Prince & the Revolution / Wiltern Theatre Los Angeles CA, May 30, 1986 (2CDR)

Disc 1
1.Around The World In A Day
2.Christopher Tracy's Parade
3.New Position
4.I Wonder U
5.Raspberry Beret
6.Alexa De Paris
7.Controversy
8.Mutiny (feat. Dream Factory)
9. How Much Is That Dog In The Window?
10.Lady Cab Driver
11.Automatic
12.D.M.S.R.
13.The Dance Electric
14.Under The Cherry Moon
15.Anotherloverholenyohead
16.Soft And Wet
16.I Wanna Be Your Lover
17.Head

Disc 2
1.Pop Life
2.Girls And Boys
3.Life Can Be So Nice
4.Purple Rain
5.Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On
6.Mountains
7. A Love Bizarre (feat. Holy Rock)
9. Kiss

Wiltern Theatre Los Angeles, CA, May 30, 1986

This is the first live recording of the 1986 Hit & Run tour, a performance that is still unknown, even in its entirety, including the setlist! This ultimate version features a remastered version of the audience recording from the May 30, 1986, performance at the Wiltern Theatre, a remarkable performance for the time. The tape recording has been smoothed out to remove any cuts or noise caused by tape changes. This live performance marks the opening night of the Hit & Run tour, which took place before the Parade tour. Named by Steve Fagnoli, this tour was held locally, with little promotion beyond a brief announcement on local radio stations. Fans scrambled to buy tickets, and the small venues sold out instantly. Prior to this concert, Prince had performed live shows with setlists similar to those featured on the upcoming Parade Tour. However, this May 30th concert is a blank day, with even the setlist for The Vault still unknown! Prince was busy during this incredibly busy period, appearing with The Bangles and Sheila E., producing the unreleased album Dream Factory, filming for the film Under the Cherry Moon, and writing songs. It's hard to believe he managed to squeeze in such an energetic live performance, and it's an incredible rollercoaster of a performance! The first half of the concert, with a compact rendition of New Position and a sing-along with the audience on Raspberry Beret, is a thrilling experience, even as it builds to the structure of the Parade Tour. Yet, the nearly five-minute interlude by Alexa De Paris adds a unique depth to the performance. Prince plays with such passion, and the performance is a stunning one, featuring some never-before-heard riffs! And Mutiny is a funky, long version with Wendy singing the Dream Factory chant! And The Dance Electric, a song he wrote for André Simone, is one of the rare tracks performed on the Hit & Run tour. It also features Prince's relentless guitar work, reminiscent of Endorphin Machine, albeit from a completely different period! The horns also play hooky arrangements, creating a really funky jam, a highlight of the show. The relatively rare Soft & Wet is perfectly executed, including the chorus and sloppy keyboard sounds. I Wanna Be Your Lover and Head are also long versions with plenty of keyboards! Purple Rain was a hallmark of the Hit & Run tour, playing it before the encore, but on the later Parade tour, it was often played at the end, perhaps because it provided a good closing moment. It's still a trial and error process at this stage, but the performance is meticulous and superb! Then, "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" and "Mountains" are reminiscent of Prince's birthday concert in Detroit, but then "A Love Bizarre" is played incorporating "Holy Rock," and the arrangement is so amazing it's irresistible! Don't miss Eric Leeds's freaky horns in the second half of "Holy Rock"! And finally, the extended version of the smash hit "Kiss" is played! This is another Hit & Run tour special. Different from the Parade tour, this '86 Hit & Run tour is a culmination, or perhaps a perfected version, and listening to this live performance will definitely reaffirm Prince's incredible live performances at the height of his powers! It's a masterpiece!