freedom
7th March 2007, 09:37 PM
Review of 'The Family Jamm'
By London a.k.a Mikey C.
6000 mile journey from London to Los Angeles. Fams from the four corners of the earth are out in force dedicated to the Ultimate Jamm. Prince fan forums e-mails – who, what, where, when and how? Trekking around sunny L.A. – Santa Monica – Inglewood. Bars spinning Prince and related Jamms...COME. Pre-concert meeting point confirmed....Prince fans crash at El Toritos, Ocean Park Boulevard. Shout out 2 Jeremy of DetroitCrawl.org! In a crowded corner a blitz of dedicated loyals who only know each other thru endless e-mails – chatrooms – usernames – pseudonyms, put faces to the world of cyberspace. "Fragmented chit chat" name, where from America, Canada, Paris and um yeah London!!!
http://www.thedawnexperience.co.uk/images/fjamm3.jpgAre we alone? No....Passion/comradeship? Yeah....warm feeling...Folks sportin' jackets emblazoned with the Artist, trousers, t-shirts, jewellery dedicated 2 the ONE. Fanatism aplenty....
From someone who has been a fan for more years than I would like to consider, and never been to a Prince convention or gathering, found it all quite eye-opening and somewhat alarming, but with a fondness and affection that had some real soul.
Truly the Forum wasn’t attended to capacity (nearly 3000 of the 7000 tickets sold) but the cause was sincere to warrant adulation.
Jams that took me back to a time when music was just simply everything and what a joy, that these are simply classics – or is that me just being protective in validating my youthful beliefs in my music of choice?
Main host of the evening.... CARMEN ELECTRA
A very American presentation which I personally found a little off-putting, she seemed a little nervous accompanied with much laughter (similar to two young teenagers who giggle n chat about boy’s n stuff), the term cute little Barbie doll comes to mind, sexy, vivacious and appreciative. Reading from a well written script, it was her job to introduce each of the acts..
JILL JONES (Mia Bocca)
http://www.thedawnexperience.co.uk/images/fjammjj2.jpgFirst performance of the evening and ONE song only !!! "Mia Bocca" from an album often considered as one of Paisley's finer projects. Certainly she has a distinctive and fine voice and looked cool in her slinky little black number. Being an opening act is never easy and nervousness prevailed near the beginning, but the crowd encouraged the little darling to a rapturous applause. The house band did a fantastic job re-creating the sound note for note as it was originally recorded. Great start.
APOLLONIA (Take Me With U)
Recognition of a good jam, this could of definitely be done with an inspired input from the man himself. Apollonia emerged from behind the curtains wearing a skimpy red halter-top and tight sequined silver mini-skirt. Again nervousness prevailed with an embarrassing monotone delivery and wooden performance that couldn’t be done better than at a karaoke party. The audience had to take over and sing the second verse..... a memorable jam but………and the chorography? "Someone pull my strings"
MADHOUSE (10, 13, 6, 16)
Musically "tight" but what else would you expect from a professional combo, Eric Leeds (Sax), Sheila E (Drums), Dr Fink (Keyboards) and Ray McKinley (Bass player from the house band - standing in for a absent Levi Seacer Jr).
Eric blowed the roof off and Sheila E was on fire beatin' the sh*t outta those skins (and losing a drumstick in the process!!!) Audience response was enthusiastic and loved "6" (which made the place erupt) and why not? One of those jams that would have been a sheer joy in my local smoky downstairs cocktail bar. First of many Sheila E performances this evening and one that showed off her extensive range of talents. Sheer joy.
CHAKA KHAN (I Feel 4 U)
Wearing a similar outfit as video for "I Feel 4 U", this jam is delivered effortlessly with the house band backing. With a recent release of Come 2 My House at hand it would have been welcomed to hear some trax performed from it.... this being an 80’s thing it may not have fitted the criteria....Simply wanted more than one song!!!!!
THE FAMILY (River Run Dry, Screams Of Passion, Nothing Compares 2 U, High Fashion, Mutiny)
Big surprise of the evening.... Another commercially "failed" project that obviously shouldn’t of been. Carmen introduced them as 'truly a band of number ones' (one album, one video, one concert). Comprised of St. Paul Peterson, Susanah Melvoin, Eric Leeds, Jerome Benton, Jellybean Johnson and Miko Weaver. These cats rehearsed for a tour for 6 months way back in 1985 only to disband after one live performance. So much potential was lost...
Fast forward to 2003 and all original members of The Family take to the stage of the Forum to rapturous applause, faces full of joy and launched straight into an unbelievable rendition of "River Run Dry"... it was '85 all over again and not a dry eye in the house... straight into "Screams Of Passion" and the classic "Nothing Compares 2 U" which got a wild response from the crowd... St Paul and Susannah complementing each other note-for-note perfection. And the mad antics of Jerome (walking through the crowd at one stage), always entertaining! Sheer magic... They left the staged to huge applause... they could've gone on all nite!
PATTI LaBELLE (Yo Mister)
Enter the diva Patti LaBelle.... Simply great voice, u know?...the one that can open her mouth and yes…..it pours out like vintage champagne. Bold as brass, not fully knowing the lyrics to "Yo Mister", she sang the second verse from a lyric sheet unashamedly concluding with a statement "Never knew the words when Prince wrote this for me ……and still don’t now!!!!!!!". She handle the situation like a pro and stormed off in a classic diva style, the audience loved it and had them in fits of laughter. What a hoot ...!!!
SHELIA E & THE ROMANCE 1600 BAND (Sister Fate, Oliver's House, The Belle Of St Mark, A Love Bizarre/One Nation Under A Groove, Holly Rock, 17 Days, Alphabet Street, The Glamorous Life)
http://www.thedawnexperience.co.uk/images/fjamm1.jpgIntroduced by her proud father Pete Escovedo with the remark " I taught her everything I know. No really - I did!" that had the audience laughing. Sheila E looked obviously very happy to be performing with her old band members again after 17 years and didn’t miss a trick in the book. It was the Purple Rain tour all over again... right down to the choreography. The energy Sheila & Band exuded from the stage was infectious and had the whole crowd rocking... then they went nuts when Prince jams "17 Days" and "Alphabet St" were performed.
A nod and a wink has to be acknowledged as to her professional stage manner reflecting her long term association with Prince and a reason why we love him, if he were to join her that part of the evening…well AWESOME would have been the "word du jour".
THE TIME with "SPECIAL GUEST" (Jungle Love)
http://www.thedawnexperience.co.uk/images/fjamm2.jpgMy name is????? No not Morris Day but Sheila E dressed up looking like Prince impersonating the absent Morris Day (complete with moustache, shiny gold suite and doo rag) Well choreographed – Sheila dropping all the good moves Time stylee...Very entertaining which had the audience in stitches loving it up. Top marks for lyric change to "Jungle Love" expressing a humorous explanation for Morris’s non appearance - "I don't have TIME for this - I gots to gets me some more money. I got a gold Rolls Royce let me show ya - show ya" Apparently Morris Day wouldn't do the show for free. Only one song but best kept professional, short and sweet
THE REVOLUTION (Mountains, America, Pop Life, Raspberry Beret, Anotherloverholeinyohead, Purple Rain, Baby, I'm A Star)
Introduced by former tour manager Alan Leeds...The original members of The Revolution - Wendy Melvoin, Lisa Coleman, Bobby Z. Dr. Fink, Brownmark plus Miko Weaver, Susannah Melvoin and Eric Leeds took to the stage with a huge standing ovation. Together for the first time in 17 years this was truly a moving and historic moment.
Wendy made a statement that behind all these great songs is a genius, yes never a truer statement, these simply are simply brilliant songs which the Revolution really got to grips with and surely it was obvious they were there at their conception. What a tribute !!!!!
Wendy took center stage and handled the vocals well..."Mountains" never sounded so good!.... sorry P, or is it that we haven’t heard it live for so long. They were playing like they've never parted. "Raspberry Beret" lyrics updated from a woman's point of view, "America" a crowd stormer, "Anotherlover", wow.... it was certainly electric hearing that again. How could they do "Purple Rain"...? No problem - a cigarette lighter in hand held up high moment... Patti LaBelle came on half way thru much to Wendy’s amusement "I’m in awe of you Patti".
This amazing show was neatly concluded by all the acts and contest winners filling the stage to capacity jamming to "Baby, I’m A Star"
Prince obviously facilitates excellent musicianship from different corners. He also surrounds himself with musicians of great potential, as the Family Jamm displayed. A lot of hard work, to gather all the artists together including stage/lighting, etc...with all involved giving their services free of charge....must have been a logistical nightmare. Congratulations therefore should be given to Sheila E, Lynn Mabry, the Lil' Angel Bunny Foundation and all those concerned. For those who couldn't attend for whatever reason, you all missed a treat.
The main inspiration behind this was apparently in town, but was not at the actual event to support it in a public manner, his presence could have made this spectacular and historic event even more special. A wonderful opportunity missed.
Keep On Jammin'
Peace
© London aka Mikey C 17/12/03
Photos ©2003 Steve Parke, Sheila E, Lil' Angel Bunny Foundation
By London a.k.a Mikey C.
6000 mile journey from London to Los Angeles. Fams from the four corners of the earth are out in force dedicated to the Ultimate Jamm. Prince fan forums e-mails – who, what, where, when and how? Trekking around sunny L.A. – Santa Monica – Inglewood. Bars spinning Prince and related Jamms...COME. Pre-concert meeting point confirmed....Prince fans crash at El Toritos, Ocean Park Boulevard. Shout out 2 Jeremy of DetroitCrawl.org! In a crowded corner a blitz of dedicated loyals who only know each other thru endless e-mails – chatrooms – usernames – pseudonyms, put faces to the world of cyberspace. "Fragmented chit chat" name, where from America, Canada, Paris and um yeah London!!!
http://www.thedawnexperience.co.uk/images/fjamm3.jpgAre we alone? No....Passion/comradeship? Yeah....warm feeling...Folks sportin' jackets emblazoned with the Artist, trousers, t-shirts, jewellery dedicated 2 the ONE. Fanatism aplenty....
From someone who has been a fan for more years than I would like to consider, and never been to a Prince convention or gathering, found it all quite eye-opening and somewhat alarming, but with a fondness and affection that had some real soul.
Truly the Forum wasn’t attended to capacity (nearly 3000 of the 7000 tickets sold) but the cause was sincere to warrant adulation.
Jams that took me back to a time when music was just simply everything and what a joy, that these are simply classics – or is that me just being protective in validating my youthful beliefs in my music of choice?
Main host of the evening.... CARMEN ELECTRA
A very American presentation which I personally found a little off-putting, she seemed a little nervous accompanied with much laughter (similar to two young teenagers who giggle n chat about boy’s n stuff), the term cute little Barbie doll comes to mind, sexy, vivacious and appreciative. Reading from a well written script, it was her job to introduce each of the acts..
JILL JONES (Mia Bocca)
http://www.thedawnexperience.co.uk/images/fjammjj2.jpgFirst performance of the evening and ONE song only !!! "Mia Bocca" from an album often considered as one of Paisley's finer projects. Certainly she has a distinctive and fine voice and looked cool in her slinky little black number. Being an opening act is never easy and nervousness prevailed near the beginning, but the crowd encouraged the little darling to a rapturous applause. The house band did a fantastic job re-creating the sound note for note as it was originally recorded. Great start.
APOLLONIA (Take Me With U)
Recognition of a good jam, this could of definitely be done with an inspired input from the man himself. Apollonia emerged from behind the curtains wearing a skimpy red halter-top and tight sequined silver mini-skirt. Again nervousness prevailed with an embarrassing monotone delivery and wooden performance that couldn’t be done better than at a karaoke party. The audience had to take over and sing the second verse..... a memorable jam but………and the chorography? "Someone pull my strings"
MADHOUSE (10, 13, 6, 16)
Musically "tight" but what else would you expect from a professional combo, Eric Leeds (Sax), Sheila E (Drums), Dr Fink (Keyboards) and Ray McKinley (Bass player from the house band - standing in for a absent Levi Seacer Jr).
Eric blowed the roof off and Sheila E was on fire beatin' the sh*t outta those skins (and losing a drumstick in the process!!!) Audience response was enthusiastic and loved "6" (which made the place erupt) and why not? One of those jams that would have been a sheer joy in my local smoky downstairs cocktail bar. First of many Sheila E performances this evening and one that showed off her extensive range of talents. Sheer joy.
CHAKA KHAN (I Feel 4 U)
Wearing a similar outfit as video for "I Feel 4 U", this jam is delivered effortlessly with the house band backing. With a recent release of Come 2 My House at hand it would have been welcomed to hear some trax performed from it.... this being an 80’s thing it may not have fitted the criteria....Simply wanted more than one song!!!!!
THE FAMILY (River Run Dry, Screams Of Passion, Nothing Compares 2 U, High Fashion, Mutiny)
Big surprise of the evening.... Another commercially "failed" project that obviously shouldn’t of been. Carmen introduced them as 'truly a band of number ones' (one album, one video, one concert). Comprised of St. Paul Peterson, Susanah Melvoin, Eric Leeds, Jerome Benton, Jellybean Johnson and Miko Weaver. These cats rehearsed for a tour for 6 months way back in 1985 only to disband after one live performance. So much potential was lost...
Fast forward to 2003 and all original members of The Family take to the stage of the Forum to rapturous applause, faces full of joy and launched straight into an unbelievable rendition of "River Run Dry"... it was '85 all over again and not a dry eye in the house... straight into "Screams Of Passion" and the classic "Nothing Compares 2 U" which got a wild response from the crowd... St Paul and Susannah complementing each other note-for-note perfection. And the mad antics of Jerome (walking through the crowd at one stage), always entertaining! Sheer magic... They left the staged to huge applause... they could've gone on all nite!
PATTI LaBELLE (Yo Mister)
Enter the diva Patti LaBelle.... Simply great voice, u know?...the one that can open her mouth and yes…..it pours out like vintage champagne. Bold as brass, not fully knowing the lyrics to "Yo Mister", she sang the second verse from a lyric sheet unashamedly concluding with a statement "Never knew the words when Prince wrote this for me ……and still don’t now!!!!!!!". She handle the situation like a pro and stormed off in a classic diva style, the audience loved it and had them in fits of laughter. What a hoot ...!!!
SHELIA E & THE ROMANCE 1600 BAND (Sister Fate, Oliver's House, The Belle Of St Mark, A Love Bizarre/One Nation Under A Groove, Holly Rock, 17 Days, Alphabet Street, The Glamorous Life)
http://www.thedawnexperience.co.uk/images/fjamm1.jpgIntroduced by her proud father Pete Escovedo with the remark " I taught her everything I know. No really - I did!" that had the audience laughing. Sheila E looked obviously very happy to be performing with her old band members again after 17 years and didn’t miss a trick in the book. It was the Purple Rain tour all over again... right down to the choreography. The energy Sheila & Band exuded from the stage was infectious and had the whole crowd rocking... then they went nuts when Prince jams "17 Days" and "Alphabet St" were performed.
A nod and a wink has to be acknowledged as to her professional stage manner reflecting her long term association with Prince and a reason why we love him, if he were to join her that part of the evening…well AWESOME would have been the "word du jour".
THE TIME with "SPECIAL GUEST" (Jungle Love)
http://www.thedawnexperience.co.uk/images/fjamm2.jpgMy name is????? No not Morris Day but Sheila E dressed up looking like Prince impersonating the absent Morris Day (complete with moustache, shiny gold suite and doo rag) Well choreographed – Sheila dropping all the good moves Time stylee...Very entertaining which had the audience in stitches loving it up. Top marks for lyric change to "Jungle Love" expressing a humorous explanation for Morris’s non appearance - "I don't have TIME for this - I gots to gets me some more money. I got a gold Rolls Royce let me show ya - show ya" Apparently Morris Day wouldn't do the show for free. Only one song but best kept professional, short and sweet
THE REVOLUTION (Mountains, America, Pop Life, Raspberry Beret, Anotherloverholeinyohead, Purple Rain, Baby, I'm A Star)
Introduced by former tour manager Alan Leeds...The original members of The Revolution - Wendy Melvoin, Lisa Coleman, Bobby Z. Dr. Fink, Brownmark plus Miko Weaver, Susannah Melvoin and Eric Leeds took to the stage with a huge standing ovation. Together for the first time in 17 years this was truly a moving and historic moment.
Wendy made a statement that behind all these great songs is a genius, yes never a truer statement, these simply are simply brilliant songs which the Revolution really got to grips with and surely it was obvious they were there at their conception. What a tribute !!!!!
Wendy took center stage and handled the vocals well..."Mountains" never sounded so good!.... sorry P, or is it that we haven’t heard it live for so long. They were playing like they've never parted. "Raspberry Beret" lyrics updated from a woman's point of view, "America" a crowd stormer, "Anotherlover", wow.... it was certainly electric hearing that again. How could they do "Purple Rain"...? No problem - a cigarette lighter in hand held up high moment... Patti LaBelle came on half way thru much to Wendy’s amusement "I’m in awe of you Patti".
This amazing show was neatly concluded by all the acts and contest winners filling the stage to capacity jamming to "Baby, I’m A Star"
Prince obviously facilitates excellent musicianship from different corners. He also surrounds himself with musicians of great potential, as the Family Jamm displayed. A lot of hard work, to gather all the artists together including stage/lighting, etc...with all involved giving their services free of charge....must have been a logistical nightmare. Congratulations therefore should be given to Sheila E, Lynn Mabry, the Lil' Angel Bunny Foundation and all those concerned. For those who couldn't attend for whatever reason, you all missed a treat.
The main inspiration behind this was apparently in town, but was not at the actual event to support it in a public manner, his presence could have made this spectacular and historic event even more special. A wonderful opportunity missed.
Keep On Jammin'
Peace
© London aka Mikey C 17/12/03
Photos ©2003 Steve Parke, Sheila E, Lil' Angel Bunny Foundation