Opening for Prince's Musicology Tour Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA 03 June 2004 The Band Sheila E.: timbales and lead vocals Raymond McKinley: bass Bobby G.: guitar Agape Jerry: guitar Phil Davis: keyboards Cat Grey: keyboards John H. Roberts: drums Randy Ellis: saxophone Garrett Smith: trombone Raymond Montiero: trumpet Lynn Mabry: background vocals Bridgette Bryant: background vocals Songs Jazz Intro The Belle Of St. Mark Oliver's House A Love Bizarre One Nation Under A Groove (Lynn Mabry) I'll Take You There (Bridgette Bryant) Holly Rock Oakland Stroke Alphabet St. / Transmississippi Rap The Glamorous Life

Unannounced to the public, Sheila E. and her 11-piece band opened for Prince at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA on June 3, 2004. She had rehearsed a 35 minute set especially for this show. Sheila as well as the band members were dancing while playing on the four aisles of the round stage that was set up in the center of the venue (choreography by Carol Hatchett). Sheila's timbale set (from her custom series) was set up at the center, with the other musicians in the four corners of the stage. The band featured two guitar players, two keyboard players (including Cat Grey from the Romance 1600 band), a full horn section (horn arrangements were done by Eddie M. who didn't play that night), Raymond McKinley on bass who played with Madhouse at the Family Jamm!, as well as Lynn Mabry and Bridgette Bryant on background vocals.

Around 8 pm the lights were dimmed and the musicians, all dressed in black suits, took their spots on stage and started playing a jazz groove to which Sheila walked in from the side entrance with a spotlight on her. She was wearing a leopard print coat with a long train, matching high-waisted pants, and a black top with a flower on one side.

Once she arrived at her timbales, the band changed into a funky groove and Sheila played for a bit, then took off her coat for "The Belle of St. Mark". During this song and the next, "Oliver's House", which was played slower than on the album but sounded really funky, she was dancing all around the stage. "A Love Bizarre" had a different arrangement with a cool guitar part and solos by Lynn Mabry ("One Nation Under A Groove") and Bridgette Bryant ("I'll take you there"). Sheila broke down the song several times and did the "Strawberry", "Whip Cream", "Jazz" and "New Part" instrumental parts. At the end of the song she threw her drumsticks in the audience. She asked if this had been a surprise and seeing the crowd's reaction it definitely was.

After one of Sheila's rousing timbale solos, the band went into a salsa jam, followed by a cool drum groove which turned into Holly Rock to which Sheila changed the lyrics into "Come on over to Sheila E.'s house". The next song, "Oakland Stroke", was a new addition to the set, and featured her horn section a lot.

For "Alphabet St." Sheila was wearing a leopard print jacket, and the horns and background singers came over to the center of the stage to dance. Instead of the usual rap part of the song Sheila did the Transmississippi rap from "Beautiful Night".

The encore, "Glamorous Life", was a crowd pleaser and had the audience sing along. It ended with another timbale solo during which Sheila broke several drum sticks.

Those who were lucky to catch Sheila's performance were treated to a well worked out show with lots of dancing and a bigger band than she normally has at her club shows. The huge stage in the round made it possible to accommodate all this and the whole performance felt like much more than an opening set.

Later that night, Sheila jammed with Prince during his aftershow at the House of Blues in Hollywood to a packed house. While playing many of her trademark timbale solos, she also played guitar and sang a duet with Prince on "A Love Bizarre". Sheila's manager, and former Brides of Funkenstein singer, Lynn Mabry, was also invited on stage by Prince to sing background vocals.

Review: Andrea L.