Live Review: The New Power Generation

Despite releasing an iconic string of albums in the '80s, it wasn't until 1992 that Prince first deigned to grace us with his presence and actually tour Australia. The Diamonds And Pearls tour introduced us to Prince's new dancers Diamond and Pearl (aka Lori Wener and Robia LaMorte) as well as his new band The New Power Generation or The NPG. Those who were there will possibly never forget the sight of Prince reclining with Diamond and Pearl on a bed that descended from the roof of Rod Laver Arena. While Diamonds And Pearls was, at times, funk engaging in an awkward embrace with rap and new jack swing, it marks Prince's flamboyant entrance into the '90s, determined to get a new groove on. The NPG helped Prince kick out some mightily funky jams for those shows. Checking The New Power Generation line-ups, it becomes obvious that the band has always been a huge family of musicians and no one in tonight's version of The NPG seems to have toured with Prince back in '92. Nonetheless, Prince always described The NPG as simply the best band he ever worked with.

The show kicks off energetically with New Power Generation off 1990's Graffiti Bridge. It's not long before they are playing Sexy MF, which has almost everyone in the room shouting, "You sexy motherfucker!" on cue. It's a throwback to the days before organised religion put a stop to Prince's trademarked lyrical dirty-mindedness. Tonight, The NPG feel a little more funk rock than straight-up funk. U Got The Look and Pop Life come with hooks that have always been irresistible no matter how many times you hear them. "Prince has hits upon hits upon hits," says Tamar Davis of a setlist that pops like a champagne bottle spraying us with sweet fizzy intoxication. A little later, she demonstrates a dance that punters in Japan showed her for Beautiful, Loved & Blessed, a song on which she was co-vocalist with Prince. It's a tender moment that's obviously full of memories that have Davis looking teary. Looking rather fit and fabulous at age 59, Prince's old friend Andre Cymone powerhouses his way through cuts like Let's Go Crazy with confident ease.

Interestingly, The NPG have no less than five vocalists on hand to get them through tonight's show. At times it feels that there really isn't anyone who could fill the space that Prince once occupied. His wickedly joyous falsetto, wild guitar solos, and all that charm and charisma are something that cannot be easily replaced. "Nothing compares to Prince," says Davis, summing up the situation perfectly. The NPG cram a lot of songs into the setlist. It doesn't give them much time to cut loose and deal some 12" mixes that delve into extended funky jams. Cream and Gett Off would have benefitted from a longer play, especially if they had squeezed all 23 positions into this one-night stand. The crowd, essentially all hardcore Prince fans, sing along to every song on the setlist. Purple Rain is made to feel like a religious experience. The NPG play it almost exactly like the recorded version and Davis' powerful vocals cut through the mix to spellbinding effect.

Two years after his untimely passing, it still feels slightly unreal that Prince is no longer with us. Memories of the man who shook this fan's hand with a shy-but-cheeky smile on his face at an infamous afterparty in the stairwell descending into the Max Watt's bandroom flooding to mind. There are no words to describe being so starstruck speechless. The NPG still know how to play all of Prince's tunes to perfection. Back in the day it was their job. Prince's absence makes tonight's show a fitting tribute and celebration of their late band master's music.