The ‘Last’ Time ....? (A Review of the ‘last’ Time show in Vegas – August 2, 2008)

As my son David and I headed toward Vegas, from LA, Saturday morning, I had mixed feelings about this show. I was psyched to again see one of the funkiest and unarguably the tightest band complete their triumphant return. At the same time, I didn’t want to see the run end and I wondered if we would ever see the original seven together again. Just five weeks earlier, we had descended upon Sin City to catch their debut show that had me so stoked, I could not sleep afterward. I felt like a kid on Christmas Eve.

Pulling up to the Flamingo, the enormous screen in front of Bally’s was promoting the Time’s reunion, with clips of each member. The first sign that I had that this might be a special night was when we picked up our tickets at the Flamingo box office. There were several people, whom I assumed were Time fans, huddled around. Getting closer, I saw they were reading a sign posted on the counter stating that the show was ‘sold out’. I would overhear that these fans had traveled from afar only to be ticket-less. With our VIP tickets in-hand (Yes, I’m addicted to the meet & greet), we checked into our hotel and tried to rest before the festivities.

We arrived at the Flamingo show room at 7pm, and were immediately greeted by several Prince.Org luminaries. Many people recognized David from the pictures posted with my first review and approached us. Seated right across the table from us was “Somethinginthewater”. We also got the chance to chat with Joseph (from Memphis), Plaid (from Philly), and Debbie (from Vegas). Before the show started, I got the chance to meet the “ultimate” Time fan, Rhastus. My man had been in Vegas all week and caught every show!!! He warned me that the act was getting even tighter and that Jesse was killin’ them all. I could barely contain myself !!

The crowd filled the venue early and you could feel the excitement/tension in the air. The show started at about 7:45, again without the ticking clock and bells tolling. The band jumped right into the intro music, with Jimmy Jam acknowledging each member of the group, then flowed right into Get It Up. The stage was sparsely decorated with a large video screen up above Jellybean and some neon stripes running across the back of the stage. The band was in their traditional places with Jam, Jellybean, and Monte in the back (left to right) and Terry, Morris, Jerome, and Jesse up front. Jesse broke out the white Flying V tonight.

The set list was:

Get It Up
Cool (with extended music lesson)
Wild & Loose
777-9311
The Stick
Blondie
My Drawers
Fishnet
Oak Tree
Jerk Out
Skillet (Jesse breaks into a killer solo)

(Morris, Jam, and Monte leave the stage)

Red House(I didn’t know the name of this tune, but Jesse played 3 minutes of blues with Terry and Jellybean that brought the house down!!!)

Be Your Man
Can You Help Me
Free World

If You Were Here Tonight (Monte singing)

What Have You Done For Me Lately
Black Cat (Both sung by Heide Marie)

See Thru

If The Kid Can’t Make You Come (with the traditional lineup of women from the audience)
Ice Cream Castles
Gigolos Get Lonely Too
The Walk
The Bird
Jungle Love


There are several memories/thoughts that jump out at me after this experience:

 Like Rhastus said, this band has gotten tighter and plays together like no other I have ever seen.
 Jesse is definitely one of the baddest guitar players on the planet. When he finished his blues jam, you could see the crowd was stunned in amazement.
 Morris and Jerome are the consummate entertainers. They had all of us rolling with their jokes and facial expressions. I am still floored every time Jerome does the splits during Jerk Out.
 Jellybean is the hardest working brother out there. He was the only member who did not get a break, and he kept it right in the pocket.
 Jam, Terry, Jellybean, and Monte demonstrate such humility. They, seemingly, allow some of the other members to draw more attention while they play expertly and provide the backbone for the group.

The energy of the audience and the Time was much higher than the first show we saw. You could sense that the band was in complete synch and knew how to get the crowd to respond. A couple other ‘incidences’ that warrant comment:

 During “The Kid”, as they were bringing the women on stage, Jesse kissed one young lady. Morris teased him that he should ‘cut it out’, to which Jesse responded that it was his little sister (she looked a lot like Salli Richardson). Morris then said, “For real Jesse, that’s your little sister? Well, you might want to ask her to leave the stage, cause it’s about to get nasty up in here.” That had everyone, including Jesse,rolling.
 Also during “Kid”, while Morris is asking Jerome to bring him one of the ladies, Jesse’s soloing gets alittle loud and drowns Morris out. Morris tries to get Jesse’s attention (Jesse’s attention is elsewhere) and jokes about how much Jesse loves his guitar.
 One of the ladies brings her dog on stage.


After Jungle Love, you can see the how energized everyone was and unlike most Vegas shows, the audience takes their time leaving -- talking about the great show we had just witnessed.

The Meet & Greet is more organized than the first show. The VIP ticket holders received an autographed photo and get to take a picture with the entire band. When David went up for his picture, Jerome says to Morris, “I think this is someone we know.” and embraces David. A little later, we bumped into Jellybean who was gracious and thanked us for coming. I wonder if he realizes the great memories he and he fellas have provided to all the fans.

I don’t know if this Time will ever play together again (Jimmy Jam seemed to hint that this would not be the last time), but I certainly hope they stay together. Music needs groups that can play and entertain audiences, live. The first show had me reflecting on the potential greatness of this band if they had remained intact 18 years ago. But like the Time, I am older (and hopefully wiser) and I accept/enjoy the special moments for what they are. And if they play more dates somewhere, we will be there (with Rhastus, I’m sure).

Peace

- JD Washington


[Edited 8/4/08 5:44am]

Another Great review JD.

It was very cool to meet you before the show and chat with you and your son a little bit afterwards

The blues song Jesse did was Red House by Jimi Hendrix and it was absolutely the best non Hendrix version of it I have ever heard.

Keep your eyes and ears open folks

It ain't over

Rhastus said:

Thanks.

It was great to meet you too, and I hope you had a good trip back. I am sure we will connect again -- especially if the fellas keep playing.

- JD

Thanks for sharing your experience again for those of us not fortunate enough to be there. These guys need to release a DVD of the concert so all of us outside the USA can get some of the action!!!

It was a great show!!! Jesse killd me with the "Blues" tune. He should cut a blues record!!
Morris didn't sound as great as the first week. His voice sounded weak and his energy was low. Is is ill??
I'm hearing rumours of them reuinting again for one (SEPTEMBER) date in MPLS!!!
Just remember, you heard it here first!!!

Great review, JD. It was a pleasure to meet you at the show!

somethinginthewater said:

Thanks. It was a pleasure meeting you too.

I am still riding a high from the show. Jesse was incredible.

- JD

Ain't nobody bad...like JD and David. Thanks for the great review and as I said before, it was great meeting you and sitting next to you at the first Vegas show back in June. Real musicians playing real music...and bringing people together in the process.
Peace,
JD Silva

The TIME in Vegas review on the Prince Podcast.

http://prince.org/msg/5/278262


- JD
[Edited 8/4/08 21:55pm]

jds311 said:

JD:

Thanks. David and I are getting addicted to this.

It was a pleasure to meet you and your wife. These shows, as you said, are a great way of bring folks together. Hopefully, they will find a way to keep playing.

- JD Washington

P.S. Since the time you pointed him out to me, I have checked out all of the Kevin Smith movies. Thanks, again.

Here is a copy of the autographed photo that was given during the meet and greet:

u think they shoulda done "Fishnet" since that song was the 1st time they'd gotten 2gether since 82' or how 'bout "don't wait for me" ?
[Edited 8/5/08 17:08pm]

diamondpearl1 said:

They did perform Fishnet in Vegas.

Also, i don't think all of the original members performed on that. I believe Jesse and Monte were absent.

- JD

jwashin4 said:

i always thought ever since i heard the song, that if the fellas ever reunited and brought out a few suprises that'd be the sickest one...'specially if Morris played the drums on it live, and Jesse and Jellybean dueled on guitars against Jimmy and Monte's keyboards....
[Edited 8/5/08 18:46pm]

diamondpearl1 said:

Funny you should say that. I have always preferred the live version of this song.

Good review !! Thanks.

- Instant Funk