Prince Guitar Jams: Rare Videos, Beatles Cover, Chuck Berry

Prince Rogers Nelson, musical genius, R&B superstar, funkmaster, amazing writer and producer, yet with all of these accolades, he's UNDERRATED as one of the best guitar players of all-time.   Rock, Blues, Jazz, Funk, you name it!  You can see the influences:  Hendrix, Santana, Clapton, Niles Rodgers (Chic), here's evidence:
"JOHNNIE B. GOODE" with "ANOTHERLOVERHOLENYOHEAD" 

From the 2007 NFL Super Bowl press conference, the Chuck Berry classic and a Prince favorite!

"THE QUESTION OF U"

 

"ELECTRIC CHAIR" 

From 1989, Saturday Night Live performance promoting his Batman soundtrack.


"SHHH"  (Paris 2011)

Originally from 1995's Gold Experience, he did a ten minute guitar solo during this song when I saw him in Tampa.

"WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS"

The entire Traveling Wilburys were at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to induct George Harrison.    Prince assumes the role of George on lead guitar and blows away the audience.

Wanted to add "Million Days" From 2004's Musicology CD, a rare video find!  The video was removed from YouTube, Prince's music is almost always taken down.


Some other great Prince jams:
The Question of U
Joy In Repetition
Just My Imagination 
Let's Go Crazy
The Ride
I Could Never Take The Place  
Bambi
The Cross

Carmen Electra Sings A Prince Ballad: Dennis Edwards, Dokken, and Carmen Electra

"ALL THAT"    CARMEN ELECTRA

Fittingly after being discovered by Prince, he gave Tara Patrick her famous new moniker, Carmen Electra.  An accomplished dancer, Prince wrote and produced her short-lived music career including this steamy sex ballad.  Vocals are breathy and the arrangement is totally Prince, but it's a hidden gem.   Trapped on a desert island, Carmen Electra would be on my short list of all-time favorites!
                      

"DON'T LOOK ANY FURTHER"  DENNIS EDWARDS

One of the legends of Motown, Dennis Edwards replaced an icon, David Ruffin as the new lead singer of the Temptations.   His amazing baritone voice brought more of a Gospel-tinged sound to the band.   This song is from his debut solo CD and features Siedah Garrett, most famous for her duet "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" with Michael Jackson.

"IN MY DREAMS"   DOKKEN

Vintage MTV, Headbanger's Ball, the Daily Countdown, Dokken epitomizes the Hair Band era.   Don Dokken on vocals and guitar virtuoso George Lynch struck gold with their albums, Tooth & Nail and Under Lock And Key.   Like most of the bands of the era, they broke up after a messy argument.   Lynch formed Lynch Mob, Don Dokken went solo and their careers were never the same.   

Regulate: West Coast Rap Classic: Prince, Warren G & Nate Dogg (R.I.P.), Michael Lynche

"COMPUTER BLUE"   PRINCE & THE REVOLUTION

Growing up in Minneapolis in the mid-80's was a special experience.   I attended concerts at First Avenue, have friends in the movie "Purple Rain", met Prince's dad, Lisa, Wendy, Jessie Johnson, Terry Lewis,....I could go on and on.  Prince's talent and especially his unmatched creativity in pushing the boundaries makes him a true musical genius.  Take his debut album: He wrote every song, produced it, AND played every instrument on it!  "Computer Blue" is an ever-changing blues, funk, rock, jazz, killer guitar jam.   It's complex, sexual, and a perfect example of how Prince "owns" the crowd when performing live.   

"REGULATE"   WARREN G. and NATE DOGG

LOVE This song!   It's been a ringtone of mine forever, classic storytelling mixed with the perfect California hip hop beats.    Check out one of the funniest Wikipedia posts ever:   
 http://www.thebookoffreak.com/shootin_the_shit/warren-g-regulate-wikipedia-synopsis

It's a play-by-play rundown of this West Coast rap anthem told in plain English without the rap slang.   Here's a sample:  
Observing these unfortunate proceedings, Nate realizes that he may have to use his firearm to deliver his friend from harm.
The tension crescendos as the robbers point their guns to Warren’s head. Warren senses the gravity of his situation. He cannot believe the events unfolding could happen in his own neighborhood. As he imagines himself in a fantastical escape, he catches a glimpse of his friend, Nate.

"THIS WOMAN'S WORK"  MICHAEL LYNCHE

From American Idol 2010, St Petersburg's Michael Lynche finished 4th overall.   But he left one of the biggest impressions that season.   During Hollywood Week, Michael received a call that his wife had gone into labor early and had his baby.   With emotions at their apex, Michael covers the perfect song for the occasion, "This Woman's Work" by Maxwell (and originally Kate Bush), you will see the reaction it got.

Prince Bootleg, Extraloveable: 3 Doors Down, Mary J Blige

"FEEL INSIDE"                  MARY J. BLIGE (Ft. NAS)

The Queen of Hip Hop Soul is back with a new CD.   This release has a commercial feel, lots of guest stars, Mary's voice is so emotive she doesn't need the gimmicks.   But I do love what Nas adds to this song plus there's a Wu Tang Clan sample, passionate lyrics, could be a big hit!    Chants of "Brooklyn" with effects at the end is creative....FYI  Nicki Minaj was on this track on the mixtape but Nas replaced her.

"BELIEVER"                                  3 DOORS DOWN

3 Doors Down with a faster, almost grunge-sounding track after so many power ballads.     From the 2011 CD, Time Of MY Life, this track has energy, a big chorus, swirling guitar riffs, fun song to play loud driving in your car!

"EXTRALOVEABLE"           PRINCE

Technically, a NEW RELEASE by Prince but it's been on bootlegs years ago.    This one has a classic 90's R&B bassline, a crazy hook, sexy lyrics, and a fun summer vibe.     Prince is a genius and like many geniuses, he's been too creative for his own good.   But anyone who saw him in concert knows he's electric and has the audience addicted to him on stage.     I've seen him 3 times live and each time was an "experience I'll never forget".