How is his piano skills? Is he screwing around like on the live cd? Or acting like Liberace on the Livesexy one? When I say piano I mean genuine skills. There are too many great players.

2freaky4church1 said:

How is his piano skills? Is he screwing around like on the live cd? Or acting like Liberace on the Livesexy one? When I say piano I mean genuine skills. There are too many great players.

With no qualifications to be able to judge a great pianist vs a good pianist, I was sitting in the Choir section (elevated and behind stage) so I had a direct view of the action on the keys. IMO he was phenomenal, my favourite part of this show (and there were many) was Dorothy Parker segued into Four.

When he did that you really saw him attack and go all out, really seemed to give it his all.

The only thing that put me off just from a viewing perspective was him fidgiting with the tablet device on the Grand Piano, either scrolling up-down to get the next verse of lyrics or from left to right to change songs and sometimes having to do it more than once (as the tablet didn't recognise the hand gesture). He was doing this while still playing notes so from an audible experience it was not noticed and in fact I think from other vantage points it would've been less noticeable.

Don't get me wrong the show was phenomenal and better than I imagined but damn I would've loved to hear a 20 minute straight up improv session within the show, no tablet to read lyrics, no set list.. just play whatever you want to play, how you want to play it. Whatever pops into your head spontaneity. That's the stuff dreams are made of though.

astone said:

Trying to explain music with words is doomed to fail, but here is

Attempt no 1

Prince displayed his true majesty by reinterpreting his music for voice & piano only. He took us on a journey across his music catalogue, but simultaneously he also tells the tale of moving from one relationship to another, and meanders through 50 years of music styles while
doing so.

In other words, he's also saying he can reinterpret any song in any genre and bring the crowd to their feet with a simple touch of the keys, or note from his voice. Not only a master, he is THE ONE. (All those times saying "On the ONE" have left their impression.)

Part way through the show

-he played RNR love affair in a style reminiscent of Little Richard,

-then came the hauntingly beautiful A Million Days where echoes of pain rippled like water across the keyboard,

-then Dorothy Parker with piano in the style of Theolonius Monk (which completely flawed me),

-then Prince changed tempo and introduced the shift by saying "the space you need between the space you don't need dictates if it's funky"
where he moved into "How come U don't call me anymore" in a James Brown funky style,

-then a reinvented Waiting in Vain (Bob Marley)/ If I was your girlfriend mash up - with all that hoping for a new relationship

-then the new relationship begins and its 1000 Xs & Os - and all that new energy is evidenced by a PRINCEly funky sound

-then Satisfied in a gospel soul sound

-then Adore - once again a painfully beautiful melody, some funky piano and then moves into a lullaby.(!!?!?!??!??!!!)

It was breathtaking, mindblowing and I'll never be the same. Just writing this is bringing tears to my eyes.

I'm still trying to comprehend it - still pinching myself wondering if this is what was happening (cos I know I couldn't possibly dream this up). And now I'm really crying.

Here is my attempt at a set list:
-[String intro - no idea what the tune was]

-Love thy will be done

-Big City

-Joy in Repetition

-When the lights go down

-Little Red Corvette/ Dirty Mind mash up

-Litte Red Corvette coda - Slow Down

-The Breakdown

-Rock n Roll love affair

-Screwdriver

-Eye love U but eye don't trust U anymore

-A Million Days

-Strange Relationship/ Unchain My Heart (Joe Cocker)/ Free

-Dorothy Parker (Theolonius Monk So Blue interlude)

-The Max

-How come U don't call me anymore

-Waiting in Vain (Bob Marley)/ If I was your girlfriend mashup

-1000 Xs & Os

-Satisfied

-Adore

Encore 1

-Purple Music

-Kiss ("Act your age mama, not your shoe size" with Prince on his feet dancing with fancy footwork & just the crowd singing - the crowd went wild)

Encore 2

-Nothing compares 2 U

(Encore 3?)

-Purple Rain [intro - no vocal]

-Condition of the heart [no vocal]

-Anna Stesia [no vocal]

-Diamonds & Pearls

-Beautiful Ones

-Purple Rain

He is the one.

.

(I didn't notice any string synths until Nothing Compares to U on this night. I didn't mind them. Perhaps I was in a good spot acoustically & sound was ok, not bothersome???)

(I saw the comment about a more full version of the Beautiful Ones at 6:30 that I missed. Fingers crossed he plays it tonight Sunday 21 Feb at 10pm cos I'll be there!)

[Edited 2/21/16 13:58pm]

[Edited 2/21/16 14:05pm]

[Edited 2/21/16 14:07pm]

I wish we could get a setlist like this when he has a band behind him. I would love to hear real versions of this live. Solo piano I really dont care one way or the other but a real show with a cool setlist like this would be awesome!!

As I strolled around Circular Quay awaiting the 10pm show, the rain arrived. Not the threatening storm the overhead sky suggested but a gentle heat relieving drizzle that ultimately I couldn't differentiate between the sweat on my brow or the raindrops themselve. I wasn't alone in opting to experience the freedom of the rain.

During my return walk to the Opera House, the sunset completed it's cycle and the night sky emerged, the reflections of the Harbour Bridge and city lights began dancing on the Sydney harbour, all of which seemed to be there just for this moment...the subtle glow of the purple hue illuminating the infamous Opera House sails. Tonight...Prince is in town and the Opera House will now be perceived not as a familiar international icon, rather a personal memory of an (to borrow a much used quote from this tour) 'intimate' experience of musical magic that as many journalists have touched on...is difficult to express in mere words.

Meeting fellow fans added to the enjoyment of the build up, and especially being welcomed by the Peach & Black guys made the whole event a complete Prince experience that will be tough to top.

One concern with this tour was the percentage of possible 'non-fans' in attendance based purely on the hype or it being the 'thing to do' this weekend. To a large degree, I suspect the hefty ticket prices played a part with such a demograhic prior to commiting the dollars. This certainly seemed to be the case with the 2nd show crowd...'we' all seemed quite jazzed about being there and once the lights went out, well...needless to say the crowd were defintely there to celebrate and appreciate Prince.

He clearly was feeding off the positivity flowing in the concert hall...all 360 degrees of it. Vibrant, energetic and playful, Prince played a setlist I couldn't have been happier with. I heard what I wanted to, and more ("Joy in repetition" / "A Million Days") and even more I never thought would translate to piano. Take "Screwdriver" for example...one of the unexpected gems to my ears. "Love Thy Will Be Done" as an opener...who esle, where else, what else could have been more perfect to a night of exactly that...Love. Love for music, love for live talent, love for Prince...Love for one another.

Prince thanked us several times during the show, and made mention he has never felt so welcomed in Australia as on this tour. The only appropriate reply I can call to mind is "Thank you...Thank you Prince for this unique and memorable experience".

awesomeav said:

It Was The BEST Night Of My Life the atmosphere was so awesome the songs the crowd the lights the whole thing was phenomenal & when he went quite & the audience shouted request I could swear Prince heard me scream The Morning Papers also during the show I shouted mid song & Prince did the ok stop hand signs like he did in UTCM right at me so I'd shut up & then there's the birthday lady who kept at Prince for ages & during LRC no less but it was Perfect 4 me & I was so glad I got to experience the masterpiece that was this show plus I got the new album & some great merch but the best part besides the songs had to be the playful banter between him & the audience I loved how he made us feel like he was with old friends rather then just a random concert gathering Prince painted the town Purple & changed the name 2 Sydneyapolis that's The Living Legend Prince

OMG! I would love to hear The Morning Papers live. After the Opera House concerts, it must be about number one left on my hitlist of hearing live, if not number one.

lust said:

Wow, I really hope the Auckland crowd is more respectful and not yelling requests out at all let alone Mid song. Maybe I should pack some pepper spray.

lust said:

Wow, I really hope the Auckland crowd is more respectful and not yelling requests out at all let alone Mid song.

Maybe I should pack some pepper spray.

lust said:

Wow, I really hope the Auckland crowd is more respectful and not yelling requests out at all let alone Mid song.

.

You actually mean that there were idiots in the audience?!?!

.

Maybe I should pack some pepper spray.

.

You should, especially if it is legal in your environment.

Do not hesitate to use it.

LD85 said:

misslisa1979 said:

Amazingly beautiful night xx

As we had some absolute assholes sitting infront of us -
Then we kicked out the 3 assholes in front of us for an awesome 30min encore with Anzac & I front row, centre stage !

I also had to ask the ushers to get someone out of there. Did anyone else hear the woman who kept screaming "it's my birthday!"? She must have moved around a bit because I think at first she was in the stalls then she came to the front of the circle and stood in the stairwell making quite a scene. They pulled her out but then she found her way down again. Removed again. Really hoping it doesn't happens again tonight, ruined How Come You Don't Call Me.

gollygirl said:

lust said:Wow, I really hope the Auckland crowd is more respectful and not yelling requests out at all let alone Mid song. Maybe I should pack some pepper spray. I have to admit I didnt really like people yelling out requests, I felt it was not quite the right platform to do that, but I didnt let it phase me.

intheplace2b said:

2freaky4church1 said:

How is his piano skills? Is he screwing around like on the live cd? Or acting like Liberace on the Livesexy one? When I say piano I mean genuine skills. There are too many great players.

With no qualifications to be able to judge a great pianist vs a good pianist, I was sitting in the Choir section (elevated and behind stage) so I had a direct view of the action on the keys. IMO he was phenomenal, my favourite part of this show (and there were many) was Dorothy Parker segued into Four.

When he did that you really saw him attack and go all out, really seemed to give it his all.

The only thing that put me off just from a viewing perspective was him fidgiting with the tablet device on the Grand Piano, either scrolling up-down to get the next verse of lyrics or from left to right to change songs and sometimes having to do it more than once (as the tablet didn't recognise the hand gesture). He was doing this while still playing notes so from an audible experience it was not noticed and in fact I think from other vantage points it would've been less noticeable.

Don't get me wrong the show was phenomenal and better than I imagined but damn I would've loved to hear a 20 minute straight up improv session within the show, no tablet to read lyrics, no set list.. just play whatever you want to play, how you want to play it. Whatever pops into your head spontaneity. That's the stuff dreams are made of though.

He has some serious chops for the keyboard. Whilst you cannot compare him to a classically trained pianist you cannot deny he is able to perform solo on a piano for 2 hours, charge $400, and keep almost 3000 people captivated till the end.

I listened to one of the January shows and you can tell he has been practicing his purple butt off since then. And when i say practicing i dont mean scales. I mean the way he is able to swap and change between songs (chorus/verses) and then also change up keys to blend songs together.

TO be honest, his music is not that hard to play at base level. He is a minimalist song writer. His songs are musically not that complex and are usually based on a single riff or chord sequence - intro, verse, chorus all using the same riff. because of this, he has also been able to combine songs together by using a blues riff in the bass - eg Girls and Boys becomes Cream using the same blues riff.

I found his song medleys more intriguing than the straight songs even though some of straight songs were sublime (Satisfied, Nothing Compares, Purple Rain to name a few). But the medleys like Waiting In vain /If I was your Girlfriend, and Dirty Mind / Little Red Corvette were teary moments.

Improv is another thing altogether. If he keeps this format up, doesnt get bored and takes it around the world, i think we will see more inprov as he progresses through his set lists. We wont see anything like what Kieth jarret can do with improv but Prince may become loser with his setlists and may not have to rely on his ipad as much. He is still human.

I also get the feeling the choice for the first leg of the solo tour in our part of the world was more a case of testing the water so to speak. It's right out of that comfort zone of a band he has alway had around him. No dancers to take the attention away from him.

No doubt that it has been a sucess. He worked for the $$$. Let's hope he doesnt get bored.

As an aside, Phase 2 should have been a piano album. Not that pro-tooled tripe. Maybe phase 3?? Probably goes to show how fickle he is with his ideas and how short his attention span is.