Right as Purple Rain

Prince and the Revolution Live

When the press release describes this as “one of the most iconic live recordings in pop and rock history”, it isn’t hyperbole, it’s a fact.

The concert – at the Carrier Dome stadium in Syracuse, New York in March 1985 – captures Prince at his peak in the decade he dominated.

These 20 tracks showcase the essence of his genius. The complex Minneapolisborn chameleon fused black and white music, mixing soul and funk with rock and pop to create unforgettable magic.

It kicks off with a six-minute version of Let’s Go Crazy and ends with a superextended take on his ethereal, neck-hairtingling ballad Purple Rain. All the early classics are here, including the hauntingly beautiful When Doves Cry (about his parents’ break-up) with sublime spiralling guitar work.

Delirious, the closest Prince came to rockabilly, is followed by the steamy, apocalyptic synth-pop vision of 1999 with an explosive guitar climax worthy of Van Halen.

Sex is often his glue. Little Red Corvette is not about a car, but pure carnal lust, while Darling Nikki’s lyrics are so near the knuckle they inspired Tipper Gore to launch her campaign against filth in pop.

So let’s hope she never heard the comically erotic Let’s Pretend We’re Married, which weds propulsive synth riffs to words so explicit Keith Lemon could have penned them.

Prince slyly switches between wooing his intended in a sweet soulful falsetto and a husky “C’mon, baby, let’s ball!” And yet, two songs on, he’s getting stuck into God, his most spiritual, delicate and Biblical number.

Originally released on DVD as part of 2017’s huge Purple Rain reissue, this is the first time the gig has been available on vinyl, CD and Blu-ray, all restored, remixed and remastered.

It’s the perfect testament to Prince’s authentic and enduring brilliance.