Regina on June 3 (12 reports)

from Rhonda

Well it's been 7 hours and 13 days (well almost) since I left the Centre of the Arts on an extreme high! It is nearly impossible to put into words what happens when you have "one night alone" with Prince.

From the time the concert was announced, to the sound check, and finally to the concert, I don't think I could wipe the stupid grin off of my face. If you've never seen him in concert before, you will be blown away! The music is phenominal...truly ground shaking. If you've seen him before, this time it's better. From the moment the house lights went down, to the end of the second encore, the crowd was completely under his control. The atmosphere was electric! A riot!

As for the NPG, I don't know that I've ever heard such a talented bunch of musicians. Each has a mastery of their instruments that few people can understand, and when they come together, well it was amazing. I mean you stood there with your mouth just hanging open at times shaking your head in disbelief...did you know that John Blackwell had like 6 arms? Prince said the stage was the best place to be when the band was on...I'm surprised he was able to get off the stage Monday night. Incredible.

I just wanted to thank Prince and the NPG for coming to small city Canada. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be seeing in the city where I lived. I still wonder if it was all a dream at times. So thanks for coming, playing, leaving nothing on stage, and the memories. You made many friends here Monday night. Rhonda Caswell

from Dennis

A once in a lifetime experience happened on June 3rd. Your show was without a doubt, the best I have ever seen. The music was tight, the staging and lighting was choice, but what still stands out in my mind is how you connected with the people from Regina. You made us all feel like we were your friends and that we were cool too ... something very few artists bother to do. Regina is probably about the furthest away from cool as it gets, but when you hit the stage - we were, for one night, a happening place. Thank you for knowing where you were and conveying to the crowd your delight in being in our little town!
I also want to thank you for the messages you put forth. This is a 'small prairie town' with a 'small prairie mind' and it was great that you spoke out for what you believe. I know that you are saying much the same things in all of your shows, but, I believe Regina needed the message a little bit more! Hopefully, the 2000 or so fans at the show will spread the word ... and we'll be that much closer to a better world (if the politicians do tank it on us, first!) Hopefully, you'll come back! It was obvious to me that you weren't doing this tour for the money ... as you could've picked bigger venues.
I loved each song you did, however, I do have to say the song that stuck out the most to me was 'When You Were Mine'. I like the recorded version, but when I heard the bluesy groove and the boogie in the distortion, well, you floored me! You totally rocked it out! I've had that killer little riff in my head since and I would like to say thank you. Thank you for bringing a great show to my city!

from Jason

Monday night was unbelievable!! Never in my wildest imagination did I ever think I would have an opportunity to see you live anywhere let alone Regina. Prince and his band absolutely blew me away. I grew up in the 80's a huge Prince fan and had every album he released between "1999" & "Diamonds & Pearls", however, like others have fallen out of touch with Prince over the last few years but needless to say I will be catching up very quickly. The musicianship displayed by Prince & NPG was the best I have ever seen, and I have seen many of top performers live. When I heard Prince would be making a stop in Regina there was no way I was going to miss it and for all those people who complained about having to spend $106.00 well you missed what was the greatest show that our little city has ever & will ever see. The music, the message, the performer were unlike anything the citizens of Regina, and surrounding area, have ever experienced. All I can say is Thank-U, Thank-U, Thank-U, & hopefully Prince & the NPG enjoyed the night as much as everyone in attendance and maybe, just maybe, they will "come back real soon" as Prince himself said on Monday.

from Shar

I had an absolutely surreal experience! I never thought it could be true! I waited 19 yrs to see u on stage! For my first (definitely NOT my last) live Prince experience to take place in the front row was impressive. But to have the experience of being on stage while u got down & funky was AMAZING!!!

I knew you would be good. Oh yeah! But U were more than I ever expected or anticipated. There are no words to express the emotions of the evening. The curtain went up and I felt the complete power of surrender. Thank u for the experience. U will never know how much it meant to all of us in Regina, Saskatchewan! It was a dream come true! U R a dream come true! Thank u for ur music!

from Michele

Well I donned an old band jacket reminiscent of the days of earlier Prince. The only musician I have ever had a .............quiet thought about. I felt like a fool upon arriving after all this is Regina and Reginan's are not known for their free spirited ways. I sat in a seat, center 8 rows back, the ticket a gift from a friend both of us waiting anxiously for the old days ..........when to my surprise the music played and I was suddenly aware I had grown up somehow along with "Prince". His music more mature, more sophisticated yet simplified to the purest subtle form of beauty. I sat in amazement as to the size of a man not in stature but in spirit, with a presence that consumed the whole stage and each member of the audience. Messages reminding us of our past as human beings, boldly flying across the screen, reminded me not of where we were, but of how far we have come. A constant parallel. Hope, Faith and Integrity shone. Accompanied by world class musicians.....I was lead down a trail I didn't realize I missed, and was reminded of the journey I have yet to take. Your journey, sacrifice and dedication were appreciated by all. The voice, the falsetto, the rifts, the talent were realized and experience in true to live form. Thank you for coming to our city and sharing your gifts and the gifts of your band.
Sincerely,
Michele

from Jennifer

Gotta Have That Funk:
Opportunity of a lifetime is 1 way to describe Monday nites concert; an enlightening experience is another. The moment of anticipation was almost too great to handle, the surreal moment of entering the soundcheck was worth waiting 4 Prince to come to the Prairies. Seeing Prince as himself, rather than on-stage, was a leveling experience. The soundcheck was informal, relaxed, and entertaining. To see Prince challenge his crew to a ballet dance was too cute. :) The concert itself was FABULOUS. The NPGMC seats were so close to the action. Prince's crew were to good to us, and were so courteous about the cramped space in front of us where Prince's guitars were kept. They wanted to make sure we were OK...like I minded having Prince's guitars at my feet! Being seated so close made me feel like the show was just 4 us; it was easy to forget the 2000 people behind us.
I waited a long time to dance on stage with Prince, and was glad 2 have my chance Monday night in my home Province. I felt like I was part of the show! like it was meant 2 be.
Every aspect of the evening was fulfilling. I was surprised at some of the comments being shouted by girls in the crowd at inappropriate times. Girls...don't shout at a man 2 'take it off' when he's trying to tell U the power of the Truth! Thank U 4 visiting us, and lets hope we see each other again. A nite I shall truly never forget.

from June

It is 2 days after Prince was in Regina, and I am still buzzing. My senses were tittilated, tantalized and sent into an unending eruption of peak emotions. It was something I will never forget. I was a bad princeaholic before, but, this being my first concert, will be hard to control. The blending of his funkphony was something I can only imagine can be created by one very unique artiste. Virtuoso. Beethoven 2002. I have permitted my daughter to be enlightened by your eruptions of song, at a very early age. She is 13 now. Doesn't care about the top 40. Doesn't care about the "I wanna be in a band but can't sing without my friends" boy bands. She loves her Prince. So I did a swell job in tuning her into something that will go on forever, not just a year or two. Just like the great masters.

I love the new cd. I take it from the car to the house, the house to the car...maybe I should just buy another one!

Thank you for thinking of us smaller centers. And thank you for not cancelling like Saskatoon. The 2 cities are usually at a frinedly rival. They have no idea what they missed.

May our Heavenly Father continue to bless you and give back to you 1000 fold that which you have given to others.

Sincerely,
June

from Carrie

Thank U Prince and the NPG:

My husband and I were at your concert in Regina and what a concert it was, I have never been to a concert that felt so intimite and exciting at the same time, I have never experienced a night filled with so much magic, and energy as I experienced last night.

U took us on a journey filled with Soul, Jazz, Funk, and Rock, it felt like the only thing that was happening in the world last night I haven't experienced butterflies like that in a long time.

Thank U for sharing soooo much of yourself with us we hope that U will come back to Regina again real soon.

Thank U
Carrie

from Shane

1st of all, thank u Prince and the NPG 4 choosing 2 come 2 Regina. Thank u as well 4 providing ur fams with the opportunity 2 experience u live in such an intimate setting. The soundcheck was such an incredible experience. 2 witness Prince, Rhonda, Maceo, Greg, Renato and John at the soundcheck with only 11 other people in the audience was truly amazing. After that, 3 hours of funk, jazz, blues, spirituality and truth poured from the stage. U r REAL musicians - u deserve 2 b heard by millions simultaneously all over the nation - radio, listen up! Tune in not out - share the joy of real music from people who live music.

Prince, u have a great sense of humor - "Is it better 2 give or receive? Give. Well then give ur front row seat up 2 that girl behind u!" Funny stuff! Not 2 disappoint, u then brought her on stage and gave her a guitar solo.

Please keep us in mind when u plan ur next tour - winter, spring, summer or fall...

Ur music is inspiring - Rise Up!

Thanks again.

Shane

from Louise

And so it began....Monday, 27th....there I was a 55 year old suburban, middle class homemaker, standing in line for 3 hours to secure tickets for my daughter and neice who are devout fans.

While in the cue, I had an ongoing debate as to whether or not to get a third ticket for myself. Although I was blown away at your concert 5 years ago at the Saddledome...do I really need to go again? I might be wiser to put the money towards my retirement savings.......but then again the acoustics at the Jubilee Auditorium are pretty fine...??? What to do???

When my turn arrived...the tickets pulled up were for Row C centre....my decision was made...I was in!

It was the right decision....leaving the auditorium , I was lost for adjectives to describe the evening's experience.

Only recently I had a spiritual awakening during a Yoga meditation class...it was ground breaking for me. That same feeling found it's way back to me during your emotionally moving presentation of "Nothing Compares to You".

Thankyou for sharing your amazing music and your thoughts on on FREEDOM TO CHANGE...

Louise

from Michelle

DECONSTRUCTING THE FUNK

One night alone... in Regina was an amazing experience! Prince and the NPG provided a truly phenomenal performance. It was an experience through the senses, and also through thought. Prince deconstructs not only genres of music in the songs on Rainbow Children (and many of the older tunes too), but uses this amazing sound to deconstruct socially institutionalized binaries such as black & white; and give & receive.

I am sure many people left "one night alone" not only awed by the artistry and talent of Prince and the NPG, but by the beauty of what was left unsaid save through the art of music - that there is art post postmodernism, and one night alone with Prince showed us what that can be. What a wonderful night. Thank you.

from Margaret

WOW! Thank u so much for bringing ur music and ur message to Regina. I have waited 19 years to see u live and it was worth the wait. The concert blew me away. The front row seats that I got from NPG Music Club were fantastic. And giving my friend Helen a chance to sing with Prince is something we will be talking about for a long, long time. U are a great musical talent and we love u here in the Prairies. Hope this is the first of many concerts here!!

from Brian

Hi my name is Brian Von Richter and my daughter Jennifer and I sat out all night in Regina to get tickets for your concert and were rewarded with front row seats. I am 50 years old and have been to a lot of concerts in my day, but none compare 2 U. The new music is absolutely the best fusion of jazz and funk I have ever heard. I picked up the album Rainbow Children just a few days before the concert and fell in love with it immediately. Regina, Saskatchewan has never experienced a concert like this before. Thanks for making a stop in our small city.

from Kris

I've just had the privledge of seeing the greatest show of my life and feel all a glow inside. Who would have ever thought that Prince would ever come to Regina Saskatchewan. WNPG hit hard on a town where not everyone has there passport.shut yo mouth! (Just talkin bout Regina) But alot more have experienced the Love and Happiness of music,and the peace of mind that real music, from real musicians can bring forward. So A very special Thank You to Prince the NPG and Maceo for sharing the spirit and message of LOVE,HOPE,and SURRENDER.(lesson learned)

This concert has come while the group I play in, Stepchyle, is finishing our first albumn (independently of course) tracking ends tomorrow and now comes the mix. I'm so glad that this show has happened at this time. And I hope that NPG enjoyed Regina as much as Regina enjoyed NPG. I thought Helan pulled a nice Hathaway with You've Got A Friend so maybe there might even be a next time. Maybe GCS could come along next time. Well dreams can come true.

May we all be absorbed in the spirit of the Ground of all being, god is love
Yours Truly Kris Craig PS. Prince was right tonight when he said the radio stations should be ran by musicians. I host a funk show on the new community station cjtr.ca Regina featuring mostly old scool FUNK(GSC/Gap band/Ohio/EWF/Sly etc.) Ive been playing The Rainbow Children on the show every week since the station opened January(?) If you enjoy the FUnk check it out via the web it's called 2 Funky Wednesday 3-5pm www.cjtr.ca

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