Well I didn't really expect Prince to be there tonight, so wasn't too disappointed when he turned out not to be. When the curtain went back I saw that we had the band there that had entertained us on Wednesday night. That is we had the NPG horns and the guys from Rain. Mike Phillips did a nice little rap for a bit which was cool to hear as I wasn't expecting that from him.

When the female vocalist fro the group came on I got a little concerned that we were just going to get a repeat of Wednesday and to some degree we did but not so much that it was a problem. She's a great singer, so it was nice to hear her again and I'm never going to complain when a tight band is tearing it up on Higher Ground.

The only bit of the show where they lost me was when it started to get jazzy. John Altman joined the band with his sax and it was nice enough but not really my cup of tea. Could have done without that section of the show but the missus really enjoyed it, so it wasn't all bad.

One thing that had caught my eye as soon as the curtain drew back was an acoustic guitar. This was certainly different to what was there on Wednesday and I started to imagine that after a while the current section would end and P would turn up to entertain us with the guitar. Standing next to me was a woman who posts over at houequake and we were talking about the guitar and getting ourselves hyped up. But we were soon to be let down and then, surprisingly, brought back up again.

Three guys were introduced and as they came on, one of them picked up the guitar. Housequake girl and I looked at each other and we were both gutted . But then they started doing their thing and they were really very good. It was basically a human beat box group but just imagining it from that doesn't do them justice. They got a great response and I think the whole crowd was really surprised by what they did. I heard several people talking about them afterwards too. While I'm not sure that I'd pay to go see them, what we had was great and as I said, a very nice surprise.

For the final part of the show, Marva and Shelby took to the stage and got a warm reception. Marva went off after a while and left Shelby to do her thing. Each time I see her I think I like her more and more. She can work a crowd, is entertaining and she can certainly sing well enough.

After it was over the dj played a bit of Prince, which made a nice change. 3121 and then Musicology before heading off of the purple path. We hung around for a bit after the show had ended, just in case. I think that was it though and we left the Indigo at about 2:25 to head for home.

I'm now 6/8 for Prince performances at aftershows but have thoroughly enjoyed the ones where he hasn't appeared. Towards the end Mike started saying that tomorrow night was where it's at and that it's going down tomorrow night. I felt a bit sorry for all those that don't have tickets for tomorrow night as it was almost rubbing there noses in it, saying that tomorrow was going to be off the hook. I only felt a little bit sorry though as we still have that to look forward to.

Anyway, time for sleep now. Fortunately no work tomorrow, so can just sleep to lunch time before getting up to do it all for one last night.

Thanks for that!

I'd love to be there tomorrow.

Have a wonderful time!

Nice review, Gent! One bit that Mike did (again) was come into the crowd and play from among the throng of people. That is really specially when he does that! Got a great reception. Also, at one stage, he just set down at the front of the stage (sideways), looking up almost admiringly at Lee doing his expert thang. Those three in the horn section certainly respect each other very much - they seem to have a brotherly type of love for one another. I agree with you, the rap Mike did at the beginning was a real surprise. Can he kick it? Yes, he can!

I also think the same about Marva - she' really grown on me. I am a huge Shelby fan - Mike said he wanted to serenade her tonight, so he played to her, really cute! But Marva looked super sexy tonight and she can certainly sing and enthral a crowd!

LiveToLove said:

Marva's outfit at theaftershow was pretty awesome...

...and should possibly have come with a health warning!

I got to sayaquick hello toher and briefly chat to Shelby before the aftershow kicked off onstage, so that kinda helped ease the pain of no Prince.

I've got to say I can't help feeling a bit disappointed. Don't get me wrong, the live set we got was really good but having had 4 days off and with 2 only aftershows left before he heads home I really expected an appearance - maybe we Londoners have become spoilt.
He obviously made a conscious decision - "fuck it, can't be arsed". Real shame man. He must have his reasons . . .

Well the man can have a break though. And there never is any guarantee. Anyway the main show was a KILLER performance. Some amazing guitar work (usually seen in aftershows by my experience) and a brilliant solo piano set, full version of Little Red Corvette. Brilliant, he really did put in a good one and looked like he genuinely enjoyed it tonight so I ain't complaining. Aftershow performances WERE very good though in their own right anyway ! Sleep ? who needs it, came straight back to work and chilled out, gym, changed, working away like a trooper..for now at least..
[Edited 9/21/07 0:39am]

GeminiTwin said:

Too right - the main show was fabulous - fantastic guitar and piano playing and prince was really in mood.

Thank God I went on Sunday instead of Thursday cause I couldn't get tickets for Thursday!! and don't have any for tonight, I would have been majorly gutted, phew, really hope people there last night got to see him at some aftershow

Must admit was a bit gutted that he did not play, I must be some sort of jynx, cos I haven't seen him at the 2 s/shows I have been to. But, the band were great and it was a nice touch from Shelby to come down and sign autographs at the end, at least I can take that home and frame it!! Lucky lot going tonite, I bet it will be brill.

oh man, yes at least Shelby et al were there I do really think they are two very funky ladies and I like that

LiveToLove said:

I like Marva from the start, she has a way about her. If you could couple Marva's looks with Shelby's voice and presence you'd have an unstoppable force I think.

"tomorrow night, it's going down".
Ouch that hurt man!

This will be me trying to get in tonight

Oh by the way, maybe it's not Prince who needs the rest. Maybe it's the band. There is a lot of people to consider. Can you imagine Cora with a bandage on her wrist? It doesn't bare thinking about.

Marva is queen of funkadelica and Shelby is high empress of soul.
You have to love them!

phineas said:

This is what got me

I knew there was no guarante he shows, but I think deep down I believed he would have done both nights.

I had the most perfect night 3 weeks ago on the 1st and now, after last night, I'm feeling kinda empty.

i saw Prince that day, but the sound was terrible in the 103 block!
BUT!!

This aftershow was one of the best concerts i've ever seen!
The only problem is without Prince!!

Thanx for the review!

Mike tore it UP walking thru the crowd. When he first came off the stage the people parted and he was face to face, coming straight at me... and for a second I forgot to move out the way! I was fixed on him doing his thing Then like, oh yeah, better move