Prince (1958-2016)

"Rumour in Nice-Matin suggested Prince had wanted to be part of the Jazz at Juan Festival which was celebrating its 50th Year Anniversary since its beginning in Antibes in 1960, and this was the closest he could get.
 

Starting with Sidney Bechet and followed by Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie and many others this has been one of the greatest jazz events in history and its no surprise that someone as intimately connected to the traditions of his music as Prince should want to pay tribute by participating. He managed on the night to do a good deal more than that, opening with Purple Rain he stormed through Let’s Go Crazy! Part 1 into Delirious then Let’s Go Crazy! Part 2 and followed that with 1999. I danced for two hours.

I’d been listening to Sam Cooke live at the Harlem Square Club in Miami in 1963. He had the gospel feel and fervour that he had when he was in the Soul Stirrers, but of course by 1963 he was also a musician of the flesh. "Don’t fight it… feel it. Don’t fight it… feel it!" he called to the crowd, and to himself. The contradiction between doing God’s work and the Devil’s work runs right through the music coming directly from the blues and gospel dichotomy. It runs through Prince’s music to, and the atmosphere at the gig was as close to the Harlem Sq Club as a stadium show could be. "Dearly beloved we are gathered"… I had seen Prince play a club date in Camden Town in the ’80’s, an aftershow party following a Wembley Arena concert at which he went on at 1.30 and by 4.30 was into an extended version of The Temptation’s Just My Imagination. Prince’s knowledge, respect and command of his music tradition showed in Nice.

Just as Bob Dylan’s "Theme Time Radio show" demonstrated the enormous depth of knowledge and the inspiration he can draw from, so Prince’s love of jazz, gospel, funk, r&b, rock and soul shines through his music, as his encores after Little Red Corvette and Kiss showed, including songs from the Jackson 5, Everday People and I Wanna Take You Higherfrom Sly & The Family Stone and finally Dance (Disco Heat) by Sylvester. Actually Bob Dylan who is reportedly unhappy with video screens could take a tip from Prince’s brilliant use of video technology. He had screen behind the stage so we watched the close-up through the live band and stage lighting which meant it was able to intensify the visuals rather than distract.

We read a lot about the "strangeness" of Prince’s life. Just recently he has been criticised for "giving his new album away" and casting doubts on the internet. It’s always interesting with him, remember the Prince merchandising shop in Camden market? In Nice he checked out of his hotel because the decor offended him, probably correctly. Does any of this obscure his place amongst the greats of music? No. He has listened carefully and has with courage and dedication forged a unique contribution to music, and earned his place, not just amongst the stars, but amongst the legends. Salut!" www.dougdarcy.com