Had to come back for a sec to give you my insanely detailed review.

It finally arrived here in Seattle.

So I open up this box. . .there be some funk up in this box! Stank up my whole house. Neighbors start complaining, say I got to get rid of dat funk, it's makin' they dishes rattle, it's makin' they hamsters dance all out they cages. Can't have none o' that. It made me sad, but you know, love thy neighbor and all that. So I packed it up, and I went to send it back to y'all. . .but the mailman, he wouldn't take it! He say, "I can't have funk like that all up in my little truck! Goin' set da wheels on fire, girl! Goin' stank up all my letters! You're goin' have to keep dat funky, funky box fo' yoself."

So I still got my box of funk. What am I supposed to tell my neighbors? I guess they just goin' to have to learn to love the funk. Nothin' I can do.

It's cool, though. It's cool.


So listening again. . .

Rainbow Children
Damn! Why does it have to start with that damn voice! Ah well. Keep listening. . .(it will turn out that that was one of very few complaints with this set, just so ya know). . .hey, gets funky. Just like I remember. That guitar is fierce. Just about knocks you out towards the end. . .but hang on, you want to be around for what follows!

Muse 2 The Pharoah
Sweet vocals. This charms me much more than the album version. The whole Rainbow Children album, really, is so much better off live, and that comes across here. "Let me run agenda through your hair". . .yeah, that he does. I think part of why I like it live better than on the TRC album is that I'm better able to set aside the lyrics and appreciate the artistry.

Xenophobia
Oh lawd. I just love this song. Yeah, show that band off!. They are amazing. . .I don't think I knew I liked horns until I heard this song. Mean what he did to the first girl, though, eh? Made her give up her seat, and then didn't bring her up! And the "leader" chick. . .so sad. I wonder what he would have said if somebody would have replied, "well, depends on where the leader is going."

Extraordinary
Pretty. Not a favorite of mine, but if it's a fav of yours, look! Now you have a live version! Congrats.

Mellow
This is one of my favs from TRC, and it's very sexy live. Reminds me of the Mustang Mix of TMBGITW. "Choose wisely and you can find me in the mellow of your mind." Mmmm.

1+1+1=3
The theme continues: I thought this song was lame on the album, but it has become a favorite since hearing it live. The vocal styling is so. . .sassy. There are a few places on this set that I wish you could actually hear the crowd better, and this is one. I know they were going crazy, but you can hardly hear them. I remember this joint shaking up the building in Vancouver, and I'm sure this show was no different, but this recording doesn't capture that. Minor complaint.

Cool as the Other Side of the Pillow
Major highlight. This song deserves to be a classic. I've always loved it, and I'm glad he put it on the setlist for this tour. It's sooo smoooth. . .love the sleezy dance. . .and that is the filthiest horn playing I have ever heard. Freak it baby!

Strange Relationship
And this song IS a classic. Done well here. Rhonda, darlin', you're killing us all.

When U Were Mine
Another one that was helped by the crowd energy, which isn't (of course) the same here. But hey, it's a great little groove. Yes, Prince, please play your guitar a little bit.

Avalanche
Guess what I'm gonna say? Yeah, this song didn't hit me until I heard it live. But for me, this recording isn't gut wrenching in the same way as it was in person. I think it was seeing his delivery, seeing the pain on his face, that made it come alive for me. It's *our* pain.

Family Name
Hella funky, and nicely put. "If you wanna go higher, than we got to get deep." (though, one has to wonder, why is Prince, in his pinstripe suit, with his Mercedes grille, preaching so much lately? Preacher, preacher: that ain't truth)

Take Me With U
I remember the palpable relief when he went on to this song after Avalanche and Family Name at the shows I was at. Whew, we can party again. And party we did. Ah, but I'm just reminiscing and not reviewing. Sorry. Y'all know this song, right?

Raspberry Beret
He picked a good recording of this. In Seattle, we sang almost the entire thing. This is just enough crowd singing to capture the fun of that, but enough of him singing to keep the structure, since it's a little hard to hear the crowd well. Really fun.

Everlasting Now
Funk 101 from NPG University. Really, who knew Jesus could be so funky? One of my favs on this set. Hard to sit still long enough to say anything about it! But I will say this: this shit is why people buy bootlegs. This could NEVER come out of a studio.

One Nite Alone
From Seattle! Damn, I wish I had recordings of the entire Seattle and Vancouver shows (are you listening, Prince?). No matter how good this set is, it can't replace the buzz of knowing that I WAS THERE when this was recorded! My voice is out in that crowd! I bet you Portland folks are jizzing yoselves over this set. . .WHY didn't I go to Portland? WHY WHY WHY? Ah well. Seattle got a couple of tracks, and this one is very nice.

Adore
Who doesn't love this song? Nobody, that's who. Just listen to those vocals. . .who else sings like that? Nobody, that's who. And the "smash up my ride" bit cracks me up every time. (In Seattle it was Bill Gates who smashed up the ride, it was hella funny. "Well can he buy you another one then?")

I Wanna B Your Lover
On solo piano! How awesome is that?! Musicianship. Mm mm.

Do Me Baby
You sound good, Houston! Really, who knew Texans could be so sexy?

Condition of the Heart
Play more play more! Sing it! Oh, damn.

Diamonds and Pearls
So beautiful at both ends of his range. Awfully pretty.

The Beautiful Ones
I think he takes this song for granted at this point. It is one of the most heartbreakingly beautiful songs ever written, IMHO, and he should stop performing it, because he doesn't feel it anymore. Again, just my little ol' opinion, what do I know? Nuthin'.

Nothing Compares 2 U
This one is still good.

Free
What a nice addition to the setlist. One of the first Prince songs I ever fell in love with (though it was in, like, 1996. . .a little late!). Elegant song, elegantly performed. IN SEATTLE. I WAS THERE.

Starfish and Coffee
Yeay! The most darling song, it really is. AND I WAS THERE!

Sometimes it Snows in April
One of my favorite songs off of one of my favorite albums, and I was thrilled that he included it. It's such a quiet, honest, humble song. . .I just adore it. AND I WAS STILL THERE! Trying not to totally break into little bits on the floor from emotion, if I recall.

How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore
I dig this song. I miss the "does your man have an ass like mine" schtick, but hey, I guess he couldn't use that forever. Kinda puts Miss Keys to shame, doesn't it? Groovin'. "Crack kills" . . .ROTFLMAO

Anna Stesia
This was one of my favorite Prince songs, before he went and fucked it up during this tour. All of the magic of Lovesexy lived in this song for me. I'm kind of bitter about him reforming it into a prelude to his. . .*pfft*, never mind. What I really want to say is: I hear you on the diversity bit. I get that. Appreciating diversity is most importantly a step towards appreciating commonality. I agree. But it's a necessary step, and the higher ground isn't where you think it is. Yes, we want to be singing the same song, but harmony, Prince, is only possible with diversity. And mixing the NPGMC advert in was just tacky.

Sorry to end that section on a sour note, but that's how he ended the shows in my mind: on a sour note. That's allowed. They are his shows. I'm forgiving that, and movin' on to the aftershow. . .and more glorious FUNK. . .


Joy in Repetition
Mmmm. . .lovely. Don't know how y'all stayed upright during that guitar solo. . .my oh my.

We Do This
I am in awe of George Clinton. Funk, funk, funkity funk. On stage with Prince! Gotta love that! It ain't over! More exclamation points, 'cause I don't know how else to say it: !!!

Just Friends. . .
Yeah, I'm pretty enamored with the whole NeoSoul crew in general, but Musiq just doesn't do it for me, I'm sorry to say. No disrespect, though, and I hope other people enjoy this track.

2 Nigs United 4 West Compton
"I think I'm possessed. . ." WOOHOO! I wanna say something about it, but it's TOO FUNKY! I hope my face goes back to normal someday.

Alphabet Street
Best version I've heard. I don't like this song. Except now I kinda do.

Peach
Oh, honey baby suga darlin, I wish I were there. I remember the Portland peeps talking about this. Now I know why. Again, this is why people buy bootlegs. This track right here. "Say, what do I hear? Sounds good to my ear."

Dorothy Parker
How cool is this? One of the best P songs ever, funked 'till she screams. One question: why the addition of the pizza? After, like, 6 hours of performing he must have been getting hungry, I guess.

Girls and Boys
This just seems so bizarre and brilliant here. If I were anything other than human, I'd want to be one of Prince's guitars.

The Everlasting Now (Vamp)
It's over. Damn.


Ok, I've got to get back to my finals.

HEY! You got a Politics and Religion forum! Cool! See y'all in about a week, wish me good luck and good grades.

Doves,
Mel!ssa

Man you are too funny: I enjoyed the Review, didn't agree with it all but i appreciated it. Peace and be Wild.

That was a good 'lite' read... thanks for the laughs~!

I believe that he is saying, YES, there is
diversity, differences, and one should get outside
of their world and celebrate ONEanothers
similarities.

People become locked up in their own world,
big or small, if you will, they get comfortable,
and sometimes forget that we all have alot in common
in our diverse world.

One thing that is for sure, is that we all are
God's children, created in his image. Don't we
all want to love, and be loved in return?

By celebrating our similarities, and recognizing
them, puts us on a HIGHER level, an agreement!

Isn't it nice to belong to a club that believes
that!

Enjoyed your review!

for peace!