I want to preface this by saying that set-listings and reviews have already been posted for both of the shows I am going to speak of. I am not as educated as I could be, as far as musical terminology is concerned. Nor am I concerned with his outfits or of his hairstyle, but I will tell you how I felt during these shows...the emotions that were evoked, and the way I felt afterwards.

At long last, I have finally wound down from the 3 most amazing days of my life . On Wednesday night (April 21st), I was fortunate enough to attend Prince's show in Columbia, South Carolina. This show, being my first time seeing Prince live, ever...was truly a special night. My excitement only doubled, tripled, QUADRUPLED when I picked up the tickets at Will-Call and realized that they were front row. As my friend and I (Melissa...beautiful ) headed to our seats, we realized we had a prime spot to view John Blackwell, whom I was extremely excited to see...SC being where he hails from. He is such an amazing drummer...one I admire greatly. Before the show, Melissa and I were able to speak with him for some minutes. He is very personable, very likeable...very down-to-earth. He had to rush off...because it was time.

The show was beginning. The arena went dark...and we hear Alicia Keys' Hall of Fame speech. Prince begins to slowly rise out of a portion of the stage near Renato...complete with yellow lights and smoke. The roof was almost blown off with the screams, the whistling, the yelling...the that SC showed for Prince. He opened with Musicology...and I will tell you, fellow .Orgers, don't decide whether or not you like that song until you hear it live. The NPG band is tight and pulls off just about any style they set their minds to. They mesh together, perfectly, as one solid mass of funk/jazz/blues/pop and even rock. After 'Musicology', John Blackwell came down to talk for a few more seconds and handed us both a drumstick. I was a very happy girl

The first set got progressively better. Prince hit it on the head with DMSR...it was fon-kay! Not one person in that arena was sitting down...the entire show. Before the second set began, Renato played a few instrumental bits...culminating in 'God', that brought tears to my eyes

After he got us hyped, he had to bring us down slowly. One of the most inspiring performances of the night for me was the acoustic portion of the show. Being that this was my first Prince concert, I have never seen him be personal with a crowd...but this man truly brings you to his world when he plays that guitar. He sits in a chair that he turns almost at every verse change...north, east, south and west. A few jokes, a few sing-alongs...and we were his

The Question of U was a song I had never paid much attention to before but after seeing it performed live, its one of my new favorites. He sang, not only with his voice...but also through that guitar. This man's skills 'have' improved...he is truly bringing it back to the roots. If there is anyone reading this, who may not able to attend one of the Musicology shows, please PLEASE try your hardest to be there. It will change the way you look at this man's music.

The after-party at Banana Joe's was fun...my first time at an actual club I danced (TJ & Shane...thanks so much...I had so much fun ) and danced and danced. Anyone that knows me, knows I'm not a big extrovert...but I was on a high from the concert and I just turned into a dancin' machine, hehe . The band (Chance, Maceo, Candy and I believe Greg was there, too) showed up around 1am. Everyone was extremely nice, very personable folks. Maceo looked a little nervous...folks were beginning to push, so we left out.

The last two comments I have about the Columbia show...

* Purple Rain (seems like yesterday...) is an especially emotional song for me. To hear it played live...words cannot describe the feeling in my heart when I heard that solo begin. The look on Prince's face when he starts that song...is priceless. My eyes filled with tears (but I didn't shed them...not that night), even thinking, that this may be the last time I would have a chance to hear it live...doubtful, but still upsetting

* Prince commands an audience...you are his, for however long he wants you to be. For 2 hours, he owned the entire state of South Carolina. I learned more in 2 hours of seeing this man live, than I have in 13 years of listening to his albums. You can't surpass the man who, now in my opinion, is the patriarch of live performances...and on Wednesday April the 21st...Prince was the master of his game.

*****

A Short Review...Raleigh, NC - April 23rd.

This show was another special one for me, as I was sharing it with my sister. April isn't a huge Prince fan...but is a fan, nonetheless. This show began like the other...running around, not knowing where Will-Call was , standing in 4 lines, 3 of them the wrong lines . I guess when you're excited like a kid on Christmas morning, you don't pay attention as well as you should . Got to the Will-Call window...picked up the tickets, and got 4th row . I know, I know...'Summer, 4th row!!!! You should've been ecstatic!!'. I wanted 1st row again...I can't help it I felt too good about Wednesday night's concert to be down, though...so off we went.

We couldn't find our seats. Apparently, the way the stage had been set up, the 4th section was eliminated. Our usher told us that we were basically seat-less...but she could move us somewhere else, into 'filler' seats. I did get a little blue then, because I just knew that all of the other seats were taken. But up we go, to the same. exact. seats. as Wednesday night. Front row, at the right side of the cross + . Phenomenal...I couldn't ask for anything better.

The show was almost exactly the same...same jokes, same Chance doing the booty-dance and Prince popping Chance's ass with his hanky I still had an amazing time, being able to share that experience with my sister was so special

That night, when Prince played Purple Rain, I cried. The emotional connotation with that song is so strong for me...I was brought to tears. His performance of PR during Friday night's show is my favorite version ever... . I heard there was a DVD of our show played at the after-party (which we did not attend...we wanted to end our night on the same beautiful level it was on then), so maybe, just maybe...we'll be able to have our experience, to watch again.

I know, that for the rest of my life, I will remember these past 3 days. I will say, that I felt very low after the last concert...I had to take some private time and collection my emotions. I had to remove myself, and contemplate what I had seen/heard and how I felt about it. I had such an amazing time, I wanted it to never, ever end. But it must...and it did. I look forward to many more concerts...to much more new music...to many more beautiful connections. These are the things I hope for...

An very special, very beautiful person in my life compared my week to a marathon. He said that in life, sometimes we win...sometimes we lose. This was my marathon week, my beautiful week, to win. I don't know if a chance like this will ever come along again...the future is always unclear. These feelings will remain with me forever, I do know that. My sister's last words to me, before we left out of the parking lot, were 'Summer, I have more respect for him now that I ever did.' As a person who constantly promotes Prince and his music to others...this was the ultimate compliment.

So Prince, thank you for taking it back. Thanks for getting music, at least for those few hours, back to where it should be. You are a true hero of the song...and this is where music should STAY.

Beautiful!

What a wonderful story! Your 2 days are all Prince fans come true. I'm glad for you

"I will tell you, fellow .Orgers, don't decide whether or not you like that song (Musicology) until you hear it live."

Sooo true...

Great reviews, Summerdawn!! ...I lived both concerts right along with you as I read them.







.. edit.
[This message was edited Mon Apr 26 15:55:58 2004 by Byron]

.... (reading right now)... be back.

Freespirit said:

You don't have to be drunk to read her reviews, yanno...

Byron said:

I just got home from WORK and I am chilling with me, myself and I (thank you), I have a day off tomorrow and I am going to start cleaning. This is the first time I have sat back... feeling OK after being sick... to enjoy a beer after all my hard work this semester. Don't get me started!

Freespirit said:

Don't drink while angry...

"I look forward to many more concerts...to much more new music...to many more beautiful connections. These are the things I hope for... "

Awe... beautiful Summer... isn't that what life is all about... all beautiful connections and the journey to find them continuously. I love how some people see the beauty in life and take full responsibility for their own happiness... and you truly do.

Your friendship is a , thank you.

Byron said:

THREAD-JACKERS!!! !!!

summerdawn said:

Sorry...

(She started it... )

Byron said:

That of a woman????

awesome review, Summer!

Great review! I couldn't say it any better. I went to the Knoxville, TN concert on 4/22/04. This was my 1st concert ever! Being a long time Prince fan (my favorite artist), it was a dream come true. I am taking my 10 & 15 year old daughters to the Nashville, TN concert on 5/6/04. My 10 year old is wearing out the CD I got from the last concert.

IAmTheTouch said:

Can't wait to tell you all about it in person!

hotnjucie said:

Thank you

Enjoy the Nashville concert...!!

summerdawn said:

Excellent! Good for you.The power of music! God bless it.

JavierAlcalde said:

I too have not come down off of my Prince experience. I think I am inlove!!

Thanks SummerDawn. You couldn't have put it better. And I should know since I was the guy standing next to you and your sister (I think). We all had 4th row seats and got put in that front row right in front of the dressing room under the stage. John Blackwell, Mike Phillips, Greg, Maceo, Candy and Chance all came down the stairs right in front of us when they took their breaks and always slapped all of our hands and hung out right in front of us. Prince even slapped our hands when he came out for the encore. I had to remind my girlfriend that she was going home with ME that night. I think our front row had the best time.

My girlfriend was seeing Prince for the first time. It was the greatest concert experience she's ever had. She still can't put words to her feelings. John Blackwell came down the stairs in front of us at one point and handed Star (my girlfriend) and the girl next to her (hi Wendy) his drumsticks. Star was just in awe. Again, I had to remind her that she was going home with ME!

Tears were shed during Purple Rain by the entire row it sounds like. For Star and I that song always meant a lot to us. We were seniors in high school back in 1984 when PP came out and were best friends. Our paths took us in different directions for a long time but 2 things always remained: Our love and friendship with each other, and our love of Prince. We'll be married sometime next spring...do you think Prince can paly?

Thanks to Prince, the NPG, the tour staff and the RBC staff. Everyone was great.

One last thing though, I totally understand how pople can be sitting behind the drums or horns or other corners of the stage and not be able to see anything. I was very worried that would happen to me but I got lucky. Now that I've seen how those seats are I understand anybody that bitches about them.

Bosco said:

Bosco... How great to see you...and I'm so glad you and your girlfriend had a great time It was a memorable night and it was a pleasure to meet you.

That was cool.