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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 

 And, according to Star Tribune's Chris Riemenschneider, this won't be the 

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

, 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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Arts and Culture

Kerri Miller

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Manda Lillie

The new music released from Prince's vault is emotional, raw and unfinished. Does listening to this work give us a clear insight into his artistic process or does it veer into violating Prince's privacy?

Prior to the massive hit, "Purple Rain" it was just Prince, a piano and a microphone.The aptly named album "Piano & a Microphone 1983" was released in late September. Prince fans have been wrapped in nostalgia ever since.There are raw covers classics like "Purple Rain" and "1999," along with new songs such as "Cold Coffee & Cocaine" and a cover of "Mary Don't You Weep." Jim McGuinn, program director at The Current and oral historian Zaheer Ali spoke with Kerri Miller about the latest release from Prince's vault and forthcoming projects.

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

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