Atlanta, GA on April 3 (9 reports)

from Angie

I have dreamed of seeing this man 4 20 years (since I was 8) I live just outside of D.C. but tickets were sold out by the time I heard he was coming. Without hesitation I bought 4 tickets to see Prince in Atlanta. THEN I found the NPG site and joined right away. I made arrangements for my 3 children and called my girlfriends. Only 1 got to go with me so there were 2 wasted tickets, until I called another friend and he joined us the day of the concert. Although there was still one empty seat I would have paid the price for 4 tickets just for my one seat. This show was worth all the cost and effort. It took 13 hours 2 drive 2 Atlanta through the night and we arrived just after dawn. My friend lost her job just 2 go with me but she also says it was worth it. I have got 2 find a way 2 see him again. 1 of the 2 who saw the show with me later told me he knew Naaji (forgive me if I spelled) and their mothers used to work 2gether. I wanted 2 hear more.

This was my first real concert but it was such an experience- I will never forget. I have been lost and struggling with my spirituality 4 so long but once I saw HIM, he put everything in2 perspective again. Your music has pulled me through so many rough times, your words pull everything 2gether. You are such an inspiration 2 me.

Prince has the amazing ability to be in a room with a couple hundred people and still make U feel as if it's only the 2 of U. Although there were a few obnoxious people shouting from behind me and everyone wanted 2 stand even when HE told us 2 sit down, nothing interfered with my sight of him. WIth Prince in my view these people didn't matter. They just didn't see what was in front of them. It angered me 2 see them shouting at him like just any bar band playing cover tunes, he deserves respect that those people don't understand. But his message of love eased the anger away. I couldn't believe this was the man I had held so high on a pedestal, for so long, standing right in front of me. -And he was just as human as the rest of us. He seduced the croud with his perfection and kept us begging for more.

The music was awesome and his message came through loud and clear. He shares so much of himself, putting everything into what he loves. If only U see him, really see him, see through all that U have been taught, if U can put aside all the preconcieved notions and noise around you and just watch what he has put 2gether 4 U.

Prince- THANK YOU. I cried when U played 'Free'. Those words carried me through so many desperate days in my youth, and I can't remember the last time I heard it. Seeing you sing this song brought it all back but I am strong enough now to face it. 'Starfish and coffee' brought back memories and I laughed outloud.Ur voice is so healing and talent unending. I thank God for giving us U and I thank U 4 giving us God.

Love4U and God and 1another, always adoring U.
Angie

from Sharon

I have been a "fam" for years. The last concert I saw was at Tabernacle. All I can say about the show tonight is AWESOMMMME! I enjoyed all the old songs as well as the new songs. The piano solo was EXCELLENT. Adore and Do Me Baby brought back lots of good memories. Prince - You are the GREATEST.

I am not currently a NPG Club Music member but you can best believe I will be joining ASAP. Thanks for such a GREAT experience in the ATL (but who could expect less of you). Hope to see you back VERY VERY soon. We can never get enough of you LIVE.

Love Ya Sharon M

from Tanisha

Much thanx & love to the NPG for gracing Hotlanta with an awesome, inspirational, educational, dance party of a show! This is only my sixth Prince concert in the 5 years that I’ve been able (legally, financially, & w/ Mom’s permission :o) to attend & I must say it was the BEST. Then again, I'm sure I'll say that about the next one too. I have always felt like I missed the best tours, like Lovesexy, Parade, Purple Rain, & Sign O’ the Times, because I was too young…but the NPG put me back on track at the show on Wednesday. I got to hear songs like Strange Relationship, When U Were Mine, Starfish & Coffee, Anna Stesia (Couldn’t hold back the tears), How Come U Don’t Call Me Anymore Cool as the Other Side of the Pillow (I didn't think it was possible to get it jazzier than the record!)& Sometimes it Snows in April, that I used to sing with my sister & still do. I never thought I'd see them performed in concert! And songs like La, La, La…Means I love you (just like on Emancipation), Love Rollercoaster, & Sing a Simple Song that I still hear at my family reunions (Prince had that Uncle dance down packed!) that really took me back & made feel like I was with family. Hearing the Beautiful Ones, Do Me Baby, Adore, Nothing Compares 2 U, & Purple Rain (piano & our ooh oohs only :o) was icing on the cake! I REALLY can’t wait for the One Night Alone album now! To see him play the piano & guitar live made up for everything that I missed. To hear the songs from the Rainbow Children live was worth the cost of the ticket alone…I would’ve paid more, but whether I could afford is another story. Even though I didn’t get to be in the purple circle (this time...I was listening Prince) & I missed Everlasting Now in the soundcheck :o( it still seemed like two concerts for one! Vibing off of Rainbow Children, Muse 2 the Pharoah, 1+1+1=3, & Mellow (it was nice when he mentioned Usher & Chilli) was like being in the studio when they were recorded…big treat for me! The extended jams, like Soul Sacrifice (I thought only Santana could do it but y'all did the dog on that song, tight!) & Digital Garden (or was I hearing things?) were unforgettable! I haven’t seen a sextet play that cohesively outside of jazz band. Then again labels should & can never be associated with Prince or the outstanding family of musicians that he plays with. I caught a whiff of John Blackwell’s sauce last year at the Civic Center but he really let us have it this time! This man’s drumming style is like none I’ve ever seen before. He’s one of those musicians (like Prince) that can make a mistake but you’ll never know it because he’s still on point. I thought I was going to pass out when he took his jacket off & didn’t miss a beat. John, don't you go nowhere! When I saw Najee walk down the left aisle at the beginning of the show I knew it was on. He has been to Atlanta several times but I always miss him…so, thank you Prince for introd

Peace & Blessings,
Tanisha :o)

from April

I had the wonderful opurtunity to attend the concert in Atlanta last night! I have benn a fam of the musical genius named Prince since I was 10 years old. He is all I listen to in my CD player! I have only seen him one other time and that was here in Atlanta last year. Last night had to be the most moving experience I have ever been a part of! There was absolutely nothing disappointing about it! He played all of my favorites from The Rainbow Children, as well as alot of old favorites! I especially enjoyed "How come you don't call me anymore". When he started his piano solo and he played "Adore" and "Do me" the house rocked! "Starfish and Coffee" was the bomb too! I don't think my eyes were dry during the whole event! I just want to thank Prince and his awesome band for the "REAL" music that they continue to put forth! I look forward to many more years as a fam !!!!

Love, Aprill

from Symphony

I just want to say that Prince was SMOAT (Sexy 'Motha OF All Times! The Sound check was wonderful and the Concert! Thank You again for letting us join you. It was a real experience for me to see. Prince was cracking jokes of how cold he was in the theater! I'm sorry you were cold! The concert made me think of the time when I first saw Prince, I had to be about 12 years old. I hope I'm not telling my age. Prince was on American Band Stand. The song was: Why you wanna treat me so bad?! I immediately stop talking or playing whatever I was doing to watch the show and I've been a do or die fan ever since. So, thank you again for playing that particular tune on Wednesday, April 3, 2001. I didn't even have to skip class! :) Hope to see you again next year!

from Richard

My 8th Prince Show Was better than I had dreamed. The smaller venue lent itself to wonderful acoustics, of which Prince was busy adjusting during the soundcheck which we attended at 5:30-7pm. I will let others post the set list. While some were busy, jotting down every song in their journals, i was enjoying the first row tickets the NPGMC allowed me to have. We showed up at 1pm and only one person Matt, who had seen him in KY a few days earlier was there. The fans took it upon themselves to create a list of who got their first, so we all formed an orderly line, rather than fighting over seats. I am sure that Prince would be pleased to know everyone behaved and treated each other with respect. I never thought i would be on stage with P! At one point in the show, P brought a women up on stage and i motioned pick me and he brought me on stage. We danced and i ended up trying some oldschool Prince moves. He stopped the show for a second and said , "Hey let me see that again" at which point i was so shocked he was talking to me with the band stopped in front of a live audience i froze for a few seconds and then dropped down into the splits (which actually came off OK even though i haven't done them since High School) and did the splits about 5 times. He said that's alright and started back up. I retreated off to dance with the girl again and that was that. 1 night i will never forget. The piano portion of the show was last and it was wonderful. I don't know any other voice in the world that speaks to me the way his does and this is not an exaggeration: He decided to hit high notes in a few songs (i love you but i dont trust you anymore) that i have never heard him hit that high on an album. His voice was absolutely impeccable. So were the fans on the front row. Everyone was great. Prince thank you for a wonderful time. Your message is also good and im glad you seem to be in good spirits.

from Angelface

Reading the report from Richard regarding April 3 in atlanta- one correction- When Richard was 'doing the splits' on stage PRINCE did NOT say 'alright' and start the show again. He pointed at Richard, looked at the audience and said "This is YOUR brain...on beer!" then started the show again.

from Lynn

IT JUST AMAZES ME JUST HOW TALENTED PRINCE IS. THIS IS MY 2ND CONCERT AND MY SISTERS 1ST AND SHE WAS AMAZED. WE WERE 6TH ROW GREAT SEATS THANKS TO THE CLUB. I KNOW PRINCE YOU KNOW HOW BLESSED YOU ARE, ALL THESE YEARS THE WORDS THAT JUST FLOW FROM YOUR MIND AND THE MUSIC YOU CREATE WITH IT . THE MUSIC YOU SELECTED FOR THIS CONCERT WAS GREAT . THE SPIRITUALITY AND LOVE FROM YOU, THE BAND AND THE CROWD THAT I WAS FEELING WAS ALSOME. THE RAINBOW CHILDERN CD IS THE BEST, WHEN IM FEELING A LITTLE DOWN WHICH WE ALL DO AT TIMES, POP IN THE RAINBOW CHILDERN OH YES AGREAT MOOD SWING. I PRAY YOU CONTINUE BRINGING US GREAT MUSIC AND CONERTS . MUCH LOVE TO YOU AND NPG BAND MEMBERS. PS THANKS AGAIN FOR THIS CLUB.

from Mark

Greetings! (from NPGMC member 'Orionrisin") Well, let me begin by saying that the Atlanta 4/3 show at the Atlanta Symphony hall was EXCELLENT and you MUST SEE THIS TOUR!!!!!!! After arriving there right about 5p.m. for the soundcheck, there was about 250 already in line and the line just got longer until 5:30. Twas about that time they began letting the NPGMC members in one at a time and those of us towards the end of the line could hear the unmistakable rumble of Drums and Bass coming from the Auditorium. They checked our ID's, crossed our names on a list, wrapped a slightly uncomfortable paper wristband around our arm and gave us a Laminate. We began to head towards the nearest door when a very friendly usher told us "There's better seats if you enter from the left, the right side is almost filled up" so after a quick 180, there were second row seats right there. Prince was already walking around on stage (wearing a black/white horizontal striped sweater that reminded me of Prisoner's Garb turned sideways - for those of you who want to know the details). It was very relaxed and slightly chilly in the place, Prince mentioned this at least twice that it was chilly and he kept running his hands together. Prince asked something like "what do you like about the club" and *someone* yelled "Great Seats!". Prince just stepped back and said something to the effect: "Your seats ain't as good as mine.". He joked and chatted a bit with the audience and ran through the usual Soundcheck routines, turning up Bass, trying out some Solos, etc. Prince mentioned that the band had two days off and talked about the show in DC on Sunday with Santana. there were quite a few songs done however "Joy in Repetition", "Extraordinary", snippets and a longer "Everlasting Now", and even PAISLEY PARK were played most of the way through. During Paisley park, he asked if anyone knew the lyrics to the Chorus and about half the group raised their hands. Prince picked four from the audience (and one guy who took the init to join in) and they sang on two mics during the chorus. Couldn't quite hear them but it was a good loose part of the Soundcheck.

Prince excused himself and went to change for the show. We all were settled in our seats when we were told we all had to exit COMPLETELY out of the hall to be searched. Yes, confusion reigned but all was good. There was already a crowd outside the doors waiting to get in and with us trying to get out, them trying to get in, Ushers and Tickettakers completely confused. Some workers at the door didn't know about the General admission seating and asked "Everyone with AA through CC tickets follow me, who has those tickets?" EVERYONE raised their hands and the guy had a shocked look on his face because he didn't know about the General Admission seating. He took our group down a side hallway however stopped us at the last door. We were (as my Granddad would say) Butts to Butts and Elbows to Elbows. In the crowd, a very cute lady shouted "Hey, Take it easy! I'm Pregnant!". Someone standing close to me commented "As packed as we are in here, that coulda happened just now - it wasn't me!". NOTE: We weren't searched again. Yes, the seating situation was messed up. A few people who had gotten there before Noon to get good seats had to beg, plead, and shove to get their seats back. Some shouting matches, the Police were there however I didn't notice anyone being ejected. After 20 minutes of Bickering, everyone settled down to enjoy the show.

There was one good thing about the seating situation. It got everyone in the NPGMC group to interact with each other. I give props to the guy in the front row who offered me his girl's seat if she didn't come back. This was the EXACT spot that Prince chose to (attempt) to crowd surf at the beginning of the concert. What comes around, goes around. You did a good thing, a good thing occurred to you.

ONTO THE CONCERT! It began fairly close to on time. Prince used the "VoxBox" to perform the voice from "Rainbow Children" and opened with that track. I'm sure others will post the complete Tracklist however he did play some mighty funky tunes! the new tracks, "Muse", "Mellow", "1+1+1=3" are GREAT LIVE and YOU MUST HEAR THEM! Somewhere around "Muse", Prince went to the edge of the stage, turned around and fell into the crowd twice and was pushed back up by the Front Row People. Damm, That was trusting!

Others in Quasi-order
Rainbow Children
Muse 2 The Pharaoh
Strange Relationship
Love Rollercoaster
When U Were Mine (FINALLY FULL and LIVE!)
Mellow
1+1=3
A Case of U
(began renaming people in the audience) Family Name
(attention diverted from stage by bodyguard at side of stage shining a flashlight at someone snapping a picture from here on things get fuzzy)
Starfish and Coffee
Raspberry Beret
Do me Baby
Take me With U
Adore???? Possibly, my memory suffers from Swiss Cheese Syndrome
Avalanche (with a great slide show about Abraham Lincoln) I'm guessing at the title of the song.
One Nite Alone
Sometimes it Snows in April
I Love You, But I Don't Trust U Anymore
did he play 777?? he mentioned it.
La La La La La Means I Luv U
Anna Stesia
Sing a Simple song
Small bit of Purple Rain

The songlist isn't complete or completely correct.. Some points of Interest: Prince broke the high string on his guitar during "Take me With U", Blackwell broke at least two sticks while drumming and was able to pitch the broken one over his head, grab a new stick, all without skipping a beat. Damm, he was good! He pulled some MusicClubers onto stage to dance and one surprised Prince by doing the splits? Oh, Prince also dropped the Microphone when doing his "Push the Mic away and tip it back to him" stage. Klunk, right in front of the first row. During the Encore which was fairly long, he asked the audience to sit down and "Let him just play for you" but the front few rows didn't sit. He had to ask them to PLEASE sit down and then played quite a few songs, just him and the Piano, not just Melodies but full songs. Prince Pulled a lady on Stage to sit on Pillows for "A Case of U" with the "Can I get you anything?" flirting.

It was a GREAT night altogether. Flyers were handed out which read "R U Ready 4 One Nite Alone? - a Solo Piano and Voice CD by Prince - get this new CD when you join the NPGMC" and it shows the cover art of the CD (ebay?). Merchandise: Xenophobia Shirt $35, Tour Book $30, Rainbow Children CD $15, Rhonda Autographed CD $20, a few Baby Tees $25, Rave VHS, NPG "Teeth" shirt, $25, "One Nite alone" Shirt $25, "Rainbow Children" Shirt, $25.

I'll fill in more details once my hearing comes back :)

Mark

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