http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin...4VS671.DTL

James Sullivan, Chronicle Pop Culture Critic Monday, February 16, 2004

The Fillmore, damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, reopened a decade ago after major retrofitting. Prince threatened to bring down the old ballroom Saturday with his patented after-hours housequake, but the building survived.

The short-notice event at the 1,200-capacity Fillmore (there was a second show Sunday) registered about a 5.5 on the funky Richter scale: There were some stirring jolts early on, but then an eerie calm settled in. Prince is a seismic entertainer, but he only makes the earth move when he truly feels like it.

These days, Prince is being retrofitted for royalty. Despite the fact that he now operates far outside the music establishment, releasing his own records and bringing his righteousness directly to the people, Jehovah's Witness-style, his opening showcase at the Grammy Awards earlier this month proved he's still a superstar. Beyonce Knowles, the night's biggest winner, gladly played second fiddle.

On Saturday, P. Diddy and Mary J. Blige were in the house, paying respect.

To generations of R&B and hip-hop stars, Prince is Bob Dylan. Bear with me: Both are diminutive, well-coiffed originals who have subsumed fundamental lessons from the musical giants who preceded them (in Prince's case, the molten guitar of Jimi Hendrix and the relentless groove of James Brown). Both have worked out their spiritual yearnings onstage, hauling their fans along for the search. And both are blessed with a profound watchability, even when they are muddling through phases of mediocrity.

The "1999" album was not one of those phases, and when Prince launched into the delirious robotics of "D.M.S.R." -- dance music sex romance -- it seemed as though the night might instigate all of the above. Saturday was Valentine's Day; "April Fools'," Prince said, pointing out that the show didn't start until well after midnight.

Inviting some handpicked members of the audience onstage to dance, he was almost upstaged by an overeager guy in a suit and a red power tie. "Don't know about that haircut," the singer joked, nodding toward the guy's shiny pate.

The quick-change medleys are what make the Prince revue more than just another show. One highlight Saturday featured "I Feel for You," the Prince song that was a smash for Chaka Khan way back in '84, segueing into an extended "Controversy." Special guest Maceo Parker, the pedigreed saxophonist (James Brown, P-Funk), led a lengthy instrumental breakdown while the bandleader stole away for a costume change.

After just an hour, the band bid good night, only to return for an hourlong encore. Prince acknowledged the Bay Area with a taste of Tower of Power's "What Is Hip?", then ran the band through fragments of other funk classics -- "Love Rollercoaster," "Brick House," "Skin Tight." Disappointingly, however, he mostly ignored his own vast catalog.

After the lights went up at 3 a.m., the band came out for one final jam. Led by Parker, they played a raucous, second-line instrumental version of the gospel standard "Down by the Riverside."

It might have been taken as a subtle comment on current events -- "Gonna study war no more," the lyric says -- but Prince was busy slapping his band mates with a towel. He's in his own world; fans are just happy to sneak a peek from time to time.

Still tired after last night...but here goes... This would be for the SUNDAY show.

Waited in line a long time...but members got to go in first. Very organized no problems. Fillmore was beautiful and the Chandeliers were lit purple. Concert Started about 12:45 am. Not sure when we got out of there. BTW his band was AWESOME and did not miss a note!

Set list...a bit spotty, but I think I got most of it.

Beautiful Ones –Classic Song. Great rendition of it.
Nothing Compares 2 U
Insatiable
Sign of the Times –Great and made it quite funky. Definitely reworked.
Pass the Peas –This could be the Madhouse Jam that never was. Oh my god this song was off the hook.
Question of U –Maceo Parker Joined –Long Jam. Simply beautiful. Not a big fan of the song, but this made it worth the ticket price alone. He does that you know?
Let ’s Work –Very Funky and segues into
U got the Look –Again tore the funk off of this one
???
Soul Man
Kiss – Long and funky
Take Me with U –pleased the crowd - Said his first thank you of the evening.
Everlasting Now –Everybody was shaking their booty to this.
I wanna take you higher –Larry Graham came out during this encore song
Days of Wild –Again another song that is not one of my favorites, but he funked it out so hard, it was a standout for the evening..I was still hearing it when I got home.
America –Great as it should be. Not that long though. The crowd didn't seem too into it...I was towards the back though.
House Party
I like the way you work it

We did not stay very long after that. They handed out Prince posters (they finally did one for him) at the end. Everybody had a blast. Not too many covers on this night. It does seem like he is preparing for his hits tour esp with Sign O' the Times, America, Nothing compares 2 U and Let's work.

Not much of a review I know...I'm operating on very little sleep. It was a great show and worth every penny. Last time I saw him was the Jam of the year show in Chicago and this was definitely better than that.

reply to this post

Sweeeet!

T H A N K Y O U superspaceboy for posting and listing the songs
Damn! it sounds like you got to see a hell of a show!
[This message was edited Mon Feb 16 14:24:53 2004 by chewymusic]

I think he wants to be popular again, but singing "Purple Rain" for the 1 millionth time and covering old Lionel Richie/Tower of Power isn't gonna get him too far. He's gotta have new material-his last cd was in 2001-it's 2004 now, and for the almost 3 years in between all he can present is "Musicology"? That song doesn't inspire confidence in what is left of his songwriting abilities.

Who, exactly is this tour for? The fans are bored with "Let's Go Crazy" and want new stuff. Peripherial fans don'twant to hear his take on Ohio Players oldies. I think he's confused-he wants popularity again but has nothing new to say.Never mind he is a great live show.

Maybe thats why he's warming to Wendy Melvoin again-he's desperate.That's great that he appeared on the Grammy's, and that the die-hards recognize it's the 20th anniversary of "Purple Rain", but without evidence of anything frash and exciting, this latest tour/year is nothing to get excited about.
[This message was edited Mon Feb 16 14:56:00 2004 by warning2all]

His last CD was not 2001!!

Damn, man!

superspaceboy said:

Warning2all, What the hell are you talking about? Prince it at the stage in his career where he doesn't have to appeal to the masses. Great musicians usually don't. These are his songs and if he wants to play them on any given night then that is his choice. If you don't like his songs or the way that he is running his career then don't but the music or go to the shows. What are you a manager now? Give me a freaking break. Its his career, his songs, his concerts, and his business what he wants to play on any given night. Some people are never satified. And to say that he is warming up to Wendy to sell records is just stupid. No matter what he does in his career ,people always find something negative to say. Prince and Wendy were always cool. That doesn't mean that they agreed on everything, but they were always cool.If they want to talk and play with each other then thats their choice. Their adults they can do what the hell they want to do. Free your mind and your ass will follow.

Larry came on stage





















uh oh... Heeeee's Baaaaack...

I love Larry. Praze Jesus, and pass the peas.

Therapy said:

Hi!

I mean his last official major studio album release was in 2001. The live box and NEWS don't count in that way.

Prince has nothing to prove and owes us nothing-

BUT it's telling that in almost 3 years since his last studio album, he isn't working out much new material-indeed, he sees old Lionel Richie more worthy.

I just think he's got his best band ever right now, but is turning to Wendy and Lisa because he needs help. He's the best live act on the planet, but can't write any good new material. Why else reform the Revolution when you got the current NPG? Cuaus the pen is dry!

Bull said:

Hi!

1)Prince seems to think he DOES have to appeal to the masses or he wouldn't appear on the Grammys with music's hottest star, or seek a new deal with a label for maximum distribution, promotion, and exposure.

2)Does he REALLY want to play these songs, since he has pronounced them "retired" in the past, or are these the songs that are gonna get him noticed?

3) Ha ha, no I don't think I'm his manager, nor do I say I don't like his songs! I'm not saying i'm not satisfied.

4) I remember in 1999, Neil Finn said Prince approached Wendy & Lisa because he "was struggling". That came from Prince. Now Prince is approaching (at least) Wendy again, and it's been since 2001 that he's been able to put together a new album of songs. So, I don't think my speculation is, "stupid" as you call it. And I'm not being "negative" as you say- it's just an opinion.

Bull- don't confuse opinions with being positive or negative. If you want to put on pom-poms go ahead, so be it. If someone finds something good, bad, or indifferent-that's an OPINION-not being negative.If that's your response- then you're missing the point.If you want to hear Prince doing "Brick House" instead of anything NEW, good for you. That, in turn, does NOT make you "positive".

Cheers, good buddy!