[Prince-4ever] Review of the Paisley Park performance in Atlanta newsletter

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

[Prince-4ever] Review of the Paisley Park performance in Atlanta newsletter

I subscribe to a weekly newsletter here in Atlanta called the ATL Lowdown which lists all upcoming events in the Atlanta area. It also includes commentary and reviews of events they the editors have attended. Well someone who produces this newsletter was able to attend the show and wrote a review included below. I haven't been able to write a review or accurately explain to family members and friend what an awesome experience it was to finally go to Paisley Park so I have been sharing other people's reviews until I can find a way to articulate what it was like. :-) The first part of the article includes a review of Me'Shell Ndegeocello's performance on Friday. I have highlighted the review of Prince's performance in bold letters.

Real Music from Real Musicians

If this past weekend is any indication, it appears there is hope for the music industry – at least for live music.

Friday evening, Me'Shell Ndegeocello unpretentiously walked onto the stage at The New Parish (Oakland, CA) with bass in hand, strapped it on and launched into a 90+ minute set that reaffirmed her as one of music's genuinely unique and gifted musicians. For many of us, Me'Shell's last few efforts on CD and, unfortunately, on stage have left many of us scratching our heads in wonder of what happened to the inspiration we witness in the 90's when she exploded on the scene.

Thankfully for us, Me'Shell has recaptured – and taken it to the next level - that brilliance and passion and is currently on a quiet tour is support of her latest musical masterpiece Devil's Halo. New Parish is the latest venue to be wrecked after she is and her impressively talented 4-piece band reminded the significant contingent of her regular supporters, and some newbies, that there still are artists who have the ability to change the game and do it by making real music.

Saturday the Low Down family was blessed with, albeit a last minute invite, the opportunity to head up to Prince's legendary Paisley Park for what was noted at his last live performance of 2009 – all under the guise of a fundraiser and winter coat/food drive for Minneapolis's homeless. It's been a few years since His Royal Purple Highness has performed regularly to a select, fortunate few in the comforts of his studio/home and it became apparent from the minute he unleashed the first notes from his Hohner Telecaster that Prince was home and ready to remind the world that he's still one of, if not the, best musicians/performers ever to step foot on a stage. Despite the cold driving rain outside this magical place, Minneapolis's homeless and the roughly 1000 attendees ended the night in a better place. Prince – notorious for not hitting the stage at Paisley until after 1 AM – sauntered on to the riser in Paisley Park's lavish soundstage shortly after the billed 11 PM show time and let loose for just a few minutes shy of 3 hours. The setlist was a journey through his vast catalogue. He played homage to many of his influences: Sly Stone (Everyday People, Simple Song, Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin), The Time (Cool, The Bird), Chaka Kahn, shout outs to Stevie Wonder, Carlos Santana, Rufus, Joni Mitchell, and to the delight of the crowd - The Jacksons (playing I Want You Back, and Shake Yo Body). The audience was in pure amazement as he hit a few of the new tracks but spent a bulk of the show traversing through some of his fan classics: Controversy, Let's Work, Take me With U, Sexy Dancer, I Feel for You, 1999, Purple Rain, Raspberry Beret, Mountains, Sometimes it Snows in April, Forever in My Life, and my highlight of the night: a guitar laden, rock version of Anotherloverholenyohead – with Prince stopping in the middle of a solo to make note "I love this song" as he switched guitars so he could properly thrill the crowd on this gem. Low Down family – this night was another on the list of once in a lifetime nights, especially being able to watch the two encores from back/side stage. Clearly the best $40 (admission price) investment I've made in years, if not ever.

A special thank you to Morris Hayes (long time keyboard player) for his continued, gracious hospitality over the years and providing us unprecedented behind the scenes access.

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