poppys said:

RJOrion said:

poppys said:

daddymac said:

...And now St. Vincent. She is an amazing guitarist. She did a good job on Controversy. Check out her videos on the net her guitaring is great. She was actually the highlight of the show IMO...

no

seriously...St. Vincent's music and performances are dumpster juice

i don't know anything about her or her music, but just looking at this performance of Controversy....

.

.

she looked really GREAT....... but.....

.

1. she had no stage presence. she just stood there like a pretty robot

2. she didn't seem to be actaully playing the guitar, except for a couple licks at the end. definteily not the rhythm part.

3. her singing was forgettable (I literally can't remember if it was good or bad)

GaryMF said:

1. she had no stage presence. she just stood there like a pretty robot

Can't stress this enough...the robotic stage presence is on purpose, it's taken from Bowie's SNL apperance of the "Man who sold the world" and a performance artist named Klaus Nomi that wore white face makeup and did pop cabaret as a robot alien kind of character. I think it's fair to say Prince himself borrowed some of his stage show from them too. St. Vincent is a little stuck, the criticism of the performance is valid, but acting like a robot was intentional.

I don't care that they didn't show Mountains. Did Prince even write that?

rogifan said:

I don't care that they didn't show Mountains. Did Prince even write that?

rogifan said:

I don't care that they didn't show Mountains. Did Prince even write that?

I believe he wrote all of if not the bulk of the lyrics.. . he also wrote the ending turnaround with all those weird chord changes.

.

.

it sucks that the Revolution doesn't play them live. Wendy said in an interivew that that chord progression was like a sign of his innate musical genius in that he just did it instinctively without necessarily understanding the harmonic relationship of what he did.

.

.

but you'd think she and Lisa could replicate it in concert!

.

.

I love Montains and have the 12" vinyl extended version, but the version from that night did not sound that great to me for reasons already stated (no horns, Matt's keyboard being too low, lack of the turnaround mentioned above). And as much as I love Wendy & Lisa, even when they do the "guitars and drums on the 1" and the "Bobby's on drummm-a!"......they lack the attitude they used to have with P. It wasnt quite as "tight".

[Edited 4/26/20 15:08pm]

GaryMF said:

rogifan said:

I don't care that they didn't show Mountains. Did Prince even write that?

I believe he wrote all of if not the bulk of the lyrics.. . he also wrote the ending turnaround with all those weird chord changes.

.

.

it sucks that the Revolution doesn't play them live. Wendy said in an interivew that that chord progression was like a sign of his innate musical genius in that he just did it instinctively without necessarily understanding the harmonic relationship of what he did.

.

.

but you'd think she and Lisa could replicate it in concert!

.

.

I love Montains and have the 12" vinyl extended version, but the version from that night did not sound that great to me for reasons already stated (no horns, Matt's keyboard being too low, lack of the turnaround mentioned above). And as much as I love Wendy & Lisa, even when they do the "guitars and drums on the 1" and the "Bobby's on drummm-a!"......they lack the attitude they used to have with P. It wasnt quite as "tight".

[Edited 4/26/20 15:08pm]

Prince wrote the lyrics and music to Mountains with Wendy and Lisa's help. Susannah has some of the original lyric page. Wendy and Lisa worked further on the 12 inch version.

*

I agree that Eric and Matt B should have been on stage for the song. Regarding the "guitars and drums on the one" and "Bobby on the drummer" shout outs - yeah, we'll never have Prince saying that again, but we'll never have him doing any of his other songs live either, so it's a bit silly to say that about Mountains but not say the same about all of the other performances.

violetcrush said:

GaryMF said:

I believe he wrote all of if not the bulk of the lyrics.. . he also wrote the ending turnaround with all those weird chord changes.

.

.

it sucks that the Revolution doesn't play them live. Wendy said in an interivew that that chord progression was like a sign of his innate musical genius in that he just did it instinctively without necessarily understanding the harmonic relationship of what he did.

.

.

but you'd think she and Lisa could replicate it in concert!

.

.

I love Montains and have the 12" vinyl extended version, but the version from that night did not sound that great to me for reasons already stated (no horns, Matt's keyboard being too low, lack of the turnaround mentioned above). And as much as I love Wendy & Lisa, even when they do the "guitars and drums on the 1" and the "Bobby's on drummm-a!"......they lack the attitude they used to have with P. It wasnt quite as "tight".

[Edited 4/26/20 15:08pm]

Prince wrote the lyrics and music to Mountains with Wendy and Lisa's help. Susannah has some of the original lyric page. Wendy and Lisa worked further on the 12 inch version.

*

I agree that Eric and Matt B should have been on stage for the song. Regarding the "guitars and drums on the one" and "Bobby on the drummer" shout outs - yeah, we'll never have Prince saying that again, but we'll never have him doing any of his other songs live either, so it's a bit silly to say that about Mountains but not say the same about all of the other performances.

what I meant is, this particular performance of Mountains seemed less energetic or tight.....compared to both Sheila's performances on the tribute and even other Revolution performances. Back in the day Wendy did a pretty good Prince ---wel not "imitation"---but she could lead the band the way he did.

.

This partuclar performance seemed not as tight or funky as they used to be and even her saying "guitars and drums on the 1" seemed almost not in time to me.

GaryMF said:

rogifan said:

I don't care that they didn't show Mountains. Did Prince even write that?

I believe he wrote all of if not the bulk of the lyrics.. . he also wrote the ending turnaround with all those weird chord changes.

.

.

it sucks that the Revolution doesn't play them live. Wendy said in an interivew that that chord progression was like a sign of his innate musical genius in that he just did it instinctively without necessarily understanding the harmonic relationship of what he did.

.

.

but you'd think she and Lisa could replicate it in concert!

.

.

I love Montains and have the 12" vinyl extended version, but the version from that night did not sound that great to me for reasons already stated (no horns, Matt's keyboard being too low, lack of the turnaround mentioned above). And as much as I love Wendy & Lisa, even when they do the "guitars and drums on the 1" and the "Bobby's on drummm-a!"......they lack the attitude they used to have with P. It wasnt quite as "tight".

[Edited 4/26/20 15:08pm]

The Revolution will NEVER sound the same without the intricate direction of Prince(r.i.p.). Sheila E & Eddie M did a good job inserting Prince's(r.i.p.)musical chord changes throughout the long tribute. That she also uses during her live tour.

[Edited 4/27/20 12:36pm]

GaryMF said:

violetcrush said:

Prince wrote the lyrics and music to Mountains with Wendy and Lisa's help. Susannah has some of the original lyric page. Wendy and Lisa worked further on the 12 inch version.

*

I agree that Eric and Matt B should have been on stage for the song. Regarding the "guitars and drums on the one" and "Bobby on the drummer" shout outs - yeah, we'll never have Prince saying that again, but we'll never have him doing any of his other songs live either, so it's a bit silly to say that about Mountains but not say the same about all of the other performances.

what I meant is, this particular performance of Mountains seemed less energetic or tight.....compared to both Sheila's performances on the tribute and even other Revolution performances. Back in the day Wendy did a pretty good Prince ---wel not "imitation"---but she could lead the band the way he did.

.

This partuclar performance seemed not as tight or funky as they used to be and even her saying "guitars and drums on the 1" seemed almost not in time to me.

I wonder if there was something going on behind the scenes. They just didn't seem like they wanted to be there. There was no chemistry between them like they were playing in their own worlds. Or could it be the emotional weight of being on all together on a big stage on national tv for the first time without Prince since probably the Grammy performance in 1985? I don't something seemed off. I just watched the 85 Grammy performance, the Revolution was playing Purple Rain behind the beat which gave that extra punch.The performance at the tribute was on the beat resulting in flat sound. The music sounded right but the feeling just wasn't there. Wendy's guitar solo did pick thing up quite a bit at the end.

[Edited 4/26/20 19:14pm]

lrn36 said:

ChocolateBox3121 said:

Also, they missed a real opportunity in not inviting guitarist Brandon Niederauer.

https://www.youtube.com/w...SvE28cGvrA

He's even got that Prince guitar face at the 7:50 mark.

https://www.youtube.com/w...pF8nu7CqbA

[Edited 4/26/20 19:46pm]

[Edited 4/26/20 20:19pm]

lrn36 said:

violetcrush said:

ChocolateBox3121 said:

The Revolution will NEVER sound the same without the intricate direction of Prince(r.i.p.).

Oh whatever!!! NONE of Prince’s bands will ever sound the same, because Prince WAS THE LEAD for ALL of his bands. Of course they won’t sound the same or better. That’s not the point. They can and should still play the music that THEY shared and played with him during that time.

[Accusation of lying snip - luv4u]

NPG sounds just as good. Especially with Morris Hayes @ the keys.

RJOrion said:

lrn36 said:

Also, they missed a real opportunity in not inviting guitarist Brandon Niederauer.

https://www.youtube.com/w...SvE28cGvrA

He's even got that Prince guitar face at the 7:50 mark.

https://www.youtube.com/w...pF8nu7CqbA

[Edited 4/26/20 19:46pm]

[Edited 4/26/20 20:19pm]

ive never seen or heard of this guy in my life...im super impressed...thanks for the links and thanks for introducing me to a new talent

Here's Brandon playing Purple Rain.

https://www.youtube.com/w...jXN4n312FQ

[Edited 4/26/20 21:31pm]

ChocolateBox3121 said:

https://variety.com/2020/...234589995/

lrn36 said:

violetcrush said:

ChocolateBox3121 said:

The Revolution will NEVER sound the same without the intricate direction of Prince(r.i.p.).

Oh whatever!!! NONE of Prince’s bands will ever sound the same, because Prince WAS THE LEAD for ALL of his bands. Of course they won’t sound the same or better. That’s not the point. They can and should still play the music that THEY shared and played with him during that time.

Exactly

lrn36 said:

GaryMF said:

what I meant is, this particular performance of Mountains seemed less energetic or tight.....compared to both Sheila's performances on the tribute and even other Revolution performances. Back in the day Wendy did a pretty good Prince ---wel not "imitation"---but she could lead the band the way he did.

.

This partuclar performance seemed not as tight or funky as they used to be and even her saying "guitars and drums on the 1" seemed almost not in time to me.

I wonder if there was something going on behind the scenes. They just didn't seem like they wanted to be there. There was no chemistry between them like they were playing in their own worlds. Or could it be the emotional weight of being on all together on a big stage on national tv for the first time without Prince since probably the Grammy performance in 1985? I don't something seemed off. I just watched the 85 Grammy performance, the Revolution was playing Purple Rain behind the beat which gave that extra punch.The performance at the tribute was on the beat resulting in flat sound. The music sounded right but the feeling just wasn't there. Wendy's guitar solo did pick thing up quite a bit at the end.

[Edited 4/26/20 19:14pm]

I think also and this is not a knock on Mavis but the revolution have been touring quite a bit and are used to the performances they do, and honestly out the gate Mavis seemed a bit slow, she messed a few words up and also slowed it down where she looked like she forgot words but then picked up the pace a little, I can only say that it seemed like the Revolution was brought in last minute and very little time to get ready which may and furthers the belief that they were not even asked early on to even do this tribute.

lastdecember said:

lrn36 said:

I wonder if there was something going on behind the scenes. They just didn't seem like they wanted to be there. There was no chemistry between them like they were playing in their own worlds. Or could it be the emotional weight of being on all together on a big stage on national tv for the first time without Prince since probably the Grammy performance in 1985? I don't something seemed off. I just watched the 85 Grammy performance, the Revolution was playing Purple Rain behind the beat which gave that extra punch.The performance at the tribute was on the beat resulting in flat sound. The music sounded right but the feeling just wasn't there. Wendy's guitar solo did pick thing up quite a bit at the end.

I think also and this is not a knock on Mavis but the revolution have been touring quite a bit and are used to the performances they do, and honestly out the gate Mavis seemed a bit slow, she messed a few words up and also slowed it down where she looked like she forgot words but then picked up the pace a little, I can only say that it seemed like the Revolution was brought in last minute and very little time to get ready which may and furthers the belief that they were not even asked early on to even do this tribute.

I've seen Mavis Staples a few times in the last few years. Her voice is gone for the most part, but she is undisputed royalty. I thought she and the Revolution did great on Purple Rain. Her voice was better that it has been sometimes lately, and her phrasing and heartfelt inflection were unique and made a fine current performance of the song.

I know she covered it, but seeing Sheila do America when The Revolution were there to really do it justice was perplexing. If I had to distill The Revolution down to just one song, I would say it's America. That's just their song. It must have been a tough one to relinquish.

poppys said:

lastdecember said:

I think also and this is not a knock on Mavis but the revolution have been touring quite a bit and are used to the performances they do, and honestly out the gate Mavis seemed a bit slow, she messed a few words up and also slowed it down where she looked like she forgot words but then picked up the pace a little, I can only say that it seemed like the Revolution was brought in last minute and very little time to get ready which may and furthers the belief that they were not even asked early on to even do this tribute.

I've seen Mavis Staples a few times in the last few years. Her voice is gone for the most part, but she is undisputed royalty. I thought she and the Revolution did great on Purple Rain. Her voice was better that it has been sometimes lately, and her phrasing and heartfelt inflection were unique and made a fine current performance of the song.

it's a not a knock on her what I said what I am saying is the Revolution MAY have just been paired with Mavis and never really gotten a chance to rehearse, I mean it's not like the revolution prior to princes death were a band still and since they have done their shows their way, so all of a sudden they are doing Purple Rain with another singer the arrangement is different because of how the s8nger is doing it and that's not a bad thing but that's someth8ng that comes with rehearsing over and over and considering the rumor is that the Revolution was not even asked to be on this show, I doubt they rehearsed much at all.

SchlomoThaHomo said:

I know she covered it, but seeing Sheila do America when The Revolution were there to really do it justice was perplexing. If I had to distill The Revolution down to just one song, I would say it's America. That's just their song. It must have been a tough one to relinquish.

exactly and pop life too

RJOrion said:

Mavis Staples did a GREAT job with Purple Rain...for God's sake, the woman is EIGHTY years old, and still looks and sounds great. Prince loved and respected her talents, as he should. [Edited 4/27/20 10:29am]

Mavis was awesome! At 80 she still sounds terrific and it was great to see her having such a good time. Some of the comments on this thread are just sickening though.

Empress said:

SchlomoThaHomo said:

Empress said:

RJOrion said:

Mavis Staples did a GREAT job with Purple Rain...for God's sake, the woman is EIGHTY years old, and still looks and sounds great. Prince loved and respected her talents, as he should.

Mavis was awesome! At 80 she still sounds terrific and it was great to see her having such a good time. Some of the comments on this thread are just sickening though.

Exactly. The music that lives on, performed in real time 2020, by folks in the know - great moving finale tribute. It's not supposed to sound like anything else.