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Prince's search is over -- He's back http://www.palmbeachpost....0002f.html
Prince's search is over -- He's back By Charles Passy, Palm Beach Post Music Writer Monday, April 26, 2004 SUNRISE -- What a difference a decade makes. When Prince played South Florida sometime in the mid-'90s, he was an artist searching for an identity. It wasn't just that he had temporarily changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol. It's that his performance was little more than an evening of unchecked egotism packaged with a few funky songs. The Prince who played the Office Depot Center Sunday night still had no shortage of swagger, but this time, his personality was fully wedded with his music, a joyous mix of R&B, rock, pop, soul and just about anything he could pull out of his hat -- in this case, a red fedora -- including snippets of Elvis and Outkast. The result was a heady evening, equal parts concert, worship service and dance party. Yes, Prince is back. And he's rediscovered his inner, well, Prince. Indeed, the first 50 minutes of the near sold-out concert were about the most combustible bit of music-making this reviewer has ever heard, next to a Springsteen show. Prince opened with the lively title cut of his new album, Musicology, but it became immediately apparent that he wasn't interested in delivering the songs, so much as delivering an improvisational experience. Dressed in a sharply cut white suit, Prince worked with his band -- the aptly titled New Power Generation -- so that grooves became virtual rhythm fests. At times, he sang; at other times, he played electric guitar. But oddly enough, he was at his most powerful when he simply occupied the stage, moving his diminutive self to the kinetic pulse of the music. For Prince, the beat will set you free. And so it continued as he played some of his older, familiar material, including a version of Let's Go Crazy that had the makings of a wicked global jam. In nearly ever song, an always smiling Prince shared the spotlight withy a member of his group: Saxophonist Candy Dulfer was a special standout, but there wasn't a bad apple in this bunch. Then, as the show reached its fever pitch, Prince went the "unplugged" route, brandishing an acoustic guitar and singing -- often in a marvelous, unadorned falsetto -- revealing versions of songs better known in beefed-up renditions. Little Red Corvette, in particular, took on the crushing texture of a confessional folk tune. Before the night was over, Prince was back in his full-glory mode. But these days, full glory is fully merited. At one point, Prince teased the ecstatic crowd about being "high on life." But the stimulant in this case was Prince himself. charles_passy@pbpost.com | |
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I just wonder who's out there that's missing him play the newer stuff. I say that because it seems like when he performs the hits, people get upset that he's not playing the newer stuff, and when he plays the newer stuff, people get upset that he plays the hits. I always think he plays just the right mix of old and new material, and that the problem could be that the public may need a refresher course on the old material that wasn't a hit, and that could be what gets played next after the hits are retired. How about this for a set list (not in this order, tho):
Just As Long As We're Together When We're Dancing Close and Slow Partyup Sexuality Paisley Park Temptation Life Can Be So Nice Shockadelica Scarlet Pussy Lemon Crush Elephants & Flowers Violet the Organ Grinder The Sacrifice of Victor Pink Cashmere Race Dolphin Chaos and Disorder Slave The Love We Make Hide the Bone Strays Of the World Poom Poom Mad Sex Strange But True Silicon The Last December Reflection Wouldn't that be a blast of a set. | |
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For You
Just As Long As We're Together Baby I'm Yours When We're Dancing Close and Slow When You Were Mine Gotta Broken Heart Again Annie Christian (revamped) Something in the Water Paisley Park (rocked-out version) Around the World in a Day Life Can Be So Nice New Position I Wonder U Elephants & Flowers And God Created Woman Pink Cashmere Dolphin The Love We Make Strays Of the World Strange But True Silicon The Marrying Kind If Eye Was The Man In Ur Life On The Couch The Last December Wouldn't that be a blast of a set.
yep, something like that. . . edit: i better stop now [This message was edited Mon Apr 26 21:49:35 2004 by Jasziah] | |
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Nice variation. Anyone else have a set list they think would go over good?
Eric | |
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