As posted by JoeZoe at HQ

I went to Saturday night's show. We were given wristbands, although I thought that was just the norm. I can't remember from the first time I went because that was back in November. Apparently there was going to be an aftershow (I asked one of the roadies later), but Prince changed his mind at the last minute. Huge bummer.

Anyway, the show started a little after midnight. At first I was psyched, because on the video screen was John Blackwell playing the drums. For a split second I thought I was watching a live feed, but then I realized it was "DMSR" from the Musicology tour. After that, the screen went dark, and we could hear Prince behind the curtain say "Are you ready Las Vegas?"

The band went like this:

Prince: guitar/vocals
Shelby Johnson: vocals
The Twinz: back-up vocals
Cora: drums
Josh: bass
Renato: keys
Mr. Hayes: keys
Greg Boyer: trombone
Mike Phillips: sax
(Don't Know His Name): Trumpet

My mind is a bit fuzzy but the setlist went something like this (excuse me if I butcher it):

Cream
U Got The Look
Begging Woman (a funny, great blues number with a great guitar solo)
Black Sweat (with Prince giving his bass to Larry Graham)
It's Over (vocals by Shelby Johnson)
New Slow Song (don't know the name)
The Long & Winding Road
Sing a Simple Song (Larry on Bass)
Thank You Falentinme Be Mice Elf Again (Larry on Bass)
Play That Funky Music White Boy (Larry on Bass & Wayne Brady on vocals)
Pass The Peas
Musicology
Crazy (Gnarls Barkley cover with Shelby on lead vocals)
The Dance (Renato Neto piano solo)
Lolita
Kiss
What Have You Done For Me Lately (with Prince giving his guitar to Babyface)
If I Was Your Girlfriend
Trumpet Solo
Pink Cashmere
Purple Rain
Nothing Compares 2 U

Like I said the order is a bit fuzzy. I basically drove out from LA, got to the Rio at 9:30pm, watched the show and then drove back to LA (getting in at 7am).

Some quick highlights and notes:

I know Larry Graham gets a bad rap with some Prince fans, but I'm glad he was there last night. It was the one point of the show where Prince strayed from his set list, and the band was allowed to jam. It was a really inspired moment, and I think everyone was having a blast. I couldn't help but think it was going to be an enjoyable aftershow.

To be honest, I think the crowd fucked up the aftershow. I don't know if this is how it's been in Vegas, but the crowd was a bit of a bummer. Prince would try to start a chant, but it wouldn't last long enough to repeat. He also tried to get people to sing along (like on Nothing Compares 2 U), but it seemed like a lot of people didn't know the words. They were a letdown, which is too bad because I heard The Time also played Vegas last night (anyone know if this is true?).

John Blackwell was in the VIP section, standing close to Larry Graham. I was hoping he would sit in for a few songs, but Prince kind of ignored him, at least from what I could see. Maybe he doesn't like him playing with JT...

One final note was Babyface on guitar. Prince brought him up, and although he didn't look completely comfortable jamming with a band, Babyface did keep a funky lick going on throughout the song. Prince kept saying, "Give it up for Babyface", and then he would laugh. He finally admitted tha he just liked saying Babyface.

Anyway, besides the jamming with Larry and Babyface, the show was pretty straight forward. And I'm a little bummed he ended the show with so many slow songs. I mean it's Saturday night in Vegas! Some of us had a four hour drive ahead of us. Give me something to keep me awake!

Thank you!!!Seems like a cool show besides the weird audience.It probably was just random people who wanted 2 see Prince b4 he left Vegas.Anyway..."Play That Funky Music White Boy (Larry on Bass & Wayne Brady on vocals)" this is hailarious b/c I just saw Wayne Brady on a comedy show and he was talking about how he was doing some stand up and someone told him 2 act like Prince and he started doing his stereotypical Prince act where Prince comes off as a weirdo...well,he said he found out that Prince was there and was pissed ...maybe Prince putting him on the mic as the white boy was pay back
"What Have You Done For Me Lately (with Prince giving his guitar to Babyface)"...this is awesome.I think I heard that Babyface is shy,but Im not sure.That mustve been cool and hilarious how Prince kept saying Babyface's name
...and now you really got me wonderin about Prince bein a little annoyed by John Blackwell playing 4 that fool JT I mean JT has been coming at Prince in his concerts recently and I thought John and Prince were friends but I guess hes lookin at it as a job and thats it:shrug:

wow...I almost wrote as much as you

Wow, I have to say the crowd at the last 2 shows in March were very much into the show compared to this report, guess it really does depend on what type of crowd shows up, thanks for posting the review anyway.
[Edited 4/15/07 15:14pm]

It seems as though P is getting a little bored with the whole Vegas experience. Does Larry know any other songs? I haven't seen P live since Musicology and I'm already getting tired of these covers. I hope he doesn't bring them on tour.

Do you get the feeling that the added April dates were some kind of contract responsibility with the Rio?

jdcxc said:

Well, I think it depends on the vibe he gets from the crowd that determines how well the shows go. Bored, no I don't think so. The covers: I think it's Prince's way of reminding people of what real music sounds like with real musicians, and artists that play instruments, especially with the industry flooded with rap and hip-hop. Could you imagine going to a concert with the artist lip-synching while a tape is playing in the back and 15 dancers jumping around them on stage and other gimmicks, to distract the audience from knowing the artist is lip-synching? Thing is, there's still many rock and pop bands around that play instruments and they get media exposure when playing live; while the R&B bands that play instruments don't get much live exposure and they have benn practically phasing out mainly because of rap and hip-hop exposure. So he's basically bringing R&B, jazz and blues to the forefront again with the music he's been playing at 3121, not to mention "Live" music with real musicians.

Extended April dates? I think he may have agreed to extend the show into April, because of the public demand from phone calls to the Rio from his regular and casual fans, asking if he was still performing past the March dates, but the latter is just my 2 cents.
[Edited 4/15/07 20:36pm]

I drove from la to the saturday show as well...I had a great time!! dj rashida threw down before the show. I had worked up a black sweat before p came on stage. the show was amazing..when P called wayne brady a funky whiteboy, i laughed my ass off. I got tired of the drunk women dancing on stage though....I thought Larry tore it up and soo did babyface...great show and I am sorry there wasnt an aftershow. I drove back to LA in no time I have not slept yet! met some cool people from chicago..

jdcxc said:

If you haven't been to 3121 in vegas, how can you fairly say you're tired of the covers? Yes, he's got a vast catalog of his own music but obviously he gets joy from doing the covers and performs them exceptionally well so why is everyone always complaining about it? It doesn't change anything as P is going to do what feels right to him in the moment.

And from what I hear, the additional April dates were Prince's idea as he was going to miss playing at 3121 and wasn't ready to leave yet. Mike Phillips confirms this in the interview on his myspace page. The Rio has already contracted to have another club there and were ready to convert 3121 to the new venue but delayed it when Prince decided to add April. And I agree with Elijah, I don't think he's bored with Vegas at all. This concept fits what he wants to do right now and in the end that's all that matters, whether we like it or not.
[Edited 4/15/07 22:40pm]

SCNDLS said:

Hey niecey, that will be 2elijah ok miss missy....I don't why everybody leaves out the 2 when typing my username..(lol..now you know I'm just playing right?. )
[Edited 4/15/07 20:31pm]

SCNDLS said:

Prince is too talented to turn into a karokee singer.

2elijah said:

I agree. I thought there would be more reviews from this weekend. I still have hope though, and am assuming many fans are simply catching up on sleep. I know I needed a good days rest before I could post something of substance....

--
[Edited 4/15/07 22:32pm]

2elijah said:

Oooops and the funny thing is I say the "2" but never type it. LOL!

jdcxc said:

So, you're comparing Prince to a karaoke singer because he chooses to do cover songs??? Okay. . .

I was a little bummed with this show. Although Prince looked like he was having lots of fun, but Larry KILLED IT FOR ME (and I mean KILLED in BAD WAY). He did his usual thing, playing those tired songs, with that tired hat. Prince seemed to be having a good time, also he was a little pist. Was he dating a girl named Rita or something...? he kept saying her name during the show.

Babyface playing guitar on Prince's guitar was cool (Babyface is left handed, so watching him play Prince's guitar upside down was cool, plus he had a dope little funk lick). But Larry was lame. And the audience was really strange, lots of newbies, and they got all weird about being up front. Like aggro and shit. It was silly...

Nero

SCNDLS said:

I'll let you get away with this time...

(anyway we better get back on topic... )

neronava said:

I'm sorry to hear that. I think you're referring to Rita from Italy, she's not his girlfried.

I saw The Time Saturday

i saw the show in march and same thing, LARRY GRAHAM f'd the whole thing up... no one cares about those tired songs!
why is he still there, doesnt he have his own life?
i really need him to just go away and NOT be there on the 28th!

lovesexy04 said:

Yes, The Time was performing, both Friday and Saturday at The Boulder Station. I was actually with Monte and Bean when we were denied entry into 3121 after their performance by Prince's people

scrambledeggsaresoboring said:

Don't you have your OWN life. I mean you have to continually go to Prince concerts. Pathetic. I think it would be best if you just went away.

neronava said:

I definitely picture him in that hat everytime I hear about him!!!

lovemachine said:

That is just not very nice. Why be a hater?

PleasurePrinciple said:

-----
Some of you pick on Larry Graham because you just don't have anything else to.
He is no different from any other guest that P has on the stage. I mean people are bitching because he wears a hat and plays some classic funk. WTF

You got a guy praising Babyface over Larry Graham. Only on Prince.org.

laurarichardson said:

First off..I just think the hat is funny...Hes a great musician and I really dont have a problem with him...so slow ya roll and if youre talkin 2 Nero then talk 2 Nero and dont include me in ur bitchin about bitchin
and the hat is STILL funny L..M...F...A...O
[Edited 4/16/07 17:49pm]

scrambledeggsaresoboring said:

Larry is there because Prince WANTS him there. Guess if you don't like it, you have a choice to leave or stay home all together.

Serena said:

I agree.
[Edited 4/20/07 3:45am]

jdcxc said:

That just sounds like you projecting - you're bored with the Vegas experience so you insist Prince must be too. The fact is no one is forcing Prince to do anything, and from various sources it has been pretty much confirmed it was entirely Prince's decision to add extra dates.

I think there's a case for seeing one artist too much and getting bored with the show. Prince is well known for varying his set-list, but some fans expect too much, it is foolish to think he is going to drop certain songs simply because YOU are bored with them.

As usual the hating of Larry Graham stems from people not liking the effect he had on Prince in converting him to the JW faith, nothing to do with his ability as a guest performer. It amuses me when people insist Prince has split with thee JWs and LG and is going to go 'dirty' again - only for LG to re-appear time after time, it must be gutting for them! But again, if you're bored with LG playing with Prince you must be seeing him too often, as it is a relatively rare event these days.

metalorange said:

Agreeing with your last paragraph. I think people who keep wishing Prince would walk away from being a JW and drop Larry as a friend is missing something in their own lives. Imagine someone who doesn't know you from Adam, dropping their religious beliefs and their close friends just so you can fulfill your personal fantasy. It's almost a joke when you think about it. If being a JW was his personal choice, then so be it. If he ever decides to change his faith, then that too is his personal choice. We may be fans, but we don't have the right to decide his personal choices or make decisions for him. It's suppose to be about the music.

If you attend one of his shows, always expect that he may invite another artist to join him on stage. This is no surprise, other artists have been doing that for years, so I don't understand why fans who call themselves fans, don't know by now this is what he does.

The Prince we see now, is Prince, so you either accept it or move on, and if you choose to move on then that will be one less negative fan in the venue whose presence won't be there to devour the positive vibe.
[Edited 4/17/07 7:44am]

2elijah said:

Well said by the both of you! When you go to a Prince show, just be ready to go with the flow and have a great time! I grew up on those old Sly classics. They take me back and I still have fun hearing them, especially when the band is jamming like crazy and you see the look of pure joy on Prince's face.

Serena said:

[Edited 4/17/07 10:49am]