Prince on Leno
I had hoped to have a video of the performance, but it appears that I was unlucky. So, I am stuck with just words.
Last night, Prince was on Jay Leno. I stood in rapt attention. Very few performers are so complete, and so awe inspiring as Prince. To say that Prince has had an impact on my life, well that is just understating the obvious.
I remember when he was a giant, when I was in high school and early college. I remember the stories of Paisley Park, his clothes, all of it. The mystery that is Prince. My friend hated it. I never bent to that, I knew his genius was unquestioned, and I knew that even if I did not understand the mystery, it was cool.
As I have grown up, my Prince collection has become massive. I have pursued Prince all over this country. I have snuck into his mythic jam in the Twin Cities, and I have seen the band rehearse for the big tours. I spent a month chasing the Musicology around the southern states.
Very few musicians have hit me as hard. The funk of the Twin Cities, Morris Day and Prince, battling. Dropping music on a city, and never looking further than the brilliance of each other. Competing. Big shows, giant bands, full reviews. Still local.
When Prince showed up on Leno, he had a big band, full horns, three women singers, keys, synth, all of it. And it was the tightest band in the world. A band so good, it could stop and hold the groove on national television. Prince could call changes, on live television. Prince could sit in the groove, and just let it go. On national television.
That is a kind of bravery that only a few have, a willingness to risk everything. A powerful skill. A band, on the edge of the diamonds eye. Right there, holding brilliant in my eye.
Let us not get it twisted, Prince has made a few sstinkers. That whole Rainbow Children thing, huh?
But, when he shows up to play, his band is 100% better than any other band in the world. Nothing compares. His band is able to do ANYTHING, he calls for on the road. ANYTHING.
One of my favorite CDs of all time is a live two disk cd set, where instead of plaing his songs, he played funk covers for two nights in San Fran. It is the most monstorous sounding band.
When he was on Leno, he asserted himself. That is what Prince does. You might forget, or might take a shot at him, and he will fire back. Like R Kelley taking a shot, and Prince dropping JAM OF THE YEAR. Leaving the pretender to the throne behind.
When you forget he is one of the best guitar players in the world, he shows up on SNL with a power trio, and plays your face off.
When the world sleeps on him, he shows up at the SuperBowl, and does the best half time show, in a rain storm, with an electric guitar in a lightning storm.
Nothing touched me as much as Prince. And you need to recognize!