The Louisville Scene, part of the Courier-Journal, posted a review of the March 9 Prince concert in Louisville. Here's the link:
http://www.louisvillescen...rince.html

Prince
Prince drops funk bomb in 3-hour Palace performance

By JEFFREY LEE PUCKETT • March 11, 2002
jpuckett@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal
About halfway through his performance Saturday night at the Louisville Palace, Prince strutted across the stage -- he never does less than strut -- and offered his own critique of the song just finished.

"Now that was some old school."

So was much of Prince's stunning three-hour performance, which was fueled by the spirit of 1970s funk and soul and powered by a band so tight that James Brown himself might have rehearsed it.

{{{Prince's tour has been described by critics and fans at previous stops as being jazz oriented, but Saturday night Prince was clearly feeling supergroovalistic, to borrow a phrase from Parliament-Funkadelic. Jazz was a distant second to sweet soul music.}}}

There were the obvious moments with covers of the Delfonics' "La-La Means I Love You" and a funk-bomb version of the Ohio Players' "Love Rollercoaster." But most of the old-school vibe was imbedded in Prince's performance; it was just there, an organic thing.

The piano medleys at the beginning and end of the sold-out concert were showcases of soulful singing, spiked by Prince's startling falsetto and gospel-drenched piano playing. Even a new ballad that decried Abraham Lincoln as a racist sounded like the Chi-Lites.

But because this was Prince, there was no way he was sticking to one style. "Raspberry Beret" and "When You Were Mine" were full-on power pop, hard and crunchy and oh-so-sweet. There was some jazz, as promised, especially on an extended version of "Rainbow Children," which featured a long piano improvisation.

And then there was the instrumental medley of Santana songs, which sounds like a bad idea until heard in the context of the show. Prince, always a closet guitar hero, played spectacularly all night, driving the songs with a strong right hand and reeling off dozens of solos.

So why not a Santana medley? He shredded it beautifully, just as he shredded the entire performance, proving once again that chronic eccentricity, odd career moves and his continuing fall from superstar status have nothing to do with his artistry, which remains pure and strong.

In fact, his artistry may be stronger than ever. Prince performed mostly new songs from his "The Rainbow Children" album, and for most musicians that would be the kiss of death; fans want to hear their favorites.

But Prince and his three-piece band brought such emotional fire to the new songs that it scarcely mattered his most famous songs were ignored. It didn't hurt that the famously reclusive Prince seemed to be having a good time.

To paraphrase one of his best songs, Prince is one charming -----.

I'm no fan of "critics" per se, but have to weigh in here and say this guy was right on.Especially with the groovalistic soul feel to the show.His guitar playing is one of his strengths (being an oldschool air guitar guy myself) and he absolutely shredded. Good to see this guy wasn't confused by a "mixed message"..lol

When was the last tour Prince played more 4 of his new music, from his latest cd??? Bring on da newfunk!

I think we need to c&p this quote, and throw it up everytime someone uses the lame excuse of lack of chart success as an indication that Prince "isn't what he used to be"..

well said WellBeyond... Critics rn't as Important 2 the Subject Matter. P is in Control (by God's Hand). if a critic sez that a Movie or Album isn't worth the purchase then i run 2 pick it up or go see it.

they're usually wrong (by my Oppinion), usually...

wellbeyond said:

I think we need to c&p this quote about this quote and throw it up everytime someone uses the lame argument that critics never know what they're talking about.

sounds very expressing and interesting.. well, come over 2 europe, weR awaiting ya! hurry up please, we might book over vacation... minneapolis is 2 far and expensive 4 me this time....fabhouse

It is nice to know there are music critics out there who judge Prince musically and not on chart placement.
And if todays so-called superstars and hitmakers are anything to go by, I hope Prince keeps on falling from superstar status.
Most of the singers and musicians today are so bland, and they try so hard to say all the right things and not offend anybody, it just makes me appreciate Prince even more.
Lately, the record industry has been singing the blues about slumping record sales. The corporization of the music industry as a whole is slowly ruining it. Meanwhile, Prince is still going strong. No wonder he's so happy these days. Mani probably plays a part in that too.

feel4u2k2 said:

Well... you know what they say... "behind every good man is a good woman". I hope that's the case with Prince and Mani.