UltraLash said:

This was my fourth show during his residence here in LA, and I have to say that it was the least impressive . I agree with the poster who said Esperanza's set wasn't mixed very well. Her voice was drowned out by the instruments. In fact, I don't think a venue the size of The Forum is apropriate for a jazz ensemble like that anyway. Too many subtle pieces doing too many complex things. But you could tell the woman's got talent!

Yes, Prince came on late (after 10PM!) And he started off STRONG: Laydown, She's Always in My Hair and Future Soul Song were fantastic. In fact, Future Soul Song really comes to life LIVE. Prince plays the melody with his guitar, not a synth, and really drives it home. For me, it was the highlight of the night.

Then, strangely, came Purple Rain. Uh-oh. The fourth song of the night? It's not a good sign when an artist plays his hits early, especially his traditional closer. They didn't even have the "Purple Explosion" (if you've been to these shows, you know what I'm talking about). Unfortunately, this decision set the tone for the rest of the night. Prince seemed like he was in a rush to get off the stage, running through Raspberry Beret, Cream and his sample set of Doves, Sign, etc. In all, he played barely more than an hour before returning for his first encore, a very lazy rendition of Kiss. Yes, he played the bass, which was great, but he didn't sing more than a handful of the lyrics and yelled at the audiance like a pissed-off lover: "I said SING IT!"

He then returned for a very perfunctory If I Was Ur Girlfriend before mustering up a final burst of energy for a soulful Nothing Compares 2 U. I credit Shelby J for pumping the energy in this performance, though. Prince was just about spent.

The final encore was, of course, Inglewood Swinging. It was Prince's way of saying, "This is it, y'all! I'm done!"

So this was a 2-hour performance. If you subtract applause time in between ecores, it was about an hour and a half -- with no special guests, breakdowns or slithering. Hey, if you're going to a have short set, at least GET INTO THE GROOVE!. Kinda weak compared to the three-hour extravaganza I witnessed two weeks ago with Chaka Khan.

Word to the wise... Fridays seem to be Prince's shortest sets. Next time I'm going to try the Saturday Night Special.

[Edited 5/7/11 13:33pm]

I totally agree with everything you said....very well put! I also have to add....yes...the sound/mixing was really bad during Esparanza.....but overall I think the sound really sucks in the Forum...even when Prince is on. Staples has much better sound....the acoustics at the Forum are the worst I've ever encountered anywhere (and I've seen a lot of shows).

This was the 7th show I have attended and the first time I've been a little disappointed. Thursday night's show had some really magical moments (The Love We Make, U Will Be With Me / The One, Sometime It Snows in April), whereas tonight was merely filled with the usual crowd pleasers and sing-alongs. Half the time it was either the audience or the back up singers and Sheila E doing most of the singing. That coupled with the late start at 10 pm made me feel as if Prince was really not feeling good tonight. He seemed tired, as if he was just going through the motions. The magic was not there. It was good of course, but not great. I hope he gets some rest and saves up his energy for a fantastic Saturday night show! I know he will!

(By the way, the first three songs were great (Laydown, She's Always In My Hair, Future Soul Song) but again seemed a bit forced. Unfortunately, it was a bit interrupted for me by the rude late comers pushing their way past me to find their seats in the dark. Honestly, I had been sitting there for a hour and a half, all through Esperanza's set and the break between, with no one in my row (in the Risers). Why can't people find their seats before the show starts and stay there? Really annoying.)

[Edited 5/7/11 14:22pm]

[Edited 5/7/11 14:22pm]

LayDownMisty said:

it was not short

why do people keep saying that?

this is why he has people open for him, so he does not have to play long shows

he only played a long show once and it was because there was no opening act

these reviews and shows are getting boring

this 21 nights idea is retarded

but lucky 4 fans I guess

Prince has played several shows of two-plus hours, close to three...even with an opener...so that's a false statement.

Re "these reviews and shows are getting boring," not to those of us fortunate enough to attend them. Feel free to stop reading them if that's how you feel; the threads are clearly listed so there shouldn't be any problems with that.

Don't hate...find a way to get to one and enjoy. Nothing "retarded" at all about that; several fans have found a way to do so.

GDB said:

LayDownMisty said:

it was not short

why do people keep saying that?

this is why he has people open for him, so he does not have to play long shows

he only played a long show once and it was because there was no opening act

these reviews and shows are getting boring

this 21 nights idea is retarded

but lucky 4 fans I guess

Prince has played several shows of two-plus hours, close to three...even with an opener...so that's a false statement.

Re "these reviews and shows are getting boring," not to those of us fortunate enough to attend them. Feel free to stop reading them if that's how you feel; the threads are clearly listed so there shouldn't be any problems with that.

Don't hate...find a way to get to one and enjoy. Nothing "retarded" at all about that; several fans have found a way to do so.

Yup, it was definitely short and probably the most Vegas-like of his shows I've seen on this tour. He's played much longer shows several times (the last two Saturdays come to mind).

For a first-time audience member, I'm sure it was a thrill just to see the man do his thing on Friday. But if you know what he's capable of, the show left you a little disappointed. Overall, the tour is still fantastic.

While I'm writing, I think I'll just throw this out into the universe: I'd love to hear Eye Hate You, Morning Papers and Dance 4 Me at one of these shows. Maybe a little birdie will read this and sing it in Prince's ear.

The Friday, May 6 show was definitely my least favorite. For the most part, I agree with UltraLash. However, I didn't mind Purple Rain being the 4th song and I felt he performed it brilliantly, possibly the best of the 9 nights so far. But as far as I'm concerned, that's when the show ended. He should have passed on Nothing Compares 2U, instead of delivering such a sub-par effort. The performance of Kiss was pathetic. I think it's more of a coincidence that the Friday sets have been shorter, but this wasn't about duration time; it was about quality, or lack thereof. For the first time, we saw what can happen to a vulnerable artist on this 21 night stand. There are two things that can make an artist like Prince vulnerable: 1. Poor performance by band 2. No feedback from audience This was a night in which Prince needed at least one to help carry him through and he received neither. I don't know if people could notice from far away, but the band (and yes, the Twinz too) was making mistake after mistake. Prince improvised very well, but when he asked the audience to help him through, it didn't happen. This concert was so choppy and uneven, I was shocked by how many people raved about it afterward. The waits between encores were too long, the Glamorous Life performance by Sheila E didn't fit this time and neither did Shelby's solo, which just like Sheila E's was good, but misplaced. Ironically, tonight's show is the toughest ticket yet per this 21 Night Stand, so I expect him to bounce back with flying colors......IF, he has the energy.

[Edited 5/7/11 17:49pm]

Sounds like a fair constructive review..tx.

Realtor said:

The Friday, May 6 show was definitely my least favorite. For the most part, I agree with UltraLash. However, I didn't mind Purple Rain being the 4th song and I felt he performed it brilliantly, possibly the best of the 9 nights so far. But as far as I'm concerned, that's when the show ended. He should have passed on Nothing Compares 2U, instead of delivering such a sub-par effort. The performance of Kiss was pathetic. I think it's more of a coincidence that the Friday sets have been shorter, but this wasn't about duration time; it was about quality, or lack thereof. For the first time, we saw what can happen to a vulnerable artist on this 21 night stand. There are two things that can make an artist like Prince vulnerable: 1. Poor performance by band 2. No feedback from audience This was a night in which Prince needed at least one to help carry him through and he received neither. I don't know if people could notice from far away, but the band (and yes, the Twinz too) was making mistake after mistake. Prince improvised very well, but when he asked the audience to help him through, it didn't happen. This concert was so choppy and uneven, I was shocked by how many people raved about it afterward. The waits between encores were too long, the Glamorous Life performance by Sheila E didn't fit this time and neither did Shelby's solo, which just like Sheila E's was good, but misplaced. Ironically, tonight's show is the toughest ticket yet per this 21 Night Stand, so I expect him to bounce back with flying colors......IF, he has the energy.

[Edited 5/7/11 17:49pm]

Did anyone mention the two kids that were brought up onstage? I thought it was adorable how Prince moved those ladies out of the center of the stage to place the two kids there. Those kids were so into it, especially the boy, he was all right there with Prince, he loved having them up there

He actually played all of Nikki? I thought he wasn't doing that ever anymore? I've been to 2 forum shows and many others and haven't heard Nikki since the JW thing.

AGCW said:

He actually played all of Nikki? I thought he wasn't doing that ever anymore? I've been to 2 forum shows and many others and haven't heard Nikki since the JW thing.

No, he played the intro to Nikki as part of the sampler set. If he ever utters a word of Nikki, I think I'll fall over in disbelief. BTW, if he opens with P Control, my brain will explode. Just sayin'.

myloveis4ever said:

Funk said:

I was at the show last night and I thought the energy of the crowd was really low compared to last week....Prince kept having to get people to dance and sing....there were some points when he'd walk out to the audience and do a little dance....and people would not be cheering at all. He made a few comments/looks like....."hmmm....I don't know about you guys." If it was my first show last night I may have felt differently....but compared to last weekend I felt like the energy was off....at least in regard to the crowd.

so the crowd was boring???

No, probably it was Prince who was boring. Not the crowd.

LayDownMisty said:

it was not short

why do people keep saying that?

this is why he has people open for him, so he does not have to play long shows

he only played a long show once and it was because there was no opening act

these reviews and shows are getting boring

this 21 nights idea is retarded

but lucky 4 fans I guess

I wasn't complaining, rather commenting regarding the other LA shows. Heck, for $25 for the show, an hour total would be fair compared to other concerts

Well, the show was "so short" I'm going again next thursday and Friday so I can feel like I caught a complete show

no complaints here at all.

G

1ststatestereo said:

Compared to last week, this crowd was weak. I was tired as hell (I haven't slept much since this stint started), but I was standing up. During the pre-show, I noticed a woman literally asleep on her husband's shoulder. Prince was asking people to stand up, which I hadn't noticed him doing in the other shows.

And then there was the twins. Not Prince's dancers, but two young (20ish) ladies in front of me who would not stand up and spent the majority of the show applying make up and lip gloss. I'm not joking. I pitied them.

I don't know what it is, but it seems as if I'm constantly the only one in my section who wants to stand up. If you want to party and dance during the concert, please don't sit in my section, as it seems that there is something about my energy that makes people want to sit down during a Prince concert.

Well, maybe some of us should get a batch of seats together and show people how it's done

G

As I sit here are read through the comments, I realize just how jaded some of us have become. I say this because I took a Prince virgin, a friend who I've done music with in the past.

Her response to the show:

She was crying she was so touched for the first four songs (especially Purple Rain, which was the best I have EVER seen him perform it, simply spiritual and magical). We have talked a couple of times and she keeps thanking me for dragging her out to see him (she wasn't sure she even wanted to go), and now she is trying to find a way to get there for a few more shows.

Also, as a musician and songwriter herself, she was so happy to see someone who played great music, as Prince says :Real Music by Real Musicians". She said she was completely inspired again, the show made her feel like creating again, this after loosing hope that making music was a waste of time.

While we can sit here and go back and forth about what we, people who have seen prince for years and multiple times, think. Good or bad, her opinion is about as real as it gets.

Maybe that's why the show was so special in the first part for the group of people I was with: we got to see and hear through fresh ears.

Either way, show 3 for me, and I loved it.

G

I'm glad your friend had fun. Like I said, if this was my first time, I'm sure I would have been thrilled. But I certainly wouldn't say I was jaded... just more experienced. I've seen Prince do bigger and better, and it was obvious to me that he was tired. His rendition of Purple Rain was actually very good, but its placement indicated that he was rushing things a bit. It wasn't Prince's best night, by a country mile. It certainly wasn't the best on this tour. But, like I said, I'm glad your friend had fun!

utopian811 said:

As I sit here are read through the comments, I realize just how jaded some of us have become. I say this because I took a Prince virgin, a friend who I've done music with in the past.

Her response to the show:

She was crying she was so touched for the first four songs (especially Purple Rain, which was the best I have EVER seen him perform it, simply spiritual and magical). We have talked a couple of times and she keeps thanking me for dragging her out to see him (she wasn't sure she even wanted to go), and now she is trying to find a way to get there for a few more shows.

Also, as a musician and songwriter herself, she was so happy to see someone who played great music, as Prince says :Real Music by Real Musicians". She said she was completely inspired again, the show made her feel like creating again, this after loosing hope that making music was a waste of time.

While we can sit here and go back and forth about what we, people who have seen prince for years and multiple times, think. Good or bad, her opinion is about as real as it gets.

Maybe that's why the show was so special in the first part for the group of people I was with: we got to see and hear through fresh ears.

Either way, show 3 for me, and I loved it.

G

ALL the Prince virgins rave about these shows, including every single one I've invited, which totals about 30 people. If I give someone scraps from last Wednesday's dinner and they tear up and say it was the best meal they've had and they're inspired to cook again...what, I'm supposed to yield to THEIR opinion? Stop it with the nonsense. It would be one thing if people were constantly comparing Prince of today to Prince of the Lovesexy Tour, but most of us, including myself are comparing THESE shows. So since I actually attended all of these shows minus 4/22, I'll trust what I've personally witnessed, experienced, and heard with my own eyes and ears. April 14, 2011 was a masterpiece and May 6, 2011 was not even average for Prince, but apparently a masterpiece for those not used to being exposed to such a great musical artist. That's the reality.

And I mean all of that in a nice way utopian811, but what you said struck a nerve in me, because it reminds me of my foreign friends that fall in love with McDonalds. If it wasn't for so many peoples' bad tastes, I wouldn't have to see horrible food establishments every 3 blocks, instead of something that I could actually eat. Prince challenges everyone, INCLUDING HIMSELF, when he exclaims "Real Music for Real Music Lovers," so don't think the messenger is immune.

AGCW said:

He actually played all of Nikki? I thought he wasn't doing that ever anymore? I've been to 2 forum shows and many others and haven't heard Nikki since the JW thing.

He started to play it, then remembered that he was "in REHAB" and swtiched gears.

GDB said:

garitamar said:

I just left the Forum Club. It amazes me how people lack patience. Most of the earlier post-concert crowd bailed early leaving the die-hards. As soon as a large group appeared to leave en masse (during Esperanzas playing) P appeared looking refreshed and ready to groove. With babies at home, I had to leave the club as he walked on stage. Any one else there?

How did you get in? I've heard that you have to be invited by someone in Prince's camp in order to get into the post-concert jams in the Forum Club.

I found a pass on the floor. SERIOUSLY. Tried to turn it in (wink, wink) but ended up groovin' to Esperanza's life performance and decided to stay and wait it out til P showed up.

When he walked passed me as he entered the Club, all I coul do is say "THANK YOU." He looked to me and smiled.

garitamar said:

I found a pass on the floor. SERIOUSLY. Tried to turn it in (wink, wink) but ended up groovin' to Esperanza's life performance and decided to stay and wait it out til P showed up.

When he walked passed me as he entered the Club, all I coul do is say "THANK YOU." He looked to me and smiled.

Oh my!!! You gotta love life! Beautiful!

garitamar said:

I just left the Forum Club. It amazes me how people lack patience. Most of the earlier post-concert crowd bailed early leaving the die-hards. As soon as a large group appeared to leave en masse (during Esperanzas playing) P appeared looking refreshed and ready to groove. With babies at home, I had to leave the club as he walked on stage. Any one else there?

Macy Gray performed. I went with heidiv; we had a great time. Prince played the keyboards.

Realtor said:

garitamar said:

I just left the Forum Club. It amazes me how people lack patience. Most of the earlier post-concert crowd bailed early leaving the die-hards. As soon as a large group appeared to leave en masse (during Esperanzas playing) P appeared looking refreshed and ready to groove. With babies at home, I had to leave the club as he walked on stage. Any one else there?

Macy Gray performed. I went with heidiv; we had a great time. Prince played the keyboards.

Saw her in VIP during the concert, was wondering if she was going to be singing

garitamar said:

GDB said:

How did you get in? I've heard that you have to be invited by someone in Prince's camp in order to get into the post-concert jams in the Forum Club.

I found a pass on the floor. SERIOUSLY. Tried to turn it in (wink, wink) but ended up groovin' to Esperanza's life performance and decided to stay and wait it out til P showed up.

When he walked passed me as he entered the Club, all I coul do is say "THANK YOU." He looked to me and smiled.

Thx 4 sharing. Very cool! Reminds me of how I got into the Sunset Blvd Tower Records gig years ago...totally by chance, asked the right person at the right time despite the chaos going on around me. If I passed by P close enough 4 him to hear me I would probably just say thank you as well.