Tinseltown was treated to a second night of purple funk last night when Prince turned up to the intimate Sayers Club again, two nights after his surprise after jam at the club following his appearance on US talk show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, on Tuesday.
Prince at Rod Laver Arena PHOTO CREDIT: NPG Records
Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart were amongst the stars in attendance this time and, according to music blogger Dr Funkenberry, were making the most of the fact that everyone had to check their mobile phones at the door, showing each other a lot of affection throughout the night.
At one point dubbing his band TMP, “Too Many People”, Prince was band leader to well over a dozen musicians, including an 11 piece horn section. Sayers has a capacity of around 200 people, making for an intimate audience for the 90 minute set that wrapped up around 2am.
LA Weekly reported that Prince let his protégé, Andy Allo, open the show with “People Pleaser”, the first single off her upcoming album, “Superconductor”, while he played guitar at the back.
Then it was time for him to play his own latest single, “Rock and Roll Love Affair”, which, despite entering the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart at #22 on radio airplay alone earlier this month in the US, is currently scheduled for a Europe-only release on digital, CD and vinyl by Swiss label Purple Music on November 16.
Prince also played this track for Jimmy Kimmel’s audience.
The biggest news of the night for veteran Prince fans was when he invited bassist (and one-time band member) André Cymone to jam with him on The Dance Electric, a Prince-penned song which André released on his third solo album, A.C., in 1985, having left Prince’s band in 1981.
So, with three appearances in a week, a single due for release by him next month along with an album by his protégé, not to mention the fact that today marks the 30th anniversary of his extremely successful album, “1999”, one has to wonder what the Purple One has up his designer sleeves for us next.
