Before 'Purple Rain,' 'Piano & a Microphone 1983'

The Purple Rain star inside First Avenue
The Purple Rain star inside Minneapolis' First Avenue, shone during a late-night party celebrating the life and music of Prince on April 22, 2016.
Nate Ryan | MPR 2016

Prior to "Purple Rain," it was just Prince, a piano and a microphone.

The aptly named album "Piano & a Microphone 1983" was released in late September, and Prince fans have been feeling nostalgic ever since.

There are raw versions of classics like "Purple Rain" and "1999," along with new songs such as "Cold Coffee & Cocaine" and a cover of "Mary Don't You Weep," which was featured in the film "BlacKkKlansman." And, according to Star Tribune's Chris Riemenschneider, this won't be the last time we hear new music from Prince.

Two guests joined MPR host Kerri Miller to dissect this latest release from the vault.

Guests:

Jim McGuinn, program director at The Current.

Zaheer Ali, oral historian and lecturer who taught a U.S. history course at New York University titled "Prince: A Sign of the Times."

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