Review: The Prince Of Monaco

Monaco Prince Poster.

Monaco Prince Poster.

Prince Of Monaco

At first look, the seating arrangements and standard of dress left one wondering whether concertgoers would know they were about to get hit by the groove train, or if they would sit through it all as if in a chichi, Muzak-infused dining car/banquet hall. Thankfully everyone, even dressed to the nines, tens and elevens, was aboard for the musical melange from the moment Prince and the band (Renato Neto, Rhonda Smith, John Blackwell, Morris Hayes and harmonicist Frederic Yonnet) set in motion.

Prince took (or more accurately owned) the stage in a purple and gold ensemble befitting of (musical) royalty at this black-tie affair, showing concertgoers what a Prince in Monaco can do — tear things up, avec joie et grace! He started the show off with Purple Rain, much to our surprise, and from there moved on to When Eye Lay My Hands on U and a steamy, slowed-down version of Little Red Corvette that’s sure to become a favorite.

A mirror ball dropped down for the opening notes of Somewhere Here on Earth, creating a mood well-suited to the room. After that the band rocked things out a bit on Cream, with Yonnet jumping in on the action. Miss You (the Stones classic) turned into a singalong, dancealong funky jam, with Yonnet soloing through Prince’s mic. The crowd ate it up.

Later in the set they romped through 1999, turning the hall into dance club once again. Prince guided them through a an extended improvised version of Controversy, working the crowd with Housequake callouts and playful chants about Monaco.

For the dinner party’s encore, of course came the dessert, the jam not to be topped this night, la vie du partie — A Love Bizarre. By the end of the song, many well-heeled folks were onstage, getting their groove on. As if the jam wasn’t funky enough on its own, Prince and the band broke it down to just the beat and dropped in some licks from Love Rollercoaster, whipped in a little Sexy Dancer and added a dash vocals from Dance 4 Me. Cool Whip couldn’t top this!

Nothing Compares 2 U closed out the night, many of the dancers still onstage circling Prince as he crooned his much-loved classic. This has been a night and a week those in Monte Carlo will not soon forget. Even with the summer music festival drawing near it’s close, event staff enjoyed this as if they’d never been to a concert. Perhaps they’d experienced their Prince in Monaco many times, but never like this. Bon nuit!

(Thanks to the no-name reporter.-Dr.FB)

Comments

comments

32 Comments
  • justmemuchlove
    Posted at 01:45h, 21 August

    (cough) Almost spilled my coffee over here.
    So.. I would really like to see these shows, man. Oh well maybe one day. 😉

  • foreverpimpin
    Posted at 23:18h, 20 August

    Lightmyfire could be any anonymous bootie call that Prince tries to keep on the low low or it could be his past present future main chicks like Mayte, Mani, Bria, Vanity, Carmen, Nona, Sheila who know how his game works. I knew a couple chicks who messed with him (no details) so i felt i needed to speak on it. His rep is well known but maybe he changed? I agree w lightmyfire, Prince should get his personal life together if he is still rolling like that. He is rippin it on the stage and thats what i care about most cause i dont know the dude! Good luck Prince with everything man. God Bless

  • NOCONTROL
    Posted at 12:30h, 19 August

    ^^ Get over it Bria

  • lightmyfire
    Posted at 18:28h, 18 August

    Prince is too selfish to be in a real relationship. He loves playin music, playin women and is about to get kicked to the curb by the JW’s #1, for humpin hoes in different area codes and thinking nobody will find out. He aint no Christian so he should quit pretending IMHO Prince should get his act together in his personal life like he does on the stage!

  • Links (1. August 2009 - 18. August 2009) | Testspiel.de
    Posted at 08:01h, 18 August

    […] Review: The Prince Of Monaco […]

  • violetsareblue
    Posted at 04:40h, 18 August

    Just like Prince, that poster IS the business.

  • Yeas
    Posted at 03:18h, 18 August

    @playdatetang:
    Yep. He was there with someone else

  • twinkly1
    Posted at 00:36h, 18 August

    Nice review.

  • playdatethang
    Posted at 23:04h, 17 August

    Loox like his girl Bria Valente is back on the market. YES!

  • Musgrave
    Posted at 21:54h, 17 August

    BLU-RAY! BLUE-RAY! —- That would be to much —-

    Musgrave – Chicago

  • maddladd
    Posted at 19:35h, 17 August

    can we finally get a dvd, please MR. Prince? apparently u are tearin’ shit up overseas, get it out, put it on Blu Ray and let us all rock the funk out

  • justmemuchlove
    Posted at 13:58h, 17 August

    So …..(shake’s head) Ehum.. If ever I can get a poster like this one. I’ll get me one.
    Thanks again for the updates Doc.

  • Sbacon1999
    Posted at 13:37h, 17 August

    Oof, that was kind of painful to read. DrF, I think that no-name reporter should keep his/her day job and just give you the facts so you can write it up without all the hyperbole and bad French.

    I hope everyone had a great time at the show!

  • nancy b
    Posted at 13:15h, 17 August

    Love the Prince poster. Thanks for all the Prince updates!!

  • LexAve456
    Posted at 10:55h, 17 August

    Man that show sounds like it was HOT! I so wish I was there. I want Prince to work his magic on us here in the States!!!

  • Lovenharmony
    Posted at 10:24h, 17 August

    Great review! Hopefully he releases an offcial DVD or Cd of this show 🙂 Sounds like it was a great concert!

  • maggiegurl
    Posted at 10:09h, 17 August

    knew it would be sooo killer…..thanks for the report and set lists…. looooove the artwork on this poster – would buy one if they become available in the states….thanks!!

  • Sexy Dance | All Days Long
    Posted at 09:48h, 17 August

    […] Review: The Prince Of Monaco By drfunkenberry As if the jam wasn't funky enough on its own, Prince and the band broke it down to just the beat and dropped in some licks from Love Rollercoaster, whipped in a little Sexy Dancer and added a dash vocals from Dance 4 Me. … Drfunkenberry.com – http://www.drfunkenberry.com/ […]

  • BLR
    Posted at 09:30h, 17 August

    No-name reporter, don’t use french words if you don’t know how to speak french properly. “la vie du partie” just means NOTHING. Maybe it’s cool and hype to insert french words in a report over there, but that just reflect how ignorant you are to us french people.

    Pfff, such a lame report anyway.
    Here’s the REAL setlist:

    Start : 23:04
    Stop : 00:42
    Duration : 1h38
    Encore : 00:18 to 00:24

    Musicians :
    Prince (guitar, vox), John Blackwell (Drums), Rhonda Smith (Bass), Renato Neto (Synths).

    Additional musicians:
    Morris Hayes (synths), Fred Yonnet (Harmonica)

    Music streamed on PA :
    Dance 4 Me (remix)

    Setlist :
    01. Purple Rain
    02. When I Lay My Hands On U
    03. Little Red Corvette (without “slow down” chants)
    04. Somewhere Here On Earth
    05. Cream
    06. Miss You (Rolling Stones cover), feat F. Yonnet
    07. Shhh
    08. All Shook Up (Elvis Presley cover)
    09. Peach, feat F. Yonnet
    10. I Love U But I Don’t Trust U Anymore
    11. 1999
    12. Controversy feat. “Housequake” chant, “Monaco” chant, feat F. Yonnet

    Encore
    13. A Love Bizarre (feat. Love Rollercoaster – Ohio Players cover)
    14. Sexy Dancer (feat. Dance 4 Me lyrics)
    15. Nothing Compares 2 U

  • beautifuluv
    Posted at 07:29h, 17 August

    Thx 4 the report. Wish I’d been there. Sounds like it was a fantastic show.

  • Controversy12
    Posted at 07:18h, 17 August

    Thanks to the no-name reporter and Dr. Funkenberry for posting.

    Hey Doc do you know if any footage (video or audio) from this show will be posted at http://www.Lotusflow3r.com ?

  • justmemuchlove
    Posted at 06:55h, 17 August

    Yay :). I loooooove the poster. Thanks for the review. Wish I was there. Thanks Dr. FB

  • ertccty
    Posted at 04:21h, 17 August

    He did my favorite Stones tune!I am sure that it was fabulous!Thank-you for the news. 🙂

  • Mirri
    Posted at 04:12h, 17 August

    WOW thanx 4 the report..it’s been 2 years since i’ve seen Prince in concert..I miss Prince

    Peace and <3

  • funkteer
    Posted at 03:34h, 17 August

    Thanks for the report. It sounds like everyone had a great time. I wish I was there.

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