21 Nights [Hardcover]

Prince (Author), Randee St. Nicholas (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 2008

21 Nights--a first book by Prince and celebrated photographer Randee St. Nicholas is a stunning multimedia volume offering a rare glimpse into the life, lyrics and mystique of one of the most notable and prolific musicians of our time. This beautifully designed photographic essay flows from Prince's sensational, unprecedented, record-breaking, sold-out 21 concerts in 21 Nights at London's 02 Arena in 2007. Giving insight into his dueling worlds of performance and solitude, 21 Nights incorporates Prince's evocative poetry and lyrics to new songs and other selections, and 124 full-color, sumptuous never-before-published images by Randee St. Nicholas. As part of the multi-dimensional experience, it will also include "Indigo Night," a CD--available only with the book--capturing Prince's after-hours, live after-show sessions--rare and profound moments of musical genius.

21 Nights takes the reader from the passenger seat of a limousine zipping through the streets of London to his sleeping quarters in a luxury hotel. In between we see him and his phenomenal band of musicians, singers and dancers backstage in the make up room to onstage, bathed in purple lights and a fog of gray smoke. Like a movie-in-a-book, readers are taken on his journey from London to Prague, in a style that takes glam rock to a new level.

Then there is poetry and lyrics that reveal the heart and soul of Prince--in addition to his incomparable talent. Going beyond the catchy hook, he expresses himself on everything from the destructive forces of war, greed and superficiality the life giving energy of love, beauty, and--of course--music.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. For international pop star Prince's first book, photographer St. Nicholas set up shop during the performer's 2007 sold-out 21-night stand at the O2 Center in London. In Prince's room, by the hotel elevator, backstage at the concert hall, out on the streets after-hours and on stage, St. Nicholas dazzles with one magical shot after another. Perhaps the most enigmatic and tight-lipped of modern rock stars, St. Nicholas says in her introduction that "to know him is to know that you probably will never really know him and to question that is a waste of time." Images reveal quiet joy and pronounced solitude, pensiveness and passion, like a two-shot of Prince sitting head down at his mirrored piano, eyes closed, fingers worn down by guitar strings. Though at first glance many of these images--vividly colored, dynamically framed--appear staged, this hefty, gorgeous tome is filled largely with off-the-cuff shots of the artist and his band, the New Power Generation. Accompanying photos are Prince's lyrics and poetry--he writes a lot about women and biblical lessons--as well as a 15-track CD recorded live at London's Indigo club, where he played most nights after the concert. Though the low-light restriction at times interferes with a perfect print, St. Nicholas has crafted a gorgeous, raw and honest portrait of one of the world's most elusive musicians, a worthy addition to any fan's library.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

As one of the greatest American Pop Music icons, Prince has won numerous awards including an Academy Award, Golden Globe, Brit Award, and several Grammy Awards throughout his highly successful career. Prince’s super stardom took off with his album Purple Rain (concurrent with the film of the same name in the 80s. Most recently, in 2004 with the release of his album Musicology, Pollstar named Prince the top concert draw among musicians in America. Prince's Musicology Tour was the most profitable tour in the music industry that year. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 and into the UK Hall of Fame in 2006.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Atria Books; Har/Com edition (September 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416554440
• ISBN-13: 978-1416554448
• Product Dimensions: 13.9 x 9.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (84 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #371,817 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

125 of 139 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars I'm not sure I understand....., October 1, 2008

By 

M. Perry - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 21 Nights (Hardcover)

I own everything Prince has ever released, from For You to 21 Nights, (including a lot of "other" stuff). Unfortunately, I am still a sucker for everything this man records, and rush out to buy his new music, hoping new inspiration has found the once and future king.

And while ordinarily I find it hilarious that hundreds of people rush to review a new record in the first day of its release, as if they can really absorb new music that fast, in some ways, I consider this a rehash of the past, (again due to "other" stuff).

Where to begin? Well since I primarily bought this for the music, let me start there. The recording itself is magnificent. The band is super tight, and jamming as always.

But the song selection leaves SO MUCH to be desired, I just don't understand who Prince is trying to please with this release. And while I know the other hard core fans will rush to his defense, slam this review and say that this is for the TRUE FANS, I'm here to tell you, I fit the mold of a true fan, and unfortunately this just doesn't hit the mark. Many of the jams sound great on their own, but packaged together for 77 minutes, they just wander aimlessly.

And another thing, I love that Prince tries to support other artists, but official live Prince CDs are not exactly rolling off the shelves these days. That being the case, did we really need TWO Shelby songs, a Beverly Knight song, a useless souless salsa song called Indigo Nights, and a hiliarously misguided sermon talking about how everyone wants to take his picture. He actually says it's to the point that he can't leave his house anymore. Prince, your sermon came as part of a PICTURE BOOK!!!!!!

Speaking of the picture book, there are a number of beautiful shots. But at least half of the 256 pages are useless. Shots of empty streets, shots of hotel room doors, shots of maids cleaning up, etc... Where are the shots of Prince and band playing live? Isn't this a celebration of 21 nights in London? Back to my title, I'm not sure I understand the point of this release.

I know I will get slammed by the "true" Prince fans who believe the man can do no wrong. And that's O.K. if you feel the need to stick up for your hero, go right ahead. Just know that Prince is one of my musical heroes too. But with 5 of his last 6 albums now being filled with material that is almost laughably bad, I've finally felt the need to write a review.

Prince is an absolute musical genius, and one of the most important musicians to ever grace this planet. But right now I truly believe he is his own worst enemy. Spending all that time filing law suits, taking down web sites, not communicating with the fans, and worst of all, releasing sub par material.

Prince, this sucker will continue to buy everything you release because you've earned that respect from me. I just hope you will return the respect by making your music magical once again some time soon.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Could Have Been So Much Better - What Happened?, November 2, 2008

By 

Alpha Centauri (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 21 Nights (Hardcover)

The book is very disappointing. Seems like Prince is just trying to show off his ritzy lifestyle during the 21 Nights Tour. There is very little substantive coverage of anything. I was expecting truly insightful photos and prose into the tour and/or his life. The photos are fluff. The CD has a few gems on it, but even that fails to deliver anything highly impressive. The "Whole Lotta Love" cover of Zeppelin is excellent.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars 21 NIGHTS BY PRINCE, October 2, 2008

By 

R. ATKINS - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 21 Nights (Hardcover)

I AM TRULY A PRINCE FAN. WHEN I SAW THE BOOK I IMMEDIATELY PUT IN MY ORDER, I RECEIVED THE BOOK YESTERDAY AND AM TOTALLY DISAPPOINTED. I'LL KEEP THE BOOK BECAUSE IT IS PRINCE, BUT WHO NEEDS TO SEE PICTURES OF A CITY, THAT PRETTY MUCH LOOKS LIKE ANY OTHER CITY IF TAKEN BY THE RIGHT PHOTOGRAPHER. THERE WASN'T EVEN GOOD PICTURES OF HIM. TRULY A WASTE OF MONEY..

ROBIN, NWK., NJ