First off: thanks for at least explaining some of your quotes, nonetheless, here's some of mine back..

Neversin said:

roos said:

Hear! Hear! Yes I wonder too...you could have known that after the 2 1/2 very special NSJ shows and 2 brilliant Melkweg shows this would be the grande Hits finale.

Well, I did know... After seeing the W2A NY and LA gigs and this festival/Eurotour and them being labeled as a hits deal (by his crew) it was pretty obvious...

And like I said my girlfriend like these kind of shows so I only go for her and because it doesn't cost me a dime...

In another post you claim your girlfriend isn't a fan, but she does like the hits shows? isn't a free Prince gig still mouthwatering compared to sitting at home in front of your telly?

Sorry that I expect more from an artist who has the skill to entertain and perform different sets every single night instead of greatest hits shows for the last 10+ years...

By your logic above he should have played a greatest hits show every single tour since he blew up just because there may be young people who haven't seen him play his hits... And there's a shitload of difference of Prince playing some hit songs 20(+) years ago to auto-pilot Prince playing only the same hit songs nowadays...

Sure, you can expect more. These shows are not to be compared to SOTT/LS/Nude areas where the man was re-inventing himself over and over. There hasn't been an artist who can maintain that for over that many years.

Eventhough I thought RBC/2002 could be added to the list. Times changed and so did Prince. Now he feels like performing these songs, maybe in some years he will do something completely different. In big stadiums like Ahoy these kind of shows just work better. IMO. There always have been greatest hits shows cause actually he only has greatest hits. But I get your point ...exept for the auto-pilot thing (he's 53, not 35!)...

roos said:

I must say I was overwhelmed by Prince being still the only artist that has the entire stadium jump up & down and dancing their feet off (and I see many many others to compare). Everytime I go home after a show I have to admit he's still the very very best.

Good for you that you've enjoyed the show, I just think differently... I know, controversial nowadays in this world but still somewhat accepted...

All critics aside, I have enormous respect for him pulling it off everytime. I dare you to name one -big- artist you can see 10 times in a row and be more surprised about. And what about the Melkweg shows, don't these kind of shows please you enough to 'endure' the hits shows?

Maybe you should have a little Prince break, then in time you'll appriciate it agan.

Neversin.

[Edited 7/27/11 3:56am]

[Edited 7/27/11 5:45am]

roverlo said:

101 said:

"only Gold"? What about Chocolate and Let's Work?

....

Although the break before The Bird took too long - but the man needed to finish his sandwich and had to discuss with the band what was left for the Dutch audience of which some had already heard 78 different tracks in the recent shows in the Netherlands...

Still when he came back he made me ROTFLMYAO speaking through a megaphone "You're still here? They told us you'were going home, so we packed our stuff and went too!" That just made me laugh - oh sorry of course he did that already 15 times before this year.... so lame of Prince. Luckily I only attended the 6 shows in the Netherlands and thought that was just funny.

I have never heard Prince say anything like that and find it very humorous!! Nice when he jokes around like that! Thanks for sharing this. I like hearing little details like these about the shows!

Dreamer20ten said:

roverlo said:

"only Gold"? What about Chocolate and Let's Work?

....

Although the break before The Bird took too long - but the man needed to finish his sandwich and had to discuss with the band what was left for the Dutch audience of which some had already heard 78 different tracks in the recent shows in the Netherlands...

Still when he came back he made me ROTFLMYAO speaking through a megaphone "You're still here? They told us you'were going home, so we packed our stuff and went too!" That just made me laugh - oh sorry of course he did that already 15 times before this year.... so lame of Prince. Luckily I only attended the 6 shows in the Netherlands and thought that was just funny.

I have never heard Prince say anything like that and find it very humorous!! Nice when he jokes around like that! Thanks for sharing this. I like hearing little details like these about the shows!

I love hearing him make jokes. What about during Cream he said; I looked in the mirror when I wrote this song'...along with that naughty boy face. Never heard him say that too...so besides those 'dispicable' HITS we get a good laugh too.

roos said:

Dreamer20ten said:

I have never heard Prince say anything like that and find it very humorous!! Nice when he jokes around like that! Thanks for sharing this. I like hearing little details like these about the shows!

I love hearing him make jokes. What about during Cream he said; I looked in the mirror when I wrote this song'...along with that naughty boy face. Never heard him say that too...so besides those 'dispicable' HITS we get a good laugh too.

I did hear that line in Cream a few times now. But yes, I think it is great that he jokes around like that. It shows he's in a good mood and enjoying himself ... and that, for me, is the icing on the cake of any concert!

Again, exactly what I think, too. Prince does change his shows around often enough to keep it interesting - even for those who go to multiple shows!! For me it is one of the biggest joys of his concerts that he always manages to surprise! Even if he only throws in one or two rare songs, like yesterday ... it is still a great surprise for everyone!! Well, at least for those that are not totally jaded!

roos said:

All critics aside, I have enormous respect for him pulling it off everytime. I dare you to name one -big- artist you can see 10 times in a row and be more surprised about. And what about the Melkweg shows, don't these kind of shows please you enough to 'endure' the hits shows?

I've seen Prince a number of times, enough to have seen my fair share of "all hits" shows. Like many of you, I love the obscure songs, the b-sides, the new tunes, the one-offs, and all of those wonderful tunes from the vault. I met someone in the audience last night who was there for her first Prince show. She's a Prince fan, but not like most of those who post here. Do you think she had a good time? Time of her life. She danced, and sang, and rocked out and had a total blast. Just seeing the impact Prince and his music has on people still thrills me. I guarantee she'll be talking about this show for years to come.

As for me, I got "Gold" and "Chocolate," which were more than enough to make my night. What a magic feeling when all the gold confetti started dropping. When he kicked into "Purple Rain" on the second song, I knew for sure it was going to be nothing but hits. But what a body of hits this man has. It was obvious after "torturing" Rotterdam with 3 shows of rare (and wonderful) gems, he was going to pull out the big guns for this show. But man. He's got so many all-time classics, it's just ridiculous. The crowd absolutey went nuts every second of the show. Prince tore it up. He danced like crazy -- haven't seen him move like this in a long time. He played bass, keyboard, guitar, and handled nearly all of the main vocals himself, another refreshing change. Personally, I love hearing him do the Time songs. He wrote those songs, those are his songs! And they're fantastic songs and fully deserve to be included in his shows. I'm sorry but if the bassline to "Jungle Love" doesn't get you moving, you might seek medical attention.

The main reason why this show was so special was that it was so obvious that Prince was having a ball. He was having so much fun on stage, just ripping it up like a master. I LOVED when he was trying to get that one dancer offstage and he was mugging and making faces to the crowd behind her back and then totally kissing her hand and being super sweet to her face. It was hilarious. The man has comic timing. That was probably the single best part of the night for me. Prince, in his element, killing a full set of beloved classics, and having so much fun doing it. To return where I began, I am generally not a fan of greatest-hits shows, but this one was pure magic start to finish. (And yeah, someone please fire the lighting director. Sheesh.)

[Edited 7/27/11 6:05am]

Passim, if this were on FB I would have clicked the "like" button!! You said it all. A positive attitude is really all that's needed and you can't help but enjoy Prince's concerts! Because yes, of course I would also rather see something like the second Melkweg gig, and I was thrilled to experience the second and third concert at NSJ with rare songs, but still - it is all about experiencing Prince himself on stage. And then it does not matter when he plays the hits.

First of all, he plays them in a way as if he were doing them 20 years ago, still with passion and joy, and second, there is so much more to it! -- As you say, his dancing is a joy to see, and I love him playing guitar and bass and whatever other instrument he chooses!

Last but not least you made a very good point by stating just how great these hit songs are! They are not big hits for nothing!!! Only because we have heard them over and over again does not make any of them less good.

All I can say is that I totally look forward to tomorrow's concert in Cologne and no matter what Prince decides to play, I know I will love every minute of it!! I am travelling there from Austria, have been to the three NSJ concerts in Rotterdam, and am also going to Budapest. Why? Because I simply appreciate Prince giving us all these awesome performances and I want to be present at as many of them as possible. He is the best by far, and nothing will change that!!

^^ Passim, are you sure you ain't a bodysnatcher cause we obviously experienced exactly the same night. And I also loved seing some people around me getting all fired up. I even met a young girl who cried the first 3 songs cause she was so thrilled. This absolutely was a killer Hits show!

Gee people, hush now please, and give the guy (Neversin) a break!

It's obvious he is working in the music industry (or at least has good connections), and is backstage all the time at all kind of (prince) concerts. Therefore he might be a bit more "spoilt" then most of us, and that's probably why not every gig will be as interesting to him. Especialy not the umpteenth greatest hits show...

His points are as valid as anyone elses here. Besides, he clearly states he loved the second Melkweg gig that shows Prince in a more artistic/intimate setting than his arena shows. So I am pretty sure he is as big a Prince fan as most others here, he is just not interested in another greatest hits show by the man. That some of you question Neversins' presence here at the Org is just pathetic in my opinion. He has every right to come here and express his opinions. Even if he sometimes comes across as a bit "showoffy" by making sure to state his backstage presence at most/every Prince gig.

Sorry had to get that off my chest. Some people here take their Prince fandom way to serious if you ask me...

[Edited 7/27/11 7:00am]

@Roos. I bet a lot of people had that experience. My "newbie" was almost in tears, too. Prince brings so much joy to people. But he was also so joyful last night. I was lucky enough to attend the third night of NSJ, with the jaw-dropping set list. That was a mindblowing show, but Prince sure seemed to be having the time of his life last night.

@Dreamer20ten Yes these are some serious classic songs. When Prince decides to pull out the big guns, he's got some serious artilery. After "Gold," the next 8 songs were 100% grade-A classics. These are songs that the whole world knows.And he didn't even play "When Doves Cry," arguably his best-known song. This is a man who can play an entire concert of back-to-back classics and skip his most popular tune.

We might forget that a lot of us got into Prince because of his classic songs. I'll never forget seeing him play on Soul Train in the 1999 era. I can't remember if it was "1999" or "Little Red Corvette," but it was enough to get me hooked for life.

By the way, no one has mentioned this, but last night Prince told the audience that this was the best show of the tour, or the best audience of the tour, or something like that. If anyone has the exact quote, please post. I think he was telling the truth. Last night was pure joy on everyone's part. What a night!

[Edited 7/27/11 7:28am]

Passim said:

I've seen Prince a number of times, enough to have seen my fair share of "all hits" shows. Like many of you, I love the obscure songs, the b-sides, the new tunes, the one-offs, and all of those wonderful tunes from the vault. I met someone in the audience last night who was there for her first Prince show. She's a Prince fan, but not like most of those who post here. Do you think she had a good time? Time of her life. She danced, and sang, and rocked out and had a total blast. Just seeing the impact Prince and his music has on people still thrills me. I guarantee she'll be talking about this show for years to come.

As for me, I got "Gold" and "Chocolate," which were more than enough to make my night. What a magic feeling when all the gold confetti started dropping. When he kicked into "Purple Rain" on the second song, I knew for sure it was going to be nothing but hits. But what a body of hits this man has. It was obvious after "torturing" Rotterdam with 3 shows of rare (and wonderful) gems, he was going to pull out the big guns for this show. But man. He's got so many all-time classics, it's just ridiculous. The crowd absolutey went nuts every second of the show. Prince tore it up. He danced like crazy -- haven't seen him move like this in a long time. He played bass, keyboard, guitar, and handled nearly all of the main vocals himself, another refreshing change. Personally, I love hearing him do the Time songs. He wrote those songs, those are his songs! And they're fantastic songs and fully deserve to be included in his shows. I'm sorry but if the bassline to "Jungle Love" doesn't get you moving, you might seek medical attention.

The main reason why this show was so special was that it was so obvious that Prince was having a ball. He was having so much fun on stage, just ripping it up like a master. I LOVED when he was trying to get that one dancer offstage and he was mugging and making faces to the crowd behind her back and then totally kissing her hand and being super sweet to her face. It was hilarious. The man has comic timing. That was probably the single best part of the night for me. Prince, in his element, killing a full set of beloved classics, and having so much fun doing it. To return where I began, I am generally not a fan of greatest-hits shows, but this one was pure magic start to finish. (And yeah, someone please fire the lighting director. Sheesh.)

[Edited 7/27/11 6:05am]

I just created a thread about my experience yesterday, wish I had the words you state here... 100% agreement!

All the critics love Prince in Rotterdam :d

Loved it!!

Passim said:

By the way, no one has mentioned this, but last night Prince told the audience that this was the best show of the tour, or the best audience of the tour, or something like that. If anyone has the exact quote, please post. I think he was telling the truth. Last night was pure joy on everyone's part. What a night!

[Edited 7/27/11 7:28am]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Z684F-pGhE

at around 0:43

Neversin said:

Because I have free access to his main gigs

So when you have the chance to go to a James Last concert for free you are going as well?

Here is my review of the July 26th show in Rotterdam (for those who are interested)

This show was the 12th Prince concert in 21 years that I visited and the first time that I took my mom with me. She and I had a great time. It was her birthday and she always wanted to see Prince in concert some day, so what better idea than to take her to this show for the occasion.

I expected and was fully prepared to get a greatest hits carousel, with maybe only a few surprises here and there. This was after all a regular show and Prince had already been playing so much other stuff at North Sea Jazz and the Melkweg. So I played a lot of hits in the car on the way to Rotterdam and wasn't disappointed at all that this was exactly what we got for this night.

Unfortunately the good tickets were sold out quickly so we got seats way up in the back. Tho' far from the stage, we did have a straight view on it and the crowd, therefore we could see the entire place dancing and going wild. Also the pathway behind it was great. It gave so much space that I was able to dance my ass off for the entire evening. And you know what? That's what I did!

As for the sound, it was good where we were sitting but there were some problems with it in the beginning, which seems to be the usual usual this tour. P's guitar especially, once again wasn't set right. Too loud and screamy. However that improved later. I don't know really, but perhabs using a little less distortion would be a good idea. Anyway:

Song by song review

Gold! - It was a really big surprise that he started with this song (1st time live since 96!). Chills everywhere and a strong performance (except for the problems with his guitar and therefore I guess no solo at the end). Also a great show. The lights and the gold confetti glittering everywhere gave a magnificent 'golden' view of the entire place; a super nice way to start the night's show with. (Viewed from the top at least ;-D).

Purple Rain - Solid. Nice solos and he was singing better than many other times I have heard him sing it. More true to the original and with emotion. He was in a good mood tonight. The crowd didn't appear to be very willing to sing along tho. Unusual for Dutch crowds. Perhabs that was because he played this one too soon already, or beause we were way up there... I don't know really... The best I feel, is to put it somewhere in the middle or at the end of the show.

Let's Go Crazy - Great, great, great! Been waiting soooooo long to hear him do this song the right way. Saw him play a short version in Arnhem last year and a kind of silly, super fast arrangement on North Sea Jazz, which was crazy yes, but I didn't really like either one of those. Tonight however, he did it justice. Played a longer version (like pretty much all songs by the way), plus parts from the extended version. And he rocked that guitar. Solos sounded real raw and inspired, absolutely not bored or sloppy. (thank god the man really loves his guitar)

Delirious (with Let's go crazy coda) - Again great! Expected them to play this short too, but not so. Lots of fun and energy on stage and true to the original rhythm and sounds. Simply the best rock & roll you can get from P. By this time, everybody was twisting like teenagers from the 50's and 60's (including my mom, who just turned 66 and still loves to rock & roll). And when they got back to Let's Go Crazy he even played the final solo of the song almost exactly as on the record. Fantastic.

1999 - Just when you are whiping the sweat off your eyebrows and you are thinking: now they will probably slow it down a bit, he pumps up the party some more, when he lets the band kick in with 1999 and play a full blown version of that as well. Yeah this is going to be a 80's greatest hit show. He even asked the crowd at some point if they remembered the 80's to which they all screamed Yeah!!! .... (of course).

Little Red Corvette - Okay, now he was going to "slow down". But only to do a blistering, steamy, red hot version of LRC. Despite my personal taste that this arrangement is bit "too slow" (;-D) but then again also just a bit "too fast" (the chorus), it is lovely. The intense guitar parts, the drama on stage and the haunted, aroused singing. Very, very nice. Dude sometimes really seems like he has been abstaining from sex for too long lol

Take me with you and Raspberry Beret- Oh yeah. You better go home now if you don't want to hear any more golden oldies! But don't forget to take him with you. Say what you want about these songs, live they are genuine 'feel good songs'. They send of an energy of fun and joy around, especially seeing Prince and the band enjoy themselves too while performing them together. Take me with you perhabs takes the cake even more than Raspberry Beret does.

Cream - More feel good hits please! Not the best performance of it tho. Didn't give me the impression that the band really has the feel of it. Except for Ida Nilsen. That woman... wow! She plays all of Prince's bass grooves precisely the way they should be. She is very talented (and pretty too) but I guess also pretty shy. Doesn't seem to enjoy taking the spotlight like Andy and Shelby do, but I think that she should more often. (Or maybe the guys that operate the lights always ignore or something... they ought to just give me control of that lol)

Should add here as a sidenote too, that the light show deteriorated pretty badly during the evening. Some parts the band really played in the dark for too long. "Cool" to do once or twice for a minute, but not several times several minutes.

Cool (with Don't stop till you get enough) - Pumping the party back up again with this one. The bass and synths of it simply force you to get of your ass and start shaking it! So hypnotizing how that groove just keeps on going and going.... and so danceable; I haven't danced this much in years! Also wonderful to hear one of my MJ favorites integrated into it. I was definitly getting soaking wet from all that shaking and grooving by then, but nooooo... I could not get enough!

--------

Make you feel my love - Too bad that it was a cover (again) but oh well, it gave me the opportunity to level up my body fluids. I could still hear the girls singing this song beautifully tho. And I witnessed Shelby's and Andy's talent before already. Shelby and Andy both have terrific voices and really sing with their hearts if you ask me. Good additions to the band, tho somehow it still feels like Prince is kind of struggling to give them their rightful place.

Let's Work - And back again to partying! Seemed like it just wouldn't stop. Prince really was in the mood to build a party tonight. He was walking from side to side a lot and joking around, saying stuff to work everybody up such as 'If you want to, we can party all night' (everybody: yeah!!!) and 'Don't you have to work tomorrow?' (everybody: no!!!) But yeah man, it is Tuesday and most people do have to work.

Chocolate! (with It's gonna be a beautiful night and I like funky music chants) - Oh lawd... Chocolate ... I still can't believe it!! This was sweet to hear. Awesome. And they played it in full too! Prince even did the ahhh, aahhh ... aaaahhhhhhhh!!! scream in the beginning. So funky. This wasn't just going to be a beautiful night with funky music, this was a beautiful night with funky music already. Wow... this part did my body and mind REAL GOOD!

U Got The Look - Good rocking version, performed with passion and energy (and yes also a long one). But truth be told, the sound and (light)show weren't that good. Too loud, a bit too easy and also sort of chaotic. Seemed like he had a sampler playing the main guitar parts along (extremely loud) and that his singers didn't really have a good idea what to do on stage. Maybe it would be nice if he performed a real duet (with Andy) of it and tune a bit down on the loudness of it all. Nevertheless a good version, and again a song that put a really big smile on my face.

---------

Kiss - Now I saw him do this classic in Arnhem last year and was of the opinion then already that that was one of his best arrangements and performances of it ever. But after last night's show...... I am convinced. It is truly terrific. The arrangement is so tight and it's so much still Kiss, but just the simple addition of a drum & bass type of beat, makes it so much more exciting to hear live. Especially the way they make it stop and roll again. Too funky.

And then that show. One of the highlights by far. His dancing in the spotlight is truly great. It's varied, entertaining, cool and sexy so everybody likes watching it, male or female, straight or gay, pros or amateurs. He said some really nice words before starting it and also his little jokes here and there. It all implies he still loves this great song. And the rest of the band treats it right too; they stay smooth and focused in the background, so Prince has full space to deliver his show and vocals. And yeah, for a 53 year old, he still sings extremely good. Better even than about a decade ago, I think. Seems like the man has no trouble at all to get that falsetto going loud and strong. Amazing!

He (again) got a well deserved, deafening applause after this one. And my mom? She loved it too (((hug))).

---------

If I was your girlfriend - Toodootoodootootodotododoo..... Happy, happy, happy, joy joy lol Everybody dancing and smiling again. So strange actually, because this is not really a "happy" song. But that's how he delivers it live. And muy cool how he sang a verse of it through the megaphone. Gotta say tho' that I don't feel this was a really good arrangement. There was some strange out of synch appearing distorted bass sound in it, that I didn't get, and it was basically just too loud and busy all over. I would hope he and his band could manage to perform it in a more quiet and subtle way. Not necessarily as on record, that's not even possible live, but more the pace, sound and smothering feeling of the original. Sort of the way he does LRC these days...

---------

Controversy - Whoah! There I was thinking once more, that he would just throw this out for a minute or two and then get on to something else, he again delivers a full blown, funked out version of one his classics! Loved, loved, LOVED hearing him play that heavenly FUNK on his guitar so well. ALL the licks. Truly, when I think of this one, the song and images of that night come back to me, my foot starts tapping, while my fingers keep typing and I hear all those unforgetable funky Controversy guitar licks and chants in my head again. Funny sidenote; I think it was before this encore, that he asked the crowd through the megaphone "are you all still here?" and that they told them that we were going home, so they were just packing up and going home too.. lmao

---------

The Bird and Jungle love - Despite my intentions not to hope for or expect anything, by this time I had become so excited, that I was actually thinking they would go on untill 23.00 hours and also wishing that they would do a couple of fairly unknown encores. Throw in some great ones like Calhoun Square, Empty Room or When Eye Lay My Hands On You. Or even Nothing Compares to You to satisfy everybody in the building. Somehow I knew however that tonight, this was not going to be the case. With the North Sea Jazz and Melkweg shows done, and so many full blown hits and party jams after another already... all night I had that lingering impression in the back of my mind, that this show was going to be strong, but not take very long.

And so it was.

Highlights: Gold, Let's Go Crazy, Delirious, Cool, Chocolate, Kiss and Controversy

Lowpoints: sound (guitar in the beginning) and lights during the show, Purple Rain too soon, the girls doing a cover again and Cream a bit out of touch.

All in all: GREAT

[Edited 7/29/11 12:22pm]

Phenomenal review, @ Tremolina. Thank you!

@tremolina - thanks, excellent review

Thanks guys!

Great review, a pleasure to read!!

cinnamongirl24 said:

Neversin said:

Because I have free access to his main gigs and surprise gigs are guestlist backstage affairs which is fun for seeing people I haven't seen in a long while...

And my girlfriend isn't a fan and likes these nostalgia crap shows so I'm just going to his main gigs for her...

Neversin.

[snip - CarrieMpls]

[snip - CarrieMpls]

roos said:

In another post you claim your girlfriend isn't a fan, but she does like the hits shows? isn't a free Prince gig still mouthwatering compared to sitting at home in front of your telly?

Sure it is, but just because something is free doesn't automatically make it good... I still have the right to an opinion, don't I? Or has the org also banned that??

roos said:

Sure, you can expect more. These shows are not to be compared to SOTT/LS/Nude areas where the man was re-inventing himself over and over. There hasn't been an artist who can maintain that for over that many years.

That's not what I'm on about, I'd just like to see him play something other than the usual "hits", what's wrong with wanting him to play stuff from, say, the last 5 albums and work on them in a live setting with the occasional "hit" thrown in the mix?

roos said:

And we will take your girlfriend along, and dance and sing to that nostalgia crap with her...I volunteer!

She's a +1...

Like I said, I loved the second NSJ show and the secnd Melkweg gig, I just think he could meet fans and newbies half-way by doing something different then just either a fan show with obscure songs and a full-blown nothing special "hits" show...

Neversin.

[Edited 7/27/11 12:05pm]

remko said:

Neversin said:

Because I have free access to his main gigs

So when you have the chance to go to a James Last concert for free you are going as well?

I'm a Prince fan not a fucking James Last fan...

Neversin.

Neversin said:

roos said:

In another post you claim your girlfriend isn't a fan, but she does like the hits shows? isn't a free Prince gig still mouthwatering compared to sitting at home in front of your telly?

Sure it is, but just because something is free doesn't automatically make it good... I still have the right to an opinion, don't I? Or has the org also banned that??

That's not what I'm on about, I'd just like to see him play something other than the usual "hits", what's wrong with wanting him to play stuff from, say, the last 5 albums and work on them in a live setting with the occasional "hit" thrown in the mix?

roos said:

And we will take your girlfriend along, and dance and sing to that nostalgia crap with her...I volunteer!

She's a +1...

Like I said, I loved the second NSJ show and the secnd Melkweg gig, I just think he could meet fans and newbies half-way by doing something different then just either a fan show with obscure songs and a full-blown nothing special "hits" show...

Neversin.

[Edited 7/27/11 12:05pm]

Of course you are entitled to put down your opinion. If I was asked to put down my wishing setlist it would be different than Ahoy's setlist too...but I still believe that playing the Hits doesn't neccesarely make it a bad or predictible show. I actually was stunned that I could still enjoy the Classics because of how he performed them. And then again...you have no idea how special it is to be able to have backstage priviliges, it's something most of us can only dream off...so that came down a bit blassé/in your face.

Sure hope you will get your dream setlist one day or another...

I rest my case

ps and I actually enjoy the opinion ping-pongiing, otherwise this forum would get really boring, so thank you for that!

roverlo said:

Passim said:

I've seen Prince a number of times, enough to have seen my fair share of "all hits" shows. Like many of you, I love the obscure songs, the b-sides, the new tunes, the one-offs, and all of those wonderful tunes from the vault. I met someone in the audience last night who was there for her first Prince show. She's a Prince fan, but not like most of those who post here. Do you think she had a good time? Time of her life. She danced, and sang, and rocked out and had a total blast. Just seeing the impact Prince and his music has on people still thrills me. I guarantee she'll be talking about this show for years to come.

As for me, I got "Gold" and "Chocolate," which were more than enough to make my night. What a magic feeling when all the gold confetti started dropping. When he kicked into "Purple Rain" on the second song, I knew for sure it was going to be nothing but hits. But what a body of hits this man has. It was obvious after "torturing" Rotterdam with 3 shows of rare (and wonderful) gems, he was going to pull out the big guns for this show. But man. He's got so many all-time classics, it's just ridiculous. The crowd absolutey went nuts every second of the show. Prince tore it up. He danced like crazy -- haven't seen him move like this in a long time. He played bass, keyboard, guitar, and handled nearly all of the main vocals himself, another refreshing change. Personally, I love hearing him do the Time songs. He wrote those songs, those are his songs! And they're fantastic songs and fully deserve to be included in his shows. I'm sorry but if the bassline to "Jungle Love" doesn't get you moving, you might seek medical attention.

The main reason why this show was so special was that it was so obvious that Prince was having a ball. He was having so much fun on stage, just ripping it up like a master. I LOVED when he was trying to get that one dancer offstage and he was mugging and making faces to the crowd behind her back and then totally kissing her hand and being super sweet to her face. It was hilarious. The man has comic timing. That was probably the single best part of the night for me. Prince, in his element, killing a full set of beloved classics, and having so much fun doing it. To return where I began, I am generally not a fan of greatest-hits shows, but this one was pure magic start to finish. (And yeah, someone please fire the lighting director. Sheesh.)

[Edited 7/27/11 6:05am]

I just created a thread about my experience yesterday, wish I had the words you state here... 100% agreement!

Hey guys, am not posting about the Rotterdam show here - even though I would have loved to have made it to the Dutch jamboree these last few days - I just wanted to make the point once more that there's a really positive energy to this tour...and who knows what it is, but we've all felt it these last few days. I went Crazy during the 21 nights extravaganza at the O2 a few years back and saw tons of shows (maybe too many for the state of my health back then), but strangely I had just as memorable a night at the Hop Farm concert earlier this month. My expectations were really low, but I can't tell you what an amazing night that was, it was hits from start to finish but that simply doesn't tell the story or give you an idea of what it was like, it really was electric (in so many ways). No horns, change to the band line up, 35,000 people in a field...and many just hanging around to see their first Prince show out of curiosity...on paper it wasn't a great recipe for a memorable evening!

Looking at setlists can be like collecting, but they're just words on a page...that show was one of the greatest nights of music I've ever experienced but it's very hard to explain why.

I've said it many times on this website, but it's a privilege to be in the audience at times, I consider myself lucky to be living through this. Prince is getting a lot more recognition on this tour in terms of his legacy and abilities as a live performer but we live in a very distracted age where things seem to have less value. Some of his eccentricities are also starting to make some sense e.g. not owning a mobile phone and taking all of his clips off YouTube...it may be wildly inconsistent and scattergun but this is someone who realises that the power of performance can be enhanced by mystery and by the audience not always getting what they want....but he's certainly giving them what they need.

Am still high off Hop Farm, but as I said above I really don't know why - and I kind of like it that way...it's been great reading about the Dutch shows and almost experiencing it second hand...it's also been fun just imagining what these shows must have been like.

I wish I could see more shows on this tour - which is surely the gut feeling of each and every Prince fan!, but I guess that's not the point. We live, we live, we live 2 get funky...I think that might be the message Prince has passed on (to me anyway) these last few days - and not for the first time. The music and the many concerts continue to give me a considerable amount of inspiration...why should I be greedy when that's more than enough of a reward!! ;o)

why does he keep playing The Time songs!! Now he added Chocolate!!?? Cmon Prince. Let the Time be the Time and quit fucking with them just because you want the world to know that you wrote them. Its sad that he is that jealous of Morris. He is really trying hard to be him

Neversin, don't worry about these people. They still live in a world where Prince can do no wrong. They can't admit that sometimes Prince has an off night and that his hits sets have been boring for years. I wonder how many bands they see live besides Prince?

dandeeland said:

why does he keep playing The Time songs!! Now he added Chocolate!!?? Cmon Prince. Let the Time be the Time and quit fucking with them just because you want the world to know that you wrote them. Its sad that he is that jealous of Morris. He is really trying hard to be him

Why does he keep playing The Time songs? Because those song are good, funky and energetic tracks that make people wanna dance perhaps? Don't think it's got anything to do with jealousy...

@Dandeeland. Shouldn't the question be why does/did the Time keep playing these Prince songs?