Ok. Everyone here has been singing praises left and right. Now I love Prince as much as any of you, but SOMEBODY needs to be the equaliser here and speak up.

Being a long time fan who's seen the man many times (live), Sunday's performance was poor. And before any of you get in a big huff here, the fact that it was raining doesn't have much to do with why it wasn't good.

Sound was TERRIBLE (fire that sound man!) and the way the band went from one song to the next was ridiculously rushed. I'm more inclined to blame that on Prince as he's the one in charge of that end of things on that end, however.

Most of that 12 minute set was a blur of incohesive transitions from one part of a song to the next bit of another. He did not take time to finish songs properly and all of them sounded like when those annoying radio DJ's clip tracks off on air. He should have cut one of the various covers and finished Let's Go Crazy (or at least Purple Rain!) properly.

Also, with all the hype the commercials gave playing the end of LGC, he should have saved that song for last and maybe thought of opening with Purple Rain (as it was raining). He and they (the band) have been playing long enough together to be able to have pulled something like that off with ease. It's ridiculous that this set wasn't better organized/constructed!

He's a seasoned performer (one of the greatest I've ever seen, actually), a wonderful songwriter and there is absolutely NO EXCUSE. Instead of feeling proud of him this past Sunday, I felt irritated. I waited for WEEKS to watch this performance and wound up let down. I'd hoped he'd walk in and just KILL the crowd with his awesome-ness and launch himself onto another plateau in his career. While he may have converted a few new younger fans or several who never got to go see one of his shows before, he's not fooling anyone who knows.

I will cut him/the band some slack as it was raining, but really, that set would have been crap either way. It just wasn't set up right.

Speaking of which, the Twins are ridiculous. They were TERRIBLY off on their choreography. I will give them too that it was raining and doing those moves in heels is definitely something to be afraid of. It probably subconciously impaired their ability to perform... but Prince should've cut them some slack and let them wear flats (this would have been better too because it would have made him look taller in the process). THEY ARE ANNOYING and definitely detract from him and his show. DIAMOND & PEARL were ok/good, but these girls HAVE GOT TO GO. They should go record their own album, tour with Tamar or go pose for Playboy etc. I am NOT impressed or entertained by them whatsoever. I will however say that I rather liked the lady dressed in white who sang with him. She had a wonderful voice and I'd like to know more about her.

Last but not least (might as well while we're here!) I want to address something else too.

WHOEVER IS DESIGNING FOR or DRESSING HIM these days should be CANNED IMMEDIATELY. The pastels have also GOT TO GO. The orange is terrible! The pale blue a wash out! The off red and pale purple HORRIBLE for his skin tone.

PRINCE! Please stop wearing BAD pastels. They wash out your facial features, natural coloring and do nothing for you WHATSOEVER!

I'll say one more final thing. And believe me, I've said the above- and I'm saying this too- out of love. We know what he's capable of and he's just not cutting it.

PRINCE, please take a three year vacation. You're tired and you've been through a lot in the last three decades. It's taken a toll on you. Worse yet, it's taken a toll on your creativity and music. Somewhere deep in your heart you know that the last several albums have been rehash. And while you're entitled to do whatever you damn well please, you know that you can do better and be more innovative.

Yes, you're up for a Grammy. But why? Think about the song it's for. And think about the other songs it's up against!

I know you and I know you're capable of more. But you need a break. And you need some time AWAY from your lifestyle, songwriting and the pressures that go with it all. You're a great artist and I just know you'll come through this, but you need to TAKE A BREAK. Only then will you be able to come up with true, natural hits again. While being on a label again might be good exposure etc, you deserve more spiritually and creatively than all this rubbish.

PLEASE TAKE SOME ADVICE FROM AN OLD FRIEND.

Its too many words on this thread

Growing, experimenting and learning new things are essential to ALL artists- musical and otherwise. If they stop growing, they die. It kills their spirit, their nature, their entire being.

Unless Prince gives himself time to rest, play and creatively re-develop, he's not going to go anywhere new.

Whether or not he cares (and you're right- he probably doesn't), I'm sad to see him go through this slump. Yes his career appears to be booming right now due to the recent visibility, but listen to the the last several records he's put out.
He NEEDS a break!

I do think he'll come out of it, but somebody needs to give it to him straight, call him on his shhh and understand that he needs breathing room and time for himself AWAY from his work life. He's burned out and it's no wonder. He's spent his whole life being and doing this. He's had virtually no private life nor time to himself in the last 25 years.

I love how most of you assume I couldn't possibly know the man of which I speak.

What makes you think I would speak this way if I didn't know him and watch him become what he is?

I know what he's capable of and this SB BS ain't it.

Note: not everyone on here is who they appear to be, that's for sure

And no, I will not be revealing my identity anytime soon, so don't EVEN ask.

I am literally rolling on the floor laughing.

First of all, what kind of Prince fan am I?

1) One who cares about his future.
2) One who knows the biz inside out, who's seen a great many eras and performers come and go.
3) One who won't praise him when he's not meeting his potential.

Now, I repeat AGAIN: I am a long time fan and said what I have said out of love.

Now that that's cleared up...

Growing, experimenting and learning new things are essential to ALL artists- musical and otherwise. If they stop growing, they die. It kills their spirit, their nature, their entire being.

Unless Prince gives himself time to rest, play and creatively re-develop, he's not going to go anywhere new.

Whether or not he cares (and you're right- he probably doesn't), I'm sad to see him go through this slump. Yes his career appears to be booming right now due to the recent visibility, but listen to the the last several records he's put out.
He NEEDS a break!

I do think he'll come out of it, but somebody needs to give it to him straight, call him on his shhh and understand that he needs breathing room and time for himself AWAY from his work life. He's burned out and it's no wonder. He's spent his whole life being and doing this. He's had virtually no private life nor time to himself in the last 25 years.

Prince, please take a vacation!

Having said the above, let's make this thread/discussion more fun.

If young Prince could time travel and meet Superbowl Prince, what do you think he'd say to/about him?

And likewise, what would accomplished Superbowl Prince say to younger Prince?

Post your Prince/Prince conversations here and let's move from being hyper pissed to hyper laughing.