Atlanta, GA on April 4 (13 reports)

from Bwild777

I just wanted to thank Prince and his band and staff for the experience of a lifetime. I cannot explain how intensely bad ass seeing the soundchecks, the shows, and the afterparty. The laid back atmosphere sets the tone. I met some incredible people who loved it all just as much as I did (hey NPGShane, Julie and TJ!). Including the guy who did the splits for Prince. One of the funniest things I've ever seen! The music played are songs that I have always wanted to hear but never thought I would. Some of the baddest material I have ever heard and/or seen (RAINBOW CHILDREN RULES!!!!!!!!). Definitely worth every single penny!
Prince: You make it EASY to recruit!
Thank you for the best two days of my life!

G O  S E E  T H E  S H O W S ! ! !

from Raymand

If you didn't come to party, then go home! Prince and the jazzed up version of the NPG band torn Atlanta down Thursday night/Friday morning. Focusing on music from the amazing "Rainbow children"album, Prince wowed the sold out Atlanta Symphony Hall audience with a performance that can only be described as "mesmerizing". Bringing to life superb renditions of "Muse to the Pharaoh", "Mellow" and the ultra funky "1+1+1 is 3", Prince gave notice that the "greatest hits" days are long gone. Never one to hold back, Prince was bold enough to even incorporate pitch effects on his micrphone for the songs,"The Rainbow Children" and "Family Name". Which make the show even more frightening!

The band, featuring the lovely and ever talented Rhonda Smith, Najee, Greg Boyer, Renato Neto, and the amazing John Blackwell, was in peak form. Renato more than proved his case as to why he is Prince's choice for keyboard s; he was very passionate and intelligent in his performance. The "horn section" was fun and playful throughout, and allowed Prince to take Atlanta back in time on the "WNPG" radio dial with the classic "Sing a Simple Song". Rhonda Smith continued to grow her legend with her soothing cover of "Didn't you Know" and her excellent bass work on Santana's "Soul Sacrifice". While most of the show revolved around the "Rainbow children", Prince pulled out some yet to be released songs such as the contagious "Xenophobia" and the soul stirring "Avalanche" as well as some full-length versions of classics like "When You Were Mine" and "Take Me With You". The highlight of the concert might be Prince's solo piano sit-down. Simply put, he is the world's greatest romancer. Playful, smart, charming. His musicianship is only matched by his passion for his audience."One Night Alone" with Prince & the NPG....yes!

Atlanta was also blessed to have Prince & the NPG perform an aftershow. A two and hour jam session of funk, jazz, and soul, Prince kicked the Club 1150 crowd in the pants until we could take no more! Bouncing from keyboards, bass, guitar, and cheerleader, Prince chalked up another aftershow performance for the ages. Highlights of the aftershow were Prince's bass rendition of "777-9311/ The Stick", and full blow versions of "Extraordinary", " 'The Other Side Of the Pillow", and "Everlasting Now" and the inspiring "Rainbow Children (rise! ) live jazzed out remix".

This tour is the best tour that Prince has ever done-period. You must see this show. If you are not a NPG music club member, join now!. From the soundchecks, to front row seating, and immediate entry to the aftershow, (new Prince material to come soon) the membership is well worth the fee. -Peace to Samnation and the entire NPGMC crew that work so hard to make the club a success.

-Raymond in the ATL

from Wanda

Thank you for putting on a spectacular show! I'm a club member and I could'nt believe the great seats that were offered to us. I was in the 5th row closer than I have ever been to your shows. The soundcheck was wonderful, I came in when you were playing Peach and I was in awed. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to spend time with you in a intimate setting. You made us feel very relaxed and welcomed . NOBODY DOES THAT!!!! The music sounded absolutely awesome coming from REAL MUSICIANS . It was definitely a Beautiful Night in ATL last night. Please come back soon!!! Peace and Love, Wanda

from Matt

Here is my review of the 2nd Nite Alone in Atlanta....

Ok guys, I have established myself as a pretty good concert reviewer (I did a very detailed Louisville report, and another for the first Atlanta show), but I am going to disappoint you out of respect for Prince.

Last night I took my front row center stage seat. Prince and the band were jamming, and Prince's first words were, "Why U got a pen? What R U Writing?" I said I was writing the set list, and he said in a polite and humorous way, "U R making me self-conscious. U gonna write, first he scratched his butt, then he shook someone's hand..." He then asked the security guard to take my pen. I thought about it, and I know that when Prince does interviews, the interviewer is not allowed to record the conversation, or take any notes. So basically, Prince treated me like a professional journalist. Therefore, out of respect for him, my review will only focus on the songs played, and not his outfits, if there were any mistakes, etc.

During the soundcheck, two members of the NPGMC got on stage to play guitar. The first guy had done so at the Louisville show I was at, and took the stage with the confidence of a rock star. He put on the Horner, then went over to the band a whispered some instructions, and then started playing "Love Rollercoaster!" It was amazing; the NPG completely backed him up. Prince yelled out, "Hey...U tryin 2 steel my set? Play something U wrote?" He then jammed for a good 5 minutes, politely asking if he could use the foot pedals, and he was AMAZING. Prince called out from the back of the club, "...on the one!" and the NPG (with its new lead guitarist) stopped the jam perfectly. Very tight. As the guy was leaving, Prince asked if he had a band, and he responded, "Dishwater Blonde....can we play at the Celebration?" He has my vote.

During the soundcheck, they played Calhoun Square, Dolphin, Extraordinary, and a few others. Then we had a discussion about the crisis in the Middle East. A good portion of the soundcheck was spent with people thanking Prince for the inspiration he has given them.

The actual show was very similar to the first night. "Extraordinary" did replace "A Case of U," and a new song maybe called "Two Heads R Better than one" was added to the set. The piano medley was fantastic. Prince added, "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World, Condition of the Heart," and "Do U Lie" to the piano medley. During "Adore," Prince continued to pick on local celebrity Usher, saying that Usher was in the passenger seat of the ride that got smashed, but it was ok, because Prince would write Usher a song, and the royalties he would get from it would pay for the car. He also joked that his girl's sweater was on inside out, implying that Usher got some play....some guy in the audience kept repeating what Prince was saying, and at one point, Prince looked out at him and said, "THE --- TAG --- WAS --- ON --- THE --- OUTSIDE." I think the guy took the hint and shut up.

During "How Come U Don't Call Me, Anymore" Prince said how the girl in the song was making "a black man want to be funky," and then Prince handed the mike to John Blackwell, and he belted out this "Heeeyyyyy!" in falsetto. Prince came to the front and did the exact same thing, and then looked at me and said, "U wanna do one?" I said yes, and he then said, "Girl, U making a white boy want to be funky too!" Prince gave me the mike, and I copied Blackwell's solo with the same "Heeeyyyyy!" Prince cracked up, the crowd went wild, and he said, "U Da Man....."

During the soundcheck, one of my friends called me to say that eleven50, a club two blocks way from Symphony Hall, emailed that Prince was to play there. This was very scary. I was very concerned as to how the NPGMC was going to get in, since this club is one of the best in the city. Here is the email that went out:

TONIGHT!!!! The mystical paisley, purple, Minneapolis based legend, symbol and icon...PRINCE will make a surprise, rare, and completely LIVE performance with his band TONIGHT (Thursday, April 4th) at eleven50!

We are just as surprised as you are and were just informed today that after his surprise visit to eleven50 in November 2000; Prince decided to swing through our doors once again for a special live, jam session while he is in town!

Eleven50 is happy to offer our e-mail participants special notice of this rare event! Being an eleven50 e-mail participant DOES have its privileges! Doors open promptly at 10:00 pm.please arrive early to ensure entry. Space is limited and once we have reached capacity doors will be closed. Arrive TONIGHT at 10:00 PM for this special live concert event with PRINCE!

Doors Open at 10:00
Cover: $30 (Cover is not determined by eleven50)
THERE IS NO GUEST LIST!

For directions please visit http://www.eleven50.com

Prince and company showed up about an hour later. Someone already posted the set, it was very cool. Renato was awesome. I love how he plays "sounds" rather than "notes." He brings an amazing feel to the show. One thing I want to mention, is Prince sang a very fast funky version of "Dolphin," but instead of singing the word "dolphin," he would sing, "Atlanta G-A!" Very cool. Someone kept taking Prince's picture, and he very politely asked for them not to. They kept doing it. It was so rude. I honestly thought he was going to turn around and leave. The person was so rude, that while Prince was saying, "please don't take my picture," the guy took one. Prince pointed him out, and I think security did their thing. This was the best aftershow I have ever seen. It was a lot of the concert all over again, Extraordinary, Rainbow Children, Other side of the Pillow, Love Rollercoaster, and Everlasting Now. The non-NPGMC attendees looked very bored, and obviously wanted Purple Rain, but he made some new fans with "Everlasting Now." The NPG really was tight during this version. The show was about an hour and a half.

In summary, Prince played basically 5 concerts in the last 48 hours. 2 Soundchecks, 2 Concerts, and 1 aftershow. I think I heard every song the band knows!

Atlanta basically got a "Prince: A Celebration, Atlanta Style," this week. I have a strong feeling that my ears will still be ringing when I get to Paisley Park in June - this was some serious FUNK OVERLOAD!

In all seriousness, thank you so much Prince, the NPG, and all the Paisley Park crew that was on hand that made these past 48 hours an EVENT instead of just two concerts. You guys worked hard, played hard, and Atlanta loves you for it. Come back anytime.

...and Prince, I will never bring another pen into your shows!

from Tressa

First, let me send a big "Hey y’all!!" to Prince, the NPG, and all of my brothers and sisters in the NPGMC. Everyone’s experience from last night’s show was different, and I just wanted to share a little bit of mine.

I decided to take my friend of 17 years with me to my third, and her very first Prince concert. I have loved Prince since the tender age of thirteen, when I didn’t know what the words to "Darling Nikki" meant, but I loved the music. I had heard the music from the "Prince" album, the "For You" album, and the "1999" and "Controversy" albums, but I didn’t really fall in love until the first time I heard "When Doves Cry". I had no idea who it was at the time, but I knew I needed to have the album with that song on it. Once I found out it was Prince, that tape (yes tape…didn’t have a record player…and CDs weren’t around then) went straight to the top of my wish list for my birthday. This album was what ultimately changed my life and opened my eyes to the musicianship, artistry, and beauty of Prince. And, when I say beauty, of course he is fine, but his heart as revealed through his music is much more beautiful by far. "Purple Rain" became the very first album I owned, and Prince became a huge part of my life.

So, we arrived at the venue by five PM. I was expecting a line, but not the line that was there! Whew! Around 5:25 or 5:30, the line began to move as we all made our way into the sound check. As the end of the line was walking in, Prince was on stage with the band. I can’t recall what they were performing, but they sounded great. By the time we sat down (in our fifth row seats!!!!) Prince gave up his guitar and walked off the stage, (right by us!!) and took a seat a few rows back. After a short while, and a really great performance by an NPGMC member (the one in the hat), the band stopped playing and the dialogue broke out. I won’t go into very many details about that, but the gist of the conversation was that there are many beliefs and opinions about what the "Truth" is. To most of us, the belief that there is a God and that He is everywhere was the truth. How you worship Him, lift His name, and interpret His word are all up to the individual. Love is also part of that, love of self, love of fellow man, and most of all love of God.

The concert was incredible!!! To actually be able to see Prince and his band up close made all the difference. Let me touch on this band. These are all top-notch musicians. I was blown away by the skill and passion with which these individuals played. The NPG is an awesome group of musicians that sound as if they were meant to play together. And, their leader is "so fonky he can’t sleep with himself". Seeing Prince make his instruments sing to us was indeed a joy for me. The guitar playing was sweet, but when the lights dimmed and he sat behind that piano, it was clear that he had developed a unique and beautiful relationship with it. It was truly amazing to see. The other instrument he played, his voice, was as beautiful as ever. I can’t begin to remember all of the songs that were played, but I can tell you that his rendition of "Adore" moved me to tears. That is my absolute, all-time, favorite song ever, and to hear him perform it live, the way he performed it, was too much for me. It was so beautiful!

The after-party was jam packed with party-goers. My guest and I had to endure a LOT of smoke, some bumping and so forth, but it was all worth it to see him one last time before we went home. The groove at the after-party was like a jam session and the crowd seemed into it. Whether they were or not, Prince was. It was such a blessing for me to be able to see his face, see his smile when he was on stage with his band. It is a beautiful thing to be able to do what you love more than anything else in the world, and be compensated for it. I have never before seen anyone enjoy what they do more than he. He ended the after-party show with "The Everlasting Now", but I don’t know if that crowd was ready for that. Maybe some of them got it.

Thank you Prince for sharing yourself and your music with us in this way. Thank you for all the years of great music, and thank you for being man enough to acknowledge Him in your work. Take care of yourself. I love you!!

Tressa

from a member

April 4th in Atlanta was, if nothing else, an affirmation that Prince is still THE MAN in music today, as he has assembled a band like no other, and has a message like no other to deliver through the most incredible music I've ever heard from one of his shows. I have been a fam for over twenty years, seen many, many different tours and re-inventions of Prince...but this show and this EXPERIENCE was something wholly unique. The NPG Music Club has allowed longtime fans, like myself and many others, the opportunity to really be a part of the music, the event, and THE MAN, so much more than ever before. The soundcheck was incredible, a real PEACH, for sure, and the rap session with Prince was beyond enlightening, priceless, really, and well worth the ticket before the show even started. Who'd a thunk we'd ever be afforded the gift of asking Prince questions, engaging in thoughtful dialogue, and finding out that he wants to hear what we have to say. The jam was beyond words, a great mix of The Rainbow Children soundz( that BAND!), refreshed classic Prince (How Come You Don't Call Me any More was THE BOMB), and some old school to bring down the house( especially a certain Ohio Players nugget)! I Hope you bring the NPG back to Atlanta real soon, my man, as I will be there again, and always. Thank you for your genius, and I'm trying to dial in to WNPG...

from baron

well just got back from princes "one nite alone" concert. at about 5:15pm all the members were allowed 2 come inside and watch prince rehearse with the band.

he started taking request from the crowd of about 200 people which brought 4th fan favorites such as "peach" and "dolphin". after that, he put his guitar down and preceded 2 walk off the stage and in-2 the audience! he grabbed a seat a few of rows behind every one and then asked if there were any guitar players in the house. my wife proceeded 2 put my hand up 4 me and everybody started yelling stand up! prince then asked ME and another guy 2 get up on stage and play something. the 1st guy did really well. i on the other hand was so nervous up there, i started playing alphabet st. and totally messed up. it was all good though. it was something that i will cherish 4 the rest of my life. thank u prince 4 that. i almost couldn't enjoy the moment because i was so nervous. i know i could have played better, but everyone after the sound check gave me much love. after i walked off the stage prince started up a discussion with the crowd by asking the question do u believe in religion. 2 mics were passed out 2 the crowd and a 30 2 45 min. discussion began on things from God 2 the war and so 4th. my wife leaned over 2 me with a smirk on her face and said that prince ain't doing nothing but trying 2 get his time in. we both laughed about that but it was a good discussion. prince was playing at times messing with some of the members. he then left because the general public stared coming in. the concert was awesome. he did most of the songs from his rainbow children album. very jazzy and laid back show 4 the most part but he got it crunk at times. by far the best i have ever seen prince in concert and i don't miss a show. please catch him if u can. xenophobia-tight 2 def. can,t wait 4 that 2 come out. prince has taken his showmanship 2 new hieghts!

from LaKeshia (The Neon Sign)

I would like to thank the NPG band and Prince for an outstanding performance. I really enjoyed the show in a smaller venue. I felt like it was a family setting. The background and sound effects were PHAT. Prince you really jammed during the Soundcheck. What can I say about John (The Drummer), I am absolutely speechless.

Rhonda you have a beautiful voice did not know you could sing as well as playing the heck out of that guitar. Najee you really spoke to me on that sax. The guy on the keyboard or piano I was feelin ya! I really do not know were to start but I'm speechless. I really enjoyed the soundcheck listening to everyone's opinion on religion and of course Prince telling jokes. My friend and I was in the VIP line at the club, unfortunately my friend was under age by 2 months so I decided to go home. Their were two women that over heard and wanted my laminate to get into the club. I explained to her that she had to be a member and sign up like everybody else. This woman and her friend offered us $90 each if we gave her our special passes. We both said no way get your own. I told the ladies if you can afford to give each of us $90 to get into a club for a few hrs then you can be a member for a $100 for one year. I'm not getting kicked out of the club for no one!! Then when the women finally gave up they had the nerve to be mad at me and my friend. All I could say is sign up at NPG MUSIC CLUB.COM If you did not have a pass you probably would not have gotten in. The line for non members was wrapped around the building, easy access if you are a member. I wanna give a shout out to the NPG members I met Tiffany, Keshia, Dave, the guy that played roller coaster at the sound check, and his friend. You know who I am I'm the one that had 2 pony tails. NPG 4 LIFE! Thanks again New Power Generation and Prince for bringing the P funk to the ATL!!!

LOVE4ONEANOTHER

from Sherri

Well Prince you've done it again. You've made me a happy lady. The show was incredible. I've been to eight P concerts and 2 Celebrations and I've never seen you perform the way you did in the ATL. Thank you to the Paisley Park staff and the Cass security staff. This is an experience that I will never forget.

As soon as I walked into the venue for the soundcheck, I could here Prince's voice say, "Do ya'll see the sister that looks just like Star Jones?" Well of course I started looking around to see who he was talking about......then I heard him say, "now she's looking around trying to see who I'm talking about!" I couldn't believe he was talking about me. That was pretty cool. Anyway, on to the real thrill of the night.....

My "little purple man" rocked the freakin' house in ATL. I'm still not over the fact that he played for what seemed like forever. I can't go into detail about every song and every funny comment that he made, but I would like to say that I am so grateful to God for touching his life in a new and wonderful way. People often ask me why do I love Prince sooooo much. I try my best to explain to them that it's not just the ever funkin' jams or the "make me wanna do my man" love ballads, but it's his spiritual connection that no one seems to have noticed until now. Well I noticed it twenty years ago........when I got up to tell P that I had been praying for him for a long time, I wasn't kidding. I'm so grateful to God for touching your life in this way. I know that you are getting a lot of smack from some of your fams for speaking on your beliefs. Please don't stop. This is the only way that some people will ever hear a testimony. If you save one person along the way through your music and His word, then you have made our Heavenly Father pleased. Don't worry, just because you've come closer to the light than you have ever been before.........my prayers for you and your family will never cease. We need prayer more than ever.

Oh yeah, Billy Sparks..........can't you do something about getting us a couple of 2 or 3X t-shirts on this tour? Maybe you can work on it for the Celebration.

Keep the luv flowin'

Sherri

from Dana D.

Where do I start? Perhaps BEAUTIFUL is the best place to start!! It felt beautiful and sounded beautiful and looked beautiful!

I just made it home after spending a couple of days in Atlanta for the two shows. Usually I feel sort of "incomplete" when leaving the shows but this time I really felt whole. I mean, I go to hear Prince's music because it and he feeds my soul. There aren't many places to find those positive and spiritual words, real music, visually pleasing sights, and a group of such beautiful people. I think for me the most important part was the second night soundcheck when Prince allowed me to share a poem.

I won't waste time listing the music played because I think it is only a part of the experience. I WILL list the experiences that I think make Prince and this new concert-style truly amazing to me:
* Seeing Prince in a joyous creative mode, period! Any artist knows that look and feeling and it can not be accomplished by an artist simply doing what he wants to do, but by one who follows the Truth. It warms my heart to see any artist feel the joy as I witnessed in everyone on that stage.
* I shared a Poem I had written while in Atlanta (after the first show.) Prince allowed me to read it to everyone, which seemed like it opened up the fascinating group conversation about love, spirituality, religion, and God (the kind of conversations that I LOVE!)
* I was a part of the NPG member club and sitting close enough to truly feel like FAMily!
* I met some wonderful people while waiting in line and sitting in the best seats in the house. Hi Dwayne, Melvin, and Diaha and everyone else! I think it is great that we all sat TOGETHER and knew we were all similar minds and were able to open up to new friends. I don't know about most of you, but that is a tough thing for me to do because I'm so accustomed to NOT being around people with like minds.
* The concert....... well there are just 3 many words to describe that and you just have to be there for yourself! As a member though, I was close to the stage and felt like I was dancing with Prince all night long (and I mean that in a respectful and unsuggestive manner.) That experience of being moved by live-Prince music IS the experience for me (even if I do look like a crazy fool all night long.) Dancing is a purely joyous feeling for me and thank you to all the people sitting around me for giving me the extra space when I needed it. :)
* The aftershow........ although I couldn't see much of it, was still great. Again, I danced like a fool but in order to have room to move at all, there was no way I could stand in front of the stage. It was incredibly packed. And I must say, I am disappointed at how much the general people pushed and crowded one another toward the stage after the rope was removed :( So, I found a few cubic feet to the side of the speakers and caught a few glimpses of NPG and Prince; but more so enjoyed letting the music groove me however it may AND IT DID. I did get a good view of Greg and Najee feeling the music and dancing too. And to the lady in shiny red, thanks for sharing that funky dance feeling with me! You were Beautiful!
* THANK YOU PRINCE and NPG for GIVING and making the leaps of faith you do and making the new experience happen for the true fams. Thanks Prince for allowing me to share my thoughts and exercise my inconfident voice. You challenge my thoughts and spirit and I look forward to other chances to talk about religion and the bible and God (maybe with less nervousness and with more clear thoughts on my part.) Thank you Sam for introducing yourself to me and sorry that I forgot to tell you then what a wonderful creator you are in building and maintaining the Music Club.
* And on a really personal level, I want to share with all of you that FOLLOWING THE TRUTH ISN'T EASY. I've been married for 11 years and my husband is wonderful but he thinks that I go to extreme measures when it comes to Prince related things. I can respect his thoughts and feelings and we talk about this in some very difficult and painful heart talks. But the truth is.......I HAVE A DREAM, a vision of building a small school for the arts and nature, in my hometown of Savannah, Ga. I have come to realize this vision by searching for the Truth when my life felt unsatisfying and so empty (when by society's measures, I had achieved total success in having a house, finished college, a good job and a good husband.) The search is hard, you give things up, you change........ and change IS good..... no matter how painful it seems. Through all this, inspiration is imperative! What is it for you? Where do you find it? Who offers that food for you soul? My inspiration is watching the moon rise or the sun filter through the new spring leaves... or the toads and lizards hanging out on my front porch. My inspiration is music, and mostly Prince music, because I connect with the words so deeply. My inspiration is dancing and allowing my body to be moved by the wonderful sounds of so many instruments and rhythms. I know I have to stay connected to those inspirations to keep my "I" focused on the the Truth. It is so much easier to NOT challenge yourself (or your relationship) and settle into the path of least resistance. But I can't do that and as Prince said the other night (not word for word), "The last few years have been turbulent........" That turbulence is change and through the search for Truth and reading the Word, we will come out the other side. I'm still working on it and it is tough.

Sorry for the lengthy report but I felt moved to share all that I did. My closing thoughts for the concert experience are: If you don't like getting the "whole" package, then maybe a Prince show isn't for you. With the music, comes the man. And with the man comes the spirit. While walking to the aftershow from the concert, a car drove past with a more "popular" Prince song playing loudly. They yelled out of the car to us, "Isn't this better Prince music than that was?" Well, I just smiled at them and thought to myself "If only they knew what Truth they were missing."

With love 4 one another and peace to you all!
Dana D.

P.S. Forgot to add this Musical tidbit of information to my report. For you non-Joni Mitchell fans out there..... the whimsical "two heads are better than one" song is Twisted by Joni Mitchell from Court and Spark. An essential album for your music collection! (and most anything else by her.)

from Joy

I still have footprints on my shoes from Prince I was so close in the NPG club seats (smile)! The concert refashioned my spirit. The resounding theme was liberation. I was moved by the visuals of the slave trade bills and the many documents related to slavery. My pastor says though we are free, Egypt yet runs through our veins. True. There's bondage to many things-- most importantly our own belief systems. (We owe our ancestors better than that) But "One Night Alone" felt like a reprieve. Anna Stesia, Joy in Repetition, Santana, How Come U Don't Call Me, Raspberry Beret-- did I say Joy in Repetition. Come on! It just don't get no better than that! He chided the audience when he unleashed the funk on "How Come U Don't Call Me, "Yall get your scuba gear...we're bout to get deep," he said. It's just pure grace that such an enormously anointed musician gets an audience like that. I can't imagine walking around with all that word and sound in me with no one 2 share it with. Keep the faith, and visit Pastor Prince in a city near u! He preached!

Joy Jones Keys- Albany, GA

from Dawn

OH MY GOODNESS! I have to thank Prince again and again for a wonderful show. My husband surprised me with tickets and I am eternally grateful. I have not seen Prince in concert since the Emancipation tour in 1997. It seemed like every time he'd come to Hotlanta I'd either be having a baby or temporarily out of cash (seems like my two daughters timed their births with his concerts).

I really needed to see this show. It helped me reconnect with my life before children and marriage. Let me explain. Before my family, I would not have missed a Prince concert. Family life has however made me let go of some of my former joys and pleasures which I'm learning is not a good thing. Music is so important to me and going to tonite's show made me see that I am important enough to have my joy while also having my family. This might not make sense but I bet it does to all the mommas and daddies out there.

Anyway, I enjoyed the show so so much! Every thing was tight. I loved the set too. I mean he sang all my favorites: Strange Relationship, Joy in Repetion, When you were Mine, Anna Stesia. It was straight when he took us old school with Rollercoaster. I had to laugh because it brought back so many memories.

I admire his courage and commitment to telling the Truth. I'm glad he introduced me to Xenophobia and that he performed Family Name. Yes, the Truth shall set us Free. All of this on the 34th anniversary of the murder of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Truth heals!

I'm so excited that this is all I can say (I must apologize for any mispellings). Prince and NPG I thank you all from the bottom of my heart and soul. Your music fills me up and makes me feel so good. Like I can make it another day. The Creator has blessed you all with many gifts and you all graciously share them with us. May you all be blessed 10 times over!

Dawn in GA

p/s I loved that Prince did Erykah Badu's "Didn't Ya Know" and Stevie Wonder's "Another Star" (although I wanted more of that-- I love Stevie).

from Aanthone

"The Freedom and Security of Self".......We touched on it briefly at the Atlanta soundcheck (2nd show, no fight nite!!). I was saying, if u're secure in ur beliefs, then u have no reason 2 hate or denounce the beliefs of another. 2 have open dialog without conflict should not be such a hard thing 2 do yet, some still felt it was not a proper forum 4 that type of discussion. My question is, what forum would have been better? We were in an intimate setting (200 people?), with a multitude of races and religions, all brought 2gether by the same music AND, we had the opportunity 2 have this discussion with the Artist himself! Guidance doesn't only come from a preacher or a church, for that matter. Most of the time, it can be found right in front of u, 2-4-7. U just have to open ur eyes (& ears) 2 the possibilities of what's going on around u. See, when u go 2 a church, everyone there is already on same page as far as beliefs go. BUT, when u can get different folk, from different backgrounds and beliefs 2 open up and share their individuality, then u'd be talking about experiencing some true Holy Spirit. People have no problem talking about sports, Survivor or soap opras but hit 'em with different views on religion and most can't handle it. Frankly, if more people had this kind of dialog, the world would begin 2 be a better place. Mr. Prince...the music and show was great but the dialog @ shoundcheck was invaluable. Thank u 4 the xperience. I would love 2 continue that discussion at some point. Peace will be unto u..............

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