FANS PARTY, BUT SOLD-OUT FILLMORE SHOW SKIMPS ON HITS

By Marian Liu

http://www.mercurynews.co...964944.htm

San Jose Mercury News Mon, Feb. 16, 2004

Watching Prince live is one of those ``must-do's'' in life.

It's alongside bungee jumping or sky diving -- life just isn't as complete without seeing the purple eminence perform in concert. But like the other adventures, it comes with risks. Prince concerts always do.

``So many hits, so little time,'' Prince said during his more than two hour, sold-out performance at the Fillmore in San Francisco that started around 12:45 a.m. Sunday. But for the 46-year-old star, who's put out 25 albums, the night seemed less about the hits and more about the music.

Hard-core fans seemed to understand the difference, but others may not have comprehended Prince's need to perform some of his lesser known songs, such as ``The Love We Make,'' ``Musicology'' and a piano rendition of the ballad ``Adore.''

It was disappointing to some that Prince did not sing many of his classics from albums like ``Dirty Mind'' or ``Purple Rain.'' He did sing ``Controversy'' and ``DMSR (Dance, Music, Sex, Romance),'' but when paying $99 or more per ticket, it was tough to sit through covers like Black Street's ``No Diggity,'' the Commodores' ``Brick House,'' and one of Prince's favorites, the Ohio Players' ``Love Rollercoaster,'' among others.

It felt more like an after-party for his fans, where many were invited on stage -- from the scantily clad females to the men in suits. A few times, he asked for the house lights to be on, so he could see his fans, and pointed the microphone out to let them sing.

The now deeply religious Prince said at one point, ``You can still be cool and love God,'' which could explain the omission of some of the more risqué songs from early in his career. But he and his band -- the New Power Generation -- still had fun: Alto-saxophonist Candy Dulfer, along with keyboardists Rad and Chance, had singing and performance solos. At one point, Prince romped on stage, wiggled and jiggled as if he were performing in ``Riverdance,'' and slapped Chance (he's as big as Ruben Studdard) on the rear with a towel.

One of the better surprises was saxophonist Maceo Parker -- celebrating his 61st birthday.

Ever the showman, Prince didn't let the entertainment get in the way of the music.

First donning a purple and red blazer, then a black one baring just a touch of chest hair, he enticed without baring it all as he's nearly done in the past with his lyrics and actions.

No matter, the fans were hungry for Prince. Tickets for both Saturday and Sunday shows had sold out in minutes. Even many of Prince's longtime fans -- members of the New Power Generation club -- missed out. They were left to beg on Craig's List, offering as much as $600 a ticket, a 42-inch plasma television, personal chef services and a United Airlines ticket. And because of Prince's stringent anti-scalping policy, which forces fans to pick up tickets at the venue's will-call window, devout followers were forced to meet buyers at the ticket windows.

``Every time, he gives an awesome show,'' said one of his biggest fans, Bobby Thomas, 34, who manages Dream Factory, the Bay Area's Prince fan club. Despite it being his 47th time seeing his idol perform live, Thomas acted like it was his first -- wearing a chrome-colored vinyl cape that swept the ground, purple velvet pants, and Prince-symbol belt and necklace.

The general admission audience pushed and pulled its way to the stage throughout the concert. Each time Prince ended the show, it stomped, screamed and clapped for him to perform an encore. ``The show was banging,'' said keyboardist Chance after the show. ``The vibe was a big ball of energy.''

There were even rumors of P. Diddy and Suge Knight -- mortal enemies -- sitting together in the same booth watching the show. Doubtful, but when it comes to Prince, anything seems possible.