Praxis said:

damosuzuki said:

I don’t have a great deal to add to my original comments, but I have to note that, while I do think the Sly jam did go on too long, it was for the most part a genuine pleasure to see Larry Graham and experience those songs being played by those people. When I first saw the white suit & hat on stage, I did feel a little tremor of fear based on the reports I’ve seen on this site over the years, but there was no proselytizing to be heard, and (in my opinion as a non-musician) his solo was pretty damn cool.

As for the set-list/arrangement complaints cluttering most of this thread...there’s no harm in having standards and expectations of performers, certainly. I had my own reservations about aspects of this show, and I alluded to a couple of them in an earlier post. But when people insist on droning on in the most tone-deaf fashion repeatedly and in (I think) every thread dedicated to a concert in this forum, they cross the threshold from constructive criticism to just being something of a jerk, and some of the posts in this forum absolutely reek of jerkyness.

The show I saw wasn’t the show I personally would have wanted in my own utopia, but by most standards it was a very generous show – generous in length and generous in effort. It may not have been what I wanted, but I believe that sometimes you should put aside your expectations and just be grateful for what you receive. Prince is a tremendous talent, and I don’t think it’s sycophantic to just be happy that I'm able to witness that talent at this stage of the game, however he chooses to express it.

[Edited 12/10/11 4:40am]

well expressed and kind. the thing also is that it is very special to have Prince, Maceo and Larry Graham jamming together. this was history in the making. from reports I have read, Prince was really enjoying himself, and smiled the whole time.

And this makes the concert something different, even if the setlist is the same. The Contra-Setlist fans should consider this. I saw 4 shows of the recent tour (2 in Europe, 2 in Canada) and yes the setlist was kind of the same but nevertheless different. Different in the way of performance, different in the way the crowd acts on it, different on the sequence. And every time of these 4 there were songs played I didn't heard on the other ones.

Last but not least: The theme of the current tour is/was all his hits. So if nothing new is released what else should he performe than his mostly knows music. Beside that the most attendees always shout for the 1999, LGC, PR WDC etc.!

nipples said:

I was hoping I could post the twitter photos here but the links don't work lol.

And I can't seem to figure out out to write ~underneath~ a photo link. Bear with me.

Pulled these photos from twitter and made an album in photobucket.

From @shenorthwilson Sheila North Wilson

Waiting for the doors to open

Nipples, thank you for these pic and the folks who could be able to shoot them!

^^ Thanks

Tonight would have been my VIP experience in Saskatoon! I haven't recovered from one road trip let alone thinking about starting another! I wish I would have thought of this sooner but as I was driving to Winnipeg I was imagining getting a pashmina scarf and using fabric paint to write

"Saskatoon begs DO ME BABY"

on it or some not so subtle message for him. Where I was sitting at the very end of the point would have been a perfect place for him to see it! Would have just had to raise my arms up at the right time to get my message across.

damosuzuki said:

As for the set-list/arrangement complaints cluttering most of this thread...there’s no harm in having standards and expectations of performers, certainly. I had my own reservations about aspects of this show, and I alluded to a couple of them in an earlier post. But when people insist on droning on in the most tone-deaf fashion repeatedly and in (I think) every thread dedicated to a concert in this forum, they cross the threshold from constructive criticism to just being something of a jerk, and some of the posts in this forum absolutely reek of jerkyness.

The show I saw wasn’t the show I personally would have wanted in my own utopia, but by most standards it was a very generous show – generous in length and generous in effort. It may not have been what I wanted, but I believe that sometimes you should put aside your expectations and just be grateful for what you receive. Prince is a tremendous talent, and I don’t think it’s sycophantic to just be happy that I'm able to witness that talent at this stage of the game, however he chooses to express it.

[Edited 12/10/11 4:40am]

That's the point, exactly!!!

Really enjoyed reading all the reviews and seeing the pics. Thanks everyone! Just watched the Stand video and I LOVED it. Their outfits were great (the black and white theme). Andy looked amazing in that white suit. Everyone looked very very sharp. Btw, I've never seen Prince live (I am a relatively new fan), but that Stand video convinced me. I will be at his next concert (in my area).

Great concert experience! Lots of energy in the room and the band and Prince were on the mark. They really seemed to enjoy themselves with the crowd. I don't care if anyone thinks the set list could be better, I thought it was great and I was there and had a great time so really that's all that is important! Seeing him live he could be singing Christmas carols or childrens songs and it still would have been him live so it would have been amazing!

Had seen Prince twice prior to this (Calgary, Jam of the Year), Regina (One Night Alone). Ambivalent towards the concert realizing it was aimed towards the collective pleasure of the masses. Did not expect anything terriically fresh as hearing "the Rainbow Children" performed in it's full glory with a band who had not played it umpteen times previous.

Been quite close to the stage both Prince shows prior to Winnipeg, so selected a cheap seat up in the rafters, just content to hear the band and be in the presence of Prince. Never been upgraded before, but definately a winning feeling to be sent to a table where they exchanged my nosebleed ticket and sent me down a couple levels. Felt a bit bad for those who may have paid more for a better ticket around me, but was aware talking to others that I was not the only one in that area to be presented with better ticket. Great people to chat with around me, lots of lovely women in the building. Boots and skirts and winter jackets aplenty, cold enough Winterpeg evening!

From my seat I was very impressed with the acoustic in the MTS centre. Definately an upgrade from the vast majority of the concerts I have heard at the now torn down Winnipeg Arena. Crisp and sharp were the noises from the stage, not overwhelming sound that would leave me buzzing after some of the old shows in the arena (hello, Guns and Roses!).

Prince was in great voice, and looked the part as well. Looking trim and healthy,but no splits, jumping off the piano, nor Boston Crawlin' across the floor of the stage. Nope, but we did get graceful , dignified Prince, orchestrating 10500 or so patrons to dance , raise their hands, and give it up. We had him trading vocals on Nothing Compares To U with Shelby. Had him sharing the spotlight generously with Larry Graham, and Maceo Parker, and handing the mike over to background singer so she could sing the McCartney song "yesterday" solo.

For me , I think the highlights were right off the hop. Though he did not perform hit "Batdance", I felt the opening batch of songs sung by Prince by himself as he played electric piano in the shadows and dark were reminiscent of that Batman era. Songs were sung very clearly and unencumbered by Prince with minimal backing track. Sorta like the Future or Electric Chair, atmosphere I thought not unlike his SNL performance of the Batman era. But the songs...so terrific, even if only clocking in at a couple minutes each (so-called sampler set). I do not recall hearing When Doves Cry, Forever In My Life, Sign O the Times, or Nasty Girl in any of my prior Prince concerts. Fantastic hits! And the hits kept coming.

I have bought all of Prince's newer releases, and mostly respect the quality of the music on them, hello 3121, but I was not too surprised to hear anything from the past decade. In fact, I bet the newest song played dates back almost 20 years, the Most Beautiful Girl in the World. Would have been nice to hear something a bit newer. Joy in Repetition was sweet, really starting laid back and loungey, before busting into lengthy jam with the help of Maceo and Larry. Prince played his first scorching guitar at the end of this.

Broke into lengthy Sly and the Family Stone set. Alphabet Street in the middle of this. All the background singers/accompianists came out. Andy Allo is certainly beautiful, fun presence. I think I was thinking Prince would maybe end his regular set as the Sly songs dragged on. Though I was feeling them somewhat, I did not realize Prince was gonna play lengthy concert, and wanted a better Prince ration of songs. When I viewed "Stand" from Andy Allo's facebook, realized I should have not been hungering for more Prince, but should have been enjoying what was being dished out so esquisitely. Great Jam.

Awesome to hear Cool, saw one other fan singing the lyrics to this, kudos to her.

Encores started after Purple Rain, again , how many fans have to wait for their hero to play a huge hit like 1999 finally at third concert attended, well worth the wait. Controversy, just such a good song, wished he had done the "people call me rude, I wish we were all nude, I wish there was no black and white...chant....just amazing stuff in that song, such an honor to witness such a talent performing the old school funk

Do of course miss the Prince of the hard rocking Dirty Mind variety. Seeing the Paris gig on video, that was a hungry, intense artist. But do think Prince has become a mature artist very gracefully, full of slick dance moves. Do wish I could turn back the clock and have seen him when I was 12 on the 1999 tour. That would have been sick. But seeing him is always gonna be pure purple pleasure. Please come back to Manitoba again Prince, well worth it. Everyone around me was dancing, booted out of one area for dancing there, no real great reason why. Too bad security a bit intense, no one allowed to take a photo. Oh well, more time to concentrate on the music and vibes. Enjoy Alberta!

Maybe Prince will perform I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man if I get to see him again, and he is playing his hits, yet to year that one performed live. Or Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad. Too many songs he has, always leaving you hungering for more. Won't even mention the non-hits I would have wanted to hear. Were so lucky to have such an amazing talent to witness during this era.

damosuzuki said:

http://www.winnipegsun.co...mts-centre

Prince reigns supreme at MTS Centre

0

By Darryl Sterdan ,QMI Agency

First posted: Friday, December 09, 2011 01:43 AM CST

Plenty of artists threaten to play all night long, but Prince made you believe he might actually do it.

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Prince & New Power Generation

Thursday Dec. 8, MTS Centre

4.5 stars

Turns out some parties really were meant to last.

Case in point: Prince’s epic 150-minute funkstravaganza Thursday night at MTS Centre.

“This is your party, but I’m the DJ,” the 53-year-old Minneapolitan told an energized crowd of 10,500 rainbow children midway through his second visit to town. “And I get to play what I want.”

Indeed he did. But thankfully, it turned out that all His Royal Purpleness wanted to play were hits, hits, covers and more hits — along with some funky extended jams from his star-studded band.

Let’s break it down, dearly beloved. Dig, if you will, the picture:

THE STAGE: You don’t expect Prince to play on a normal square stage, do you? Heaven forbid. Instead, fans were greeted with a giant version of the unpronouncable symbol he used back when he was The Artist Formerly Known as Prince. The giant pansexual glyph sat smack-dab in the centre of the arena floor, with the phallic end pointed north and the band clustered in the circle at the opposite end (aside from another keyboard player who was situated at the end of the arena in his own separate elevated booth for some reason). A grand piano with a wraparound video screen sat in the swirly portion of the cross bar. Flashing running lights outlined every curve of the stage. Above it all hung a half-dozen vertical video screens and a six-armed truss filled with computerized lights. At the four corners (so to speak) on the floor were the VIP sections, with clumps of high tables for the big spenders. But from my perspective, they wasted their money — they might have been closer, but the best seats in the house were on the sides of the arena, where you could see every moment of the action.

THE COLOURS OF THE NIGHT: Purple and gold, of course — though there were also a handful of raspberry berets dotting the crowd.

THE RULES: No pictures and no texting — staff and security spent the bulk of the set chasing up and down the aisles admonishing anybody and everybody who didn’t obey, and threatening repeat offenders with ejection. For the most part, it worked: Instead of the usual blue, glowing spots you see at most concerts, the audience was almost totally dark. It was actually kind of cool.

THE ENTRANCE: Half an hour after the advertised 8 p.m. start, thunder rumbled through the PA, lightning cracked on the video screens, fog began to swirl and Prince appeared — rising from below the centre of the stage on a large platform. Nattily dressed in a long-coated black suit over a white shirt, and sporting a giant ring on his right hand and diamond crescents on the tops of his ears, he glided over to that grand piano and opened the show with a solo, electro-grooving rendition of the Purple Rain megahit When Doves Cry. “Are you ready for me?” he asked, joking with the crowd. “Do you know how many hits I have?” To drive home the point, he launched into his so-called Sampler Set, a medley of oldies like Sign O’ The Times, The Most Beautiful Girl in the World, Forever in My Life and more. “It feels like the weekend,” he remarked. “I ain’t got nothing to do tomorrow; how about you? ... Better call your babysitters, I’m serious!”

THE BAND: Prince’s latest incarnation of the New Power Generation is a quartet with three female vocalists, who made their way onstage one by one as he worked his way through that Sampler Set. But the real VIPs of the night were none other than legendary James Brown sax man Maceo Parker and Sly and the Family Stone bassist Larry Graham (clad in white from head to toe like some angelic cowboy-pimp). The former emerged during the slow-burning Joy in Repetition to deliver one of his typically muscular solos. Then the latter came on the scene and things really kicked into gear as the band burned through irresistibly funky versions of not one, not two, but three — count ’em, three — Sly and the Family Stone standards: Everyday People, Stand and Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin). Graham, naturally, was completely in his element, tearing off finger-popping basslines and unfurling a mighty, thundering solo as he swaggered from one end of the stage to the other. He vanished at the one-hour mark of the show. But Prince and the rest were still just hitting their stride.

THE SECOND ACT: “Sound check is over,” Prince announced. And with that, he launched into a lengthy string of hits: Take Me With U, Raspberry Beret, Cream and more. Prince has been playing a different set every night on this tour, so you never know what you’re going to get. But you couldn’t really have asked for a stronger, better-paced show than this. Despite having to know dozens of songs, the band was ridiculously tight — while still managing to be limber enough to follow their bosses every move and improvisation. “Real music played by real musicians,” Prince proudly proclaimed at least twice. Point taken. The man himself also seemed to be in fine form: His voice was as strong as ever, effortlessly nailing every screaming, mile-high falsetto and never running out of steam, despite the fact he spent nearly every second either dancing or moving about the massive stage. His guitar work was similarly solid, with funky licks and screaming solos unspooling without pause from his well-worn Telecaster (and a newer replica that he didn’t mind tossing offstage to his guitar tech). Most important: Prince seemed to be having a blast — jamming with his band, joking with his singers and having his technicians raise and lower the house lights so he could interact with the crowd, who were encouraged to clap on the two and four, wave their arms in the air and sing along with nearly every chorus and refrain that came down the pipe. After covers of Michael Jackson’s Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough and The Beatles’ Yesterday, it all came to a climax with a swelling version of Nothing Compares 2 U and a show-stopping Purple Rain, accompanied by a blizzard of purple and gold confetti blown over the rapturous crowd. Not bad for 90 minutes.

THE FIRST ENCORE: After more thunder and lightning and fog, the church organ kicked in and everybody knew what was coming. “Dearly beloved,” Prince intoned, offering the opening words of Let’s Go Crazy. Which is pretty much how the audience reacted. The band burned through it, inserting the bouncy synth-pop of Delirious in the middle for good measure. Then they pulled out all the stops and pushed the crowd over the edge with 1999 and Little Red Corvette. But after Prince said goodnight and left the stage, something really wild happened: The house lights went up — and almost nobody left. The crowd simply stayed and stomped and screamed and clapped until the house lights dimmed again and Prince returned. First time I’ve seen that. And after a show like that, no wonder.

THE OTHER ENCORES: “We got no more hits!” Prince ended up claiming. “We’re out of hits!” Despite his protests, he managed to find a few more gems like Kiss and Controversy in the back catalog, doling them out one by one and then leaving the stage via his descending platform — only to be summoned back time and again like James Brown. At one point, he rose back into view sprawled on the floor before literally rising to the occasion yet again. "Don't toy with me, Winnipeg," he warned at one point. "Because I will play all night." I've heard singers say it before, but this was the first time I ever thought it might actually happen. But finally, after more than two hours — and a monumental version of the powerhouse ballad The Beautiful Ones — the whole affair wrapped with a full-on disco workout featuring a cover of Sylvester’s Dance (Disco Heat) and Baby I’m a Star. As Prince rode his elevator down for the umpteenth and final time, he asked, “Was it the party of the year?” As if he — and we — didn’t already know.

Set List:

When Doves Cry

Sampler Set:

Sign O’ The Times

Most Beautiful Girl in the World

Forever in My Life

Darling Nikki

Hot Thing

I Would Die 4 U

Housequake

A Love Bizarre

•••••

Joy in Repetition

Everyday People

Alphabet Street

Stand

Life

Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)

Take Me With U

Raspberry Beret

Cream

Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough

Cool

Yesterday

Nothing Compares 2 U

Purple Rain

First Encore:

Let’s Go Crazy

Delirious

1999

Little Red Corvette

Second Encore:

Kiss

Third Encore:

Controversy

Fourth Encore:

The Beautiful Ones

Dance (Disco Heat)

Baby I’m a Star

Thx for sharing this...ain't nuthin' like a Purple Party, and am glad all those who made it 2 this one had a superfunky time

runningbear said:

Had seen Prince twice prior to this (Calgary, Jam of the Year), Regina (One Night Alone). Ambivalent towards the concert realizing it was aimed towards the collective pleasure of the masses. Did not expect anything terriically fresh as hearing "the Rainbow Children" performed in it's full glory with a band who had not played it umpteen times previous.

Been quite close to the stage both Prince shows prior to Winnipeg, so selected a cheap seat up in the rafters, just content to hear the band and be in the presence of Prince. Never been upgraded before, but definately a winning feeling to be sent to a table where they exchanged my nosebleed ticket and sent me down a couple levels. Felt a bit bad for those who may have paid more for a better ticket around me, but was aware talking to others that I was not the only one in that area to be presented with better ticket. Great people to chat with around me, lots of lovely women in the building. Boots and skirts and winter jackets aplenty, cold enough Winterpeg evening!

From my seat I was very impressed with the acoustic in the MTS centre. Definately an upgrade from the vast majority of the concerts I have heard at the now torn down Winnipeg Arena. Crisp and sharp were the noises from the stage, not overwhelming sound that would leave me buzzing after some of the old shows in the arena (hello, Guns and Roses!).

Prince was in great voice, and looked the part as well. Looking trim and healthy,but no splits, jumping off the piano, nor Boston Crawlin' across the floor of the stage. Nope, but we did get graceful , dignified Prince, orchestrating 10500 or so patrons to dance , raise their hands, and give it up. We had him trading vocals on Nothing Compares To U with Shelby. Had him sharing the spotlight generously with Larry Graham, and Maceo Parker, and handing the mike over to background singer so she could sing the McCartney song "yesterday" solo.

For me , I think the highlights were right off the hop. Though he did not perform hit "Batdance", I felt the opening batch of songs sung by Prince by himself as he played electric piano in the shadows and dark were reminiscent of that Batman era. Songs were sung very clearly and unencumbered by Prince with minimal backing track. Sorta like the Future or Electric Chair, atmosphere I thought not unlike his SNL performance of the Batman era. But the songs...so terrific, even if only clocking in at a couple minutes each (so-called sampler set). I do not recall hearing When Doves Cry, Forever In My Life, Sign O the Times, or Nasty Girl in any of my prior Prince concerts. Fantastic hits! And the hits kept coming.

I have bought all of Prince's newer releases, and mostly respect the quality of the music on them, hello 3121, but I was not too surprised to hear anything from the past decade. In fact, I bet the newest song played dates back almost 20 years, the Most Beautiful Girl in the World. Would have been nice to hear something a bit newer. Joy in Repetition was sweet, really starting laid back and loungey, before busting into lengthy jam with the help of Maceo and Larry. Prince played his first scorching guitar at the end of this.

Broke into lengthy Sly and the Family Stone set. Alphabet Street in the middle of this. All the background singers/accompianists came out. Andy Allo is certainly beautiful, fun presence. I think I was thinking Prince would maybe end his regular set as the Sly songs dragged on. Though I was feeling them somewhat, I did not realize Prince was gonna play lengthy concert, and wanted a better Prince ration of songs. When I viewed "Stand" from Andy Allo's facebook, realized I should have not been hungering for more Prince, but should have been enjoying what was being dished out so esquisitely. Great Jam.

Awesome to hear Cool, saw one other fan singing the lyrics to this, kudos to her.

Encores started after Purple Rain, again , how many fans have to wait for their hero to play a huge hit like 1999 finally at third concert attended, well worth the wait. Controversy, just such a good song, wished he had done the "people call me rude, I wish we were all nude, I wish there was no black and white...chant....just amazing stuff in that song, such an honor to witness such a talent performing the old school funk

Do of course miss the Prince of the hard rocking Dirty Mind variety. Seeing the Paris gig on video, that was a hungry, intense artist. But do think Prince has become a mature artist very gracefully, full of slick dance moves. Do wish I could turn back the clock and have seen him when I was 12 on the 1999 tour. That would have been sick. But seeing him is always gonna be pure purple pleasure. Please come back to Manitoba again Prince, well worth it. Everyone around me was dancing, booted out of one area for dancing there, no real great reason why. Too bad security a bit intense, no one allowed to take a photo. Oh well, more time to concentrate on the music and vibes. Enjoy Alberta!

Maybe Prince will perform I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man if I get to see him again, and he is playing his hits, yet to year that one performed live. Or Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad. Too many songs he has, always leaving you hungering for more. Won't even mention the non-hits I would have wanted to hear. Were so lucky to have such an amazing talent to witness during this era.

Great write up! I was wondering how the sound was for the rest of the house... it certainly sounded beautiful from the floor. I'm glad it sounded great for you too and am thrilled that you got your upgrade. I hope the Saddledome sounds better tomorrow night than it did in 1997 in the nosebleeds! Can't match the Winnipeg experience... it will be my "view from above" by comparision lol.