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Meanwhile, his royal majesty, who turns 53 in June, dazzled that audience with a career-spanning set that never seemed to end.
The stage was shaped like Prince's trademark glyph, and it was there that he seemed to hold royal court -- whipping the audience into a fevered frenzy with classics such as 'Controversy,' '1999,' 'When Doves Cry,' 'Purple Rain,' 'Kiss' and 'Sign of the Times.' While the days of yore are long gone -- when he used to do countless splits throughout his concerts -- Prince proved to be an ultimate showman, even taking on ferocious power ballads such as 'The Beautiful Ones,' 'Nothing Compares 2 U' (with background singer Shelby J) and 'Adore.' He teased and titillated with shortened versions of rare faves like 'If I was Your Girlfriend,' 'Pop Life,' 'Raspberry Beret' and Sheila E's 'Love Bizarre.'
Prince Takes New York, February 7, 2011
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 07: (Exclusive Coverage) Misty Copeland and Prince perform during his "Welcome 2 America" tour at Madison Square Garden on February 7, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
Prince Takes New York, February 7, 2011
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 07: (Exclusive Coverage) Prince performs during his "Welcome 2 America" tour at Madison Square Garden on February 7, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
Prince Takes New York, February 7, 2011
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 07: (Exclusive Coverage) Prince performs during his "Welcome 2 America" tour at Madison Square Garden on February 7, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
Prince Takes New York, February 7, 2011
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 07: (Exclusive Coverage) Prince performs during his "Welcome 2 America" tour at Madison Square Garden on February 7, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
Prince Takes New York, February 7, 2011
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 07: (Exclusive Coverage) Cee Lo Green opens for Prince during his "Welcome 2 America" tour at Madison Square Garden on February 7, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
Prince Takes New York, February 7, 2011
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 07: (Exclusive Coverage) Chris Rock on stage during Prince's "Welcome 2 America" tour at Madison Square Garden on February 7, 2011 in New York City. (Kevin Mazur/WireImage for NPG Records 2011)
Prince Takes New York, February 7, 2011
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 07: (Exclusive Coverage) Reverend Al Sharpton watches Prince perform during his "Welcome 2 America" tour at Madison Square Garden on February 7, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
Prince Takes New York, February 7, 2011
(EXCLUSIVE, Premium Rates Apply) (Exclusive Coverage) Kris Humphries and Kim Kardashian watch Prince perform during his "Welcome 2 America" tour at Madison Square Garden on February 7, 2011 in New York City. (Kevin Mazur/WireImage for NPG Records 2011)
Comments: (21)
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By: Ken on 2/08/2011 1:42PM
I am a 30-year fan, and think that this was the best show I have ever seen. He reworked the arrangements of several songs in ways I have never heard before, and just kept bringing it to the stage with the level of mastery of his art that has kept me in his corner throughout his career.
I also appreciated the fact that he is making a point to expose his audience to art genres like jazz and ballet that they might not otherwise get to experience.
As he said, it was a night of 'Real Music by Real Musicians.' So rare to find today, and especially so rare to find executed with a standard of perfection that is light years ahead of what passes for music and entertainment for most people.
Dude, you're still #1.
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By: Just on 2/08/2011 1:21PM
Prince is one of the best performer I've seen (four times) live on stage. This was a great show! A REAL artist with REAL music. He looks great, sounds great, his band and singers were awesome!
Cee Lo was a nice surprise. I want to get a cd by him but I'm afraid he is gonna break out a rap song somewhere on the track (I hate rap music)
I can't wait for Prince and Alvin Ailey to return to NYC. They are performing artists which do not disappoint!
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By: ADMR on 2/08/2011 1:53PM
WOW
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By: BigBlackRod on 2/08/2011 2:50PM
You ain't NEVER heard nothing untoward about Prince. What you are dealing with are your OWN issues with this man's appearance. When folks just hate others for no reason, it's usually because they secretly desire that person. Admit it, and take a load off yourself...PEACE.
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By: fashionedbygod33 on 2/08/2011 4:02PM
UUB140, you have problems. Rock on Prince!!!
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By: esotericicesq on 2/09/2011 1:26AM
Prince is hands down the greatest entertainer I have ever seen. Amazing artist, amazing performer. I have been going to concerts regularly since I was a kid, seen many people across many genres, and no one has ever put on a better show.
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By: Crystal on 2/09/2011 1:13PM
This was my first concert and since I absolutely love Prince, it did not disappoint. He puts on an awesome show. Real musicians, real singers is so rare these days and if it is at all possible - I think I love/adore him even more now!!!!!
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By: Summer on 2/09/2011 2:35PM
I really enjoyed the concert @ MSG the other night. Prince is bad.... I've been a fan since I was a kid. He's definitely a REAL musician/artist & I ADORE him for that!!!!
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By: Renee on 2/09/2011 4:30PM
I love Prince. I am an 80's baby and Purple Rain is my absolute Favorite movie!!! I still remember dancing around my house to my daddy's Purple Rain album which we still own until this day.
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By: Deborah on 2/09/2011 8:37PM
I am LOL at the fact that I went to see Prince at MSG in the 80's when my daughters were babie's, while my mom babysat and me and my younger sister's had a ball, (and I left my husband at home), and they just went to see Prince at MSG with their boyfriends why I stayed home! LOL! My daughter's said he was the bomb and a consumate performer! Two generations of Prince fans!
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