Beautiful Strange Prince video

NPG Records

video

To put a cap on your work is to put a boundary on your gift

Beautiful Strange is a television special screened in the UK by Channel 4 on 24 October 1998. The programme is split into two parts. The video opens with Prince in a sit-down interview in the atrium at Paisley Park with former Spice Girl, Mel B, which was filmed on 30 July 1998. This is followed by the lyric video to the then unreleased song Beautiful Strange (a remix of the same track was also released on Rave In2 The Joy Fantastic on 29 April 2001 limited edition CD). In the 20-minute interview Prince and Mel B discuss his then new album Newpower Soul and its creative influences and his life as an independent artist, particularly the ownership of his work. They talk about the future of the music industry and the influence of digital distribution. The interview is concluded with the pair taking a tour round Paisley Park and head outside to the playground.

The second half comprises of 49 minutes of footage edited from a near two hour concert filmed at the Cafe de Paris nightclub in London’s Leicester Square, for Channel 4. The ‘Secret Show’ took place in the early hours after an off day during his Newpower Soul Tour and was staged just after midnight on 28 August 1998. In this performance, Prince was joined by Chaka Khan, Larry Graham and Doug E Fresh, backed by the NPG. Prince ends the show by stage diving into the audience. For his part, Larry Graham is backed by Prince and his own horn section Jerry Martini and Cynthia Robinson. Earlier that day, Prince shot a video performing Come On at Hyde Park Corner in London dressed as an aged busker confounding passers by.

The interview, programme and concert were later released on VHS under the name Beautiful Strange and through 1800newfunk.com on 24 August 1999, published under Prince’s NPG Records label (as NPG Video). Beautiful Strange home video was not made commercially available elsewhere.

Synopsis

Listen… This intimate conversation between Prince and Mel B covers the subject of musical inspiration, freedom, and influences. At home in his Paisley Park Studios, Prince gives one of his most revealing interviews. Musical legend, accomplished composer, and consummate performer, Prince is a multi-layered artist, whose years in the “corporate business” of the music industry serve as insight for other performers as they are faced with signing away their artistry. His experience enables future acts to hold on 2 their creations and to freely express themselves in an artist-driven market. Stay tuned, cuz after the interview you will be witness to forty nine minutes of a special performance.

Performers

Vocals/Guitar: Prince Love Symbol
Drums: Kirk Johnson
Keyboards: Morris Hayes
Bass Guitar: Rhonda Smith; Larry Graham ^Free
Guitar: Mike Scott
Backing vox: Marva King
Rap: Doug E Fresh

Tracklist

Intro (1:33)
Interview [by Mel B] (19:06)
Beautiful Strange
Rave In2 The Joy Fantastic (2001)

[lyric video] (5:01)
Push It Up
Newpower Soul (1998)

[feat. Doug E Fresh] (2:29)
Jam Of The Year
Emancipation (1996)

(2:43)
Talkin' Aloud And Sayin' Nothing (3:10) ¹
Instrumental Jam (2:14)
Sweet Thing [sung by Chaka Khan] (7:03) ²
Baby, I Love U [sung by Chaka Khan] (5:08) ³
Don't Talk 2 Strangers
Come 2 My House (1998)

[sung by Chaka Khan] (4:23)
Free
GCS 2000 (1998)

[sung by Larry Graham] (4:46)
Partytime / The Show [sung by Doug E Fresh] (3:23) ⁴
Come On
Newpower Soul (1998)

(7:18)
La-Di-Da-Di / Mad [feat. Doug E Fresh] (5:40)
Credits (1:12)
Come On [video] (5:02)

¹ Written by James Brown and Bobby Byrd.
² Written by Chaka Khan and Tony Maiden.
³ Written by Ronnie Shannon for Aretha Franklin.
⁴ Written by Doug E Fresh