By Scott Mervis
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The artist formerly known as The Artist Formerly Known as Prince swung back into town last night to remind us what we missed all those years when he wasn't quite himself.

His Royal Badness -- on a roll now following his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and opening slot on the Grammys show -- is on tour in advance of "Musicology," a yet-to-be-released album that was actually passed out to fans on the way into the nearly sold-out Mellon Arena.

But this wasn't a night for Prince to hit his faithful with something they didn't know. Prince was there to celebrate his back catalog and, though he says he'll retire it after this tour, he seemed to be having way too much fun to believe him. In fact, Prince, at a youthful 45, has never seemed more happy or gregarious than he did in the round Wednesday night surrounded by adoring fans and a monster band.

The New Power Generation is like a lean, mean, eight-piece Funkadelic with all the weapons of a small militia. The drummer seemed to have eight arms and the three horn players could have been blowing in any jazz club, especially Candy Dulfer, who looks like a Victoria's Secret model and plays like David Sanborn.

"This is real music by real musicians," he said, perhaps as a subtle dig at the current state of pop music (which didn't seem that bad until Prince reminded us what it could be). And to let us know he's been keeping track, he teased the crowd with pieces of "Crazy in Love," "The Way You Move" and "Falling."

They opened with "Musicology," the new single and a fitting tribute to "old school joints." Prince -- in fiery red jacket, white polka-dot shirt, white pants and light-up heels -- led the NPG with a loose, jam-session feel, unconcerned with playing each song from start to finish ("When Doves Cry," for instance, lasted about 30 seconds).

Prince dropped "Let's Go Crazy," "I Would Die For U" and "Baby, I'm a Star" right off the bat, slowed it down with a moody "Shhh" and then kicked it with versions of "D.M.S.R." and "Controversy" that were so hot that even folks who got into Prince when they were 60 -- in 1981! -- had to be on their feet. Among all the heavy players on stage, none were more impressive than Prince himself, who has the uncanny ability to go from James Brown to Carlos Santana in the stretch of a single song.

In the middle of the set, Prince further showed off his guitar chops with a surprising acoustic set that spanned all or part of seven songs, including a sing-along "Little Red Corvette," a naughty "Cream" and a stormy "I Would Never Take the Place of Your Man."

When the band came back, Prince unleashed "The Question of U," a sizzling slow jam from the overlooked "Graffiti Bridge," which featured some of his most fluid leads of the night.

And the party hadn't even started yet. For the long closing section, Prince was joined by a lineup of handpicked girls from the crowd who danced through joyous versions of "Let's Work," the new "Life O' the Party," "Kiss" and "Take Me With U."

Almost two hours in, we still hadn't seen everything Prince had up his sleeve. For "The Beautiful Ones," he evoked the Godfather of Soul, writhing on the floor as he cried out "what's it gonna be baby?" For the glorious climax, he strapped on the "symbol" guitar for a "Purple Rain" that was delivered like a benediction, with Prince pleading "Open up your Bibles, let God guide you one time."

He seemed to be guiding Prince, anyway. It was one of those shows where if your friend was there and you weren't, you're never going to hear the end of it.

Not to rip on Andre 3000 of Outkast, because he's one of the best things out there and he does a great take on Prince's act, but as Wednesday night showed, there ain't nuthin' like the real thing.

(Scott Mervis can be reached at smervis@post-gazette.com or 412-263-2576. )

Amen.

.

Wow, sounds like an excellent show. I can't wait to see the concert this coming Saturday. Bring it on, Prince, I'm ready.

where the hell in the newspaper is this?! is it in the newspaper? 'cause I would like 2 cut it out!!!! AND OMG LAST NIGHT WAS THE BEST!!!! AHH!!!! *SCREAMZ*

great review, pittsburg gets my props

Accoustic set in the middle. That's cool he's switching it up, didn't play Cream in Omaha either. I hope he releases a DVD for this tour.

Come on P...I can't wait for May 29th and 30th here in Vegas!!! Stop the teasing!!!

...Cream?! I Could NEver Take the Place of Your Man?!

...Someone should switch August and May on every Calendar in the world!

Acoustic versions of Cream AND LRC?!?! Dang, I gotta get to another show on this tour!!

since when does he play Cream!?

He did Cream?????


That's what I'm talkin' about!!!


Yeah!!!!!

Is this true! It's such a great song. Deserves to be played!!

I must admit that the show was excellent. I still can't talk because my voice is gone. I was the one that was screaming and crying and singing and dancing during the entire concert.


And on my my FAVE song of all times, The Beautiful Ones, he threw the towel
into the audience (to me of course!) and I caught it!

Needless to say I was excited.

I can't wait until Atlanta! I'm doing both ATL shows and both DC shows!!!!
[This message was edited Fri Apr 16 10:16:35 2004 by elefantsandflowers]

"Open up your Bibles, let God guide you one time."

I was at the Pittsburgh show! It was my very first Prince concert though I have been a fan for a looong time. It was spectacular! Except for that girl on stage that kept touching him to his obvious irritation

I couldn't believe he played "Cream"!!! acoustic no less, what a wonderful surprise and a wonderful night