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Hi. I was recently listening to these shows again and was wondering what seasoned Prince fans thought about these shows. Very heavy on 3rd Eye Girl muscians, very heavy on singing more than his playing.

In context to other shows you've seen, how do these fit in. Were there a beginning of a decline in energy or a transition to band leader led shows highlighting his diversity?

johnnieb said:

Hi. I was recently listening to these shows again and was wondering what seasoned Prince fans thought about these shows. Very heavy on 3rd Eye Girl muscians, very heavy on singing more than his playing.

In context to other shows you've seen, how do these fit in. Were there a beginning of a decline in energy or a transition to band leader led shows highlighting his diversity?

One of the three shows was bandleader themed. One seemed more "Prince", and one seemed RocknRoll.

i like it when he plays songs in full

It's impressive how he did three different setlists with three different feels.

There were some notable mistakes from him regarding the lyrics.

The end of Night 3 was the highlight for me. That version of Hot Thing with the trombone and the 3rdEye jam on Housequake.

I witnessed the 3 shows. I was blown away by the horns arrangements, really.

There was some magical moments in there too (The Breakdown, The Love We Make, When We're Dancing Close And Slow among others). But that was the first time that he seemed not in great shape and not really enjoying the music like he used too (and i saw him live a lot in 30 years).

After the end of the third night, it was a strange feeling.

I only saw him one more time after that, in 2014 and i regret that he canceled the Piano & Mic show at the end of 2015 in Paris because of the terrorists attacks.

highcalonic said:

I wasn't there in person, but have seen the videos. Night 3 is my favorite of the 3, the first 2 nights, not so much. I'm not a big fan of all the horns or the backup singers. They did a show a week earlier at Paisley Park, that I saw, and it was kind of messy to me.

highcalonic said:

Phase3 said:

motherfunka said:

Sadly I agree with you folks, I believe 2013 was the beginning of the end for our beloved Prince. I was not at these shows however, the deep sadness is obvious in his performance videos. Watch The Breakdown on video, he's crying. What had him so upset in this period? Who had him so upset in the period? Lost love, heartbreak? Anybody have more of the story ?

Nuernberg72 said:

Phase3 said:

Can you elaborate more on this? I didn't see that at all [Edited 8/26/20 12:02pm]

I think prince was not in good shape. for the first time, prince looked tired. looks into his eyes. the end of the third show gave me the impression that prince was finished. so i don't watch the shows anymore. for me the beginning of the end and that makes me sad.

This is the impression that I got. His eyes looked really, really tired.

Amazing shows

I just read the comments...I absolutely LOVED the shows. I have to agree, he did seem a little subdued on nights 1 and 2 and maybe even 3. However, I consider the shows to be some of his best and most exciting. The horns were just awesome to hear...I have to think a lot of time and work was spent on those (many) arrangements. The stream of songs to start the first 2 nights was just unrelenting. I think Prince may have taken a step back just to ensure he acted as bandleaer and controller...there were a lot of people onstage. On night 3, he stripped it down and blew things up on guitar. NO lack of energy there...just listen to him doing Play That FUnky Music that night.

I consider these among his best shows...he took on a diff role on nights 1 and 2 and it just shows how he challenged himself even at that point...he purposely did not pick up an instrument and just directed traffic.

As well, these 3 shows are the best looking videos of him live ever...unbelievable that they remain unreleased.

JoeyCococo said:

I just read the comments...I absolutely LOVED the shows. I have to agree, he did seem a little subdued on nights 1 and 2 and maybe even 3. However, I consider the shows to be some of his best and most exciting. The horns were just awesome to hear...I have to think a lot of time and work was spent on those (many) arrangements. The stream of songs to start the first 2 nights was just unrelenting. I think Prince may have taken a step back just to ensure he acted as bandleaer and controller...there were a lot of people onstage. On night 3, he stripped it down and blew things up on guitar. NO lack of energy there...just listen to him doing Play That FUnky Music that night.

I consider these among his best shows...he took on a diff role on nights 1 and 2 and it just shows how he challenged himself even at that point...he purposely did not pick up an instrument and just directed traffic.

As well, these 3 shows are the best looking videos of him live ever...unbelievable that they remain unreleased.

lastly, I find that performance of NC2U on night 2 as one of his best....it is heartfelt despite his jokes about Shelby "hey hey hey, she's married' It's funny...when he stops singing 'all the flowe...ah'. Before I saw the video i thought his mic cut off. The video sort of shows him making that funny face. Also, that funny moment with the trumpeter has his eyes closed and continues just as Prince is about to start singing and Prince giving that elder statesman type look allowing him to continue and then signaling for Marcus to finish with the sax....just super to watch.

Love it.

The 3rd show is easily my favorite of the three...I love the slowed down 'Let's Go Crazy', and this version of 'She's Always In My Hair'.

I loved all three of them. I don't care that he didn't play the first two nights. Those horn players were killer. And 3EG + Andrew Gouché were fine as a backing band.

I thought this show was the only live performance of Shades of Umber but Prince Vault says it was performed in 2012 (at George Lucas's wedding) and in 2014 at Ronnie Scotts in London.

[Edited 8/27/20 11:08am]

Wonderful

Love these shows. I really wish the Estate would get a clue and release some sort of live set on vinyl every Record Store Day. Today was another missed opportunity.

I loved the three shows. But yes....his eyes told a story, you could see something wasn't right. He still put on a great performance each show though.

Threse shows were amazing! I'd love to get an official release on Blu-Ray one day. Especially 2009 Montreux!

OperatingThetan said:

Great shows. But I love the 2009 shows better.

kookooman73 said: