independent and unofficial
Prince fan community
Welcome! Sign up or enter username and password to remember me
Forum jump
Forums > Prince: Music and More > Prince and his concert banter.
« Previous topic  Next topic »
Page 1 of 2 12>
  New topic   Printable     (Log in to 'subscribe' to this topic)
Author

Tweet     Share

Message
Thread started 08/12/11 12:34pm

rdhull

avatar

Prince and his concert banter.

Having heard that seminal recording of the 1984 birthday show (which is everything I wanted to see and hear since it was written about in the Random Notes section in Rolling Stone magazine way back then), I am reminded of seeing those pictures and posters of the performance with Prince stroking the geetar lasciviously while wearing the flowery pink and black clothing with torn fishnet stocking armwear on and wondered exactly what the hell was going on at that performance. Why the odd(er) clothes than the glam funk trenchcoat and such?

On the recently unearthed recording of that night, I notice how he is speaking to the audience several times. What was distinguishing to me was that he calls out Roy "The Best" Bennet, the awesome lighting director who helped create the "dramatic" lighting of such stage shows of the Controversy and 1999 tours, much less gave his wife up to the purple throne to be part of Vanity 6. Well, as he calls out to Bennet, "Misterrr Benneeeet..I cantttt seeee." He sounds so...vulnerable/unsure? Hearing shows in the past like the Dirty Mnd tour etc. you hear Prince speak to the audience with a closed off reserve. On the 84 bday show, he seems a bit more open but he still sounds like a shy hometown kid. He sounds not as if he is mumbling, but embarrassed in front of the crowd. A big change from the call outs to "G.W.! Turn the lights on!" from the ONA shows in the 2001 era.

After the deluge of rain that was purple, you can hear his confidence rise in other off shows where there is banter with the audience. Of course one is obviously going to become more confident as time and experience is had, and musicianship gets better. But at the 1984 show, he had already mini-toured Europe, been baptized by punk funk kang Rick James (hi max lol), and finished the grandiosity of the Controversy and 1999 tours. Why is he seemingly so unsure sounding to the audience in the 1984 bday banter? This isn't about the actual performance.. no no...because of course that is slammin'. It's just what I noticed about his "heard" stage presence. Even the infamous warehouse rehearsal of that nights show shows him to be cocky.

Im aware that the birthday show was a club show and not a huge stage performance so he didn't have to pull out all the stops with his banter or whatever you call it, but it seems with past tours before the birthday show, he was in great command. So why the deer in the headlights demeanor? It is almost like you can see growth in him, not via the music as we all have done these past decades, but how he converses with the crowd. Compare that 1984 show to lets say, Small Club and how confident he sounds with the audience. Hell, go one further by going one step (tour) back with the For Those Of U On Valium , Sign Of The Times sneak peek and how he introduces himself and the band. See/hear the difference?

Fast fwd to the present day. Big stage, Los Angeles, last show. Almost last song....almost, but it might have been well his first or last song or he could have just did this song and it would have been worth it. All the build ups from all the tours lead up to the great, great, performance of ADORE. He introduced a little banter but he also sang the whole song ("No! I know we aren't going to do this song!" in mock ecstasy of the audience reaction) as we know now, but seeing him sing it and hearing him do it the way he did, it seemed like all the secret shows, after shows, and major shows, all in one classic ballad. Bettering the unicorn of In A Large Room, With No Lights On Because I Did Not Pay The Bill...Again (see what I did there?). I've read about him doing Adore at other venues this year and in the past (Xenophobia tour, witnessed him teasing with it on the Lovesexy tour etc.), but I'm not so sure how poweful those performances were. I'm sure good to spectacular but what it boils down to is even the greatest rock n roll frontman, Jagger, reached an apex ages ago. The last decade, the Rolling Stones have put on some great and awesome performances, but Jagger has seemed to have reached an apex. The last decade of Stones performances have been good to great, but Jagger cant take it any farther (no fault to him, hell he is Methusala age). Hell, Prince could do a whole show of just ballads..just ballads..b-sides only...and not have to run around in circles and it would still be one of the greatest shows on earth. Maybe this means because of Adore, his skill and mastery that appears to come so effortlessly to him(which isn't so, it's not god-given..it's form hard assed work that we all know about but dont get to see unless its bootlegged etc.), he has topped The Stones. Im calling it. The Greatest Rock And Roll BAND On Earth isnt The Stones or U2, though U2 and The Stone's have been tossing it back and forth the past two decades. It is Prince. Yes he is a solo artist in essence but thats how this has worked out. Now, could he have recieved this by doing Do Me baby?

"Climb in my fur."
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #1 posted 08/12/11 12:42pm

ConsciousConta
ct

I thought you were banned.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #2 posted 08/12/11 1:16pm

langebleu

avatar

moderator

rdhull said:

Having heard that seminal recording of the 1984 birthday show ...

Thanks. Good thoughts

ALT+PLS+RTN: Pure as a pane of ice. It's a gift.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #3 posted 08/12/11 1:16pm

langebleu

avatar

moderator

rdhull said:

Having heard that seminal recording of the 1984 birthday show ...

EDIT Dupe

[Edited 8/12/11 13:17pm]

ALT+PLS+RTN: Pure as a pane of ice. It's a gift.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #4 posted 08/12/11 1:21pm

TheFreakerFant
astic

avatar

OMG...rdhull...i think I remember you from the PPML!!

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #5 posted 08/12/11 4:14pm

wishuhvn

Yes, it is good to see RDHull on the board...and an enjoyable read...very well expessed!

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #6 posted 08/13/11 3:39am

PEJ

avatar

This may sound bias cuz I love your ass but you are right. Why so shy on that night?

To Sir, with Love
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #7 posted 08/15/11 1:51am

EllisDee

avatar

ConsciousContact said:

I thought you were banned.

seriously..? you read all of that, and that was the best comment you could come up with..?

:lame:

oral Mr. Ellis Dee-licious, the Official NPGigolo pimp2

Candy Dulfer is my boo... razz
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #8 posted 08/15/11 2:44am

KeithyT

avatar

Every now and again you still hear that slight nervousness(?) in his audience banter, he trips over words etc (very occasionally). But obviously as you say he is so cocksure in his ability and the hold he has over the crowd now, nervousness is not the overall vibe you get.

He is still much more comfortable in the moment (singing and playing) IMHO.

ruh-uh-dee, Ellis-dee and keithy-dee, on the same thread? is this 2003?

Just somewhere in the middle,
Not too good and not too bad.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #9 posted 08/15/11 3:09am

Spinlight

avatar

EllisDee said:

ConsciousContact said:

I thought you were banned.

seriously..? you read all of that, and that was the best comment you could come up with..?

:lame:

I thought it was funny.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #10 posted 08/15/11 3:15am

NuPwrSoul

Rd, Ellis, KeithyT some of my most fav purple people from way back!

I have nothing to add but another great musicological exposition by RD smile

"That...magic, the start of something revolutionary-the Minneapolis Sound, we should cherish it and not punish prince for not being able to replicate it."-Dreamshaman32
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #11 posted 08/15/11 3:48am

BartVanHemelen

avatar

NuPwrSoul said:

Rd, Ellis, KeithyT some of my most fav purple people from way back!

I have nothing to add but another great musicological exposition by RD smile

Oh please, the dude knows zilch, uses a thousand words to express a bland opinion, and is one of the three stooges who went to the LF party and came back proclaiming that this was gonna be the website to end all websites.

Oh, and he was banned from just about every fansite and official site for very good reasons.

© Bart Van Hemelen
This posting is provided AS IS with no warranties, and confers no rights.
It is not authorized by Prince or the NPG Music Club. You assume all risk for
your use. All rights reserved.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #12 posted 08/15/11 3:58am

PEJ

avatar

EllisDee said:

ConsciousContact said:

I thought you were banned.

seriously..? you read all of that, and that was the best comment you could come up with..?

:lame:

lol

To Sir, with Love
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #13 posted 08/15/11 4:01am

PEJ

avatar

BartVanHemelen said:

NuPwrSoul said:

Rd, Ellis, KeithyT some of my most fav purple people from way back!

I have nothing to add but another great musicological exposition by RD smile

Oh please, the dude knows zilch, uses a thousand words to express a bland opinion, and is one of the three stooges who went to the LF party and came back proclaiming that this was gonna be the website to end all websites.

Oh, and he was banned from just about every fansite and official site for very good reasons.

oh Bart you never quit. didn't P just come visit you in Belgium recently?

To Sir, with Love
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #14 posted 08/15/11 4:04am

KeithyT

avatar

BartVanHemelen said:

Oh please, the dude knows zilch, uses a thousand words to express a bland opinion, and is one of the three stooges who went to the LF party and came back proclaiming that this was gonna be the website to end all websites.

Oh, and he was banned from just about every fansite and official site for very good reasons.

"nobody's perfect" - Osgood, Some Like It Hot lol

[Edited 8/15/11 4:05am]

Just somewhere in the middle,
Not too good and not too bad.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #15 posted 08/15/11 7:01am

rdhull

avatar

BartVanHemelen said:

NuPwrSoul said:

Rd, Ellis, KeithyT some of my most fav purple people from way back!

I have nothing to add but another great musicological exposition by RD smile

Oh please, the dude knows zilch, uses a thousand words to express a bland opinion, and is one of the three stooges who went to the LF party and came back proclaiming that this was gonna be the website to end all websites.

Oh, and he was banned from just about every fansite and official site for very good reasons.

Bart Van Hemelen!!!..

here?? on Prince.org?Thought you were an amp mainstay? Are you following me? no no no! lol

damn you are still sexy to me..org note me hon

"Climb in my fur."
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #16 posted 08/15/11 7:03am

rdhull

avatar

KeithyT said:

Every now and again you still hear that slight nervousness(?) in his audience banter, he trips over words etc (very occasionally). But obviously as you say he is so cocksure in his ability and the hold he has over the crowd now, nervousness is not the overall vibe you get.

He is still much more comfortable in the moment (singing and playing) IMHO.

ruh-uh-dee, Ellis-dee and keithy-dee, on the same thread? is this 2003?

I dont hear the nervousness anymore. Thats why hearing it from back then (by mistake, Prince dont thow me out the castle lol) made me see and really notice the...growth? of his ..cock-sured-ness (?)

hell lets take the gloves off..back then he seemed..whispy...now he seems like he has been living in the ebomics ghetto at times with his venacular etc.

what happened to the enigmatic "mayday" and "velvet sweat" content..now its "we gon be here till you caint do it no mo"

[Edited 8/15/11 7:05am]

"Climb in my fur."
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #17 posted 08/15/11 7:20am

Tremolina

whofarted

This thread is like stepping back 10 years in time

OLDSCHOOL ALL OVER IT LOL

Good to see ALL you guys still here biggrin

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #18 posted 08/15/11 8:02am

NuPwrSoul

rdhull said:

BartVanHemelen said:

Oh please, the dude knows zilch, uses a thousand words to express a bland opinion, and is one of the three stooges who went to the LF party and came back proclaiming that this was gonna be the website to end all websites.

Oh, and he was banned from just about every fansite and official site for very good reasons.

Bart Van Hemelen!!!..

here?? on Prince.org?Thought you were an amp mainstay? Are you following me? no no no! lol

damn you are still sexy to me..org note me hon

lol lol lol

Bart, this is a reunion--of people I know personally. Have talked to personally. That I know exist. As far as I knowyou're a fcking robot, set to pounce on every thread giving Prince the faintest praise like a Pavlovian dog. Please go find a bone to hump somewhere else.

"That...magic, the start of something revolutionary-the Minneapolis Sound, we should cherish it and not punish prince for not being able to replicate it."-Dreamshaman32
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #19 posted 08/15/11 8:30am

Mauve

avatar

NuPwrSoul said:

Rd, Ellis, KeithyT some of my most fav purple people from way back!

I have nothing to add but another great musicological exposition by RD smile

waves hello Nu & good to see the real Rd back,

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #20 posted 08/15/11 8:30am

KeithyT

avatar

rdhull said:

hell lets take the gloves off..

You didn't say lace gloves sad lol I agree he has lost that enigmatic way of speaking. Prince-world was different back then. Wendy apparently wanted to live forever and we left Prince/Eric no choice but to kick. our. ass.

Now we "all ain't ready for that". When he veers from the rehearsed script though I think he still gets a little tongue-tied and fumbles...

Just somewhere in the middle,
Not too good and not too bad.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #21 posted 08/15/11 9:07am

rdhull

avatar

KeithyT said:

rdhull said:

hell lets take the gloves off..

You didn't say lace gloves sad lol I agree he has lost that enigmatic way of speaking. Prince-world was different back then. Wendy apparently wanted to live forever and we left Prince/Eric no choice but to kick. our. ass.

Now we "all ain't ready for that". When he veers from the rehearsed script though I think he still gets a little tongue-tied and fumbles...

lol I mant to say lace gloves..I'm getting old, forgive me

yeah its a different world...hell I went back and Uptown is looking kind of........

yeah he still fumbles but he sounds confident in his fumbles if that makes any sense lol..like he will play it off that he fumbled lol

"Climb in my fur."
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #22 posted 08/15/11 10:38am

Nvncible1

avatar

doest sound shy to me.

To me he's just playing to the "size of the room"

several factors here

Hometown

in a club

playing to friends, associates, family, fans, etc.

more intimate crowd.

whole other demeanor of playing in a 20,000 seat arena.

this was a more laidback show. A BIRTHDAY PARTY. compare it to the other first ave. shows (83 , 86, 87) same thing.

not shy.

just playing in a stripped down manner.

you can't play too big for the room. it has to be intimate.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #23 posted 08/15/11 12:34pm

EllisDee

avatar

KeithyT said:

Every now and again you still hear that slight nervousness(?) in his audience banter, he trips over words etc (very occasionally). But obviously as you say he is so cocksure in his ability and the hold he has over the crowd now, nervousness is not the overall vibe you get.

He is still much more comfortable in the moment (singing and playing) IMHO.

ruh-uh-dee, Ellis-dee and keithy-dee, on the same thread? is this 2003?

que paso, amigo... haven't seen that name in a looooooong ass time...

highfive

oral Mr. Ellis Dee-licious, the Official NPGigolo pimp2

Candy Dulfer is my boo... razz
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #24 posted 08/15/11 12:35pm

EllisDee

avatar

NuPwrSoul said:

Rd, Ellis, KeithyT some of my most fav purple people from way back!

I have nothing to add but another great musicological exposition by RD smile

hell froze over, brother... lol...

oral Mr. Ellis Dee-licious, the Official NPGigolo pimp2

Candy Dulfer is my boo... razz
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #25 posted 08/15/11 12:37pm

Timmy84

Oh RD was here before? What's up? smile

Nice post btw.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #26 posted 08/15/11 12:49pm

EllisDee

avatar

Timmy84 said:

Oh RD was here before? What's up? smile

Nice post btw.

RD is an OO... original orger...

oral Mr. Ellis Dee-licious, the Official NPGigolo pimp2

Candy Dulfer is my boo... razz
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #27 posted 08/15/11 1:08pm

TheFreakerFant
astic

avatar

This thread is a bit like a PPML reunion, I recognise some of your names....remember me as 'Freaker'?

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #28 posted 08/15/11 6:10pm

Vendetta1

I just love this thread. mushy

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #29 posted 08/15/11 6:12pm

Timmy84

EllisDee said:

Timmy84 said:

Oh RD was here before? What's up? smile

Nice post btw.

RD is an OO... original orger...

I see. Thanks. smile

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Page 1 of 2 12>
  New topic   Printable     (Log in to 'subscribe' to this topic)
« Previous topic  Next topic »
Forums > Prince: Music and More > Prince and his concert banter.