Given the sheer volume and varying quality of his recorded output, not to mention his weird behavior, it's easy to overlook the fact that Prince is one of the great talents of the last quarter century--a fact underlined in earnest by this galvanizing performance. The guy has always had a preternatural ability to channel R&B and rock legends like Sly Stone, Jimi Hendrix, and James Brown (cf. this performance's amazing "Money Don't Matter 2 Night/The Work"); now he's added more sophisticated flavors to the mix as well, ranging from George Benson to Steely Dan and Weather Report, and all without sacrificing his own voice. Add to that covers of the Ohio Players' "Love Rollercoaster" and Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" (really), all played by Prince and his smokin', skin tight band, and what you get is one of the best shows of 2002, or any other year. Extraordinary.
--Sam Graham
1 Prince - Live at the Aladdin Las Vegas
I have always wanted to see Prince live, but the price for his concerts have always been way to high. So this is the closest that I have come so far and this dvd is simply stupendous. Prince is spectacular and the muisicians that are with him are all top notch performers and artists in their own right. Prince looks awesome in a nice suit and he sounds even better. This is such a tremendous concert and I wish I had been there to see it.
2 Give me an F !!!!!!!
....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
3 Sheer Joy
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.
4 WOW
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.
5 You can't judge a performance from 5.1 sound or length...
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.
6 A Tribute to the History of African American Musicians
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!!!
7 all expense spared
I have a strong suspicion that it cost me more to buy this DVD than Prince spent on producing it. It looks and sounds terrible, which is a shame because it's a great performance.
First off, contrary to what the amazon technical details say, this DVD is in 4:3 not widescreen - the picture has simply been artificially cropped and letterboxed to fit a 4:3 picture.
Picture quality wise, it feels like you're watching a 3rd generation VHS. The picture is very soft and all the colours are washed out without any shadow detail.
Also, the sound is only in PCM stereo (in this day and age there's no excuse for not having a Dolby 5.1 mix on a concert DVD). Now stereo is acceptable, but this mix is awful. During the quieter bits you can't even hear the background instruments.
The only thing that saves this DVD is the performance by Prince and the band -- that is truly incredible and worth a look. It's just such a shame that this inferior DVD lowers the standard. I've seen bootlegs that look equally as good.
8 Great performance, bad DVD quality
First off, I must say the DVD video and audio quality are poor compared to other concert DVDs I've purchased (Rave 2000 DVD by Prince was far better). Aside from that, the music is simply awesome. Prince has a way of turning old hits into new music when he performs it live with rearrangements. I especially enjoyed "Gotta Broken Heart Again" and the Bonus Track "The Ride", not to mention "Strollin" (which seemed a perfect song for the Vegas type show and "The Work", which is pure JB funk. The cover of "Whole Lotta Love" is great too, great, intense guitar solos, but it ends on a disappointing, rather weak note. I hope he comes out with a Musicology DVD (please make the DVD quality better!) soon.
9 Good show, but where's the rest of it?
First of all, let me say that this is a decent DVD concert that features a playful,energetic and relaxed Prince with a smokin' band that includes Sheila E. and ex-James Brown saxman, Maceo Parker. However, on the downside, it is my understanding that this was like a 3 hour show and yet it has been cut to 80 minutes and some of the songs that follow each other do not flow because of the missing tracks that went between them and linked the mood and pace of the concert. Prince's humor is on full display with Prince demonstrating a new dance called the "Ozzy Osbourne" in which Prince shuffles around stiffly and wipes imaginary drool from his lips. He also does his own indelible version of Led Zep's "Whole Lotta Love", where after pulling psychedelic playing and feedback from his guitar like his forefather Jimi Hendrix at Monterry, Prince lays his guitar gently on the stage while it is still buzzing Jimmy Page-like sounds, but instead of lighting it on fire, he gently lays his handerchief over it and puts it to sleep. He is obviously having great fun here and so is the audience and band, it's just too bad that we, the home viewer only get to see half of it.
10 Fantastic, but minus one star for being too short!
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!
11 What a genius!!
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!
12 To the one's who don't appreciate a TRUE gift from god
Whoever is writing bad reviews about prince, definetly does not understand or appreciate this man's music, which is a true blessing from god. Prince has such an incredible talent that he shares with the world, preaching a message of peace and love. How much better does it get than that! Peace and unity is what this world is lacking. Seek ye the Kingdom and maybe one day, you'll understand..............MUCH LOVE....:-D
13 Supa Funky Jazz Night with Prince
Man oh Man...if you have any questions or doubts about who rules the funk world you can put them to rest after watching this DVD.
Prince does a great job as band leader, singer, and guitar player. The NPG is totally kicking like a superpower kung fu chicken!
If you want Prince from the 1984 days of Purple Rain, you better get something else...If you want Prince as he is today, the Reining Funk Master, get this DVD.
Half the set is modern jazz and the other half is rocking like nobody's business.
If you play guitar there is an extra bonus on with the extra track. This is the first time I have ever heard or seen Prince play guitar like greats Jeff Beck and Carlos Santana.
14 Prince I love you, but I HATE this dvd!!
I have been a fan of Prince since 1978, when "I Wanna Be Your Lover" was released. I use to kiss the album cover every night before bed. I purchased this dvd, expecting more from your concerts, (since I was never able to go to one of the concerts in person), I wanted to see you in one of favorite cities in the United States. I am so glad I didn't go to this concert because I would be very disappointed. I did love all your original songs you performed in this concert, but I didn't like the other songs that was performed. It seems that Prince was sort of disinterested in his performance, and I became disinterested in watching it. I give this dvd a phffft. :P. Sorry love, maybe I will buy the "One Night A Lone" box set and hopefully enjoy that better.
15 All Hail The Princely One!
PRINCE! What did his momma and daddy know when they named him that?! This cat reigns and this dvd is proof of that! All hail the prince! Reign in the Light, my EXTRAORDINARILY talented brother!!!!!!
16 outstanding
Wow, I have no idea what many of these other reviewers were watching (or expecting). This performance is absolutely fantastic. I first saw it on the DirecTv Freeview and immediately ordered the DVD. I have never been much of a Prince fan before. Good grief. where have I been? This DVD showcases his immense and varied talents -- guitarist, keyboardist, bandleader, songwriter, vocalist, live performer. He surely has to be at the top of his game. As he says before one of the songs, "There's no format tonight". Each song is a gem of either funk (I've never been into it), jazz, blues, rock 'n roll (the medley of "Whole Lotta Love" and the song that follows is worth the price of the DVD alone), pop, or love song. The band is simply great. The camera work is unique, holds your attention, and VERY good. The sound production, I suppose, could be a bit better (there are places where an instrument is obviously not being heard as well as it should) but is excellent overall. I can't stop watching and listening to this disc. I highly recommend it to any music lover no matter the preference in genrŽ. THIS is great art.
17 PRINCE - STOP BEING CHEAP!
I SEEN THIS PRINCE CONCERT ON PAY-PER-VIEW, IT WAS FREE! I WAS BLOWN AWAY. PRINCE IS STILL THE SH*T. I DECIDED TO BUT THE DVD. SINCE THEY DID NOT HAVE IT IN STORES, I BROUGHT IT FROM AMAZON.COM. THE CONCERT IS STILL GREAT BUT THE PICTURE AND SOUND IS GARBAGE. PRINCE NO BETTER, THAN PUTTING THIS OUT.
18 Outstanding
Wow, I have no idea what many of these other reviewers were watching (or expecting). This performance is absolutely fantastic. I first saw it on the DirecTv Freeview and immediately ordered the DVD. I have never been much of a Prince fan before. Good grief. where have I been? This DVD showcases his immense and varied talents -- guitarist, keyboardist, bandleader, songwriter, vocalist, live performer. He surely has to be at the top of his game. As he says before one of the songs, "There's no format tonight". Each song is a gem of either funk (I've never been into it), jazz, blues, rock 'n roll (the medley of "Whole Lotta Love" and the song that follows is worth the price of the DVD alone), pop, or love song. The band is simply great. The camera work is unique, holds your attention, and VERY good. The sound production, I suppose, could be a bit better (there are places where an instrument is obviously not being heard as well as it should) but is excellent overall. I can't stop watching and listening to this disc. I highly recommend it to any music lover no matter the preference in genrŽ. THIS is great art.
19 I attended the actual concert
I went to the final show of the One Nite Alone tour in Las Vegas at the Aladdin hotel and sat 6 rows back. Mike Tyson (pre-facial tattoo) and Gladys Knight were in attendence. It was one of the most awesome experiences of my lifetime and was uncontestably the best concert I have ever seen.
That said... This DVD does not hold a candle to that spectacular concert.
First of all, the DVD showcases less than HALF of the actual concert. The second half consisted of Prince sitting at a keyboard performing old favorites. This was not on the DVD at all. There was a sizeable chunk of the first part of the show missing as well. The actual concert was about 3 hours longHow incredibly dissapointed I was to discover this AFTER I purchased the DVD.
The video quality of the concert sucked. It appears to have been filmed with poor digital cameras and becomes pixellated often throughout the show. The camera angles are very amateurish. The sound quality isn't anything to brag about either.
This DVD in no way captures the essence of the live powerhouse that is Prince. Prince is arguably the greatest live performer of all time, yet this DVD does not showcase it. I do not recommend this DVD.
20 Save Your Money
I like Prince, but the poor video and audio quality of this DVD spoiled the show. I kept thinking there was something wrong with my system until I put on James Taylor's "Pull Over" DVD, which I purchased at the same time. I was relieved to find that it wasn't my system. Pull Over is pristine. Hopefully Prince will put out something worth buying in the future.
21 Disappointing concert, poor quality production
Not only does this look like a disappointingly brief and offhand concert effort from Prince, but the production quality is pretty near the bottom of the barrel -- uneven film quality, poor sound, and bad camera work.
High talent potential + low effort + poor showcasing = letdown.
22 Disappointing Effort
I was psyched to hear Prince put out a live DVD of a concert he did in Vegas. What better place to enjoy a Prince show than the city of sin and excess? Unfortunately, the show and the DVD are extremely lame. I'm not sure what decisions went into the musical selection for this show but it was not the up-tempo experience I had hoped for. Instead it borders on melancholy R&B/jazz with only flashes of the brilliant funkiness and stage presence that Prince used to be known for. The best track on this DVD is a cover song of Led Zeppelin. I kid you not.
Several years ago, Prince would have torn the roof off of Vegas with a line up of showgirls while he ripped into "Pussy Control". We can only dream now of that kind of show.
Coupled with the past few disappointments Prince has put out on CD, it appears the Purple One is migrating into waters that only his mostly fiercely dedicated fans will follow.
23 A true musical genius at work
I have been a major Prince fan for 20 yrs. And although even I must admit that he has released some pretty poor material for the past decade, I was absolutely FLOORED, by this show!! I have watched it almost non-stop for the past week, even 3 times in one day. DON'T expect some post production work. This live music for live music lovers. If you want that, buy his studio CD's. Don't expect a bunch of Purple Rain numbers, because "he's not interested in what you know, but what you are willing to learn!" He has matured and evolved as an artist with this set. He's even stopped wearing his sisters' clothes (except for the shoes). Showing his personality and sense of humor, He's obviously enjoying himself! Most music today is made with only a keyboard and drum machine or maybe an imitation guitar player. by people who couldn't play a real instrument to save their life , and not possibly play a guitar the way ONLY Prince can (I swear he was born with a guitar in his hands). But a true musician would never settle for that!! He has the baddest band in the land!! Especially his bass player(Rhonda Smith) and percussionist, Sheila E. showing how capable women can be. They are totally in sync, and the transitions are smooth, and they respond to his cues in a flash. He once again proves that he is THE ARTIST!! Mastering Jazz, Funk, Soul, Blues, Rock and even gospel in a way that seems to come so easily for him. (who else can do that?) I challenge you to find anyone who can even come close as a musician. As he says at the end of the set "don't hate me because I'm fabulous"! Elvis? Michael Jackson? PLEASE! He has NO peers (who else can go into the studio without a band, producer,or backup vocalist and produce ORIGINAL, quality work on a consistent basis BY HIMSELF), and to all of those haters who are complaining about the quality, I read your reviews and you almost caused me to miss out on what I can only describe as the best concert I've ever seen in my entire life! If you aren't on that level, fine. Buy something that's been sweetened in the studio after the show or performed by someone who can't sing, arrange, write, produce, compose, perform, conduct, or play dozens of instruments..... The only thing that could possibly surpass this concert is a longer DVD or being there in the flesh! I attended the Musicology tour only because I saw this DVD!
24 All that talent...
...gone to waste. I bought this DVD sight unseen based on the incredible muscianship that I knew would be present. I also assumed a certain level of production value based upon the excellence of Prince's most recent studio albums, The Rainbow Children especially. What I got was a master musician and showman, backed by a world-class funk band, delivering a nuts-on performance, in front of a juiced-up crowd. That's where the compliments will end. The video and audio production was flawed in so many ways, it is hard to understand how anyone would have released it as a viable commercial product. I have seen low-res unmixed demos of t.v. show rehearsals that had more things going for them technically. To start with, the video quality was poor - extremely compressed with artifacts galore. The editing was aimless and inconsistent. The look and feel of the video effects (wipes and scene transitions) was public-access cable at its best. I kept hearing the editor in my mind say, "Hey, look what I just learned to do!"
The audio was also unworthy of such a high quality performance. It sounded seriously like it was recorded live with no post-production sweetening. I would not be surprised to find out this was the case.
Anyway, whoever is responsible for the production of this DVD would do well to watch some of the more masterful concert DVD releases of the last couple of years, like U2's Elevation Live, Eric Clapton's One More Car..., or the newly released "Concert for George" George Harrison tribute. There is so much to learn. I admire Prince. I love concerts on DVD. I wanted to like this DVD. I didn't.
If you can find it on television, watch it there. Don't buy it (unless you want to buy my copy!!!!)
25 Prince Knows how to Entertain
Prince puts on a [good] show with his new skin-tight NPG band. This DVD is much more entertaining that the Rave concert, because you can tell that it comes from the heart, and is comprised mainly of new music_ even some excellent cover tunes. The Rave DVD was more of a " Las Vegas" style show with all the hits lined up, but this one reads as new and exciting material. Personal favorite: Strolling/ U want Me. It's refreshing to hear a new song about something other than god, these days. U Want Me is so Saturday-Night-Sexy and Silky Smooth_ great jazzy flava. This concert isn't preachy_ it's just really funky ( for lack of a better word at midnight). Eric Leeds may look like a professor these days, and he'll teach you things on sax too_ he's still da Bomb. Also, I have no problems with the sound quality. I understand the picture quality to be conceptual as the visual style of the DVD_ I'm surpirsed that some people didn't get that. I highly recommed this work. More than merits a review, but a view.
26 Haven't purchased or seen the DVD
I saw the free programming this past weekend on DIRECTV and was blown away! The diversity of music and talent was A+! The question that is lerking at me is the 1 hr 20 min show on DIRECT TV the same showing on the DVD? I would like to purchase the DVD if there is more music than was shown on Directv. Can anyone clear this up for me?
By the way, I am a believer of Prince's music now. I saw him in 2001 in Denver CO. Can't stop thinking about the show.. it was all of that and my 1 carat diamonds 8:)
27 this dvd is fantastic
This dvd is fantastic! I know that people are saying that it's missing in the production but that's absurd. It's simply an aftershow highlight for fun. Those who own the one night alone cd collection know that there were even better shows on that tour etc, but so what:) YOu got to hear one of the best band's out there relax and play for you. It's funk and it rocks, simple as that. There are tose that want more but remember, when was the last time and artist made you want more:) Take the funk when you can get it, complain later that no one else has such a good band and that there is no one to compare it to!!
Side note if you like this dvd and this kind of Funk, then you need to check out this new kid coming out of BOston?or LA? Anyways the press is saying that he's going to be the next one. I don't know about that but it looks like he's going to at least impress us for a while. You can download his stuff at www.mp3.com/Neftalie They say he may be getting ready to sign with Columbia and is working on a new album now, so it may not be free much longer! Here is his new review from the west coast performer.
Soul Music
Recorded by Neftalie at Lion's Share Studios Mixed by Tim D'Aguino and Neftalie Mastered by Tim D'Aguino in Florida Songs 1 & 2 Mastered by Steve Connely at Zen Studios Songs 1 & 2 Mixed by Steve Connely at Zen Studios Produced by Neftalie
Reviewer -Reed Kellman
Bicoastal musician Neftalie is the surrogate son of a time in music when artists played because they felt the need from deep within. They weren't in it merely to sell records; they were in it to jam. This is a parental lineage that includes James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, Santana, Miles Davis, and Hendrix; a diverse and decidedly uniquely American experience. Neftalie is ready to follow in their footsteps, pulling inspiration from each while maintaining his own original, up-to-date musical styling. The appropriately named Soul Music displays Neftalie's passion, both for the music as well as for life. Throughout the album, Neftalie delves into love, sex, and living life to the fullest. Still he isn't afraid to tackle other subjects with his insightful lyrics. On "Revolution" he protests societal inequities and on the last track "La MŽnage" he incites the taboo of threesomes. Neftalie seamlessly blends vocals and instrumentation, whether rocking out a funky bass line or harmonizing with the piano. Perhaps this flawless congruity stems from the fact that Soul Music is almost entirely written, arranged and composed by Neftalie, only occasionally calling on others instrumental assistance. Soul Music is Neftalie's vision of a new era in sound that incorporates all aspects of American music. He belts out this vision on guitar-driven, revolution inducing "New Age" where he brassily sings "Run and tell your mama / the funk is back to start a new age." His boldness is justified, though. Soul Music never falls flat, instead bouncing the listener through a gambit of sounds and thoughts. From the funky rock of "New Age" the listener is dropped into a soulful love song, "The GhettoLoveSong aka Dedikate." From there Neftalie comes clean with the catchy funk-pop "It's On aka A Good Night;" "And I don't want this night to be over / and I just want this feeling to go on / and I've been waiting all night to get next to you / and don't you think you're leaving your clothes on / Baby, baby it's on, " flexes Neftalie in the percussion led chorus. Even hip-hop is not out of Neftalie's reaches as evidenced on "Rock With You," an otherwise straight rocker accented by the voice of rapper Reggie "C.E.O" Printemps. Soul Music is rounded out by tender lyrics and heart throbbing piano pieces, such as on "Play," allowing Neftalie an entry into the yearning ballad realm of Prince. There is even a background of synthesized rainfall to "Play," an almost unscrupulous reminder that Neftalie can make a "Purple Rain" of his own. Soul Music is at once funky, jazzy, bluesy, and soulful while maintaining a contemporary sound of rock, R&B, and hip-hop. Neftalie is bound to fill the illustrious shoes of his musical forefathers with something familiar yet entirely new. Until then a glimpse into this new age can be downloaded for free at mp3.com, further evidence that Neftalie is more about the soul of music than he is about the money. (A.W.E. Records)
28 No doubt - Prince is KING!
I cannot stop watching this DVD! I still can't get my head wrapped around the awesome talent of this... man! He is positively brilliant.
Highlights are 1+1+1=3 (PURE funk), Gotta a Broken Heart Again (the vocal is nothing short of spectacular) and the bonus track The Ride (His Royal Badness working out on some blues).
This man hasn't lost his touch, or disappeared, or become a has been or WHATEVER people are saying. This artist has aged like a fine wine. This is a more mature, classier, jazzier, funkier Prince!
29 Prince is at his best!
A great perfermance from the one of the best live entertainers ever. Witness a living-legend do his thing.
30 One Nite Alone
When viewing this DVD, one should remember the spirit of the whole tour which was a stipped down, low-budget, small-venue type of show. No fancy lights, staging, suit-changes, but rather Prince demonstrating that he is first and foremost, a musician. This is very evident in the fact that he took no guitar player with him on this tour, as he alone assumed those duties. At the Oakland, CA. tour stop, one could see the equipment boxes and containers still on the stage, as if after the show, they were to be taken down and packaged for the trip to the next tour stop. Much has been made of the quality of the DVD, from the sound to the picture. As an owner of a few live bootleg videos, this is no where near that type of quality...meaning it is much better than its being described. It lacks the polished and clean look and sound of Rave Unto The Joy...Live, but that was a contrived event played to industry people, not the average fan. This DVD captures a raw glimpse at what the show and the tour included. There in lies my complaint. I would have preferred a complete show, from beginning to end, shot exactly the way this DVD was shot. With this DVD, you only get a 1/3 of the real show. It was masterful performance. To bad we didn't get to see it all.
31 Not a Classic like Sign O The Times Or Purple Rain
I think everyone should see this, but I don't know about buy it. The Sign O The Times Concert and the Prince And The Revolution Concert are ten times better. "Pop Life" and "Gotta Broken Heart Again" only work in the context of the album. This is more like a "One Nite Alone...Deleted Scenes"
32 Pitiful Product From A Penny Pincher
Once Again Prince Milks His Fans For Every Penny He Can Get While Continuing On His Role To Roll Out Pathetic Slop That Doesnt Even Begin To Compare To His Early Work. Hasnt he tired of using his fans this way yet?
Costuming, pathetic. Visuals, Pathetic. Audio, PATHETIC! What happened to the times when you could buy a prince product sight unseen knowing it was a keeper? Guess thats a sign of the times now.. Perhpas prince needs to take a stroll down memory lane to recall what got him where he is before he isnt where he is and is hanging out with the has beens who think once they make a name for themselves they can passout anything and I mean ANYTHING to the fans expecting praise and applause.
Why dont he re-release the excellent concert he had out on video of the dome concert in syracuse? That was an awesome show (I was there in person) and I still love that video today! C'mon prince get off that cloud and come back down to the real world and rock man rock! The fans are not going to accept something like this knowing what potential you posess
33 Funky 2 Me!!!!!!!!!!! Awesome
I'm not sure why some of the other reviewers felt the sound quality wasn't up to par but it was on fire to me. Hey, maybe they work for warner bros. If you are a true Prince fan then buy this DVD you will not be disappointed but if you are still caught in the 80's you may not be able to appreciate a Genius in growth. I highly recommend it.
34 Yo.....Pump Up The Volumn!
I don't doubt that Prince put on a fantastic show at the Aladdin that night, and that those lucky enough to attend had a great time. There are times that the house mix at a live show can be a little "Iffy", what with an enthusiastic crowd and the sometimes hollow sound in a large venue. I'm sure the everyone there walked away at the end of the night buzzin' about what great show they had seen and hopefully heard......Unfortunately for those of us who have purchased this DVD to try and capture the moment it comes up short...wayyyyy short!
I piled into my favorite chair with a cool drink and was prepared to see a great show by a great artist. Within moments the drink I had in hand was replaced with the remote control. I spent the entire length of the show playing sound tech, running the volume up & down just to hear what was going on.
It's really hard for me to comprehend how the supposed world class audio engineers that Prince can afford to hire let this one slip through the cracks, let alone the Artist himself. Where was the lead sound engineer that night...watching a fight at the MGM? There might have been a chance to, as they say, "We'll clean it up in Post", but you can't clean up what you don't have...Plain & simple, the Artist's audio team blew it Big Time on this one.
I guess what really upsets me the most is that this was a great opportunity to capture a truely great musician stretching out his talent on a magic night for those who were fortunate to be there in person, but for those of us who purchase this DVD we can only hope that when the next opportunity comes along Prince will have a new audio team in place taking care of business. Until then, save your money and pass on this one.
35 prince is amazing but his camera and sound crew are not
Simply put The artist formally known as o(+> is one of the top notch performers in the category of james brown and michael jackson as a band leader he is phonemenal and his vocals are mind boggling especially in his rendition of "Gotta broken heart again"( i hope he releases this version on audio) but the Camera Work and and sound basically [stinks]!im sorry but Prince get steven speilbergs crew you certainly can aford it! aside from that this is a keeper my next dvd to own is RAve!
i wish u heaven
the prince of pop
36 Disappointing From Such A Great Performer
My hopes were up high on this one. I was thinking this would be a nice companion to the "One Nite Alone" box set. The PERFORMANCE, as usual, is great. Loved the covers of "Whole Lotta Love" & "Pass The Peas". The SOUND & PICTURE QUALITY is a HUGE let down. To me this is nothing more than a good quality bootleg. The 5.1 digital sound is terrible. The video looks like a HI 8 Camcorder recording complete with whiteout of the faces and bleeding colors. In fact the clearest thing on here is the add for the NPG Music Club. I know this sounds bad, but this is the digital time now, and there is nothing digital on this DVD. Think of it as a transfer from VHS to DVD in stereo. Prince is TOO GREAT OF A PERFORMER to have his legacy of a Live performance on DVD reduced to this. Hopefully the POWERS THAT BE at Warner Brothers realize this and Release "Sign O The Times" & "Live In Concert (The Purple Rain Tour)" on DVD. They are, to date, The better live performances.
37 There should be a warning Sticker on this DVD
First off all, the show is excellent. Perfect timing, good set.
The picture quality is a bloody shame. Blurry picture, bad colors, white faces, overview shots unsharp, etc... There should be a warning sticker on this DVD. This is below video 8 quality.
I gave my copy back to the shop and got my money back. I don't think consumers have to accept this kind of quality when buying a DVD. If you want to see Prince, go to his concerts.
38 I WAS THERE!!!
Contrary to what some have said, Prince was giving it his all during this show. I actually attended the concert, and I never felt he was shortchanging us or not performing to the best of his abilities. The overall vibe of the Aladdin show, song selection and all, was very jazzy and mellow - different from the other show I attended on this tour. I actually liked the song selection because I had not seen most of them performed live. That was a rare treat. Yeah, the concert was edited down from 3+ hours to 80 minutes for this DVD, and I do wish it could have included more, but oh well. And no, the camera work and sound is not the best. However, the performances shown are impeccable. How can you not love that beautiful falsetto or that pulsating funk!?!?!? Prince is a master musician and performer. In my opinion, the "One Nite Alone" tour was Prince at his very best. Just him and his band, with a whole crowd under their spell. Watching this DVD is nostalgic, it takes me back to an experience I will never forget.
39 left hanging
I was at this show, and not only did Prince leave more than half of the show on the cuttting room floor, but no DTS sound. The picture is somewhat shotty in parrts, but the audio is what hurts the most. I wiil say that the highlight for me is the version of "Gotta Broken Heart Again". All in all the best part of the night was the solo piano set which only the last song "Sometimes It Snows In April" is represented. Just let us see all 3 hours of the show!!!!! A must for die hard Prince fans.
40 Prince at the Aladdin
I think this live show is awesome. Keep in mind this is not the old Prince. All the same I think it's worth owning.
41 Excellent !
This DVD will give you the chance to see P's stunning skill in playing live gigs in one of the best moments of his career. The jazzy direction he took with 'The rainbow children' and 'One nite alone...live!' is refreshing. Don't believe me? Just listen to the revamped versions of 'Strollin', 'Gotta broken heart again' and 'Pop life'. He plays the funk like nobody else -listen to 'The work', '1+1+1=3', or 'Strange relationship'. Included are tasty covers ('Whole lotta love', 'Pass the peas')and old gems ('Take mw with u', 'Sometimes it snows in April'). He plays guitar and piano, sings beatifully, dances & entertains the audience with the ease of the consummate performer. It's no wonder he has a legendary reputation as a live performer. Only defect is that the concert in Vegas was 3 hours long and it's not represented here in its integrity. Buy this.
42 Prince Disappoints a Second Time This Year
After not having recovered from his bland "N.E.W.S." CD release earlier this year, I was hoping that the live DVD concert video would offer some consolation. Again, I have been a huge fan of Prince since the early 80s, but I am beginning to seriously lose my patience with his lack of focus and horrible business sense. The concert captures Prince in a very good, upbeat mood, but certainly much more demure than ever. The concert definitely lacks the energy and magic of his "One Night Alone" tour. The worst part of this DVD is the horrible sound quality and poor camera work. The vocals and instruments constantly fade in and out and the picture lacks clarity. What has happened to his previous attention to detail in sound check quality he has shown in the past? Also, the track selections he performs are disappointing. There is a great cover of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love." My favorite performance is the final track "Sometimes It Snows in April" which is one of Prince's most beautiful ballads and extremely underrated. Also, there is a great version of "Take Me With U." As expected, much of the actual vocal and music perfomance is excellent, but the overall concert experience lacks technical quality and direction in content.
43 Prince in a cloak
I eagerly awaited getting this dvd. Prince with a great band, great songs, and Live !!.
Popped the disc in, rolled through the credits and then into the concert footage....check my sounds system..?? this doesn't sound right..??
I check the audio options, well it's only 2CH but hey it should sound better than this..???, sure it's not 5.1 or DTS, not sure why it's not?
Anyway I must admit I was really put off with the very poor audio on this disc that I couldn't enjoy it, I knew what it should have sounded like.
I'm not sure what went on with the engineering of the audio, but I was suprised as Prince's CD's and DVD's usually sound fantastic.
44 Prince continues his reign as the ultimate funkster
Prince is still the ultimate entertainer/musician. He rock n roll's, jazz's, funks, r&b's and souls you with some smooth vocals and an awesome horn section. He pumps hard on hits such as "Pop Life" and "Take Me With You". He even jams on lesser know tracks such as "The Work" and "1+1+1=3". His band is tight and the grooves will move you. Ain't no party like a "P" party. Get this DVD now!!!!! Awesome
45 "enjoy this live performance in the style of Prince"
Hip-O Records presents one of the greatest artists of our time "Prince-Live at the Aladdin Las Vegas", featuring the talents of Prince along with special guests Nikka Costa, Sheila E., Eric Leeds and Maceo Parker. Each cue specialized with the style of Prince and his hot band, as we take in this fabulous video with R&B mixed with rock.
Entire album is a stand out "POP LIFE", "MONEY DON'T MATTER 2 NIGHT/THE WORK", STROLLIN'/U WANT ME"(Previously Unreleased), "WHOLE LOTTA LOVE" and "SOMETIMES IT SNOWS IN APRIL" lets you in on the best show of 2002 in then some. Jump on the chance to pick this one up. Enjoyable video, just like sitting in the front rows...gotta love it!
Total Time: 80 mins ~ Hip-O Records 602498606315 ~ (8/19/2003)
46 Prince is Awsome!
You must get this DVD to add to your collection. I had been waiting for another concert DVD to come out & I was glad it was it. Enjoy smooth sounds from Prince, Nikka Costa, Sheila E., & Maceo Parker. There are a total of about 17 songs on the concert, including my favorite: "Gotta Broken Heart Again"! Picture and sound quality is GREAT! ...I only wish I was there to see it LIVE!
47 Prince and his bad buisiness sense.
Sure, Prince, put out a blurry, muddy piece of crud and call it a live DVD. Sound is above bootlet, but shouldn't it be surround sound? What was he recording with, a fostex four track player? Prince has bamboozled us again folks. No more of my money for that weasel, that's for sure.
48 The Man Formerly Known As An Artist
There are two theories that I can imagine would explain why Prince would choose to release such a bland performance of himself and his band to the general public. One is that his devotion to the Jehovah's Witness faith disallows him to maintain any semblance of indivuality or genuine artistic expression - things that he was once famous for. Another explanation is that Prince simply needs money. Could it be that since his breakup with Warner Brothers Prince has had trouble re-establishing himself in the eyes and ears of the music buying public. With the extravagant lifestyle that Prince is so akin to, he most certainly would need to maintain an extravagant income simply to maintain it. It seems that Prince has exchanged his clever, compelling stage-persona with nothing more than a dull fasade of polical correctness and unoriginality, possibly in hopes of selling his music to an older more PC audience. This I learned quickly after popping the DVD into my DVD player. Instead of watching this concert in a state of awe from front to back like I did with his other films (eg. Sign 'O The Times & Rave Unto The Year 2000), I found myself holding my thumb to the fast-forward button scanning ahead in search of something good. Each performance is so prudently executed that it actually sickens me to think about. Watching Prince on this DVD reminds me of watching a children's performer attempting to entertain an adult audience and all the while not entertaining anybody. His humour is cautious to the point where it is not funny or entertaining, just annoying. All of Prince's gestures, dance moves, singing, and most of all, passion have been dwindled down to the point where the even the most conservative senior citizen would walk away from this concert exclaiming "Now there's a nice young man, we should invite him to come to our church. Does he give sermons?". There is nothing inspirational, sensational, contraversial, or even "Prince" about this concert. Instead, what you will find is extremely poor camera footage accompanied by extremely poor audio and above all, extremely boring performances! This is yet another concert DVD that will end up on my rack, never to be viewed again. When you think about it, now should actually have been the time where Prince changed his name. This name seems to fit: "The Man Formerly Known As An Artist".
49 The Master of Live Performances at work!
Prince treats fans to a sampling of his nearly 3-decade long list of music in a way that only the vertically-challenged Funk-Master can.
Special guests join him (Nikka Costa, Maceo Parker, Sheila E) as he grooves for 80 minutes, showcasing songs from throughout his career. Rather than a re-hash of the same old, same old (Little Red Corvette, Purple Rain, etc.), Prince shares lesser-known gems such as Strange Relationship, Pop Life, and Gotta Broken Heart Again. He dabbles in a few covers as well, such as the vintage James Brown funk, "Pass the Peas" as well as the Led Zepplin rocker, "Whole Lotta Love." The latter is a real treat for those into guitar work as Prince shows off his amazing guitar skills.
Prince and the NPG (his band, the New Power Generation - Rhonda Smith, Renato Neto, John Blackwell and Greg Boyer) are TIGHT and he isn't shy about giving them a thorough workout - sometimes stretching songs into double-digit minute jam sessions. They go from full-blown rockin to whisper-quiet jazz at a snap of his fingers, not missing a beat. Many of today's so-called musicians could take a few lessons here.
For those that want to see him sing "Purple Rain" for the gazzilionth time, they're better served elsewhere. But those looking for 80 minutes of pure FUNK, and TRUE musicianship with real instruments ("What's that?" asks Justin Timberlake) should go no further than this disc.
50 OUTSTANDING
How, do you want an artist to perform? What do you except? Well Prince Delivers it. To sheer perfection. Like him, Love him, or hate him. There is no denying the greatest performer on earth.
51 Remembering why I love Prince
This dvd is a revelation, if not a validation of the awesome powers that is Prince. Outstanding performance throughout and with his most (kicking) band since the revoltion, you will not be disappointed by the intensity, craftsmenship, versatility of one of the 20th century's greatest. Nuff highlights -- I was particularly blown away by the Nikka Costa performance. She and Prince duet on a track "Pulling" from of her debut cd and it's a motherfunker. Particularly considering that the track is just ok on her cd -- here it takes new life and becomes a highlight of the Prince cannon. Also on the dvd, for the fans Prince dips into his catalogue with excellent results. This is achieve by not making so many obvious choices. For example, "Gotta Broken heart again" is a little ditty off Dirty Mind, on the dvd it becomes the true torch song it was always meant to be. He funks on Housequake, croons on "Strollin" and goes pop on "Money don't matter tonight". I could go on, but also worth noting are the excellent players in tow -- Sheila E., Maceo Parker, Eric Leeds and Rhonda Smith. And let's not talk about the performances of the man himself -- he takes you there in every way. Do cop this before it runs out-of-print. Essential.
52 Not what I expected........I wish I could return it
I was expecting vintage Prince. I did not recognize most of the songs on the DVD. Basically, this video was very boring. I am a Prince fan, but not a fan of this DVD. I would without a doubt buy this used if you are considering purchasing this item...... Do not spend full price.......
53 What a disappointment!
I'll preface by saying I'm a HUGE Prince fan, I have the largest collection of unreleased material of anyone I know. He couldn't be more brilliant. That said, I couldn't be more disappointed in this DVD. Not only do I think the song selection is going to be very limiting in it's appeal to his fans (except the new ones who followed him into obscurity where he's abandoned all commercial appeal) But my biggest beef is with the quality of the DVD. OMG! the video couldn't look worse, the camera work and editing is poor and the sound mix in all over the place..and mostly in a bad place. Whoever produced this thing had better go back to production school. It's quality is WAY below par to most concert videos out there. The only extras are an NPG music club "commercial", song selection and one more "bonus" song.. whoopie! Navigation of the songs doesn't even give you the name, just a number..lame. Prince's performance is always fantastic and his band is amazing. I appreciate that he's branching out, hell, he's probably bored to tears because he's done it all. But lengthy the James Brown jams, and "I'm a jazz guy now" vibe gets really boring. Get back to the funk with some great hooks.. please! I think he's dropped his older funky stuff that was dirty or questionable since he swore off swearing. Too bad for us, it was his best material. I guess we always want our heroes to stay the way they were when we first loved them.
54 Pretty Good,Polished&typical Prince holding back or Not?
for me personally if it wasn't for the fact that Prince is very Talented&can still bring it on stage then I'd be all but done listening to Him.I ain't felt a Studio Album by Him since 88&there has been alot Hit&Miss Material mixed with some down right Corny Material coming from his Projects.this latest venture is Mixed as well for Me.as a Band Leader&Instrumentalist Prince still has that "IT".but the Band feels too soft to me.Prince is doing things that would have been Cool 10-15 years back now.Box Sets of Live Music&Live DVD,etc..Sting did what Prince is doing now back in 86 with His Bring on the Night Band which featured Branford Marsalis,Omar Hakem among others.Prince must enjoy putting out just passable Product because He has a whole lot better Live Footage.the Band is Very Polished&I think that is one of the reasons why Modern Prince is missing something for me.I Miss a Rawness in His Past Recordings&Tours.I always get the feeling Prince is Holding back but then again at this stage why would He be holding back when He ain't written Songs that have Hits written over them? He still is worth watching&Hearing Live but I've seen Better from Him.well at least I can see Him Live.I can't really hold any expectations to his Albums though anymore.
55 A wasted opportunity
I probably should of known by the picture on the cover, which was a screen grab, that this wouldn't be Prince's finest hour. When it comes to Prince, I sometimes feel like Charlie Brown just as Lucy snatches the football away. I really, really want him to pull it together and release a great album, DVD or whatever, but I've been consistently disappointed over the last decade.
This DVD does not come close to approaching the work he did on the "Sign of the Times" concert movie or the bootleg "LoveSexy Tour" DVD shot in Germany for Japenese TV . This DVD's audio mix is extremely uneven, forcing the viewer to keep the volume control nearby to adjust for varying sound levels. Even with the proper volume level, the mix is muddy and uninspired. The camera work is a mess, with ungainly handheld shots that look like someone's home DV camera was called upon for the job. The editing and transitions between songs (freeze framed screen grabs, I kid you not) are complete amateur hour.
I purchased the new Led Zeppelin DVD at the same time, and even though most of the material on that DVD was shot over 25 years ago, it was still light years ahead of Prince's Aladin, Las Vegas DVD. Prince should do his homework and hire the same crews that do the production for the Eagles or Fleetwood Mac concert DVD's.
Lastly, the most heartbreaking thing about this DVD is how uninspired Prince seems to be. I read a review for "Under the Cherry Moon" when it was first released theatrically and the reviewer said that Prince was dangerously close to becoming a second tier Las Vegas act, a destiny that has finally been reached.
Prince, please go back to the studio by yourself, use just an acustic guitar, bass, piano and a simple drum kit and make a great album. As a matter of fact, set up a couple of video cameras to capture you working in the studio...it would be a hundred times more watchable than this DVD.
56 Somebody please shoot the director of this DVD !!
This has to be the worst directed DVD in the history of film.
The music is great, funky performance by Prince, Maceo, Eric Leeds and Sheila E. But this is beyond amateur stuff. I can do a better job with my ... video camera!!
If you use this DVD as a CD, buy it! Great.. But what a disappointment. I can't believe that Mr. Perfection let this one out on the street
57 One Night Alone with The Artist, Prince!
As usual PRINCE is great in concert, and here is the DVD to prove it. Whether or not you were onboard with his last CD THE RAINBOW CHILDREN, there's plenty here to keep fans interested. It's gorgeously filmed, and very funky. Throw in Sheila E on percussion and Eric Leeds on horns, and you have a reason to dress in purple paisley once again. Straight up this is just a live performance with no frills. But interestingly enough it's priced low enough to make it more affordable than seing Prince live. He seems laid back and happy to be on stage, and he works his magic on every track from "Pop Life" to a blistering rendition of Led Zeplin's "Whole Lotta Love". One interesting thing I noticed was that the sound varied a little. As he moves around the stage the vocals seem to get louder or softer. It may not bug you since this is pretty much a natural thing live, but audio purists may wonder why they didn't adjust the levels to keep it all uniform for home viewing.
58 Potential for an amazing DVD....but...Prince does it his way
Prince likes to do things his way. This DVD is no exception. With lackluster graphics, unbalanced audio, and bootleg quality DVD artwork....Prince's quest for total control ruins what was an amazing tour.
First of all, the music is incredible, the performances are great....BUT....we are only seeing about half of this amazing concert. This is probably due to it being a more homeade job through the npgmusic club and limitations on recording to DVD.
The bonus cut, "The Ride" (from 1998's Crystal Ball album) and 1+1+1=3 (The Rainbow Children) are definite standouts but there is a lack of consistency throughout the DVD. If you've ever experienced a Prince concert, there is no need for any "eye candy" to be added to the video as Prince can command a stage on his own. With this being said, Prince should have hired the same crew that put together SADE's latest DVD to showcase his latest lineup of the NPG.
Prince showcases some of his great performances on this DVD, yet at bootleg quality.....
Let us hope that Prince will begin to remaster some of his past concerts in their entirety for the world to see...or at least for the NPG Music Club.
59 amazing
i am a member of the npg club, i ordered this dvd on the 12th of august and it still aint here,so i went out to wherehouse music and bought the dvd .my anticipation was already too high iam a prince fanatic his music and performances is awesome. meanwhile this is a must have dvd. prince is one funky brother and comedian ,my guests and i tripped when prince mocked ozzy osbourne on the tune the work. Prince please put out more live dvd's and cd's i grew up on real music.i cant wait see him live again. thank mr Prince U R a true gift to the worldand thanks for the reminding us all of our history. meanwhile i gotta watch this dvd at least 50 more x's tonight before i sleep.
60 Infectious fun
This is an amazing concert performance from one of Prince's best concert tours in years, the One Nite Alone tour. Prince's strong musicianship is the highlight of this DVD as he smiles, plays to the audience, and looks like he's having the best time of his life. I think it suffers only from a weak opening and some poor camera work, but by the time he gets to his version of "Whole Lotta Love," all those concerns are forgotten. His guitar work is strong, muscular and awe-inspiring. It's an incredible performance that segues into "Family Name," which for me are the two highlights of the show.
I think this performance is better than the "Rave Un2 the year 2000" DVD, and I'll probably be playing this more. Prince fans will love it. If you're a casual listener and aren't up on want Prince has been doing lately, this is a good (and inexpensive) DVD to catch you up.
61 Technically speaking, Live at the Alladin is [bad]!
I just got done watching the DVD and couldn't have been more frustrated and disappointed during the viewing. Once again, the NPG has found away to screw things up.
I put in the DVD and pressed play and could not believe how grainy and blurry and unclear the picture was. The close-ups were fuzzy and at times Prince was unrecognizable in the long shots. ( I have some bootleg VHS tapes that are clearer than this DVD). Also, the audio is only in "Dolby Digital". You know what that means? It means that what you are listening to is coming out of your left, right, and subwoofer speakers. That's it!!!! I don't know about the rest of you, but I have a full home theater system and would have appreciated listening to the music in at least 5.1 Dolby Digital if not DTS.
Compared to the Rave DVD, there is no comparison. Rave was crystal clear and recorded in DTS, and when I play the DVD, my whole house rocks! It is superior to this DVD in every way.
Prince, how could you have [messed] up such a gem like this DVD? The music was great, Sheila looked ageless, and you are still the greatest ever.
I just expected much more than I got...but than again I've said that frequently about your music the past 8 or 9 years.
62 i love prince ...
Price is the MOST influential artest of the century, so it is only fitting that he is brought honor through this masterpiece movie. I alredy own every Prince collectable, as well as paint my entire house Purple Purl inside and out, now I am jewbuliant that I also own this movie!
63 Stellar Jam - This Is Cold!!!
I went to the NPGMC exclusive cinema preview of this DVD concert. I only wish now that I had been able to see Prince and the NPG live when they toured for One Night Alone. This DVD, though short, is an all out funk fest. There was only once section I didn't particularly care for and that was the short segment in which Nikka Costa made a guest appearance. She sang "Push and Pull" with Prince. She was not in good form, not one word she sang was intelligible. She wasn't at all impressive, she didn't have much range, her voice is weak and her stage presence was weaker. Still, with Prince and the NPG backing her, it was easy to tune her out and think of her as vocal ornamentation for the band and not the center of musical attention.
Prince and the NPG are simply flawless. Every musician on the stage plays featured solos at some point. Prince fused everything into a tight funk bomb! I was totally numb from the euphoric sound. He is not a Prince - He is the KING of Funk. And the entire time, he is a master showman, spicing up the show with his incredible comedic antics. He is truly an artist, comprable to none. I just don't know how anyone could listen to Prince and the NPG and not feel the funk coerce body and soul to move, shake, at the very least stir it up. Anyone who isn't as familiar with the music Prince has made since "Cream" or anything but his Top 40 hits may not be familiar with the music in this concert. Some of the older hits are played but in new jazzed up, funked up variations (though sometimes just a verse or two is performed, not the whole song) i.e. "Pop Life" "Take Me With You" "Housequake" "Money Don't Matter Tonight" and "Sometimes It Snows In April." I was very impressed with the flow of the entire concert. There were maybe only two seconds in which the music paused, probably to let the audience take a breath. The visual stills combined with the live performance work well to enhance the segues into different sections. The eyes, the mind, as well as the ears are never let down.
When Prince and the NPG play other musicians tunes, i.e. James Brown's "Pass the Peas" or Robert Plant's "Whole Lotta Loving" all funky hell breaks loose and one might think these were brand new songs never played by anyone else before aka Prince and the NPG make them their own but without arrogance which for me is the highest homage an artist can pay to another artist. Long Live Prince and the NPG. I always liked the musicans Prince has worked with over the years (and I'm very happy to see a more gorgeous than ever Sheila E on stage with him) but I think Prince has finally found the perfect musical family. He shares the stage without pretense, without any sense of hesitation - it's a truly amazing experience to see such synergy with such masterful musicians. As Prince says, "don't hate me because I'm fabulous" - and he IS!
64 prince is the king !
ok, let's face the truth : prince is the last of the Mohicans, the ultimate performer, and this dvd - the first live dvd of his royal badness - is a dream come true for all fans : it has been taped in Las Vegas, and this amazing concert was the ultimate date of his hugely successful world tour of 2002.
U can't miss that. Seeing is believing. Oh yes, God (his name is Prince) was in the house.
