[Edited 2/17/11 11:53am]

[Edited 2/18/11 7:47am]

http://zenametal.blogspot.com/

I was lucky enough to score tickets for the third installment of Prince's "Welcome 2 America" tour at Madison Square Garden last night. Better than the second show, but still not quite as transcendent as the first, the legend played for nearly three hours and was joined onstage by the incredible Sharon Jones (plus some Dap Kings) and jazz musician Maceo Parker.

Though he did play deep-cut classics like "Controversy," "Nothing Compares 2 U," and "The Beautiful Ones" over the course of his run, it still boggles my mind as to why he played "1999" at all three dates, but never got into "When Doves Cry" nor "I Would Die 4 U."

Other observations about last night's show: at one point, Prince brought Leighton Meester up onstage—a cushioned chaise seat already waiting for her—then proceeded to serenade the Gossip Girl with the help of Maceo Parker. Also, the ballerina who appeared during the first two shows was seemingly replaced by some amateurish "twins" who looked like they choreographed their own dances at a sugar-buzzed sleepover party. I was genuinely concerned for them when they circled the stage in Heelys.

Despite this minor nitpicking, it was still a great honor to be in attendance. The show was inspirational, uplifting, awing. I've now seen Prince as many times as I've seen Judas Priest—and it feels just right.

Izod Center, NJ - 12.17.2010

Wow...that's some scary *beeeeeeep* right there!

OldFriends4Sale said:

SUCH a great pic!

ufoclub said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

SUCH a great pic!

my thoughts exaaactlyy :]

theyre all great pics ^_^

OldFriends4Sale said:

Set-list :

-Thunderstorm intro
-Laydown
-The Beautiful Ones
-Uptown
-Raspberry Beret
-Cream
-Let's Work
-U Got The Look
-Shhh
-Angel (Shelby J.)
-Nothing Compares 2 U (Prince With Shelby J.)
-She's Always in My Hair
-If I Was Your Girlfriend (Prince With Esperanza Spalding)
-Insatiable
-Scandalous
-Adore
-Purple Rain

-Kiss
-Sometimes it Snows in April (Prince With Lalah Hathaway)
-Diamonds And Pearls (Prince With Lalah Hathaway)
-All The Critics Love U in New York
-Controversy (including Housequake)
-Sexy Dancer vs Le Freak (Chic)
-Controversy

[Edited 2/18/11 7:56am]

Liv is hot in this pic, but every pic I see of her with Prince she looks like a old grandmother