Prince and the NPG played an hour long instrumental set Monday (August 18) at B.B. Kings Blues Club in Los Angeles, following a screening of the artist’s DVD, Prince Live At The Aladin Las Vegas, released Tuesday (August 19) on NPG Music Club/Hip-O Records.
Taking the stage at 10:30 p.m., dressed in a purple double-breasted suit and white shirt, the rock-fueled R&B act didn’t say a word to the crowd as he and his band ripped through a funk heavy jam session including few of his staple hits. However, when the band played a New Orleans inspired version of “When The Saints Go Marching In,” the animated audience sang the lyrics.
The preview of 80-minute DVD began at 8 p.m. at the Loews Cineplex Odeon Universal Citywalk. Joined by Sheila E., Maceo Parker, and Nikka Costa, Prince and the NPG didn’t perform his massive pop hits of the ’80s, “Little Red Corvette,” “When Doves Cry,” or “Let’s Go Crazy.” Instead the set list included the likes of newer lesser-known tracks, plus mid-’80s picks, “Pop Life,” “Take Me With U,” “Sometimes It Snows In April,” and “Strange Relationships,” from his albums, Around The World In A Day, Purple Reign, Parade, and Sign O’ The Times.
Prince also included surprise covers of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love,” as well as the JB’s “Pass The Peas” and Nikka Costa’s “Push & Pull.” Parker and Costa joined Prince and the NPG for their respective tracks.
Some 150 NPG Music Club contest winners attended both the screening and exclusive performance. Longtime Prince supporters, Morris Day, Costa, and No Doubt member Tony Kanal, attended the festivities, but did not join Prince on stage.