Don't recall this ever being mentioned and I just found out about it today.

On June 3rd Prince called Michael B. to talk. He mentioned that there wasn't going to be a Celebration this year and wanted to know if Michael could recommend a club where a house band could play each night for a week for him to jam with. Prince asked if Michael would like to be involved. Michael said he would but Sonny, Tommy, Mike S. and he were leaving on the 5th for Italy to tour with Giorgia.

Seems none of the then current NPG lived in the Twin Cities and were all out of town so Prince was using Takumi and the other techs to jam with. Then Michael suggests he and Sonny come out to Paisley and they can jam. Prince says that sounds good, but let me finish some stuff here and I'll call you back. Well Michael and Sonny were only twenty minutes from Paisley and decided they would just go out there and surprise Prince.

Sonny brought his bass and distortion pedal and Michael got acqainted with John's drum set-up. Soon after they arrived Morris comes walking in. Turns out Prince called him right after Michael and Sonny showed up. Prince was in a great mood and what ensued was a 2 1/2 hour jam session heavy in guitar funk and rock. During the session everyone agreed (including Prince) that this band was so tight they could tour right now.

After the jam Prince took the guys into the studio to play some of his new music. All-in-all they spent about 4 hours hanging out at Paisley. Before they left Prince told them whenever they want to come by they are always welcome and he will stop whatever he is doing so they can jam. Michael said we ought not be such strangers and to give him a call whenever he wants.

So that would have been something to see and hear. The session was recorded but will probably not see the light of day.

Note: I don't post stuff very often and only when I think it's of interest to orgers. I have never posted bad info and just want to stop any debate on whether this is true or not. Hope everyone enjoys.
[This message was edited Mon Oct 20 17:13:28 PDT 2003 by Sartoria]

Hadn't heard this. If it's true, sounds cool. Good to know that P still keeps in touch with folks. The way a lot of ppl talk about him, you'd think he don't return folks phone calls.

Source? Cite? Name of little bird?

That is just so cool.

Man, I love the gold band

Even if it's not true, let us dream!

Those guys rival the current NPG, no doubt about it

Those guys r 'THE' NPG. No question

Freaker said:

Co-sign

T? Where are you?

Me thinks this was meant to be a buried secret How did you find this out...

Well I see there are questions concerning the validity of this post, sources, buried secret, ect.

Sources: I heard it directly from someone who was there - hint hint. If you read the post again it should be pretty apparent who it was. In fact I asked him if he would mind if I posted it here. No not Prince or Takumi. He thought he had mentioned it to me a while ago but I had to say NO!!! I was stunned because this is my favorite Prince band and the thought of them playing together again is just too good.

Another tidbit I forgot to mention was that Morris impressed everyone with an even higher level of musicianship than they had ever seen him display. He had been touring with Maceo and was really allowed to stretch musically. The best part of all them playing together was that they weren't playing to please Prince so-to-speak. They were just having fun and letting loose, thus no constraints or rules.

The reason nobody knew about it is because it was late night, only Takumi and maybe 2-3 others were there, and it was a complete spur of the moment thing. I am still kinda of surprised it hasn't come out though. Anyway, rest assured it DID happen just as described and man I wish I was there.

On another tip, turns out John Blackwell fractured a bone in his wrist while playing recently. Ouch! Wonder how he is managing playing with it. Don't know anymore details than that, it just came up in the same conversation.

Sounds like one to add the dream list.

Thanks for reporting the info