Product Description

The Artist performs music from his critically-acclaimed album "Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic," as well as selections from his vault of smash hits and pop classics. Filmed at Paisley Park Studio in Minneapolis, where a multi-piece band, including legendary bass player Larry Graham and members of the Family Stone, join the Artist and his special guests in this spectacular historical event. Songs: Let's Go Crazy, She's Always in My Hair, U Got the Look, Kiss, Jungle Love (Morris Day and the Time), The Bird (Morris Day and the Time), American Woman (Lenny Kravitz), Fly Away (Lenny Kravitz), Get Off, Medley (Rosie Gaines, Mike Scott, Maceo Parker), It's Alright, Everyday People (Cynthia Robinson, Gerry Martini), Higher, Purple Rain, The Christ, Blues Medley (Maceo Parker, Johnny Blackshire), Nothing Compares 2 U, Take Me With U/Raspberry Beret, The Greatest Romance Ever Sold, Baby Knows, Baby I'm a Star, 1999.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #41747 in DVD
• Published on: 2000
• Released on: 2000-10-31
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Dubbed in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 113 minutes

Amazon.com
Back in 1983, Prince emphatically described how he was going to bring in the new millennium. Still, who knew "1999" would be so prophetic? Who knew Prince would still be around to make good on his promise? It's doubtful you were sitting home, watching a pay-per-view special on the last night of 1999, but know this: The Artist, Prince--whatever he's calling himself on a daily basis--understands how to throw one amazing party. This DVD not only presents the entire 21-song pay-per-view in its entirety, but also includes behind-the-scenes interviews and adds additional jams featuring Jimmy Russell, bassist Larry Graham, and George Clinton. Clinton is the key figure here, because over the last decade, Prince has essentially followed in the funk master's footsteps. Rather than just fronting a band (as he did with the Revolution and New Power Generation), Prince is now more of a bandleader. Here, surrounded by legends like Maceo Parker and members of Sly and the Family Stone, Prince displays the graciousness of a sideman, showcasing the musicians on his crowded stage. He offers backup vocals on the Family Stone's "Everyday People," and then plays cheerleader on "I Want to Take You Higher." Prince even gives up his stage to Lenny Kravitz for "American Woman," and to the Time for energetic, tongue-in-cheek versions of the hits "Jungle Love" and "The Bird." When taking center stage, Prince shows he hasn't lost a step either. His guitar playing on "Purple Rain," for example, is some of his strongest in years. All told, this is the best Prince concert film we've had since Sign O' the Times. --Dave McCoy

From the Back Cover
Rave Un2 the Year 2000 celebrates the joy of life as the Artist performs music from his critically acclaimed Album, Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic, as well as selections from his vault of smash hits and pop classics. Filmed at Paisley Park Studio in Minneapolis, where a multi-piece band, including legendary bass player Larry Graham and members of the Family Stone, join the Artist in this spectacular historical event.

SONGS
1. Let's Go Crazy
2. She's Always in My Hair
3. U've Got the Look
4. Kiss
5. Jungle Love -- Morris Day & the Time
6. The Bird -- Morris Day & the Time
7. American Woman -- Lenny Kravitz
8. Get Off
9. Medley -- Rosie Gaines, Mike Scott & Maceo Parker
10. It's Alright
11. Everyday People -- Cynthia Robinson & Gerry Martini
12. Higher
13. Purple Rain
14. The Christ
15. Blues Medley -- Maceo Parker & Johnny Blackshire
16. Nothing Compares 2 U
17. Take Me With U/Raspberry Beret
18. Greatest Romance
19. Baby Knows
20. Baby I'm a Star
21. 1999

Customer Reviews

What a concert film should be.
Prince's "Rave un2 the year 2000" is something of a surprise for many. On the eve of the millenial new year, Prince decided that a new year's eve concert as a pay-per-view event was a good idea. Many didn't think so. At first it was named after that year's lackluster album "Rave un2 the joy fantastic" which didn't show Prince's full musical genius to a cynical public who thought him to be a product of the 80's (how wrong they are) and to make matters worse, the concert was marketed as the last concert to ever feature a live performance of the song "1999" !. All that aside, one thing is proven after watching this concert, Prince was, is and always will be a musical force to be reckoned with. From his truly individual musical style, to his unparalled ability in instrumentation (anything from guitar, keyboards, drums to even Harp!), this man was created for music and in this concert it shows. From the opening moments with a blazing guitar solo on "Let's go crazy" to a truly rocking version of "She's always in my hair" to a blues medley that is nothing short of amazing to even a funky version of "Higher" to numerous other gems, this is what all concerts should be: raw, adrenalin-rushing music performed by a man whose eneregy and love for what he does shows in every single minute of this concert and supported by a band that couldn't be any tighter (just wait for Maceo Parker's entrance !). Directed with pure energey and featuring moments of musicianship that would make even the harshest critic acknowledge the undeniable, this is Prince at his best, pure and simple.

A great show with a great guest list
This show was aired as a pay per view event onn New Years Eve 1999. The Artist and friends including guests Lenny Kravitz, George Clinton, Larry Graham, NPG, The Sound of Blackness Choir, Morris Day and the Time pull out all the stops for what was billed as the party of the century. This show will please long time fans and new fans alike. The Artist now know as Prince plays all the old favourites (Purple Rain, Kiss, Gett Off) and introduces some great new tunes from his Rave unto the joy fantastic cd. An excellent live performance by Prince and all his guest performers!

Prince is at his best when performing LIVE
I used to be a fairly hard-core Prince fan (yes, FAN, not FRIEND). Over the last ten years, I gradually lost a lot of faith in him as an artist. As someone who has listened closely to his output during the '90s, I feel he has become extremely erratic. Who knows what he'll do next-- I believe he has it in him to produce some of his best work. But if he follows the pattern established in the '90s, this new decade may prove to be very dissapointing...

All that said, you can hardly go wrong with Prince performing live in concert. The man is a dynamo on-stage. This DVD is one of the most entertaining things he's released in years. It's almost two hours long with many highlights: I like the two numbers he does with Lenny Kravitz-- just when you thought you'd heard "Fly Away" a hundred times too many, wait till you hear this version. Also, Morris Day and The Time do two numbers-- I've seen The Time in concert recently; they're basically a nostalgia act at this point, but they are FUNKY.

There are a few bonus features here-- the best of which are the "Bonus Groovez" one of which features George Clinton performing "Flashlight". Also of note is a selection of interview segments with key performers.

On a sour note... and don't get me wrong about this... Prince gets a little preachy at times during the show. Prince has always incorporated sprituality in his music-- I myself am not a religious person, but I was never bothered by the spiritual side of Prince. It was always very natural and heartfelt. Here in this concert, "Purple Rain" and "The Christ" get a little heavy-handed with the overt preaching. This may not be an issue for some, but for me it was a bit irritating and kind of took away from the 'party' vibe.