Prince/TN, USA 11.24.2000

This title features an audience recording of the Memphis concert on November 24, 2000, from the 2000 Hit and Run Tour. The recording focuses on Prince in the opening medley, starting with “Uptown” with John Blackwell’s drumming. Prince’s piano, Geneva’s dance (unique to this tour), Nazzy’s saxophone, and flute are all present. Prince, with his long hair and purple suit, isn’t flashy, but he sings while incorporating elegant dance moves. The thrill of not knowing what song will come next is captivating, from the driving guitar at the beginning of “I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man” to the sudden start of “Do Me, Baby” with Kip Blackshire’s scat singing. Even the mellow songs have a jazzy feel, and Prince’s shouts at just the right moments make it fantastic. Rhonda’s upright bass is also featured. Nazzy’s saxophone is superb on “Nothing Compares 2 U”. After an electro-tinged, eerie “Interlude,” the rock returns. John’s drum solo between “Let’s Go Crazy” and “Take Me With U” is perfectly timed. Prince plays acoustic guitar on “Raspberry Beret” and lets the audience sing along. John’s drums bounce on “Darling Nikki.” The set flows jazzily from the instrumental “Computer Blue” with Nazzy’s lovely saxophone to “The One,” a slow version of “I Would Die 4 U,” and “God (Instrumental)” featuring a saxophone solo by Nazzy, starting with a line from “Baby I’m A Star.” Then thunder rumbles, and “Purple Rain” is played solemnly, but it doesn’t end there. The drums come in and “When Will We Be Paid?” is played. Prince says there’s still time for more hits, and they play the jazzy “Pop Life.” Then, starting with a hip-hop intro sampling Prince’s music, followed by Prince’s bass solo, a funk jam, and finally “Kiss” with the audience brought onto the stage, it’s absolutely fantastic. “Gett Off” is also performed. There are some sound dropouts and digital noise in places, but it’s a good recording with Prince prominently featured. Hit N Run Tour Pyramid Arena, Memphis 24th November 2000 Disc 1 Uptown Controversy Mutiny Cream Little Red Corvette I Wanna Be Your Lover Housequake Sexy Dancer The Ballad Of Dorothy Parker – Four I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man Do Me, Baby Scandalous Diamonds And Pearls The Beautiful Ones Nothing Compares 2 U Interlude Let’s Go Crazy Take Me With U Raspberry Beret Darling Nikki Disc 2 Darling Nikki Outro When Doves Cry Computer Blue (instrumental) The One (intro) – I Would Die 4 U – Baby I’m A Star (In The True Sense Of The Word) God (instrumental) Purple Rain When Will We Be Paid? Pop Life Kiss Gett Off