WDR BIG BAND - The Prince Experience | Konzert

The WDR BIG BAND plays the music of PRINCE together with internationally renowned guests Liv Warfield (vocals), Cassandra O'Neal (vocals, keyboard), Ricky Peterson (Hammond B3), Paul Peterson (vocals, bass), Mike Scott (E -guitar), Kirk Johnson (drums) and Luis Ribeiro (percussion). Vince Mendoza, Composer in Residence of the WDR BIG BAND since 2016, has specially arranged PRINCE's compositions for the WDR BIG BAND. The concert was recorded live during the Bonn Jazz Festival (August 2023).
00:00:00 Xenophobia
00:07:48 1999
00:15:33 Mountains - High Fashion
00:24:12 Nothing Compares to U
00:30:05 The Everlasting Now
00:34:27 Pop Life
00:40:06 Venus de Milo
00:44:35 Love Bizarre
01:00:15 Sometimes It Snows In April
01:07:30 Sexy MF - Kiss
01:16:08 Mutiny
01:21:45 Purple Rain
01:30:47 I would die 4 U - Baby I'm A Star
Christian Schmitt - sound engineer, recording producer
Walter Platte - sound engineer
More about the WDR BIG BAND:
www.wdr-bigband.de
/ wdrbigband

[@cedricblackcreative]

Such a joy to have found this performance! Masterfully done! Been a huge Prince fan for decades. Not only is this a wonderful Prince Experience, but also an exceptional WDR Big Band Experience! Thank you for keeping the music alive!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Welcome to our channel. We are delighted that our Prince Experience has gone down well with you as a Prince fan.

[@matto9734]

I didn´t expect that this struck me so hard... absolutely phenomenal arrangement and musicianship right there. Lifts Prince to another and VERY welcomed level!!! And dang, those onions...

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Thank you!

[@calijazzvoice]

❤❤❤❤❤❤FABULOUSLY FUNKY!!! Prince would be proud!!!! STELLAR Performance!!!❤❤❤Thank YA’LL!!!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Thank you very much for your kind words!

[@ChristianSedlak]

So wonderful. Prince would have loved it. WDR BIG BAND: GOOD JOB - Chapeau !!!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Thank you!

[@louise_rose]

Yes, this is, as they say, "a match made in heaven". Or the kind of gig that sounds like a given idea once it actually happens! :)

[@arturdobrowolski4067]

For me, Prince was a great composer but a very underrated guitarist. I played his songs many times at jam sessions in pubs. RIP Prince Rogers Nelson

[@mykeonthemove]

I disagree with the description that Prince was an underrated guitarist. If there is a single concert performance and song that refutes this epic misunderstanding of who Prince was as a legendary guitarist it would be in his 2007 performance at Super Bowl XLI which arguably is one of the most powerful instrumental guitar solos ever performed at an event where the main entertainment wasn't intended to be a music concert. While each event had a different purpose, Prince performing Purple Rain at the Super Bowl could easily be argued as being equally instrumentally epic as Jimi Hendrix playing the Star Spangled Banner at Woodstock. Hendrix's legacy is arguably more profound within the context of the song he played but the visceral context of playing the guitar is legendary between them both. I am still searching for it but there is a concert guitar solo that Prince performed for the song "Must be Something in the Water You Drink" from his 1999 album where he does a guitar solo that lasts probably about over 12 minutes and completely changed my understanding of Prince's guitar genius. More of his creative guitar genius could be heard in his cherry-picking a solo artist from the audience for a concert he did at Camden Palace where he debuted the legendary sassy and sultry voice of Ms. Mica Paris whose voice I adore. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGi4e5WIqdagbpY. I don't think even Prince was expecting the sultriness in how Mica glided through that short vocal interlude of the classic R&B song.

[@rolandoramirez2130]

Que Bella Música por Dios !!! ... Excelente Show !!!!

[@jeanpierrecarpentier]

When it is not the WDR's own rhythm section, I always feel something is missing. But hey, this rhythm section is really at home here 😊 Bravo for a fantastic concert. 💚💙💜🤎💛💖💝

[@WDRBIGBAND]

👍♥️🎶

[@darkbluebossa]

Most of the musicians already played with Prince, that´s why it feels like home.

[@jeanpierrecarpentier]

@@darkbluebossa I thought so indeed.

[@klngklng57]

Superb sound when played back on my stereo! And of course great musicianship!

[@pati2413]

Super concert !!! BRAVO 👏 Et merci à Christian (l’ingénieur du son)

[@derTonmeister]

Merci!

[@seandennis3148]

Such a great collaboration! 🤩 Tears of joy throughout, because of the brilliance. 21:30 The microphone antics were just bizarre, you could see it happening and then pow! it did. 🎤💥👃🩸

[@joecool2034]

😂😂Legendary Scene!!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

...and painful. Paul is a hero.

[@SoaringTrumpet]

Fantastic! The first track is such a funky arrangement, and the entire WDR band is on fire! Can't wait to listen to the rest of the concert. Also, great work, Vince Mendoza!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

🙏🏻🎶👍

[@renevanderbruggen731]

This is a 10/10! Wow everything is top notch … groove, band, recordings etc etc and of course Princes legacy the Grand Master of Funk - god bless him😢

[@WDRBIGBAND]

God bless PRINCE - he has left us a great musical legacy

[@TheSimonsails]

Sometimes in April Prince IS hère 🥁🎹🎸🎷🎺💜💜 💜

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Yeah!

[@gabrielekraack6423]

Ein Genuß für Prince-, Funk- und Jazzfans...mit Sicherheit für mich! Danke vielmals! Es macht dem "Meister" alle Ehre 😊

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Vielen Dank für deine herzlichen Worte, Gabriele!

[@RichardJuukovsky]

Can play this again and again and even if I'm not watching the screen. Just wish these shows (Prince and Curtis Mayfield) with these talented people were taking place in London. So jealous Germany is having this. Amazing stuff! Peace and love

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Thank you for your kind words!

[@uwenik061]

I thought Prince was the only one who could interpret Purple Rain. As a duet, what a strength.

[@WDRBIGBAND]

👍

[@darkbluebossa]

Thanks a lot for bringing it back. I really thought it would be gone forever, which would be a sad thing. Amazing concert!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Thank you!

[@fabiocalzavarasax]

Vince Mendoza TOP!!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

🙏🏻

[@skipsmith743]

what a delight it is to see and hear music at it's best... thank you

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Thank you for your kind words!

[@ElenaPetropavlovska]

Вы - совершенные музыканты! Аранжировки Винса Мендосы безупречно передают стиль Принца. Солисты просто шикарны!!!! Весь концерт- как на одном дыхании! 👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Большое спасибо, Елена, нам очень приятно слышать 🙏🏻

[@josip7183]

Thank you God for all the music you've given us... And also thank you for the WDR Big Band.

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Thank you for watching us!

[@RBHADD]

Wow.....High Fashion....loving this.

[@Itgyrl909]

COME ON, NOW!!! Bringing that Funk!!!! The Purple One would highly approve!! Where do WDR Big Band be jamming at?! I would love to come to your shows!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

We are jamming in Cologne / Germany. From where do you come from?

[@Itgyrl909]

Awe, in the States 😔

[@rodneyharper2275]

Glad you posted this, really enjoyed the last one with Bilal and Ledisi

[@WDRBIGBAND]

We are delighted that you also saw our tribute concert for Curtis. Those were very emotional productions for us.

[@shanephilen]

Great job expanding Phil Lassiter's arrangement of Mutiny!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

👍

[@abrahambalaghi264]

La Banda excelente y El Señor cantante y bajista excelente!!! Con imprevistos dejó claro que es Un GROSO!!!! Congratulatios!!!! SUPERRR!!!!

[@RBHADD]

I'm going to say, I loved this and I loved that they put big efforts into recording/mixing this well. Unlike Prince, who often seemed to rush, this was done very very well.

[@abrahambalaghi264]

Son Recontra Grosos!!!! Todos la rompen!!!!! Además cantar y tocar el bajo como se debe... No es para cualquiera. Paul Peterson un Verdadero MAESTRO!!! GENIO!!!!

[@hokpfzt]

Fantastisches Konzert,danke an alle Mitwirkenden.💐

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Danke dir fürs Zuschauen.

[@adedamolaifaturoti8740]

Amazing! Highlight for me was "Kiss" superimposed on "Sexy MF" Wow!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

😊

[@myseville1976]

Prince lives on!!!!!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

🙏🏻

[@leonardos.1538]

Devine arrangement! Prince would have been proud of you !!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

😊🎶

[@nurnur-rh3lb]

Wonderful 🤗🤗🤗😍

[@ulftilly]

You make me cry. Thank you!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Thank you for sharing your emotions with us!

[@alabdul-mateen3rd]

My God guys! Job well done 👍

[@tiborkadar9918]

Actually, after this, I'm missing him even more!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

We all miss him!

[@pabloortiz6922]

Just beautiful. I miss him😢😢. Thank goodness he left a treasure trove of music for us to enjoy.

[@WDRBIGBAND]

That is true! His music will last forever!

[@alabdul-mateen3rd]

All I can say is. Prince sure did leave his spirit in a legacy his music.

[@jonylawson73]

Oh very impressive starting with XENOPHOBIA ...great great concert

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Thank you!

[@BartonVanPutten]

Kudos, Dopalious !!! Supa Duper Sonics ❤🎉😮😊 !!!

[@galinakrivulin6767]

Magnificent concert! There is an advantage watching it @ home! So much energy shared and welcomed! It’s contagious!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

It was also contagious on site at each of the 4 concerts, Galina!

[@hornsby5533]

Ich habe mich nie für Prince interessiert, aber das hier..... WOW!!!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

👍

[@soliver68]

This is a masterpiece, may be better than the original! Excellent song selection, excellent artists, which also performed with Prince and last but not least excellent arrangement. VM and WDR BB is legend anyway. Hopefully we will get this recording as an album 😉 Many thanks for providing this on YT. 🙏🙏🙏

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Stay tuned, there will be an album later on.

[@santiagosuarezgarcia3305]

Genial,, como siempre,, todo lo que toca esta Orquesta se escucha en toda la Galaxia,,, que Dios bendiga para siempre a estos Algeles de la música de siempre...

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Muchas gracias!

[@marianoc6829]

El show debe continuar !! Terrible artista como después de semejante golpe que recibe en el 21:30 sigue!! Increíble, la banda, las canciones, todo !! 🙌🙌

[@bmuhamad]

Groovy as a Big Band. Thanks.

[@WDRBIGBAND]

😊

[@UvasonarDe]

Amazing work, sensational collaboration. Still: Agreed on the perception of headroom on the male vocals front: Kenton Chen would have been my favourite sub for Prince/TAFKAP/Love Symbol (RIP).

[@WDRBIGBAND]

👍

[@lollito84]

Very good ! I like the variations on arrangements.

[@WDRBIGBAND]

😊

[@sliksta241]

Yeah I really think Prince would have enjoyed this. They are killing it!!!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Thank you very much for your kind words!

[@fabiocalzavarasax]

always super!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Thank you!

[@rikbardyn5914]

woooooowwwwwww!!!!!!!!! This far beyond the stars.......!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm floating.........

[@bbsara9393]

Thank you Prince

[@WDRBIGBAND]

👍

[@80thtasties85]

Wow - superb performance!!! Paul Peterson, please don't sing :-))

[@dfreeman120]

Paul sounds incredible, one of my favorite singers bassists ever !!!

[@phunkidruma]

GREAT but something/someone is missing😪

[@WDRBIGBAND]

True, you can't replace an artist like Prince, you can only honor his work.

[@zoeyandmax6010]

Great! Where can I buy this arrangement?

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Please contact the arranger Vince Mendoza directly for achieving the arrangements.

[@bodostumpf2600]

So fu....good👌👍

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Thank you!

[@Toeslam10]

🕺🏾💜👾🕺🏾👏🏾 Super concert🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Thank you!

[@HDPERFORM]

One side Crash Cymbal too high in the mix... But is a beautiful performance and mix... Thank you WDR BB.

[@sergejsergej9122]

Super!!! Nice!!!!

[@saxofof]

Johan on alto always on fire !!!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

True!

[@sdey893]

💜

[@michaelbereckis]

Klasse!

[@payt01]

Awesome concert! This really shows what we're missing in Prince though,.The vocals, although not bad in their own right, are about 10% of the power of what Prince brought to the table. Also it''s all a bit too timid, too controlled and too well.. too civilized I suppose. The drums miss their punch and kick, the solo's a bit of Prince unpredictability and rawness, etc. I still enjoyed it though :)

[@MyHeartFailureJourney]

That guitar player is SMOKING!!!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Mike Scott on guitar ....🚀

[@alexandrealves4517]

amazing opening song

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Thank you!

[@stormy69]

Bravo. Ce n'est pas si simple de jour du Prince n'est-ce pas ?

[@stormy69]

*jouer du Prince

[@WDRBIGBAND]

C'est vrai, c'était en effet une expérience.

[@johnsouhoka6742]

Awsome, When do you come to The Netherlands?

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Sorry, there are no tourplans at the moment.

[@thomasstrau2028]

💜💜💜

[@edwarddejong8025]

Female vocalists were good. This is a great band. Not easy to arrange Prince's songs. He was such a curmudgeon about letting other people cover his songs, so he never made sheet music for any of his compositions to my knowledge.

[@jonylawson73]

Well you are 100 percent incorrect on all your points there ..many covered his work with his blessing ..he has numerous sheet meet music available ...a "curmudgeon"😅😅😅

[@senorhun5878]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏❤️🦋

[@MeowMeow-_-00-_-]

👏👏👏

[@ulriketheus4175]

❤

[@janecroft]

Nice, but nothing compares to Prince.

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Indeed, once cannot compare ...

[@user-gv6pc2cf4r]

Klasse Konzert , hervorragende Musiker, tolle Arrangements , einziger Kritikpunkt (für mich) , Paul Peterson sollte kein Prince singen , sondern nur Bass spielen , passt nicht . Wie gesagt , meine Meinung

[@christianboddum8783]

Does it get you up and dance, that's the question.

[@calijazzvoice]

LONG LIVE PRINCE NELSON ROGERS!!!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

His music will survive forever...

[@shamrock3639]

Ida Nielsen am Bass wäre nett gewesen. Schade 🙁

[@alexandrealves4517]

"Nothing compares to you" was beautiful

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Thank you!

[@k3nn3thinatl]

Ugh the delicate beauty of Venus was ruined by the heavy bass. WHY?!? WHY?!?

[@theamazingworship111]

Today I officially accept Jesus as my savior and this song plays while I pray. Thank God for the best decision I could have made!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

👍🏻

[@bartmulder6995]

Sounds way too rehearsed. Not something Prince would do. Lacks groove.

[@Avenarius2906]

O(+> 👍🏼🎼🤘🏼R.I.P. 😔 Sollte der WDR doch noch für irgendwas gut sein…? 🤔

[@bbsara9393]

Great band, but i find that this singer has destorted and destroyed "Nothing compares to you"

[@darkbluebossa]

Actually, he is the original singer of ´Nothing Compares to you´. Prince wrote this song for a band called The Family, and St Paul Peterson was the singer on that first recording in 85. Having said that, I prefer Sinead´s version

[@SeriousTipStudio]

Lol, wow, they sure sucked the funk out Prince songs. Nice try, maybe next time. 😂😅

[@jonylawson73]

There is always one prick and here's today ..

[@stokkimojito]

Well I was thinking among the same lines for a big part of this show... All the right notes are there, real good arrangements... But a lot of the songs feel at least 6 BPM too slow to for me... I miss the urgency in the groove which NEVER missed from P's shows...

[@zyruemusic]

NO FEEL!!! BIG NICE ORCHESTRATION PACKED IN A TIGHT BOX WITH LOTS OF BELLS AND WHISTLES…..LOTS OF MONEY SPENT BUT NO FEEL EXCEPT FOR THE KEYBOARDS AND CONGAS ON POP LIFE!!! THE VOCALS WERE GREAT BUT HIGHLY RESTRICTED….THEY DIDNT HAVE PERMITS AND LICENSES TO LET THEIR BACKBONES SLIP!!! BUT I UNDERSTAND…..RIP PRINCE….IF U WAS THERE SOME BACKBONES WOULD HAVE SLIPPED….SLIDED….AND GLIDED!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿THEY GET A C PLUS!!!