2 Free Urself At Paisley Park 10.08.15

What made Paisley Park’s Show (10.08.15) quite Historic and Legendary for me were the sudden surprises throughout the night – which is what I aim to convey in this write-up! I talked in brief detail about this (Every Paisley Park Party with Danny L’Amour who is always there to add her joy and experience) You can check out that video by clicking HERE) I always appreciate when anyone watches and can feel as if they are there, by watching us discuss the nights at Paisley!

I was literally cooking Pasta, (Thankfully, it did not burn – I had it on low when I got the call 🙂 So there is a Private Event at Paisley Park, and I can invite some friends? I call my friends and we all scatter to get ready before we head out to Paisley Park.
We’re all in the Luv4OneAnotherRoom – DJ Kiss sets the tone, and it’s now time for The Dance.  This is when all of us dance until something happens. (The Dance continues throughout the night, as even Prince proclaims when he gets on stage DON’T STOP DANCING)
While dancing, we notice some more people show up through the back entrance. It’s Madonna’s crew – who eases into Paisley with a groove ready for the dance floor. At this point, the atmosphere just begins to become electric. Madonna shows up with an applause from the audience, and we can sense this will be a spectacular night!

For Starters, this was the first time since I have seen Prince with a different band other than 3rdEyeGirl. MonoNeon was on the bass guitar, Kirk Johnson was on Drums, Donna Grantis was on guitar, while Prince played guitar, piano, and sang.

The environment is all in unison, waiting in anticipation as Prince layers in with his fingers on the organ. It feels we have been invited to something special.

He starts off with his latest single ‘Stare‘. The bass pumps wild with MonoNeon chopping away with extreme funky precision. He opened up on the Organ, then proceeded on his guitar with rhythmic improvisation. The crowd applauded the moment he picked up his guitar! He knows we are gonna love it. Probably, not as much as he loves playing Guitar himself. He shreds on the song Guitar, telling us “I Love You Baby, but Not like I love my guitar! His chops were so clear and strong, conveying several monuments of emotion. When you thought the solo was over he found something else to bring out of it. After he finished all of his solos, he put the guitar down to head back to the piano, playing Use Me, A cover by Bill Withers – which added spice to the night.

His piano chops were easily rendered and soulfully magnetic. He changed the tempo towards to end so seamlessly in tune ready for the next number. Stratus, which came in – with a rock hard funk stimulation, which charged his band to tap into their space. Everyone was able to get in on the funk and Donna played with a blistering passion. We all had our eyes on her, as she shredded. I remember looking to my right – seeing Madonna just struck at the live performance from the band.

This pumped the set right into Ain’t About 2 Stop – which possessed a darker grunge appeal. The arrangement was similar to the Album’s version but with more space for instrumentation. Donna came back with her guitar wailing while Prince chopped around on his piano.  1,000 X’s & O’s enforced us all to return to a sense of soul and direction. His vocals sounded so clear and his falsetto could not be beaten. By the time, he went into The X’s Face, I couldn’t believe what I was witnessing. I was pleased to hear these songs in a live setting. Mono Neon added to the funk by his unique ability. He had me floored, by his timing and arrangement. He knew just where to come in. The crowd and energy were given so much at such sudden times.I think Prince knew this so he gave us a break for a while so that DJ Kiss could return back us back dancing. I think after a while he noticed our STARE as we were completely focused on the sounds ahead of us. 😀
He returned back with ‘Free Urself‘ by inviting us to dance on stage with him, which was one of the highlights of the night. We all got down and screamed with passion “FREE URSELF” We were so loud and in time, there was a moment where Prince asked “You all got your passports?! I might need to take you all on tour with me! ” Free Urself released so much energy and power out of us, we didn’t know where to go after that!?

What would top that?

The crowd dwindled to about 15 of us, and a lot of people thought he wouldn’t return on stage, but they were wrong.

About 10 minutes later, we hear Sign O’ The Times being looped – while Prince has his ax strapped on him. He chants “ooh Wee Oh, Ohh!” We all follow his direction and then he changes the tempo a bit to go into Work To Do by The Isley Brothers. He improvises with his guitar and wails out for a moment to ‘America’ which plunged us into higher heights. By the end of Sign O’ Times / Work To Do – he finishes off by saying “Thank U All! GOOD NIGHT!

We are all sweating and shocked by the night’s power and are only HUNGRY for food! He fed our souls, our feet, our spirits, and our hearts. LIKE only he could Do – AND NOW I’ve only had the time to process! One of the most extraordinary realities after leaving Paisley Park is the Process that comes afterward.The experience of that place pulls you with such thrill and fascination; while engaging the live moments – every part of you is affected. You are looking, hearing, and overall experiencing what is before you.

In Summary, A Paisley morning is a sunrise! Once, I awaken with the joy of the day, I am given the inspiration to recall the blessings music gives. Live Music, in particular, allows electricity to flow through your body, and you are often brought to spiritual recognition! What an honor and gift it is, to witness creation being tapped into by true artists.

I’m FREED!