21 Nights (Hardcover)

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

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.

Product Description
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.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Atria Books; Har/Com edition (September 9, 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: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (67 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #27,172 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

71 of 82 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)

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 releases, 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 release 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" releases).

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 release 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 releases 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.

6 of 6 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

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.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Why do all the critics hate u in america?, October 8, 2008

By	C. Gregory "Simplexity" (Cincinnati, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

First I'd like to say, yes I have listened to bootlegs of live shows of his. Yes they were great and in some ways, except for total sound quality they were better. However, being someone who was not able to attend the shows in london I'd have to say I love the chance to get a glimpse into what was going on. Granted, I too think that including the tracks by other artists does take away from the disc. I mean who really wants to hear others when they buy a cd to hear their artist live? That aside though I do not see this cd as something that could be considered a proper release. Meaning, I believe, as some have said that this was simply an add on to the book, kinda mood music while looking through the pics. While some of the songs are great and complete, the addition of other artists makes me believe this was almost a musical appetizer to go with the book. I do not understand the inclusion of all the pictures that are not of prince and the band, but i can appreciate the pics of the twins/maid. I mean come on they are very nice to look at LOL. But I do believe this wasn't intended to be a photo album of prince, I believe it was to capture moments in time on the journey of 21 nights. Kind of a way to show you what prince sees as he travels to perform. I definitely would have loved to see more on-stage type pictures too, but this is more a photo essay, so if some pictures seem staged, as someone said, that is because it's intended to be, it's not impromptu, it's not spontaneous. It's beautiful photography, done in such a way as to capture a gig, one that lasted 21 nights. So when people are overly critical, I only have to ask what were you expecting? It is what it is. A Beautifully bound timepiece that also includes a musical interlude from something we were not fortunate enough to attend. While I believe it wasn't a proper album as it was not intended to be an album release, but a book companion piece, I still believe overall the album rocks. And, even though, there has not been an official live release either on cd or dvd that actually does capture the magic of probably the greatest live showman on the face of the earth, it still fares far better than most, if not all of his contemporaries. In rock, the king is dead, but the prince shall reign forever. as long as there are people who like their music to be real, then prince will always have an audience. Besides amazon's price along with the free shipping can't be beat. I totally reccomend buying it from amazon if you can, they have the best price and I got my copy pretty fast even though shipping was free. So enjoy the music, glance at the pics and blow the twins a kiss or two this book is definitely worth the price. And a must have for all true fans (remember even those who found it disappointed still bought it, so true fans, will always have his back hit or miss.And they will probably buy whatever he puts out next, even if he sings out every name of the phonebook accompanied by acoustic guitar, and if that isn't a testimony to his talents, then I don't know what is.