Here we have the second Live Out Loud Tour show to surface and it is another San Francisco show, this one from the second night Prince and 3rd Eye Girl were in town. D.N.A.L.O.L. - 24-2 captures the second show of the evening of April 24, 2013 at the DNA Lounge, and although it shares many of the songs from the recording of the 23rd I reviewed here, there are some new inclusions that make this a worthwhile release to add to the archives.
First off, credit again to the taper and Confusion Records for their work on the audio here. This is once again a highly listenable, clear audience recording. Yes you get the occasional chatter which is unavoidable, but it never distracts from the amazing performance Prince and his all female backing band once again deliver. This tour has become an instant favorite of mine and I'm seeking out any new recordings like an addict. It has been too long since I have been able to say that about a current Prince tour.
After opening once again with their re-done arrangement of "Let's Go Crazy", Prince and 3rd Eye Girl go into two songs not played on the show recorded from the 23rd. First is "Let's Work" which loses nothing from the lack of its keyboard lines, here played on guitar instead. The song was originally recorded as "Let's Rock" back in 1981 and that title would certainly be suitable for this version. This then leads into "U Got The Look" before the set veers back into the territory of songs played most nights like "Screwdriver" and "She's Always In My Hair".
There are noticeable screams from some in the audience when the drum loop from "Forever In My Life" starts, a fantastic addition to the set and this is stretched out just past ten minutes featuring some killer bass work from Prince. The familiar guitar intro to "Purple Rain" brings even more excitement, even though Prince is on keyboards for this version meaning the signature guitar solo is nowhere to be found. Funny that on a tour that focuses on his guitar playing prowess, Prince is eschewing one of his most famous solos, but chalk this up to the excuse most fans should know by now. "It's Prince, he does what he wants." Prince stays on keyboards for another crowd favorite, "Adore" before returning to the guitar for the slow burning version of "I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man" that has become a show stopper.
The rest of the main set is a guitar assault with the likes of "Guitar", "Plectrum Electrum", "I Like It There" and "Bambi" keeping the energy level high. Sadly, the Sampler Set rears its ugly head after this, although thankfully the band also performs on a number of the songs including "Sign 'O' The Times" and "Hot Thing". After the completion of the Sampler Set, Prince and the band return for one more number, a cover of Billy Cobham's "Stratus" with the traditional "The Sailor's Hornpipe" interspersed into the performance.
Although still a highly enjoyable listen, I personally prefer the show from the 23rd that is making the rounds a bit more. Still, due to its sound quality and the differences in the set lists, this is another must have release. Thanks, as always, to all involved in getting this recording into our ear drums.
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