Prince/Shizuoka,Japan 2002

“ONE NITE ALONE… TOUR 2002” was the last performance in Japan of his life. The best live album is a reprint. The Japan tour at this time consisted of a total of nine performances, spanning the archipelago from Sapporo in the north to Fukuoka in the south. This was the largest number of performances in the history of Prince’s visit to Japan. This work is an audience album that includes “November 17, 2002 Act City Hamamatsu”. Here, let’s take a look at the overview of the Japan tour. ・November 15th: Tokyo International Forum ・November 17th: Act City Hamamatsu [This work] ・November 18th and 19th: Nippon Budokan ・November 21st: Hokkaido Welfare Pension Center ・November 22nd: Zepp Sendai ・November 26th: Fukuoka Sun Palace ・November 28th: ​​Osaka Castle Hall ・November 29th: Nagoya Century Hall The Hamamatsu performance is the second performance of the Japan tour. It was also the only concert in his career to be held in Shizuoka. This work, which recorded such a valuable stage, directly uses the original master given by the recording artist himself. At that time, it was a recording that was released normally and became a hot topic as “the highest sound quality, almost at the level of an official live record that exceeds the sound board.” In fact, the beautiful clear sound is truly exquisite. Although the audience’s applause and cheers are also recorded, the focus is firmly on the musical tones and singing voices, and there is no sense of distance. It is not known in what position it was recorded, but rather the cheers are far away, and although it is not very, it is not at the level of audience recording. The natural live feeling is something that can never be achieved with a sound board connected directly to a desk. It is definitely an audience recording since it was given by the recording artist himself, but it is a live album that can be listened to like a carefully mixed official live album. And Prince’s last Japan tour is depicted with a quality that can be called an “official audience”. In fact, the Hamamatsu performance had a fairly short set list even on the Japan tour, but it was completely different from the official version of “ONE NITE ALONE… LIVE!”, and about half of the songs were songs that could not be heard on the official version. “Love Rollercoaster,” “Whole Lotta Love,” “Family Name,” “Joy In Repetition,” and “All The Critics Love U In Hamamatsu” were performed for the first time in Japan on this day. In particular, the cover of LED ZEPPELIN’s “Whole Lotta Love” has a groovy break that connects perfectly to “Family Name”, giving us a passionate performance that lasts over 12 minutes. Although the time was short, it gave it a concentrated feeling. In fact, the fact that Prince’s enthusiasm is on par with other performances can be seen from the call and response that is fully included. Each song calls out the name of a place, especially the call and response of “Hamamatsu! Oi, oi, oh!!” in “Strange Relationship” and “All The Critics Love U In Hamamatsu” which was resung from “New York”. Very fresh. As I wrote earlier, Prince’s Shizuoka concert will be held only on this day in his lifetime. It’s hard to convey in words, but his “Hamamatsu” has a unique accent, and unlike in Tokyo, Nagoya, or Yokohama, you can hear a groove that can only be heard on this day. A dance contest was also held on that day for “All The Critics Love U In Hamamatsu”, and 25 NPG Music Club members (FAM) took to the stage to perform their dances. It will be exciting for over 13 minutes with plenty of openness. On the other hand, “Guitarist Prince” shines on “Joy In Repetition.” It’s an expanded version of over 9 minutes, far exceeding the album take, and features plenty of melancholy guitar solos. His expressive power is overwhelming, and his passionate phrases make him the number one choice on Rolling Stone’s list of “the most underrated guitarists in history.” Prince toured Japan six times during his lifetime, performing 38 performances. It is his last Japan tour, and it is a masterpiece that records the first and last Hamamatsu performance with the best sound. Now is the time for me to share my last memories of Prince and Japan with as many people as possible. I would like you to take another look at the brightness of a night that was too dazzling to be forgotten. We will deliver a hidden masterpiece recording that embodies this feeling to your hands. Live at Act City, Hamamatsu, Japan 17th November 2002 PERFECT SOUND(from Original Masters) Disc 1 1. Prince Drum Solo 2. Rainbow Children 3. Muse 2 The Pharaoh 4. Pop Life 5. Purple Rain 6. The Work pt.1 7. Mellow 8. 1+1+1 is 3/Love Rollercoaster 9. The Question Of U/Drums Solo 10. Strange Reletionship 11. Pass The Peas Disc 2 1. Whole Lotta Love/Family Name 2. Take Me With U 3 . Raspberry Beret 4. The Everlasting Now 5. Joy In Repetition 6. All The Critics Love U In Hamamatsu Prince – Vocal, Guitar, Piano, keyboard, Bass, Drums John Blackwell – Drums Rhonda Smith – Bass Renato Neto – keyboards Maceo Parker – Alt Sax Eric Leeds – Tenor Sax Greg Boyer – Trombone Dudley D. – Turntables