Prince “Welcome 2 America” Concert
The Izod Center East Rutherford, NJ
Wednesday December 15th, 2010
Prince hasn’t toured NJ since his Musicology Tour in 2004/2005!!! So we were all primed 2 C him. His new “Welcome 2 America” tour had us all Xcited & we COULD NOT wait 2 C what this adventure would be.
Prince promised no 2 shows would B the same because he has a diverse line-up of acts he can pull from scheduled 2 open up for him. So I made sure I got 4 tickets in the Upper Level for Opening Night Tuesday December 16th so I could take Da Family with me… I’ve succeeded into corrupting them into loving Prince (ALMOST) As Much As I Do!!! ROFLMAO!!!
Well imagine my surprise when I get an email from Ticketmaster stating that the show had been cancelled & they would either a) Refund My Money or b) Give Me Comparable Tickets To The Wednesday Night Show!!! Funny thing was I had 2 make that decision by the deadline they imposed which was my birthday…
I thought this was an email prank & folks was trying 2 trick me into giving up my credit card information so I ignored it. Radio was still advertising tickets 2 the Tuesday night show so I wasn’t even worried.
When I went to the Izod Center site they said the show was cancelled. 1nce I got that confirmation I immediately opted 4 the Wednesday night show… Upon arriving I noticed the “End Zone Seats” in the upper level were curtained off… As the crowd filled in it seemed 2 me as if they Could Not sell the venue out…
There seemed 2 B plenty of empty spaces sprinkled throughout the arena… That made me think maybe that was why the Tuesday night show was cancelled??? Could there have been a lack of ticket sales 2 Prince??? Say Whut??? It’s Official, There Is DEFINITELY A Recession Now!!! ROFLMAO!!!
From my seat it was clear 2 C that Prince was utilizing the same “O+> Symbol” stage setup he used during his Superbowl Performance. He was set up in the “In The Round” so that made ALL seats available in the venue…
When the lights dimmed, 1st up was Latina Bass Playing/Singing Jazz Artist Esperanza Spalding. This woman is an amazing talent. A voice like pure honey, formidable bass technique, & not hard 2 LQQK @ either!!! She had the Angela Davis Super Afro working!!!
Funny Sidebar: My bass player in my band is like best friends with her previous drummer Otis Brown. He was able 2 hang backstage with them when they performed @ Jazz Venues in NYC & he’s totally in love with her. He calls her, “His New Baby Mama!!!” I immediately texted him & told him “Yo Baby Mama Is Onstage LQQKIN’ All Sexxxy & Ish & She’s Playing Her Azz Off JUST 4 ME!!! Sorry Son, U’ve Been Replaced!!!” ROFLMAO!!!
Only issue was in my opinion, she’s not a “Stadium Artist!!!” She’s much more suited 4 nice intimate venues. It was hard 2 hear her whispy vocals & I know they ALWAYS SABOTAGE the opening acts so they Do Not outshine the headliner… But you could tell she was seriously kicking arse… She did surprise me by playing an electric bass 4 a couple of songs as she funked it up a lil’ bit… But she’s known more for her acoustic jazz based skills.
Next up was Donny Hathaway’s baby girl Lala Hathaway. Since she’s closer 2 an R&B artist she worked so much better in the venue. She’s been recording since like 1990…, but she hasn’t had like that MAJOR BREAKOUT HIT!!! She has a few singles here & there that moved the crowd as her more radio friendly sound tickled our ears… I really know her more from her work with bass player extraordinary Mr. Marcus Miller & struggled 2 recognize NE of her music…
Then Prince came out with his traditional being rolled through the crowd hidden inside a Flight Case (wit his lil’ azz)!!! They slide him under the stage & the applause starts 2 become deafening as the band begins elevating the music since they were already on stage.
Prince rises up thru the floor with his guitar & 4 the life of me I cannot remember his opening song??? He was in rare form as his band was already kicking like a well oiled machine. He utilized three female background singers including newly balded Shelby J who was the star of that trio… They floated around the stage with him. He gave them a feature spot on a Sarah McLaughlin song & they destroyed their harmonies…
The band was camped out in the circle of His Symbol. He had a woman on bass who DID NOT LQQK like Rhonda Smith (who was able 2 walk the stage with Prince). Music Director Renato was back on keys, there was a new woman on keys plus singing background vocals that I did not know, uber drummer John Blackwell Jr. was holding down the drum chair again pounding out animalistic rhythms, & Prince had Morris Hayes on keyboards like 100 feet off the stage where they crowd could watch him up close & personal surrounding by his arsenal of electronic sounds…
1st comment out of my mouth was “I Just Turned 50 December 7th, This Cat Is 2 Years Older Than Me, He LQQKS Amazing, He Sounds Fantastsic, & He LQQKS Like He Is Having The Tyme Of His!!! WOW!!!”
The sound was kicked up a notch & since it’s been a minute since Prince has toured AmeriKKKa I think he was in “Tear Da Roof Off Da Mother Mode!!!” His show was flawless as he was simply “Doing What It Iz He Do!!!” He surprised us by playing a few songs he hasn’t played in awhile.
Also 4 the 1st time since I’ve seen him, he DID NOT have on his patented “High Heeled Boots!!!” He had on like these wedge shaped color coordinated sneakers… When he climbed up on his “Purple Piano” (nestled in horn of his symbol) during “The Beautiful 1’s” complete with a beautiful ballerina dancer dancing all around him across the stage; when it came time 2 do his “Signature Leap Off The Piano!!!” He did more like a slide hop as maybe those rumors about him needing/having a hip replacement really are true…
Vocally he was on fire as his falsetto & his screams were still as piercing as ever. He is this generation’s most powerful performer since MJ has checked out… Usher, R. Kelly, Beyonce, The Roots, Jay-Z, Jill Scott, Maxwell, &Janet Jackson are all in that next group… Prince however is head & shoulders above them all as he’s on some Ole Skool Other Ish!!!
He pretty much played guitar on this night & is still the most underrated guitar player on the planet. He was RIPPING IT!!! Purple Rain is still his “Guitar Tour De Force” as I think he gets a “Spiritual High” every single time he plays his #1 Song!!! He bends the notes, takes the notes up 2 the stratosphere, & always seems 2 pour his heart & soul into this song every single tyme he performs it…
Highlight of the night was the encore… He comes out 2 a blazing rendition of “KISS!!!” They break it down John Blackwell pounds out a syncopated groove on the drums whilst Prince displays some slick azz dance steps… He was sliding, popping, locking, & twisting like he was 30 years younger. The crowd just ate it up… I was like, “Go On Man Do Yo Ish!!!”
Most acts close their shows with their Uptempo Ish… Prince went left & did a few of his classic ballads 2 send us home full of “Love & Happiness!!!” I’ve seen some great acts this year…, but this was a great way 2 close out 2010!!! My idol still has it, & he continues 2 show the world why he’s 1 of the best who’s ever done it… PEACE & BLESSINGS!!!
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