This was in Wednesday's Wall Street Journal, written by Jim Fusilli. It's really dry, but, you know, it's the Wall Street Journal. They also call Rhonda "Rhonda Jones" which is annoying.
Rachael

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The cornerstone of Prince's 25-year career hasn't been his often-odd public persona. It's been his adventurous and deceptively challenging music. So it was no surprise that he'd come out strong for his first national tour in six years.

But this strong? I saw Prince in Omaha in April, a little over a week into the tour, and I was so knocked out by his band's energy and, most notably, his musicianship, that I wanted to catch up with him again, and did so last Friday at the Staples Center here. If anything, Prince and the nine-piece New Power Generation, with a third of the tour under their belts, sounded better than they did seven weeks ago in Nebraska.

Prince and his troupe came out hot and stayed that way, playing a blend of funk, rock and blues with blistering skill. Showcasing his catalog of past hits as well as a few tunes from his new album "Musicology" (Columbia) which has been given free to all attendees on every stop on the tour - Prince led the band with his singing, dazzling guitar playing and a giddy confidence that pushed the band to create a funky whirlwind.

It was an astonishing return to the main stage. Prince has been flying under the radar for a while, though he hasn't been silent. Last year, for example, he released two albums via his Web site, www.npgmusicclub.com, and in 2002 he issued two collections, including the three-CD "One Nite Alone...Live!" (Big Daddy). But it's been a long time since "Purple Rain" - 20 years, to be precise - and such late '80s winners as "Lovesexy" and "Sign O' the Times" (all three on Warner Bros.), when he seemed ubiquitous.


Prince's return to the national limelight began with a show-opening appearance with Beyonce at this year’s Grammy Awards ceremony. Next, his stunning set that kicked off this year’s Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame show was a reminder of how great he can be.

Prior to the tour, the 44-year old musician issued a welcomed alert: there’d be no pre-recorded music and no lip-synching as in extravaganzas featuring Brittney, Madonna, et al. “Real music by real musicians,” he added here with pride, and after two hours there was no doubt he was telling the truth to the mostly middle-aged crowd.

The “Musicology” tour is Prince’s claim to his place in the funk pantheon: In the concert’s flashy opener, the title track from the new release, he pays tribute to Sly Stone, James Brown and others and sings “Don’t you miss the feeling music gave you back in the day?”

There was no absence of good feelings on this night. The long opening set was dedicated to up-tempo songs from Prince’s vast catalog, including “Let’s Go Crazy,” “I Would Die 4 U” and wonder “Baby, I’m a Star.” With the stage a giant X in the center of the Staples Center, Prince, in white, raced from side to side while the music bubbled around him. At times, the horn players – Michael Phillips, Candy Dulfer and Maceo Parker on sax, and ex-P-Funk member Greg Boyer on trombone – joined him around the microphone dancing joyfully. Drummer John Blackwell was the driving force, and bassist Rhonda Jones held down the bottom and explored the mid-range.

Prince the musician was up to their challenge: He played two searing guitar solos in “Shhh” that would have made Eddie Van Halen or Jeff Beck proud. His unplugged set, offered in the middle of the show here and at its end on other evenings, allowed him to display his facility on an unadorned acoustic guitar on hits “Little Red Corvette” and “Raspberry Beret” among others. Returning to electric guitar, Prince and the band tore into Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” and his solo evoked Jimi Hendrix but was never derivative.

Throughout the evening, Prince connected directly with the audience, edging over the lip of the stage, exhorting the crown, demanding the house lights be turned on as he playfully posed and preened. After a lengthy “DMSR,” in which Mr. Parker shone, Prince dashed to the side of the stage, plopped into a big lounge chair and feigned reading the recent Rolling Stone magazine that featured him on its cover. He dashed off a snippet of Elvis Presley’s “Jailhouse Rock” and dedicated it to his former label, Warner Bros., with whom he had a rancorous relationship. Later, Prince brought about a dozen people on stage and danced among them; during “Kiss,” he turned over the microphone to several women who sang with gusto.

Devilishly cute, an adorable pixie, Prince was a powerhouse who seemed to enjoy the evening as much as the screaming crowd. “Ain’t nobody can mess with my band!” he shouted with a wide smile crossing his face. On this night, with Prince out front, he was absolutely right.

As i tried 2 point out b4 and got flamed 4it. There is no real comparisons between Madonna and Prince. She lipsynches half her songs as well as JJ and MJ! If had had 2 say who was the best LIVE performer between them all it would b Prince hands down bcuz he is always live. The others are very talented but P is the TRUTH when it comes 2 live performances!

I was there that night, he made my heart happy to be alive!!

is kicking arse; from the street 2 the the towers of power. I hope he get's it on over 2 Australia as i'm sooo excited 2 hear him & his band after all these great reports over the last couple o' months ! ! !