European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 06, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse Prince tones Down the antics Cranks up the sound by Nancy Torner . Bureau o matter what Prince is calling himself these Days he s still Prince to his fans. For More than two hours saturday what s his name had a sellout crowd on its feet and dancing at the Wembley stadium in London. Despite the outdoor venue the night air sizzled with raw Power in a show where music mattered More than visual gimmicks. Granted there were fireworks onstage smoke bombs a multitude of special lighting effects and hundreds of streamers that sailed Over the Heads of fans. But his Back up rappers were replaced by a powerful Horn Section at Center stage and the sexy dancers were pared Down to one still scantily Clad woman. Even Prince seemed to have toned Down much of his onstage antics barring his spectacular Entrance seated on an oversized ornate swing that descended from the ceiling. On his head he wore a Cap to which a veil of pearls was attached to obscure his face. But otherwise Prince s fast footwork took precedence Over the old jumps splits and crawling about on platforms. That s not to say however that the show was without some gimmick. Periodically throughout the performance Prince demanded that fans answer the question what s my name each time the crowd called Back the megastar announced several months ago that he was changing his name to a Symbol without a hint of How to pronounce it. Yet he kicked off the show with a driving version of my name is Prince. Musically the show was right on the Mark but if the Star can be believed this is the last tour that fans will be Able to hear live performances of the concert Short takes is Dave Didlo Prince Waves his pistol shaped microphone toward the audience As his dancer Mayte whirls to the sound from his backup Barf. Selections. The show s lineup of songs was proposed by controversy Prince s fan club and included dynamic versions of the Cross Raspberry Beret let s co crazy purple rain and sign o the times. Regrettably Only snatches were played of diamonds and pearls and Little red Corvette. Prince led into a Lively first encore Call with 1999, but he used his second encore As a Public forum about race and his new non name before launching into a pounding musical finish. Unfortunately not Only did the outdoor acoustics make it difficult to catch All his words those that could be heard were cryptic. What s my name Prince asked. Take my name i Don t need it. Nothing stays the same anyway. If you re always with me you never need to Call me. Are you with me what s my name Prince also dropped clues that rumours about his decision to Stop recording were True. I can no longer give my music to someone else to give to you Prince said. Instead he suggested that fans make their own recordings of his concerts. It has been reported that Prince plans to make himself More accessible to his fans by concentrating on live theater motion pictures and night clubs. But one has to wonder if his name change and new artistic avenues have More to do with a record Deal gone sour because with the High Price of concert tickets these Days it is debatable How accessible he will be. Local and London stage theater reviews lineup see Page 20 Cheryl Campbell sparkles in the changeling one of London j summer successes. Rap in the mainstream talk about your Long shots. Imagine the Odds you could have gotten four years ago if you had bet that someone from . The notorious los Angeles group that popularized gangsta rap would someday have a record with enough mainstream Appeal to be a top 20 single. Then picture the Odds against two members of the rap quintet whose themes were considered far too controversial and raw for radio hitting the top 20 at the same time. The bets were won when ice cube and or. Ore both soared into the top 20 earlier this year with it was a Good Day and nut Hin but a g thang respectively. Those singles which were far More radio Friendly than the Early . Records but still credible to hard Core audiences Are part of a massive rap invasion of the National pop charts. It is a breakthrough that also included hits by los Angeles rappers a lighter Shade of Brown and paperboy As Well As new York s disable planets and Toronto s Snow. It was a Good Day and a lighter Shade of Brown s homies especially reflect on life in the Hood in ways that Are revealing and affecting. In a real Way the records Are Youthful celebrations of the ethnic diversity of today s Urban centers records that invite an update of the old motown records slogan the new sound of Young America. Diamond s Gem survives it s the last track on the latest Chris Isaak album and it sounds like an instant classic. The song starts quietly with a Mournful minor key guitar Strum and the slow shuffling pulse of brushes on a snare drum. As Isaak starts into the verse you re instantly swept up drawn into a tale of Heartbreak and desolation so familiar you d swear you be heard it somewhere before. But it in t until the chorus that the Light bulb goes on ill be what i am a solitary Man solitary of course it sounds like a classic. Solitary Man is one of the Best things Nell Diamond has Ever written the song that crystallized his 4ound and kick started his Solo career some 26 years ago. And yet As Isaak proved the song remains As visceral and vital As the Day it was written. I heard Chris record and i liked it a lot Diamond said. I m Happy that it s still around and has some kind of value. I remember writing it i did t write it for to i wrote it i think for Bobby Darin. He had a hit called if i were a Carpenter which is kind of a Folk song. So i had this in mind for him but it was too natural for me not to do natural indeed. Solitary Man was the first in a string of hits for Diamond though it did t crack the top 40 until it was reissued in 1970, on the heels of Cracklin Rosie that made him one of the most commercially potent Singer songwriters of the Early 70s. From wire reports Diamond Friday August 6, 1993 the stars and stripes 17
