While listening to this rather great (major understatement) concert (even though Eric Leeds went back to the hotel to sleep - you lazy sax player!) the other day, this (crucial) question came to my mind: Is there a studio recording of the 13 minute or so opening instrumental jam?

Thanks for your insight on this!

And yes, I miss the old days, back when Prince was always challenging its audience, always eager to find new ways to express himself musically
[This message was edited Wed Nov 5 1:13:09 PST 2003 by DaFunkFreak]

DaFunkFreak said:

No

langebleu said:

Thanks for this (rather) concise, albeit precise, answer!

More generally, what do you all think about this concert?

funny enough, Eric was not really missed that night (I was there), the show was very guitar-driven!

DaFunkFreak said:

You don't need to miss it because the man is still making fantastic music, especially in his aftershows. And the music is still up there or above his performance on Small Club.

sabaisabai said:

You're probably right! His latest aftershow in Paris (at the Bataclan) was just fantastic. But still, something (a thrill, an urge, a tensed energy, something that maybe was linked to his youth) is gone...

DaFunkFreak said:

:O

The Bataclan gig thrilled, urged, sent tensed energy to my old spine.

One of his best concerts I ever attended. He was filled with energy and reacted to his public in ways I have not heard/seen him react since the Paisley Park concerts around the time of before The Gold Experience.

OF COURSE he is not the man he used to be. Thank #&% for that...

Oh how I wish that you all could've heard Prince's aftershow last week in Sydney at the Basement...it felt like small club, it felt like nighttown, bataclan - hell with Purple Rain it even felt like fifth ave Aug '83 - Prince is on his game RIGHT NOW no matter what religion he is or what instrumental albums he is releasing...

derek said:

Hehehe. I have been to my share of aftershows; every one of them had a vibe of their own. One some Prince ran through sets, on others he had fun, on others he was angry.

But I wish I had been there too, mate! It's great to see Prince on a roll!

gooeythehamster said:

Granted, but I can't stop being nostalgic, and the ONA DVD, in my humble opinion, shows that something is definitively missing. All in all, we're talking bout personnal perceptions and oh so subjective feelings

DaFunkFreak said:

Have you been to the tour itself?

Then you know it is something he EDITED. The shows were awesome, inspired and ass kicking at the same time.

Also it was the way the shows were shot. It seemed as if most cameracrew were on crack.

gooeythehamster said:

You're absolutely right as to the crappy quality, and the fact that the concert was edited doesn't help either, but it nonetheless shows that Prince doesn't seem so artistically compelled to play as he used to be...

And yes I went to the ONA concert (Zenith and Bataclan). Zenith was a good show (and no more than a good one, nothing exceptionnal) and the Bataclan - I have to agree with you on that - kicked serious ass.
[This message was edited Wed Nov 5 5:39:07 PST 2003 by DaFunkFreak]

in fact a small piece of this instrumental surfaced as a theme in "the max"...

hhcoy said:

Interesting! Haven't listened to this track in ages!! Many thanks!

The guitar melody in "small club instrumental" is the same as Rave un2 the joy fantastic/soul psychodelicide. That arabic sort of tune! so I see it as maybe an early version of rave maybe?

hhcoy said:

This is OPENING instrumental we are talking about, not the extended guitarjam of Rave 2 The Joy Fantastic.

And that part that later resurfaced on The max was itself borrowed from Soul Psychodelicide, whatever the spelling.

I think Prince liked the riff lots, but never got around fitting it into ONE song.

I think Small Club is ok, but overrated. Cold Sweat is lame compared to the original, People Without and Instrumental Jam don't really go anywhere, Housequake is a bit messy, Kansas City is the inferior brother of Blues in C... Of course there's a couple of great tracks, but this boot's reputation is way out of proportion imho.

DaFunkFreak said:

I have the same feeling about the show. But even though it was not entirely fun for me (I dislike most ballads he played fervently), the show itself showed a true entertainer, backed by a great band that seemed to push him beyond the things he has done before 2001.

Especially the new songs were great. I did not understand the reason why he changed the set significantly from the US tour. NO "If u came 2 get Ur purple rain" etc.
And Prince fans (esp in France) should know when to stop owayo, oho-ing. Esp during the intro of Sign O The Times...

That said, I really liked the French audience. They knew ALL the lyrics. Enthousiastic buggers.

hectim said:

Hehehe. Can't please EVERYBODY. I liked the show. Housequake seemed a bit sterile, compared to it's previous workouts.

The biggest reason this show is so highly rated is becuz it featured songs not previoulsy released AND that it was the first not telecasted concert that got out in masterboard quality.

Unedited, unadulterated. Mjummie.

And I really still dig that weird People Without. Spacy.

gooeythehamster said:

You couldn't have given a more accurate description of the French audience (and French people in general for that matter!!) - Take it from a Frenchie

DaFunkFreak said:

I lived in Paris for some time and the 28th/29th of October 2002 were far out one of the few highlights...

gooeythehamster said:

Do I sense some sort of resentment here ?!

DaFunkFreak said:

Sniff.


Yes. I tried to be big hearted about it, but the French can be a pain up da butt in ways even I do not like...

gooeythehamster said:

You're right! Being a pain in da butt (at least figuratively speaking) is France's national sport. Our "raison de vivre" I guess. But still, Parisians Prince Fan are dedicated and cool, so, there's still hope