i got this emale from a friend of mine that has been to the LA shows and it's not about being ungrateful 4 his talents this is about a man's legacy of music that isn't being played on a consistant basis. but i'll post the emale i got and see if we're being "ungrateful"
I totally understand! After 3 shows, almost the same except a couple songs, I am a bit bored. Saturday night was fun at the VIP table because it was next to the stage entrance, so all night, Prince and the band were walking/running right past me to get on stage or to their dressing room. I also saw wardrobe ladies wheeling all his outfits to the stage before it started. I did miss the beautiful light show on the stage because sitting so close, you can't see any of that. A guy at my table said he has been a fan 25 yrs but had never seen Prince live! We were having a nice chat about our dislike of Purple Rain & the hits. Is Prince so desperate for $$ that he plays these hits over and over to casual 1980s fans, when he has hundreds of songs to play? I hate when he goes to his piano (making me think he is actually going to play it, which I would adore more than his guitar!), and then he plays a recorded sampler of 10 seconds of songs he won't play (Darling Nikki!!).
I love to see him in smaller places but even that doesn't mean he will quit playing Kiss & Controversy & 1999. Yeah, when I saw him in a club (more than 7 yrs ago), he played rare stuff, but he seems to like playing to casual fans these days.... it's easy! Play that damn opening chord to Purple Rain, turn on purple lights and people lose it!
I almost sent you a text to see if you wanted a tourbook but then I didn't even buy one myself.
I listened to Emancipation on the drive home and was dreaming of a concert when he played "Sleep Around" and "Jam of the Year" plus so many others..... man, he has such an amazing body of music that it's sad to see him constrict it down to the basics. he's too talented for the lineup he's doing. estelle 81 | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
| |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Well, that's being a little over the top isn't it? Prince never said he hates covers...He said he hates artists recording his songs without permission....Singing a cover live and recording and releasing said cover to the public are two different things...
Secondly, he's not covering the Time and Sheila E.....He wrote those songs...
I understand a lot of you guys have a hard on to complain about every little thing when it comes to dude...But let's turn it down and try to make some serious critiques of the man's shows instead of this petty silliness that is being said... | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Exactly. I forget what clip I was watching and I heard him say 'I wrote this, my song' or something to that effect because you have alot of people not realize that HE wrote the song for somoene else (ie Chaka, Sinead, etc). Remember there are younger people there who did not get to see or hear prince of the late 70/80's that maybe HE is trying to educate and get appreciation from. I did not say homage..I just said appreciate or education..
To me if that is what people really have to complain about...Geez...
I will admit I complained my mouth of recently about that concert I went to ..but to me it was BOGUS..It was not a concert. That is different.
| |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
will ALWAYS think of like a "ACT OF GOD"! N another realm. mean of all people who might of been aliens or angels.if found out that wasn't of this earth, would not have been that surprised. R.I.P. | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
remember when peeps complained about him not playing his hits. Now that he is playing them. Which he should in a stadium concert full of casual fans. There still complaining. It must be stressful being Prince & not being able 2 satisfy everybody all the time.. will ALWAYS think of like a "ACT OF GOD"! N another realm. mean of all people who might of been aliens or angels.if found out that wasn't of this earth, would not have been that surprised. R.I.P. | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
There's a difference in what your issues are and what Still Waiting has been going on about. Not once have I heard you complain about the amount of money you chose to spend on the NYC/NJ shows. Still Waiting hs been going on about that since Prince announced ticket prices in LA.
As for the setlists at the shows, I can't understand why if anyone chooses to attend multiple shows on a big tour would they expect a different setlist each night. It's unrealistic! There will be some changes(we've seen them in the more recent shows) but the core of the show will be pretty much similar each night. Prince is not going to pack MSG/The Forum or any other large venue with hardcore fans who only want to hear rarities and unreleased tracks. He's going to mix those in here and there but not overlaod the show with them. What sense does it make to sell 14000 tickets and then play songs that maybe 2000 people know. 12000 people are going to leave saying ,"WTF?". The hardcore fans dream setlists will always appear at smaller gigs and aftershows. It's time Prince fanbase accepts this.
I have a challenge for anyone who's not a fan of what Prince is doing right now at his shows. The next time he plays a song you don't care for or does a cover or anyhting that you don't like stand up and start booing! Then look around and see the reaction of everyone around you. You will truly understand that the hardcores who claim to be holding Prince down are in the minority at the shows. Everyone else is there to see a genius at work and thrilled to have the opportunity to do so. When go 2 a Prince concert or related event it's all up in the house but when log onto this site and the miasma of bitchiness is completely overwhelming! | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
I'm not exactly a hits junkie but I have to admit, it's nice hearing them from time to time. Those are some pretty great hits after all!
The big exception to the rule of play-peoples-favorites was the ONA tour in 2002, where there maybe 5 or 6 moments all night where people stood up at the sound of an old favorite. The gig was great, and certainly exciting to see such a focus on the instrumentalists for once, and it was good that he was focusing on new music in a small venue.
But I can't say I would be tempted to go see that on multiple nights. Plus not everyone got the memo about him skipping hits that round, the ladies next to me were impatiently hollering "Woot woot!" for half the night, even - especially - during the quiet parts. It was like they decided "Prince will do our favorite song if he knows we came to PARTY!"
Also please remember if there were no casual Prince fans we would not get a 21 night stand with affordable tickets.
Maybe people would like it better if he only had a hardcore fan following left, like ZAPP or the Dazz Band, and could only tour on "Hot 92 Summer Jam" festivals of eighties acts. It would be easy & cheap to get tickets, no annoying people would be there at all. I assume the Dazz Band ignores their hits in that circumstance, since they have no casual fans there would be no point trying to please them.
Right? That would be a whole lot better? | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
WORD! I had the same experience in Arnhem (Holland) last November 18th. I just put out my device just to completely experience the show from A to Z (or from Stratus to Soul Sacrifice, then).
LIVE THRU A LENS (as Robbie Williams called this phenomenon already a decade ago)
Hope you had a marvelous time with this Inglewood show! | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Didn't even made clips, picture or whatever. I just enjoy the show, that's more important to me. Maybe one clip or picture, that's all. | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Exactly! I find it strange that the so-called hardcore fans are also often the ones who complain the most about Prince, instead of simply appreciating him!!! As someone else said in this thread - he will not be performing forever! Will the people who complain about him now be finally happy when he no longer does any concerts at all??? I don't understand how some can't see what a great treat they are getting right now from one of the best performers alive!!! They really don't appreciate what they have until they lose it!!! | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Exactly! MJ didn't even live long enough 2 start & complete his 02 arena series 2 break Prince's untouched record there. Think of how heartbroken his fans r. We have Prince in the prime of his life & more energetic than ever & dancing his azz off every week, & people r still complaining about cover songs & Shelby singing. How ungrateful! will ALWAYS think of like a "ACT OF GOD"! N another realm. mean of all people who might of been aliens or angels.if found out that wasn't of this earth, would not have been that surprised. R.I.P. | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
That's it! I am reminded of how it could be every day, because one of my colleagues in the office is a big MJ Fan. I can't even talk to her about Prince performing because she can't stand the thought of him still being around and doing great shows, while she only has memories of MJ. I agree with you - it is nothing but ungrateful to complain about setlists and Prince not singing enough, or shows being short or whatever!! I just love the fact that he is performing, plus he is doing so at a very high level! And that has nothing to do with kissing his ass but with being appreciative for what he gives!! It is just wrong to take Prince for granted! | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
but it's real simple how 2 solve this situation ..give a mixture of both ..one shouldn't over kill the other..prime example of prince doing this is u look at the lovesexy tour and the act 1 tour ..a balance this would satisfy everyone in that regard man, he has such an amazing body of music that it's sad to see him constrict it down to the basics. he's too talented for the lineup he's doing. estelle 81 | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
hey i was bitching about the prices of his show at the garden too..i paid 60 instead of the amounts some had paid 2 be closer 2 the stage, wgeb the price of the LA shows were announced i bitched again cause that's the price it should have been all over he's gone. u say what's it gonna ganner prince if he plays songs "some don't know" hmmmm how bout interest in getting the albums they are on and discover that prince is not just a 80's artist calling it in but someone still active in creating new music. some would call that Marketing man, he has such an amazing body of music that it's sad to see him constrict it down to the basics. he's too talented for the lineup he's doing. estelle 81 | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Have u ever thought of the time & effort it takes 2 teach his current band the songs U want 2 hear? Maybe the LoveSexy band had the sound he liked 2 play those particular songs. Maybe he likes the way this band plays his older hits better than the newer ones. Maybe they need more rehearsals of other obscure songs. Stop expecting Prince 2 make a miracle happen. Every band he has had, Has played different types of music with different versions & sounds. Maybe if the tour last long enough he will pull other songs out.
Give him a chance. The tour just started in Dec. He has only played three states so far. Geez!.... U people kill me with these expectations of Prince & his band... will ALWAYS think of like a "ACT OF GOD"! N another realm. mean of all people who might of been aliens or angels.if found out that wasn't of this earth, would not have been that surprised. R.I.P. | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
This is exactly why I got on a plane and went to LA to the show. I love Prince no matter what he plays. I didn't want to regret not going when I had the chance to see him. I hope I can see him again! | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
This is kind of what he is doing.
On any given night you will hear 10-15 hits, but then there is She's Always in My Hair, The Love We Make, Anotherlover, Under the Cherry Moon, Musicology, Guitar, DMSR...I know none of the people I was with knew those songs but I did.
These shows actually have a better flow IMO than Lovesexy & Act 1 & 2, or Purple Rain for that matter My Legacy
http://prince.org/msg/8/192731 | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
BIG, BIG, BIG AMEN ON THAT!
HE DOES THIS SOME DON'T LIKE IT. HE DOES THAT SOME DON'T LIKE!!! JUST ENJOY WHAT EVER HE DOES. HE DON'T HAVE TO DO NOT ONE THING. STOP COMPLAINING PPL, PLZ!!! THIS JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. IF IT WERE U U WOULD DO WHAT EVER IT IS THAT U DO. U WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO WHAT EVERYONE WANTS U TO DO WHEN U R TRYING UR BEST TO JUST GIVE A GOOD SHOW AND MAKE THEM SMILE.
((((EXCEPT THE GIFT THAT SOME1 TOOK THE TIME 2 GIVE U AND SHARE W/ U!!!)))))
HE DOES MIX IT UP SOME NITES. CHILL PPL.
AND YES I STILL LOVE YA'LL U R NOT BETTER THAN ANYONE NOR R U PERFECT!! | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
yeah.. leave him alone, dang yall I understand its frustrating but if he wants to do his old songs let him, go make put on a prince lacefront wig and go out there and perform his other songs if you want that change. As a matter of fact, Hijack his show | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
and u have never been in a band urself otherwise u wouldn't be talking that bullshit u just said. or maybe u don't realzie how prince works his band at all. this band has been playing 2gether since around september of last year ..this is now 6 months 2gether. when prince goes out on tour the band has rehearsed over 50 songs or more. prince works his band over and over and even when u think they know songs that they have known ..he STILL reherses those songs so don't give me that "do i know how long it would take 2 rehearse all these songs" crap. know what u speak of or get schooled class dismissed man, he has such an amazing body of music that it's sad to see him constrict it down to the basics. he's too talented for the lineup he's doing. estelle 81 | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
try tis excersice, take ur favorite food whatever it may be, eat that meal every single day for 2 months ....how quick will u get sick of that same meal over and over? telling some 2 stop complaing cause they don't enjoy or show is the part that is funny cause u have the right 2 enjoy ur meal and have fun with it. now if u went 2 a restuarant and that same meal u enjoy didn't cook it right then wouldn't u gripe about it? this is human nature and 2 constantly say 2 people WAIT UR CRITICIZING PRINCE ARE U INSANE?!!!! really makes the one making that statement saying that everything in their life is great which is untrue. people, prince is not god he's human and makes mistakes and some are not digging what he's doing in his setlist and concerts and it's okay. not the end of the world. different strokes 4 differen folks and that's what prince fans are. some that love the old..some that love the new ...cause and effect chaos and disorder man, he has such an amazing body of music that it's sad to see him constrict it down to the basics. he's too talented for the lineup he's doing. estelle 81 | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
The email is reasonable except the part of about Prince playing Purple Rain (& the hits) because he's desperate for money? That's pretty idiotic. | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Ok...see that's where the FLIP side gets stupid. It's a COMMENTARY to say that we would prefer less covers and less Shelby. And he's not in the prime of his life, nor is he as energetic as ever. My problem with comments...whether they are complimentary or otherwise is that they are misleading and/or inaccurate. It's not UNGRATEFUL to HOPE that a man that calls himself a songwriter to sing the songs he writes. Obviously, for those that attended April 14th, they know what Prince CAN do.
| |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
How many Prince concerts have you been to and for how many years? There's a reason people have high expectations. | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
My first Prince concert was in 1982 the "Controversy Tour". & have been 2 every tour since including several surprise per4mances...In fact the majority of his tours up until LoveSexy was the same setlist. Only difference Prince reworked the songs 2 sound better live.. never count them so it could b in the hundreds.... will ALWAYS think of like a "ACT OF GOD"! N another realm. mean of all people who might of been aliens or angels.if found out that wasn't of this earth, would not have been that surprised. R.I.P. | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Actually have sung in a band b4, Of various choirs & groups. know very well how much rehearsal it takes 2 pull off a descent per4mance. Plus was a member of Chamber Singers in school. So don't need 2 b schooled on it..... have degrees 2 prove it. will ALWAYS think of like a "ACT OF GOD"! N another realm. mean of all people who might of been aliens or angels.if found out that wasn't of this earth, would not have been that surprised. R.I.P. | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Expectations or demands? All I hear are complaints about song choices and who's singing. No one is out and out saying the shows suck or that Prince is no longer entertaining. It's all about whatever X individual wanted to hear. Not because they thought it would please the other 13,999 people in attendance but because it would've pleased that one individual. we all have our fantasy setlist in our heads and probably have posted it on here at some point but it's just that a fantasy. Prince isn't obligated to run through his most opbscure tracks at each show to satisfy every individuals deepest wishes. It's nice if he gets to a song you enjoy but chances are he won't and probably never will. When go 2 a Prince concert or related event it's all up in the house but when log onto this site and the miasma of bitchiness is completely overwhelming! | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Ok...so are you going to these shows in L.A. or just speculating? Because the majority of what you say doesn't make sense. | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Expectations about WHO is singing the songs and HOW the songs are performed. Again, I don't care WHICH songs of HIS he performs and since he's the most prolific songwriter in the business, he's got a lot to choose from. I question all these people that CLAIM to have seen him since the 80's, because if they did, what I'm saying would reasonate with them. As far as the people whining for specific songs, that's where you and I are in agreement, because again, I DON'T CARE which of HIS songs he performs. Comprendo? | |
- E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |