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I must admit when Michelle called me on the phone and said there are only 2 bands she had to see before she died and one of them was coming to OKC, I was really hoping the Beastie Boys were making a special appearance. But instead I coughed up the change for a seat to see one of her childhood favorites in the artist currently known as Prince. This was supposed to be his farewell tour, as it would suggest in the tour being named the "Musicology" tour, highlighting his hits from the last 2 decades. Imagine my shock when I was handed a CD of his newest material titled "Musicology", a Cher tactic for sure in getting me to pay through the roof to tour his new material. But after the hour long wait for him to be wheeled in and between all the new songs, I must admit I was impressed with his performance.

After starting with the title track of the tour and CD, he ripped through Let's Get Crazy, I Would Die 4 U, U Got the Look, Baby I'm a Star and a shortened When Dove's Cry before playing Michelle's favorite song in its entirety. Dance, Music, Sex, Romance, or D.M.S.R., seemed to be the theme for the show highlighting several dance numbers at the start, before showcasing his talented cast of musicians, the "New Power Generation" included a brass ensemble, keyboardist and drummer all playing "real music by real musicians" as Prince was quick to point out, contrasting himself to others who had lip synched on the same stage emphasizing this by repeatedly tapping the microphone to let us know it was live not Memorex. About halfway into the show he went into a blues type set including "The Beautiful Ones", and a few of his originals made famous by other artists including "I Feel 4 U" and "Nothing Compares 2 U". He finished the regular set by allowing several audience members on stage, making the show feel much more personal than the iconic character we have grown accustomed to in recent years. He finished the regular set with "Kiss", only to return for an acoustic set during his encore that featured "Little Red Corvette", "7" and "Purple Rain".

A recently converted Jehovah's Witness, Prince steered clear of anything more than suggestive, but in doing so left out quite a few classics including 1999, Cream, and Raspberry Beret. Overall I was impressed with his ability to still perform at 45 and his eagerness to please the crowd. Although I expected him to accomplish the first, the second was what made the concert memorable. Now if I can just get the Beasties to make it to Oklahoma.