I understand what some people are saying about they are going to Prince's concerts to hear Prince sing his own songs... But...

I like the idea that Prince can relate and project another's person's word's and music and make it his own.

If he's trying to get a point across, if he wants to be understood... right now, in this exact moment... it's a good way to do it.

To make this exact same point (and to please his die-hard fans) He would have to write a new song, reccord it or sing it in concert... (Anyone actually catch all the lyric's to GINGERBREAD MAN yet??) and then we all do a collective "oh, that's what he's talking about!"

Example: Everyday People = Cause and effect ( Wasn't there another song that slipped out after Cause and effect.... one during the summer that the lyrics more closely resembles Every day people too?) But my point is , Nearly everyone ALREADY gets and understands and can instantly relate to the song Everyday people and instantly he's understood!

Also, The man is Genius! I love his ... THE ORIGINAL... version of the song Sinead O'conner made even more famous. And the Crimson and Clover song, PRICELESS!

I agree. I don't mind the covers. It's fun seeing Prince, the band and the back up singers tear it up on stage, no matter what song they'replaying. And it's important to pay attention to the covers he's doing at these shows. He's paying tribute to artists he loves and respects, like Sly Stone, Santana, Tina Marie, Michael Jackson, Rick James, and funk music in general. To me, one of the highlights so far was hearing him do Everyday People/Thank You Fa Letting Me be Mice Elf Again with Larry Graham playing bass. They. Tore. It. Up.

sigers1 said:

The odd covers fine, but it's now getting ridiculous he'll do a covers only album next plus his backing band can't do these songs justice

With all due respect, you weren't there, so you have no room to criticize what his band is capable of doing.

They've been doing just fine at the all the shows I attended. More than fine, in fact.

it's all about the live experience, and keeping the party vibration going.

in addition, i would add his way of giving respect to those whose songs

he sings. for example, Prince never discussed MJ much, but the fact

that he's doing his tunes is very humbling & honorific of MJ. sometimes

I think Prince's jamming of Sly tunes is 2 bring him back to the forefront

of the live scene. the Grateful Dead built their vibe on the live experience,

and now & then did covers from the Beatles, to Dylan or Hendrix

" To me, one of the highlights so far was hearing him do Everyday People/Thank You Fa Letting Me be Mice Elf Again with Larry Graham playing bass. They. Tore. It. Up."

Yeah. For fifteen years now.

i'm completely up 4 a few cover songs if he keeps them interesting & varied, love 2 hear his interpretations, but i've had enough of shelbey j contributions

alfbo said:

andlove said:

I understand what some people are saying about they are going to Prince's concerts to hear Prince sing his own songs... But...

I like the idea that Prince can relate and project another's person's word's and music and make it his own.

If he's trying to get a point across, if he wants to be understood... right now, in this exact moment... it's a good way to do it.

To make this exact same point (and to please his die-hard fans) He would have to write a new song, reccord it or sing it in concert... (Anyone actually catch all the lyric's to GINGERBREAD MAN yet??) and then we all do a collective "oh, that's what he's talking about!"

Example: Everyday People = Cause and effect ( Wasn't there another song that slipped out after Cause and effect.... one during the summer that the lyrics more closely resembles Every day people too?) But my point is , Nearly everyone ALREADY gets and understands and can instantly relate to the song Everyday people and instantly he's understood!

Also, The man is Genius! I love his ... THE ORIGINAL... version of the song Sinead O'conner made even more famous. And the Crimson and Clover song, PRICELESS!

I don't think the reason he does covers is as honorable as you think. And yes, I go to Prince concerts to hear his music, but I've come to expect a plethora of covers, even though he limited them on April 14th and I was very appreciative of that.

[Edited 5/3/11 22:08pm]

Realtor said:

I don't think the reason he does covers is as honorable as you think. And yes, I go to Prince concerts to hear his music, but I've come to expect a plethora of covers, even though he limited them on April 14th and I was very appreciative of that.

[Edited 5/3/11 22:08pm]

I'd like to know why you think he does all of the covers. Thanks!

alfbo said:

Realtor said:

I don't think the reason he does covers is as honorable as you think. And yes, I go to Prince concerts to hear his music, but I've come to expect a plethora of covers, even though he limited them on April 14th and I was very appreciative of that.

[Edited 5/3/11 22:08pm]

I'd like to know why you think he does all of the covers. Thanks!

Let me preface by saying it's very clear to my why he does so many covers, but that's because I've witnessed this evolution year by year. Prince is a perfectionist. The reality is that he cannot deliver on many of the songs the way he could before. If he could perform like he did on April 14th every night, he would. Doing covers that are CLEARLY beneath you, frees you from having to be a perfectionist, especially vocally. Prince doesn't have anyone to slow him down, so if he didn't somehow pace himself, he would burn himself out, and possibly for good. Singing covers is a good way for an artist to pace themselves and separate from emotional attachments, which psychologically weigh on you, if you in fact were the creator of the material. I'm not suggesting he arbitrarily selects material to do; I'm aware he respects the artists and the songs, but he's not trying to send any messages with them; he's just having a good time. When he wants to send a message, he performs his own music.

[Edited 5/4/11 17:32pm]

Realtor said:

alfbo said:

I'd like to know why you think he does all of the covers. Thanks!

Let me preface by saying it's very clear to my why he does so many covers, but that's because I've witnessed this evolution year by year. Prince is a perfectionist. The reality is that he cannot deliver on many of the songs the way he could before. If he could perform like he did on April 14th every night, he would. Doing covers that are CLEARLY beneath you, frees you from having to be a perfectionist, especially vocally. Prince doesn't have anyone to slow him down, so if he didn't somehow pace himself, he would burn himself out, and possibly for good. Singing covers is a good way for an artist to pace themselves and separate from emotional attachments, which psychologically weigh on you, if you in fact were the creator of the material. I'm not suggesting he arbitrarily selects material to do; I'm aware he respects the artists and the songs, but he's not trying to send any messages with them; he's just having a good time. When he wants to send a message, he performs his own music.

[Edited 5/4/11 17:32pm]

Thanks for the response. I was thinking something similar about some of the covers. I noticed that Prince doesn't sing on some of the covers, but he'll still play guitar. On other covers, he'll leave the stage for a costume change, so I agree, some songs may be there to give Prince a rest/break. But when one of those songs is Shiela E doing Glamorous Life, I forgive him, because she really tears it up.

Prince could play "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" at one of his shows & I'd still enjoy it....

He's always done other peoples music. Especially at aftershows & smaller venues.

These L.A. gigs are kind of a combo of his arena shows & aftershows.... I like it.

DaveG said:

Prince could play "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" at one of his shows & I'd still enjoy it....

He's always done other peoples music. Especially at aftershows & smaller venues.

These L.A. gigs are kind of a combo of his arena shows & aftershows.... I like it.

I agree. I've never been to an official aftershow, but I'll take your word for it. I will admit, I did enjoy the cover of Whole Lotta Love. Prince put his funky spin on it and the guest vocals by Nikka Costa were a delight.

Not being lazy...but don't have time to look it all up..But I forget what was so great about the April 14 show versus some of the others last week (I believe last fri)??

Just curious.

alfbo said:

DaveG said:

Prince could play "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" at one of his shows & I'd still enjoy it....

He's always done other peoples music. Especially at aftershows & smaller venues.

These L.A. gigs are kind of a combo of his arena shows & aftershows.... I like it.

I agree. I've never been to an official aftershow, but I'll take your word for it. I will admit, I did enjoy the cover of Whole Lotta Love. Prince put his funky spin on it and the guest vocals by Nikka Costa were a delight.

alfbo said:

Realtor said:

I don't think the reason he does covers is as honorable as you think. And yes, I go to Prince concerts to hear his music, but I've come to expect a plethora of covers, even though he limited them on April 14th and I was very appreciative of that.

[Edited 5/3/11 22:08pm]

I'd like to know why you think he does all of the covers. Thanks!

I've heard prince say at shows... "I'm your DJ tonight"... I just think he loves music.... Maybe he gets tired of playing the same songs over & over, so a cover tune freshens it up a little.

vandeluca said:

Not being lazy...but don't have time to look it all up..But I forget what was so great about the April 14 show versus some of the others last week (I believe last fri)??

Just curious.

alfbo said:

I agree. I've never been to an official aftershow, but I'll take your word for it. I will admit, I did enjoy the cover of Whole Lotta Love. Prince put his funky spin on it and the guest vocals by Nikka Costa were a delight.

Played longer, took his time with each song, did a lot more songs, didn't fool around with the silly talk and bs, put his heart into each piece, make a sincere attempt to win the crowd over as opposed to taking for granted that they were already in love with him, made people laugh/cry/dance/smile/think with NOTHING but his music. Once in a lifetime type performance.

Keep saying it but you guys are really lucky to have all those shows so reasonably priced out there...Even if they were more money, still, 21 shows is great to have that opportunity.

Realtor said:

vandeluca said:

Not being lazy...but don't have time to look it all up..But I forget what was so great about the April 14 show versus some of the others last week (I believe last fri)??

Just curious.

Played longer, took his time with each song, did a lot more songs, didn't fool around with the silly talk and bs, put his heart into each piece, make a sincere attempt to win the crowd over as opposed to taking for granted that they were already in love with him, made people laugh/cry/dance/smile/think with NOTHING but his music. Once in a lifetime type performance.