It has been over a year since I last posted so I think it only fit that I re-start my life with a post about Prince.I'm not a Prince virgin by any means. I have seen him perform at Paisley Park in Minnesota with as little as 50 people and a stadium with as many as 20,000; and yet I was not prepared for the 3.5 hour show I would enjoy with 18,000 fans at the Forum on April 14, 2011. It's always a Party. Fear not Fans who have yet to see him: as of now, no set list has been the same.
The stage is slightly lit and as 9p rolled around the Forum is about half full. He teases the audience by dropping the lights and then turning them back on. This happened 4 times before the low rumble began, turning into a funk drum beat, The New Power Generation, Back up singers (who were so much more than that) and finally Prince coming up through the middle of the stage. 5 Minutes later, the Forum is packed, the people are up and dancing but the energy is still not quite as high as I would have thought. He sings the first 2 songs and then disappears, leaving us with his insanely talented musicians jamming when it turns into the intro to Purple Rain. Here's the thing about Prince - he does make you wait for it. He allows so much time to breathe during his shows that one has to go at his rhythm and it all seems like it's made up on the spot. 7 Minutes of Purple Rain Intro before he comes up and blows the Forum pressurized roof off. Purple rain falling from the ceiling - magical.
He hits it back up old school - going through his hits and now the energy is pumping through the space.
In the middle of the set, Prince has disappeared below the stage when we hear the simple tune of the piano when his back up musicians, bassist and pianist all sing "To make you feel my love" in 5 part harmony. A stunning breather and shows everything about Prince.
I could go through each song and tell you about his dance moves and amazing lyricism, his struts and booty shakes, his humour and sly looks to the audience - perhaps I shall simply jump to the end...which last 1.5 hours and brings Sheila E to drum, dance and sing. He ended the show at 11p. The first encore was simply one song. The second encore - which the amateurs thought would be his last got people up on the stage before he descended back down thanking the audience. Houselights came on, but the die-hard fans know Prince and know that he loves his fans and he loves the intimacy of playing for a small crowd. People started filing out by the thousands.
Melina and I moved to the third row and patiently waited - interlacing screams, claps and chants to ensure that Prince would be back. With about 2000 people left - he came out again. He exits - more people file out. 1000 people left - he comes out again - this time with full houselights up. By the time we left the Forum it was 12:35a - 3.5 hours after he started and maybe 500 - 700 people left with us. Leaving the parking lot was a breeze.
Prince is brilliant. He is an artist who embraces everything about who he is. His stature, his love for music, his obsessive perfection...He is the best.
Party in Inglewood...Inspiring.
