First the Grammys, then Tavis Smiley, then Leno, Ellen DeGeneres, maybe Regis and Kelly, plus the R 'n R Hall of Fame next month!! 2004 should be a good year for Prince.

Funk veteran Prince will next month release a new album, and embark on his first major tour in six years, but warned Tuesday that the concerts will be the last time fans get to hear his hits for a while.

So far, 26 dates are scheduled, starting March 29 at Staples Center in Los Angeles and wrapping June 12 at CenturyTel Center in Bossier, La.

Announcing the tour Tuesday in Los Angeles, Prince played the jazz-infused title track from the new album, "Musicology." Explaining his fresh material -- label distribution is still being negotiated -- Prince said, "'Musicology' is very important to us. means that when we create music, we let it dictate our next moves in life."

Old favorites will also be part of the tour, which will be presented in the round. But Prince warned that these gigs will be the last time fans will be able hear his classics for a while, since he is "wanting to make room for new music."

More stops will be added to the tour, including in major markets such as Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, Houston, Las Vegas, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Portland, Ore., Seattle, San Francisco and New York.

New Power Generation band members joining Prince on the road and on the new album include John Blackwell (drums), Greg Boyer (trombone), Candy Dulfer (saxophone), Chance Howard (trumpet), Renato Neto (piano and synthesizers), Maceo Parker (saxophone), RAD (vocals and keyboards), and Rhonda Smith (bass).

Other confirmed performances include May 29 at the annual Tiger Woods-sponsored Tiger Jam in Las Vegas and a headlining spot at the July 2-4 Essence Festival in New Orleans.

Prince says he will let fans download "Musicology" tracks from his NPG Music Club Web site in the weeks ahead. Members would pay $0.77 per song, while non-members would be charged $0.99.

"We're talking to several labels at once," said the artist, who had an infamous falling out with Warner Bros. in the '90s. His decision will be based, he says on " most hyped about pushing the product." He is serious about promoting "Musicology" and is "asking if they can guarantee their work."

Prince will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame March 16 in New York. Leading up to the event, the artist is confirmed to appear and perform Wednesday (March 3) on the syndicated "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."

Here are Prince's tour dates:

March 31: Phoenix (Glendale Arena)
April 2: Dallas (American Airlines Center)
April 6: Oklahoma City (Ford Center)
April 7: Omaha, Neb. (Qwest Center)
April 8: Ames, Iowa (Hilton Coliseum)
April 10: Champaign, Ill. (Assembly Hall)
April 12: Indianapolis (Conseco Fieldhouse)
April 13: Cincinnati (U.S. Bank Arena)
April 14: Pittsburgh (Mellon Arena)
April 16: Columbus, Ohio (Value City Arena / Schottenstein Center)
April 17: Cleveland (Gund Arena)
April 18: State College, Pa. (Bryce Jordan Center)
April 21: Columbia, S.C. (Colonial Center)
April 22: Knoxville, Ky. (Thompson-Boling Arena)
April 23: Raleigh, N.C. (RBC Center)
April 25: Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Office Depot Center)
April 26: Tampa, Fla. (St. Pete Times Forum)
April 27: Jacksonville, Fla. (Veterans Memorial Arena)
April 29: Birmingham, Ala. (BJCC Coliseum)
April 30: Atlanta (Philips Arena)
May 1: Biloxi, Miss. (Mississippi Coast Coliseum)
May 4: Kansas City, Mo. (Kemper Arena)
May 5: St. Louis, Mo. (Savvis Center)
May 6: Nashville (Gaylord Entertainment Center)
June 12: Bossier City, La. (CenturyTel Center)

will this tour be with or without Wendy and Lisa?

I am happy he slashed ticket prices, he came here during the time Rainbow Children came out, I wanted to go, until I found out a good seat would set me back $185, especially since he's notorious for "out with the old, in with the new" when I personally prefer 78-92 more than his latter stuff (tho I did love Gold Experience and The Truth)

Originally posted by BuffySlayer79
will this tour be with or without Wendy and Lisa?

I am happy he slashed ticket prices, he came here during the time Rainbow Children came out, I wanted to go, until I found out a good seat would set me back $185, especially since he's notorious for "out with the old, in with the new" when I personally prefer 78-92 more than his latter stuff (tho I did love Gold Experience and The Truth)

As far as I know, he didn't mention anything about Wendy & Lisa. I kind of doubted that would happen anyway, he doesn't seem like the type to celebrate his past in terms of doing a Revolution reunion tour. It would also be like Prince admitting his best, most relevant music is in the past. Prince is a proud musician who believes he still has a lot to say with his current stuff, I think. I agree with you, Gold Experience and the Truth are two of the better releases he's put out in the last 10-12 years.

Originally posted by vashti1999
I agree with you, Gold Experience and the Truth are two of the better releases he's put out in the last 10-12 years.

I think Emancipation would've been great had he cut the 3 discs down to one 78 minute disc. There's some good stuff on it, but there is so much filler that it's harder to appreciate.

I will confess that I loved the Chaos And Disorder album as well. New Power Soul, The Vault and Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic would've been a great album if the best songs from the 3 cd's were rolled into 1 cd (I think "The One" is hands down the best single he's released since "7", a shame it wasn't a hit)

I do respect Prince for the fact he doesn't hold back. He knows what his fans want and he delivers. The pace he's recorded albums is commendable, the albums aren't always great but he never keeps us waiting for too long.

Is there a clause against remastering the Warner albums? I would LOVE to see "remastered and expanded" versions of Prince, Dirty Mind, Controversy, 1999, Purple Rain, Around The World In A Day, Parade, Sign O' The Times and Symbol. After seeing the work Rhino (which is under Warner) has done to old Elvis Costello and Fleetwood Mac (2 disc versions of Rumours and Tusk are on the way, as well as an expanded "Fleetwood Mac"), I would just die to see what they could do for Prince's stuff, especially since we know of all the stuff he has vaulted

I liked "Chaos & Disorder" as well. First time I heard Dinner With Delores I didn't know what to think, but it's since become a song I like alot, along with the rock tracks on that album. I tend to completely forget "The Vault" even exists, I've barely listened to it since I bought it. Used to be I buy a Prince cd and that would be all I listen to for at least a solid month. I'd know the cd backwards and forwards. Vault , NewPowerSoul, One Nite Alone, N.E.W.S., I barely know those; not on the same level like I'm familiar with the older stuff. I liked alot of "Crystal Ball" and "Emancipation" was pretty solid. "Rave" could have been better, I thought it was too disjointed. I liked Rainbow Children. Gold Experience was the best of the last decade (10 years ago!)

Deluxe expanded editions of Prince's old stuff would be cool, especially if they include b-sides and 12-inch single versions of songs. I can see it happening eventually.

Rapper Big Pun talked about Prince on a Fat Joe song saying we been doing this since Prince was the bomb, when he changed his name & started making wack songs LOL. I haven't liked Prince since his Diamonds & Pearls album.

By the way my aunt & her husband in Cleveland went to a Prince concert about a yr or 2 yrs ago. She told me that she was mad at Prince cause he didn't sing any of his old songs & she said that's what she wanted to hear. She said he sang a lot of his new stuff & she said she doesn't like what he sang. Plus she said the tickets cost too much. I think she said the tickets were like $100 somethin dollars. Prince knows that is too much money to be charging his fans especially if he didn't sing any of his old stuff which is what everybody wants to hear.

Originally posted by BuffySlayer79
Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic

Ew... that album was just TERRIBLE. Waste of my money.