I was not at either show, but have seen the video for 2009 and heard the audio for 2013 and these two shows are absolute treasures. Before listenign to the 2013 shows I considered the 2009 show to be one of the holy grails for Prince fans. After hearing the soundboard of the 2013 shows, I think the those shows may be even better than the 2009 shows because they cover the full spectrum of his talent. In fairness, there were more shows in 2013 so he was able to change things up each night. Can't wait for the full videos of the 2013 shows to surface.

Both are great, and having them all in prestine soundboard quality is definitely something I will treasure forever, barring a release of these shows by the estate.

I much prefer the 2009 shows, though. He turned All This Love into something I could listen to on repeat all damn day.

I love, love, love these two live performances. I have them playing in my house every day.

I honestly cannot pick between the two sorry, they are both just that good to me.

+++

I too would love them in a better audio quality. Every time I hear them I wish I was in the audience, he sure took care of his European fans. I cannot get enough of Empty Room in 2009 Montreux and The Love We Make in 2013. I wish everyone, Prince fans non Prince fans would watch these performances to see how brilliant a performer he was, even with no elaborate stage, no dance tricks and all of that. His music is so powerful and moving.

[Edited 7/21/16 7:09am]

I was not there in 2009, but was at all three 2013 and what I can say is you are absolutely right. The series covered his entire career, full of surprises and new material. He was completely engaged with the crowd and reading cues from us and throwing them back. The energy was incredible. Best concert experience of my life, really.

The amazing thing about this is that we are talking about Prince in the final years of his life. We are talking about a man that started in the industry in the 70's and hit is commercial peak in the mid 80's and two of his best live performances are in 2009 and 2013. For me, his best live performances were also captured in the Piano & Mic shows. Many say that Prince's greatest talent was his live performances. Those got better with time. No other artist can claim that.

[Edited 7/20/16 11:24am]

[Edited 7/20/16 11:25am]

limoncello said:

I was not there in 2009, but was at all three 2013 and what I can say is you are absolutely right. The series covered his entire career, full of surprises and new material. He was completely engaged with the crowd and reading cues from us and throwing them back. The energy was incredible. Best concert experience of my life, really.

Oh man, you are soooo lucky! I love Prince live there was nothing like it!

I have attended so many concerts of so many different styles of artists, and I tell you there was/is no other artist or band that sounds BETTER and funkier live than on the album as Prince did. NO ONE!

+++

He did totally engage and vibe with his audience and did feed off of the crowds energy. So kool you were there to experience that, yeah once in a lifetime!!

2013 is my favourite, although both are good. Something like Act of God which I hardly paid attention to previously on 2010 is fantastic on these recordings

2009 was one of his greatest moments as a live performer. I'm so glad the proshot footage was leaked. Beautiful vocals and incredible guitar-playing.

I really can't get into the 2013 shows for whatever reason.

Doozer said:

AnnaStesia10 said:

I love, love, love these two live performances. I have them playing in my house every day.

I honestly cannot pick between the two sorry, they are both just that good to me.

+++

I too would love them in a better audio quality. Every time I hear them I wish I was in the audience, he sure took care of his French fans. I cannot get enough of Empty Room in 2009 Montreux and The Love We Make in 2013. I wish everyone, Prince fans non Prince fans would watch these performances to see how brilliant a performer he was, even with no elaborate stage, no dance tricks and all of that.

His music is so powerful and moving.

Excellent!

donnyenglish said:

The amazing thing about this is that we are talking about Prince in the final years of his life. We are talking about a man that started in the industry in the 70's and hit is commercial peak in the mid 80's and two of his best live performances are in 2009 and 2013. For me, his best live performances were also captured in the Piano & Mic shows. Many say that Prince's greatest talent was his live performances. Those got better with time. No other artist can claim that.

[Edited 7/20/16 11:24am]

[Edited 7/20/16 11:25am]

Totally agree with you. For some reason you made me think of Frank Sinatra's song "It was a very good year". That's how I would describe Prince in his later years performing, he was like a fine wine, just got better with age.

Chasing said:

And wait until you watch the 2013 show it comes alive like nothing before. Seen it, awesome on DVD.

OH I sure hope this surfaces soon - only seen a couple of clips on You Tube.

donnyenglish said:

The amazing thing about this is that we are talking about Prince in the final years of his life. We are talking about a man that started in the industry in the 70's and hit is commercial peak in the mid 80's and two of his best live performances are in 2009 and 2013. For me, his best live performances were also captured in the Piano & Mic shows. Many say that Prince's greatest talent was his live performances. Those got better with time. No other artist can claim that.

[Edited 7/20/16 11:24am]

[Edited 7/20/16 11:25am]

I agree, it is marvellous !! We all knew it and the Piano & Mic was extroidinary to say the least. This is what makes it so hard now as we feel the loss.

I like both

2009 is still tops for me. It's my "go to" for Prince live fix, both audio and visual. I admit I've never really liked the 3EG configuration. However, I love the 3rd night of the 2013 set. I believe this is the highlight in the 3EG collection. This is likely what Prince envisioned when he got the group together initially (at least that's what I beleive). I love that performance and have listened to the 3rd night more than anything else since his passing. It's a gem in a long list of classic soundboard recordings in his career. Love the hard sound and the balance with the softer song selections. He realy deserves more credit for his ability to mix up a setlist like this and make it work. Montreux really brought out the best in him, and I too, am hoping to see a DVD of 2013.

gollygirl said:

ideation99 said:

Doozer said:

dodger said:

Doozer said:

Both are great, and having them all in prestine soundboard quality is definitely something I will treasure forever, barring a release of these shows by the estate.

I much prefer the 2009 shows, though. He turned All This Love into something I could listen to on repeat all damn day.

Agree on All This Love - a highlight of both shows. 2009 had the better band and a few rarities so that probably swings it for me. . I really like night 3 of 2013 with the 3rdEyeGirl set but nights 1 & 2, even though there's some great moments, it's all a bit cabaret with the backing singers and horns IMO. [Edited 7/20/16 12:48pm]

Totally agree about the 2013 shows. There are great moments, for sure, but there are just too many musicians on stage for me. Makes the Parade era shows seem like a three-person band.

.

John Blackwell on drums in 2009 vs. Hanna on drums in 2013 also pretty much swings it in 2009's favor. They aren't even in the same league. Loved Hanna's spirit but not the drumming so much.

AnnaStesia10 said:

I love, love, love these two live performances. I have them playing in my house every day.

I honestly cannot pick between the two sorry, they are both just that good to me.

+++

I too would love them in a better audio quality. Every time I hear them I wish I was in the audience, he sure took care of his French fans. I cannot get enough of Empty Room in 2009 Montreux and The Love We Make in 2013. I wish everyone, Prince fans non Prince fans would watch these performances to see how brilliant a performer he was, even with no elaborate stage, no dance tricks and all of that.

His music is so powerful and moving.

They've both leaked from their soundboard (well, technically video) sources?

why I gotta choose

AnnaStesia10 said:

I love, love, love these two live performances. I have them playing in my house every day.

I honestly cannot pick between the two sorry, they are both just that good to me.

+++

I too would love them in a better audio quality. Every time I hear them I wish I was in the audience, he sure took care of his French fans. I cannot get enough of Empty Room in 2009 Montreux and The Love We Make in 2013. I wish everyone, Prince fans non Prince fans would watch these performances to see how brilliant a performer he was, even with no elaborate stage, no dance tricks and all of that.

His music is so powerful and moving.

French fans?

I think those two are my favourite live performances ever. But 2013 is slightly better, if that were ever possible.

2009 by far!!

Love the 2009 shows, they're easily the best shows he's ever done! Love the footage that surfaced. Damn he'll be missed :'(

What about 2007?