Take Me With U-The Videos-TWO of my favorite videos by LIL MAN. On the video version he released on Warner Bros. Home Video in 85 called PRINCE AND THE REVOLUTION LIVE!, he did an amazing version of this song. Now the studio version on the PURPLE RAIN was good, but nothing really to get too worked up about. But it worked within the context of the other songs on the Purple Rain album. However, live in concert, LIL MAN took somewhat of an ordinary song and made it into something extraordinary. I like after the second verse of the song, the Revolution holds that one note for what seems like a couple of minutes, meanwhile Prince goes up to the upper level of the stage lays down on the pillow and puts a sheet on top of him(meanwhile the Revolution are still holding that one note), he then gets up throws the pillow out in the audience and run to a pole and slides down the pole. By the time he gets to the end of the pole,the Revolution finally stop the note which prompts LIL MAN to say " GOOD GAWD"!!! Then he goes into that funky dance, meanwhile the Revolution goes into that Minneapolis synth funk mode for seveal minutes while LIL MAN parties up. I thought this was great how he took this song and stretched it and made something totally unique and original from the studio version.

Take Me With You(The TV Version)-He then releases a different version of the song to the music cable stations. This version of the "Take Me With You" video is one of my favorite Prince videos EVER. This time after the second verse of the song, the Revolution holds the note again, but this time not as long. After that note this time, LIL MAN and the rest of the Revolution goes into that little dance step where they're hopping from one leg to another (in sync..of course). Then LIL MAN goes into one of his most daring guitar solos. Then he orders Wendy and Brown Mark to follow him around the stage in a circular motion. Then after they stop the rounding of the stage, he really cuts loose on the guitar solo. Then he pulls a few tricks out of his bag of purple genius by deviating from his solo momentarily to play the riff from "Controversy", then goes back into his guitar solo. TRULY AWESOME!!!


Could it be that LIL MAN was referring to himself in "All The Critics Love U In New York"when he stated."The reason that u're cool is because u're from the old school and THEY know it"? It's interesting when you consider the fact that Prince is one of the very last performers within the pop music spectrum that can "truly cut it" in a live concert environment. I think this is because he comes from the old school. The old school: when you had to take it to the stage to demonstrate your how good you are on your instrument. when you said you were funky, you had to prove it or otherwise. When you said you can rock hard, and had to proceed to do just that. You couldn't have a number one pop hit and album, and then come out on a live perfomance and just lip synch your way through.

It's very possible that if you saw six straight nights of Prince and The Revolution on their Purple Rain tour, you witnessed "Take Me With You" reworked six different times.
When I saw the Purple Rain tour here in Atlanta in January of 1985, then bought the live concert on video, I was amazed at how several of the songs were reworked. I've seen him do this many times, I've seen him live.

It is a true testament to LIL MAN's genius that a river of ideas flows out of his amazing musical head, when he's out on the road with his band. He stretches himself as a musician, he push his bandmembers to stretch as musicians. When this happens, a musical surprise will normally result or, as he said during his acceptance speech at the 1990 American Music Award "a brand new friend" is discovered. He may not sell twenty more records, but when goes out on the road, people will flock to see him because of his reputation as a superior live performer. A true musician. In this day of lame cookie cutter pop "artists" unable to cut the mustard, having a rep as a great live performer is one of the greatest assets a musician can have. Maybe a key to LIL MAN's ability to deliver the goods in concert can be found at the conclusion of his acceptance speech at the 1990 American Music Awards..."Eye guess eye like surprises...I hope U do 2".

I haven't watched that clip in sooo long, but this description is just so spot on, I can visualise it totally! I love that sustained note too - You just know when it starts that Prince is going to "let loose" his telecaster...

yes that was an amazing guitar solo. I think i've seen it on winmx somewhere;)

I have that Atlanta show on CD and I love that version of the Beautiful Ones, Baby I'm a Star and Take Me With U. I wish I could've seen that show! I miss those workouts he did with the Rvolution.