Prince and the Revolution LIVE!

A few years ago, I went into a video store, and like I always do, I checked out the music videos. Upon seeing this title, I said to myself, " hey, I like Prince, let me get this." So I get home, and pop in the tape..and it starts to roll, and I see, "on march 30th, 198five, the world witnessed Prince and the revolution". I start thinking to myself...hmmmmm, that date sounds familiar...OH MY GOD, I JUST BOUGHT A TAPE OF A CONCERT I WAS AT LIVE!. I must say that in 1985, I was not a big Prince fan, but the girl I was seeing at the time was, so I figured, what the hell, I will take her. I came away a fan. The show was energetic, great music, great showmanship etc and now I own every Prince recording. The relationship with the woman didn't last, but my admiration for Prince remains. Now I show my girlfriend the tape and say " hey, I was there" and I show her the ticket stub. No, I can't see myself in the video since my seats were obstructed view. Hey, maybe thats why my relationship at the concert didn't last lol. Shoulda sprung for better seats, but I was just a young college student at the time.

Watch this slowly become my most-watched movie of 2022, or maybe even my most-watched movie of all time, eventually.

Because this is as good as live concerts get. Prince plays all the songs from Purple Rain, which is among the best albums of all time. Often, the songs here sound even better live. The 19-minute version of the title track has to be seen/heard to be believed. Most of the non-Purple Rain songs are great, too.

Even the lesser songs here are still fun, thanks to Prince's energy and stage presence.

Two years later he'd release Sign O The Times, which was a double album every bit as classic as Purple Rain (and which also has a great concert film).

The 1980s belonged to Prince; I don't know if any other solo artist was on fire in that decade as much as he was.

I just watched my BluRay copy that I got for Christmas. Purple Rain is, imo, Prince's greatest musical achievement.

This isn't a criticism of the performance in any way, but an observation of the video production alone.

What I wouldn't give to have some better lights in this place. The entire affair is so dimly lit that it's a testament to the music that we still hang on until the end. How in the world isn't there a spotlight following Prince everywhere he goes on that stage? And Prince goes nearly EVERYWHERE in near total darkness.

The house of mirrors effect used during the entirety of "When Doves Cry" is tiresome. Thankfully it's only for that track alone, which is still a shame because it's one of his greatest hits and you find yourself looking elsewhere during the whole song just to save your eyes.

I think the house lights went on once the entire show, which is a bummer because that crowd deserved to be highlighted a bit more.

All 8 stars in my rating are for that incredible band and the genius leading them.

I had the pleasure of sending the concert to Europe that night but not after a lot of aggravation trying to get the audio correct! During a few minute break was sitting in the audience listening to the purple one doing sound check...I did not realize that the lovely lady who was sitting next to me was Sheila E! She was just a pleasure to chat with for a few minutes. The lady could really put on a show.

My co-worker had time for dinner with the members of the Revolution and said they all were great folks who just enjoyed what they did. Sadly I have lost my original recording of the concert with some early footage. A lot of comments that were made would have had to be edited out for any playing if you were not there! Was an experience that I did enjoy!

A remastered version, here is Prince and his band the Revolution in concert after their breakthrough in 1984.

Buoyed by the success of the movie Purple Rain which got Prince an Oscar for best song.

He quickly rivalled Michael Jackson, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen in musical terms by 1985.

This is an opportunity to see Prince in his purple regency period. Fans would later discover that Prince had the chameleon like ability to change colour schemes, looks and bands.

It opens with Let's Go Crazy, moves to older hits 1999 and Little Red Corvette. From then on the emphasis is on the Purple Rain album as the concert ends with the title track.

It is a showcase of Prince the writer, performer, musician and dancer. He really wanted to show the world he could walk the walk and talk the talk.

In retrospect, I did squirm when I saw him dance. Like Michael Jackson his joints paid a price for it in later life.

The concert movie is a celebration of his breakthrough period. A historical record of one of the most influential artists of the last two decades of the twentieth century.