Having just completed another tour, what do we think is the best live video out there ?

My faves are:


Nude in Japan

Birthday Parade

Sign o' the Times


Though my fingers are still crossed for an official release of any of the 21 Nites in London !

Musicology Tour

Parade Tour

LoveSexy Tour

Glam Slam 94 from Miami

Rave on2 the Year 2000

Live at the Aladin NPG

I like virtually all the eras.

Stripped down punk funk of Dirty Mind/Controversy concerts
synth heavy 1999 era
stadium rock of Purple Rain
back to basics funky revue of Parade
energy of SOTT
The epic Lovesexy concerts

Nude Tour is a bit bleh IMO, despite the two pro-shot concerts and Rio footage. Diamonds & Pearls brought forth the NPG era of which I'm a big fan. Just saw the 2000 Hit and Run tour in Philadelphia and was also a really enjoyable show. Stripped down just he and Geneva going through the hits.

Then you have the instrumental centric work of the aftershows...

I'm not personally so keen on the jazz-lite post-2000 stuff in stiff Jehovahs Witness regalia though.

So highlights then. I'll keep it pro-shot:

Dirty Mind-Paris/New York
MPLS 83 1st Avenue
Syracuse 85
Detroit 86
MPLS 87 Warmup and New Years Eve
Dortmund 88
Earls Court 92
The Glam Slam Miami stuff probably is best footage for NPG Era but I haven't seen it.
Cafe De Paris 98 for an aftershow
Rave Un2 2000 to mark the end of an era

Add in the Emancipation day concert and Superbowl also for their significance.

I found the Rave 2000 DVD a bit stilted, too much of "filmed for commercial release" vibe rather than a true live gig. I thought the RC stuff on the One Nite Alone tour was fantastic !

of the ones I've seen, The Brits Awards from last year is hands down my favorite.

Sure, the SuperBowl was the most memorable, followed by his surprise visit on American Idol.
The SuperBowl was momentenous.

But The Brits wins in my book.
All of the ones I've seen, it's hands down my favorite because of so many things. It was the first time I heard "Te Amo Corazon" and just having the stars in the background... really made me feel the aura that surrounds him. And the way he's dressed... and he looks simply beautiful and gorgeous.

Not to mention the little spark I see in his eye... talk about beauty

Though it's not a full concert, but his performance of "Sign Of The Times / Play In The Sunshine," at the 1987 MTV Video Music awards was KILLER!!
The best version of SOTT by far!!

1983 - 08 - 03 - First Avenue , Minneapolis

Dewrede said:

That one ranks right up there, for sure!

My top 5 from the ones I've seen would be:
1. Lovesexy 88 Dortmund - just a great show, I loved this whole era, and got to see two of the shows when he played here.

2. Purple Rain Syracuse 85 - this was classic stuff, and Prince was sh!t hot at this time, great fun to watch.

3. Sign o' The Times Rehearsal 87 - cool start with Prince wearing that yellow suit with the balck polka dots and glasses, and then going into Housequake. Bloody amazing stuff. This show pips the new years eve show for me as the songs are tighter and more raw and don't go off into extended jams as much.

4. Purple Rain Warm Up First Av 83 - fantastic versions the Purple Rain songs, and a brilliant rendition of Electric Intercourse.

5. Parade Detroit 86 - this would be higher if only the full concert was released. But from what is available a brilliant funky show, but I would have liked a bit of guitar.

I like the really early shows too ;

1981 - 12 - 09 - The Summit , Houston

Dewrede said:

Great "first performances" of a lot of Purple Rain material. Plus, he's all sweaty and shit. What's not to love?

yes

i could care less about him being sweaty tho

dortmund 88 for me

Parade
musicology
hong kong harbour

Hit and Run Tour 1987 the Warfield theater San Francisco CA

Feb. 14 2004 @ the Fillmore in San Francisco CA

1999 Tour Easter Sunday 1983 (Amazing)

Actually, here's my top 3.

1. Brit Awards
2. SuperBowl
3. "Shh" @ Hong Kong in 2003

I just remembered that last one after I sent my first reply. I've heard that song 4 different ways. Once was on the album, then The Beautiful Experience, something that was sent to me (from the 3121 shows), and this.

I gotta say that the song sounds so impressive when its live. And the guitar he used in this particular performance (baby blue fender, I think that's the make's name), he just ripped it up. That was some amazing guitar playing and you could see he was definitely feeling the flow of music.

electrorock said:

Also excellent.

Then there's the Small Club.

Dewrede said:

Washington 81 too. Not sure if we're talking video footage on this thread or what. Would have been wonderful if any existed of the Atlanta 80 Rick James support set or the 88 Small Club show.

I have alot of favorites

Live in NYC - 1981
Live in Detriot - 1982
Live @ 1st Avenue - 1983( My favorite
Prince & The Revolution In Syracuse - 1985
A Prince In Paris - 1986
SOTT Movie - 1987
Live At Paisley Park With Miles Davis - 1987
Live Dortmund - 1988
Lovesexy Aftershows - 1988
Nude Tour In Japan - 1990

Also the Hit N Run Tour 2000 and the Musicoloy tours.

SpecialEd said:

video footage

yes , would be awesome

Lovesexy,4ever!