity 6, kids.

Not that there was anything wrong with Vanity 6, mind you.

Prince gave the kind of performance I crave - he was behind the guitar for the whole show (kinda weird to see him not going wireless with his git-fiddles, but who cares), and he was ripping up his solos, and forcing the audience to focus on Tamar when she took center stage by turning his back on the audience during key moments of her performance. He wasn't about to steal the show from her or upstage her - he was there to support her, and at the same time he knew full well why the house was sold out. He played the audience like a cheap toy fiddle and we lapped up every bit of it. Good work, Purnce.

We were lucky enough to heed the advice of previous Tamar concertgoers by securing a spot right in front of Prince's effects pedals, so we were able to be up close and personal with the man throughout the whole show. But damn if our eyes didn't keep wandering over to Tamar, because I gotta admit it - she's a helluva lot of fun to watch in her own right. She and Prince played wonderfully off each other, and she was able to give it up for Prince's moments in the spotlights in a way that made her look even better for it.

Prince wasn't just a silent sideman throughout the show - he was there to introduce his latest protegee, and it was clear that he was hosting Tamar's coming out in his own funky way. He teased us with snippets of 'Kiss', 'The Cross' and 'Bambi', he launched into a bit of 'Housequake' just to keep us alert, and he geeked out the diehards with a singalong version of 'Partyman' (and yes, now I can die happy).

He even gave Chicago a little something special with an encore of 'I Wanna Take You Higher' by Sly Stone, and left the house completely awed and satisfied when he and the band strutted off the stage.

One unintentionally kick-ass moment of the show was when they did the obligatory haul-fans-onstage routine (by the way, Incognito tore it up with her dancing...as always). A completely crazy woman was standing next to Prince, VERY clearly fixated on his posterior (as noted by her continual gazing and pointing at said booty), and after a bit, Tamar called her over to freestyle a bit, and the woman went completely berzerk with a NASTY rap that even had Prince laughing. I loved her! When she was done, she shrugged as if it wasn't even a day's work for her, and continued gazing at her beloved cherry moon until the gaggle was escorted off stage. Did I already say I loved her?

On a personal note, I was lucky enough to enjoy this show with some of the coolest people that it's ever been my pleasure to know - Brownsugar, Romera, Eleven and his lovely ladypal N., Gangstafam, Handclaps, FunkMistress, and all the Berlin crazies...the Circle of Sexxy was flying its freak flag high last night and you better believe we masticated every last crumb of fun out of those $31.21 tickets. The Berlin Party spirit was with us even before the show as Samnation kept us occupied with a DJ set, teasing us with fake fadeouts and playing classic Prince goodies and other classic dance gems. Good stuff.

What can I say? I had a blast. Come on back to Chicago soon, Prince and Tamar - we're not even hardly done with you yet!

yeah that show was great! i was pleasantly surprised. at first i was watching prince but after a while i was watching tamar. i wish i could move in heels like that! wish i had those legs too!

brownsugar said:

sometimes i felt naughty for watching prince while tamar was doing her thing, and i felt like if i watched him playing geetar for too long, he'd turn his back on us again.

Anx said:

yeah, me too. so i kept looking at her so as not to disappoint him , but she was really good! worth it.

Anx said:

oh, i almost thought you meant that woman in the "i have a killer pussy" shirt. but yeah, that woman was a trip...i looked over at ol' boy, and he was crackin up at her. classic stuff.

I luv this bit wish i was there 2 see it thanks 4 the report anx

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[Edited 2/28/06 16:12pm]

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

her tee-shirt had that writen on it

anx said

gotdamm I love you!




Great report, I'm glad y'all had such a good time! One TINY little bummer of the assigned seating in MPLS was that I couldn't geek out with my whole crew. I am very jealous of the circle of sexxxy.

katt said:

yes! it was a black t-shirt with silver writing on it and a drawing of a cat's head on it...and how in the world they let her onstage with that shit on, i dunno...

Anx said:

pointing at his booty? klhk! it was her!
excellent report Anx, thanks

XxAxX said:

thank you!

and we tried to summon the spirit of zelaira by chanting "GANGSTA STYLE VAMPIRE SEX...ON A TROMP-O-LEEEN!!!" but nothing happened.

Great report Anx!
Wish I was there!

Really wonderful report Anx!

Thanks for taking the time...it really made me laugh!

Anx, once again a great report! I got my chuckle on!

Thanks

I'm totally printing these out cuz this and Dansa's are a perfect snapshot of the night.

As soon as my brain stops bleeding and I can open my eyes again, I promise I'll add my bits too.

Great work as always Anx.

This was my 1st time in Chicago, and I loved it!! Waiting in line 4 them 2 open the doors wasn't that bad, especially meeting new friends while in line and talking helped 2 pass the time. I even got 2 meet "Sexy Dansa", her RUDE BOY pin gave her away (sup Sevennynine!) Once the show got started I was literally about 3 feet away from Prince, and everytime he came down my side of the stage, I had 2 move my hands so they wouldn't be punctured by one of his heels! 2 the haters... TAMAR BROUGHT THE FUNK!!! This woman is no joke. She knew how 2 command the attention of the audience, most of whom thought they were going 2 see a Prince concert anyway. Definately reminded me of the old Ike and Tina Turner Revue shows I've seen on tape, but with a whole lot more energy. Those sexy twins... what can I say? Everytime they came over 2 my side of the stage, all I had 2 do was look up and get an eye full! One kept making eye contact and smiling at me all night, so when Prince called for them 2 pull people on stage 2 dance, she came right over 2 me and pulled me up!! I was inches away from my musical hero, and I walked right up 2 him and asked him if I could play his guitar. He gave me a signal like "in a moment", but it never happened. I was just tripping 2 be onstage with him. As a musician, it was very inspiring 2 be omstage next 2 the man responsible 4 me ever picking up any and all of the instruments I play, and outside of the birth of my beautiful daughter Destiny, it is definately the highlight on my life!! I grabbed 3 of his guitar picks, but gave 2 of them away later. I got 2 shake his hand and thanked him 4 a wonderful experience! I'd been looking 4ward 2 this day all my life, and the funny thing is, on my way 2 the show my mother told me "good luck meeting Prince!" but I never imagined her words would prove 2 be true! He MUST bring the show 2 Detroit now!!

Mindbells9 said:

It was good seeing you again! I was so happy you made it on stage, not a bad experience for your first trip to Chi-town. Now you need to make it back for the cd release party at the end of the month. Seems you have good times here, why miss out on another one? It's me, the one in the red coat!

Dancing onstage was awesome. Me = long red hair and black dress.

Actually getting up onstage was quite an undertaking and involved strangers pushing my behind. Thanks for the lift!

I did want to smack the people who kept grabbing onto P. like he is a statue and not a human being. Do you touch people you dont know?

He handled it really well though by ignoring them.

At times it was hard to keep dancing because I kept becoming mesmerized by watching him play SO. CLOSE. He would close his eyes and just go there..

Shiver.

I danced around alot and even made a trip to the back get down with Cora who was having a good time.

As we were ushered offstage, I couldn't help but gently touch the Hohner, sitting on its stand.

After the show was over, got to meet a few orgers/npgmcers, so Hey!

I was at the afterparty for a half hour. Good to see P. in the house but wow, maybe he would of hung out for more then 25 seconds if people did not storm him.

oh, and when P's mic stand started messing up on him and he had to spend a few minutes fussing with it, i wanted to just hop on stage and fix the dang thing for him. i've never seen him fuss with something for so long. usually he just knocks it over and makes himself look badass doing it.

Anx said:

i was watching the poor brotha trying to fix the mic...it was so funny, after fussing with the mic for a minute he got this little look on his face like "ohh, fuck it..."

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

what anx wrote i'm still laughing

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

What a great show. I really enjoyed it to the max and brought a "Prince virgin" to the show....and I think hes gunna be a purple freak from now on lol. I had a blast and Anxiety it was great seeing you, Ivy, and the rest of Berlin freaks having a ball that night. BTW Anxiety your hat was awesome that night lol. Anyhow Tamar was purely awesome. I had no clue she could get down like that and funny part was after one of the songs everyone exited the stage and when Prince and Tamar came back on Prince said "Sometimes ya gotta let the stage cool down ya know!" in that coy tone of his. Wicked cool band and even though there were a few flubs here n there the show was a 10 and I cant wait for Tamars cd to come out and of course 3121. =)

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

That was wonderful. You could tell he was so relaxed and having so much fun that he really just didn't care. As soon as he threw his hands up to quit fussing with it, he ripped into one of the best solos of the night. Please bring on more technical difficulties Prince, if that's what they make you do.

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

I wanted to choke the shit out of her and the guy who kept letting her get up front.

SEXYMF2002 said:

I never see you post over here.

It's always good to see you. See you on Saturday.

Well ANX it looks like U definitely PARTAYED enuff for me as well like asked
ThANX Would've been great 2 B N tha house, thanks for an awesome report.