Prince arrived with his multi-racial, multi-gender band last night (MON) for the first of what I gather are 3 sold out performances at Madison Square Garden. As a member of the fan club, I was able to secure 8th row seats.

Some have called the Musicology album and tour a comeback for Prince, but it isn't, because he never really went away. I think it is more apt to call it a celebration-- his induction earlier this year into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame (the show kicks off with Alicia Keys's induction speech as part of what can best be described as a promo film) appears to be serving as springboard for a year-long celebration of his career. When I last saw him-- Avery Fisher Hall in 2002-- he opened with 80 minutes of new music, from the recent Rainbow Children CD, or songs still not yet out. And it rocked like a mofo. At one point in that show he said, "If y'all expecting to get your 'Purple Rain' on, this aint 1984!" Whereas last night "Purple Rain" was the final encore, and he played I think 6 others off that album.

The band is outstanding-- particularly Rhonda Smith on bass, who lays down the funky bottom over which the music rides and twists; and the sax players, Maceo Parker (James Brown alum) and Candy Dulpher (I had no idea she was this good.) In addition to celebrating Prince's career, the show also celebrates live, no-lip-synch, play-the-instruments music. And of course Prince himself remains a monster on guitar.

The first 45 minutes, the band didn't let up once. The show was an orgy of hits, underscoring the breadth of the man's catalog. There were also a few nuggets tossed in-- "The Question of You", for example-- and a lenghy solo acoustic set by Prince in the middle of the 2+ hour show. Another noteworthy interlude, directly preceeding the solo acoustic set, was Maceo Parker's solo, wherein he played "Its a Wonderful World" with keyboard accompaniment.

Prince sang, danced, played searing guitar, and was generally the consummate entertainer. It was a monstrously crowd-pleasing show, save for some concerns I might have about the sound in a hockey rink.

Bottom line, let me add my voice to those praising this tour. But I'll also say, for my money, the One Night Alone tour (the one I caught at Avery Fisher) was better. I'm enough of a fan that I liked the new tunes; most folks-- probably including you-- would probably prefer this show. Oh-- and the ticket comes with a free copy of the new album.

Labels: The tunes