http://apnews.excite.com/...U0P00.html

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Feb 24, 6:38 PM (ET)


LOS ANGELES (AP) - Prince will return to arena stages for the first time in six years with a national tour featuring classic hits such as "When Doves Cry" and "Little Red Corvette."

"It's older music, but it's going to be played in a newer way," the typically reclusive performer said Tuesday in announcing the tour that begins March 29 in Los Angeles and will hit at least 38 cities.

Prince followed his announcement with a half-hour concert backed by his eight-piece group, the New Power Generation Band. He performed the title song from his upcoming new CD "Musicology" before answering questions from 200 fans and reporters.

The 45-year-old musician is in negotiations with various record labels to release his new disc. Since he parted with Warner Bros. in 1996 after a bitter feud, he has either released his albums on the Internet or through other labels or distribution deals.

His upcoming tour shows the singer is ready to move back into pop music mainstream he dropped out of in the '90s. He kicked off this month's Grammy telecast with Beyonce joining him on his hit "Purple Rain"; this marks the 20th anniversary of the groundbreaking album and movie.

you know, other than at the purple rain show (which i don't remember much from), i've never seen when doves cry performed live. considering i've seen his ass live about 25 times, that is pretty remarkable...i am looking forward to hearing this song live!

SassierBritches said:

- well, Prince played a very good version of it at the Nude Tour. After that, I never liked any other version. He played it on the Hit n Run tour too, but it was very weak.

SassierBritches said:

- well, Prince played a very good version of it at the Nude Tour. After that, I never liked any other version. He played it on the Hit n Run tour too, but it was very weak.

my first prince concert was the purple rain tour in 84.....so this is oging to be a great tour for me....really gonna bring the whole thing full circle for me im soo excited to see him live again!!! i have been jonsin!

GustavoRibas said:

I doubt that any of the songs are going to be weak. The band is tight and scary as hell. The songs aren't played exactly the same and they do sound different and better than the H&R or ONA tours. The version of Sign O The Times at the press conference was fuckin amazing!!!!

violett said:

if only i could be as excited as you, gyrl....

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

why cant u be??

SassierBritches said:

Ur not missing much. I've heard it live twice and it was ok, but I could have done without it. I would have rather heard something like America, Pop Life, or Thieves In The temple

violett said:

yeah handclapz.... whatzup wit you?

ooohhhh organgrinder!!!!! you are sooooo lucky!!!!
I am so excited for you!! you lucky !!!

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

- I hope so. The Nude tour was the last tour that I felt the hits were played with passion. Let´s see what happens now.

btw I find the SOTT version of the ONA tour one of the best he ever did!!

chewymusic said:

it's all hits-related stuff he'll be performin...i ain't too keen on hearin "baby, i'm a star" and all the other hits live y'know. hearin the hits isn't how i hopped on the purple train. 'sides, i'm still kinna miffed at 'im....

nooooo hes playin Lawrence welk's champagne and bubbles hits, prince will be playing an accordian and wearing butterfly collar shirts goin and a one and a two... play that a funky a music a ennnn peee geeeee

TheRealFiness said:

GustavoRibas said:

man... the way they built up that song during the Nude tour... ... first the beat, then Miko's rhytm guitar, then Levi's bass and then it just blows you away... good gawd...

Bring it on!

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[This message was edited Thu Mar 4 7:22:50 2004 by Abrazo]

TheRealFiness said:

Uh, oh... Those repressed childhood memories of having to watch Lawrence Welk with my great-grandmother are coming back.