**Wed 19 Sep 07**
"Well, I had a treat this weekend [Sunday 16 Sept]... I don't get out much recently, as you might know!
But this was not to be missed. Prince, the Artist. At the O2 arena.
Well, a great thing to see. I know about 400,000 other people who probably had the same feeling that I had ... it was a feeling of peeking in to watch a genius at work. To my mind, Prince really is that rarity, a work of art in itself. He actually just has to be there, doing what comes naturally to him, and he is endlessly fascinating. In fact, he is so much a part of his own act that I feel he is the embodiment of a paradox - it is as if, when a performer goes to the extreme of awareness of himself as an artist, he becomes, in a way, a thing of which he cannot be aware. We are then in a kind of voyeuristic position - we see him as something elemental - like watching a thunderstorm. It's impossible to find reasons for a lot of what Prince does, but it's all individual, and it's all HIM. Within his incredibly unusual stage persona, he produces, as if out of a hat, choreography, vocal gymnastics, sensuality, dazzling keyboard playing, and world-class guitar-playing - all splashed out with an apparently careless bravura, and much of it treading the dangerous line between the planned and the spontaneous. You could not really ask for better value for money ... the guy is every inch the real thing - a thing of quicksilver and gossamer, and pure rhythm - a free spirit of Rock. I have never met him, though our paths have come close. I have no idea how hard it could be to work with someone like this ... though he has a lot in common with Freddie, as far as I can tell. But I felt very lucky to see this piece of living art, a thing of beauty. Incidentally, one of his daring masterstrokes on the night I saw him was a version of Led Zeppelin's Whole Lotta Love. The Artist, stap me, did Jimmy Page and Robert Plant all at once, with an easy confidence and effortless heaviness, and obviously huge affection, and we all got chills up the spine. Soon it will be possible for a lucky few to see the Mighty Zeppelin in the same arena, but the place is already echoing with the pre-echo of that moment, thanks to this diminutive Hendrix-James Brown-Stevie Wonder person ... a whole spectrum contained in one body".

Brian May

http://www.brianmay.com/b...sep07.html

What a wonderful thing to say!

I love it when musical artists credit other artists - especially when they are crediting Prince.

He got it pretty spot on too!!!

Aloisio said:

That is a perfect expression of what every performer - actor, musician, artist - strives for.

I've come close a few times - but I haven't hit it yet. Someday, I hope.

didn't we already discuss this some 6-7 months ago?

remko said:

Does it bother u so much? Too bad...

Those are beautiful compliments...I am sure that Prince is honored to read....

I Love "Queen."

Very nice thread. Just last week and several times on here in the past, I've mentioned that Brian May was a fan of P's. And I know May was an influence on P's guitar playing. Serious compliment from May, who played in a legendary rock group, Queen. Very cool.

I love Brian May and Queen.

I was a Queen fan first before Prince. Queen "The Game" was my first record and the Hot Space tour my first tour ( Thank God I saw Freddie live).

So Queen has been the standard I tend to compare out acts to.

Queen has always been about quality so I was not surprised Brian felt that way about Prince.

Prince is an amazing talented artist.

New Queen album 2008. It will be fun to see what they come up with.

verynice compliments. cool!

Do you know that in the record shop Prince is placed between Elvis Presley and Queen? Kinda like the Prince in between the King and Queen...

Aloisio said:

No, its just because there isn't enough news we seem to recycle news. And though recycling is ok IRL, i don't see why one should do it here..... But maybe you were just a bit behind on your reading, that is also possible of course.

^
When a write-up is as informative and as uplifting as this then I'm all for recycling.

Aloisio said:

what a good description!