giotto said:

I tend to agree. There are a number of ballads where Prince's soulful emotion can sound hackneyed or even overwrought and insincere. There are also times when I've listened to performances of 'Purple Rain', and his phrasing of the lyrics has sounded like a parody of himself - not quite a 'club singer' a la 'Shooting Stars' version but moving in that direction. And that's a crying shame that it can come across that way given that his voice is in such good form at the moment.

That might sound like treason, and I'm not doubting that he might be singing from the heart when he performs, but it doesn't always come across that way. Of course, if he's in entertaining mood, hamming it up or pouring on the schmaltz, as in 'Adore', it's easy to see it for what it is and enjoy it for that, but when he prefaces a rendition of 'Purple Rain' with the speech about there being a lot of trouble in the world and meeting on a higher level, it's difficult not to start thinking that his 'world peace, universal love and and harmony for mankind' platitudes are deep in Spinal Tap territory.

That said, I thnk some of his vocals in London last year and elsewhere were some of the best I've heard from him live in concert, and the range and variety played across Europe was very much appreciated. (Even saw 'Tamborine' performed twice in a matter of hours, heh heh.") It was good that Europe came after the Celebration, where he had already played so much music.

stymie said:

yuh HUH yer going!!!

I think it's cool that he's doing all the hits in places like Hong Kong and Australia, where he hasn't played in years and ANYTHING would be welcome. Here in the US, we ARE a bit jaded, but it's all the more reason he can let the tired ass old hits get some sleep and instead play some of the lesser-worn classics. For example, I wouldn't be mad if "Computer Blue" got turned into a monster extended jazz-rock jam...

Anxiety said:

You can't make me go!!! But it would be killer to have you, me, blue, youngca and Nasty at a show together. Computer Blue: Another song I have never heard live.

I love everything about 'Condition of the Heart'. The quivering delicate vocal is perfectly suited to the emotion of the song. The loss that he's singing about wouldn't be as believable if he used a strong, confident take. He needed to sound weak and weary on that one, imo.

Reply to 'YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE NEW TOUR'

Prince is gonna, Rock the house! Again and Again... Keeep an eye on the Guitar!

funkyfine said:

thats really funny, a mate and his mate went to the same gig and they both said it was the best gig theyd ever been to, and one of them has PR album and thats it between em!

hmmm..ummm...hmmm...ummm

More often than not I've ended up missing concerts because I just didn't have the prior information or else the time or money at the time. As far as information, that changed when I found places like this on the internet. So, yeah I've seen him a few times. Once in an actual full blown concert at the Target Center, once at Celebration 2000 and a number of times at Paisley Park. However, I haven't seen him perform in over 3 years now, so if there's a tour in the States and he comes back to Minnesota for a show or two, I'm there! I don't care if it's a hits tour again. Some of these songs I'm seeing on the set list are ones I've never seen him perform live.

craigle said:

we all have diferent opinions on prince live, my girlfriend is really in2 p but she's only scratched the surface ! she likes the hits, she loves rave album, and romance single, and rave dvd cos thats what got her in2 him ! through me playin em when they came out. a hits tour 4 me would b good, i just love him live he could play news 4 all i care "p and guitar " = heaven !!! but she's never seen him play the hits. so some will b happy and some wont , ive said b4 , he cant pls us all ! she saw him last year in a predominately trc gig and was still in awe !!! , but wished he'd play some hits !!!

i don't particularly desire to see a hits tour. i would like to hear when doves cry (since i haven't heard it live since the purple rain tour), insatiable, sign o' the times and some other odd hits but thats about it. i'd rather hear the more obscure stuff like some gold experience and come material. throw in some older gems like dmsr, gotta broken heart again, crazy you (just a spotlight, stool and guitar...like at the celly). i dunno, the same ol' hits wouldn't exactly bore me but its a treaded path. though, most of the people i know would rather see a hits tour then the stuff on my dream list.

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

The song is pretty. However I know exactly what you mean. The media has saturated us with this song. And Prince has played it many times as well. I can understand that he is giving the Purple Rain fans what they want - but I have wondered why "Let's Go Crazy" and "Computer Blue" did not receive the concert play - they're from the Purple Era.
[This message was edited Mon Oct 20 17:19:35 PDT 2003 by AnimalKingdom]

If touring with the hits is a promotional tool for a new album that he wants to go mainstream...then I can't fault the brotha. I just hope the album gets the proper promotion and that Prince does his part and COOPERATES with the label. The album can still be edgy and a hit...that's what Purple Rain was.

Hmmm...you think the reason there's so many Purple Rain songs in the set list is because he's promoting them for some special reason???