Exclusive: Home Is Where The Funk Is

PRINCE throws star-studded funk session. 

Thanks to an eye-witness who sent in this report:

LAWD, check this out: Last night (April 06) the funky one threw a house party/concert for 75-100 friends and celebs.. we were too busy having fun to notice who all was there, but we did see Salma Hayek and Larry Graham (Graham Central Station/Sly & the Family Stone).

The party started jumping around 1 am when Prince and a light ‘n tight version of his band kicked things off with a bang. Some of the songs were Alphabet St., Girls and Boys, a load of Sly and the Family Stone songs (including Stand, which we’ve never heard from this band before), and a few more surprises. Prince spent equal time tearing it up on guitar and keys, sometimes even playing both during the same song. Prince hasn’t gotten much credit for his keyboard playing but he can rip it up with the best of ‘em. Some of the piano jams played last night: Superstition, Higher Ground, Tell Me Something Good. Larry G funked it up on bass during many of the Sly numbers, and also some of the Stevie Wonder jams.

Among the surprises: after Stand, Prince and the band broke into what seemed to be a brand new song that would do James Brown proud, with Prince laying down some serious rhythm chops on guitar. We hope he releases this one! It’s all that and a bag of drumsticks.

Another surprise: Shelby J. (vocalist) tore up a rocked out version of India Arie’s Brown Skin; another jam the band seems to have learned overnight. It seems like they’re warming up to hit our ears HARD with some serious funk.

A party like this is the ultimate way to see a Prince show — no barriers, no distance between guest and performers — all fun, like those chilled out house party jams that musicians of all calibers whip up when they want to throw down some grooves and kick it with their friends.

(Man, wish that Prince would make some house calls. -Dr.FB)