The Glamorous Night: Report from Paisley Park

Prince loves his guitar

If you didn't hear by now, Prince came home and rocked a memorable performance (one of the better ones in Paisley memory) at his Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen Saturday night. It's been about four or five years since he last rocked in his home, and you could tell with lots of new remodeling inside the Park. The Love4OneAnother room or NPG Music Room was done up with lavish couches and booths in place were the small dance floor used to be, but still had the two jumbo movie screens displaying "Finding Nemo" on a loop. This room was closed off for the night to the public. The lobby was more spacious with the Purple Rain Honda Goldwing parked just outside the Sound stage door. (the bike only has 400 miles on it) This was torture for many Prince fans who would have loved the photo op, but cameras were not allowed inside as always. The Sound stage remained the same, with elevated couches set up on each wall. The couches were there for VIPs and special guests.

It was an unusual night as things started on time and even early as far as Paisley time goes. Prince hit the stage a little after 11 or so and went non-stop to end right around 2ish. The comments heard most around that night was "Where does he find the energy?" as most forget Prince is in his fifties now but yet still springs around and looks like he's "a kid." Prince didn't have his horn section with him this time around, and we were treated with a stripped down funk-rock jam session. Even giving sound ques and suggestions throughout the set, like a tour rehearsal except with over 1500 people watching and dancing along. His set mixed in new songs, with old favorites and some real old favorites. Prince pretty much had the guitar in his hands the whole night. Prince played three encores without no change of clothes, which is rare for the one time Vogue cover model. The closing song was of course Purple Rain. (See below for a set list) As for the crowd watchers, athletes and musicians filled the room with the likes of Mint Condition, Kevin Love, P.O.S and of course ex Prince band members and Larry Graham who also joined him on stage for two songs. The crowd seemed in a good mood and happy, even though the 2 hour wait outside in the cold and rain tested some peoples patience. The charity drive, which the concert was held for, was a huge success with two overflowing tour bins filled with coats, clothes, canned goods and food.

Around 3AM, the glitter hit the floor and the buses headed off down the highway and it was another memorable and successful night at Paisley. Let's hope after that after this weekend Prince gets a taste and starts throwing more parties again like back in the mid to late nineties. Because if he can still do it as his age, I'm sure we all can too.

October 24th 2009 | Paisley Park
SETLIST

No Candy 4 U

Purple Rain Intro

Old Skool Company

Stand! (Sly)

Turn Me Loose

I Want You Back (Jackson 5)

Dance 4 Me

1999

I Feel 4 U

Controversy

All Day, All Night/Le Freak/ Northside/ Dancin Machine/ Housequake