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A new purple princess

March 1, 2006

BY BRIAN ORLOFF
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Who else but Prince could announce a show with less than a week's notice, sell it out instantly and have fans lining up in the cold after midnight on a Monday? And here's the kicker: He wasn't even the headliner.

Part of a renegade theater tour intended to introduce audiences to his latest protege, slick R&B crooner Tamar, Prince opted out of the main spotlight Monday night (actually, Tuesday morning) at a packed Congress Theatre when he and his band took the stage at 12:45 a.m. Instead, he handled lead guitar duties, allowing the glamorous Tamar, and a duo of backup singers, to front an old-school R&B-styled revue that kept people dancing until well after 2 a.m.

Concertgoers buzzed with questions Monday night: Who is Tamar? And would Prince perform any of his own material? The answer to the latter came toward the end of the main set, when Prince launched into his party-hearty anthem "Partyman," which left fans begging for more. (Alas, there wasn't a chance he was going to sing "Purple Rain.")

As for the mysterious Tamar, other than a Feb. 4 appearance on "Saturday Night Live," in which she backed up Prince before they both performed Tamar's debut single, "Beautiful, Loved and Blessed," nobody knows much of her performance history -- or exactly where Prince found her and why he added her to his reconstituted New Power Generation band -- and Prince played it pretty cagey onstage, keeping banter to a minimum.

Regardless, Tamar made a confident and high-wattage Chicago debut. Imagine headlining a sold-out show before even releasing an album. (Tamar's debut is due May 2; Prince's new album, "3121," is set for release on March 21.)

Despite her novice status, Tamar commanded the stage, vamping through a series of original tunes -- ostensibly to be included on her album -- and well-known covers in a glittery, black baby doll dress. She exuberantly shimmied and strutted, and she led with her crisp, brassy pipes. One infectious original called "Milk and Honey," with the salacious lyric "You're my milk and honey/I want to spread honey on you," suggested her album's winning possibilities.

Naturally, though, Prince's star power drew the crowds, and his nimble work and smoldering solos proved the evening's sharpest and most reliable highlights. An expert band (keyboards, bass and drums) only helped keep people enthralled. But if audience reaction counts for something, and it must, then Tamar impressed. She had presence, and she came off assured and comfortable onstage. Clearly it didn't hurt that Prince stood 5 feet away. But consider other showcases of neophyte talent -- think "American Idol" -- and all the mediocrity and listless performances that result.

In fact, like an "American Idol" contestant, Tamar interpreted a fleet of classic soul songs in Monday's showcase, including Aretha Franklin's signature "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)," which she sang with piercing intensity, if not the innate sultriness of Franklin's original. Here, Prince's electric guitar provided a strong counterpoint to Tamar's verse, and he produced a flutter of staccato notes in response to her singing.

Looser and zestier, her take on Meli'sa Morgan's "Love Changes" came after a short clothing change -- Prince ditched his purple suit for a tan vest, but kept his black head scarf -- and riled up the crowd.

If there was anything to gripe about in Tamar's performance, it was that she seemed, well, too polished. She sang with excellent control, but her voice, pure and well-toned, lacked a little grit, a little flavor.

Luckily, though, at the end of the main set, she ditched the hyper-stylized approach for rawer energy. She and Prince ceded the stage to a raucous group of fans who danced and, at one point, even took over lead vocals on a medley of songs including "Play That Funky Music." Sure, this was Tamar's night, but an early-morning dance party with Prince seemed to be just what fans craved.

Brian Orloff is a local free-lance writer.

THE ARTISTS FORMERLY KNOWN AS PRINCE'S

When he's not making pristine R&B-funk music or fighting with record labels, Prince enjoys lending his coat- tails to promising young female talent. Here are the other women whose careers he's boosted, albeit temporarily:

Vanity

Before Prince: Denise Matthews, a Minneapolis singer.
With Prince: Leader of the trio Vanity 6. Recorded its only album backed by the Time. Scored a huge hit with the song "Nasty Girl."
After Prince: Unsuccessful solo career. Became a born-again Christian in the mid-'90s.

Wendy & Lisa

Before Prince: Childhood friends Lisa Coleman and Wendy Melvoin.
With Prince: Lisa joined Prince's Revolution in '79, Wendy in '84. Arranged for him, played great guitar (Wendy in Prince's hot "Kiss" video).
After Prince: A fair solo (or duo, as it were) career. Backed Joni Mitchell in '88 for "Chalk Mark in a Rainstorm." Became the Girl Bros. in '98.

Mayte

Before Prince: Born Mayte Jannell Garcia. At 8, became the world's youngest professional belly dancer.
With Prince: Joined the New Power Generation at 18 as dancer and backup singer. Married Prince, had a baby that died shortly after birth.
After Prince: Hooked up with Tommy Lee. Taught Britney Spears bellydancing. Trying to be an actor.

Apollonia

Before Prince: Patricia Kotero, an actress. Appeared on "CHiPS."
With Prince: Starred in "Purple Rain." Replaced Vanity in Vanity 6, which became Apollonia 6. Had hits with "Sex Shooter" and "Take Me With You," her duet with Prince.
After Prince: A season on "Falcon Crest." A Spanish-English album, "Stay With Me," in '97. Went back to school, got a film degree.

Sheila E.

Before Prince: Drummer in Latin jazz band Azteca, led by her father, Pete "Coke" Escovedo.
With Prince: Sang on "Erotic City." Played percussion in Prince's band. He wrote her first hit, "The Glamorous Life."
After Prince: Was the bandleader for Magic Johnson's brief stint as a late-night talk-show host, "The Magic Hour." Still recording for Concord Jazz.

Sheena Easton

Before Prince: Had Top 10 hits with "Modern Girl" and "Morning Train." Won Grammy's best new artist. Sang James Bond theme "For Your Eyes Only."
With Prince: Recorded "Sugar Walls," written by Alexander Nevermind (a k a Prince). Sang on his "U Got the Look."
After Prince: Played Don Johnson's wife on "Miami Vice." Starred in Broadway revivals.

Thomas Conner

lucky tamar! lots of musicians would give their eyeteeth to be launched like that. good for prince, for making a difference in her career. i like this about him.

"the salacious lyric "You're my milk and honey/I want to spread honey on you," suggested her album's winning possibilities."

Winning? Yikes.
And I made the AI comparison, too, but I don't think that's exactly favorable either.