Other notes:

–Larry Graham had a mic attached to his bass. He was wearing a white pimp suit. The other bassist played along, so it was a dual bass attack. It sounded amazing. Larry sounds the same, vocally. “Sing A Simple Song” was probably the best of the Sly tracks. Larry continued to play until the end of the set, btw, so I got to see Larry freaking Graham play on a Doobie Brothers song and a couple of Jacksons tunes. Haha. So great. He and Prince played an extended duet that was mind-blowing. Prince asked the audience, “Isn’t this the funkiest thing you’ve ever heard?” I’d say, yes, Prince. Yes it was.

–There really was a set break at the awesome (!) Sarah McLachlan (!) song, and then Prince came back out to play along to a drum loop. That was killer, too, and he did some extended C/W riffs that were amazing. That was on “Forever In My Life”.

–There were really three encores. I’m pretty sure he left after “Cool”, but I can’t totally remember. He broke “Kiss” down to just the essence of it, having the audience clap only on the 2 (he gave very, very explicit clapping instructions), and he just grooved it like I’ve never heard, finally, putting down his guitar and just dancing along to it with these huge on 2 claps. And then POW–on the last 2 the band just stopped and he froze, turned his head, and said something like “I’m too good for y’all” or “Y’all don’t deserve me”. Real playfully. It looked like it was over, but then BOOM Purple Rain.

–He came out and jammed at the beginning, but he had some guitar problems and was visibly frustrated. He left the stage, and I thought, “Oh no! Diva night!” but then he came back with a different guitar, made some monitor adjustments, and then he smiled and said “Now, I’m happy.” And it was liftoff from there.

–He could stop the band at any time with “On the 1″ and they would just stop…pow. I couldn’t believe how tight they were. Sound was dicey early (not a dealbreaker)–the keyboards were a little quiet–but it only marred “Raspberry Beret” a tad bit. He was the only guitarist and was a tad loud, but my left ear was treated to a Prince guitar performance all night, and I loved it. Overall, great sound, though.

–I’m being onomonopiac because that’s how I feel about the show. Pow.

–Can you tell I had a good time? I saw Leonard Cohen and Prince in a week! I love me right now.

Lucas: If anyone from our gang had to go and make us all green with envy, glad it’s you.

Here’s another report on the show, from Jim Walsh:
http://www.minnpost.com/jimwalsh/2009/10/26/12822/prince_at_paisley_park_return_of_the_funk_master