New Prince Album, ‘Piano and a Microphone 1983,’ Announced
The Prince Estate has announced the release of a new album of material from Prince’s legendary vault of unreleased recordings. Piano & a Microphone 1983 is a nine-track, 35-minute album featuring a previously unreleased 1983 home studio cassette recording of Prince at his piano.
The album will be released Sept. 21 and will be available on CD, LP, deluxe CD and LP, digital and streaming formats.
"This raw, intimate recording, which took place at the start of Prince's career right before he achieved international stardom, is similar in format to the Piano & a Microphone Tour that he ended his career with in 2016," said Troy Carter, entertainment adviser for the Prince Estate. "The Estate is excited to be able to give fans a glimpse of his evolution and show how his career ultimately came full circle with just him and his piano."
One of the tracks on the album, a very Prince-like take on the pre-Civil War spiritual “Mary Don’t You Weep,” will be featured during the end credits of Spike Lee’s upcoming film BlacKkKlansman. You can listen to “Mary Don’t You Weep” below.
The remainder of Piano & a Microphone 1983 is a trove of rarities, captured at Prince's Kiowa Trail home studio in Chanhassen, Minn. Included on the album are early takes of “17 Days” (the B-side of the “When Doves Cry” single), “Purple Rain” and “Strange Relationship” (eventually released on Sign O’ the Times). There’s also a cover of Joni Mitchell’s “A Case of You” and the slow jam “International Lover,” originally released on his 1999 album.
Prince, 'Piano & a Microphone 1983' Track Listing
17 Days
Purple Rain
A Case Of You
Mary Don't You Weep
Strange Relationship
International Lover
Wednesday
Cold Coffee & Cocaine
Why The Butterflies