First off Thank you P for a lovely book - I think its more like a very eleborage tour book for Planet Earth / 21 nights tour but its lovely none the less and well worth the money - its huge and weights a ton !!! but just lovely

harveya said:

I agree. It's a nice enough coffee table book, but not really a testament of his 21 nights on London. I was hoping for some more candid, unposed, natural shots from behind the scenes and some stunning concert images, and didn't really get either. That's not to say the photos aren't good (excluding the maid nonsense 'storyline'), it's just that it doesn't reflect the tour and doesn't really show London much either.

I am liking the CD though...

Arghhhhh!!!! My copy of this book turned up this morning but I'm not allowed to open it until next Monday...HB's got it for me for my Birthday.
I've taken it out of the cardboard Amazon packaging so I'm already in trouble.
It looks so gorgeous, all purple and shiny, I just wanna rip off the cellophane and start feasting my eyes and ears
Who'd have thought I'd be looking forward to being 45 so much
I'm gonna have to stop reading your reviews now incase the temptation to open it overwhelms me!

L4OATheOriginal said:

Don't get me wrong - I'm not stuck in the 80's - as a fan I love all his new stuff - expecially 3121 which I can't stop listening too.

I think Prince is a grower with most people.

All the people that I knew that saw him at the O2 absolutely loved Black Sweat -they thought it was really new and original.

I think it's that the new stuff takes a while to get into.

I think people just want to hear the old stuff because they love it and to see your favourite artist playng their hits is a thrill for them.

pepper7 said:

well there u go, his new music is just as infectious 2 this day. but how can one know it if he's constantly living in the past instead of living the new? i had hopes that once the musicology tour ended that he would (god 4bid) stay true 2 his word. then came london. then came these shows u hear about at his house and he's still bringing up that old shit.

SexOnAFunkyStick said:

You could pop into your nearest bookshop and have a peek

Still haven't got my copy..come on amazon move your ass!

Here's some newspaper reviews:

21 Nights, By Prince and Randee St Nicholas

Prince's first book gives a weird insight into the world of this workaholic and cryptic pop star

Reviewed by Matt Thorne
Sunday, 5 October 2008

Independent.co.uk


Luton airport has never looked as glamorous as it does in the glossy pages of Prince's first book, a collection of "photography, poetry, lyrics and music" (a CD is included), celebrating his extraordinary series of 21 shows (and 14 aftershow performances) at the O2 venue during August and September last year.


The book is a collaboration with the photographer Randee St Nicholas, who followed Prince throughout his stay, and is clearly intended as something more substantial than a mere concert souvenir. It's evident that the photo shoots were as much of an artistic project as the concerts themselves.

If any more proof is needed of Prince's workaholism, after playing gigs that would start at 8.30pm and aftershows that ran as late as 4.15am, he would follow this with a photo shoot, or on one occasion recorded here (Night 18), even flew to Prague to film a music video at dawn. St Nicholas suggests in an introduction that this idiosyncratic behaviour is "a conduit to achieve creative exhaustion" and "a gift".

Nonetheless, in spite of the high glamour and gorgeous quality of the staged photos here (the "style source directory" in the back of the book credits big-name designers such as Vivienne Westwood, Matthew Williamson and Alexander McQueen), there is an occasional disconnection between Prince's glamorous life and the reality of late-night urban London. The O2 is a wonderful new venue and the only place in the city which could meet Prince's needs for a run of this length, but there's still something slightly dispiriting about the photos of Prince in a yellow hooded jacket round the back of the O2 in the early hours of the morning.

One of the stranger photo shoots in the collection has a maid in a fetishistic pink uniform and laddered stockings making Prince's bed at the Dorchester. The woman is so beautiful she's clearly a model; the laddered stockings are there to add a touch of social realism, and the end result feels like a peculiar intrusion of male fantasy into Prince's largely feminine world. Those wondering whether Prince is still (as rumoured) a Jehovah's Witness will be intrigued to see the maid adjusting Prince's copy of the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. This peculiar narrative ends with the maid putting on one of Prince's shirts and hiding in his wardrobe just as he's about to enter his room.

Prince's text is at times amusing (the first shot of him with an umbrella is accompanied by a complaint about being misled about the weather), at others deliberately cryptic, coded games for the diehards. There are lyrics from songs from his underrated last album, Planet Earth, which gained headlines worldwide when Prince gave it away free with The Mail on Sunday, and what may be poems or lyrics for as yet unreleased songs. ("The Guilty Ones" appears to be a lyric about the fans who came to the shows, commenting on the "single moms & drunk fellas" in the audience. The inebriation of British fans at the O2, who were perhaps not used to such long nights of entertainment, was a frequent complaint of European visitors.)

Ultimately, though, whether you attended the shows or not, the most compelling reason to spend £30 on this book is the accompanying CD, Indigo Nights, a collection of recordings from the aftershows. Oddly, this set most resembles Lou Reed's 1978 scabrous live talkathon Take No Prisoners, showcasing Prince the comedian as he cracks jokes about how dumb photographers beg for pictures of him with Michael Jackson, and reminisces about how his mother used to send him out to buy her tampons. It's significant that Prince has chosen to release recordings from the aftershows instead of the main run. While the main shows were largely run-throughs of the hits, the aftershows were endlessly anarchic and inventive, with everything from psychedelic heavy rock shows to guest appearances from Amy Winehouse to a cover of the Benny Hill theme.

Fans will inevitably be disappointed at the songs and shows not represented here, but it's clear that the songs have been selected to showcase a particular side of Prince's talent, and as this is only the second official Prince live release (apart from odd tracks on his now-defunct website), it makes 21 Nights an essential purchase for anyone interested in the artist.

Prince of Books: PW Talks to Randee St. Nicholas
A Web-Exclusive Q&A
by Christina M. Hinke -- Publishers Weekly, 10/6/2008 11:00:00 AMIn 21 Nights, the first-ever book by Prince, photographer Randee St. Nicholas follows the musician during his 21 sold-out shows at the O2 arena in London last year, and unearths Prince’s introspective side.

How did this book come about for you?

I had four other book offers, but didn’t want to do them. When Prince asked me I said, “OK.” He said to me, “I want to do a book together, come up with an idea.” I said, “You’re going to be in London for a period of time playing 21 nights, I think we should do it about this time in your life, instead of doing a retrospective of the photographs we’ve done over the years. It’s a very important time for you, and the music industry, to show that one artist can perform and sellout 21 nights in one city to 24,000 people a night.”

How did you plan the shoot?

I set up my equipment and lights all over the place, so wherever he would come to I would be ready to shoot, that was the approach. I am not a candid photographer; even my pictures of him performing live don’t look candid. It was candid in the sense that there was no plan for what he was going to do or what he was going to wear. It was very stylized, but it’s not some glamorous way of making him be a certain way. It was really what I witnessed and experienced, but I wanted it to have an editorial fashion twist to it because his fashion has been a very big statement along with his music. It’s very much like being on tour with Prince for a month, and it’s very different than what [fans] would expect it to be.

What do you think the fans expect?

I think that they think that Prince parties all of the time. And there is that amazing side to him. He has a home in Los Angeles with a club in the basement and he performs there for his friends, and has intimate dinner parties. He is a very social guy, but actually I think he’s very introspective and I think that shows. He spends a lot of time on his own. The book is mostly the private moments when he wasn’t performing. I don’t think people have seen that before. He has also taken a different direction in his spirituality.

What kind of direction?

He’s been evolving in all sorts of ways musically, spiritually, as an artist, as a man, as a human being. Because people think of him as Prince, the purple magistrate, they forget that first and foremost, before being a man, there’s an incredible artist in there who is forever changing and growing. He’s one of the smartest people I know, and I have met a lot of really bright people in my life, and he’s open, funny and he’s fascinated with life, he’s forever learning. What I see in him is an incredible evolution, and I think he and his spirituality are right there evolving with everything else about him. The only thing that hasn’t changed is he looks the same. At 50 he looks the same as when he was 18 or 19. He needs very little retouching.

Is he always dressed to the nines?

You don’t see him in jeans and a T-shirt, and then go on stage dressed as Prince. That’s how he dresses, that’s who he is 24 hours a day. He is exactly who he is all the time.

Can't say I am all that crazy about the book
I mean SOME of the picture are great.
But I personally could of done with out all the blurred
car and street scenes.. BORING..
and some of the nicest pictures have Prince fan
IN THE BOOK CRACK...
NOT COOL!!!!!
Who ever laid the photo's our was stupid.....

I have not listend to the CD yet...
But over all. On a scale from 1 -10 I'd give the book
maybe a 5.. The Hawaii one was MUCH nicer... and lots more
great shots of P...

He doesn't look happy on most of the pics!

Yesterday I went to the American Book Store here in Milano, Italy, said hello to the little woman who sells there and asked: 'I'd like to order a copy of a book that was released September 30th, the title is.... shit!' I was standing bythe cash register by then and '21 Nights' was standing on a pedestal right in front of me. I pointed that out. 'That's the book!' I shouted.
"Prince!" said the lady with a smile.
I made her keep it for me (didn't bring money with me) and today I'm gonna go there and take it!

So tomorrow, I'll be back to U

purplecorvette1 said:

Ooooh ur naughty!
I may just have to do that 'cos HB's hidden it now...he knows how easily tempted I am

The upside: Is the photography, really nice. And if you read the fine print in the back of the book, it says the book is sewn, not glued, that imperssed me very good quality. I like some of the poetry.

The downside:The same old game, the pharisees come to mind with this thought, they did alot of talk, and looked good doing it, but underminded the truth as it was spoken. There is only one truth..

If we are representing Christ, then we need to be careful how we are doing it, very careful.... God Bless

Got it this a.m. Thumb through a few folios. Can't wait to sit back in my pj's and check it out. "So Far So Pleased".

Wow, even after reading the reviews on here I was still not expecting the book to be that heavy.

Some great photos and well worth buying. Not too keen on the blurred shots of airports or the "Chambermaid" shots either but like everything else.

The book was damaged when I got it (inside the cellophane) so am returning it. Also it only cost £13.50 when I looked at the receipt.

I have received the book, I have had it on pre-order from Amazon since April! So, I'm afraid my expectations were quite high by the time I received it. So, I'm afraid I was disappointed by the very stylised photographs, and the photo story with the maid. There were glimpses into Prince's stay in London and the Dorchester hotel, some left me with questions: why 777 as a room number? Why have the television on Sky Sports replay right by the end of the bed? I do like Prague, so did like to see Prince on St George's bridge. Otherwise, I have not played the CD yet, but am very pleased to have Shelby J's version of 'Misty Blue' on there, as she did repeat several times that this was Prince's favourite song in the Aftershows...

Just got the book at Barnes and Noble. For the most part, I like it. Some cool shots. Would've liked some more less-staged photos. Maybe even some more live shots. I cant believe they didnt have any of him playing guitar with the "funk face"

Baylana said:

Um how'd u swing that?

All right, guys, I have seen the book.
I kept it sealed for all day for fear that the air would ruin it

But then I gathered myself together and opened it.

The pictures are very good, I like them and I don't think Prince looks miserable. He just looks pensive just like he frequently does.

Nice idea of putting poetry and some lyrics we are familiar with.

Haven't listened to the cd yet.

I'm gonna keep the book safe, far from sunlight and dust, and pull it out whenever I want to look at it.

My initial reaction to the book is that the size, weight and quality are very impressive for such a small price tag - especially considering what the CD could sell for on its own!

I really like it. I'm not a "coffee-table book" kinda guy by any means, but as a quality momento of last summer it's excellent, like an extended-extended deluxe programme of sorts. As for the CD, I still need to work out which nights the recordeings were form (and figure out it I was there!), but it's great to have some of those jams in top quality.

Definitely pleased, and pleasantly surprised.

ThePartyman said:

I got my book

DesireeNevermind said:

I had no idea. I unpacked the book and the sales slip inside said I had only been charged £13.50

I thought the book was ok,I would have prefered to see more concert pics. I saw randee taking photos of P on stage at the concert and aftershow, every now again P would look in her direction and smile, so what's the point of taking all those concert pics and not putting them in the book. I have'nt played the cd yet, but it should of had at least 21 tracks on it.

ThePartyman said:

And concert programmes in no way represent the tour in anyway either!

Plus the CD is from the 16th and 21st September aftershows...

I finally got my book today It is simply beautiful-had no idea it was this big First, THANK YOU PRINCE AND RANDEE for this beautiful creation. I love all the pics-there is just one that I'm wishy washy on, but over all I love it. It was well worth the 31.50 I paid for it. The cd is great I love Beggin Woman Blues-could Princey be talking about someone we know I'm still listening to the cd and loving every minute Thanks Prince ya

i'm sure this has been answered but i couldn't find it on page one of this thread:
What day did the book and accompanying cd go on sale?
Is it available at record stores or book stores?
And how much is it going for?

Thanks for any info.

looks like the price is $31.50- but what store did you find it at?

I finally got my book 2day. I was way 2 excited as I flipped through the beautiful glossy prints.

I plan 2 settle down with a chilled glass of wine and take my time and dissect each page thoroughly. Prince is such a perfectionist and I'm so glad 2b a part of his musical world

The book is a precious gift that I will forever cherish.

It's extremely affordable considering what all u get. There r a few things I would have changed like more pictures of him on stage, but overall I am diffidently pleased and grateful 4 the work him and Randee St. Nicholas have created

The cd is a great bonus and a pleasure 2 have

This book along with all my other princely things r handled with extreme care like a new born baby.

I brought a 2nd book 4 a dear friend 4 her 43rd birthday. She will be totally surprised and appreciative. She is the only friend I have that love Prince as much as I do.

Can u see walking around a mall with 2 of these heavy books?

XNY said:

1st October

It's on sale in HMV London

The price varies Amazon seems the cheapest £13.60

It is available in book stores

I got my book today!

the postman even rang my bell...He said that it didn't fit my mail box. I was like "What?It can't be that big..."

It is. I love it!



Superquality material from Prince.

Worth the money I paid!
[Edited 10/9/08 10:43am]