Prince: Sign O' the Times (1987)

This concert is really one of prince's best performances. The band prince and the audience all together appear to be having the time of their lives. Plus the versions of sign o' the times, house quake, it, and the cross I think are more intense live. This lineup of musicians is the best. Even people that say they are not prince fans tend to eat their words by the the third song in. This concert shows great guitar playing as well of the multi-talents of Shelia E. Also shows excellent vocal solos from prince as well from the band. I like lending the video out to people that are unfamiliar with prince to see their reaction. I have seen Prince live and this video captures what he is all about, when some live albums or videos do not.

Prince performs to his fans with the odd fantasy acting inserts.Directed by the main man himself.The 1980's was a baron time for the creation of pop legends - so the arrival of Prince was extra welcome. While I am not really a massive buyer of his music, that doesn't mean that I am not a terrific admirer of his all-round talent.Indeed his abilities in dancing, singing, guitar playing and song writing are world class - and maybe even that is an edited list! Talk about Mr. Talented! Has anybody ever brought together such stage talents in one (tiny) package? And what diversity of music: From rap to pop to metal, he can do it all AND he can do it all well. Even seems to be enjoying it too.Not a bad taste employer either - some great support musicians, male and female. The man himself even seems happy to let them command the stage while he does something else - play the drums for example! Sure it can't really act and he is a bit weird - but we can't have it all. Having that much talent would drive all of us crazy one way or another.So get the TV cranked up high, sit back and watch a legend performing in a decade that he more owned than influenced. There won't be another - so make the most of him.

From the opening with the title song, you can feel the energy created by the cast of musicians, the star and the audience. This energy builds and flows from one exciting song to the next; even the slow ballads are so full of power that it is hard to sit still; this film is a testament to the power of Prince... it is the definitive demonstration of his awesome talent; the live versions of these songs, including a "Little Red Corvette" sing along, make the studio album sound sterile and that is something damned-near impossible to do to Prince (And only Prince could do it!) If you want to see him at his peak, this is it!! There is dancing, singing and music, music, music. The band includes some members of the Revolution and some future NPG members, but the real stand-outs are Cat, Sheila E. and Bonnie Boyer. If you have only heard the studio album, check this film out...so good it'll make you slap yo' mama!!

The versions of many of the tracks on this are better than the album. Particular praise must go to 'The Cross', 'If I was Your Girlfriend', and best of all 'Forever in my Life', which is just about the best thing that he has ever done and is simply spellbinding. Shelia E shows what a great drummer she is on 'Now is the Time' and the dream sequence to bring in 'You've Gor the Look' is a nice touch, topped off by the little smile at the end from Prince. He has good reason to smile with this video. When is it coming out on DVD ????? Totally essentual.