Ladies and Gentlemen, The Revolution!

This is a post that is two months overdue but it is finally here.  Back on May 15th, I had the privilege of attending a very special concert at the Mercury Ballroom in Louisville, Kentucky.  What band was playing that night? None other than The Revolution. That's right, Prince's former band was performing and there was not a chance in hell that I was not going to be there.  Not only was I there, I was at the very front of the stage rocking along with all the deep purple concord jams that I grew up with.  From the opening drum beat of Computer Blue that kicked off the show, The Revolution took us on a whirlwind tour of the soundtrack of my life. America was next followed by Mountains from Parade.  Next up was Automatic which led to Take Me With U.  Then special guest Stokley Williams (from Mint Condition) came out to take over lead vocalist duties on Uptown and D.M.S.R..

The then unreleased Our Destiny with Wendy and Lisa on lead vocals was next and this segued straight into Brownmark leading on the then unreleased Roadhouse Garden. Both of these songs have since been released on the Remastered Deluxe Edition of Purple Rain.  Stokley came back out as the band jumped into Raspberry Beret which was more of a crowd sing-a-long.  Next up was an extremely funky Erotic City with some slinky guitar work by Wendy.  I mean baby girl was playing that thing and I guarantee if Prince would have been there, he would have definitely been making one of his funk faces! Keeping that funk groove going, the band slid right into Let's Work with Stokley sharing vocal duties with Wendy. After a rousing version of 1999, which had the entire place rocking and chanting "PARTY!" at the top of our lungs, Wendy took to the mic for a brief monologue.  She spoke about Paisley Park and the time of Around the World in a Day and how it was a great time for Prince as a lyricist. She spoke about what Paisley Park meant and how much the song meant to him and the band and asked the crowd to sing along with them so that Prince could hear us.  And boy did we ever get loud because we let everyone know that "Paisley Park is in your heart!"

The Revolution went old school next with Controversy which segued into Mutiny rather nicely.  Then came one of the most heart-stopping, gut-wrenching moments of the night.  The band left the stage except for Wendy and Lisa and Wendy spoke about the day that Prince died.  And then she spoke about going through songs that they (Wendy & Lisa) had done with Prince and they came across Sometimes It Snows In April. They realized that they had recorded that song on 4/21/85 and that Prince had died on 4/21/16. So they said they had to play it for him.  They then performed Sometimes It Snows In April with Wendy on guitar and Lisa on piano and I cried like a baby.  I think we all did.

After a short break, the band reappeared and those familiar organ chords began playing before those famous words of "Dearly beloved..." were spoken and the band launched into Let's Go Crazy. Delirious and Kiss were next  followed by When Doves Cry.  Then we heard that familiar guitar chord from Wendy and the crowd lost their minds as Purple Rain was played.  Wendy played an amazing solo at the end that would have made Prince proud and then they were gone. But they weren't through with us as they came back out once more for I Would Die 4 U and then finally Baby, I'm A Star! After that, they took a bow and then left the stage for good.

I grabbed some swag at the merch table but my fav stuff is the autographed poster from the band, the setlist from the show and a guitar pick from Wendy! I went to celebrate Prince's music and it ended up being a very healing night.  I also met some new Prince friends and can't wait to see them again!

So there you have it folks! It was an awesome experience and if you have a chance to see them, go see The Revolution. They put on one hell of a show and you will not regret it.  If nothing else, go see them for the healing aspect and to honor the music of Prince! Until next time, peace & be wild!

My Review - Atlanta 7pm Piano & A Microphone

"Atlanta! Please forgive me for cancelling.  We're here now!" Those nine words were enough to drive the crowd at The Fox Theatre in Atlanta into a purple frenzy.  Then as Prince's delicate fingers glided across the keys of his piano and we were greeted with the familiar, "I guess I should've known by the way U parked U're car sideways.." the crowd absolutely lost their minds and would not find them anytime soon.  And that is how Prince took over Atlanta.  Exactly one week after having cancelled his shows due to the flu, here was Prince taking us to a place many had never been, to musical nirvana.  Seemingly fully recovered from the illness that caused him to cancel the previous week's shows (although we later found out different), the Kid was in rare form tonight if I may be so bold to borrow a line from a little known film called Purple Rain. As has been customary on the Piano & A Microphone Tour, Little Red Corvette was mashed up with Dirty Mind and I have really gotten used to both songs this way.  As he has done the last several performances, Prince added in the Linus and Lucy Theme during the instrumental break of the song and this really brought a reaction from the crowd.  At first many were like, "What is that song?" or "Where do I know that from?" Then when they realized what it was they were like "Oh my God, Prince is playing the Peanuts!!!" Plus the coy looks he was giving the crowd during this segment added to the whole appeal of the song.  The song ended as usual with the "can't nobody do it like I do" bit we have become accustomed to on this tour.

From there, Prince launched into a heartfelt Nothing Compares 2 U. After apologizing again for having to cancel the previous week, Prince goes on to tell us how his dad taught him how to play piano.  He then starts playing Chopsticks saying, "He didn't teach me that, I taught myself." He then tells how funk is space and how his father couldn't sing but shows how he would do this funky little scat with the music.  That leads us to Joy in Repetition which has long been a favorite of mine but has earned new found respect hearing it in this context. The way he uses the piano to accentuate the song is amazing.  Bringing to life the rain, the thunder and the emotions felt in the song with 88 black and white keys and that amazing voice of his.

After Prince whispered the words "Love me" to close Joy in Repetition, I was not at all prepared for what was about happen next.  I couldn't believe my ears.  I looked around at the crowd near me and all I saw was confusion as many of them had no idea what song he was playing. But yes, he was actually playing Muse 2 the Pharaoh from The Rainbow Children.  I hadn't heard this live since the ONA tour. After this, all I could do was wonder where we were headed next?

"Here we are folks. The dream we all dreamed of." Yes, he was playing U Got the Look and even slowed down on the piano, Prince made it funky as hell.  After all, as he said, "funk is space." Next up was Pop Life which got the crowd singing along. Then came another unexpected song, at least for me.  Elephants & Flowers talks about being stripped down and it doesn't get more stripped down than this.  Listening to Prince sing this song, I feel that even he has found new meaning in some of his songs and it shows in his performances. 

Next was I Could Never Take The Place of Your Man.  He changed the Saturday night line to a Thursday night to fit the show and the crowd ate it up.  There was a slight run of Under the Cherry Moon at the end of the song but that led to Joni Mitchell's A Case of U which is one of my all time favorite covers.  Let me tell you, when Prince sang the line, "In my blood like holy wine," the notes he hit were not of this world.  He sang that same line three times.  Each time he sang it higher.  The last time, every dog in Atlanta sat up and took notice it was so high. When he finished the song, he got up and walked off stage.Was he done? Where did he go?

Returning he said, "Sometimes I forget how emotional these songs can be. Okay, stay with it, Prince!" He then took us a on a musical journey starting with I Feel For You which gets the crowd clapping along.  From there, Prince pounded out a funky Controversy complete with the Lord's Prayer.  I was amazed at the people around me (and commenting later) that were like "I can't believe he added the Lord's Prayer to the song?" Pardon me while I climb up on my purple soap box.  So, all you so called hardcore die-hard fans that were shocked about the Lord's Prayer being included need to check the original album version.  Because it's on the album.  It was there from the beginning so why shouldn't he include it. And if you were half the fan you thought you were, you would have known that.  Okay, rant over and I'll climb down off the soap box now. 

The Most Beautiful Girl In The World was next on the menu and it was exquisite.  At the end of it he has this little dialogue where he says, "You think you know my name. You don't know my name.  I don't think you know anything about me." He then starts singing, "I'm not a woman, I'm not a man.." and leads the crowd in I Would Die 4 U.  Surprisingly enough, he followed up with Baby, I'm a Star.  In the original version where Dr. Fink would have had his solo, Prince just kept jamming on the piano and chanting "I don't need no doctor!" In my personal opinion, this was one of the best versions of the song I've heard in a long time.  As he finished the song, he said, "Thank you, Atlanta" and he was gone but not for long.

Prince performing David Bowie's Heroes

Returning to the stage, he absolutely made my entire night.  He played a cover of David Bowie's Heroes.  I grew up listening to Bowie long before I ever knew who Prince was so this was one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments for me.  I was mesmerized by Prince's performance.  Although it was not completely true to Bowie's original, it was still an amazing performance.  "Heroes, like you and me.  Thank you so much, Atlanta.  We've got some new family that's gonna come in, in a little while.  Thank you, goodnight."

But we weren't through and neither was Prince.  He returned to the stage for yet another encore.  "Ya'll don't wanna let our family come back in outside?" Prince asked.  When the crowd screamed a resounding "NO!" he replied, "All right" and started playing Diamonds and Pearls before stopping to tell everyone, "All right, ya'll take it easy now.  Just breathe." After leading the crowd on the first chorus, Prince really drove everyone crazy when he started singing Adore. Of course Adore was mashed up with The Beautiful Ones which then led into an aborted How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore? Instead Prince decided to stir things up with Do Me, Baby which turned into a 4000 member sing-along. Continuing the sing-along, Prince led the crowd through I Wanna Be Lover which he intended as his final song.

As he went to walk off stage, the crowd's roar was deafening.  Prince turned and played to the crowd by pointing at his piano as if asking if we wanted more. He walked back over to the piano saying, "I ran out of hits!" before he launched into Kiss.  The song ended with one final scream of "Atlanta!" Prince snatched up his jacket and cane and with that pimp-like attitude of "I just kicked your ass" he walked around the stage triumphant and then he was gone, this time for good. 

It was 80 minutes of pure purple music unlike any I have ever witnessed.  I have seen many Prince concerts and enjoyed most of them (there was one that I would really like to forget) but there was something special about this one. Maybe it was the uniqueness of the concept with just the piano and a microphone.  Maybe it was the stripped down, new arrangements.  Maybe it was me just getting older and learning to savor each and every moment.  I don't know but this was special and if you get a chance to attend one of these shows, by all means, attend.  I know I will go again if I get the chance. 

My new symbol necklace I wore to the Piano & A Microphone show

Well, there you have it.  I promised my review of the concert and here it is.  Now, if I could just finish up my reviews of Phase One and Two.  Maybe soon. 

More pics from Atlanta

Like I said in my previous post, I did manage to sneak a couple of videos from the Piano & A Microphone show and was able to make a few screen grabs from them to share here.  I WILL NOT share the videos here on my blog (so don't ask) because we all no that P has people watching everywhere for stuff like that.  Anyway, here are the pictures.

Prince performed a beautiful, soulful rendition of  I Feel For You from his second album entitled Prince and later made famous by Chaka Khan.

I Feel For You

That led into a funky Controversy.

Controversy

Which was followed by The Most Beautiful Girl in the World.

The Most Beautiful Girl in the World

Which segued into I Would Die 4 U.

I Would Die 4 U

But I believe my favorite moment of the night came during the first encore when Prince performed a cover of David Bowie's Heroes.  

Heroes

I had heard excerpts of Prince covering this song before but to witness it first hand touched my heart and soul in a way that I cannot put into words.  I was mesmerized and I don't know why.  Maybe it was the fact that Bowie and Prince have been my musical idols since I was little. All I know is that it was a very special moment for me and I have it on video. 

Well, that's it for now.  I am still working on the review.  It should be up soon. 

Pics from Atlanta

Here are a few pics from the 7pm show in Atlanta that I thought I would share with you.  I'll post my review of the concert in the next day or two. 

Pictures and video were strictly forbidden and security was tight.  I saw several people around me get into trouble for taking pics but I managed to snap these before and after the show.  I also grabbed a video or two during the show that I may try to grab some pics from.  We will see how that turns out. 

Until next time......

This is not music, this is a trip! Or at least it will be.

This is not music, this is a trip! Or at least it will be.  I know, right now you are asking yourself, "What the hell is he talking about?" All things will be revealed and all will make sense in due time.  At least I hope it will make sense.  I never know when I start writing these things where they are actually going so who knows.  So it's been months since I've posted anything here and I would love to give you a great reason why that is but I can't. To be perfectly honest, I just haven't made the time. It seems I got caught up in this thing called life and the next thing I knew, it was April.  So why post now? Well, I'm glad you asked (I know, I know. You didn't, I did but play along, damn!).  Way back in January, Prince debuted a show he was calling the Piano & A Microphone Gala Event at Paisley Park.

Now this was the same show he was going to take on a European tour last year (or at least very similar) before the Paris attacks changed his mind. No backing band, no guitar.  Just Prince, his piano, a microphone (see how he came up with the name, pretty ingenious, huh?), his vast musical catalog and that voice of his. Hearing these new, stripped down piano arrangements of these Prince songs I grew up listening to was amazing.  It was like rediscovering the songs all over again.  Huh, what's that? How did I hear them? Uh....well....you see what happened was.....uh......damn, what's with the questions?  Maybe I'll reveal that in another post at another time.  Maybe I won't.  For now can we just concentrate on the topic at hand? Thank you.  So where was I? Oh yeah, we were about to journey Down Under because in February, Prince announced an Australian Piano & A Microphone Tour. He performed 11 shows in Australia and New Zealand.

Then on his way home to Minneapolis, he stopped off in Oakland and performed three shows there.

Later, at the end of March, he would have shows in both Montreal and Toronto. 

The thing about all the North American tour dates is that they have been announced like his previous Hit 'N' Run tours with very little advance notice.  And that leads me to why I decided to post here after all this time.

Yessssss!!!! That's right!!!!! Prince is bringing his Piano & A Microphone Tour to The Fox Theatre in Atlanta and guess who has a ticket to the 7 p.m. show? ME, that's who!!!!!! I'll be headed down to the ATL to enjoy this intimate once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience Prince in a way I (and most of you) have never experienced his music. To say I am excited would be the understatement of the year. That excitement has done nothing but build over the last week since the show was originally scheduled for April 7th but was postponed just hours before the show due to Prince having the flu. Here is the original press release for the April 7th show.

Prince – Piano & A Microphone Tour

Thursday, April 7 at 7:00 & 10:00 p.m.
The Fox Theatre, Atlanta
Presented by Rival Entertainment
ON SALE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30th AT NOON
Reserved Seats: $350, $275, $211, $175, $100
Tickets may be purchased by calling 855-285-8499 or online at foxtheatre.org.
The Fox Theatre Box Office will be open at Noon for in-person sales.

Every ticket purchased to Prince’s Piano & A Microphone concert includes a CD copy of his new album HITNRUN – Phase II, which will be distributed to ticket holders upon exiting the venue.

Prince will bring his Piano & A Microphone tour to Atlanta on Thursday, April 7th, for two exclusive and intimate shows at The Fox Theatre.

For those blessed enough to attend, everything about these exclusive performances has been carefully considered to deliver special once-in-a-lifetime experiences. The repertoire will be culled from Prince’s vast 39-album catalogue and each performance will have a unique set-list that evolves in real time, song-to-song. Fans should expect to witness special interpretations of well-known hits alongside rarely performed B-sides and new, never-before-heard material.

Prince’s Piano & A Microphone tour commenced on January 21 at his US recording studio, Paisley Park, where he stunned fans who travelled from all over the world to see him perform two very personal shows. According to a Rolling Stone review of these shows, Prince performed on a stage decorated sparsely with candles and shrouded in smoke. The show was framed by the story of how he mastered the piano and emerged from the shadow of his father, jazz pianist John L. Nelson. “The set moved chronologically (with a few exceptions) through the first decade of Prince’s career,” Rolling Stone reports, “including at least one song from each of his first 10 albums.”

In addition to classic songs from albums including 1999, Purple Rain, and Sign o’ the Times, the set-lists have also featured covers by Joni Mitchell, Paul Robeson and Ray Charles; songs Prince has written for other acts including The Time, Sheila E. and Vanity 6; and even a Thelonious Monk-style version of the theme to Batman.

SPECIAL TICKETING ARRANGEMENTS
To address ticket scalping concerns, the following procedures will be put in place to ensure that Prince fans and NOT resellers, are able to purchase tickets to these performances:

Ticket limit per customer: There is a strict limit of two (2) tickets per customer, per show. Any customer found to have purchased more than two (2) tickets per person, per show will have their additional transactions cancelled. Ticket dispatch / will-call / entry: Tickets will not be distributed in advance. Tickets may be picked up from the Fox Theatre Box Office on the day of the show. Pickup for the 7pm show will begin at 10am, and pickup for the 10pm show will begin at 1pm.

STRICTLY NO PHOTOGRAPHY OR VIDEO ALLOWED.

USE OF MOBILE PHONES WILL NOT BE PERMITTED DURING THE SHOW.

So there you have it world, that is why I am back and now that I am, I promise to post more often.  Hopefully I will be able to post my thoughts on the show if I can find the words.  Stay tuned and I will let you know. Until then, I will leave you with these pictures......

Finally beloved we meet at last!!! (Reposted)

As some of you know, I managed to score tickets to the fourth and final show of Prince & 3rdEyeGirl's US 2015 Hit 'N' Run debut in Louisville.  The Louisville Palace was the sight and I must say that it was an amazing venue.  Having seen Prince several times, including aftershows, this had that personable, aftershow feel and it turned out to be everything I thought it would be. Now the show was on March 15th but I have intentionally waited to write my review.  I didn't want to write it immediately after the show when I was still on that "purple high" so now seemed like a good time. 

I took the two hour drive up I-65 to Louisville while jamming out to purple music.  I had made a few playlists to listen to on the way.  One was just a bunch of classic Prince tunes that I enjoy while the other was sort of my version of what Plectrum Electrum and Art Official Age would be as a single project (with a few other cuts not on the albums thrown in).  I had heard about line troubles getting in the night before so I tried to get there early.  I managed to make it to the Louisville Palace shortly after the beginning of the first show.  I guessed parking was going to be a problem but was able to easily find a spot in a parking garage directly across the street from the Palace.  After walking across the street, I talked to one of the security guards and he told me where the line would be. It turns out I was third in line.  There was a married couple in front of me and during conversation, it turns out that the wife and I went to high school together.  She was two years ahead of me and I hadn't seen her since '85 but here we were.  Small world, huh? Me and my fellow purple family members patiently stood in line and swapped stories about shows we had seen until finally it was time for us to enter.  Since the first show wasn't over yet, after you entered, you were ushered into the bar area which was sequestered from the main lobby. After two more encores, the first show finally ended and we waited for security to push the crowd out.  Finally we were allowed to enter the lobby and I immediately made my way to the merchandise table. They had vinyl for both albums and the usual shirts.  The one shirt I actually wanted was already sold out so I settled on the black tour shirt with the picture below on it. Then I was off to find my seat.

Seat located and now to wait.   I didn't have to wait too long though.  Out of the darkness and from behind the purple rain influenced curtain, we heard Hannah's voice.  She welcomed us all to Louisville and thanked us for coming to the show.  Then she gave us the phone warning, telling us not to use our phones for any pictures or videos.  She said, "Trust me, technology can not capture what you are about to witness on this stage tonight!" Then she was gone. 

You could feel the tension building in the crowd and then we heard it, "Dearly beloved....." and the crowd lost their minds.  From those opening lines all the way through the Frankenstein addition and back to the ending solo, Prince let us all know that it was gonna be one hell of ride.  Next was Take Me With U followed by U Got The Look.  Prince was all over the stage and was really interacting with the crowd.  After rocking out, it was time to cool down a little as we were lead into Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough.  That of course could only lead into Cool.  Louisville are you hot? NO! Do you know why? Cuz you COOL!!!! He brought a few folks up to dance on stage as he danced around the stage cuing the crowd and band. But when he yelled somebody dance with me and busted his dance moves, the crowd went nuts.  Then, after leaving the stage, Prince reappeared on the piano for a crowd singalong of Diamonds and Pearls before launching in to the full version of The Beautiful Ones.  This was followed by When Doves Cry (which I thought would be a snippet leading to the sampler set) and I was shocked it was the full version.  Prince asked, "How many of you remember the 80s?" which caused a huge response but not nearly as loud as when he asked, "How many of you were born in the 80s?" All of this lead to Controversy followed by 1999.  I was actually shocked about how many people were just standing around by this time.  When P asked, "Louisville, what do you wanna do?" As most of us die-hard fans were yelling, "PARTY!!!!!" there were plenty of people just standing there.  Next was the slowed down Little Red Corvette with the call and response of slow down.  Prince then delivered a heart felt and emotional Nothing Compares 2 U before saying "Thank you, Kentucky!! Goodnight!!"

After a couple of minutes, the crowd responded to the shadows on the stage and we heard Prince ask, "What should we play? How about Scandalous? Insatiable? I know, I know, how about Adore?"  Each question got a louder response but then he said, "I wrote all these songs and you know what? I play what I want, how I want and when I want! Hit me Hannah!" as Hannah cued the guitar loop for Kiss.  He played it much like most recent performances (U don't have to watch Real Housewives) to include the dancing breakdown after the normal end of the song.  And then he was gone again.

When he appeared again, he had his guitar with him and he said how much he loved that guitar before rocking out on Guitar.  That was quickly followed up by Plectrum Electrum and then Pretzelbodylogic.  Both songs allowed the band to rock out with Prince featuring Donna and Ida on solos throughout.  Finally it was Hannah's turn with Stratus and a breathtaking drum solo as she was left alone on stage.  I don't know how long it was but it seemed easily five minutes. I tweeted out that she rocked the solo so hard that she broke three of MY ribs.  Then she was gone too. The band appeared one last time and the show ended with Purple Rain.  Like Nothing Compares 2 U, this seemed very heart felt and his solos were screaming.  I've seen him perform this song live ten other times but this seemed the most emotional since I saw him on the Purple Rain Tour.  

And then it was over.  The lights were up.  The stage was being broken down and we sat. Dumbfounded.  Exhausted.  Emotionally spent.  Overdosed on purple music.  As most of you know, I had lost my faith in Prince after my experience on the opening night of Welcome 2 Chicago.  Well, now that faith has been renewed. Rekindled.  Once again, I had witnessed the greatest performer of our time and I had just experienced one of those "I was there" moments.  Now, like all purple junkies, all I can do is wait for my next purple fix.  Hopefully it comes soon.

Note:  Only the pics of the Palace are my photos.  The others were taken from Twitter and all credit should go to the original photographers.  Unfortunately, I don't remember who to credit.  Sorry.

This post originally appeared on my other blog, Are Friends Electric?