bass player and singer Meshell Ndegeocello is doing a serie of tribute concerts to Prince

in California, she's playing tonight at The Independent in San Francisco. Watch a cool video from last night performance at New Parish in Oakland, she's singing a stripped down version of "I Would Die 4 U" and a nice funky version of "Erotic City" featuring soul singer Martin Luther on vocals. Pretty good.

http://funkumagazine.blog...-live.html

Enjoy !

Is there any footage of her covering "Somthing In The Water?"

I wasn't blown away by this.

fucking awesome. boner-time!!!

I like it a lot. To me this showcases the biggest difference in his old songs and new. The vocals themselves drive the songs here. Even without any backing the lyrics can be sung to great effect all by themselves. The vocals/lyrics contain a really strong hook and melody. I have listened to IWD4U covered every which way, but the lyrics always propel the song melody wise. And it always flows beautifully. His lyric arrangements were musical works of art in and of themselves.

On his newer songs the lyrics always seem to come off awkward and forced. Sometimes painfully so. A good example of this "The Word" As much as I want to like it, the way he tries to force his lyrics with his message is incredibly painful and ruins perfectly good vibes. And sometimes all he had to do is omit or change word or two to make it fit. Feels lazy. Amateurish for someone as talented as Prince.

Whenever that particular song gets to the "spiderwebs" part is like fingernails to the chalkboard to me.

[Edited 3/13/11 20:00pm]

I Would Die 4 U .. fucking gorgeous

prince did a piano version similar to this in London.. it was a verse and chorus.. man, id die to hear Prince just do this all the way thru.. stripped down.. paired with I Wish U Heaven....

I really hope somebody managed to sneak a soundboard recording of this set.

Bulldog said:

Is there any footage of her covering "Somthing In The Water?"

I wasn't blown away by this.

Can't wait to hear her version as well, plus she said in the L.A. Weekly that "Something In The Water" was one of her favorite Prince song that makes her "hot" Prince should hire Meshell to open for him, so people could hear songs he don't wanna play anymore but I guess that's not going to happen...

Here is the full article here :

Exclusive: Meshell Ndegeocello Chooses Her Favorite Prince Songs, Will Do an Entire Night of Prince Covers at Largo

Doug Seymour

Meshell Ndegeocello gets off wtih Prince

​

Seeing a performance by soulful force of nature Meshell Ndegeocello is always a treat, but this week's show at Largo has a bonus incentive. Billed as "Gett Off: Meshell Ndegeocello Covers Prince," the program will include the bassist's unique take on the Purple One's catalog, accompanied by Chris Bruce on guitar, Deantoni Parks on drums and Keefus Ciancia on keys.

We asked Meshell for her Top Five Prince Tunes, and she got back to us without hesitation with some deep cuts from the very early years.

"These are my favorites," she explains, "but not exactly representative of what I'm playing. For the shows, I go both ways -- obscure and beloved."

Yes, casual fans, Meshell is not gonna leave you without "Little Red Corvette," "Lady Cab Driver" and "Pop Life." But these are the Prince tunes closest to her fiery heart:

• "Annie Christian" (Controversy, 1981): "It's a political yet enchantingly post-punk tune. It shows why and how he was such an innovator."

• "Something in the Water (Does Not Compute)" (1999, 1982): " 'Must be something in the water you drink.' I love this song. I don't have any critical thinking on it, it just makes me hot."

• "All the Critics Love U in New York" (1999, 1982): "Great bass line and just an interesting groove. Basically, I love when he is slanted, angry. His cultural critiques were so sharp then."

• "Gotta Broken Heart Again" (Dirty Mind, 1980): "It's simply beautiful. I remember in my youth it gave words to my own inner dialogue. His music saved me many a time."

• "I'm Yours" (For You, 1978): "Oh, my God! It has a bass solo, and he played all the instruments. What more do you want?"

[Edited 3/14/11 4:56am]

infectious gee-tar chops on "Erotic City"

I'm not sure what 2 make of this concert. It seems a bit off.

Maybe they did not practice very much before the actual performance.

[Edited 3/14/11 7:09am]

Bulldog said:

Is there any footage of her covering "Somthing In The Water?"

I wasn't blown away by this.

Shango said:

Bulldog said:

Is there any footage of her covering "Somthing In The Water?"

I wasn't blown away by this.

Thank you. Thanks for posting this, This is really good, I love it.

Stuff like this always futher cements why I am such a fan of Prince's music. And Meshell too.

[Edited 3/14/11 8:04am]

^ You're welcome ^

2 complete shows are posted there. Freakin' awesome. She arranged interesting versions of some classics.

Her rendition of "Something in The Water", um, does not compute, as in where was the passion? The band was tight but her vocals are flat.