Hey all.

Sorry if there's already been a post about this, but watching the Leno and Ellen Show performances, I noticed just how many different bands Prince used.

As far as I can make out:

OLD SKOOL - Cora Dunham, Josh Dunham, Morris Hayes, Shelby J. & co. and Fred Yonnet

DREAMER - Michael B, Sonny T, Morris Hayes and Fred Yonnet

FEEL GOOD - Cora Dubnham, Josh Dunham, Morris Hayes, Fred Yonnet, Shelby J & co.

SOMEWHERE - John Blackwell, Rhonda Smith, Renato Neto + brass and woodwind sections

CRIMSON - Sheila E(!), Rhonda Smith, Renato Nato and Morris Hayes.


Now, to my memory, this is the first time ever that Prince has swapped his band during the same promotional tour, let alone within a few days of each other.

Most interestingly, he's used EVERY DRUMMER he's had since 1987, dating back to Sheila E. Except Kirk Johnson (say no more. How cool is that?!! I wonder if it's Prince 'road-testing' different musicians or, most importantly,
different combinations? Perhaps for the next tour (if there is one?!)...

Apologies if I've got some of the above musicians listed wrongly, but as far as I can make out watching them back on DVD, that's accurate. Not sure about the female keys player on Feel Good...

If Prince tours soon I'll be pleasantly surprised.
He just did 21 nights in London not too long ago and a stint in Vegas before that.

Plus, with 350,000 thousand copies of lotusflow3r in his first month (not including website sales), I would imagine he has less financial incentive to tour.

Albeit, he does seem to be warming his band up. I know folks say he's not promoting lotusflow3r enough, but the guy's been on Leno 4 times since it was released, and made numerous public appearances in the cesspool of culture, L.A. I think he's doing plenty to promote it. He just lacks a major label to do the rest.

Imago said:

Yeah, I agree. Maybe the frequent band change is a 'last goodbye'?!

clbrooks said:

This makes alot of sense.

clbrooks said:

Josh and Cora have left now so I understand.

He's a perfectionist.

Gav said:

That's the best news I've heard in a really long time! Maybe now we can get some people that sound like they have some Soul.

The band also needs to have some choreography going on when performing. Everybody's just standing still looking bored, Prince included! It's like now his shows are just for listening. There's nothing to see, no dance moves, no funny/sexy facial expressions. Just his boring suits. I could go blind and get as much outta his live shows as the next man. That's part of his legend/legacy as a live performer. The music was always bangin', but he knew how to put on a SHOW! The Revolution and SOTT/Lovesexy bands did some very basic choreography, nothing fancy, and it made the show sizzle. It made the music seem to have that extra umph of energy.

And, I ain't talking about adding some twins and shit to the foray (who were very annoying), but have him and the actual band move a tad.

Gav said:

Source?

I think I recall someone talking about Prince only rehearsing at this point in his life...He doesn't have 2 practice anymore.

As with bands I'm sure Prince just wants to gather different friends at times, I'm sure most of the combinations have been tested already...

alexnvrmnd777 said:

Can't say much more after this 5 star post

TyphoonTip said:

A bandmember - sorry I can't be more specific in order to protect the source.

As the musicianship of the bandmembers goes up, the live performances go down. The revolution was the best.