From the mysterious "spy on the sly":
- My headlights beam back a purple blaze of two symbols adorned upon the black gates. This is the way to 3121. Up the long driveway to a royal white mansion. A valet graciously opens my door. I had not attended the Oscars but suddenly felt like a star transformed on the 10 feet of purple carpet that went up the stairs towards his 20 foot tall glass doors.
This is the story of two solid nites that felt like one huge experimental historic jam. If I had the nerve to talk to Prince, I would — just to ask what kind of vitamins he takes to throw a party, jam until 6 am. Get up, go to the Oscars, jam until 7 am.
Normally, I would name drop every celebrity there; but I prefer to conjure up the moment (right before Pam Anderson spilled her drink on me) that left me energized and exhausted, exhilarated and delirious. A witnessing of raw passion of unequivocal talent that tasted so sweet, so dang good, it was THE moment captured at '3121.' And it had nothing to do with Oscar host, Chris Rock trading political commentary with Spike Lee nor good-looking couple Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillipe hobnobbing with Clive Owen and Chris Tucker.
A perfectly synchronized Asian vibe complemented the mood. Food — delectable. At 3 a.m. the house band walked in. Behind them, lavender lights punctuated by a beautifully lit, now infamous symbol floating above the steamy pool set the tone. (The backyard can be viewed by the "invisible" glass wall — providing an amazing backdrop for what was to come.)
The band started to jam. Lead vocalist, Ashley, belted out some classics while Frank's keys began to percolate. Halfway through the set — a flash of gold to my left caught my eye. I paid no mind, thinking it was just Christina Aguliera's hair or perhaps Maroon 5's collective beaming faces. Didn't matter... I was getting into a comfortable 2-step when the earth shifted. The energy changed. Everyone around me leaned in. The music got FONKIER. I looked around ... the chef, the waitresses, the ENTIRE STAFF all stopped working and straight up started GROOVING! I thought I was in a reproduction of "CARWASH"!
I knew Jeff Gordon was in the house, but he was walking, not driving. I stepped up a few feet and saw the housequake in the flesh crack the floor in two! PRINCE was SIMULTANEOUSLY playing keyboards and guitar in the middle of Stevie Wonder's "I Wish." My mouth fell open and my drink nearly fell out of my hand into Cedric the Entertainer's lap. I saw folks run and grab their people in order to witness the incredible sight.
Article comments
1 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
holy shit, man. puts my evenings to shame, thats for sure.
Also, imagine my elation when i found the 3-CD Emancipation on sale for just 2.50 the other day.
Imagine my dissapointment when said record turned out to be bollocks.
ah well.
2 - Eric Olsen
said "spy" is a gloating name-dropper - sorry about the bogus acquisition
3 - sydney
HEy eric, how do I contribute a forum topic/post? whats the procedure? If I am welcome that is...
thanks in advance.
4 - Eric Olsen
sure Sydney, love to have you join, just send me an email with your blog URL and I'll sign you up
5 - Angela Chen Shui
WOW!!! What a jam! Felt like I was right there in the middle of the heat!
6 - Eric Olsen
yes, I kept trying to find out who the "spy" was but no dice
7 - alienboy
i love prince and this post made me feel i was right there! great find eric, where did you source it?
8 - Eric Olsen
thanks AB, I agree it's powerful stuff. It came as a release from the "Prince camp."
9 - Eric Olsen
of the three '80s icons -- all born in '58 by the way -- MJ, Prine and Modonna -- who looks the most enduring and important musically now?
10 - alienboy
who or what is prine? you don't mean john do ya? if so, 80s icon? where?
other 2 still looking good musically
11 - JR
I'd say Prince is the only one of the three who ever looked musically important. MJ and Madonna were just self-promoting repackagers.
12 - ClubhouseCancer
Well, he is the only one of the three who can read music and/or play an instrument competently. This is of course an understatement, as Prince is the finest electric guitar player I've ever seen and can make music out of anything that can be struck, plucked or blown into, and the other two have little discernable musical talent. (MJ can sing in tune and dance well, Madonna: no and no). In the long run, thsoe with talent will be remembered for it.
M and M will be remembered as pop stars and media figures, Prince as a musician and pop star.
13 - Eric Olsen
M and M have both made legitimate major contributions, but Prince is a musician of genius
14 - Lono
For any Prince fans, of fans of sociology, I recommend viewing Kevin Smith's DVD 'an evening with Kevin Smith' where he tells some brilliant and strange tales of living and visiting with Prince.