Prince took the stage at Madison Square Garden last night for the fourth time amidst his Welcome 2 America Tour. “I’ll be back New York,” he yelled, “I love it here,” he exclaimed during the latter part of the show. His Highness vowed that he would return before TOO long, saying it had been awhile since he had done a major show in the Big Apple.
Back in 2008, he did a benefit concert on the rooftop of the Hotel Gansevoort for about 250 people. The shows celebrated the release of the multimedia book, “21 Nights,” which chronicled his 21-Night run at the O2 arena in London in 2007. The photo book also includes a CD of exclusive material, and proceeds from the launch party were to go to two charities, Love 4 One Another Charities and Urban Farming (both with connections to Prince’s beloved hometown of Minneapolis). But I digress, Cee-Lo Green opened for his majesty and re-appeared in the second portion of Prince’s show. Cee-Lo sang the Gnarls Barkley hit “Crazy” joined by Prince on guitar. As “Crazy” ended… “Dearly beloved,” Prince went into “Let’s Go Crazy,” dropping in tastes of “Delirious.” Other gems his purpleness performed were “1999,” a very stripped down version of “Little Red Corvette,” “The Beautiful Ones” (joined by Misty Copeland doing ballet), “Mountains,” “I Would Die 4 U” and “Controversy,” which was what was playing when he offered Kim Kardashian a moment on stage to dance. When she got there and didn’t dance, Prince told her, “Get off the stage.”
The rest of the set list included favorites like:
Purple Rain
Raspberry Beret
Cream
Cool
Let’s Work
U Got the Look
Nothing Compares 2 U – (Dedicated 2 Bobby Z)
Welcome 2 America
When Doves Cry
Kiss
Nasty Girl
Sign O’ the Times
Alphabet Street
Hot Thing
Pop Life
If I Was Your Girlfriend
Insatiable
Scandalous and Adore
Prince dedicated “Nothing Compares 2 U” to his former drummer Bobby Z, who recently suffered a heart attack. This according to a fan on music blog Brooklyn Vegan. Prince said, “A lot of people helped me along the way, Bobby was one of them. Recover soon Bobby.” Quest Love and Chris Rock were also in the house last night, where Prince said “Don’t play, I got a box full of hits,” when going into his second encore of the evening. During the course of the tour, Prince introduced the new songs “Black Muse,” “Gingerbread Man” and the tour’s title, “Welcome 2 America.”Definitely a good time had by all in attendance for all four dates. Larry Graham, Janelle Monae, Sheila E., Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, Esperanza Spalding, Sinbad, Lalah Hathaway, Cassandra Wilson, Mint Condition and Maceo Parker were all featured artists at previous “Welcome 2 America” sets between NY & NJ. Go here for set lists for all five nights: http://www.setlist.fm/setlists/prince-13d6b9ed.html
Several friends and fans were adorned in purple and paisley attire throughout, paying tribute to the man I believe will be rockin’ for a LONG FUNKIN’ TIME to come.
peace & love
c-dub
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