I might be doing my first performance situation with a group doing the "funkier side of jazz" (Herbie Hancock, Ramsey Lewis etc.).

I can suggest one song and I want to do something Prince or protege'ish.

It has to be something that has a good groove, and allows various bandmembers to solo over (there wont' be any vocals).

Any suggestions?

It shoudl probably something people will recognize. I was thinking "I Feel 4 U", or "Glamorous Life"....but I've never done this before. so wondering if anyone has any experience doing a P tune like this (all instrumental and funky jazz feel).

Thanks.

GaryMF said:

I was going to suggest this, as I've heard Frank ( http://frankaxtell.com ) do this live and everyone taking a solo and it grooved really good.

Lot's of stuff you could do. But that particular melody, everyone will recognize and ears will perk up everytime you go into the lead line.

Great post!

The "Livesexy" video has some good improv ideas over this song and many others that good be used in a jazz set.

Well Glamorous Life is one of my favorite songs of all time (big shocker, based on my avatar!).

I've seen Sheila do it live many times and she also jazzes it up.

I don't think we'll have percussion and I can't imagine this song being done without some timbale.....(and if we did have timbales I'd have to go play them even though I'm on keys!!!).

I saw the Lovesexy tour in NYC twice but they didnt' play TGL..... did he add it in the European set that Livesexy is based on??

Mmmm im rather Partial to Prince's Jazz Version of Dorothy Parker
I performed it at a jaz club in Soho, and it got a great response...

That version is kinda half and half with Madhouse 4.
(if you need further listen)

Xenophobia!
I do iyt live with my band and it's great fun to play. Lots of herbie-ish keyboard tricks too!
[Edited 10/5/04 5:14am]

An extended version of 'Gangster Glam' - Clockin' the Jizz

There are also some interesting jams that you could run with in the extended versions of Mountains and Kiss.

Pop-Life also comes to mind when I hear the ONA version. I like the re-worked hook. There is an old Revolution rehersal that I had where they did the same thing back then live where they threw in Fraragocka (sp?) in there as well. Worked pretty cool.

yamomma said:

Which song are you referring to in this reply?

ALso, did P do Glamorous life in Euro Lovesexy shows cuz it wasn't in the NYC dates.

yamomma said:

Yeah I was thinking about Mountains..... Eric and Matt do let loose on the extended versions.

And I've been wanting to scream out "Guitars and Drums on the 1....unhhh!" for about 20 years!

I thinkI know the Pop Life vesrion you're referring to.

BTW this will be my first performance if this happens.... so we'l see. Thanks for the suggestions!

I've heard of a jazzy version of Dorthy Parker that I think was done on Jay Leno a while ago. I love it and other than the NEWS album, I would stick with piano based, slow tunes and add some jazz chords.

Then again, what the hell do I know

GaryMF said:

I was referring to the jazzed version of Dorothy Parker. It's a combination of Madhouse 4 and Dorothy Parker. Yes. Same version that he did on Leno. He also worked these together quite some time ago around when the Madhouse album first came out.

The Livesexy Video that I have. It's actually called "Livesexy". And i'm sorry. After listening to it again, it was Love Bizarre, Not Glamerous Life. Not sure How I got those two mixed up. But that had some great improv on it too! Love Bizzare that is.

In fact I think that would be the PERFECT melody to play live! So many people know that lead line, but have no idea where it came from. I think I heard Frank do this one also. Great groove for the bass player to kick back.

Dang! I just realized I don't have this one on CD! I gotta find that one. Romance 1600 right? I have just about everything in my iTunes now. So easy just to audition all those songs just a click away.

Anotherholeinyohead,Dorothy Parker,Alexa di Paris,Chocolate...

yamomma said:

Yeah I'm thinking about that too. The song is on Romance 1600 but that version os NOTHING like the way P and Sheila do it live. Sheila especially makes it really jazzy live... and you're right about the bass.... she usually gives the bass player an oppty to really tear it up.

I wish LIvesexy was available in the states.

This is all speculation (cuz I dont know what the deal is yet with this thing) but it woudl be cool to do Glamrous life and throw in the lead from Love Bizarre during a solo, or vice versa.

I dont' have the chart to LB though so that will require more work

I'm sure you could figure out the leed line by yourself. Then just groove and solo around the same key.