I love Prince, and have been listening closely for some 22 years. I've seen him on Purple Rain, Lovesexy, Act I (1993), and multiple times on the 1997-8 Jam of the Year Tour. While I'm excited about a new album, I think I'm going to sit out this Musicology Tour. It's just that the last few TV appearances have left me cold. I'm happy Prince opened up the Grammys - everyone else seems to think he tore it up, saying things like "Prince is back!!" but I was left wondering, ..."ummm, well yeah, he just about always tears it up." Prince is a bad mofo live, we all know it. It was great to see him perform "Musicology" on Leno and "Reflection" on Tavis. But what is there to be excited about this tour? "Old" hits being performed for maybe the last time? Let's Go Crazy, Purple Rain, Kiss....do I really need to see the 2004 version of NPG playing these songs? I regret missing the One Nite Alone Tour (circumstances and finances prevented me) because from what I have heard on various recordings, Prince was at his volcano: the Amsterdam and Paris aftershows have re-affirmed my conviction that Prince is the greatest, most dynamic pop musician of our time.
Prince seems to be reaching out as he did in 1991 when Diamonds and Pearls came out, doing press and co-operating to ensure a commercial success. I don't criticize him for this, God knows he deserves propers from the mainstream entertainment media, but I know I would feel cheated if I went to a concert in 2004 expecting greatness and saw something that was merely professional and nostalgia-inspired. I love Xpectation and NEWS and The Rainbow Children...and I wonder what Prince has on his mind musically in 2004. What's the next chapter? I could be wrong, and I may regret it, but I have a hunch that the Musicology Tour is a stopgap along the way to Prince's Next Big Thing. And I'm going to stay at home with my baby and wait for it.

fms said:

YOure all alone on this one. Vegas is already sold out.

i'm not excited about it, either. it's nice that there's gonna be a tour, but i ain't enthused...

NPGLOVER said:

hush, you didn't even read what the post said.

I know that as cynical and as hesitant as I could possibly be about this tour, as soon as I catch wind of tix going on sale for a show near me, I'm gonna catch the fever and be all over it. It doesn't matter if it's a tour of him performing New Power Soul with a polka band, I'm just a sucker like that. So I figure, why fight it this time around...

You certainly aren't alone. I'll read some tour reports first before thinking about attending. I'm pretty sure I'll skip it again.

fms said:

Nope... I'm not interested in "vegasified" hits, but it seems Prince wants to become the next Wayne Newton/Tom Jones and hit it big in Vegas and slowly fade away...

Neversin.

I'm not that enthused about the music I've heard from the whole Musicology project so far, but I still wanna see him live.

He could just light a fart on stage for all I care, it would still be worth attending.

you know, i was not at all excited about ANOTHER hits tour. i would love to see him do another tour in the style of one night alone but, let's face it, he does need to appease the masses every so many years just to gain some cash to do his DIY thing. i was not planning on attending the greatest hits show but a bunch of my friends in chicago will be going and, with any luck, there will be an aftershow to look forward to for more rarely performed gems. to make (financial) matters even worse, prince will be in la during my spring break holiday there. so, i'm gonna go. yup. i'm an addict. i'm going to get my fix of hits and i'm going to sing and dance the whole time! i want to enjoy him while he's still around!

the only thing that i am enthused about is the possibility of seein folks pass through mpls when it gets time for him to play here. since he stopped doin the celebrations i haven't seen a lotta folks from the org who i also know in real life, and it'd be nice for them to pass through town, y'know...we could chill and stuff.

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

if the brotha doesn't have me broke by the time he gets to mpls, i would love to go and buuy you and endo a beer...i'm sorry, yall got class...i'll buy you a cocktail!

Listen, it's like Prince lit a Fire under my Butt! I am So Excited like I was Way back when I first saw him . Only Prince get's me this Way like a Crazy Ass Firebomb ready to explode. This is gonna be a Massive Tour.

Absolutely spot-on.

Hits for the last time...heard it. Been said before.

I've said before, I'll say it again. PRINCE IS A MEDIA WHORE. He spouts a whole lode of, "Don't need charts, don't need air-play. I have radio NPG"...or whatever...

Actually, he is thrilled when he is in the rpess, he is thrilled hwen there is a chance of charting, he is thrilled when the mass recognise his work. Fair enough.

Just don't change your name, don't tell us you'll never play thee songs agin, don't "re-master" one of your hits and don't, ever, call yourself a 'slave'.

Prince is one of the most talented musicians contemporary pop has witnessed. He should just reconcile himself to the fact he enjoys the spotlight and get on with making music.

The White Stripes and Prince weird and yet the mainstream - i.e. the MAJORS - love them. Prince did once. There is no reason why he acn't do it again.

That's right I typed, "lode". It was not sarcasm. I simply cannot spell.

Listen, if Prince is a MEDIa WHORe so You say well I am Giving him allmy $$$ and I Never spent So Much for a Man before. Damn , he's just ya wanna be Broke for him...

Romance1600 said:

I love you, dude.

SassyFras said:

awww, thank you sassy!!! hopefully you can come here so we can meet ya!

you're not alone. i wasn't even trying to go see him when he came to lincoln center in nyc.

i don't even watch when he comes on leno anymore. it's sad to say really.

i didn't even watch the grammy's to see his performance. i still haven't seen it.

i think it was too many let downs. the last thing i caught was "the work" on letterman (?).

that was so awful i pretty much gave up after that.

no, i did buy that sucky ass las vegas show.

i still have faith though that he can bring it like he used to.

i really think i just can't stand that damn NPG and everything it stands for.

fms said:

I have the same feeling, and I feel the next thing IS gonna be BIG.

I would think the fact that there isn't going to be soundchcks or aftershows should ruin some of the enthusiasm for this tour.

I'm ready to go. I've been going since Controversy tour and I've never walked away dissappointed. I may not wear purple anymore, but I dance my ass off.

I am looking forward to it! I am going to the shows in Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville and Vegas. Prince live never disappoints.

miamifunk said:

my best friend (and soul brother) is going to those fla gigs...y'all are gonna have a blast!

You're not the only one. I'm not excited about it, yet I feel like if I have the dough, I will go. But that still don't spell excitement! Hopefully these upcoming tv appearances won't worsen things further.


Stormbringer (still kickin' the walls because I missed the one decent tour he's done since '95, ONA... Live)

maybe

Y'all wont be missed!!

btw I think Prince was more Vegas with Purpe Rain, Love Sexy area. Now its down to the music not the show....

Neversin said:

Why compare him to those two.....The Stones still playin their hits, so does Bowie, Mcartney, Sting, James Brown.....well the list goes on and on....be glad P. likes to surprise with playin familiair songs in a different way. And its those songs that got u all excited in the first place...i dont get it. He's the best performer, musician around....Dont think there;s anything he could do that would make u guys happy.....

While the idea of a 'Hits' tour fails to enthuse many long time supporters, the key is to remember the mans unpredictability. On stage, there is no telling what he will do next. Thats why i'm gonna attend - Because there is always the chance the show u witness will become one of those great moment in prince history.

Whistler said:

At least they do not package the tours as the latest rehash of the his Hits. Bowie may proform some of his old songs but he doesn't retire them to the sideline & then Rehash a Tour featuring all the old stuff, creating money out of old rope. He just plays his music. There is a massive difference.

As for going to this new tour, well, I think not. If I need to hear these songs again with their original Lyrics, I'll use the Stereo. Which version do I wanna hear