Prince- Rave un2 The Year 2000

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DVD Reviews of Prince- Rave un2 The Year 2000

DVD Review: Sign O The Times gone by...and perhaps to come?
Summary: 4 Stars

On RAVE UN2 THE YEAR 2000 Prince seems to have taken a forward step by dumping the excess baggage and turning our focus back to his musical skills. A lot of music fans who have drifted away in recent years may want to climb back on board here with this highly entertaining, fast-paced video (the DVD sounds and looks great, and has bonus features). Buoyed by fresh performances of mostly his most popular tunes (particularly from the album PURPLE RAIN), Prince seems more than ever like an rejuvenated musical Artist. Furthermore, he is gracious in his turning the stage over to an impressive list of guest stars, and at times pulls out a few musical surprises (for one, the blues medley will turn a lot of heads).

Also, his visual perspective seems to have grown from lust to love: instead of pseudo-porn stage scenes, he brings out a gospel choir (for the song THE CHRIST aka THE CROSS). No vanity...in more ways than one! Which isn't to say Prince has eliminated sexuality from his show...it's just considerably more ready for prime-time than previously. In fact, everything but the vitality of the music itself seems quite conservative in nature, and for once that's a relief (in an era where the negative messages of some pop music have come under fire even by free-speech proponents).

For those of you who think that Prince and his peers' best musical moments are behind them, I suppose this concert could be used as an argument in favor of that assessment, given that only two of the twenty-plus songs are recent. Yet one of the new songs (GREATEST ROMANCE) compares favorably with his classic repetoire, leaving open the probability that there's more great music to come. As for the oldies, Prince still has some inspiration to give to tunes that he has probably played hundreds of times. It's a pleasure to see him focusing on the music, while foregoing most of the visual teases of the past. Additionally, for long periods this concert recaptures the electricity of vintage funk, in a manner more vital than nostalgic. Larry Graham is in top form on bass, and takes center stage for several Sly and Graham Central Station classics, joined by fellow Family Stone members (but not Sly himself). Lenny Kravitz fits right in, as do Rosie Gaines, Maceo Parker, and of course Morris Day & The Time. Yes, the video parties more like it's 1984 than 1999. Yet I find that I'm replaying it quite often...and for the first time in years looking forward to hearing what Prince has in store for us next.

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