As we all know Prince often changes the arrangements of his songs over the years and from one tour to another. Please tell us what your favourite live version of a particular song has been and why. For me, my favourites are:
1. 'Joy in Repetition' - Hammersmith Apollo '02 - incredible, heartfelt passion with incredible guitar solo.
2. 'Purple Rain' - London O2 28 Aug'07 - great full-length version
3. 'Controversy' - funkiest version on '82 tour - great thumping bass and staccato guitar.
4. 'When Doves Cry' - '86 - slower, darker version with hectic finale
5. 'Sign 'O the Times' - '92 London (Earl's Court?) - Michael B bashing out the funky drums with some dirty guitar soloing

bigbrother said:

You must have the date wrong.

Prince performed 'Joy In Repetition' at the Hammersmith Apollo in London on only one occasion in 2002 - the final show. However, when his guitar tech offered him 'Habibi' to do the solo he refused and instead invited Maceo Parker to solo on saxophone. In other words, he didn't perform a guitar solo for this song in London in 2002.

While there are too many classic live Prince performances, I always found the Syracuse 85 version of "Purple Rain" amazing. His phrasing and use of reverb on the line "I never wanted to be your weekend lover (no no)..I only want to be some kind of friend" gave chills the first time I heard it. And the multiple solos are fantastic as well.

"The Cross" from the sign o the times film was amazing as well....

If that '82 version of Controversy beats the Musicology tour version it must be awesome because the Musicology version veritably walked on water IMHO. I'm sorry I never grabbed the download before the NPG site got shut down.

On the Musicology tour in Detroit, at the Palace, P performed my fave song Adore like I never heard it before. Acoustic style. Sitting on a stool with just a guitar. Awesome! Sounded pretty good. Also, "Take Me With U" on the PR tour was slightly different with a blistering guitar solo by his royal badness. Excellent! And I enjoyed his version of "I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man" in the SOTT movie.