Publication: Honolulu Star-Bulletin [US]
Date: February 17, 1997
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Title: "The Artist Formerly Known As Prince Posed, Postured And Worked The Crowd With Wry Wit"
Reviewed By: Kathryn Bender

Purple Rain was a nod to the music of his four movies ("Under The Cherry Moon," Sign O' The Times, and "Graffiti Bridge" were the other three). A tantalizing hint of Scandalous was a brief acknowledgement of the brilliant suite of songs he crafted for "Batman."

On the other hand, he chose to omit his current unimpressive remake of Betcha By Golly Wow as well, so it wasn't all bad.

At what point does an artist decide to not do the songs that longtime fans love? The Artist evidently feels he's reached that point, although If I Was Your Girlfriend, a relatively obscure 1987 release, was slipped in just after a rousing crowd-pleasing rendition of Sexy MF.

The Artist a sexy MF? Seasoned actor that he is, he appeared coyly surprised that the audience thought him so!

Another dramatic highlight came when he appeared to actually break down to tears because the object of his affections never called him. By then he had taken a quick break for a costume change and was wearing what looked like stylish red sleep-wear. Can he sell the emotion in a love song? Believe it!

Sex sells, too, and The Artist was a super salesman. He worked the entire stage, addressed the crowd from the elevated platforms at both ends, and spent a good deal of time down front within touching distance of those in the front row.

A master of the dramatic gesture, the nuances of subtle facial expression, and the explosive impact of carnality, he conducted a one man choreography clinic with an assortment of musical instruments and microphones.

Most of the 25-minute encore came straight out of James Brown's 1967 hit, "Get It Together," except that the Godfather of Soul had asked the Famous Flames to "Give it to me four times" and The Artist kept upping the ante until he asked the NPG and the audience up to "Give it to me 25 times!" The crowd loved it.

Five of them got to join the show on stage. The first woman up there appeared to have a change of heart almost as soon as The Artist asked her to dance for him - she looked like she wished she was anywhere else. The woman who joined her seemed much more comfortable and determined that her friends in the audience all saw she was up there. A rather large man was invited up next. The Artist actually danced with him for a minute or so. A second man, and a woman nearly bouncing out of her backless black vest, completed the impromptu dance troupe.

Fault The Artist for turning his back on 15 years of musical history, if you will. He proved last night that he still has what it takes as a concert act, consummate showman and songwriter.