Piano & a Microphone 1983
Prince · 2018
34 min · 9 tracks · contemporary R&B
An intimate showcase of Prince's raw talent, blending poignant piano melodies with heartfelt vocals in a stripped-back setting.
Top tracks — play these first
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17 Days Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Purple Rain — This brief rendition distills the essence of the iconic ballad into its emotional core, showcasing Prince's vocal prowess and connection to the song's themes.
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A Case of You — Prince’s interpretation pays homage to Joni Mitchell while infusing it with his unique sensibility, adding layers of emotion through subtle nuances in his delivery.
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Mary Don’t You Weep — The arrangement imbues this traditional spiritual with a sense of urgency and depth, highlighting Prince's ability to reinterpret classic songs with fresh perspective.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- intimate late-night reflections
- vulnerable emotional storytelling
- piano-driven solo moments
- short bursts of raw expression
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat party vibes
- seek lengthy, complex arrangements
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — Captures a unique solo performance, showcasing Prince's raw talent, but is less accessible.
- Themes
- Minneapolis sound intimacy· raw emotional vulnerability· spiritual resilience
- Career context
- Released posthumously in 2018, this album captures a rare solo performance by Prince from 1983, amidst his rise to global superstardom. By this time, he had already achieved massive success with albums like '1999' and 'Purple Rain', making this recording an intriguing glimpse into his creative process during a pivotal period of experimentation.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Michael Jackson· Stevie Wonder· Earth, Wind & Fire
Tracklist
- 1 17 Days Start here 6:23
- 2 Purple Rain 1:27
- 3 A Case of You 1:41
- 4 Mary Don’t You Weep 4:42
- 5 Strange Relationship 2:39
- 6 International Lover 3:48
- 7 Wednesday 2:00
- 8 Cold Coffee & Cocaine 5:13
- 9 Why the Butterflies 6:27
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Blue
Joni Mitchell
Shares intimate piano-driven melodies and raw emotional vulnerability in the lyrics.
Every Kingdom
Ben Howard
Combines introspective songwriting with an intimate acoustic sound, echoing emotional resilience.
Carrie & Lowell
Sufjan Stevens
Utilizes sparse instrumentation and personal themes of loss, echoing raw emotional depth.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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