Album: Piano & A Microphone 1983: Difference between revisions

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|album name            = Piano & A Microphone 1983
|album name            = Piano & A Microphone 1983
|album image            = [[File:Piano&amicrophone1983.jpg|200px|border|Piano & A Microphone 1983 album artwork]]
|album image            = [[File:Piano&amicrophone1983.jpg|200px|border|Piano & A Microphone 1983 album artwork]]
|date                  = [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/September 14|14 September 2018]] ''(announced official store release date)''<br> [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/September 21|21 September 2018]] ''(announced retail release date)''
|date                  = [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/September 14|14 September 2018]] ''(announced official store release date)''<br> [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/September 21|21 September 2018]] ''(retail store release date)''
|length                = 35:00 ''(approx.)''
|length                = 34:19
|label                  = [[NPG Records]] / [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Bros._Records Warner Bros. Records]
|label                  = [[NPG Records]] / [[The Prince Estate]] / [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Bros._Records Warner Bros. Records]
|studios                = [[Kiowa Trail Home Studio]], Chanhassen, MN, USA
|studios                = [[Kiowa Trail Home Studio]], Chanhassen, MN, USA
|previous year          = 2017
|previous year          = 2018
|previous image        = Image:Purplerain_Deluxe.jpg
|previous image        = Image:Anthology1995-2010.jpg
|previous album        = Album: Purple Rain Deluxe
|previous album        = Album: Anthology: 1995-2010
|previous album link    = [[Album: Purple Rain Deluxe|Purple Rain ''Deluxe'']]
|previous album link    = [[Album: Anthology: 1995-2010|Anthology: 1995-2010]]
|next year              =  
|next year              = 2019
|next image            = Image:NoPreviousAlbum.png
|next image            = Image:Hismajestyspoplife album.jpg
|next album            =  
|next album            = Album: His Majesty’s Pop Life
|next album link        =  
|next album link        = [[Album: His Majesty’s Pop Life|His Majesty’s Pop Life]]
|introduction          = '''Piano & A Microphone 1983''' is the first posthumous stand-alone album of previously unreleased material by [[Prince]]. The album is a recording of a solo piano rehearsal by [[Prince]], assumed to be from spring 1983 at his [[Kiowa Trail Home Studio]], Chanhassen, MN, USA. The album was announced on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/June 7|7 June 2018]] (which would have been [[Prince]]'s 60th birthday) with the release of the track [[Mary Don't You Weep]] as a preview, and was released in September, 2018, a month after the [[Album: Anthology: 1995-2010|Anthology: 1995-2010]] digital compilation.
|introduction          = '''Piano & A Microphone 1983''' is the first stand-alone album of previously unreleased material by [[Prince]] and the fourth posthumous release overall. The album is a solo piano rehearsal recorded in somewhere in the late summer or Autumn of 1983 by [[Prince]], at his [[Kiowa Trail Home Studio]], Chanhassen, MN, USA. The album was announced on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/June 7|7 June 2018]] (which would have been [[Prince]]’s 60th birthday) with the release of the track [[Mary Don’t You Weep]] as a preview, and was released in September 2018, a month after the [[Album: Anthology: 1995-2010|Anthology: 1995-2010]] digital compilation.


The album was released on CD, and digital download, as well as deluxe CD+LP format, packaged in a hardback 12” gatefold book, containing the album on CD and 180g LP. The announcement also states that the package will include a 12” booklet featuring brand new liner notes written by [[Prince]]'s  engineer [[Don Batts]], who worked for [[Prince]] until July 1983 as well as candid shots of [[Prince]] including never before seen photos.
The album was released on CD, and digital download, as well as deluxe CD+LP format, packaged in a hardback 12” gatefold book, containing the album on CD and 180g LP. The announcement also states that the package will include a 12” booklet featuring brand new liner notes written by [[Prince]]’s engineer [[Don Batts]], who worked for [[Prince]] until July 1983 as well as candid shots of [[Prince]] including never before seen photos.


The album's title is an intentional reference to [[Prince]]'s final tour in 2016, [[Prince:_Piano_%26_A_Microphone_2016|Piano & A Microphone]]. The announcement of the release stated:
The album’s title is an intentional reference to [[Prince]]’s final tour in 2016, [[Prince:_Piano_%26_A_Microphone_2016|Piano & A Microphone]]. The announcement of the release stated:


:''“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 Prince Estate entertainment adviser Troy Carter. “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.” ''
:''“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 Prince Estate entertainment adviser Troy Carter. “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.” ''


<b>Recording Process</b>
 
<b>Sessions and compiling</b>


The album documents a home studio cassette recording by [[Prince]]. It was likely recorded by [[Prince]] to document works-in-progress and as a rehearsal only, rather than with the intention of using these recordings as a basis for overdubs or additional work.
The album documents a home studio cassette recording by [[Prince]]. It was likely recorded by [[Prince]] to document works-in-progress and as a rehearsal only, rather than with the intention of using these recordings as a basis for overdubs or additional work.


Of the nine songs included on the album, four had not been previously released in any form by [[Prince]]: [[Mary Don't You Weep]] (a cover version of an old negro spiritual from the American Civil War), [[Wednesday]], [[Cold Coffee & Cocaine]], and [[Why The Butterflies]]. A studio version of [[Wednesday]] was recorded on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/October 24|24 October 1983]], and was included as the fifth track on a [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/November 7|7 November 1983]], configuration of [[Album: Purple Rain|Purple Rain]], but was removed from the album and the movie as the project progressed. It is not known if, but seems unlikely that full studio versions of [[Mary Don't You Weep]], [[Cold Coffee & Cocaine]], and [[Why The Butterflies]] were ever recorded.
Of the nine songs included on the album, four had not been previously released in any form by [[Prince]]: [[Mary Don’t You Weep]] (a cover version of an old negro spiritual from the American Civil War), [[Wednesday]], [[Cold Coffee & Cocaine]], and [[Why The Butterflies]]. A studio version of [[Wednesday]] was recorded on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/October 24|24 October 1983]], and was included as the fifth track on a [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/November 7|7 November 1983]], configuration of [[Album: Purple Rain|Purple Rain]], but was removed from the album and the movie as the project progressed. It is not known if, but seems unlikely that full studio versions of [[Mary Don’t You Weep]], [[Cold Coffee & Cocaine]], and [[Why The Butterflies]] were ever recorded.
 
The remaining five tracks on the album have been released in other versions previously, although on disparate projects. [[International Lover]] was recorded in the studio on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/January 14|14 January 1982]] and released on [[Prince]]’s fifth album [[Album: 1999|1999]] later in 1982. [[Strange Relationship]] was initially recorded on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/March 14|14 March 1983]], but was worked on heavily over the next four years before it was released on [[Prince]]’s ninth album [[Album: Sign O’ The Times|Sign O’ The Times]] in 1987. [[17 Days]], was re-recorded by [[Prince]] in January 1984 and released as the b-side of [[Single: When Doves Cry|When Doves Cry]]. [[Purple Rain]] had been recorded live on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/August 3|3 August 1983]] and was released on [[Prince]]’s sixth album [[Album: Purple Rain|Purple Rain]], the first album to be credited to [[Prince and the Revolution]], in 1984. [[A Case Of U|A Case Of You]] was recorded by [[Prince]] in the studio almost 18 years after the session documented here, in Spring 2001, and released on his 25th album [[Album: One Nite Alone...|One Nite Alone...]] (which was similarly subtitled "''Solo piano and voice by Prince''") in 2002.


The remaining five tracks on the album have been released in other versions previously, although on disparate projects. [[International Lover]] was recorded in the studio on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/January 14|14 January 1982]] and released on [[Prince]]'s fifth album [[Album: 1999|1999]] later in 1982. [[Strange Relationship]] was initially recorded on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/March 14|14 March 1983]], but was worked on heavily over the next four years before it was released on [[Prince]]'s ninth album [[Album: Sign O' The Times|Sign O' The Times]] in 1987. [[17 Days]], was re-recorded by [[Prince]] in January 1984 and released as the b-side of [[Single: When Doves Cry|When Doves Cry]]. [[Purple Rain]] had been recorded live on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/August 3|3 August 1983]] and was released on [[Prince]]'s sixth album [[Album: Purple Rain|Purple Rain]], the first album to be credited to [[Prince and the Revolution]], in 1984. [[A Case Of U|A Case Of You]] was recorded by [[Prince]] in the studio almost 18 years after the session documented here, in Spring 2001, and released on his 25th album [[Album: One Nite Alone...|One Nite Alone...]] (which was similarly subtitled "''Solo piano and voice by Prince''") in 2002.
It was long unclear whether this recording was from Spring or late summer early fall. However clue that it was the latter lies in the lyrics [[Prince]] sings here in [[Purple Rain]]. These is the first first of the version as it was recorded on [[03 August 1983| 3 August 1983]], at First Avenue and later released on the [[Album: Purple Rain]] album. However [[Dr. Fink]] and others in [[The Revolution]] have stated that the song was developed with the band in rehearsals and [[Prince]] didn’t initially have lyrics for it yet. And even if he did, before he took the song to develop with the band, it  would have been the lyrics as [[Prince]] wrote them originally where the first verse was the second verse, as well as having a slight lyric variation: “''I never meant to fill your life with sorrow''”


<b>Promotion</b>
<b>Promotion</b>


Although no true singles were issued, [[Mary Don't You Weep]] was released as a preview ahead of the album on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/June 7|7 June 2018]]. [[17 Days]] was available as a pre-release download on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/September 6|6 September 2018]], and a [[Single: 17 Days|17 Days]] 7" vinyl single is planned for release in late September with the German edition of Rolling Stone magazine. [[Why The Butterflies]] was released as the final pre-release download on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/September 13|13 September 2018]].
Although no true singles were issued, [[Mary Don’t You Weep]] was released as a preview ahead of the album on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/June 7|7 June 2018]]. The song was also included in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spike_Lee Spike Lee]’s movie [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BlacKkKlansman BlacKkKlansman] (premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2018 and released in August, a month before the album). [[17 Days]] was available as a pre-release download on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/September 6|6 September 2018]], and a [[Single: 17 Days|17 Days (Piano Version)]] 7" vinyl single was released in September 2018 as a cover mount with the German edition of Rolling Stone magazine. [[Why The Butterflies]] was released as the final pre-release download on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/September 13|13 September 2018]].
 


<b>Charts</b>
<b>Charts</b>


Charting for this album will follow at the time of release.  
The album reached number 7 on the [[Billboard_Top_R&B_Albums|Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums]] chart and number 11 on the [[The Billboard 200]].


<b>Certifications</b>
Certification for this album will follow at the time of release.
|tracklisting          =  
|tracklisting          =  
# <b>[[17 Days]]</b> (6:22) <small><sup>1</sup></small>
# <b>[[17 Days]]</b> (6:22) <small><sup>1</sup></small>
# <b>[[Purple Rain]]</b> (1:26)
# <b>[[Purple Rain]]</b> (1:26)
# <b>[[A Case Of U|A Case Of You]]</b> (1:40) <small><sup>2</sup></small>
# <b>[[A Case Of U|A Case Of You]]</b> (1:40) <small><sup>2</sup></small>
# <b>[[Mary Don't You Weep]]</b> (4:42) <small><sup>3</sup></small>
# <b>[[Mary Don’t You Weep]]</b> (4:42) <small><sup>3</sup></small>
# <b>[[Strange Relationship]]</b> (2:38)
# <b>[[Strange Relationship]]</b> (2:38)
# <b>[[International Lover]]</b> (3:48)
# <b>[[International Lover]]</b> (3:48)
Line 59: Line 59:
<sup>3</sup> traditional
<sup>3</sup> traditional
|other format            = Vinyl
|other format            = Vinyl
|content                 =  
|content             =  
*To be confirmed
*Side 1:  <br>
# <b>Medley: [[17 Days]]</b> <small><sup>1</sup></small> / <b>[[Purple Rain]]</b> / <b>[[A Case Of U|A Case Of You]]</b> <small><sup>2</sup></small> / <b>[[Mary Don’t You Weep]]</b> <small><sup>3</sup></small> / <b>[[Strange Relationship]]</b> / <b>[[International Lover]]</b> / <b>[[Wednesday]]</b> (22:35) <br>
*Side 2:  <br>
# <b>[[Cold Coffee & Cocaine]]</b> (5:13)
# <b>[[Why The Butterflies]]</b> (6:26)
|musicians              = '''[[Prince]] ''' - all vocals and piano
|musicians              = '''[[Prince]] ''' - all vocals and piano
|production            = '''[[Prince]] ''' - producer and arranger
|production            = '''[[Prince]] ''' - producer and arranger
*'''[[Don Batts]] ''' - engineer (unclear if correct)
*'''[[Don Batts]] ''' - engineer (unclear if correct)
|thanks                = To be added at the time of release.
|thanks                = Thanks to: Warner Bros Records, Tim Fraser-Harding, Jason Day, Kate Dear, Giancarlo Sciama, Mike Engstrom, Shannon Ward, Angelo Schifano, Duane Tudahl, Mathieu Bitton, Patrick Jordens, Roald Bakker, Julian Stockton, Pascal Comvalius & Ken Eisennagel.
*Very special thanks to: Alfred Jackson, John R. Nelson, Norrine P. Nelson, Omarr Baker, Sharon L. Nelson, Tyka, Trevor Guy, Kirk Johnson, Troy Carter, Suzy Ryoo, Jill Jones, Don Batts, Lisa Coleman, and all Prince fams (and fans) worldwide.  
|singles                =  
|singles                =  
{{AlbumSingles|
{{AlbumSingles|
|singles = * None at the time of release, although [[Mary Don't You Weep]] was issued as preview download ahead of the album in 2018.
|singles = *[[Mary Don’t You Weep]] and [[Why The Butterflies]] were issued as preview downloads ahead of the album in 2018.
{{AlbumSinglesLine|
|Single = [[Single: 17 Days|17 Days (Piano Version)]] <br><small> ''Released as cover mount with the October 2018 edition of Rolling Stone magazine in Germany''</small>
|B-side = [[1999|1999 (Single Edit)]]
|Image  = 17days_single.jpg
|Link  = Single: 17 Days
}}
}}
}}
|see also              =  
|see also              =  
{{SeeAlso|
{{SeeAlso|
|item1  = [[Piano_%26_A_Microphone_2016|Piano & A Microphone 2016]]<br>(tour)
|item1  = [[Piano_%26_A_Microphone_2016|Piano & A Microphone 2016]]
|image1  = [[File:Piano&Mic_OZ_NZ-banner.png|60px|link=Piano_%26_A_Microphone_2016]]
|image1  = [[File:Piano&Mic_OZ_NZ-banner.png|60px|link=Piano_%26_A_Microphone_2016]]
|item2  =  
|item2  = &nbsp;
|image2  =  
|image2  =  
}}
}}
|charts                 =  
|charts         =  
{{Charts|
{{Charts|
|charts        = {{noCharts|format=album|Country= the USA}}
|charts        =  
{{ChartLine-3|text= iTunes}}
{{ChartLine|
| Date            = 21 Sept. 2018
| Chart (Country) = '''USA''':
| Peak Position  = '''1'''<sup>(2)</sup>
| Weeks in chart  = 13 (days)
}}
{{ChartLine|
| Date            = 21 Sept. 2018
| Chart (Country) = '''Canada''':
| Peak Position  = 9
| Weeks in chart  = 9 (days)
}}
{{ChartLine|
| Date            = 21 Sept. 2018
| Chart (Country) = '''Brazil''':
| Peak Position  = 25
| Weeks in chart  = 4 (days)
}}
{{ChartLine|
| Date            = 21 Sept. 2018
| Chart (Country) = '''Australia''':
| Peak Position  = 6
| Weeks in chart  = 14 (days)
}}
{{ChartLine|
| Date            = 21 Sept. 2018
| Chart (Country) = '''UK''':
| Peak Position  = 7
| Weeks in chart  = 10 (days)
}}
{{ChartLine|
| Date            = 21 Sept. 2018
| Chart (Country) = '''Germany''':
| Peak Position  = 8
| Weeks in chart  = 12 (days)
}}
{{ChartLine|
| Date            = 21 Sept. 2018
| Chart (Country) = '''France''':
| Peak Position  = 2
| Weeks in chart  = 18 (days)
}}
{{ChartLine|
| Date            = 21 Sept. 2018
| Chart (Country) = '''Spain''':
| Peak Position  = 3
| Weeks in chart  = 12 (days)
}}
{{ChartLine|
| Date            = 21 Sept. 2018
| Chart (Country) = '''Italy''':
| Peak Position  = 22
| Weeks in chart  = 10 (days)
}}
{{Chart-Blank}}
{{ChartLine-3|text= America}}
{{ChartLine|
| Date            = 6 Oct. 2018
| Chart (Country) = '''USA''': [[The Billboard 200]]
| Peak Position  = 11
| Weeks in chart  = 2
}}
{{ChartLine|
| Date            = 6 Oct. 2018
| Chart (Country) = '''USA''': [[Billboard_Top_R&B_Albums|Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums]]
| Peak Position  = 7
| Weeks in chart  = 1
}}
{{ChartLine|
| Date            = 6 Oct. 2018
| Chart (Country) = '''USA''': Billboard R&B Album Sale
| Peak Position  = '''1'''<sup>(2)</sup>
| Weeks in chart  = 45
}}
{{ChartLine|
| Date            = 6 Oct. 2018
| Chart (Country) = '''USA''': Billboard Top R&B Albums
| Peak Position  = '''1'''<sup>(1)</sup>
| Weeks in chart  = 3
}}
{{ChartLine|
| Date            = 6 Oct. 2018
| Chart (Country) = '''USA''': Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Album Sales
| Peak Position  = 2
| Weeks in chart  = 31
}}
{{ChartLine|
| Date            = 6 Oct. 2018
| Chart (Country) = '''USA''': Billboard Top Albums Sales
| Peak Position  = 3
| Weeks in chart  = 5
}}
 
{{ChartLine|
| Date            = 6 Oct. 2018
| Chart (Country) = '''USA''': Billboard Top Current Albums
| Peak Position  = 3
| Weeks in chart  = 10
}}
{{ChartLine|
| Date            = 6 Oct. 2018
| Chart (Country) = '''USA''': Billboard Internet Albums
| Peak Position  = 3
| Weeks in chart  = 2
}}
{{ChartLine|
| Date            = 6 Oct. 2018
| Chart (Country) = '''USA''': Billboard Digital Albums
| Peak Position  = 5
| Weeks in chart  = 1
}}
{{ChartLine|
| Date            = 6 Oct. 2018
| Chart (Country) = '''USA''': Billboard Vinyl Album
| Peak Position  = 2
| Weeks in chart  = 3
}}
{{ChartLine|
| Date            = 6 Oct. 2018
| Chart (Country) = '''USA''': Billboard Tastemaker Albums
| Peak Position  = '''1'''<sup>(1)</sup>
| Weeks in chart  = 6
}}
|certifications = {{noCertification|format=album|Country= the USA}}
|certifications = {{noCertification|format=album|Country= the USA}}
|awards        = {{noAwards|format=album|Country= the USA}}
|awards        = {{noAwards|format=album|Country= the USA}}
Line 109: Line 244:
}}
}}
|album promotion        =  
|album promotion        =  
|trivia                =  
|trivia                = The set has liner notes by  ([[Don Batts]]’, who worked with [[Prince]] until July 83. So they speak of this type of session in general and not of this one specifically, as [[Don Batts]] had left [[Prince]]’s employ when this session was done.
* At the beginning of [[17 Days]], [[Prince]] can be heard saying "Can you turn the lights down Susan?" This is likely to [[Susan Rogers]] (who doesn’t remenber of she was present fort the recording of this specific session) or perhaps [[Susan Moonsie]].
|alternative            =  
|alternative            =  
|references            = ''[https://www.eonline.com/news/941939/prince-s-estate-announces-release-of-new-album-piano-a-microphone-1983-on-his-60th-birthday E! News: Prince's Estate Announces Release of New Album Piano & A Microphone 1983 on His 60th Birthday]''
|references            = ''[https://www.eonline.com/news/941939/prince-s-estate-announces-release-of-new-album-piano-a-microphone-1983-on-his-60th-birthday E! News: Prince’s Estate Announces Release of New Album Piano & A Microphone 1983 on His 60th Birthday]''
*''[https://www.amazon.com/Prince-Purple-Rain-Studio-Sessions/dp/1538114623/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8 Prince and the Purple Rain Era Studio Sessions 1983 and 1984 (Expanded Edition, paperback), Duane Tudahl (2018)]''
|categories            = [[Category:2018]][[Category:Albums (Prince)]]
|categories            = [[Category:2018]][[Category:Albums (Prince)]]
}}
}}

Latest revision as of 15:11, 24 November 2023

2018: Anthology: 1995-2010 ◄ All Prince Albums All Related Artists Albums ► 2019: His Majesty’s Pop Life
Piano & A Microphone 1983
Piano & A Microphone 1983 album artwork

Album details

Released: 14 September 2018 (announced official store release date)
21 September 2018 (retail store release date)
Length: 34:19
Label(s): NPG Records / The Prince Estate / Warner Bros. Records
Studio(s): Kiowa Trail Home Studio, Chanhassen, MN, USA

Charts, Certifications & Awards

Charts
iTunes
Country: Chart Entry Date Peak Position Weeks in Chart
USA: 21 Sept. 2018 1(2) 13 (days)
Canada: 21 Sept. 2018 9 9 (days)
Brazil: 21 Sept. 2018 25 4 (days)
Australia: 21 Sept. 2018 6 14 (days)
UK: 21 Sept. 2018 7 10 (days)
Germany: 21 Sept. 2018 8 12 (days)
France: 21 Sept. 2018 2 18 (days)
Spain: 21 Sept. 2018 3 12 (days)
Italy: 21 Sept. 2018 22 10 (days)
 
America
Country: Chart Entry Date Peak Position Weeks in Chart
USA: The Billboard 200 6 Oct. 2018 11 2
USA: Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums 6 Oct. 2018 7 1
USA: Billboard R&B Album Sale 6 Oct. 2018 1(2) 45
USA: Billboard Top R&B Albums 6 Oct. 2018 1(1) 3
USA: Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Album Sales 6 Oct. 2018 2 31
USA: Billboard Top Albums Sales 6 Oct. 2018 3 5
USA: Billboard Top Current Albums 6 Oct. 2018 3 10
USA: Billboard Internet Albums 6 Oct. 2018 3 2
USA: Billboard Digital Albums 6 Oct. 2018 5 1
USA: Billboard Vinyl Album 6 Oct. 2018 2 3
USA: Billboard Tastemaker Albums 6 Oct. 2018 1(1) 6
Certifications
This album has not received any certifications in the USA
Awards
This album has not received any awards in the USA

Singles released

17 Days (Piano Version)
Released as cover mount with the October 2018 edition of Rolling Stone magazine in Germany
b/w 1999 (Single Edit)

See also

Piano & A Microphone 2016  
Piano & A Microphone 1983 is the first stand-alone album of previously unreleased material by Prince and the fourth posthumous release overall. The album is a solo piano rehearsal recorded in somewhere in the late summer or Autumn of 1983 by Prince, at his Kiowa Trail Home Studio, Chanhassen, MN, USA. The album was announced on 7 June 2018 (which would have been Prince’s 60th birthday) with the release of the track Mary Don’t You Weep as a preview, and was released in September 2018, a month after the Anthology: 1995-2010 digital compilation.

The album was released on CD, and digital download, as well as deluxe CD+LP format, packaged in a hardback 12” gatefold book, containing the album on CD and 180g LP. The announcement also states that the package will include a 12” booklet featuring brand new liner notes written by Prince’s engineer Don Batts, who worked for Prince until July 1983 as well as candid shots of Prince including never before seen photos.

The album’s title is an intentional reference to Prince’s final tour in 2016, Piano & A Microphone. The announcement of the release stated:

“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 Prince Estate entertainment adviser Troy Carter. “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.”


Sessions and compiling

The album documents a home studio cassette recording by Prince. It was likely recorded by Prince to document works-in-progress and as a rehearsal only, rather than with the intention of using these recordings as a basis for overdubs or additional work.

Of the nine songs included on the album, four had not been previously released in any form by Prince: Mary Don’t You Weep (a cover version of an old negro spiritual from the American Civil War), Wednesday, Cold Coffee & Cocaine, and Why The Butterflies. A studio version of Wednesday was recorded on 24 October 1983, and was included as the fifth track on a 7 November 1983, configuration of Purple Rain, but was removed from the album and the movie as the project progressed. It is not known if, but seems unlikely that full studio versions of Mary Don’t You Weep, Cold Coffee & Cocaine, and Why The Butterflies were ever recorded.

The remaining five tracks on the album have been released in other versions previously, although on disparate projects. International Lover was recorded in the studio on 14 January 1982 and released on Prince’s fifth album 1999 later in 1982. Strange Relationship was initially recorded on 14 March 1983, but was worked on heavily over the next four years before it was released on Prince’s ninth album Sign O’ The Times in 1987. 17 Days, was re-recorded by Prince in January 1984 and released as the b-side of When Doves Cry. Purple Rain had been recorded live on 3 August 1983 and was released on Prince’s sixth album Purple Rain, the first album to be credited to Prince and the Revolution, in 1984. A Case Of You was recorded by Prince in the studio almost 18 years after the session documented here, in Spring 2001, and released on his 25th album One Nite Alone... (which was similarly subtitled "Solo piano and voice by Prince") in 2002.

It was long unclear whether this recording was from Spring or late summer early fall. However clue that it was the latter lies in the lyrics Prince sings here in Purple Rain. These is the first first of the version as it was recorded on 3 August 1983, at First Avenue and later released on the Album: Purple Rain album. However Dr. Fink and others in The Revolution have stated that the song was developed with the band in rehearsals and Prince didn’t initially have lyrics for it yet. And even if he did, before he took the song to develop with the band, it would have been the lyrics as Prince wrote them originally where the first verse was the second verse, as well as having a slight lyric variation: “I never meant to fill your life with sorrow”

Promotion

Although no true singles were issued, Mary Don’t You Weep was released as a preview ahead of the album on 7 June 2018. The song was also included in Spike Lee’s movie BlacKkKlansman (premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2018 and released in August, a month before the album). 17 Days was available as a pre-release download on 6 September 2018, and a 17 Days (Piano Version) 7" vinyl single was released in September 2018 as a cover mount with the German edition of Rolling Stone magazine. Why The Butterflies was released as the final pre-release download on 13 September 2018.


Charts

The album reached number 7 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart and number 11 on the The Billboard 200.



Track listing
CD Vinyl
  1. 17 Days (6:22) 1
  2. Purple Rain (1:26)
  3. A Case Of You (1:40) 2
  4. Mary Don’t You Weep (4:42) 3
  5. Strange Relationship (2:38)
  6. International Lover (3:48)
  7. Wednesday (1:59)
  8. Cold Coffee & Cocaine (5:13)
  9. Why The Butterflies (6:26)
  • Side 1:
  1. Medley: 17 Days 1 / Purple Rain / A Case Of You 2 / Mary Don’t You Weep 3 / Strange Relationship / International Lover / Wednesday (22:35)
  • Side 2:
  1. Cold Coffee & Cocaine (5:13)
  2. Why The Butterflies (6:26)

All songs written by Prince except where noted.

1 Written by Prince, Lisa Coleman, Dr. Fink, Wendy Melvoin
2 Written by Joni Mitchell
3 traditional



Personnel
Musicians


Production


Thanks
  • Thanks to: Warner Bros Records, Tim Fraser-Harding, Jason Day, Kate Dear, Giancarlo Sciama, Mike Engstrom, Shannon Ward, Angelo Schifano, Duane Tudahl, Mathieu Bitton, Patrick Jordens, Roald Bakker, Julian Stockton, Pascal Comvalius & Ken Eisennagel.
  • Very special thanks to: Alfred Jackson, John R. Nelson, Norrine P. Nelson, Omarr Baker, Sharon L. Nelson, Tyka, Trevor Guy, Kirk Johnson, Troy Carter, Suzy Ryoo, Jill Jones, Don Batts, Lisa Coleman, and all Prince fams (and fans) worldwide.



Releases
LP, CD, Cassettes and Other versions
Country Format Cat. Number Comments Front Back Label 1 Label 2
USA CD TBD
USA Deluxe LP + CD TBD

Variants, Special Editions and Reissues
Country Format Cat. Number Comments Front Back Label 1 Label 2

 

 

 

 
Additional Information
Promotion (at time of release) Trivia
  • The set has liner notes by (Don Batts’, who worked with Prince until July 83. So they speak of this type of session in general and not of this one specifically, as Don Batts had left Prince’s employ when this session was done.
  • At the beginning of 17 Days, Prince can be heard saying "Can you turn the lights down Susan?" This is likely to Susan Rogers (who doesn’t remenber of she was present fort the recording of this specific session) or perhaps Susan Moonsie.
References
2018
Anthology: 1995-2010 		All Albums All Related Artists Albums 2019
His Majesty’s Pop Life
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