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Tamar-Fillmore Show Review I really didn't expect much Prince (you learn to do that sometimes). And most people were a lot more optimistic about seeing a show where they knew no material by the artist. And most people had no idea what Prince's involvement would be that night (we just knew he was just helping out that night-guitar some singing).
The line went smooth, and surprisingly everything went on time (doors at 10, show 12). The show itself was not so great. Tamar's voice is a little too screechy, apollo theater style for me, too much over singing. I think "the twins" are hot (Tamar's back up singers). But that wore off pretty quick. Tamar really tried to engage the audience, and get people to sing along to her songs. But no one knew her songs. It made sense on the covers (mostly common & hit soul songs), but having her sing along too her songs- was just confusing. The stage presence was a little cliche, and typical. And Tamar and the twins opted for mock emotion (fake crying, fake conversation) or old concert tricks (seduce the male audience member-sing to him). The band was pretty tight (PRINCE-on guitar, Morris Hayes-on Keys, and that new rhythm section he has). Prince didn't sing much, he just chimed in to hype up the crowd. I have to say that some of the covers were just embarrassing and beneath Prince, and it seemed like he took his cues from a bad soul band at wedding reception (yes, they played "Play That Funky Music White Boy"). A audience member ("a white boy") sang it from the audience, and actually really tore it up (props man, u were the highlight of the show). Back to Prince/Tamar's bad covers: they played "don't stop til you get it up" the MJ song into "What have you don't for me lately". Of course there was the Graham Central Station medley (cue psycho theme). Pretty sub-par, and forced. I was really bummed, and bored with the show. Even Prince couldn't save it. His guitar playing was amazing, and the band was okay...a little soft, not as heavy and edgy with this new rhythm section. And for the most part it really went on way too long (about 2 hours-remember mostly covers, and songs I've never heard in my life). And the audience was pretty tame for the most part. And when Tamar and Prince would get some momentum they'd shift directions and play a excruciatingly bad (long) ballad, full of Tamar's vocal gymnastics. Overall, I'm really perplexed and confused. I don't understand what Prince is doing when he has a new album around the corner. Prince is definitely trying to hip us to this new artist he's working with...I just don't think she has the material...and I'll give her another chance when she's ready, but she is just boring. Last night WAS NOT the night. Her show is way to scripted, and cue crazy. You really could see everything that is going to happen a couple seconds before it does. This whole Tamar project Prince has got just isn't working for me, and it was overall-just boring show. That was my take... nn | |
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Why is "Don't stop till you get enough" beneath Prince? 
And what is bad about songs you never heard in your life?
Anyway, thanks for giving a little "counter-report" to all the others. [Edited 1/31/06 9:27am] | |
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neronava said: . . . A audience member ("a white boy") sang it from the audience, and actually really tore it up (props man, u were the highlight of the show)
uh oh  | |
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note to self...
This broad has done a few shows and there have been a couple of reviews of them. Now, if I know I don't like soul music (past or current), then I can probably gather that this isn't the show for me... regardless of whether Prince is there or not. Therefore if I willingly go see the show, I'm probably punishing myself ...end note to self [Edited 1/31/06 10:11am] | |
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neronava said: I really didn't expect much Prince (you learn to do that sometimes). And most people were a lot more optimistic about seeing a show where they knew no material by the artist. And most people had no idea what Prince's involvement would be that night (we just knew he was just helping out that night-guitar some singing).
The line went smooth, and surprisingly everything went on time (doors at 10, show 12). The show itself was not so great. Tamar's voice is a little too screechy, apollo theater style for me, too much over singing. I think "the twins" are hot (Tamar's back up singers). But that wore off pretty quick. Tamar really tried to engage the audience, and get people to sing along to her songs. But no one knew her songs. It made sense on the covers (mostly common & hit soul songs), but having her sing along too her songs- was just confusing. The stage presence was a little cliche, and typical. And Tamar and the twins opted for mock emotion (fake crying, fake conversation) or old concert tricks (seduce the male audience member-sing to him). The band was pretty tight (PRINCE-on guitar, Morris Hayes-on Keys, and that new rhythm section he has). Prince didn't sing much, he just chimed in to hype up the crowd. I have to say that some of the covers were just embarrassing and beneath Prince, and it seemed like he took his cues from a bad soul band at wedding reception (yes, they played "Play That Funky Music White Boy"). A audience member ("a white boy") sang it from the audience, and actually really tore it up (props man, u were the highlight of the show). Back to Prince/Tamar's bad covers: they played "don't stop til you get it up" the MJ song into "What have you don't for me lately". Of course there was the Graham Central Station medley (cue psycho theme). Pretty sub-par, and forced. I was really bummed, and bored with the show. Even Prince couldn't save it. His guitar playing was amazing, and the band was okay...a little soft, not as heavy and edgy with this new rhythm section. And for the most part it really went on way too long (about 2 hours-remember mostly covers, and songs I've never heard in my life). And the audience was pretty tame for the most part. And when Tamar and Prince would get some momentum they'd shift directions and play a excruciatingly bad (long) ballad, full of Tamar's vocal gymnastics. Overall, I'm really perplexed and confused. I don't understand what Prince is doing when he has a new album around the corner. Prince is definitely trying to hip us to this new artist he's working with...I just don't think she has the material...and I'll give her another chance when she's ready, but she is just boring. Last night WAS NOT the night. Her show is way to scripted, and cue crazy. You really could see everything that is going to happen a couple seconds before it does. This whole Tamar project Prince has got just isn't working for me, and it was overall-just boring show. That was my take... nn You mean, he tore it up just like those two "song titles"?  (sorry, just kidding, thanks for the review) | |
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calldapplwondery83 said: Why is "Don't stop till you get enough" beneath Prince?
And what is bad about songs you never heard in your life?
Anyway, thanks for giving a little "counter-report" to all the others. [Edited 1/31/06 9:27am] ----- "screechy, apollo theater style for me" What does that mean? . This report is very different from what others are saying. | |
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I believe you. The more because P rarely does a cover justice. | |
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Ikaros said: I believe you. The more because P rarely does a cover justice.
He's done some pretty nice covers Just my Imagination Ain't No Sunshine A Case of U Sweet Thing Great stuff
. [Edited 1/31/06 10:53am] | |
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I think more of his (live) covers are hits than misses. | |
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Universaluv said: Ikaros said: I believe you. The more because P rarely does a cover justice.
He's done some pretty nice covers Just my Imagination Ain't No Sunshine A Case of U Sweet Thing Great stuff
. [Edited 1/31/06 10:53am] I'll give you Sweet thing. Oh, and he does a lovely THIRD verse of A case of you. 
About the Tamar thing: it is probably a good thing to get things in perspective. Would people even attend her show without Prince being on-stage? For sure she would not get to do a hit-'n-run style tour. It'll be interesting to see if Prince gets her career started along with his grande retour. | |
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calldapplwondery83 said: Why is "Don't stop till you get enough" beneath Prince?
And what is bad about songs you never heard in your life?
Anyway, thanks for giving a little "counter-report" to all the others. [Edited 1/31/06 9:27am] It's not a bad thing. But do you try to have people songs they clearly don't know? lame ass | |
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HARSH review 
it was a good show. I don't know what kind of songs you expected Tamar to sing but they backed her just fine. Did it blow me the fuck away? No, but was it well worth my $31.21 & fatigue? YES!!!   I never met you, but I LOVE you & I will forever!! Thank you for being YOU - my little Princey, the best to EVER do it | |
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neronava said: I really didn't expect much Prince (you learn to do that sometimes). And most people were a lot more optimistic about seeing a show where they knew no material by the artist. And most people had no idea what Prince's involvement would be that night (we just knew he was just helping out that night-guitar some singing).
The line went smooth, and surprisingly everything went on time (doors at 10, show 12). The show itself was not so great. Tamar's voice is a little too screechy, apollo theater style for me, too much over singing. I think "the twins" are hot (Tamar's back up singers). But that wore off pretty quick. Tamar really tried to engage the audience, and get people to sing along to her songs. But no one knew her songs. It made sense on the covers (mostly common & hit soul songs), but having her sing along too her songs- was just confusing. The stage presence was a little cliche, and typical. And Tamar and the twins opted for mock emotion (fake crying, fake conversation) or old concert tricks (seduce the male audience member-sing to him). The band was pretty tight (PRINCE-on guitar, Morris Hayes-on Keys, and that new rhythm section he has). Prince didn't sing much, he just chimed in to hype up the crowd. I have to say that some of the covers were just embarrassing and beneath Prince, and it seemed like he took his cues from a bad soul band at wedding reception (yes, they played "Play That Funky Music White Boy"). A audience member ("a white boy") sang it from the audience, and actually really tore it up (props man, u were the highlight of the show). Back to Prince/Tamar's bad covers: they played "don't stop til you get it up" the MJ song into "What have you don't for me lately". Of course there was the Graham Central Station medley (cue psycho theme). Pretty sub-par, and forced. I was really bummed, and bored with the show. Even Prince couldn't save it. His guitar playing was amazing, and the band was okay...a little soft, not as heavy and edgy with this new rhythm section. And for the most part it really went on way too long (about 2 hours-remember mostly covers, and songs I've never heard in my life). And the audience was pretty tame for the most part. And when Tamar and Prince would get some momentum they'd shift directions and play a excruciatingly bad (long) ballad, full of Tamar's vocal gymnastics. Overall, I'm really perplexed and confused. I don't understand what Prince is doing when he has a new album around the corner. Prince is definitely trying to hip us to this new artist he's working with...I just don't think she has the material...and I'll give her another chance when she's ready, but she is just boring. Last night WAS NOT the night. Her show is way to scripted, and cue crazy. You really could see everything that is going to happen a couple seconds before it does. This whole Tamar project Prince has got just isn't working for me, and it was overall-just boring show. That was my take... nn Thanks much for the honest review. Its nice to hear a more realistic POV.... Did you get the impression that the cover set was maybe some sort tune-up for tour a la the cover set in the Musicology shows? | |
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I was there. I hate to write reviews, so I'll post this one from Craigslist SF...from a "non-fan." Or at least, this guys isn't a Prince freak. I thought it was a spot on review.
~~~~~ Prince at the Fillmore last night Reply to: pers-130146652@craigslist.org Date: 2006-01-31, 1:48PM PST I'm 39 years old, and I've seen maybe 400 concerts over the years, ranging from Donna Summer to Black Flag. I'm not a huge Prince fan, I only own the "Controversy" record, and only saw him on the Purple Rain Tour in '85, once more in Japan in '88, then two years ago at the Fillmore. Last night's show at the Fillmore, however, with Prince playing guitar for Tamar (TAY-mar), was one of my top 10 "most fun" shows I have ever seen... and it wasn't even a real Prince concert. ----- After waiting in line since 5:30pm, we finally were let in at 10pm. Upon showing my ID at the desk, we were handed a pair of Ticketmaster stock tickets and were ushered immediately into the hall. I guess you could have handed off your pair of tickets to other people, if you wanted to, but one of the many security guards there might have caught you and confiscated the tickets... it seemed possible, but risky. Since we lined up so early, we ended up in the second row, stage right, directly in front of Prince. The fans around us were all hardcore Prince fans, all of them jazzed to see him again in such an intimate setting, which created a really cool vibe, everyone was friendly and talkative. They didn't sell close to the number of tickets they could have sold to fill the floor to capacity, so it was really easy to go back and forth to get drinks, use the restroom, etc., and there was plenty of space around to dance, even at the front of the stage. At 12:15am, they finally came on stage to thunderous applause, with Prince dressed in a black suit with a bright red shirt and up-turned collar, looking like a guy in his early-30s. Tamar wore a red Tina Turner dress, and is a very beautiful woman, a really cute face and smile. She was accompanied by two smokin' hot backup singers/dancers, a pair of blonde identical twins who looked a bit like young, leggy versions of Mariah Carey, shimmying all night in black micro-minis and pumps. They launched into a bunch of songs that none of us recognized, all from Tamar's record, we assumed. It was really hard to know where to look... Tamar belting out the lyrics and looking fantastic, the twins dancing so sexy right behind her, Prince's cute female drummer banging away in total concentration, then the greatest rock/soul performer of all time just to their right, plucking his guitar. Total eye candy, my head was spinning. Prince is such a humorous dude when you see him up close. He's always making funny faces and laughing and smiling. He never makes eye contact with anyone in the front rows, but he's keenly aware that everyone is watching his every move. He constantly tried to focus everyone's attention away from himself and back onto Tamar, shaking his head and pointing in her direction, but it didn't help. Most of the crowd around us just stared at him mostly, at least at the beginning of the show. Tamar was a good sport about it, though, and didn't look disappointed that few of us were watching her. I have a question for anyone who was there: do you know the name of the first song from the first encore? Holy shit, what a kickass song. Prince came out and started playing this heavy-metal, Led Zeppelin riff, repeated over and over, while Tamar sang over it in her soulful voice. The whole crowd was rockin' out. Then, Tamar left the stage and Prince played this amazing solo for another 5 minutes that completely blew us away. Fuck, I hope someone videotaped it, that had to be one of the most unexpected great moments I have ever seen on stage. The whole first and second encores were just a total party. Tamar was really diggin' it, the twins were smiling and dancing crazy, Prince kept saying, "This party ain't over!" and the crowd got louder and louder. They played a great funky version of "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough", completely destroying Michael Jackson's tepid rendition, then followed it up with "Play That Funky Music". Tamar handed her mic to a middle-aged white guy in the front row who proceeded to sing all the lyrics perfectly, sounding just like Wild Cherry. The crowd was going nuts, and the whole place was shouting the lyrics, Tamar just stood back and danced, letting us carry the vocals. What a moment. The best part of the whole show, though, was when Prince and Tamar invited fans onto the stage to dance. About 12 lucky souls ended up climbing over the barrier and doing their thing, while Prince played in the background and Tamar grooved and sang. The fans at first looked a bit stunned to be up there, but then they all were totally into it, dancing and smiling, everyone living a kind of dream. Finally, at 2am, the show ended, clocking in at 105 minutes. The great thing about these intimate Prince shows is the feeling one gets of being in some sort of cool, funky family. His band and his dancers are so fucking tight and professional, they make it look easy. Prince is the only performer I have seen who can get up there, stand off to the side and strum his guitar, play a bunch of songs no one has ever heard of, and still bring the house down. Whatever people paid to get in there was totally worth it, I think. I've paid a lot more for a lot less at other shows, but Prince never disappoints. | |
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BlackandRising said: I was there. I hate to write reviews, so I'll post this one from Craigslist SF...from a "non-fan." Or at least, this guys isn't a Prince freak. I thought it was a spot on review.
~~~~~ Prince at the Fillmore last night Reply to: pers-130146652@craigslist.org Date: 2006-01-31, 1:48PM PST I'm 39 years old, and I've seen maybe 400 concerts over the years, ranging from Donna Summer to Black Flag. I'm not a huge Prince fan, I only own the "Controversy" record, and only saw him on the Purple Rain Tour in '85, once more in Japan in '88, then two years ago at the Fillmore. Last night's show at the Fillmore, however, with Prince playing guitar for Tamar (TAY-mar), was one of my top 10 "most fun" shows I have ever seen... and it wasn't even a real Prince concert. ----- After waiting in line since 5:30pm, we finally were let in at 10pm. Upon showing my ID at the desk, we were handed a pair of Ticketmaster stock tickets and were ushered immediately into the hall. I guess you could have handed off your pair of tickets to other people, if you wanted to, but one of the many security guards there might have caught you and confiscated the tickets... it seemed possible, but risky. Since we lined up so early, we ended up in the second row, stage right, directly in front of Prince. The fans around us were all hardcore Prince fans, all of them jazzed to see him again in such an intimate setting, which created a really cool vibe, everyone was friendly and talkative. They didn't sell close to the number of tickets they could have sold to fill the floor to capacity, so it was really easy to go back and forth to get drinks, use the restroom, etc., and there was plenty of space around to dance, even at the front of the stage. At 12:15am, they finally came on stage to thunderous applause, with Prince dressed in a black suit with a bright red shirt and up-turned collar, looking like a guy in his early-30s. Tamar wore a red Tina Turner dress, and is a very beautiful woman, a really cute face and smile. She was accompanied by two smokin' hot backup singers/dancers, a pair of blonde identical twins who looked a bit like young, leggy versions of Mariah Carey, shimmying all night in black micro-minis and pumps. They launched into a bunch of songs that none of us recognized, all from Tamar's record, we assumed. It was really hard to know where to look... Tamar belting out the lyrics and looking fantastic, the twins dancing so sexy right behind her, Prince's cute female drummer banging away in total concentration, then the greatest rock/soul performer of all time just to their right, plucking his guitar. Total eye candy, my head was spinning. Prince is such a humorous dude when you see him up close. He's always making funny faces and laughing and smiling. He never makes eye contact with anyone in the front rows, but he's keenly aware that everyone is watching his every move. He constantly tried to focus everyone's attention away from himself and back onto Tamar, shaking his head and pointing in her direction, but it didn't help. Most of the crowd around us just stared at him mostly, at least at the beginning of the show. Tamar was a good sport about it, though, and didn't look disappointed that few of us were watching her. I have a question for anyone who was there: do you know the name of the first song from the first encore? Holy shit, what a kickass song. Prince came out and started playing this heavy-metal, Led Zeppelin riff, repeated over and over, while Tamar sang over it in her soulful voice. The whole crowd was rockin' out. Then, Tamar left the stage and Prince played this amazing solo for another 5 minutes that completely blew us away. Fuck, I hope someone videotaped it, that had to be one of the most unexpected great moments I have ever seen on stage. The whole first and second encores were just a total party. Tamar was really diggin' it, the twins were smiling and dancing crazy, Prince kept saying, "This party ain't over!" and the crowd got louder and louder. They played a great funky version of "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough", completely destroying Michael Jackson's tepid rendition, then followed it up with "Play That Funky Music". Tamar handed her mic to a middle-aged white guy in the front row who proceeded to sing all the lyrics perfectly, sounding just like Wild Cherry. The crowd was going nuts, and the whole place was shouting the lyrics, Tamar just stood back and danced, letting us carry the vocals. What a moment. The best part of the whole show, though, was when Prince and Tamar invited fans onto the stage to dance. About 12 lucky souls ended up climbing over the barrier and doing their thing, while Prince played in the background and Tamar grooved and sang. The fans at first looked a bit stunned to be up there, but then they all were totally into it, dancing and smiling, everyone living a kind of dream. Finally, at 2am, the show ended, clocking in at 105 minutes. The great thing about these intimate Prince shows is the feeling one gets of being in some sort of cool, funky family. His band and his dancers are so fucking tight and professional, they make it look easy. Prince is the only performer I have seen who can get up there, stand off to the side and strum his guitar, play a bunch of songs no one has ever heard of, and still bring the house down. Whatever people paid to get in there was totally worth it, I think. I've paid a lot more for a lot less at other shows, but Prince never disappoints.  It was a great wee show. He let Tamar do her thing while stealing the show when he felt like it. His hair was magnificent too. | |
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Sounds pretty rockin to me. Lovin the fact that there was the Zep-like riff. | |
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 I think these shows are a warm up to prepare him for hopefully a tour when his album drops. | |
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Prince is the only performer I have seen who can get up there, stand off to the side and strum his guitar, play a bunch of songs no one has ever heard of, and still bring the house down.
I never met you, but I LOVE you & I will forever!! Thank you for being YOU - my little Princey, the best to EVER do it | |
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FYI: This is the type of thing that helps to build an artist. Prince is doing the right thing by getting Tamar READY. New artist back in the day built their experience playing small venues and making mistakes, etc.
She'll be aight. And it seem like the non-prince fan enjoyed the show 
"Prince is the only performer I have seen who can get up there, stand off to the side and strum his guitar, play a bunch of songs no one has ever heard of, and still bring the house down." this should be a quote on the front page..... | |
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...then the greatest rock/soul performer of all time just to their right, plucking his guitar.
Non-Prince fan? | |
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Universaluv said: Ikaros said: I believe you. The more because P rarely does a cover justice.
He's done some pretty nice covers Just my Imagination Ain't No Sunshine A Case of U Sweet Thing Great stuff
. [Edited 1/31/06 10:53am] + all the covers he used to do with Michael B and Sonny T on stage. I believe in you / The Jam sounded fantatsic. The statement from Universaluv is plain stupid. P has done some bad covers but he has done some fantastic ones as well. Il n'y a pas de sentiment plus exaltant que celui d'appartenir à une nation si diverse, si libre et si douée pour le bonheur. | |
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Jackeblu said: Sounds pretty rockin to me. Lovin the fact that there was the Zep-like riff.
Me too. "I saw a woman with major Hammer pants on the subway a few weeks ago and totally thought of you." - sextonseven | |
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BeautifulFrance said: Universaluv said: He's done some pretty nice covers Just my Imagination Ain't No Sunshine A Case of U Sweet Thing Great stuff
. [Edited 1/31/06 10:53am] + all the covers he used to do with Michael B and Sonny T on stage. I believe in you / The Jam sounded fantatsic. The statement from Universaluv is plain stupid. P has done some bad covers but he has done some fantastic ones as well. Whoa plain stupid! I'm improving
If you'd to care to actually read what I wrote, you would note that I did not say he has never done any bad covers. I did not say that he has only done nice covers. Ikaros said that Prince rarely does a cover justice. I pointed out that he has managed to do some pretty nice covers and listed a few that I personally like. I was not giving an all expansive review of every cover song Prince has ever performed.  Of course he's done some bad covers too.
And yes, he did some great covers with Michael Bland and Sonny T. But not "all" of them were great. That's just plain ....wrong. . [Edited 2/1/06 13:01pm] | |
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