Congress Theater – Chicago,IL – Monday February 27, 2006 11:59pm
By Anthony Kuzminski
The last time Prince graced Chicago with his presence, he was in the midst of reengaging his long-time fans by performing close to 100,000 people over a five nights, proving that he still had the magic to rock with the best of them. In fact, I will go on record that his 2004 Musicology trek found Prince at his prime live power with the finest backing group of musicians he ever assembled. A little over a week ago, on a very cold Chicago night, lines wrapped around five city blocks as people waited to see Princes return in a theater around 1 am. Instead of being front and center in the spotlight, Princes job was musical director and guitarist. The spotlight shined brightly on Prince’s latest protégé, Tamar (pronounced “Tay-mar”). In the past, Prince has usually picked his protégés who were heavy on sex appeal and deficient in musical talent. Does anyone really think that if not for Prince that Carmen Electra would still have men slipping dollar bills into her G-string? Because of Princes past choices, I forked over my $31.21 in the hopes of seeing Prince astound me with his axe work. However, to my astonishment, I walked away with more.
Regardless of Princes past choices, his newest protégé will sweep you off your feet with her soulful voice, sultry demeanor and magnetic stage presence. Right from the start, Tamar performed like an industry veteran. Price was to Tamars right as he let his fingers flow freely across the frets for close to two hours. One song into the show it was evident that Tamar has all the makings to be a star. She lit up the stage as she prowled across it with confidence, backed by the two twin backing singers (in schoolgirl outfits) who moved in carefully choreographed seizure-like moves. Besides running through material from Tamars new album (due later this spring) other highlights of the main set included a killer rendition of “When A Man Loves A Woman” where Tamar soared as her voice reached new heights on this R&B classic before Prince stepped out at the end for a killer guitar solo. Tamar nailed every note vocally while the crowd cheered her on. I’ve seen A-grade acts try and bring up and coming acts on tour with them only to see crowds treat them like a virus. Tonight, was not one of these nights as they embraced Tamar and did not seem disappointed that Prince was there in a support role. However, when Prince did appear in the spotlight, his guitar playing was trancelike. His playing takes me to another world as he’s arguably the most talented man to throw a six-string around his neck since the great and late Jimi Hendrix. As a musician, Prince is unmatched by anyone on this Earth and the grace and ease with which he performs leaved me in complete and total awe.
In the encore Prince, Tamar and the twins ripped through a classic pair of tunes from the Jackson family. First up was Michael’s Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough which segued right into sister Janet’s What Have You Done For Me Lately. Both songs sounded magnificent as Tamar handled lead vocal duties while Prince brought the funk. However, I found the performance to be bittersweet, as I saw an 80s Pop God shine under the lights proving he is as relevant as ever, while the person who wrote Don’t Stop has sadly drifted from the musical greatness he once possessed. Whether one loves Princes new music or not, they cannot deny that he truly loves music more than anything else. No sooner did What Have You Done For Me Lately wind down before Party man kicked into full gear to the sound of elation from the sold-out crowd. Princes Batman soundtrack from 1989 is a power-pop masterpiece. It was not meant to be a serious piece of art, but it served its purpose marvelously as it is a fun album and a misplaced classic for Tim Burton’s classic comic noir. It’s been years since Prince has recognized any of this material from the concert stage and it was a welcomed return.
When the band kicked into Play That Funky Music Prince brought about twenty fans on stage with him as they danced, sang and proved to me that there is a vibrant nightlife in Chicago on Monday nights after 2 am. By the end of the show, the Congress Theater felt more like a communal gathering rather than a concert as the band needed the crowd as much as the crowd needed the band. Two nights previously in Minneapolis, this was where the show came to an end. However, the Chicago crowd willed the band back to the stage. After a little teasing between to two they decided on a slow number off of Tamar’s album, Stay With Me Baby. However, if one thought the evening would end on a slow number like this, they would be mistaken as I Want To Take You Higher, the Sly & The Family Stone classic, brought the house down. The lights were glaring on the audience as the band tore through the number as if it would be the last song they ever perform. Prince wailed on his guitar as if there would be no tomorrow. The finale was completely off the hook and when the music finally faded most of the people felt their money was well spent for a nearly 2-hour funk and soul review by one of the greatest acts of the last quarter-century and an up and comer who held her own against this legend. It may not have been a proper Prince show, however, it was the first chapter in what is shaping up to be an extraordinary year for the purple one. Regardless of whether or not his new album (3121) and tour come close to matching his previous trek does not matter, as tonight Prince proved he can command an audience at any time as long as he has a six-string in his midst.
]]>Interview conducted May , 2018
By Daniel Locke
Nancy Wilson is celebrated as one of the seminal musicians in the history of Rock n’ Roll. A guitar virtuoso from the age of 10, Nancy, and her sister Ann, led the multi-platinum rock group, Heart. Together they have gone on to sell 35 million records. Nancy is revered as an ingenious guitar player and a gifted vocalist. As a songwriter, Nancy has co-written a collection of indelible songs that have earned their way into the classic rock canon including, “Magic Man,” “Crazy on You,” “Barracuda,” and “Straight On.”
During an era when females in rock n’ roll were scarce, Nancy helped carve out a place for women to front a band and dominate a rock stage. Her icon status was cemented when Heart was inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. That same year, she and her sister received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Wilson sisters celebrated another career milestone in 2013 when they performed Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway To Heaven” at the Kennedy Center Honors. Their note-perfect performance was met with rowdy cheers and a standing ovation in the staid hall and brought members of Led Zeppelin to tears.
Nancy has also built a successful career as a film composer. Her composing credits include scores for the following films:
2005 Elizabethtown
2001 Vanilla Sky
2000 Almost Famous
1995 Jerry Maguire (main theme)
1989 Say Anything
In 2017, Nancy stands at the starting line of exciting new co-writing/performance opportunities with her powerhouse band ROADCASE ROYALE, revitalized, as she pushes forward into a fresh artistic world.- Roadcase Royale Website
Mary J. Blige and Sarah McLachland with Ann and Nancy Wilson (credit: Dan Locke)
Unratedmagazine: What type of training did you have, to learn how to play guitar? And do you remember the first time you played in front of an audience?
Nancy Wilson: I was already a player of the ukulele and the piano and singing when I picked up the guitar – it was a natural thing to teach myself and learn by ear.
What was the first song you wrote?
The first song I wrote by myself was called Rain Song – It appears on the Live at McCabe’s CD and I was 12 years old when I wrote that.
Did you have any classical guitar training?
I did but not til later – when Heart first started touring in the mid-70s, I took some classical lessons because I was interested in it, but I didn’t have time to pursue it further because Heart’s first tour was underway, and we were just getting started and touring and figuring out scheduling on our first tour took so much time to get used to.
What were some of the key points in your musical career?
Some of the top points were the first album, “Dreamboat Annie,” being successful. Another key point was our first concert on a big stage opening for Rod Stewart in Montreal when everyone held up their lighters. Also, playing at Radio City Music Hall was a highlight for me in 1986 for the first time and then when playing at the Royal Albert Hall in 2016. Also, the Kennedy Center Honors to honor Led Zeppelin with our rendition of “Stairway to Heaven,” was an outstanding highlight.
How did you get involved with Roadcase Royale?
I met Liv Warfield backstage at the Hollywood Bowl along with Ryan Waters (our guitar player) from Prince’s New Power Generation when they opened for Heart in 2015. And the rest is Roadcase Royale history!!!
How did they get their name?
Roadcase Royale ( Credit: Jeremy Danger)
The six of us in the band think tanked a name for the band when we first started out together and we finally had to take a vote and the majority won! The image of Royale came from the Prince camp and the Roadcase came from the Heart touring with so many roadcases was a clear choice for all of us at the end of the day.
How is it to work with Liv Warfield?
It’s unbelievably fine working with Liv. I have a new sister!
I have seen you performed, many times over the years. Which song do you enjoy performing the most live?
My favorite is Mistral Wind for a rocker.
For a ballad, my favorite is Alone.
You have done composing for your ex-husband’s (Cameron Crowe) movies. Do you give him any creative input into the films?
I was always involved in working on the musical side of the film as well as the story and script side of the film because it was the type of film where the music and the story go hand in hand together.
What was the hardest song for you to master?
The hardest song for me to master has always been These Dreams. It’s complicated musically, and it’s really complicated melodically. My favorite version of this song is actually on the new Roadcase Royale album, “First Things First”. If you haven’t had a moment to check it out, please do so – it’s my absolute favorite version!
If you had to create a Supergroup who would you like to have in the band with you?
(Laughs!)
Liv Warfield on vocals – Ryan Waters on guitar – Chris Joyner on keyboards, Ben Smith on drums and Dan Rothchild on bass – who, coincidentally make up Roadcase Royale!!!! I have my supergroup!!!
Nancy Wilson (credit: Daniel Locke)
What is your favorite guitar, and did you have anything special done to it?
My favorite acoustic guitar is my signature Martin and my favorite electric guitar is my 1963 Lake Placid blue telecaster. The classic guitars are better left untouched so nothing custom on my telecaster.
Anything you would like to say in closing
]]>We’re excited to be going back out on the road this summer billed as Nancy Wilson of Heart with Roadcase Royale. We hope to see you at a show nearby and please check out roadcaseroyale.com for the forthcoming tour updates! We hope to see you at a show near you soon!
Story by By Anthony Kuzminski
The last time Prince graced Chicago with his presence, he was in the midst of reengaging his long time fans by performing close to 100,000 people over a five nights, proving that he still had the magic to rock with the best of them. In fact, Ill go on record that his 2004 Musicology trek found Prince at his prime live power with the finest backing group of musicians he ever assembled. A little over a week ago, on a very cold Chicago night, lines wrapped around five city blocks as people waited to see Princes return in a theater around 1am. Instead of being front and center in the spotlight, Princes job was musical director and guitarist. The spotlight shined brightly on Prince’s latest protégé, Tamar (pronounced “Tay-mar”). In the past, Prince has usually picked his protégés who were heavy on sex appeal and deficient in musical talent. Does anyone really think that if not for Prince that Carmen Electra would still have men slipping dollar bills into her g-string? Because of Princes past choices I forked over my $31.21 in the hopes of seeing Prince astound me with his axe work. However, to my astonishment, I walked away with more.
Regardless of Princes past choices, his newest protégé will sweep you off your feet with her soulful voice, sultry demeanor and magnetic stage presence. Right from the start Tamar performed like an industry veteran. Price was to Tamars right as he let his fingers flow freely across the frets for close to two hours. One song into the show it was evident that Tamar has all the makings to be a star. She lit up the stage as she prowled across it with confidence, backed by the two twin backing singers (in school girl outfits) who moved in carefully choreographed seizure-like moves. Besides running through material from Tamars new album (due later this spring) other highlights of the main set included a killer rendition of “When A Man Loves A Woman” where Tamar soared as her voice reached new heights on this R&B classic before Prince stepped out at the end for a killer guitar solo. Tamar nailed every note vocally while the crowd cheered her on. Ive seen A-grade acts try and bring up and coming acts on tour with them only to see crowds treat them like a virus. Tonight was not one of these nights as they embraced Tamar and did not seem disappointed that Prince was there in a support role. However, when Prince did appear in the spotlight, his guitar playing was trancelike. His playing takes me to another world as he’s arguably the most talented man to throw a six string around his neck since the great and late Jimi Hendrix. As a musician, Prince is unmatched by anyone on this Earth and the grace and ease with which he performs leaves me in complete and total awe.
In the encore Prince, Tamar and the twins ripped through a classic pair of tunes from the Jackson family. First up was Michaels Dont Stop Till You Get Enough which segued right into sister Janets What Have You Done For Me Lately. Both songs sounded magnificent as Tamar handled lead vocal duties while Prince brought the funk. However, I found the performance to be bittersweet, as I saw an 80s Pop God shine under the lights proving he is as relevant as ever, while the person who wrote Dont Stop has sadly drifted from the musical greatness he once possessed. Whether one loves Princes new music or not, they can not deny that he truly loves music more than anything else. No sooner did What Have You Done For Me Lately wind down before Partyman kicked into full gear to the sound of elation from the sold out crowd. Princes Batman soundtrack from 1989 is a power pop masterpiece. It was not meant to be a serious piece of art, but it served its purpose marvelously as it is a fun album and a misplaced classic for Tim Burtons classic comic noir. Its been years since Prince has recognized any of this material from the concert stage and it was a welcomed return.
When the band kicked into Play That Funky Music Prince brought about twenty fans on stage with him as they danced, sang and proved to me that there is a vibrant night life in Chicago on Monday nights after 2am. By the end of the show the Congress Theater felt more like a communal gathering rather than a concert as the band needed the crowd as much as the crowd needed the band. Two nights previously in Minneapolis, this was where the show came to an end. However, the Chicago crowd willed the band back to the stage. After a little teasing between to two they decided on a slow number off of Tamars album, Stay With Me Baby. However, if one thought the evening would end on a slow number like this, they would be mistaken as I Want To Take You Higher, the Sly & The Family Stone classic, brought the house down. The lights were glaring on the audience as the band tore through the number as if it would be the last song they ever perform. Prince wailed on his guitar as if there would be no tomorrow. The finale was completely off the hook and when the music finally faded most of the people felt their money was well spent for a nearly 2-hour funk and soul review by one of the greatest acts of the last quarter century and a up and comer who held her own against this legend. It may not have been a proper Prince show, however, it was the first chapter in what is shaping up to be an extraordinary year for the purple one. Regardless of whether or not his new album (3121) and tour come close to matching his previous trek does not matter, as tonight Prince proved he can command an audience at any time as long as he has a six string in his midst.
]]>Story by Anthony Kuzminski
Every spring, around the world, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ over a three-day weekend culminating with his rise from the dead on Easter Sunday. On April 10th, 2004, Holy Saturday, I witnessed a different kind of resurrection from a man who has always been a distinguished musician, yet who has been unwilling to embrace or acknowledge his past for the better part of a decade. As humans, we all too often do not acknowledge that we have a hard time coming to grips with our pasts. The key is to not dwell on the past; it’s over and done with but it is equally important not to ignore it altogether. There are always lessons to be learned which are essential to having us move forward-I believe there are no mistakes in life, only “experiences”. On a rainy spring night in the college town of Champaign, Illinois, I witnessed a man who has reached the highest highs and some of the lowest lows, he’s been to hell and back only now in 2004 is he rising like a Phoenix from the ashes. He has finally been able to come to terms with his past and in the process it has given him a new outlook on the future. I saw this man preach his word to twelve-thousand devoted followers as he delivered a performance that was beyond entrancing. The Artist formerly known once again as Prince shined like a star from the sky so big that when he belted out “Baby I’m A Star”, all twelve-thousand people could not deny his bigger than life presence (despite being only 5’2′), they took those words as gospel.
I had never seen Prince live before so I decided to catch one of the first stops of his recent tour, two hours outside of Chicago. It was worth the trip because I found myself in the fourth row right by the stage where his purple majesty would shortly begin his service. Shortly after 8pm, the time had arrived for the purpled one to take center stage. We were treated to a collage of video clips of his career, and the induction speech given by Alicia Keys at this years Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Fame. Once it was over, his band, the NPG, jammed away into the opener, “Musicology”, the title track from his new album (which is given to everyone as a free gift who attends the show). His new material, while not as revolutionary as many people say it is, is stripped back and more accessible than his jazz-funk experimentations of the last few years. “Musicology” was the perfect opener as it set the tone for the entire night. After this opening number I heard fourteen words that changed the temperature in the arena: “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called life”. From that moment on, the crowd and performer went full speed ahead into overdrive into a rigorous whirlwind that would not give up. “Let’s Go Crazy” was the first of the “Purple Rain” sequence giving the crowd a feeling just like a hit of a potent drug, except no chemicals were being sold on this college campus, the only thing stimulating people’s minds were the music penetrating our ears. “I Would Die 4 U”, “When The Doves Cry” and “Baby I’m A Star” were all played in sequence. This opening medley set the stage for what may arguably be the best tour of 2004. During these opening numbers Prince was all over the in-the-round stage and gave the fans more than they could have hoped for. It’s one thing to play your biggest hits and another to deliver them with vigor. He could have slept through these numbers as their history sell themselves, but he was out there, upfront and interacting with the crowd making them a part of the show. He recognizes the audience as an element as essential to the concert as he is.
For close to an hour, Prince worked the crowd as one massive jam led into another without any time to breathe. It included hits (“D.M.S.R”), songs from early in his career (“I Feel For You”) and monster singles (“Controversy”). The man worked the arena as if were a small club, like a man fighting for his life constantly interacting with the crowd making sure they were vivacious and vibrant like a Baptist choir. It’s as if he placed everything he owns on the “Musicology” album and tour. The first hour of this show was one of the most exhausting experiences of my life as I was drained sweaty and physically beat as he did not slow down the show for even one song. Little did I know that this was just the beginning?
As the band brought the first set to a close, Prince appeared center stage with an acoustic guitar and Mike Scott of his backing band, the NPG, off to the side. After the exhausting funk-soul jams for the first incredible sixty minutes, the audience was about to be treated to something truly miraculous. With the house lights on, Prince on a revolving chair and an acoustic guitar was about to treat us to an acoustic set, which was an epiphany. The acoustic “Little Red Corvette” is so restrained yet spellbinding you almost needed to pinch yourself to make sure you are not dreaming. He followed with the forgotten “Sometimes It Snows In April”, a gem from 1986’s “Parade” which I had never truly appreciated until this moment. “I Could Never Take The Place of Your Man” brought smiles all around as the crowd sang along to every word and giving the arena an ambience of a small club. The acoustic set showed that even pop gems can be given new life.
The infectious “7” transitioned the acoustic set into chapter two of the full funk explosion. “Sign Of the Times” followed suit as he continued to deliver a fine balance of hits and album tracks including “Let’s Work” which led into an over the top performance of “U Got The Look” which showcased Prince’s devastating guitar work. Watching him play any instrument, let alone the guitar is so riveting, that only one word comes to mind while I watch him; Hendrix. He’s a singular artist that you cannot really compare to anyone else to as talent just gushes out of his tiny 5’2′ frame. While watching him play “U Got The Look”, I felt myself transcended to another place. I now know what people felt when they saw Jimi Hendrix play the guitar. Like Hendrix, Prince is otherworldly. He must be an alien; can it be possible that any human on this earth is this good? I sat there with my eyes gaping in disbelief because of the grace and magnificence he brings to the instrument. I can guarantee you that anyone who witnesses the miracle that is Prince live will see one of the greatest living guitarists working today. This is a man who has more talent in his tiny pinky finger than most of the human race has in their entire body.
The new “Musicology” song, “Life O’ The Party” effortlessly flowed into the nostalgic set and kept the crowd on their feet and animated. The classic Sam and Dave song, “Soul Man” got a workout with lead vocals by Chance Howard, a NPG member, followed by the audience favorites “Kiss” and “Take Me With You”. During this last half hour, Prince brought a number of fans up on stage to dance as he prowled the stage conveying each and every song with great passion. He even had about twenty fans come on stage for the final few songs and one of them included a Prince look alike circa 1990, the “Graffiti Bridge” era. He climbed onto the stage showed some dance moves and caught Prince’s attention. At this moment, Prince gave the microphone to him and sang the next line to the song without missing a beat. This is one of those priceless moments that no cd or lip-synching could offer you; it justifies every cent you spent on the ticket. I know he’s promoting these shows as the “last time” he will perform these hit songs, but the man is full of paradoxes which he will not doubt break, he is performing them too vigorously to give up on them now. He finally appears to be at harmony with where Prince has been and he knows now that going forward, whether he likes it or not, his past is part of who made him who he is today. I think his internal struggle for his creative freedom, monogamous marriage, and most importantly his newly discovered faith in God has led the man and artist to a state of tranquility.
The fifteen-minute finale of “Purple Rain” was beyond beautiful; the slow driving beat, the lush melody, the vocal delivery and way the song kept building until he took the guitar and wailed on it. It’s almost as he is speaking to you and expressing every bit of emotion and passion he has ever had in his tiny body through the six-string axe. The constant singing of the crowd, which sounded like a Sunday morning choir, in the background was merely icing on the cake. As he finished his solo, he handed his guitar off and waved to the crowd as he disappeared below the stage. The evening had come full circle as everyone was leaving the arena with animated smiles on their faces because not only did they see Prince, but this is arguably the best he’s ever been. Plain and simple, live concerts don’t get much better than this. While I don’t ever feel he completely crashed and burned from an artistic standpoint, I do feel that Prince is rising from the ashes. The morning following the show, I went to Easter Mass with my family to celebrate the rising of Jesus Christ from the dead. The previous night in Champaign and every night until Prince finishes this tour, who ever goes will witness the same resurrection of the artist we once again call Prince.
Set list
- Musicology
- Let’s Go Crazy
- I Would Die 4 U
- When Doves Cry
- Baby I’m A Star
- D.M.S.R.
- I Feel For You
- Controversy
- God (instrumental)
—acoustic—
- Little Red Corvette
- After Midnight (tentative name)
- Telemarketer Blues
- On The Couch
- Sometimes It Snows In April
- I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man
- 7
- Sign O’ The Times
- The Question Of U / The One
- Let’s Work
- U Got The Look
- Life O’ The Party
- Soul Man
- Kiss
- Take Me With U
—encore—
- Purple Rain