I've heard some audio from his Sydney show on Soundcloud. He sounds very relaxed and intimate with the audience, funny in a deadpan, cool way.

TurnItUp said:

I really wish those European shows had happened.

jjam said:

I really wish those European shows had happened.

too right

RicoN said:

jjam said:

I really wish those European shows had happened.

too right

Yes! I think his european shows were usually better than the american ones. To hear him in this format in Europe would have been great.

I think during one of the Paisley shows...

He starts to play the chords to Raspberry Beret, but stops and starts to talk about meeting Lisa. How he almost fired her, How she opened him up to new chords and how she came up with the harpsichord part to the song. "That's the whole song right there" - into Raspberry Beret.

For years I moaned about him going on Jools Holland, or creating his own version of the show. Purely to have Prince interviewed at a piano so he can talk and demonstrate what he's talking about... because what he says in his own way during the performance of this song, is ""these are the chords but nobody cares, THIS is Raspberry Beret at it's purest. The idea that he'd go on to do the same for more of his songs... Oh man.

[Edited 11/9/16 8:42am]

TurnItUp said:

antonb said:

I have listened to most of the shows and he was inspired on this tour. No way did he think he was going to die. As reported he had made plans for shows for the future. Why buy that new guitar? Its still breaks the heart that he didnt get to go further around the world with these shows showing people this side to his talents. Us hardcore new about it but theres still plenty who dont. I listen to the whole first Sidney show the other night, and was blown away by his performance. He had so much more to give, just heartbreaking.

Him buying the guitar was his last gift to himself. And as far his him posting future dates. The guitar, the piano, future dates. This was his life. Even if you know you're leaving. You just look to the future anyway, even if you're not gonna be here. Listen to the shows again. He has NEVER EVER been that personal and open with us.

That's the same thing I've said in other threads.He was saying goodbye, but also seemed determined to do like the lyrics in Nothing Compares To You: "I went to the doctor, guess what he told me...Prince you gotta have fun no matter what you do..."

TurnItUp said:

antonb said:

I have listened to most of the shows and he was inspired on this tour. No way did he think he was going to die. As reported he had made plans for shows for the future. Why buy that new guitar? Its still breaks the heart that he didnt get to go further around the world with these shows showing people this side to his talents. Us hardcore new about it but theres still plenty who dont. I listen to the whole first Sidney show the other night, and was blown away by his performance. He had so much more to give, just heartbreaking.

Him buying the guitar was his last gift to himself. And as far his him posting future dates. The guitar, the piano, future dates. This was his life. Even if you know you're leaving. You just look to the future anyway, even if you're not gonna be here. Listen to the shows again. He has NEVER EVER been that personal and open with us.

I think you're reasing too much into it. The very nature of the P&M tour, was to be more intimate. He wasn't just going to sit there and coldly deliver song after song. He does a similar thing during the webster hall acoustic set "First song I learned" "I wrote that one looking in the mirror" etc...

Noodled24 said:

TurnItUp said:

Him buying the guitar was his last gift to himself. And as far his him posting future dates. The guitar, the piano, future dates. This was his life. Even if you know you're leaving. You just look to the future anyway, even if you're not gonna be here. Listen to the shows again. He has NEVER EVER been that personal and open with us.

I think you're reasing too much into it. The very nature of the P&M tour, was to be more intimate. He wasn't just going to sit there and coldly deliver song after song. He does a similar thing during the webster hall acoustic set "First song I learned" "I wrote that one looking in the mirror" etc...

For me it wasn't as noticeable until further on in the tour. The earlier shows just reminded me of Webster Hall or the acoustic part of Musicology.

His voice stayed strong, but his mood seemed different as the tour progressed.

I don't think people who have not listened to these shows all the way through have any right, spouting that "he didn't know he was dying!" (Trivial Pursuit ) anyone who has listened to these knows something was different. He was saying goodbye and it is OBVIOUS.

LBrent said:

Noodled24 said:

I think you're reasing too much into it. The very nature of the P&M tour, was to be more intimate. He wasn't just going to sit there and coldly deliver song after song. He does a similar thing during the webster hall acoustic set "First song I learned" "I wrote that one looking in the mirror" etc...

For me it wasn't as noticeable until further on in the tour. The earlier shows just reminded me of Webster Hall or the acoustic part of Musicology.

His voice stayed strong, but his mood seemed different as the tour progressed.

I'd put that down to dealing with the death of Vanity more than anything.

antonb--- I'm happy to agree to disagree. I'm not deluded- it's my opinion and you're welcome to yours. At least you've listened to it.

He Played and sang his ass off during this tour!

TrivialPursuit said:

so sad when the European tour was cancelled, such a personal one-on-one with fans it turned out to be, I wondered - after he passed, if he knew they would be his last............

Err, try reading my post. Go and listen to Drfunkenberrys podcast.

jjam said:

I really wish those European shows had happened.

Yes, I was so gutted on the morning the tickets were to go on sale he postponed due to the touting situation, and then got cancelled after the Paris attacks.

.

Even more after hearing the Aussie boots. Stunning shows, and he sounded as good as ever.

.

As for the argument if 'he knew' - I personally don't think so. He was apparantly making plans for a summer PP Piano & Mic celebration type event amongst other things. He obviously had a problem but tragically left it too late to get help.

The sad thing is I was planning on seeing him during this tour. I can't even watch some of the videos because he looked ill to me.

It's so sad drugs took him down.

Sorry to keep jumping back into the conversation, but I feel the need to show some more love for the Paisley Park shows. I've finally spent time listening to both shows now and I cannot stress enough of the importance of the Music Gala performance. If only one Piano & Mic show comes out, I really hope it's these 2 shows. The Atlanta shows are also terrific too but the Paisley Music Gala is really something else. The commentary between songs are really genuine and heartfelt. Like little peaks behind the curtain where he lets his guard down. I beleive this show could coincide with a release of what was completed with his book. It could be a touching final statement. So many amazing renditions of songs here. His piano take on Purple Rain might be the most devastating version I've heard. The Piano truly adds a different dimension to the songs we've known for so long. I also think the crowd noise does not overpower the songs in this setting as they do in larger venues. Adds a sense of intimacy that works well with piano. Anyway, I love the show and really hope they come out.

ideation99 said:

Sorry to keep jumping back into the conversation, but I feel the need to show some more love for the Paisley Park shows. I've finally spent time listening to both shows now and I cannot stress enough of the importance of the Music Gala performance. If only one Piano & Mic show comes out, I really hope it's these 2 shows. The Atlanta shows are also terrific too but the Paisley Music Gala is really something else. The commentary between songs are really genuine and heartfelt. Like little peaks behind the curtain where he lets his guard down. I beleive this show could coincide with a release of what was completed with his book. It could be a touching final statement. So many amazing renditions of songs here. His piano take on Purple Rain might be the most devastating version I've heard. The Piano truly adds a different dimension to the songs we've known for so long. I also think the crowd noise does not overpower the songs in this setting as they do in larger venues. Adds a sense of intimacy that works well with piano. Anyway, I love the show and really hope they come out.

I was fortunate enough to be at both of the Paisley Park shows and couldn't agree with you more. Show 2 spanned more of his career, but Show 1 is my favorite. You can tell that he was toying with format ideas for the tour. He obviously chose Show 2 format. They are showing a clip of FREEURSELF from Show 2 at Paisley Park now and it is wonderful. I so hope these 2 shows get released on film, or at least audio.

Noodled24 said:

TurnItUp said:

Him buying the guitar was his last gift to himself. And as far his him posting future dates. The guitar, the piano, future dates. This was his life. Even if you know you're leaving. You just look to the future anyway, even if you're not gonna be here. Listen to the shows again. He has NEVER EVER been that personal and open with us.

I think you're reasing too much into it. The very nature of the P&M tour, was to be more intimate. He wasn't just going to sit there and coldly deliver song after song. He does a similar thing during the webster hall acoustic set "First song I learned" "I wrote that one looking in the mirror" etc...

I'm not reading too much into it. It was more than about him being intimate. He knew the end was near and wanted to spend his final days with his fans. The P&M tour was to get him through his "struggle"

antonb said:

TurnItUp said:

Him buying the guitar was his last gift to himself. And as far his him posting future dates. The guitar, the piano, future dates. This was his life. Even if you know you're leaving. You just look to the future anyway, even if you're not gonna be here. Listen to the shows again. He has NEVER EVER been that personal and open with us.

He must have known deep down that he needed help with the painkillers, hence the doctor flying over,but it was left to late, for whatever reason. Prince being to secretive? Who knows. But his death could have been avoided.My mum was addicted to pain killers about 5 years ago now. Me and my sister intervied and with help from doctors, she is now fine, when at the time , we thought she was going to die. She is now 83 years old. I don't believe that Prince thought he was going to die until maybe his last day. There are questions still to be answered.

I believe he didn't want to die a slow painful death. We weren't dealing with the pain. He was willing to do whatever it took to make it stop. I believe his closest persons tried to help him, but you can't help somebody that doesn't want to get help or doesn't think they have a problem. But you are right about there are still questions to be answered. Jesus, I as well as all of us orgers wish it hadn't have ended this way.

antonb said:

The podcast interview with princes horn player, who was part of Princes next project after the Piano and microphone tour, pretty much confirms that Prince, in no shape or form, thought he was going to die. Listen to the podcast. It's so upsetting in that Prince had so much he was planning to do and in the short term and long term. It also completely puts to bed the Tyka interview, that he had done everything he wanted to acomplish. He had soo much more planned. It's soul destroying hearing what he was planning to do. IT sounded incredible.

Ha I thought you said you was out. And I read one of your earlier comments. How can you listen to his shows and say he sounded fine, but earlier on it sounded heartbreaking. And I'm listening to Tyka. I don't care if we didn't see Tyka before, at the end of the day that was his sister his family and I believe he went to her and told her exactly how he wanted things. She's family, we're not. You just don't want to process it and that's fine.

[Edited 11/11/16 16:48pm]

Just listen to his interview, it is self explanatory.Nothing else needs to be said.

It was an incredible experience to see the first Piano & Microphone concert. It was so personal, so unexpectedly autobiographical. When I left Paisley Park that night, I felt like Prince was entering another creative high-point. That made April 21st (three months later to the day) all the more shocking.

TurnItUp said:

Noodled24 said:

I think you're reasing too much into it. The very nature of the P&M tour, was to be more intimate. He wasn't just going to sit there and coldly deliver song after song. He does a similar thing during the webster hall acoustic set "First song I learned" "I wrote that one looking in the mirror" etc...

I'm not reading too much into it. It was more than about him being intimate. He knew the end was near and wanted to spend his final days with his fans. The P&M tour was to get him through his "struggle"

There is no evidence for any of that. As soon as I ask what his struggle was you have to start guessing as to which horrific illness he might have had. Which would have to be something bad enough that he knew he was going to die... but not so bad that he couldn't travel & perform.