Episodes

  • Side Projects 1989-1993
    Dec 2 2025

    Prince entered the 1990s as prolific as ever, churning out CD-filling albums for himself and the NPG, but also writing and recording dozens more tracks for collaborators and side projects. Most were also demos for the sparkling new production facilities at Paisley Park.


    Join Mike and Nathan as we run through the highlights (and a few lowlights) of this era.

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    2 hrs and 11 mins
  • [Love Symbol] (1992)
    Nov 18 2025

    Forget reading the morning papers, Mike and Nathan break down Prince's most ambitious recording project yet, 1992's simultaneously amazing and frustrating [LOVE SYMBOL].

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    2 hrs and 4 mins
  • 3 Chains o' Gold
    Jul 3 2025

    Fans earnestly debate how Prince's early 90s work stacks up against his 80s golden period, but there's little disagreement that his cinematic output was a straight arrow down -- from the exhilarating heights of Purple Rain, to the lovable oddity of Under the Cherry Moon, the clunky Graffiti Bridge, and finally here: the largely embarrassing 3 Chains o' Gold.


    3 Chains might be tough to defend as a movie, but it helps us understand where our hero is at -- artistically, professionally, personally -- as he moves into his 36th year...

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    1 hr and 37 mins
  • Diamonds and Pearls - The music videos
    Dec 29 2024

    By 1991 the music video as a commercial and artistic medium was in full flourish. Could Prince -- master of the recording studio and stage, and sometime movie star -- compete with music video powerhouses Michael Jackson and Madonna? Or were his DIAMONDS AND PEARLS era videos early signs of his anti-commercial instincts?

    Join Mike and Nathan for a conversation about every single official (and unofficial) D&P music video, including confirmation of their thesis that Diamonds & Pearls is Prince's Gulf War album.

    NOTE: all videos discussed should be easy to find on YouTube -- viewing these ahead of time is recommended.

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    1 hr and 32 mins
  • Diamonds and Pearls - the Bonus Tracks
    Nov 30 2024

    Prince may have been departing his true "golden period" by 1991 but he was as prolific as ever.


    Mike and Nathan take a deep dive through the vault (aka the DIAMONDS AND PEARLS SUPER DELUXE box) to carve out bonus albums from the dozens of tracks left on the floor of Paisley Park.



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    1 hr and 26 mins
  • Diamonds and Pearls (1991)
    Aug 1 2024

    Don't call it a comeback? After two soundtrack detours in 1989 and 1990, Prince returned in 1991 with his first proper album since LOVESEXY with DIAMONDS AND PEARLS.


    Recognizing that hip hop was no fleeting fad while also dipping his feet into smooth adult contemporary sounds, the Purple One entered his 34th year with a brand new band, all new material, and determined to stay on the cutting edge. How does D&P hold up? Listen as Mike and Nathan break it down.


    (Jump to 50:00 for album talk)

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    2 hrs and 12 mins
  • Graffiti Bridge - The Motion Picture (1990)
    Jun 24 2024

    Rival Michael Jackson may have been the king of the music video, but in the 1980s Prince was a bone fide movie star.

    As the 90s dawned, Prince -- and his fans -- were into some choppy waters with the release of GRAFFITI BRIDGE.

    Join Mike and Nathan as they explore this endlessly frustrating and fascinating film and ponder how Prince's movie career might have taken a better turn.

    (Jump to movie discussion -- 19:00)

    Renaldo and Clara: https://www.cinefilevideo.com/renaldoandclara

    House of 1,000 Corpses trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbRRD-cD7h4

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    1 hr and 21 mins
  • Music From Graffiti Bridge (1990)
    May 3 2024

    Prince kicked off the 1990s with his fourth soundtrack album, this one for GRAFFITI BRIDGE, a sequel to Purple Rain that reunited Prince with Morris Day and the Time, and added stars both established (Mavis Staples, George Clinton) and up-and-coming (Tevin Campbell).

    Unlike the peerless PURPLE RAIN album, Prince crams in multiple guest songs and subpar tracks alongside some of his finest work. The end result? Listen to the album for yourself and come join us for the breakdown...

    (Jump to album discussion -- 40:30)


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    1 hr and 43 mins