http://www.heraldsun.com....6355840393

Herald Sun REVIEW: IF you're a music fan you have to see Prince live - at least once.

By Cameron Adams

His is the name on so many rock concert fans' bucket lists for good reason.

In his first Melbourne show in more than a decade at Rod Laver Arena last night, Prince put on a seriously funky master class.

``This is real music by real musicians,'' is his mantra.

And sadly, you get the feeling he's the last of his breed. He's a superstar but also a fearless musician, and while he plays the hits, he's also far from a jukebox.

Prince changes his set list dramatically from night to night – no two shows are the same.

``I know you heard about me, the little dude with all the hits,'' he told an adoring, ready-to-party crowd.

Indeed the dude has way too many hits for one concert but last night served up Raspberry Beret, Cream, Kiss, 1999, Little Red Corvette, Delirious, Mountains and Let's Go Crazy among others.

Plus a suitably epic 15-minute version of Purple Rain and Love Thy Will Be Done, a hit he wrote for Martika as well as a cover of Michael Jackson's Don't Stop til You Get Enough.

His one-man-band segment was like a karaoke megamix – When Doves Cry, Sign O'the Times and Pop Life.

More intense fans were treated to a slow jam version of I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man and the ballad Sometimes it Snows in April.

And while his voice and moves (in killer heels) sometimes distract you, the solo on Take Me With U reminds you what an incredible guitarist he is.

And in a world where we know everything about pop stars due to Twitter, Prince remains a fascinating enigma.

He's old school. Hates the internet. Hates having his photo taken – by fans with camera phones or the media – and loves music enough to regularly play club shows straight after a two-and-a-half-hour arena show.

The autocue with lyrics was one of the few times you're reminded he's in his 50s.

The notoriously eccentric performer is rumored to be contemplating adding shows to his Melbourne itinerary and returning on May 30. If you get the chance you have to see him in his element – on stage.

[Edited 5/14/12 15:08pm]

dupe.

Already a thread here http://prince.org/msg/12/381193