I attended the kickoff show for the latest Hit-n-Run Tour at the Atlanta Civic Center last night. I drove down from Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, NC and then drove back today. I had hoped to stay for tonight's "Aftershow" like performance, but alas, my tax forms and my job brought me home.



Anyway, got to the Civic Center around 7 and found NO line for the will call. I had gotten my tix Thursday afternoon with the NPG Music Club password and scored sixth row center (actually 9th row due to three extra rows of tickets that apparently went to radio station winners). The doors to the venue were not opened until 8 and by then a long line had formed and I had the opportunity to converse with some ATL area fans (first met Stephanie there!).



Once inside we were treated to muted sounds of the Fonky Baldheads soundcheck. Around 8:40, the doors were finally opened. Ahdio Transmission #3 was played over the PA prior to the first set. At 9:20, Millenia was introduced by the Kiss 104 DJ and the four ladies strode onstage. They performed 4 songs (which at times appeared to be lip-synced) while contributing a choreographed routine. Tentative song titles are "Turn Back Now", "Pour Me", "Let Him Go", and lastly "Stay Out My Back Yard" with a brief appearance by DVS. While the ladies can sing, I'm doubtful they'll go far. Unfortunately, the largest (and best singer) was showing a "plumber's crack" that was noticed by those in attendance. One male humorously, but also disrespectfully, yelled this fact out in-between songs. While it may have been funny and accurate, I don't think Prince would appreciate it and I'm sure the young lady didn't either.



The Fonky Baldheads were up next and these fellas are talented. Their setlist was to the best of my ability (almost all song titles are guesses):



Funky Good Times/Higher

Dance With Me (with DVS)

Call Your Name (with DVS and brief appearance by Prince on keys and backing vocals)

Instrumental jam (could be on Ahdio Transmission #1)

Anotherloverholenyohead

Sound the Same (with DVS)

Hate You More (with DVS)

Rowdy



They played for about 40 minutes and it was great to see Kirky J and Rev. Scott. Note to Prince, put the Rev back in the NPG.



At 10:45, the lights went out as the NPG recorded intro began. Prince strode onstage to Blackwell's snare riffs and broke into Uptown while strumming his old school Telecaster. The show continued with Controversy/Mutiny with Prince on guitar and then with an organ solo in Mutiny after Najee's first appearance. Prince gave props to "ATL" and pointed out that T-Boz, Dallas Austin, and Chuck D. were in the house. Millenia joined onstage for The Work which sounded much better live with Prince's chicken scratch rhythm guitar. Cream followed and then Little Red Corvette was adjusted with Najee playing the guitar solo on sax...actually a cool revision.



The hits continued with I Wanna Be Your Lover and an instrumental of Sexy Dancer that included a female audience member dancing on stage to which Prince stated "Who's Mama is this?" He then told T-Boz she was next but she refused all night long. Housequake included solos by Mr. Hayes and Blackwell's water bottle trick. Prince sang The Ballad of Dorothy Parker before leaving the stage for band solos including Najee's flute solo which incorporated Summertime.



Kip sang lead on a Donnie Hathaway old R-n-B cover perhaps called "Take It From Me."? U Make My Sun Shine then continued with Millenia filling in for Angie Stone. I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man included Prince's psychedelic guitar solo. After Prince left the stage to change clothes, he returned for Do Me, Baby and threw his towel to a girl in the front row. Insatiable, Scandalous, and Diamonds and Pearls followed in the medley. The Beautiful Ones had many a woman crying and Nothing Compares 2 U finished off the regular set.



After the programmed interlude, Mr. Hayes strutted back on to play the organ intro to Let's Go Crazy and Prince followed with an incredible guitar solo on Habibi. Take Me With U and Raspberry Beret found Prince on acoustic guitar and Darling Nikki again had the incredible schoolgirl routine. At the end, Prince took Geneva's left after panties and stuffed them down his pants!! When Doves Cry was again an instrumental without Prince and Najee soloed on Father' Song which segued into Computer Blue.



The newly arranged Baby I'm A Star followed Geneva's jaw dropping gymnastics. God was next with Najee on sax as Prince played keys and the show closed with Purple Rain during which the speakers on the right of the stage blew.



Sound appeared to bother Prince throughout the night as he continuously motioned for certain instruments to be turned up or down. He even joked to Dallas Austin to go to the soundboard and make it right.



Overall, a great experience from only 25 feet away but I wanted more (not that 4 hours would be enough!). I hoped that I would get on stage with my new friend Stephanie but alas there was no crowd dancealong of Kiss or Come On. Prince only played 1:50 despite telling us that he "already paid for the curfew." He was in a good mood as he ensured us that all "his people" love one another in contrast to what's going on in Cincinnati. He joked with T-Boz that he "may not sell as many albums but he takes more $ home" and that they didn't have to go on Behind the Music and tell everybody about it!! Still more new songs would have been nice.


Oh well, there's always next time



Peace and B Wild