purplethunder3121 said:

Prince Delivers Funk Blowout at Paisley Park Studio Concert

New Power Generation and 3rdEyeGirl join singer for career-spanning set

1

Comment

5

Prince

Stuart Wilson/Getty Images

By THOMAS KINTNER

October 6, 2013 3:31 PM ET

Even after all these years, when Prince calls, people come running. Saturday night, responding to an announcement made just two days earlier, nearly two thousand people lined up around an out-of-the-way block in suburban Chanhassen, Minnesota to catch the Minneapolis icon in a home game at his Paisley Park studio. They were treated to a career-spanning funk blowout.

Entry ran 50 dollars – cash only – for the chance to visit the long-reclusive star’s $10 million home studio. Cameras and cell phones were forbidden, but no one was stopping you from touching the Purple Rain motorcycle in the lobby if you were so inclined. The process of getting past the facility’s outer gate and into the building was glacial (as was the evening temperature after a couple of hours in line), but the excitement of the occasion kept spirits up even as people fretted over whether they would get in. As it turned out, there was room enough for everyone in a space that listed its capacity at 1,850 and packed in pretty close to that number.

See Where Prince Ranks Among the 100 Greatest Guitarists

Backed by the combined heft of his 3rdEyeGirl and New Power Generation support groups, Prince muscled his way through an opener of "1999" just before midnight, throwing down a full-bore party gauntlet that carried through the night. The 18-piece band’s stout horn section powered the infectious funk of "Musicology" and the robust "Mutiny," an insistent extract from Prince’s long-ago side project the Family.

Prince at 55 didn’t exhibit the breadth of skills he flaunted so boldly in younger days, rarely strapping an electric guitar over his puffy afro as he left it to Donna Grantis to handle most of the evening’s licks. He also refrained from testing his hips by sticking to cool stepping rather than flamboyant dance moves, but he could entertain tied to a chair (and probably has). His voice was warm, limber and full of character as he oozed over the silky "Breakfast Can Wait," and barked authoritatively at "Something in the Water (Does not Compute)," right up to unleashing his well-preserved falsetto wail.

The song selection was all over the place, in a good way: the quirky 1990s sway of "Dark," the swelled drama of onetime bootleg favorite "Old Friends 4 Sale," and a dip into Prince’s 1989 Batman work for the buoyant "Partyman." The vault-track-turned-recent-release "Extraloveable" was an irresistible reimagining of old work, while his take on "Purple Rain" offered his powerful shriek that times they are a-changin’, followed by a saxophone solo in place of the tune’s classic guitar crescendo as a reminder that they don’t always change for the better.

After a little more than an hour, Prince was escorted out of the room by bodyguards, which led many to head for the door even as the band rolled through "Act of God." Prince rewarded those who stuck around by returning to his cavernous soundstage with a hearty duet of "Nothing Compares 2 U," and he polished off the party with a fired-up offering of the Time nugget "Cool," a quality that hasn’t faded in him even slightly in the 30-plus years since he wrote the song.

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.c...z2h008mbcf
Follow us: @rollingstone on Twitter | RollingStone on Facebook

purplethunder3121 said:

Prince Delivers Funk Blowout at Paisley Park Studio Concert

New Power Generation and 3rdEyeGirl join singer for career-spanning set

1

Comment

5

Prince

Stuart Wilson/Getty Images

By THOMAS KINTNER

October 6, 2013 3:31 PM ET

Even after all these years, when Prince calls, people come running. Saturday night, responding to an announcement made just two days earlier, nearly two thousand people lined up around an out-of-the-way block in suburban Chanhassen, Minnesota to catch the Minneapolis icon in a home game at his Paisley Park studio. They were treated to a career-spanning funk blowout.

Entry ran 50 dollars – cash only – for the chance to visit the long-reclusive star’s $10 million home studio. Cameras and cell phones were forbidden, but no one was stopping you from touching the Purple Rain motorcycle in the lobby if you were so inclined. The process of getting past the facility’s outer gate and into the building was glacial (as was the evening temperature after a couple of hours in line), but the excitement of the occasion kept spirits up even as people fretted over whether they would get in. As it turned out, there was room enough for everyone in a space that listed its capacity at 1,850 and packed in pretty close to that number.

See Where Prince Ranks Among the 100 Greatest Guitarists

Backed by the combined heft of his 3rdEyeGirl and New Power Generation support groups, Prince muscled his way through an opener of "1999" just before midnight, throwing down a full-bore party gauntlet that carried through the night. The 18-piece band’s stout horn section powered the infectious funk of "Musicology" and the robust "Mutiny," an insistent extract from Prince’s long-ago side project the Family.

Prince at 55 didn’t exhibit the breadth of skills he flaunted so boldly in younger days, rarely strapping an electric guitar over his puffy afro as he left it to Donna Grantis to handle most of the evening’s licks. He also refrained from testing his hips by sticking to cool stepping rather than flamboyant dance moves, but he could entertain tied to a chair (and probably has). His voice was warm, limber and full of character as he oozed over the silky "Breakfast Can Wait," and barked authoritatively at "Something in the Water (Does not Compute)," right up to unleashing his well-preserved falsetto wail.

The song selection was all over the place, in a good way: the quirky 1990s sway of "Dark," the swelled drama of onetime bootleg favorite "Old Friends 4 Sale," and a dip into Prince’s 1989 Batman work for the buoyant "Partyman." The vault-track-turned-recent-release "Extraloveable" was an irresistible reimagining of old work, while his take on "Purple Rain" offered his powerful shriek that times they are a-changin’, followed by a saxophone solo in place of the tune’s classic guitar crescendo as a reminder that they don’t always change for the better.

After a little more than an hour, Prince was escorted out of the room by bodyguards, which led many to head for the door even as the band rolled through "Act of God." Prince rewarded those who stuck around by returning to his cavernous soundstage with a hearty duet of "Nothing Compares 2 U," and he polished off the party with a fired-up offering of the Time nugget "Cool," a quality that hasn’t faded in him even slightly in the 30-plus years since he wrote the song.

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.c...z2h008mbcf
Follow us: @rollingstone on Twitter | RollingStone on Facebook

But did they get pancakes?

Still as handsome as ever.

journey said:

Still as handsome as ever.

FYI - That pic wasn't from last night.

motherfunka said:

journey said:

Still as handsome as ever.

FYI - That pic wasn't from last night.

My bad, although I'm sure he's still as fine as always. The man does seem to age well.

TRUTH69 said:

motherfunka said:

Tempest said:Thank you for the info. * Motherfunka, why was it one of your least favorite PP shows? I'm curious. * [Edited 10/6/13 2:10am]

You're welcome! Well I saw the City Pages article announcing the show, and it said Prince, 3rd Eye Girl, and New Power Generation. So I was hoping for a part of the show to be something like the shows at Myth, which it wasn't. Hannah said they wanted to show the audience what they had been working on, but a lot of repeats from the show in July at Paisley Park. I guess that's what they've been working on, incorporating all these horns into the songs. For me, all the horns and backup singers just muddle the songs. When they started playing Diamonds and Pearls, I was like cool, but it sounded like a poor karaoke version with the backup singers ruining it. They don't hold a candle to Rosie. Still a few highlights though, Dark, Something In the Water, and Old Friends for Sale. Prince still has the voice and the energy, but I guess I just prefer a stripped down sound.

I was totally expecting the entry process to be a mess, as it usally is these days. So no surprises there. They would have made it a whole lot easier if they would have sold tickets, so people would know if they could get in or not without having to stand around for hours. You almost had to go early, just to be sure you were able to get in. I've been right up front enough, so that I don't have to do that anymore. As far as the shuttle bus goes, they didn't say you couldn't park around the streets of Paisley Park. And who would they be to say that anyway? Nobody, except for people who were invited, were allowed to park at Paisley Park. So people were lined up outside of Paisley Park. If you did take the shuttle bus, how would you have known that they wouldn't make you get at the end of the line that was already there? So yeah, typical.

[Edited 10/6/13 15:09pm]

*

Thanks for sharing all that. I appreciate it.

*

I really enjoy shows that focus more on Prince as well. I always have. Sometimes less is more.

journey said:

motherfunka said:

FYI - That pic wasn't from last night.

My bad, although I'm sure he's still as fine as always. The man does seem to age well.

*

sharonzeke said:

FUN POLL TIME....Let's say you dropped your friends off to get in line, go park at Lifetime and get on the shuttle to be let in ahead of all others in line. Would you go in knowing you may never get in because of the long line and leave your friends hangin' or go find your friends in line??

that reminds me: colorblu where are you? did you make it in??? i had to ditch my phone but i held a place for you at the shuttle line ...

[Edited 10/7/13 3:34am]

journey said:

motherfunka said:

FYI - That pic wasn't from last night.

My bad, although I'm sure he's still as fine as always. The man does seem to age well.

I'ts amazing what a ton of make-up can do. And it's taken from a distance.

sharonzeke said:

purplethunder3121 said:

Prince Delivers Funk Blowout at Paisley Park Studio Concert

New Power Generation and 3rdEyeGirl join singer for career-spanning set

1

Comment

5

But did they get pancakes?

Jesse & Vanessa's REAL review was awesome!!!! Prince REALLY loves his fans!!!

From the above Rolling Stone article:

"Prince at 55 didn’t exhibit the breadth of skills he flaunted so boldly in younger days, rarely strapping an electric guitar over his puffy afro as he left it to Donna Grantis to handle most of the evening's licks."

[Edited 10/7/13 6:24am]

I am so glad I didn't drive up for this.

Genesia said:

I am so glad I didn't drive up for this.

here's my recap of what happened that night. it's mostly a story instead of a literal play by play of the night. i just wanted to share. peace.

naffi said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Prince REALLY loves his fans!!!

Of course he does...that's why he premiered the "Breakfast Can Wait" video for the hundreds and hundreds of fans who cared to show up at Paisley Park.

He could have kept it a private viewing for a handful of selected fans but I'm REALLY glad to hear he loved all fans who showed up! Right?!

danigirl06 said:

here's my recap of what happened that night. it's mostly a story instead of a literal play by play of the night. i just wanted to share. peace.

What a heart warming review! Thank you for sharing!

danigirl06 said:

here's my recap of what happened that night. it's mostly a story instead of a literal play by play of the night. i just wanted to share. peace.

Nice...cheers for sharing your Paisley Park experience!

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

did anyone pay the $200 VIP fee? if so what happened to you? how about the Super Duper VIP fee of $1000.00? did you get to share a pepsi with prince in the green room? please tell!!

danigirl06 said:

here's my recap of what happened that night. it's mostly a story instead of a literal play by play of the night. i just wanted to share. peace.

danigirl06...I absolutely loved your narrative driven account and story shaped report!!! It was awesome!!! I absorbed every detail of your Paisley Park experience and I lived vicariously through your joy until I can participate a PP trip myself ( I call it the purple funk ...PFunk motherland). You are an excellent historian full of great verbal expression, eclectic and funny facial emphasis and that cool hot true Prince appreciator vibe that was electrifying. I was so excited for you Your energy, wonderfully appropriate awe, respect, graciousness, thoughtfulness, humour, candor, and gratefulness was incredibly touching and still has me smiling. Your exhausion was and is understandable and expected. How could you not be ..you were at the PFunk motherland!!!

Visually taking in the majesty and beauty, audibly being treated and rewarded to 2 not just 1 public and private concerts, physically being surrounded by so much love, mentally taking in all the nights events (including the hilarious 9 passenger breathe taking parking dilemma) sounds like all your senses were wonderfully rewarded and stimulated. I'm so happy for you. Your appreciation of God's blessings was heart warming and still is making me smile as if it was me or one of my friends thank you for such a unique approach and way to share and delivery a highlight of your life not just a concert experience to the Pfunk motherland. Incredible ...thank you. again U don't know how badly I want to one there be there...I can't wait to experience it by myself, or with my delightful Prince co-conspirator and/or friends...that would be crazy fun

PSSS...U talked about Shelby's gorgous smile and outstanding energy funny that's the first thing I noticed about you besides your cute dreads/coils. Did I say, I can't wait to attend the motherland my self ? I also pray U do visit again and get the opportunity to preform with Prince, Ida, 3rdEyeGirl or any of the Prince musicians you desire. With your since of awe and adventure the sky is the limit because danigirl06...U so rock

Genesia said:

I am so glad I didn't drive up for this.

Indeed, you didn't miss a thing. The show was good to be sure, but most of the set list was covered at the PP "show" in July or the Thursday night gig at the Dakota. Since I was at both it was so not worth the clusterfuck that was the logisitcs of getting in.

That said, my friend had her aunt and cousin with from Sweden who had an awesome time and found the wait (while ridiculous) worth it. It was fun to see the folks in front of me (who were clearly at their first Prince show) smile and clap and stare in awe.

I will give an a couple of entertaining tidbits. At one point after waiting in line down the little side street cul-de-sac for an hour and a half or so a Jimmy John's delivery car slowly made its way down the drive. The crowd cheered. Someone had dinner.

After the line was finally allowed to proceed up towards the actual gate to the parking lot and they started letting folks in in groups this very drunk blond woman started making her way up the line. I had noticed a few in her drunken group do this and I wondered if they were trying to make friends to score a spot in line further up than they were. She started talking to me and I could smell her boozy breath and she was having a hard time putting together coherent sentences. I answered her chit chat politely but didn't offer any of my own. At that point she declared me to have an attitude problem and tried to imply that she worked for Prince and could get me in if I were nicer. It was all I could do not to laugh in her face. I told her I was fine on my own and wished her a good evening. She tried again, and I repeated again. She finished with something like "see you on stage!" and then proceeded to yell, YELL at the crowd in front of me, "KITTY KITTY KITTY KITTY KITTY!!" as if she were calling a cat. When no one responded to her calls she stomped away.

It was so ridiculous. We saw her later inside and I think she was having a hard time having fun as the effects of her booze were wearing off.

CarrieMpls said:

Genesia said:

I am so glad I didn't drive up for this.

Indeed, you didn't miss a thing. The show was good to be sure, but most of the set list was covered at the PP "show" in July or the Thursday night gig at the Dakota. Since I was at both it was so not worth the clusterfuck that was the logisitcs of getting in.

That said, my friend had her aunt and cousin with from Sweden who had an awesome time and found the wait (while ridiculous) worth it. It was fun to see the folks in front of me (who were clearly at their first Prince show) smile and clap and stare in awe.

I will give an a couple of entertaining tidbits. At one point after waiting in line down the little side street cul-de-sac for an hour and a half or so a Jimmy John's delivery car slowly made its way down the drive. The crowd cheered. Someone had dinner.

After the line was finally allowed to proceed up towards the actual gate to the parking lot and they started letting folks in in groups this very drunk blond woman started making her way up the line. I had noticed a few in her drunken group do this and I wondered if they were trying to make friends to score a spot in line further up than they were. She started talking to me and I could smell her boozy breath and she was having a hard time putting together coherent sentences. I answered her chit chat politely but didn't offer any of my own. At that point she declared me to have an attitude problem and tried to imply that she worked for Prince and could get me in if I were nicer. It was all I could do not to laugh in her face. I told her I was fine on my own and wished her a good evening. She tried again, and I repeated again. She finished with something like "see you on stage!" and then proceeded to yell, YELL at the crowd in front of me, "KITTY KITTY KITTY KITTY KITTY!!" as if she were calling a cat. When no one responded to her calls she stomped away.

It was so ridiculous. We saw her later inside and I think she was having a hard time having fun as the effects of her booze were wearing off.

Sounds like a woman I saw at the Myth shows in May.

I thought I would give a not-so-short review of my experience at the show.

I arrived at Paisley at approximately 2:00 and saw a small line forming at the culdesac across the road and decided to take my chances waiting in that line since for one thing is was a very close parking spot and free at that. The 7 hour wait went surprisingly fast given the off and on rain because you were treated to specticle of seeing about every type of person imaginable waiting in line. A particular highlight was watching the woman close to the front of the line take it upon herself to be the designated "traffic enforcer" of the evening. Next time she should invest in a piece of cardboard and a marker instead of yelling at every passing car that there was no parking.

As mentioned by others, the shuttle was the way to go. We watched as the each shuttle bus was let directly into the grounds before our line was even allowed to move. Granted we should have known better but Paisley Park could have done a little more in the communication department given they chose to publicize this show as much as they did during the previous 2 days. Unlike some others I know I was taking my chances by joining the line at the culdesac so I wasn't as mad as others when they saw the shuttles arrive.

One of the first things I noticed about Paisley Park is that the place is absolutely spotless. I mean you would be hard pressed to find a tiny speck of dirt anywhere in the building...especially the soundstage. Prince's Purple Rain motorcycle in the lobby was an awesome surprise as well. I would have touched it but I didn't want to get tackled by the huge security guys.

I managed to get in fairly early and took up a spot dead center from the stage about 30 feet back and within 5 minutes the opening set of NPG had started. The sound system was simply amazing...it is by far the best sounding show I had ever been to in a venue that size. I was very impressed with the latest incarnation of NPG. I'm a big fan of 70s James Brown and they emulated that sound to a T. Having 3 different vocalists is a very unique touch and adds a nice variety to their sound.

After a short intermission the band started up again with a very young girl appearing from behind the 3 NPG singers and proceeding to sing the 2nd version of "At Last" of the night. Given Prince's unpredictability this did not surprise me one bit. As the song finished Prince emerged from the behind the stage and the crowd erupted. He said some very nice words about the young girl before launching into his set.

1999 was the perfect opener and from the first notes you could feel the energy level of the room rise exponentially. The seque into Diamonds and Pearls was perfect and he delivered an awesome rendition of this song. Once he was finished the show morphed into what was more or less a funk tour de force aside from the short break of "Does Not Compute" where Prince performed with only a keyboard as his backing music. Simply amazing.

I'm what you would consider a late Prince convert and am not as familiar with a lot of his post Purple Rain obscure output so I didn't not recognize a lot the setlist aside from the covers and Partyman which was simply amazing. Throught the show he would effortlessly throw cues to the band which they would follow to a T. He also allowed each NPG member his or her own solo spot during one of the songs which I can't remember at the moment. One of the many highlights was seeing the large NPG trombone player go crazy during his solo spotlight. I've never seen such a big guy shoot across the stage so effortlessly!

The encore was even more funky than the main set! The band sequed from song to song with the audience getting more crazy by the minute. Prince thanked the audience again and again after the final song before leaving the stage for unfortunately the last time.

I waited around for the next 45 minutes hoping that he would come back out given that all of the amps were still turned on but as the lighting man wheeled out the box for the lighting console I knew that was it for the night. Within 5 minutes the security began motioning for the remaining 100 or so people in front of the stage to exit the building which brought my night to an end.

I found out later that he played a short set with 3rd Eye Girl for a few people in an adjacent room which kind of bummed me out. I'm sure it was an invite only deal since we were given zero indications of anything going on whatsoever while we waited on the floor after the encore. It would have been nice to see but with a 3 hour drive ahead of me it was time to get on the road.

Some closing notes:

* Paisley Park needs to attempt a little more organization before the show if they choose to publicize it via the media for 2 days...or simply keep it a word-of-mouth affair.

* Prince must be a ping pong fan. There was a ping pong table and pool table directly next to the stage.

* Prince has the most diverse fanbase of any major artist.

* If you want to see a concert at Paisley arrive EARLY...at least 4-5 hours before the show

* Prince's security looks very intimidating but they are all super nice.

* Yes, it was worth the 7 hour wait!

rap said:

7roses said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Prince REALLY loves his fans!!!

Of course he does...that's why he premiered the "Breakfast Can Wait" video for the hundreds and hundreds of fans who cared to show up at Paisley Park.

He could have kept it a private viewing for a handful of selected fans but I'm REALLY glad to hear he loved all fans who showed up! Right?!

Eye said that! Because he gets so much criticism here for not caring. This is PROOF that he does! Always have, by giving his fans yet another "MasterPiece" per4mance!!! boo

boo..

Also! Prince only showed the "Breakfast Can Wait" video to a select few. Not the HUNDREDS U claimed!!

[img:$uid]http://pic80.picturetrail.com:80/VOL2084/9118410/23995995/407282747.jpg[/img:$uid]

[Edited 10/7/13 15:30pm]

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

7roses said:

Of course he does...that's why he premiered the "Breakfast Can Wait" video for the hundreds and hundreds of fans who cared to show up at Paisley Park.

He could have kept it a private viewing for a handful of selected fans but I'm REALLY glad to hear he loved all fans who showed up! Right?!

Eye said that! Because he gets so much criticism here for not caring. This is PROOF that he does! Always have, by giving his fans yet another "MasterPiece" per4mance!!! boo

boo..

Also! Prince only showed the "Breakfast Can Wait" video to a select few. Not the HUNDREDS U claimed!!

LOL! I think you should spend more time reading what I was REALLY trying to say here instead of rolling your eyes at me.

As I am well aware that he only showed this video to the select few...