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Now he's formally the prince of funk
Noel Mengel
28oct03
BEHOLD, it's the Great Wall of Funk.

Prince might have experienced declining record sales, confused fans with the artist-formerly-known-as saga and been absent from these shores for 11 years, but this Australian tour showed he has lost none of his powers as a performer. }}}

He concluded the trip last night with a show that barely paused for breath, dipping into a vast back catalogue and sending the crowd into funk heaven.

The set featured a healthy slab of tunes from his most-popular album, Purple Rain, kicking off with the call to party Let's go Crazy before going back to early favourites such as Controversy.

He also delivered a soulful version of Nothing Compares 2 U, his massive hit for Sinead O'Connor.

Prince has made some of the most enduring pop-funk records this side of Sly and the Family Stone, but what you might not get from the records is the sheer breadth of the talent. On stage, it's impossible to miss.

Great singer and author of some of the most enduring hits of the past 20 years? Check.

Hotshot guitar player who can deliver wrist-snapping R&B or searing rock'n'roll? Check.

James Brown dance moves? Soulful grooves at the piano?

No problem.

And all backed by the latest edition of the New Power Generation, a band which lays down a joyous, bubbling brand of funk.

The crowd didn't need any persuasion to join in, including the fans who paid top dollar to watch the show from the side of the stage and who were invited out to dance among the band.

With James Brown's greatest sax man Maceo Parker delivering his trademark stabbing licks, plus trombonist Greg Boyer, three keyboard players and the super-tight rhythms of bassist Rhonda Smith and drummer John Blackwell, Prince is working with a band that is just as right for his music as the E Street Band is for Bruce Springsteen's.

There were ample opportunities for the band to stretch out, ably swinging from jazz to soul and stinging rock'n'roll.

This tour has been billed as the last time Prince will play his array of old hits. It's hard to imagine them getting a more celebratory send-off.

Thats quite a good review.

I think that this is the kind of tour that we all wish Hit'n'Run had been. It certainly seems to be shaping up that way. I'd like to know if he's playing the songs in their entirety or not, but i'm sure that if he's retiring the songz the Man will send them off in fine style. I can't wait for this tour to hit the states. If god is kind i'll end up onstage wit the NPG! Bring it on home Prince! We miss u brother!

Sweet!

getwild007 said:

I agree comletely...I hate those damn medleys that he plays sometimes. I mean the piano medley is fine, but I'd rather hear less songs and have the songs be complete or close to it. I just loved when he played the complete Raspberry Beret on the last tour.

I wouldn't assume that he is going to tour the States. I think maybe he just played a few Australian dates because he was already in Hong Kong in the vicinity. I have a feeling that they paid him an absurd amount of money to play Honk Kong which is the only reason he did it.