14 May Prince, Stevie, Janelle, After Show, NYC, & North Sea

Sheila E., Stevie Wonder & Prince Photo: Mickey President Copyright NPG Records 2011

What a night.  Janelle Monae opening for Prince and guesting with him on stage and then……after midnight….Stevie Wonder!  The icon took center stage with Sheila E. and Prince to a funky rendition of “Superstition” to the crowd’s delight.

Stevie jammed on harmonica and did lead vocals with Prince and Sheila backing him up til Stevie wanted to play and they lead him to the keyboards as Prince played bass.  Amazing.

Ahh.. But it wasn’t over!  Shortly, after 2 a.m., Prince and Janelle Monae took over the Forum club with Shelby and the NPG.

Prince played drums over the track DJ Rashida was spinning to kick it off while the Prince’s band and Janelle’s got into place. 

Shelby was asking the crowd how are they feeling over “Can You Feel It” by the Jacksons.  “If you don’t wanna party, I’m gonna give you 2 minutes to leave” Shelby said and let them know some “Brown Skin” was going to be happening up in this place.

“Til the sun came up” was the chant Shelby started n it continued almost until that time. 

After the chant it led into, “It Takes 2” with a funky bass solo by Ida Neilson.  It continued with “Got My Mind Made Up” with Prince on the boards and singing.  Prince then went to the far end of the stage as Janelle came up with a cool hat on. 

Janelle sings “It’s like a river…love is not a fantasy…”  very heartfelt.

As Janelle gives it up for the NPG, Prince finds himself behind the boards again as the band kicks into “Stratus” then “Superstition” with Shelby J. on lead vocals.  “Brown Skin” is finally unleashed on us. 

Deacon Prince asks if sister Monae wants to say anything and she replies “I just want to say I’ve seen the light.”  Prince and Morris joke around saying “Amen” and “Hey Man” and then Prince is just cracking jokes left and right like it was about to turn into comedy hour at the Forum.

” Janelle Monae and Stevie Wonder. Stop the presses.  Tell me I am not in heaven.” is Prince’s only reply after what was just laid down.  A freestyle from George 2.0 as Janelle Monae and Shelby perform “Outstanding” with Prince smiling and having a good time.

Prince, Shelby, and Janelle leave with chants of “Til the sun came up” ringing through the club.

What a night.  Eddie Murphy, Paula Abdul, Taylor Dayne, Sanaa Hamri and others were enjoying the night.

As we were there Prince news was being told to us that we want to share:

Prince will be attending the American Ballet Theatre Gala in NY on Monday.  Prince and the NPG recently donated $250,000 to them and it is being reported that the musical directors are in meetings with Prince.  We are sure they are not talking bout what their favorite salad is!

Prince will be playing the North Sea Jazz Festival and Poland.  All other dates that have been talked about, we cannot confirm with Prince’s people.   We know we are slow to post shows outside the U.S. but until we get confirmation, we do not like to put the dates out there.  We apologize but it is better to be patient with overseas matters and get the correct information. 
Hope you understand.

Prince will be returning to Los Angeles after a week in Fresno and San Jose.  The dates that will see 21 Nights return is May 27th, 28th, and 29th, for Memorial Day Weekend. 

There is going to be more Inglewood swinging and we wonder if any more club shows like what happened at the Troubadour this past week.  A Doctor can only hope.-Dr.FB

Diagnosis:  Was I really on stage tonight?

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