THE MUSIC OF PRINCE SETLIST

My Name Is Prince
Purple Rain
The Beautiful Ones
Cream
Let’s Go Crazy
Darling Nikki
Diamonds and Pearls
Days of Wild
Anotherloverholenyohead
Mountains
Call The Law

(all originally Prince songs)

Justice was Purple on this night–

The NACDL Foundation for Criminal Justice presented “The Music of Prince” at First Avenue in Minneapolis which featured former members of Prince’s late ‘80s/early ‘90s backing band, The New Power Generation and special guest Brown Mark from Purple Rain-era fabled band, The Revolution, to celebrate Prince’s music and support the mission of the NACDL Foundation for Criminal Justice.

The Foundation is dedicated to preserving and promoting the core values of the National Association of Criminal Justice Lawyers (NACDL), particularly those related to the rights of individuals within the criminal legal system. It supports efforts to reform the criminal justice system, ensuring fair, rational, and humane treatment for all and funds projects aimed at addressing systemic issues like racial disparities and the criminalization of pregnancy.

No ‘purple-related’ happenings in Minneapolis get by us very easily, so our resident Twin Cities fan-in-the-stands managed his way into this benefit concert and was kind enough to share pictures and notes from the evening. Opening the concert was Australian singer/dancer (and one of The Twinz, along with her sister) Maya McClean, joined by another P alumni and his former musical director, Mr. Morris Hayes for a twenty-five-minute set.

===

The New Power Generation, a.k.a. The NPG, decided to reunite following the 2016 Prince: The Official Tribute concert (yep, we were there) to perform a series of concerts under the banner “Celebrating Prince”, to not only perform hits from their era, but from other classic time periods as well. We last saw the band last summer during the annual Prince Celebration weekend in Minneapolis (Chanhassen) and why they’re known as ‘former members’ we’re not exactly sure – maybe the Estate is being protective of the band name again.

Bassist Brown Mark (aka Mark Brown) actually made his musical debut with Prince on 1981’s “Controversy Tour”. For the following seven-and-a-half years, he honed his bass skills in what would become The Revolution and became more of an integral part of what was being defined as “The Minneapolis Sound” that would influence so many.

In a classic Prince move, he abruptly ended The Revolution in order to evolve, so in 1988, BrownMark landed a contract with Motown Records and would go on to work with the likes of Mazarati (one of his creations), Chico DeBarge, Troop, Georgio, Stacy Latisaw, Sheila E., and more. He’s received two Grammy Awards and two American Music Awards for his work on the Purple Rain movie soundtrack and has shared the stage with numerous musical legends.

VIP guests were allowed into the venue early and got to hear exclusive live versions of Prince songs, “Adore” and “Thieves in the Temple” before the rest of the crowd was allowed entrance, and the night formally started with a dreamy opening set from McClean and Hayes. She’s a lifelong dancer and with her twin sister Nandy, and both stood with Prince, appeared in numerous music videos, and went on several world tours with the band.

McLean’s additionally done some acting and become a spiritual life coach and founder of LHYT (Live Your Highest Truth), a transformational movement committed to lifting the vibration of the planet through coaching, workshops, retreats, film and music.

The (ex) NPG were as musically solid and fun as ever, headed by vocalist MacKenzie, who’s found a way to both honor the original material and put his own spin on things vocally. NPG original rapper and Minneapolis resident Tony Mosely was on hand, of course; and made it a family affair, accompanied by his son and daughter on stage (who happily modeled some custom Tony M. fashion).

While it was somewhat odd to open their ninety-minute set with “My Name is Prince” followed by “Purple Rain”, we had to remember this was a benefit concert audience who likely wants to mostly hear the hits, but it was rewarding to hear the extended jams and a couple Parade-era songs towards the end of set, featuring Brownmark’s trademark bass riffs.

Being a legal-related benefit, it made perfect sense to end the evening with “Call the Law” and Tony M. leading the rousing the crowd one last time, before a triumphant group bow. Great music for a good cause- justice looked good in purple on this night.

(ALL PHOTOS AND REPORTING BY JOHN RAFALSKI / click on any image to enlarge and to see in full)