Jan 03 01-01-2003 : xpectation
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16-10-2003 : Hong-Kong Rehearsal Prince arrives in Hong Kong for a tour of Hong Kong, Australia, and Hawaii. A rehearsal was held at Tamar Site with his partially new band. 17-10-2003 : World Tour 2003-2004 Rhonda Smith / John Blackwell / Renato Neto RAD / Chance Howard / Maceo Parker / Greg Boyer The new tour, dubbed the "World Tour 2003 / 2004," encompassed eight regularly scheduled concerts in Hong Kong (one show), Australia (five shows), and Hawaii (two shows). Prince described the tour as a practice run designed to prepare his band "for larger American and international tours planned for the near future." He told a Hawaiian newspaper that he wanted to keep the concerts "far away from the press and the cameras." Lacking a new album to promote, many speculated that the tour was primarily money-driven, something which Prince refuted, "I'm not doing it because I need the cash." Fans from Australia, where Prince last played in 1992 on the Diamonds And Pearls tour, were highly enthusiastic and the initially announced single dates for Melbourne and Sydney quickly sold out, prompting second shows for those cities. In Hong Kong, where Prince never had played before, ticket sales were less swift, partially due to poor promotion. The core of The NPG remained the same as on the One Nite Alone... tour, but two new keyboardists were added, making this the line-up the most keyboard-heavy of Prince's entire career. The newcomers were Rose-Ann Dimanlanta, known as RAD, a musician from San Francisco who had previously worked with Sheila E., and Stanley "Chance" Howard, keyboard player of the latest line-up of The Time as well as a member of the Minneapolis band Conversation Piece, the line-up was : Rhonda Smith (bass); John Blackwell (drums); Renato Neto (keyboard); RAD (keyboard); Chance Howard (keyboard); Maceo Parker (saxophone); Greg Boyer (trombone). Candy Dulfer guested at the two Hawaiian shows. Resembling the 2000 and 2001 Hit N Run shows more than the 2002 One Nite Alone... tour, the 2003 tour focused very much on Prince's greatest hits and his most well-known music. Like several times since 1995, it was even announced that this was going to be the last time the hits would be performed live and that Prince would retire them after this tour. The selection of songs leaned heavily on hits. However, in contrast with earlier hits-oriented tours, where hits were typically played in medley form, most songs were played in full-length renditions. Many of the songs were revamped and played in completely new arrangements compared to previous live performances. 
No less than seven songs from Prince’s breakthrough album Purple Rain were featured : "Let's Go Crazy," "I Would Die 4 U,” "When Doves Cry," "Baby I'm A Star," "The Beautiful Ones", "Take Me With U" and "Purple Rain” (making “Computer Blue" and "Darling Nikki" the only two song from the album that were not performed). The other songs featured regular set list were chosen from albums such as Prince, 1999, Parade, Sign O' The Times, Graffiti Bridge, Diamonds And Pearls, The Gold Experience, and The Rainbow Children. Some choices were rather surprising, including "Shhh" from The Gold Experience. Others were favourites from previous tours, such as "The Question Of U" (from Graffiti Bridge) and “Let's Work" (from Controversy). The set also included two songs more famous in the renditions by other artists : "I Feel For You" (from Prince, but popularised by Chaka Khan and “Nothing Compares 2 U" (from The Family, but made famous by Sinead O'Connor.) A couple of covers were also performed in the regular set, most prominently "Soul Man," a song written by David Porter and Isaac Hayes, but turned into a hit by Sam & Dave, released on their album Soul Men from 1967. The lead vocal on this was handled by Chance Howard. Sung by RAD, "Fallin’" by Alicia Keys on her 2001 album Songs In A Minor was played as part of "The One." RAD joined in for the new Musicology song "Life O' The Party," which incorporated music from James Brown's "Hot Pants" (from Hot Pants, 1971). The ending of "Life O' The Party" included a bit of Maceo Parker's "Uptown Up" (from his Funk Overload, 1998). An encore in all but the first two shows featured a piano medley that was partly overhauled from the One Nite Alone... tour, it included such songs as "Adore," "Diamonds And Pearls," "Forever In My Life," and a new song from the forthcoming Musicology, "On The Couch," which was performed three times. A cover of Joni Mitchell's "A Case Of You" was played once. A small snippet of Billy Preston's "Outa-Space" was part of "All The Critics Love U In New York," while a chant of "Bow-wow-wow-yippie-yo-yippie-yeah" from George Clinton's “Atomic Dog" was included in the "Go-Go's" instrumental once. The Sly and The Family Stone's "Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" and "Thank You For Talkin' To Me Africa," as well as Graharn Central Station's "The Jam," were played with Larry Graham guesting in Sydney (second show) and Brisbane. A typical ser list was comprised of : "Let's Go Crazy" / "I Would Die 4 U" / "When Doves Cry" / “Baby, I'm A Star" / "Shhh" / "D.M.S.R." / "I Feel For You" / "Controversy" / "The Beautiful Ones" / "Nothing Compares 2 U" / "Insatiable" / “Sign O' The Times" / "The Question Of U" / "The One" / “Let's Work" / "U Got The Look" / "Life O’ The Party" / "Soul Man” / "Kiss" / "Take Me With U" / "Everlasting Now." Songs featured in the encores included "Sometimes It Snows In April," "Adore," "I Wanna Be Your Lover," "Do Me, Baby," "Strange Relationship," "On The Couch," "Diamonds And Pearls," "One Kiss At A Time," "Forever In My Life," "Anna Stesia," "Little Red Corvette," "Raspberry Beret," "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore," "The Most Beautiful Girl In The World," "A Case Of U," "Alphabet St," "All The Critics Love U In New York," "The Jam," "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)," and "Days Of Wild" From the tourbook : U can love the past without hating the future and love the future without hating the past. U can sing without a voice and play without an instrument. U can c without eyes and hear without ears. U can touch with ur soul and b touched without hurting… Inspiration – Artists r not the only ones who can get inspired. In fct, it could b argued that, in order 2 really appreciate art, the art lover himself need 2 feel some kind of inspiration. We have all had moments when even what we thought was r favorite song, poem or painting was unable 2 move us. Does this mean that the work in question has lost its artistic value or aesthetic impact ? Of course not. In all likelihood, it simply means that, on that particular occasion, we were unable 2 open r mind 2 the work of another, that r own reception of someone else’s art was uninspired. Inspiration can hit u like a fist on a wall, or it can come trickling down and gradually seize u. It can b a thunderous waterfall – or it can b a quiet stream that flows almost silently, yet irrepressibly, down its meandering path. It can take all kinds of shapes, textures and colors… but it never repeats itself. It can b xhilarating, but it never intoxicates, becuz it is always new, always different, never mind-numbing. Association – This irreversibility of the way art evolves and inspiration flows, which applies 2 both artists themselves and art lovers everywhere, is equally valid 4 artistic collaborations. We love all the groups that Prince has had over the years, but what would b the point of trying 2 go back in time and retrieve the irretrievable ? Collaboration is all about bringing out the best in the people that u work with. Once this had been achieved, it is time 4 both parties 2 move on and continue the xploration. Here again, the creative instinct dictates the search 4 new challenges, new horizons. The bottom-line is that nostalgia cuts both ways – whereas the very nature of art is a forward-looking process that challenges both art creators and art lovers 2 always find inspiration in new associations, new interpretations, and new xperimentations. 
  
 
   
In the year before the release of Musicology – the same year that he put out the largely jazz influenced and experimental albums described in the previous chapter – Prince embarked on a short tour of Hong Kong, Australia, Honolulu and Kahului. The set list he played on these dates was, after the well-thought-out and experimental One Nite Alone … tour, a return to a mainstream, hits-heavy, crowd-pleasing show structured largely around songs from Purple Rain. Though never explicitly acknowledged as such, the shows can be seen as a warm-up for the marathon ninety-six-date tour he would embark on to push his new record, and was commemorated with a book of photographs taken by Afshin Shahidi, Prince in Hawaii : An Intimate Portrait of an Artist. These simple but high-gloss pictures are accompanied – as in Prince’s other books – with a text made up of lyrics from throughout Prince’s career and maxims emphasising the newfound simplicity in his stage show (something Bob Cavallo would certainly have appreciated) and the change in his sartorial demands, as Prince notes that all he needs now is a well-cut suit: indeed, in one of these pictures he’s wearing one of his own tour T-shirts. Hong-Kong Harbour Fest * Adv. Start : 8:00PM / Duration 2:00 / Attendance : 11.900 / Tick. Price : HK$758 Opening Act : Karen Mok RAD Intro / Let’s Go Crazy / I Would Die 4 U / When Doves Cry / 1999 Intro Baby I’m A Star / Shhh / DMSR / A Love Bizarre / The Glamorous Life / I Feel For You Controversy / Renato Interlude / The Beautiful Ones / Nothing Compares 2 U / Insatiable Sign O’ The Times / The Question Of U (Incl. The One) / Let’s Work / U Got The Look Life O’ The Party (Incl. Hot Pants / Uptown Up) / Soul Man (Chance Howard) / Kiss Take Me With U / The Everlasting Now / Purple Rain
Baby I’m A Star / Shhh The tour opens with a show at Tamar Site, Admiralty in Hong Kong. The show was held on the opening night of the Hong Kong Harbour Fest, which was a three-week event in Hong Kong intended to attract tourism after the recent outbreak of the SARS epidemic, which stopped people from going to Hong Kong. 
The Edge Aftershow * Start : 1:15AM / Duration : 0:50 / Tick. Price : HK$160 Funky U / Ooo Baby Baby / All The Critics Love U In Hong Kong No Diggity (Chance Howard) / Illusion, Coma, Pimp & Circumstance Prince performs an aftershow at The Edge, Hong Kong. Prince and the band members came onstage at around 1:15 am. The set list included an unidentified song possibly called "Funky U," a cover of Smokey Robinson and The Miracles' "Ooo Baby, Baby" (from Going To A Go-Go, 1965), "All The Critics Love U In New York," Blackstreet's "No Diggity" (from Another Level, 1996) with vocals by Chance Howard, and a new song that was titled "Illusion, Coma, Pimp And Circumstance" in Prince's lyric book. 19-10-2003 : Melbourne Prince flies to Melbourne. During the day off, he checked out Bennett's Lane jazz club. 21-10-2003 : Bennett’s Jazz Club * Duration : 0:50 Shhh / Xemplify / When The Saints Go Marching In / South / Santana Medley Prince shows up at the jazz club Bennett's Lane for a late-night performance. The Browne and Choulai & Costello trio were the scheduled performers. About 300 to 400 Prince fans turned out, having been alerted to Prince's possible performance. In the end, however, only about 20 managed to get in. Prince played in a small room at Bennett's Lane, filling up the 100-capacity space with mostly invited attendees. The (incomplete) set list featured "Shhh," "Xemplify," "When The Saints Go Marching In," "South," the Santana medley (or possibly only "Soul Sacrifice"). The set lasted around 50 minutes. ♫ Melbourne Soundcheck (0:54) (A : When The Lights Go Down In Australia – 6/10) 
Xemplify / Ooo Baby Baby / When You Were Mine / Elephants & Flowers Africa Talks To You (Incl. Psychoticbumpschool / Life O’ The Party) Instrumental (Incl. Soul Power) / Bambi / Whole Lotta Love / Xpectation When The Saints Go Marching In
* Adv. Start : 7:30PM / Start : 8:55PM / Duration : 2:05 / Attendance : 14.100 / Sold Out / Tick. Price : AU$171;60 (A : Melbourne 2003 – 4/10) Opening Act : Groove Terminator 
RAD Intro / Let’s Go Crazy / I Would Die 4 U / When Doves Cry / 1999 Intro Baby I’m A Star / Shhh / DMSR / A Love Bizarre / The Glamorous Life / I Feel For You Controversy / Renato Interlude / The Beautiful Ones / Nothing Compares 2 U / Insatiable Sign O’ The Times / The Question Of U (Incl. The One) / Let’s Work / U Got The Look Life O’ The Party (Incl. Hot Pants / Uptown Up) / Soul Man (Chance Howard) / Kiss Take Me With U / The Everlasting Now / Purple Rain
Prince Of Whales Afterparty An afterparty was held in the band room at a venue called Prince Of Wales. 22-10-2003 : ♫ Melbourne Soundcheck (0:08) * Duration : 0:45 (A : When The Lights Go Down In Australia – 5/10)
* Adv. Start : 7:30PM / Start : 8:55PM / Duration : 2:40 / Attendance : 14.100 / Sold Out / Tick. Price : AU$171.30 (A : Melbourne Funk Invasion – 6/10) Opening Act : Groove Terminator 
Let’s Go Crazy / I Would Die 4 U / When Doves Cry / 1999 Intro / Baby I’m A Star / Shhh DMSR / A Love Bizarre / The Glamorous Life / I Feel For You / Controversy Renato Interlude / The Beautiful Ones / Nothing Compares 2 U / Insatiable Sign O’ The Times / The Question Of U (Incl. The One) / Let’s Work / U Got The Look Life O’ The Party (Incl. Hot Pants / Uptown Up) / Soul Man (Chance Howard) / Kiss Take Me With U / The Everlasting Now / Adore / On The Couch / Forever In My Life One Kiss At A Time / All The Critics Love U in Melbourne (Incl. Outa-Space / Atomic Dog) Alphabet St / Days Of Wild / Purple Rain
* Start : 2:15AM / Duration : 0:55 / Tick. Price : AU$70 (A : Metro Aftershow – 4/10)
No Diggity (Chance Howard) / When The Saints Go Marchin’ In (Incl. Xemplify) Prince plays an aftershow at Metro, Melbourne, Australia. The gig was announced by an e-mail flyer early in the day. Prince and band came on stage at 2:15 am and played for about an hour. They started off with "Musicology," which evolved into The Commodores' "Brick House." "Peach" was next, segued into "The Work." Another cover followed, Mary J. Blige's "Ooh" (from Love & Life, 2003), sung by RAD. Blackstreet's "No Diggity" came next, sung by Chance Howard. "When The Saints Go Marching In" (possibly with bits of "Xemplify") closed the set. Unfortunately the quality of this recording doesn't quite match the content, however it is still an enjoyable listen of a short, but complete Australian aftershow. The set begins with what appears to be the live debut performance of 'Musicology', and it is split into two parts by a performance of the favoured aftershow track 'Brick House'. Rad takes over vocals for a cover of the Mary J Blige song 'Ooh' before Prince launches into a short (but excellent) 'Peach'. This slows into a rather unique version of 'The Work, Part 1' which has the verse sung at an entirely different pace to the normal live performance, and has a fair amount of crowd chanting. Chance Howard once again performs 'No Diggity', and this flows into the baffling inclusion of 'When The Saints Go Marching In'. According to various on-line reports from the show the last track performed was 'Xemplify', however I hear no similarity between the horn-led jam here and the actual Xpectation song 'Xemplify' - because of that I have listed it as an 'Instrumental Jam'. The show finishes as it begins with the crowd chant from 'It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Night'. The recording is rather thin and there are is audible crackling when the sound level increases, however it is actually not too bad considering the conditions it was recorded in, and is far from being a poor recording. The content is so unusual that you cannot fail to enjoy it. 23-10-2003 : Today Show (Taped 22-10) (0:08) 
Tracey (T) and Richard (R) are hosts Preview to interview T - He is one of the biggest earning performing stars of all time but despite his enormous profile Prince has always zealously guarded his privacy. This morning we are going 2 try 2 get under that guard 4 an Australian exclusive. (Cut 2 excerpt from interview) R - Can I get U 2 tell us about the decision 2 open it up and give these fans a… P - Hey, lets take a break 4 a minute and come back (Studio) R - Yeh, that’s Prince yesterday and the he puts on a 2hr (no quite) sound check just 4 the fans. I guarantee U it’s an interview people will be talking about 4 a while, certainly I will B. He is a fascinating character. T - Did he reveal a little more off than on camera ? R - I will tell U about it soon T - Tell us now R - One of the most bizarre experiences of my life R - During the 15 years I have had the pleasure 2 interview the biggest and most successful recording artists on the planet, well yesterday I had one of the most interesting interviews and fascinating experiences ever when none other than Prince agreed 2 a back-stage interview. He is of course one of the most prolific, private and influential artists of his generation, his songs have become anthems and during that purple patch in the 80s he was rarely off the air waves, constantly in the charts and regularly on tour. And while his music has always been groundbreaking he also challenged the traditional methods of merchandising and marketing and managing control of his intellectual copyright prompting him 2 change his moniker and abandon his multi-national record company. These days doing it all on his own terms, his way. Now this is footage of him and his band – New Power Generation - yesterday at Rod Laver Arena giving his true fans a rare insight 2 the prelude 2 last nights 2nd show in Melbourne. Now after the sound check I went backstage 4 a rare experience with Prince and the New Power Generation. (Cut to interview with Prince, NPG and Richard at Rod Laver) P - I haven’t been here in about 11 years. Always been a fun place 2 play. It’s a party town. This music is real festive and we wanted 2 try it out on some of the best fans we got. R - It must be great 2 have such a large body of work 2 draw on. How do U decide what U R going 2 play ? P - It’s a little rough. We got a large repertoire now. John (Blackwell) a lot of times in rehearsal starts singing certain songs he wants me 2 play, but he don’t sing so well, so a lot of his choices don’t get added. R - How would U describe working with Prince ? Maceo - U look or dream 4 an opportunity 2 work with someone of his magnitude. I just simply say a genius. I don’t mind saying that – where he can or can’t hear me – he is the closest I have come 2, that because most of us get labelled with one, - funky, pop, jazz, whatever – I call myself a funky player – he does it all. (Prince gestures playfully as if 2 say please don’t) R - U don’t read music P - No R - Just instinctive P - Yeh, I would say so…. MP - Genius. Like I said. P - The pays the same Maceo (NPG laugh) R - Tell me how does it feel 2 have that sort of power out there P - We don’t look at like so much a power position, just active participants in the experience. The wonderful thing about this concert, and most concerts we do, is the crowd R just as much a part of it as we R. They are our background vocals, provide energy 4 us. It’s a give and take. R - Well the period when U were just starting out, pre-Controversy time, when U were just getting record deals…. P - … Probably want 2 stay in the now R - In the now P - Yeh R - Ok. Fine. Can I get U 2 tell us about the decision 2 open up and give these fans a…. P - Ok, lets take a break 4 a minute and we can come back (Cut back to Studio) R - I gotta say I didn’t know what was going 2 happen after that but he took me back 2 his private dressing room and 4 half-an-hour we chatted about the industry and all sorts of thing. He’s really anxious in front of the camera, obviously reluctant. T - Did he get grumpy because U wanted 2 talk about history, is that why he wanted 2 take a break ? R - No, he wants 2 come across, he doesn’t want 2 come across as someone who is preaching 2 others how 2 do their career or whatever. He lives 4 the music and 4 now. He wants 2 B someone who is passionate about his craft and adamant that he maintains absolute control of every facet of his career and when U hear it from his point of view U kind of say fair enough. But after the brief exclusive interlude it was back in front of the camera 4 this final piece. (Back to interview – Just Prince by himself with Richard) R - How hard is it 2 keep focus on the purity of the music ? P - It is not really hard at all. I do think of myself as music, so its really hard 2 go 2 sleep @ nite. I’m always hearing music. If I’m watching TV 4 example and someone is talking about music my ears prick up. It like someone called my name. It’s as easy 2 me as breathing. Its necessary 2 have the business together and we do quite well, but @ the same time there are 2 different avenues. Music is natural 2 us, business is taught 2 us so we R constantly learning this, learning new ways 2 approach it. R - U don’t do this sort of thing every day s, sit there and chat 2 someone U have never met B4 about yourself. P - Well, uhmm…. R - I don’t blame U either P - Like I said I’m a musician. I let the music speak 4 itself. R -Is it still as much fun as its always been ? P - No. It gets better. I would have never expected it 2 but boy it really gets better. Everyday I’m happier, stronger and once again when U get 2 meet new people, new experiences. I had a wonderful meet and greet with some club members and I think we are going 2 do another today and hopefully in Sydney. It’s too much fun. R - U R so driven, when U have a day off U R doing a little club show, meeting the fans. Does it ever stop ? P - No that’s my job. I’m blessed 2 have a job I love. Everything’s cool. R - Prince – thank U 4 the opportunity. Welcome back. (Back to Studio) R - Prince in concert in Australia. I gotta say he is a really nice guy. A lovely guy. T - He’s sort of Too Cool 4 School really. Isn’t he ? Does he talk like that when U ducked out the back ? Its almost like he doesn’t want 2 talk. R - He’s reluctant in front of the camera. He’s a very different person one-on-one. A lovely guy. The shows have had unbelievable reviews. 5 encores last night….. 24-10-2003 : ♫ Sydney Soundcheck (0:38) * Duration : 0:50 (A : When The Lights Go Down In Australia – 6/10)
The Rainbow Children The undoubted highlights are the excellent 24th October soundcheck with a fantastic raw 'Beautiful Strange' followed swiftly by a lengthy 15 minute mainly instrumental jam 'Rainbow Children', and the excellent 27th October Brisbane soundcheck. Sydney Entertainment Center * Adv. Start : 7:30PM / Duration : 2:25 / Attendance : ?/7.000 / Tick. Price : AU$165 Opening Act : Groove Terminator RAD Intro / Let’s Go Crazy / I Would Die 4 U / When Doves Cry / 1999 Intro / Baby I’m A Star / Shhh / DMSR / A Love Bizarre The Glamorous Life / I Feel For You / Controversy / Renato Interlude / The Beautiful Ones / Nothing Compares 2 U / Insatiable Sign O’ The Times / The Question Of U (Incl. The One) / Let’s Work / U Got The Look / Life O’ The Party (Incl. Hot Pants / Uptown Up) Soul Man (Chance Howard) / Kiss / Take Me With U / The Everlasting Now / Adore / I Wanna Be Your Lover / Do Me, Baby On The Couch / Diamonds And Pearls / Forever In My Life / One Kiss At A Time / Alphabet St All The Critics Love U In Sydney / Purple Rain
25-10-2003 : ♫ Sydney Soundcheck (0:41) * Duration : 0:45
* Adv. Start : 7:30PM / Duration : 2:40 / Attendance : 7.000 / Sold Out / Tick. Price : AU$171 / AU$165 (A : Sydney Entertainment Centre – 4/10) Opening Act : Groove Terminator 
RAD Intro / Let’s Go Crazy / I Would Die 4 U / When Doves Cry / 1999 Intro Baby I’m A Star / Shhh / DMSR / A Love Bizarre / The Glamorous Life / I Feel For You Controversy / Renato Interlude / The Beautiful Ones / Nothing Compares 2 U / Insatiable Sign O’ The Times / The Question Of U (Incl. The One) / Let’s Work / U Got The Look Life O’ The Party (Incl. Hot Pants / Uptown Up) / Soul Man (Chance Howard) / Kiss Take Me With U / The Everlasting Now / Sometimes It Snows In April Adore (Incl. Crucial) / I Wanna Be Your Lover / Do Me, Baby / Strange Relationship Forever In My Life / Diamonds And Pearls / Alphabet St (w/ Larry Graham) I Want To Take You Higher (w/ Larry Graham) / The Jam (w/ Larry Graham) Thank You (Falletinme Be Mice Elf Agin) (Incl. The Jam) (w/ Larry Graham) Days Of Wild (Incl. Prince And The Band) (w/ Larry Graham) The Australian and (to a lesser extent) Hawaii 2003 shows are a fascinating bridge between the 2002 One Nite Alone tour and the 2004 Musicology tour. They main bulk of the concert is almost identical to the earlier Musicology shows with the addition of the piano medley from the One Nite Alone tour (and a number of ONA tour favourites including The Everlasting Now / Days Of Wild). The recording is a little on the rough side with a slightly overpowering bass level in places, and with a very audible audience. That aside, this is a complete, listenable and enjoyable audience recording - even with it's flaws. The concert is certainly one of the better Australian shows and is one of only 2 to include an extended encore with Larry Graham which stretches the show out to a very lengthy almost 2 1/2 hours. 
♫ Sydney The Basement Aftershow (w/ Larry Graham) (1:23) * Duration : 1:30 / Attendance : 1.000 / Sold Out / Tick. Price : AU$80 (A : When The Lights Go Down In Australia – 6/10)
Guitar Intermission / Shake Everything You’ve Got / Funk jam (Incl. The Payback / Uptown Up / Gotta Be) / Pass The Peas No Diggity (Chance Howard) / Oooh ! (Incl. Give Up The Funk / Ain’t It Funky Now) (RAD) (w/ Larry Graham) Thank You (Falletinme Be Mice Elf Agin) (w/ Larry Graham) / Release Yourself (w/ Larry Graham) / Alphabet St (w/ Larry Graham) Prince plays an aftershow at The Basement, Sydney, Australia. He performed two sets, each lasting circa 50 minutes, with a 15-minute intermission in between. Larry Graham guested. The first set kicked off with "Musicology," which soon evolved into "Brick House." Next was a funky rendition of "777-9311." Then Prince sat down at the piano for "Purple Rain." The second set started with "No Diggity," as usual sung by Chance Howard, and Mary J. Blige's "Ooh," sung by RAD. The JB's classic "Pass The Peas," led by Maceo Parker followed. Then came a cover of The Ohio Players' "Skin Tight" and Parker's "Shake Everything You've Got" (from Life On Planet Groove, 1992). "Alphabet St." closed the set. The exact sequence of songs is unknown. The audience level on The Basement aftershow recording is quite painful at times, and it is similar to an audience recording from the early 1990's - not a good thing. It’salso worthy of mention, however be warned that listening to the crowd singing the "Oooh-ooh-ooh-ooh's" during 'Purple Rain' at any great volume is rather painful. 27-10-2003 : ♫ Brisbane Soundcheck (0:49) * Duration : 0:55 (A : Funk Brisbane Funk – 4/10) Girls & Boys / Outa-Space (Incl. Get Up Offa That Thing) / Billy Jean 
The Ballad Of Dorothy Parker (Incl. 4) / Ooo Baby Baby / Pink Cashmere When You Were Mine / Partyup / Oye Como Va / Brick House (Incl. Soul Power) Santana Medley An excellent, surprisingly fun soundcheck. 'Girls And Boys' cuts straight into the song and is incomplete. Prince & the band then play a funky 5 minute long jam. Next up Prince starts to play 'Billie Jean', then gets a member of the NPGMC up to sing vocals. He's actually pretty good, and knows the lyrics to the song, and the rest of the crowd are pissing themselves laughing - I guess he was busting a few MJ moves while he was up there. Prince then goes on to play a cool 'Ballad Of Dorothy Parker' with the line change, "Let me get a fruit cocktail, and some fish and chips". He proceeds to play one of the best live versions of 'Pink Cashmere' I have had the pleasure of hearing. Very soulful, yet with a cool beat, and amazing vocals - I have to keep pinching myself that this is a soundcheck - it's that impressive. To round it off, there's an extended jam of Partyup, which unfortunately cuts-off.. I've classed it as 'less than excellent', as the NPGMC are audible (especially laughing at MJ), however they do not detract from what is a very cool soundcheck. Download 1.3 Mb. Share with your friends:
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