Assuming the residency is over (are we ready to admit this?), I think it's time for some stats, rankings and wrap-up.

How about starting with a list of the 5 best shows in the residency. And, sorry... San Jose, Fresno and Oakland don't count as part of the LA area. From what I've read online and experienced in person, I think it might look like this:

1. TROUBADOUR on 5/11 (Second Show - with Mike Phillips and Andy Allo)

2. FORUM on 4/14 (Opening Night)

3. HOUSE OF BLUES on 5/25 (Second Show, "Jazz Cafe" - with Mike Phillips)

4. FORUM on 4/23 (with Chaka Khan, Larry Graham and Sheila E.)

5. FORUM on 5/13 (with Janelle Monae, Stevie Wonder, Mike Phillips and Sheila E.)

Thoughts?

[Edited 5/30/11 11:30am]

"Assuming the residency is over (are we ready to admit this?),"

I am not ready yet

a.) It made perfect sense to say these were the last 3 (at the forum). The sales during previous shows might not have been as good as Prince wanted so by implying this is it the sales will increase.

b.) Last nights sellout could encourage Prince to do a few more shows (ie if there were still empty seats yesterday even when people thought it was the last show it might be time to move on).

c.) There is still time in his schedule

d.) Sure the passess said night 21 and he/they said these are the last shows at the forum BUT to the best of my knowledge no one has said (at least publicly) that Prince is 100% for sure done with the residency.

Really if I had to guess I would say we get one more weekend out of him at a different large venue.

I also have a hard time believing it's over. the math doesn't add up. Not enough shows.

My highlights:

Esperanza Spalding's first night set seemed to inspire Prince, the whole first half of the show was like being in a very spiritual place, it was magic to me.

Sheila E on any night she was there, including show 2 with the whole Escovito clan

Finally seeing Prince do Pop Life and If I Was Your Girlfriend, among other very cool songs I never thought I'd hear.

Out of 4 shows, I never saw the exact same show... some things were the same (the sample set, the "Purple Rain" blowout at each show, The girl's set (which I could really have done without, it seemed to change the vib every show... while they are beautiful singers, it's a PRINCE show.

If he does more, I'll be at at least one more if not 2 or 3. Each show had a moment I will never forget, and I feel lucky and blessed to see the kid so many times.

G

I am seriously not ready to admit it's over...

noooooooo

Agreed with Ultralash with the exception of HOB and Troubadour 2nd show swappped, but these are minor points after so much joy, so many highlights, so many life affirming times.

I can't wait for the thread of everyone's personal little moments...Prince walking directly past me on Friday night in the Forum Club, inches.

So glad the club shows happened which took the magic we've had to a whole new level. Also it's so cool that so many orgers got to so many of the same shows - a cool group of ppl indeed.

I ain't ready to admit..

I went to 14Apr, 6May and 13May and I had a really good time.

Opening night on 14Apr was fantastic when he played 3 and half hours !!! Six encores !

6 May was really great too and he pleyed some songs I had never seen live including Future Soul Song.

13May was similiar to 14Apr but with Janelle Mone' and Stevie Wonder which was really cool as well.

Too bad I missed the concerts and the Troubadour.....

Thanks Prince for some amazing concerts!

Now how about a live album, "21 nights in Los Angeles" ?

The777Man

I think your list is pretty spot on. I went to shows 3, 4, and 5 on your list.

My favorite moments:

1. 1st show HOB. Being close enough to see the grain on his fretboard and count his nose hairs.

2. Sliding to mic to scream in it after a few primal screams during Scandalous.

3. LRC 5/28

4. When I Lay My Hands On You 4/21

Wait! Scratch that list. On 4/23, I brought my sister along. We've grown apart over the years, and I wanted to take her as a bonding exercise. Also my grandma died not too long ago.

Anyways, Prince introduced Sometimes it Snows... and mentioned it was for everyone who lost someone and he dedicated it to his sister. Wow. That could not have been more personalized for me if he wanted it to. I'll always remember that.

I dont think its over, but for the sake of conversation I think 4/30 was pretty cool considering we got Gwen Stefani AND Sheila E

UltraLash said:

Assuming the residency is over (are we ready to admit this?), I think it's time for some stats, rankings and wrap-up.

How about starting with a list of the 5 best shows in the residency. And, sorry... San Jose, Fresno and Oakland don't count as part of the LA area. From what I've read online and experienced in person, I think it might look like this:

1. TROUBADOUR on 5/11 (Second Show - with Mike Phillips and Andy Allo)

2. FORUM on 4/14 (Opening Night)

3. HOUSE OF BLUES on 5/25 (Second Show, "Jazz Cafe" - with Mike Phillips)

4. FORUM on 4/23 (with Chaka Khan, Larry Graham and Sheila E.)

5. FORUM on 5/13 (with Janelle Monae, Stevie Wonder, Mike Phillips and Sheila E.)

Thoughts?

[Edited 5/30/11 11:30am]

I would agree with #4 only because I was there although it was almost the same show as the 3rd night he played in Oakland that I saw. The Oakland show was better IMHO only because the vibe was so much better in Oakland. Chaka was def. a plus tho, not even gonna lie. Wish I could have caught any of the HOB or Troubadour shows. If I didn't think my husband would have divorced me I would have been there in a second

UltraLash said:

Assuming the residency is over (are we ready to admit this?), I think it's time for some stats, rankings and wrap-up.

How about starting with a list of the 5 best shows in the residency. And, sorry... San Jose, Fresno and Oakland don't count as part of the LA area. From what I've read online and experienced in person, I think it might look like this:

1. TROUBADOUR on 5/11 (Second Show - with Mike Phillips and Andy Allo)

2. FORUM on 4/14 (Opening Night)

3. HOUSE OF BLUES on 5/25 (Second Show, "Jazz Cafe" - with Mike Phillips)

4. FORUM on 4/23 (with Chaka Khan, Larry Graham and Sheila E.)

5. FORUM on 5/13 (with Janelle Monae, Stevie Wonder, Mike Phillips and Sheila E.)

Thoughts?

[Edited 5/30/11 11:30am]

If I coud have gone to them--I would have preferred to go to the 4/14 show at the Forum (from what I heard about it) and one of the Troubadour shows (one of which I did hear even if not there!) But, I was privlileged to go to the Saturday and Sunday shows at the Forum, and the Sunday show was terrific! I am not disappointed--especially when Prince opened with a terrific version of the "Love We Make" and then "Mountains." He also sprinkled the last show with a few more gems other than the usual hit parade pleasers. But would I like to hear him just go into a musical trance at a small club venue and do the unexpected?!!! Duh! Of course, I would! But I am still floating from the musical expericences I had: two at the Izod, two in Oakland, and, finally, two in LA. I have got to shout out a BIG THANK YOU!!! to those org members who went to the concerts and tried to make those who couldn't go feel as if they were there. Thanks so much to all of you!!! I know I felt like I was right along for the purple ride!

purplethunder3121 said:

edarai said:

I hope it's not over too but deep down inside I have a feeling prince would want to end the concert series on a high note, selling out the joint 3 nights in a row. People, including myself read too much into this 21 nite thing and the amount of shows he's done, gonna do. The thing we can all count on w prince is, he plays when he wants to and he dosent owe anyone shit. I find I hard to count the Lopez show as a nite or those multiple club shows as individual gigs but hey until someone can for sure tell me what is behind the numbers 3121, it's just numbers. Grateful to have checked out 10 forum shows. And 1 house of blues show. Top five moments for me: 1. 4/30 when he played "something in the water" solo on piano to be followed by strange relationship. 2. Opening night. So good to hear all those songs I haven heard in such a long time 3. I don't like to hear he hits over and over again but I never get tired of hearing purple rain everynight I had a chance to hear it. 4. The first Thursday when he opened the gig with when eye lay my hands on u. As he kept laying down on stage. Totally cool 5. The guitar solos on the one/question of u/ shhh! Kinda fragmented but those are priceless memories. Prince will be back in Los Angeles eventually everyone so stop stressing and start saving so he can come play more gigs. purplethunder3121 said:

If I coud have gone to them--I would have preferred to go to the 4/14 show at the Forum (from what I heard about it) and one of the Troubadour shows (one of which I did hear even if not there!) But, I was privlileged to go to the Saturday and Sunday shows at the Forum, and the Sunday show was terrific! I am not disappointed--especially when Prince opened with a terrific version of the "Love We Make" and then "Mountains." He also sprinkled the last show with a few more gems other than the usual hit parade pleasers. But would I like to hear him just go into a musical trance at a small club venue and do the unexpected?!!! Duh! Of course, I would! But I am still floating from the musical expericences I had: two at the Izod, two in Oakland, and, finally, two in LA. I have got to shout out a BIG THANK YOU!!! to those org members who went to the concerts and tried to make those who couldn't go feel as if they were there. Thanks so much to all of you!!! I know I felt like I was right along for the purple ride!

The 3121 refers to the adress of Paisley Park in Minn.

I know 5/21 in San Jose wasn't an LA show, but I believe hands down, 5/21 was one of the best shows of the entire California run

Thank God it's over!!

Revolutionary said:

I know 5/21 in San Jose wasn't an LA show, but I believe hands down, 5/21 was one of the best shows of the entire California run

Co-sign.

I learned to pay attention to him when he wasn't playing lead on his guitar. I'm not a musician, but I could tell he was playing different chords and "subtle" leads which were not turned up in the mix.

For me, I cracked the small venue mystery after going to the Troubadour. The small venue playing was always in front of me. I've heard it for years, but it was masked by the groove and made the song sound different. The shows on 14th, 28th and the 29th were totally new experiences. For example, on the 29th, he was playing his guitar like a bass... "slapping" it like he did earlier on "Let's Work." The song are just his canvas. He was always challenging me to recognize the creativity. It does not lessen any of the other shows because it was on me and not him.

For 6 weeks, I lived the life of a Purple Zombie.

It was a life of a time.

UltraLash said:

Assuming the residency is over (are we ready to admit this?), I think it's time for some stats, rankings and wrap-up.

How about starting with a list of the 5 best shows in the residency. And, sorry... San Jose, Fresno and Oakland don't count as part of the LA area. From what I've read online and experienced in person, I think it might look like this:

1. TROUBADOUR on 5/11 (Second Show - with Mike Phillips and Andy Allo)

2. FORUM on 4/14 (Opening Night)

3. HOUSE OF BLUES on 5/25 (Second Show, "Jazz Cafe" - with Mike Phillips)

4. FORUM on 4/23 (with Chaka Khan, Larry Graham and Sheila E.)

5. FORUM on 5/13 (with Janelle Monae, Stevie Wonder, Mike Phillips and Sheila E.)

Thoughts?

[Edited 5/30/11 11:30am]

I'm not ready to admit it's over, just because as others have mentioned, he has the time and the mental makeup to change at the drop of a dime.

First two, I can sign off on, not sure I can put House of Blues that high, matter of fact, I'm sure I can't. I recall thoroughly enjoying 4/21. But after the top two, there's about 8 performances that could conceivably fill the three remaining spots.

Laloveer said:

edarai said:

I hope it's not over too but deep down inside I have a feeling prince would want to end the concert series on a high note, selling out the joint 3 nights in a row. People, including myself read too much into this 21 nite thing and the amount of shows he's done, gonna do. The thing we can all count on w prince is, he plays when he wants to and he dosent owe anyone shit. I find I hard to count the Lopez show as a nite or those multiple club shows as individual gigs but hey until someone can for sure tell me what is behind the numbers 3121, it's just numbers. Grateful to have checked out 10 forum shows. And 1 house of blues show. Top five moments for me: 1. 4/30 when he played "something in the water" solo on piano to be followed by strange relationship. 2. Opening night. So good to hear all those songs I haven heard in such a long time 3. I don't like to hear he hits over and over again but I never get tired of hearing purple rain everynight I had a chance to hear it. 4. The first Thursday when he opened the gig with when eye lay my hands on u. As he kept laying down on stage. Totally cool 5. The guitar solos on the one/question of u/ shhh! Kinda fragmented but those are priceless memories. Prince will be back in Los Angeles eventually everyone so stop stressing and start saving so he can come play more gigs. purplethunder3121 said:

The 3121 refers to the adress of Paisley Park in Minn.

Uhhhh... 3121 isn't the addy of Paisley Park (7801 audubon rd)

All 5 nights I went to the Forum, there was a DIVERSE crowd of all races, religions, colors, ages, familes with kids, hippies, punkers, dopers, rastas, aliens (legal, illegal, and the brother from another planet..), rainbow party people, purple party people, passed out party people, puking party people (OK, I'll stop the allerations), metalheads, one large actress from Cheers, other actors that can't dance (and some that can), amazing guests onstage & off, my wife, my son, my nephew, my friends, & others that I either got tickets for or gave them to (karma points), burnouts, complainers, tamborine lady, tamborine man, screamers, has-beens, up and comers, ORG'ers! and a whole slew of opening acts that nearly always complimented the show that every night that was a unification of DIVERSITY.

bwdinhb said:

All 5 nights I went to the Forum, there was a DIVERSE crowd of all races, religions, colors, ages, familes with kids, hippies, punkers, dopers, rastas, aliens (legal, illegal, and the brother from another planet..), rainbow party people, purple party people, passed out party people, puking party people (OK, I'll stop the allerations), metalheads, one large actress from Cheers, other actors that can't dance (and some that can), amazing guests onstage & off, my wife, my son, my nephew, my friends, & others that I either got tickets for or gave them to (karma points), burnouts, complainers, tamborine lady, tamborine man, screamers, has-beens, up and comers, ORG'ers! and a whole slew of opening acts that nearly always complimented the show that every night that was a unification of DIVERSITY.

"Like"

Y'know, I really like the point about the crowd. I am not a big PC/"diversity" person because 99% of the time when it's mentioned it's NOT caring about real diversity, it's about appearing to LOOK diverse.

But the crowds at Prince concerts are amazing. You see absolutely every possible group/population/whatever. And everyone is happy, and getting along, and just there to enjoy life and have a good time. (Ok, there are some troublemakers but they also cross all dividing lines)

If the world at large could be more like a Prince show we'd be in a much better place.

At some point I plan to do my own personal tribute post to Prince and the LA residency...but not yet. But I wanted to share a few thoughts briefly in this thread.

Off the top of my head, favorite moments top five:

- Opening night. I have enough thoughts about 4/14 to fill up an entire essay but suffice to say...I had zero expectations (wasn't keeping up with the Org re the shows in other cities) and had no plans to attend. Last minute colonnade seat at the Forum, walked down into loge to an unsold row (can't say that about last weekend, right?)...and was blown away from the first note when I couldn't believe the incredibly clear sound system. It began as a great concert and somewhere along the way became an almost religious experience that stayed with me long into the next day and beyond. I was affected by that performance in a way I had never been before by a concert.

- The Troubadour, first set. Tried my hardest to get into the second set but felt blessed to get a ticket at all. My first small venue gig and I had a perfectly unobstructed view of Prince from less than ten feet away, finally ending up at the foot of the stage directly in front of him. I finally "got" the difference between an arena show and a small venue...'nuff said.

- The HOB, Jazz Cafe'. Almost sold my ticket for this show because I feared the title was a description of what kind of set he would play but something told me to keep it. Again, perfect vantage point but even closer because the "stage" is little more than a foot off the floor, if that, so it was akin to standing three feet away from Prince as he burned up the fretboard performing the hard rock power trio setlist I've lusted after for years. I didn't care if there were a few technical glitches or if the Troubadour second set was a better all-around performance...this felt like Prince was in my garage or music room giving me a private guitar lesson. Raw as hell.

- Thurs, 4/28 @ the Forum. This was the gig where Cassandra Wilson opened and Prince joined her onstage to sing "When We're Dancing Close And Slow." To be honest, that didn't go down well for me...it was almost too soft, too gentle and didn't really project well throughout the large room...cooler for the novelty of seeing Prince join Cassandra onstage and for the rarity of the song. What made this night special for me was Prince's setlist. Opening with "Joy In Repitition," one of my all-time favorites...when I heard the music I lost my mind and kept exclaiming to my girlfriend "He is NOT playing this song!!!" I'm sure she thought I had actually lost my mind...falling into Brown Skin with Shelby J...17 Days...Partyman...the girls singing the chorus to "Lovergirl" in tribute to Teena Marie...ending with More Than This, which was remarkably beautiful. Not saying this was the best show but I think it was my favorite setlist top to bottom of the eleven Forum shows I experienced.

- I don't have the show date in front of me but hearing Prince perform the Santana medley...I LOVE Carlos Santana's playing and I've heard that Prince has great respect him as well...always wanted to hear his tribute to Santana and that was an incredible moment for me to do so.

There are so many others...unbelievable last two months.

4/22 Was a noteable show:

*Opening the set with Beginning Enlessley (Only time live?), Laydown and Future Soul Song

*Alicia Keys duet

*Cuba Gooding Jr. Dancing like a fool

*Sticking around for an hour to see Prince ride a bike around the Forum floor

GP

I caught the 5/13 show. Seeing him with Stevie was THE highlight as far as I am concerned. Two legends? I don't know if that can be topped. He played until 1 am!

I still think that he may be back. Did he ever say this was it or was that what dr. funkenberry said and we all ran with it? Then again, even if he did... when was the last time that we took Prince on his word? lol

legna said:

I learned to pay attention to him when he wasn't playing lead on his guitar. I'm not a musician, but I could tell he was playing different chords and "subtle" leads which were not turned up in the mix.

For me, I cracked the small venue mystery after going to the Troubadour. The small venue playing was always in front of me. I've heard it for years, but it was masked by the groove and made the song sound different. The shows on 14th, 28th and the 29th were totally new experiences. For example, on the 29th, he was playing his guitar like a bass... "slapping" it like he did earlier on "Let's Work." The song are just his canvas. He was always challenging me to recognize the creativity. It does not lessen any of the other shows because it was on me and not him.

For 6 weeks, I lived the life of a Purple Zombie.

It was a life of a time.

bwdinhb said:

All 5 nights I went to the Forum, there was a DIVERSE crowd of all races, religions, colors, ages, familes with kids, hippies, punkers, dopers, rastas, aliens (legal, illegal, and the brother from another planet..), rainbow party people, purple party people, passed out party people, puking party people (OK, I'll stop the allerations), metalheads, one large actress from Cheers, other actors that can't dance (and some that can), amazing guests onstage & off, my wife, my son, my nephew, my friends, & others that I either got tickets for or gave them to (karma points), burnouts, complainers, tamborine lady, tamborine man, screamers, has-beens, up and comers, ORG'ers! and a whole slew of opening acts that nearly always complimented the show that every night that was a unification of DIVERSITY.

and don't forget all those gays running around too...

TheResistor said:

bwdinhb said:

All 5 nights I went to the Forum, there was a DIVERSE crowd of all races, religions, colors, ages, familes with kids, hippies, punkers, dopers, rastas, aliens (legal, illegal, and the brother from another planet..), rainbow party people, purple party people, passed out party people, puking party people (OK, I'll stop the allerations), metalheads, one large actress from Cheers, other actors that can't dance (and some that can), amazing guests onstage & off, my wife, my son, my nephew, my friends, & others that I either got tickets for or gave them to (karma points), burnouts, complainers, tamborine lady, tamborine man, screamers, has-beens, up and comers, ORG'ers! and a whole slew of opening acts that nearly always complimented the show that every night that was a unification of DIVERSITY.

and don't forget all those gays running around too...

That's who the "Rainbow Party People" are!

sharing some pix from 7 Forum and 1 Jazz Cafe on this amaaaazing L.A. Run..

http://www.facebook.com/m...617cfaf57d

also, check out my Videos page

facebook.com/trendski

trendski said:

sharing some pix from 7 Forum and 1 Jazz Cafe on this amaaaazing L.A. Run..

http://www.facebook.com/m...617cfaf57d

also, check out my Videos page

facebook.com/trendski

Incredible shots.

Absolutely Incredible.

Realtor said:

trendski said:

sharing some pix from 7 Forum and 1 Jazz Cafe on this amaaaazing L.A. Run..

http://www.facebook.com/m...617cfaf57d

also, check out my Videos page

facebook.com/trendski

Incredible shots.

Absolutely Incredible.

Great pics! Thanks for sharing!

trendski said:

sharing some pix from 7 Forum and 1 Jazz Cafe on this amaaaazing L.A. Run..

http://www.facebook.com/m...617cfaf57d

also, check out my Videos page

facebook.com/trendski

Fantastic photos. Photo 44 and 47 have a guy in a red jacket & purple shirt. His excitment sums up the whole experience of P live. He looks how the rest of us feel. Brilliant!

[Edited 6/1/11 1:44am]

[Edited 6/1/11 1:44am]