Discuss your thoughts and opinions on Prince's halftime show here.

Personally, I thought his voice sounded amazing, his guitar grungy as all hell, and although his performance during 'Let's Go Crazy' was somewhat static and sedate due to the weather, it was good to see him just decide to let go after that.

The Dylan and Foos covers were inspired choices too - I've noticed a lot of people claiming this as a bit of a cop-out when he could have played 'Raspberry Beret' or 'Gold' or something else instead. But if you think about it, it was a very shrewd move including that Foos song, as it will have made the slightly more apathetic 'impress me' teen audience sit up and take note of a funky little man giving it his all on a world stage.

Alan Leeds and I jumped online after the show and were full of superlatives about it:
"Brilliantly staged, lit, executed. And though I'm sure he hated it, the rain was a perfect touch visually!
A huge stadium with lighters lit in the pouring rain?? EPIC!"

Oh, and by the way people - no, the lightning at the beginning of his set wasn't real, just a simple VFX cue.
- BC


photo courtesy july

Previous thread can be found HERE

Remember when Prince threw out his doo-rag?
Well bidders get ready...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Princ...dZViewItem

thekidsgirl said:

"It still even smells like hairspray and sweat."

DanceWme said:

OMG! that was my favorite part!

I've seen P live sooo many times doing Let's Go and Purple Rain, he can do that in his sleep. I enjoyed Dylan/Hendrix's "All Along" and he sounded better than the Foos doing their cut. I enjoyed that section more than anything else. Especially "All Along The Watchtower". I did notice that his guitar effects during the solo to Purple Rain was somewhat warble-ly. Also he hit a few bum notes durig the solo, definately due to the rain. Otherwise, it was indeed bangin' and was happy P played so much lead axe.

I ENJOYED THE HALF-TIME SHOW, AND THE LIGHTING AT THE BEGINNING WAS COOL AS WELL. I WAS JUST HOPING TO HEAR HIM DO SOMETHING FROM 3121.....BUT, I AM SURE I WILL IN 3 WEEKS IN VEGAS BABAY!!!

"The only Prince that will ever rule this holy land."...

Even if his song choices weren't surprising he did an awesome job! I didn't even mind him beginning with Let's go crazy again. It was certainly not his best performance ever but it was still more than good enough. Even though every time I hear that Prince is going to do Purple Rain I sigh a little, he makes me realize, every time, that there's no reason to be disappointed because it's nothing but magical. The song has it all. And the way it was done last night was beautiful.

He surely showed us all, fans and non-fans, why he's considered one of the greatest in the music biz! And *cough* I take back what I've said about no one outside the US caring about the SB *cough*.
But I can't make up my mind on wether the Twinz were just annoying and in the way or did add extra power and energy to the show. I guess it's both...


I could ramble on but you guys have covered it all.

Nothing compares to Prince.

thekidsgirl said:

I think that is totally fake. Look at how it's tied--it doesn't even look the same. And if they aren't a Prince fan, why would they drag their ass from Kentucky to Florida to volunteer for the half time show?

Funny thing is... weeks before the show, I predicted the following setlist:

• Let's Go Crazy
  
• 3121
  
• Baby I'm a Star
  
• Purple Rain
  

My thinking was that the NFL had basically paid for "Prince's Greatest Hits: Live!," condensed into a halftime show -- which essentially forces a focus on Purple Rain -- and that they'd let him do one "new" song as an extra incentive to perform. I guessed "3121" for that because it'd give him a chance to "advertise" his Las Vegas venture on national TV for free. Overall, my expectations were pretty low. The NFL surely wanted the hits, and you don't dare anger the NFL and get away with it! (Ask Janet Jackson.)

So, I was wrong about "3121," and the covers were a surprise, but all three Purple Rain songs were there, in the order I predicted.

BTW, do you think he gets to keep that giant stage? It's not as if any other artist is going to want or use it. I wouldn't be surprised if we see it during his next arena tour.

jone70 said:

i thought there'd be more than one auction up by now, because you know there'd be a shitload of people claiming that they caught his doo-rag.

I WAS AT THE HALFTIME SHOW HELPING WITH THE STAGE CREW AND WAS A FOOT AWAY FOR THE PERFORMANCE SCREAMING MY FACE OFF. I HAVE TO SAY AS AMAZING AS IT WAS ON TV THERE ARE NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE HOW I FELT TO BE STANDING THERE IN THE MIDDLE OF 75, 000 PEOPLE WATCHING PRINCE AWE THE ENTIRE PLACE. EVEN THOUGH I AM SO SICK OF PURPLE RAIN IT WAS KINDA COOL TO SEE IT PLAYED IN THE ACTUAL RAIN. IT GAVE AN ALMOST DREAM LIKE QUALITY. THE ENERGY WAS UNREAL AND EVEN THOUGH I STOOD AROUND FOR 5 HOURS WET AND COLD FOR THE 12 MINUTE SHOW, IT WAS WORTH IT! BUT I WOULDN'T DO IT FOR ANYONE BUT PRINCE.

As the day goes on, and great reviews keep coming from all directions, I continue to grow more and more awed by how well he pulled it off in the rain. Didn't even know until today that it was the first Superbowl ever played in the rain, so it was perfect for him to end with Purple Rain for that reason alone. And really, it can't be easy to perform in those conditions for anyone- but some, like the Stones, Bon Jovi, etc. are used to it since their tours always include some stadiums. Anyone know the last time Prince played in the rain?? I'm not even clear on which was his last tour to include any stadiums....88-89?? The man probably hasn't even felt rain in years , jk...sort of

I do hope he gets to keep the stage too!! He must have room to store it somewhere in MN, no?

Also, around the edges of the field or stadium they had some lights that looked like a "River of Purple" flowing, it was awesome.

People are seeking out the man in droves today. Check this out on Yahoo:

http://buzz.yahoo.com/buz...rple-reign

THE LAST I HEARD IS THAT THE STAGE IS BEING DISSASEMBLED AND MOST OF IT THORWN AWAY I DON'T THINK THAT IT IS GOING TO BE SALVAGED..I WANTED TO TAKE A PIECE, THEY LAUGHED IN MY FACE

Check out what other Message Boards are saying about the performance. Great to read unbiased reviews from people not on the Org.
www.TRIBE.ca

Moxy

I'm still on a high with his performance, even after watching it
many times....Prince was his best last night...definitely at his best..
[Edited 2/5/07 13:29pm]

Associated Press had a weblog running during the Super Bowl. Here is what the journalist had to say about the halftime show ...

BC-FBN--Super-Bowl-Weblog,3370
Super Bowl Weblog: Gameday Dispatches from Miami
Eds: AP Video.
AP Photos
By PAUL NEWBERRY
AP National Writer
MIAMI (AP) -
8:34 p.m. EST: Never has there been a more appropriate song for
a Super Bowl halftime show. Prince brought the water-logged crowd
at Dolphin Stadium to its feet with a rousing rendition of "Purple
Rain" - performed in a driving rainstorm.

While these Super Bowl extravaganzas have often drawn harsh
reviews - Janet Jackson's costume malfunction, that dismal "Blue
Brothers Bash" in New Orleans a few years ago - I've got to give
the Purpled One a thumbs-up for his performance.

Performing on a stage designed like that symbol he once used in
lieu of his name, Prince started out with "Let's Go Crazy,"
morphed into an aborted version of "Baby I'm A Star," ripped off
a few verses of "Proud Mary," performed the Foo Fighters' hit
"Best of You," then finished off the show with a song that
everyone in the crowd could relate to on this messy night.

Accompanied by the Florida A&M band (who took part at Prince's
invitation), the fans roared in unison, with flashlights sprinkled
throughout the darkened stadium, "I only want 2 see u in the
purple rain!"

While I'm no expert on Super Bowl halftime shows, that might be
the best once I've seen since U2's emotional 2002 show in the wake
of 9-11.

thekidsgirl said:

That person is on crack! I mean come on, look at the ratty, unfinished edges. Prince wouldn't wear put a rag on his royal hair! I bet this person saw Prince toss it, and thought, "I wonder how much a Prince fan would pay for that scarf? Hmmm...let's get a black rag, spritz it with hairspray, and find out!"



[Edited 2/5/07 13:03pm]

Prince's onstage monitoring method?

what was he using as monitors to hear himself during the superbowl set? A friend of mine who plays live gigs was really wondering... I think some of his bandmates thought this was impossible... no visible ear piece that they saw and no visible monitor...

I'm assuming the monitors were hidden in the stage somehow.

I did recognize the twins from photos and previous performances, was that woman in the white Shelby?

yep it was shelby. she was really nice too!! her and the twins were walking by us (stage crew) after the dress rehersal performance and she was saying hi and waving to all of us and the twins were holding up their hands saying, "no pictures"..please..like we wanted pictures of them anyway.....

Loved EVERY SECOND of it!!!
Even though it was lashing out of the heveans I think it actually made the performance all the more memorable.. The guitar solos were AMAZING under the circumstances (loved the sihouette!) The crowd were really feelin him.
I loved the 'we will rock you' intro and when the marching band came out playin 1999.....I was on the edge of my seat.
Although, knowing his body of work, I know he showcased only a fraction of his genius, but I thought it was a very smart setlist, appealing to the masses and the younger audience alike.

My personal fav moment, P whipping off the do-rag, he couldn't have cared less what his 'do' looked like at that point he was feein the love from the crowd and murderin that guitar!!
I fell even more in love with the man last night, he made me so proud and further solidified my passion for his beautiful gift.
Much love

oh and even at 48?.....i still would :banandance:

Was anyone else touched by his bow and "thank you" at the end?
He seemed genuinely moved by the audience approval...very cool..

Moxy said:

Not sure what happened by that link completely locked up my computer, forcing me to re-boot.

obsessed said:

I think this picture says it all.

obsessed said:

Yes. He also looked very touched during Purple Rain. You can see how important music and performing is to him, how passionate he is about it. I've often thougt it looked like he sometimes on stage would just wanna let go and cry for joy.

.
[Edited 2/5/07 14:06pm]

obsessed said:

I taped the show and have watched 5 times (so-far), and I agree with you. He looked like he was feelin' the love from the crowd and the rest of the viewing public from around the world. That was an incredible performance! He truly is the baddest on the planet!

I thought it was absolutely wonderful! That entrance was the best ever with the fireworks and the explosion that took up half the field. It looked like the opening to the firey pits of hell. And then the lightning struck (how the hell did they do that), the fire extinguished, and the symbol lit up from one end to the other. That was the best entrance I've ever seen Prince make.

I love the way the people came running towards the stage and all of them were women. Those girls looked like they had come with their boyfriends to the game and were running as if to say....."Entertain us! Entertain us! We're bored as hell with all this football going on!".

The entire performance was great and the marching band was great also. My co-worker said she has never known it to be raining like that during a Super Bowl and I told her....."Prince brought that, it was the Purple Rain. You know that bitch don't do nothing average!".