Rating: Summary: Give me an F !!!!!!! Review: ....and that's F for FUNK!!!!!!...is that James Brown's little brother I see on screen?...You will think so.....there's not many out there that can play this stuff with such energy , and such mastery....
What a great show to have been at.....check out the ear-to-ear smiles on Prince's from-the-crowd dancers!!!
You'll need a seat belt on your lazy boy to keep yourself from gettin up!!
p.s.- hat's off to Maceo
Rating: Summary: Sheer Joy Review: Just to see him perform the songs "Stollin" (reminds me of Harry Connick, Jr) and "Gotta Broken Heart Again" is worth every cent. Get this one to add it to your collection or start one.
Rating: Summary: WOW Review: OK although the quality isn't as great as RAVE it's still a good DVD. A tease because it is so short but it's Prince and watching him perform is always a joy. It's a definite must.
Rating: Summary: You can't judge a performance from 5.1 sound or length... Review: I don't usually write reviews, but having got this DVD I feel compelled, - because there is a bit of an injustice in the evaluation of this concert. How can this DVD have an overall rank of 3.5 stars?
I almost didn't buy this DVD, based upon some of the reviews here... I was expecting some home video footage, recorded with a gramophone!
Nothing could be further from the truth. While I know there are some great production concerts (i.e Roger Water's), there really is nothing wrong with the way its filmed or recorded.
The length of the concert is ok too... (Of course, I would have loved for it to be longer - because it is pure joy to watch.)
But what you really have here - is a QUALITY MASTERFUL PERFORMANCE.
Not sure how you can really judge one of the best shows I have ever seen, based upon whether it is filmed in 9mm, with super-dooper 5.1 surround sound. Really...
While maybe it counts for something, - its the actual concert that ultimately matters.
The question is, - is the concert any good?
And having seen all Prince's performances on video, I have to say this is the best.
The new line up of musicians is amazing, - all in the realm of prodigy like Prince himself. The arangements are inspired, tight and very, very funky.
Prince is probably in the best mood I've seen him in ever... He's funny, charismatic and very playful. You just can't help but be mezmerized by his performance, and the antics he gets up to on stage.
And of course, - he's at his peak of singing, playing guitar and keyboards, dancing, and leading a phenomenal line up of musicians.
I've played this DVD to friends of mine that don't even like Prince, - and they were glued to the screen.
Really, - don't go past this DVD!
This is the pinacle of Prince's artistry.
If you're a musician - it is a must.
Rating: Summary: A Tribute to the History of African American Musicians Review: Yes it is too short...and yes the mix isn't perfect(sometimes the vocal is overpowering) but if you know anything about musicianship than you must know that this is a very important performance. Not only is Prince and NPG the undisputed heavyweight champ of all things soul / r&b / funk but they are also at a very important time in the history of such music. With so much going to drum machines, samples, repetitive lines played over and over to mindless bass parts that go BOOM BOOM BOOM while someone raps some meaningless crap it's good to see there are real players still around who actually have the passion, talent and respect for the bandstand needed to be a true musician. Prince pays obvious tribute to James Brown throughout most of the show. He also happens to have the great Maceo Parker with him. Eric Leeds is incredible as well. At one point they play a Led Zeppelin tune...but the guitar solo is an obvious tribute to Jimi Hendrix. Strollin' is a sweet jazz tune. And the bonus track 'ride' is a great Blues number. Prince and his band can do it all. And that drummer.....John Blackwell. Wow!!! If you know anything at all about the art of the drum kit you will see one of the best ever. Hands down...dude is FUNKY!!!
Rating: Summary: Fantastic, but minus one star for being too short! Review: Just 70 minutes long? What the....?Despite that, this is a powerhouse show with a new twist added to the Prince "ouevre" [did I spell that right?]. JAZZ! You read that right: Rock and funk dipped in JAZZ! And it works perfectly. And that is a tribute to the songs themselves. They work so well in various styles (funk, rock, jazz) because they are so well-crafted. The only time I ever saw Prince perform live [prior to today - I'm ticketed to see his in about 6 weeks on his "Musicology" tour] was on his "Jam of the Year" tour in support of the "Emancipation" triple CD. Gotta say, we weren't terribly impressed with that show. But I would have loved to been present for this Aladdin Hotel show (especially since it was MUCH longer than the DVD version of it). You will read some reviews in this section by some people who definitely were NOT impressed by this show. I can understand how they feel. This show was a dramatic departure from his showy, funky "Purple Rain" heyday. But in this show he is no less masterful, watchable, and listenable. Your first viewing of this DVD will likely be a period of adjustment instead of pure enjoyment. But starting with the second viewing.....Ooooh Yeah!
Rating: Summary: What a genius!! Review: If you have never seen Prince perform, or if you have never been a fan of the artist, you CANNOT(!) deny that this man knows how to work a stage, a crowd and music. He was so awesome, so much fun and so excited. I just really needed to see my favorite performer do his thing, and he totally didn't disappoint. I love his style so much. Just an awesome buy. Plus, I got a great discount by buying it used and the condition was perfect!
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