I saw about 9 minutes of the Roskilde appearance, and it seems to me.....that Prince is a happier performer onstage these days, than he was in the past. In the past, he had to play a part....the sexually charged lothario, coming onto the men and women in the crowd, the i'm confused with my sexuality, the "kid" from purple rain...

now, Prince is just being himself. He seems so comfortable onstage, enjoying himself and the music he's making, and the musicians he's playing with, rather than having to "manufacture" his enthusiasm.

His dance moves are certainly economical nowadays, but who cares? he led the Roskilde crowd in an incredible funkathon.

what do you think?

Prince definetly seems happier on stage on certain nights versus others, but within the past 5 years (a time when he was able to pick and choose his bandmates, his venues, his schedule, etc.) I have scene both happiness and frustration.

I think there must be some sort of pure satisfaction being in the position he is now versus the first 10-20 years in music- just for the above mentioned reasons: he can now pick and choose who he plays with on any given night, choose the venue, the schedule, even the music he wants to play; versus having to push a certain album/cd like in the past while under contract. He doesnt have to tour if he doesnt want to- he can do these one of shows for the rest of his life. He doesnt have to spend a year or more on the road, and is free to spend more time doing what he wants to do (which I guess is play and create music, relax a bit, and see other musicians whose music he enjoys listening to). There is no doubt a freedom and pure joy in being able to do WHAT you want, WHEN you want, WHERE you want, WITH whom you want!

But Prince is human. I have scene him irritated to the point of obvious distraction and frustration because of sound issues. Also any musician is affected by what is going on in their personal life. Any time Prince has been in love he seemed happy on stage; and, when things started to fall apart you could also notice a different demeanor about him.

Obviously there must have been sheer joy and excitement to be playing to large appreciative crowds around the Purple Rain era. The first time anyone is able to play and feel the love of a large group is overwhelming (the excitement, the joy, and the pressure to stay on top). Maybe at this point in his career that type of excitement is now unatainable and maybe even missed.

But what I think it all comes down to is the audience, the feeling in the room he is playing on any given night. There is no doubt that some nights are just special and bring joy to everyone- audience members as well as P. Some nights everyone just exudes love, respect and musical unity (everyone on stage and in the audience). There are nights were everyone in the room seems united in one peaceful, loving soulful yet funky entity, and those are the nights that P has seemed happiest on stage ( this distinctively brings to mind the difference in the Garden from one night to the next during the Musicology tour- there was just one night during those shows where everyone seemed connected, one night that just had a different feel, a spiritual oneness in music, love, and respect- a night that was just electric). It is on those nights when an almost spiritual electric feeling takes over everyone in the room that P has seemed happiest to me. AND NO I AM NOT SOME TYPE OF HIPPY THAT TALKS ABOUT ONENESS AND SPIRITUALITY ON A REGULAR BASIS- ANYONE WHO HAS EVER BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO EXPERIENCE WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT KNOWS WHAT I MEAN HERE.

Yes, I think at this stage in Prince's career there must be a certain joy and peace in just being able to do what he wants to do, and a realization of the beauty of being able to play music basically for his entire life! You gotta feel blessed, amazed and joyful to be able to do what you love over your lifetime! But in the end, I think the best moments on stage for Prince must be when he connects on a certain level with the crowd- because we all know the man is great most nights. It not a matter of just killing it, but of going beyond the norm- a night when he and his band can jam without care and play whatever pops into their minds and it works and they feed off each other and the crowd. When each person in the room takes the other to a higher plain.

Still the best live performer to me. He's not in his 20s anymore.

Just watching a performance of dance 4 me in paris. He was sitting on a chair throughout the entire thing, but it still kicked ass in my opinion. His guitar playing seems to me to have a lot more finesse than before, but still feels very spontaneous. I love it.

I think when Prince is playing new material live, which has been rarer and rarer over the years, he seems very excited and inspired. The Musicology Tour was the most uninspired tour I have ever seen from him, just going through the motions for some $$$.

motherfunka said:

motherfunka said:

I think when Prince is playing new material live, which has been rarer and rarer over the years, he seems very excited and inspired. The Musicology Tour was the most uninspired tour I have ever seen from him, just going through the motions for some $$$.

you must have seen a different show than I did...I saw the first of the madison square garden shows and he was all over the place in a good way

Judging by the most recent one i saw of him doing "Kiss" he can still work it out and perform better than more than half of these new artists today, hes exciting to watch (and a babelol) he doesnt just stand there, he feels the music totally smashing rumours he has a bad hip jsut because hes not jumping from pianos doing splits doesnt make him any less of a great performer.

[Edited 7/9/10 18:02pm]

I just hope that he is happy I loved sexually charged Prince, but I'll take turtle neck wearing Prince any day

Erika2k8 said:

purpledoveuk said:

Erika2k8 said:

Judging by the most recent one i saw of him doing "Kiss" he can still work it out and perform better than more than half of these new artists today, hes exciting to watch (and a babelol) he doesnt just stand there, he feels the music totally smashing rumours he has a bad hip jsut because hes not jumping from pianos doing splits doesnt make him any less of a great performer.

[Edited 7/9/10 18:02pm]

It's cool how opinions differ...I thinkmKiss now is really 'poor' because his voice seems to have changed and he can't seem to get that falsetto going

The song kiss is sung by Prince and rearranged by Prince differently for each tour. He is just using his voice in a manner that you didn't expect. Rule #1 Prince normally doesn't perform the song as it was recorded on the record or CD.

micknme said:

Prince definetly seems happier on stage on certain nights versus others, but within the past 5 years (a time when he was able to pick and choose his bandmates, his venues, his schedule, etc.) I have scene both happiness and frustration.

I think there must be some sort of pure satisfaction being in the position he is now versus the first 10-20 years in music- just for the above mentioned reasons: he can now pick and choose who he plays with on any given night, choose the venue, the schedule, even the music he wants to play; versus having to push a certain album/cd like in the past while under contract. He doesnt have to tour if he doesnt want to- he can do these one of shows for the rest of his life. He doesnt have to spend a year or more on the road, and is free to spend more time doing what he wants to do (which I guess is play and create music, relax a bit, and see other musicians whose music he enjoys listening to). There is no doubt a freedom and pure joy in being able to do WHAT you want, WHEN you want, WHERE you want, WITH whom you want!

But Prince is human. I have scene him irritated to the point of obvious distraction and frustration because of sound issues. Also any musician is affected by what is going on in their personal life. Any time Prince has been in love he seemed happy on stage; and, when things started to fall apart you could also notice a different demeanor about him.

Obviously there must have been sheer joy and excitement to be playing to large appreciative crowds around the Purple Rain era. The first time anyone is able to play and feel the love of a large group is overwhelming (the excitement, the joy, and the pressure to stay on top). Maybe at this point in his career that type of excitement is now unatainable and maybe even missed.

But what I think it all comes down to is the audience, the feeling in the room he is playing on any given night. There is no doubt that some nights are just special and bring joy to everyone- audience members as well as P. Some nights everyone just exudes love, respect and musical unity (everyone on stage and in the audience). There are nights were everyone in the room seems united in one peaceful, loving soulful yet funky entity, and those are the nights that P has seemed happiest on stage ( this distinctively brings to mind the difference in the Garden from one night to the next during the Musicology tour- there was just one night during those shows where everyone seemed connected, one night that just had a different feel, a spiritual oneness in music, love, and respect- a night that was just electric). It is on those nights when an almost spiritual electric feeling takes over everyone in the room that P has seemed happiest to me. AND NO I AM NOT SOME TYPE OF HIPPY THAT TALKS ABOUT ONENESS AND SPIRITUALITY ON A REGULAR BASIS- ANYONE WHO HAS EVER BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO EXPERIENCE WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT KNOWS WHAT I MEAN HERE.

Yes, I think at this stage in Prince's career there must be a certain joy and peace in just being able to do what he wants to do, and a realization of the beauty of being able to play music basically for his entire life! You gotta feel blessed, amazed and joyful to be able to do what you love over your lifetime! But in the end, I think the best moments on stage for Prince must be when he connects on a certain level with the crowd- because we all know the man is great most nights. It not a matter of just killing it, but of going beyond the norm- a night when he and his band can jam without care and play whatever pops into their minds and it works and they feed off each other and the crowd. When each person in the room takes the other to a higher plain.

2nd you on everything you said. Shame people didnt acknowlege such a good thoughtful post.

And when you said , "AND NO I AM NOT SOME TYPE OF HIPPY THAT TALKS ABOUT ONENESS AND SPIRITUALITY ON A REGULAR BASIS- ANYONE WHO HAS EVER BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO EXPERIENCE WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT KNOWS WHAT I MEAN HERE."

Hah dont worry I got what you meant. Its sad you have to add that to avoid some misunderstood comment. But oh well, everyone will get it sooner or later, its unavoidable.

And yeah somtimes he does get a little crazy. If I remember from the Lovesexy tour he pushed one of the dude away after making the meanest glare at him while they both sang. And in P Control live he grapped the hell out of the girl performer in a rush and controlling manner. Everyone has their flaws.

purpledoveuk said:

Erika2k8 said:

Judging by the most recent one i saw of him doing "Kiss" he can still work it out and perform better than more than half of these new artists today, hes exciting to watch (and a babelol) he doesnt just stand there, he feels the music totally smashing rumours he has a bad hip jsut because hes not jumping from pianos doing splits doesnt make him any less of a great performer.

[Edited 7/9/10 18:02pm]

It's cool how opinions differ...I thinkmKiss now is really 'poor' because his voice seems to have changed and he can't seem to get that falsetto going

Respect your opinion but I think thats a load of bull, I think he sounds just as good as he did when he came out even more so when singing kiss, no one can do that song like he can, not you not anyone.

Erika2k8 said:

Prince in concert? You need him in a good mood, or a foul mood. "I'm fine" Prince doesn't do great gigs. Change that... "I'm fine" Prince doesn't do great Prince gigs

motherfunka said:

I think when Prince is playing new material live, which has been rarer and rarer over the years, he seems very excited and inspired. The Musicology Tour was the most uninspired tour I have ever seen from him, just going through the motions for some $$$.

That would be the Emancipation Tour, that was Prince at his lowest in terms of playing, what the band was doing, the set lists etc... though i still went to those shows, i have no memories like i do of his others, they were just on stage off stage next.

micknme said:

Prince definetly seems happier on stage on certain nights versus others, but within the past 5 years (a time when he was able to pick and choose his bandmates, his venues, his schedule, etc.) I have scene both happiness and frustration.

I think there must be some sort of pure satisfaction being in the position he is now versus the first 10-20 years in music- just for the above mentioned reasons: he can now pick and choose who he plays with on any given night, choose the venue, the schedule, even the music he wants to play; versus having to push a certain album/cd like in the past while under contract. He doesnt have to tour if he doesnt want to- he can do these one of shows for the rest of his life. He doesnt have to spend a year or more on the road, and is free to spend more time doing what he wants to do (which I guess is play and create music, relax a bit, and see other musicians whose music he enjoys listening to). There is no doubt a freedom and pure joy in being able to do WHAT you want, WHEN you want, WHERE you want, WITH whom you want!

But Prince is human. I have scene him irritated to the point of obvious distraction and frustration because of sound issues. Also any musician is affected by what is going on in their personal life. Any time Prince has been in love he seemed happy on stage; and, when things started to fall apart you could also notice a different demeanor about him.

Obviously there must have been sheer joy and excitement to be playing to large appreciative crowds around the Purple Rain era. The first time anyone is able to play and feel the love of a large group is overwhelming (the excitement, the joy, and the pressure to stay on top). Maybe at this point in his career that type of excitement is now unatainable and maybe even missed.

But what I think it all comes down to is the audience, the feeling in the room he is playing on any given night. There is no doubt that some nights are just special and bring joy to everyone- audience members as well as P. Some nights everyone just exudes love, respect and musical unity (everyone on stage and in the audience). There are nights were everyone in the room seems united in one peaceful, loving soulful yet funky entity, and those are the nights that P has seemed happiest on stage ( this distinctively brings to mind the difference in the Garden from one night to the next during the Musicology tour- there was just one night during those shows where everyone seemed connected, one night that just had a different feel, a spiritual oneness in music, love, and respect- a night that was just electric). It is on those nights when an almost spiritual electric feeling takes over everyone in the room that P has seemed happiest to me. AND NO I AM NOT SOME TYPE OF HIPPY THAT TALKS ABOUT ONENESS AND SPIRITUALITY ON A REGULAR BASIS- ANYONE WHO HAS EVER BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO EXPERIENCE WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT KNOWS WHAT I MEAN HERE.

Yes, I think at this stage in Prince's career there must be a certain joy and peace in just being able to do what he wants to do, and a realization of the beauty of being able to play music basically for his entire life! You gotta feel blessed, amazed and joyful to be able to do what you love over your lifetime! But in the end, I think the best moments on stage for Prince must be when he connects on a certain level with the crowd- because we all know the man is great most nights. It not a matter of just killing it, but of going beyond the norm- a night when he and his band can jam without care and play whatever pops into their minds and it works and they feed off each other and the crowd. When each person in the room takes the other to a higher plain.

the only thing i will say is that, you cant depend on the audience, whether they are on their feet or not, singing along or not, they paid, as long as they arent rude you gotta play, and yes it does effect the performer at times, but thats why you push to win them over or wake them up.

purpledoveuk said:

Erika2k8 said:

Respect your opinion but I think thats a load of bull, I think he sounds just as good as he did when he came out even more so when singing kiss, no one can do that song like he can, not you not anyone.

Bulls a bit harsh - was just saying that it sounds a little more strained and less crisp with each tour I've seen...it wasn't a slanderous attack

And its nothing personal on my part, never said you where a load of s**t because obviously I dont know you, I said what you said imo was. Absurd but not slanderous.

lastdecember said:

motherfunka said:

I think when Prince is playing new material live, which has been rarer and rarer over the years, he seems very excited and inspired. The Musicology Tour was the most uninspired tour I have ever seen from him, just going through the motions for some $$$.

That would be the Emancipation Tour, that was Prince at his lowest in terms of playing, what the band was doing, the set lists etc... though i still went to those shows, i have no memories like i do of his others, they were just on stage off stage next.

Any tour, really, after Gold could fit the bill! I mean tours prior to that would have almost the entire new album he was promoting at the time with the hits mixed in, except the Nude tour. He has said so many times that "this" will be the last time he will play the hits...mostly I wish it was true. I won't even go there with the covers...

BlackAdder7 said:

motherfunka said:

I think when Prince is playing new material live, which has been rarer and rarer over the years, he seems very excited and inspired. The Musicology Tour was the most uninspired tour I have ever seen from him, just going through the motions for some $$$.

you must have seen a different show than I did...I saw the first of the madison square garden shows and he was all over the place in a good way

I'm not talking about him moving around, but if you have ever saw a Prince tour where almost the entire new album is being performed you'd probably know what I was talking about. I mean he's obviously bored with the old stuff, or he wouldn't cut it off after the first verse. He just knows now that is what the casual concert goer wants to hear. Don't get me wrong, when I still see him perform it is always great. I just wish he'd give the new stuff a chance to be heard.

It's a mixed bag for me.

I think his guitar performances now are just wonderful.

He seems to switch styles, guitar solos, etc. constantly in his performances, always leaving each live rendition of this or that song a surprise.

But my favorite Prince performances are from the PARADE era---there was something about the energy and the overall choice of songs that made those performances special.

There are dozens upon dozens of great perormances that I've seen on video, so even if prefer the older material, there are always moments in the recent performances I like.

His guitar solo on Purple Rain just recently performed to promote 20Ten was really good. I love the change in style for the guitar solo---it almost seemed....relaxed.