Prince and Co. Prove They're the Purple Pros in Energetic Jam

By NATALIE NICHOLS, Special to The Times

"You're gonna have the best time of your life tonight," Prince promised the capacity Hollywood Palladium crowd on Friday, as he and his band, the New Power Generation, kicked off a marathon celebration of his sexy, soulful funk-pop. Good thing he was right, considering the 90-minute delay in opening the venue's doors, but the Purple One made good with a show underscoring his enduring appeal as well as his musical roots.

Part of his appropriately titled "Hit and Run Tour," the show featured more than two hours of medleys and jams on favorites from Prince's career that rarely stayed with any tune longer than a verse and a couple choruses.

But what a powerful reminder of his many stellar moments over the past two decades. "Little Red Corvette." "Let's Go Crazy." "Nothing Compares 2 U." "When Doves Cry." "Kiss." Etc., etc.

If some fans hankered for more than strung-together snippets, Prince wasn't slacking off. Pinging around stage, he conducted the up to seven musicians, backing-vocal quartet Millenia and one dancer. He growled erotically and used his falsetto squeal to heart-stunning effect. Alternately naughty-coy and commanding, he urged fans to "Sing with me!" (which often meant "Sing instead of me!").

The nonstop momentum and Prince's funky, wide-open-spaces guitar work evoked the spectacle of the early James Brown Revue with its quick changes and high energy. The band layered percussive lines of saxophone, bass, drums, keyboards and guitar into limber polyrhythmic waves.

The selections reflected his potent charms as a writer who relishes the sensual, making even casual sexual encounters dramatically romantic. His style is still deeply ingrained in R&B-pop. It was clear that none of today's hit-makers can take it to the stage like Prince.

Copyright 2001 Los Angeles Times