Prince and the Purple Rain Studio Sessions: 1983 and 1984

Documentary producer and director Tudahl draws on unlimited access to studio archives and interviews with Prince’s music associates and friends to produce this meticulously detailed chronicle of Prince’s rise from local Minneapolis celebrity to one of the world’s biggest rock stars. Tudahl presents a day-by-day description of Prince’s live shows and his studio work from the release of his album 1999 in late 1982 to the making and release of the album and movie Purple Rain in late 1984. Tudahl opens the doors at L.A.’s Sunset Sound studios and provides insider glimpses into Prince’s recording processes. According to the original work order for the session for “When Doves Cry,” Prince recorded the song in a single day; it became his first number one hit. Producer Peggy McCreary, interviewed here, says Prince knew exactly what he was doing and knew he had a hit. For each recording session, Tudahl lists the studio and some elements of the song being laid down, as well as the names of the producers and engineers. Prince fans will most enjoy Tudahl’s thorough archival work; his fascinating book offers a portrait of an artist continually seeking to grow creatively and maintain control over his musical identity. (Jan.)