There is a slightly longer version of this story on my myspace page if anybody is interested in reading about my misadventures


I went and saw the Time at the Flamingo hotel and casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 24, 2008. This was my 4th show this year, my 40th over all and my first with all the original members.


Around 5:30 p.m the band had a sound check and I was invited to tag along. This was the first time I had ever seen Jesse Johnson in person and I was just amazed by the blues licks he was throwing out there just tuning up. Finally the band decided to run through a few numbers. The first was Cool and then The Skillet. This was one of the Coolest things ever, aside from sound people, I was the only person in the room. I was front row center, my own private Time concert. Morris actually came down and asked me how it sounded while the band was still playing then he would go to different areas of the venue to see how it sounded. When they did the Skillet, I thought I was going to die. They have been playing it live the last few years, but they cut it off before the solo. When Jesse kept going and did the full version, my jaw dropped to the floor. Jellybean told me later the look on my face was priceless. That right there alone was worth the trip, but man o man, that was just the beginning.

The band went to change and get ready for the show. I came back to pick up my VIP ticket. They were giving me problems at first, but eventually I got my ticket and found my seat in a booth near the front. There were several celebrities in attendance. Johnny Gill and Barry Bonds were one booth over from me. George Wallace and Kevin Smith were also in the house.You could hear Jesse tuning up behind the curtain. Finally the moment everybody had been waiting for was upon us.

Here is the Line-up
Morris Day- Vocals and Cool
Jerome Benton-Valet, Dancer, background vocals and general mischief maker
Jimmy Jam-Keyboards and MC
Monte Moir-Keyboards and lead vocals
Terry Lewis- Bass
Jellybean Johnson- Drums
Jesse Johnson-Guitar and lead vocals

Here is the set list with my ever insightful comments to follow
1. Intro
2. Get it up
3. Cool
4. Girl
5. Wild and Loose
6. 777-9311
7. The Stick
8. Blondie
9. My Drawers
10. Fishnet
11. The Oak Tree
12. Jerk Out
13. The Skillet!!!!!
14. Be Your Man
15. Can You Help Me
16. Free World
17 If you were here tonight- Monte on Vocals
18. What have you done for me lately?
19. Black Cat
20. See Thru-NEW SONG!!!
21. If the Kid can't make you come
22. Ice Cream Castles
23. Gigolos get lonely too
24. The Walk
25. The Bird
Encore
26. Jungle Love

WOW. This was probably the longest show they have ever done both song wise and total length of the show. It was at least 1 hour and 45 minutes long. The show started with the band playing and Jimmy Jam introducing all the members of the band. They then went back to the beginning with Get it up as the opener. The Keys were incredible. The addition of Jimmy Jam and the old school model keyboards they were using gave it that sound you got when they first did it back in the day. Next was Cool with Jimmy and Monte switching and playing each others keyboards. Morris and the band then gave a lesson on the half. They started with the one and a half, then the 7 1/2 and then the 11 1/2. That shit was funky as hell. Girl followed which was nice to see as it is my favorite ballad by the group. Wild and Loose brought the tempo back up and this was definitely a party. 777-9311 was next. Jesse was getting some feedback in the beginning, but by the time he got to the solo he had it fixed. The solo was to die for. I'm sure my jaw dropped again.

The Stick kept the funk rollin' and again the keys were just incredible. Jesse went off on Blondie with Jerome supplying the backing vocals. The rockin' continued with My Drawers and I was a happy camper indeed. Jerome came to the center of the stage for Fishnet doing what he does best gettin' the audience hyped. The man can definitely work a crowd. The Oak tree and Jerk Out followed.

This next section was the highlight of the show for me. The band launched into the Skillet. I can't even describe it. Morris left the stage to let Jesse do his thing and he certainly did. When he hit the solo, my big toe shot up in my boot(well actually my Stacy Adams) As incredible as the sound check was, the show version was even better. At the end of it, he launched into some straight up Hendrix riffs off the Cry of Love album, might have been In from the storm, but I'm not 100% sure, but what ever it was it ruled. Jesse was playing this funky ass rhythm and then did the OH, OH,OH from Be your man. I about died for the the billionth time today. This was power trio time. Jesse, Terry and Jellybean. No Keyboards. After a few verses they then went into Can You help me. You gotta be kiddin' me. Just when I thought I could take no more they went into the chorus of Free world. The audience got on its feet and I was pleasantly surprised they got such a reaction from a B side. Jesse left the stage for a well deserved break

Jimmy Jam fell back into the roll of MC and introduced Monte. Monte then sang If you were here tonight, the song that he wrote for Alexander O'Neal. Just in case you didn't know, the man can sing. Jimmy then talked about some of the things that they produced and the lovely Hedi Marie came out and sang What have you done for me lately. Jam introduced the next song that Jellybean originally wrote and played guitar on Black Cat. Bean stayed behind the kit and Jesse just kept tearing that shit up. It was very Cool to see all the members acknowledged for their work outside the band

A new song by the Time? 18 years of waiting and it was finally here. A funky little number called See Thru. Morris had some eye candy to help with the song. Three smokin' hot chicks from the X rated show thats also going on in the casino. Nice. if anybody doubted if they could come up with anything new and exciting, I think those doubts were smashed after this performance. Now normally I cringe at this next part, but Jesse was playing some serious Blues Licks during if the kid can't make you come, The blond that got pulled up there to dance with him really got into it as well. Ice Cream castles was next followed by Gigolos get lonely too.

The Bird started and Jerome went and got Johnny Gill, Barry Bonds and Kevin Smith to join the rest of the crowd on stage. Too Cool. The band left the stage, but came back later to close it out with the encore of Jungle Love. Can I say it again WOW, Double WOW. This was hands down the best concert I have ever seen and I've seen just about every Cool band there is to see. This is it right now. If you can make it out there, you need to take the trip to Vegas and see history in the making.
[Edited 6/28/08 12:29pm]
[Edited 7/7/08 13:35pm]
[Edited 7/16/08 13:58pm]

you lucky s.o.b!! soundcheck, front row, original 7..fit women...it really is the best gig ever.

I need immediate transport from ramsbottom u.k. to las vegas and someone to control the wife and her hostile reaction to my disappearance.

This is the concert that I have wanted to see for ever and frankly i cannot go.

any helpers?? any record producers willing to help me get to see their show? No i didn't think so. any good divorce lawyers if I do disappear for just a couple of days...probably not.

Thanks for the report and enjoy any future shows. I wish i was there.

I am sooo jealous. your report is incredible. this is history in the making.

I'm so, so, so envious; I could just fall to the floor and throw a temper tantrum at this point!

Very nice recount Rhastus. I took the liberty of reading version the extended version on your myspace account to get the full ordeal. Talk about the time of your life!