I have to confess I have always had a bit of a love/hate relationship with the small purple one, but when he announced his 21 nights in London gigs at the O2, I knew I had to go. Playing in the round on a stage the shape of the squiggle (the same as at the Superbowl) Prince cast away gimics, strange shaped guitars (he was back with his trusty Telecaster), and the purples, and peaches (the man was in black and whites all night) and just played the music.
Was he any good?
Well, where I was sat - quite high up - the sound quality was not the best (the venue's acoustics are pretty poor, esp on louder numbers) I'd have to say he was pretty fucking good. Forget about the man on record, live he really does know his stuff. Also, I have no idea what 'IT' is, but Prince has got it. He has an energy and a presence on stage, so at odds with his off stage persona, that it is quite amazing.
The set list was something like this:
Let's Go Crazy
1999
I Feel For You
Controversy /Housequake chant
Shhh
Musicology
Prince & The Band
What A Wonderful World (including a line from Elton's 'Your Song')
Piano Set
Little Red Corvette
I Would Die 4 U
Under The Cherry Moon (instrumental)
Love Is A Losing Game (with Shelby)
Satisfied (intro only)
Diamonds and Pearls (to chorus)
The Beautiful Ones (up to paint a picture)
Sometimes It Snows In April
Cream
U Got The Look
Take Me With U
Guitar
Kiss
Purple Rain
Encore
Long & Winding Road (with Elton John)
Crazy/Can't get you out of my head (Shelby singing)
Nothing Compares 2 U
If I Was Your Girlfriend
Synth/Sampled set
Started with Elton song 'Bennie & The Jets'
DMSR (tiny snipet)
Sign 'O' The Times (couple of verses)
When Doves Cry (couple of verses)
Alphabet Street
DMSR
Darling Nikki (intro)
Raspberry Beret
Lights up ten mins later Encore
A Love Bizarre
Chelsea Rodgers
Yes, Elton John was not only there but joined Prince on stage. To be honest I wish he hadn't as he really murdered 'Long and Winding Road'.
It is hard to pick favourites from the set, although from a guitar loving Prince fan I have to say the Piano segment was really rather good; although the man can play a mean guitar too - 'You got The Look' and 'Guitar' both very good for that.
All in all, a top night. 2 hours and I could have sat through 2 more (which as it happened he played at the after show party I didn't attend - Grrr).
If you get a chance to see him, I'd take it.
1 comment:
Okay, so I have to admit to being a somewhat fan of the Purple One also. And I am very jealous. He does have a predilection for Toronto so I have seen him a few times, but not in some while. This sounds like an amazing concert!
Even if one is not a fan, you have to admire his passion for his chosen metier.
(Okay, I'll go back to my Scrabulous game now!)
Thanks for sharing.
Connie
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