I’ve been a Prince fan ever since I saw him on American Bandstand in 1980 singing “I Wanna Be Your Lover”. I’ve even had the pleasure of meeting the man, at an autograph signing in 1994, back when 1-800-NEW-FUNK came out. But until now, I’d never gotten the opportunity to see the man live in concert. Truthfully, I almost missed out on this chance as well. Too lazy (and probably too cheap) to trek into New York, I missed out on the first round of shows he scheduled for the Welcome 2 America tour. It was only after a phone call from a friend asking if I wanted his extra ticket that I committed to seeing the legend, and I even hesitated for a bit on that.
What the HELL was I thinking?
I’m probably still on an adrenaline rush, but believe me when I tell you this: I have been to hundreds of concerts in my life dating back sixteen years. Prince’s show at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, NJ was easily one of the ten if not five best shows I have ever attended in my life. This 52-year old put on a show that would have put any artist half his age to shame. Armed with a band tighter than one of his outfits and thirty-two years of hits (although, he only played one song that dated past 1995), Prince-to put it mildly-turned the motherfucker out). By the end of the show, my body hurt, my voice was shot, and I was sweaty…and I quite obviously wasn’t the one on stage.
After impressive opening sets by bassist/vocalist/Best New Artist Grammy nominee Esperanza Spalding (must get her album) and Lalah Hathaway, the crowd was amped for Prince’s arrival. Once he popped up, singing and playing guitar to 20 Ten‘s “Laydown”, it was obvious that he had his game face on. Emphatically touting his old-school (as in: real musicianship, no gimmicks) status, Prince then led his band through a series of hits and fan favorites dating back to 1980’s “Uptown” and even threw in “Cool”-a 1982 hit he wrote and produced (and played and sang on) for The Time. Obviously in good spirits, Prince busted out a few of his signature moves, jumped on top of his piano, and was essentially the consummate showman.
Highlights included a lengthy medley of classic slow jams that practically left me gasping for breath. I can only imagine what the women in the audience were feeling. I’m not the least bit attracted to Prince, and after a run through “Insatiable”, “Scandalous” and “Adore”, even I would have let him have his way with me. His striking support vocalists (including the amazing Shelby J.) turned Sarah McLachlan’s saccharine “Angel” into a riveting gospel workout. The man moved effortlessly between guitar and piano, turning on the rock god heroics during “Purple Rain” and offering up some beautiful piano during his rendition of “Diamonds & Pearls” with Hathaway (even though sound problems plagued that particular song).
Always regarded as an amazing live performer, I couldn’t have been any more pleased with Prince’s show unless he had pulled me aside and sang to me himself. It’s not often that you get to witness one of the masters of modern-day pop music at work, and seeing Prince live is an absolutely unforgettable experience that I hope you all get the chance to witness.
Prince’s Setlist:
Laydown
Black Muse
The Beautiful Ones
Uptown
Raspberry Beret
Cream
Cool
Let’s Work
U Got the Look
Shhh
Angel
Nothing Compares 2 U
She’s Always in My Hair
If I Was Your Girlfriend (w/Esperanza Spalding)
Insatiable
Scandalous
Adore
Purple Rain
Kiss
Sometimes it Snows in April (w/Lalah Hathaway)
Diamonds and Pearls (w/Lalah Hathaway)
All the Critics Love U in New York
Controversy
Sexy Dancer
Le Freak
Housequake
7 comments
Dando says:
Dec 16, 2010
I wouldda gone just to hear Sometimes it Snows in April and Housequake!
I’m glad you got to go!
blerd says:
Dec 16, 2010
I was expecting “Housequake”. I was NOT expecting “Sometimes it Snows in April”! What a show!!
MS says:
Dec 16, 2010
Great set list! Thanks for sharing your experience…
marley peters says:
Dec 17, 2010
Prince has his own chocolate bar but he is the best tasting
chocolate dish ever!!!!
Judd6149 says:
Dec 19, 2010
Prince is high on my list of “gigs I haven’t been to yet”. I read excellent reviews of this show. Congrats for being there. You have been absolved of sins from the concert going past.
blerd says:
Dec 19, 2010
I feel absolved! It’s just like someone laid hands on me!
SAG says:
Jan 22, 2011
I can remember when I first saw Prince I was about 10 or 11 years old and I was at my grandparents house and I was watching a bunch of videos and Prince’s 1999 was one of the videos. Let me tell you I was memorized when he dropped on stage off the pole with that purple coat and started singing I couldnt keep my eyes off of him. I have been a fan ever since. I have been to 2 of his concerts and both were amazing to say the least I dont think there are words to describe the experience your not just going to a concert your going to an experience that you will remember for the rest of your life. To be his age and still rock it out and to hear all those songs again brought back so many memories. I will always be a Prince fan.