Customer Reviews

Prince- Rave un2 The Year 2000

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Prince's "Rave un2 the year 2000" is something of a surprise for many. On the eve of the millenial new year, Prince decided that a new year's eve concert as a pay-per-view event was a good idea. Many didn't think so. At first it was named after that year's lackluster album "Rave un2 the joy fantastic" which didn't show Prince's full musical genius to a cynical public who thought him to be a product of the 80's (how wrong they are) and to make matters worse, the concert was marketed as the last concert to ever feature a live performance of the song "1999" !. All that aside, one thing is proven after watching this concert, Prince was, is and always will be a musical force to be reckoned with. From his truly individual musical style, to his unparalled ability in instrumentation (anything from guitar, keyboards, drums to even Harp!), this man was created for music and in this concert it shows. From the opening moments with a blazing guitar solo on "Let's go crazy" to a truly rocking version of "She's always in my hair" to a blues medley that is nothing short of amazing to even a funky version of "Higher" to numerous other gems, this is what all concerts should be: raw, adrenalin-rushing music performed by a man whose eneregy and love for what he does shows in every single minute of this concert and supported by a band that couldn't be any tighter (just wait for Maceo Parker's entrance !). Directed with pure energey and featuring moments of musicianship that would make even the harshest critic acknowledge the undeniable, this is Prince at his best, pure and simple.

This show was aired as a pay per view event onn New Years Eve 1999. The Artist and friends including guests Lenny Kravitz, George Clinton, Larry Graham, NPG, The Sound of Blackness Choir, Morris Day and the Time pull out all the stops for what was billed as the party of the century. This show will please long time fans and new fans alike. The Artist now know as Prince plays all the old favourites (Purple Rain, Kiss, Gett Off) and introduces some great new tunes from his Rave unto the joy fantastic cd. An excellent live performance by Prince and all his guest performers!

I used to be a fairly hard-core Prince fan (yes, FAN, not FRIEND). Over the last ten years, I gradually lost a lot of faith in him as an artist. As someone who has listened closely to his output during the '90s, I feel he has become extremely erratic. Who knows what he'll do next-- I believe he has it in him to produce some of his best work. But if he follows the pattern established in the '90s, this new decade may prove to be very dissapointing...

All that said, you can hardly go wrong with Prince performing live in concert. The man is a dynamo on-stage. This DVD is one of the most entertaining things he's released in years. It's almost two hours long with many highlights: I like the two numbers he does with Lenny Kravitz-- just when you thought you'd heard "Fly Away" a hundred times too many, wait till you hear this version. Also, Morris Day and The Time do two numbers-- I've seen The Time in concert recently; they're basically a nostalgia act at this point, but they are FUNKY.

There are a few bonus features here-- the best of which are the "Bonus Groovez" one of which features George Clinton performing "Flashlight". Also of note is a selection of interview segments with key performers.

On a sour note... and don't get me wrong about this... Prince gets a little preachy at times during the show. Prince has always incorporated sprituality in his music-- I myself am not a religious person, but I was never bothered by the spiritual side of Prince. It was always very natural and heartfelt. Here in this concert, "Purple Rain" and "The Christ" get a little heavy-handed with the overt preaching. This may not be an issue for some, but for me it was a bit irritating and kind of took away from the 'party' vibe.

To me, until recently Prince's prodigious musical talents have increasingly been obscured by a tiresome string of marketing ploys that go back to the early stages of his career. Among the examples: the name changes, the CRYSTAL BALL mail-order fiasco, a string of questionable talent/image (Vanity, Apollonia) or miscast talent/image (Sheila E, Sheena Easton) female proteges, a short-lived record label, and a horde of album releases (including many studio outtakes). It seems like the CD-buying public has grown so tired of the hype that they've turned away from even his better recent albums.

On RAVE UN2 THE YEAR 2000 Prince seems to have taken a forward step by dumping the excess baggage and turning our focus back to his musical skills. A lot of music fans who have drifted away in recent years may want to climb back on board here with this highly entertaining, fast-paced video (the DVD sounds and looks great, and has bonus features). Buoyed by fresh performances of mostly his most popular tunes (particularly from the album PURPLE RAIN), Prince seems more than ever like an rejuvenated musical Artist. Furthermore, he is gracious in his turning the stage over to an impressive list of guest stars, and at times pulls out a few musical surprises (for one, the blues medley will turn a lot of heads).

Also, his visual perspective seems to have grown from lust to love: instead of pseudo-porn stage scenes, he brings out a gospel choir (for the song THE CHRIST aka THE CROSS). No vanity...in more ways than one! Which isn't to say Prince has eliminated sexuality from his show...it's just considerably more ready for prime-time than previously. In fact, everything but the vitality of the music itself seems quite conservative in nature, and for once that's a relief (in an era where the negative messages of some pop music have come under fire even by free-speech proponents).

For those of you who think that Prince and his peers' best musical moments are behind them, I suppose this concert could be used as an argument in favor of that assessment, given that only two of the twenty-plus songs are recent. Yet one of the new songs (GREATEST ROMANCE) compares favorably with his classic repetoire, leaving open the probability that there's more great music to come. As for the oldies, Prince still has some inspiration to give to tunes that he has probably played hundreds of times. It's a pleasure to see him focusing on the music, while foregoing most of the visual teases of the past. Additionally, for long periods this concert recaptures the electricity of vintage funk, in a manner more vital than nostalgic. Larry Graham is in top form on bass, and takes center stage for several Sly and Graham Central Station classics, joined by fellow Family Stone members (but not Sly himself). Lenny Kravitz fits right in, as do Rosie Gaines, Maceo Parker, and of course Morris Day & The Time. Yes, the video parties more like it's 1984 than 1999. Yet I find that I'm replaying it quite often...and for the first time in years looking forward to hearing what Prince has in store for us next.

I was fortunate to view this pay-per-view event one week after its original premier, and I was blown away! This was Prince at his unbelievable best with a crack multi-piece band that pulled out all the stops! I was immediately intrigued by the pre-concert interview footage that was included - it was a great way to set up the concert.

Then the concert began with a bang, with Prince running out to start the show off with one of his world-famous take-no-prisoners opening medleys. Here he played probably the most incredible rock guitar I've ever heard him play, with several solos that floored me, as if I wasn't busy enough gettin' my groove on! The 'thump-off' with Larry Graham was great as well!

If he wasn't playing the guitar, then he was putting out incredible vocals, singing along with his guests, or playing the drums, and doing it all so well. His message about conquering time and Jesus were very inspirational and they made a lot more sense this time around.

I will definitely be dropping this video into my player the minute I get it! This concert changed my life for the better and I am ever so glad that it did!

I consider myself a pretty hardcore Prince fan. Musically the man is a genius, which he proves on this video. As always, he puts on a hell of a show. And, in this one he gets back to tearing up the guitar like few people can.
Then, why three stars? Don't get me wrong, religion is a great thing to have, but I didn't get this video so I could have a tent revival in my living room. Prince never struck me as the kind of person who followed orders, so I find it a bit absurd that he should be preaching now. I still love the music, and I'm still awed by his work. But, I have a slightly hard time combining the religious fanaticism I see here with the the man who trampled over every sexual boundary and taboo he could find.
It's worth having for the music no matter what. But, if you're not a particularly religious person, be forewarned, and be ready to fast forward.

Throughout his career, The Man has demonstrated time and again that he is not only the greatest multi-instrument talented musician living today, but he is also one of the greatest stage performers of his generation. This DVD allows fams like myself, who have never been able to see him live, to get a taste of The Man on stage. Bouncing from instrument to instrument, and showing that his amazing voice is as vibrant and striking as ever, Prince serves up a full plate of funk, rock, R&B, blues, hip-hop, and even a dash of techno. What you are seeing on this disc is not a pay-per view special so much as it is a concert that Prince felt like putting on television. I was also thankful for the guestspots granted to Lenny Kravitz, Maceo Parker, and the bonus track that features George Clinton doin' his thang. Also interesting is the addition of Kip Blackshire to the NPG. Check out his skills on "Higher" and "1999." That brothers got some pipes on him. All told a spectacular event, this DVD is a must have for any fams of Prince and the NPG.

PEACE AND B WYLD

This DVD is the bomb! Why? Prince puts on a show. From Morris Day and the Time- (a Must see) to the Lenny Kravitz and Prince Jam session. True Prince fans will love seeing his energy and creativity.

Prince is a real performer who puts his heart and soul in every dance move and song.

As for the spirituality aspect, I loved to see that side of him.
The song he sang was powerful and heartfelt.

Get the DVD. You won't be disappointed!

Intimate, Small, Open, Pure, and Funky!

There isn't a better live performer on earth today at the age of 47 other than the Artist!

Prince is at his best live and this concert, performed on the last night of 1999 was truly one of his best live performances.

He opens with Purple Rain's "Let's Go Crazy (B-side "She's Always in My Hair) and closes with the theme of the night... the last time Prince ever performed "1999" live.... (I mean why should he? We will no longer be witnesses to the year 1999, only relive the memories of this incredible year.)

Without a doubt Rave Un2 The Year 2000 was a great concert, one that should be up there with the best live shows ever.

Really enjoyed watching this DVD! Prince is quite a performer and this DVD brings you up close and personal with the dynamic artist.
LOVED IT!!!
I still would prefer less talk, interviews and documentary and MORE LIVE PERFORMANCES!!!