Christopher Tracy’s Parade: Difference between revisions

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{{song-2|
{{song-2|
|song name                = Christopher Tracy's Parade
|song name                = Christopher Tracy’s Parade
|single image              = [[File:Parade.jpg|100px|link=Album: Parade]] <br><small> from the album [[Album: Parade|Parade]]  
|single image              = [[File:Parade.jpg|100px|link=Album: Parade]] <br><small> from the album [[Album: Parade|Parade]]  
|performer                = [[Prince and the Revolution]]
|performer                = [[Prince and the Revolution]]
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|previous song            = [[Chocolate Box]]
|previous song            = [[Chocolate Box]]
|next song                = [[Cindy C.]]
|next song                = [[Cindy C.]]
|introduction              = '''Christopher Tracy's Parade''' (a.k.a. '''Wendy's Parade''') is the first track on [[Prince]]'s eighth album [[Album: Parade|Parade]], the third to be credited to [[Prince and the Revolution]]. The track is also played in [[Prince]]'s second feature film, [[Film: Under The Cherry Moon|Under The Cherry Moon]], and is named after his character in the movie, Christopher Tracy.
|introduction              = '''Christopher Tracy’s Parade''' (a.k.a. '''Wendy’s Parade''') is the first track on [[Prince]]’s eighth album [[Album: Parade|Parade]], the third to be credited to [[Prince and the Revolution]]. The track is also played in [[Prince]]’s second feature film, [[Film: Under The Cherry Moon|Under The Cherry Moon]], and is named after his character in the movie, Christopher Tracy.


Basic tracking (as '''Wendy's Parade''') took place on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/April 17|17 April 1985]] at [[Sunset Sound]] in Hollywood, California, with [[Prince]] recording the drum track in sequence of '''Wendy's Parade''', [[New Position]], [[I Wonder U]] and [[Under The Cherry Moon]], all in one take. He then layered other instruments over all four tracks.  
Basic tracking (as '''Wendy’s Parade''') took place on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/April 17|17 April 1985]] at [[Sunset Sound]] in Hollywood, California, with [[Prince]] recording the drum track in sequence of '''Wendy’s Parade''', [[New Position]], [[I Wonder U]] and [[Under The Cherry Moon]], all in one take. He then layered other instruments over all four tracks.  


The song was named after [[Prince and the Revolution|Revolution]] guitarist [[Wendy Melvoin]].  
The song was named after [[Prince and the Revolution|Revolution]] guitarist [[Wendy Melvoin]].  


Recording dates for the revised vocals of '''Christopher Tracy's Parade''' are not known, although it is likely these were recorded in Summer 1985. [[Clare Fischer]] arranged and recorded orchestration for the song at some point in mid-late 1985 at [https://www.yellowpages.com/los-angeles-ca/mip/monterey-sound-studios-512137723 Monterey Sound Studios] in Glendale, California. [[Prince]]'s father, [[John L. Nelson]], receives co-writing credit, although his input is uncertain.
[[Clare Fischer]] arranged and recorded orchestration for the song in early July 1985 at Monterey Sound Studios in Glendale, California. Recording dates for the revised vocals of '''Christopher Tracy’s Parade''' are not known, although it is likely these were recorded after September 1985.  


Of note is that the title and lyrics of the track were changed to match [[Prince]]'s character in the [[Film: Under The Cherry Moon|Under The Cherry Moon]] movie. The original lyrics referenced ''Little girl Wendy's guitar'' -- which rhymes with ''evil car'' in the next line. In the released version this line is replaced by ''Christopher Tracy's piano'', which doesn't rhyme.  
[[Prince]]’s father, [[John L. Nelson]], receives co-writing credit, although his input is uncertain.  


Also, the album version of [[Kiss]] contains [[Prince]] saying the phrase "Little girl Wendy's parade" to introduce a guitar solo (actually played by [[Prince]] himself).
Of note is that the title and lyrics of the track were changed to match [[Prince]]’s character in the [[Film: Under The Cherry Moon|Under The Cherry Moon]] movie. The original lyrics referenced ''Little girl Wendy’s guitar'' -- which rhymes with ''evil car'' in the next line. In the released version this line is replaced by ''Christopher Tracy’s piano'', which doesn’t rhyme.
 
Also, the album version of [[Kiss]] contains [[Prince]] saying the phrase "Little girl Wendy’s parade" to introduce a guitar solo (actually played by [[Prince]] himself).
|recording info            =
|recording info            =
{{RecordingLine|
{{RecordingLine|
|date                      = [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/April 17|17 April 1985]]
|date                      = [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/April 17|17 April 1985]]-[[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/April 19|19 April 1985]]
|studio                    = [[Sunset Sound]],<br>Hollywood, CA, USA
|studio                    = [[Sunset Sound]]- Studio 3,<br>Hollywood, CA, USA
|additional info          = Basic tracking (as '''Wendy's Parade''')
|additional info          = Tracking (17th); overdubs (18th); overdubs and mix (19th) (as '''Wendy’s Parade''')
}}
}}
{{RecordingLine|
{{RecordingLine|
|date                      = Summer 1985
|date                      = [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/April 22|22 April 1985]]-[[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/April 24|24 April 1985]]
|studio                    = [[Washington Avenue Warehouse]],<br>Eden Prairie, MN, USA (assumed)
|studio                    = [[Sunset Sound]] - Studio 3,<br>Hollywood, CA, USA
|additional info          = Vocal overdubs (as '''Christopher Tracy's Parade''')
|additional info          = [[Wendy Melvoin|Wendy]] & [[Lisa Coleman|Lisa]] vocal overdubs, mix (22nd); overdubs, mix (23rd); overdubs ([[John Liotine]], [[Steve Madaio]],  [[Carleton Smith]]), mix (24th)
}}
}}
{{RecordingLine|
{{RecordingLine|
|date                      = Mid-late 1985
|date                      = July 1985 (estimate)
|studio                    = [https://www.yellowpages.com/los-angeles-ca/mip/monterey-sound-studios-512137723 Monterey Sound Studios], Glendale, CA, USA
|studio                    = Monterey Sound Studios,<br>Glendale, CA, USA
|additional info          = Orchestra recording by [[Clare Fischer]]
|additional info          = Orchestra recording by [[Clare Fischer]]
}}
{{RecordingLine|
|date                      = [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/November 11|11]] or [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/November 12|12 November 1985]] (estimate)
|studio                    = [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advision_Studios Advision Studios],<br>London, England
|additional info          = Mix
}}
{{RecordingLine|
|date                      = [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/November_18|18 November 1985]] (estimate)
|studio                    = [[Pumacrest Mobile Recording Unit]] (from Advision Studios)<br>in Nice, France
|additional info          = Mix ([[Wendy Melvoin|Wendy]] & [[Lisa Coleman|Lisa]], probably with [[Prince]])
}}
{{RecordingLine|
|date                      = [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/December 16|16 December 1985]]
|studio                    = [[Sunset Sound]] - Studio 3,<br>Hollywood, CA, USA
|additional info          =  Mix and strings only mix
}}
{{RecordingLine|
|date                      = December 1985 or January 1986
|studio                    = [[Sunset Sound]] - Studio 3,<br>Hollywood, CA, USA (assumed)
|additional info          = Vocal overdubs (as '''Christopher Tracy’s Parade''')
}}
}}
|recording personnel      =  
|recording personnel      =  
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*[[Wendy Melvoin]] - background vocals
*[[Wendy Melvoin]] - background vocals
*[[Susannah Melvoin]] - background vocals
*[[Susannah Melvoin]] - background vocals
:'''Orchestral Players''':
 
'''Clare Fischer Orchestral Players''':
:*Violins - Isabelle Daskoff, Francine Walsh, Mari Botnik, Pam Gates, Janice Gower, Karen Jones, Betty Moor, Irma Neumann, Assa Drori, Bill Hymanson, Oscar Chasow, Ron Clark, Henry Ferber, Erne Granat, Ed Green, Bill Hybel, Reggie Hill, Pat Johnson, Don Palmer, Sheldon Sanov, Joe Schonbrun, Terry Schonbrun and Harold Wolf
:*Violins - Isabelle Daskoff, Francine Walsh, Mari Botnik, Pam Gates, Janice Gower, Karen Jones, Betty Moor, Irma Neumann, Assa Drori, Bill Hymanson, Oscar Chasow, Ron Clark, Henry Ferber, Erne Granat, Ed Green, Bill Hybel, Reggie Hill, Pat Johnson, Don Palmer, Sheldon Sanov, Joe Schonbrun, Terry Schonbrun and Harold Wolf
:*Violas - Pam Goldsmith, Margot Maclaine, Carol Mukagawa, Myer Bello, Alan Deverich, Norman Forrest, Alan Harshman, Jorge Moraga and David Stock
:*Violas - Pam Goldsmith, Margot Maclaine, Carol Mukagawa, Myer Bello, Alan Deverich, Norman Forrest, Alan Harshman, Jorge Moraga and David Stock
Line 47: Line 70:
:*Basses - Chuck Dominico and Arni Egilsson.
:*Basses - Chuck Dominico and Arni Egilsson.
:*Woodwinds - Gene Cipriano, Don Ashworth, John Clarke, Dave Edwards, Gary Foster, Jim Kanter, John Lowe, Dick Mitchell, Jack Nimitz, Joe Soldo and Bob Tricarico
:*Woodwinds - Gene Cipriano, Don Ashworth, John Clarke, Dave Edwards, Gary Foster, Jim Kanter, John Lowe, Dick Mitchell, Jack Nimitz, Joe Soldo and Bob Tricarico
:*Trumpets - Ray Brown, Rich Cooper, Bob Findley, Larry Ford, Bob O'Donnell and Al Vizutti
:*Trumpets - Ray Brown, Rich Cooper, Bob Findley, Larry Ford, Bob O’Donnell and Al Vizutti
:*Trombones - Garnett Brown, Charles Loper, Morris Repass and Bill Watrous
:*Trombones - Garnett Brown, Charles Loper, Morris Repass and Bill Watrous
:*French Horns - Marni Johnson, David Duke, Joe Myer, Brian O'Connor, Calvin Smith and Jim Thatcher
:*French Horns - Marni Johnson, David Duke, Joe Myer, Brian O’Connor, Calvin Smith and Jim Thatcher
:*Tuba - Tommy Johnson
:*Tuba - Tommy Johnson
:*Tympani and percussion - Brent Fischer
:*Tympani and percussion - Brent Fischer
'''Omitted from released version'''
* [[John Liotine]] - trumpet
* [[Steve Madaio]] - saxophone
* [[Carleton Smith]] - horns
|released versions        =
|released versions        =
{{Songchart|
{{Songchart|
|line =
|line =
{{Songline|
{{Songline|
|1= '''Christopher Tracy's Parade'''
|1= '''Christopher Tracy’s Parade'''
|2= 2:11
|2= 2:11
|3= [[Album: Parade|Parade]]
|3= [[Album: Parade|Parade]]
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}}
}}
{{Songline|
{{Songline|
|1= '''Christopher Tracy's Parade'''
|1= '''Christopher Tracy’s Parade'''
|2= 1:44
|2= 1:44
|3= [[NPG Ahdio Show 4|NPG Ahdio Show # 4]] mp3 (not available as a separate track)
|3= [[NPG Ahdio Show 4|NPG Ahdio Show # 4]] mp3 (not available as a separate track)
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|line =
|line =
{{Songline|
{{Songline|
|1= '''Christopher Tracy's Parade'''
|1= '''Christopher Tracy’s Parade'''
|2= T.B.C.
|2= T.B.C.
|3= Live concert TV broadcast
|3= Live concert TV broadcast
|4= Live
|4= Live
|5= [[07_June 1986|7 June 1986, Cobo Arena, Detroit, MI, USA]]
|5= [[07_June 1986|7 June 1986, Cobo Arena, Detroit, MI, USA]]
}}
{{Songline|
|1= '''Christopher Tracy’s Parade'''
|2= 2:23
|3= [[Film: Under The Cherry Moon|Under The Cherry Moon]] film
|4= Studio
|5= Studio version with an extra-bridge not included on the [[Album: Parade|Parade]] album. Released on [[Home_Video:_Under The Cherry Moon|VHS and DVD]].
}}
}}
}}
}}
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|line=
|line=
{{Unreleasedline|
{{Unreleasedline|
|1= '''Wendy's Parade'''
|1= '''Wendy’s Parade'''
|2= studio
|2= studio
|3= Original 1985 track before lyric changes
|3= Original 1985 track before lyric changes
}}
}}
{{Unreleasedline|
{{Unreleasedline|
|1= '''Christopher Tracy's Parade'''
|1= '''Christopher Tracy’s Parade'''
|2= studio
|2= studio
|3= Track before orchestral overdubs
|3= Track before orchestral overdubs
}}
{{Unreleasedline|
|1= '''Christopher Tracy’s Parade'''
|2= studio
|3= Strings only mix
}}
}}
}}
}}
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|performed regularly on    = [[Parade Tour]]
|performed regularly on    = [[Parade Tour]]
|performed occasionally in = [[All_Concerts#1986|1986]]
|performed occasionally in = [[All_Concerts#1986|1986]]
|trivia                    = The {''Bizarre!''} sample used in this song is originally from 'Our Bizarre Relationship' by Frank Zappa (from ''Uncle Meat'' 1969). It was one of the preset samples in the Fairlight CMI sample-synthesizer and [[Prince]] took it from there. It was utilized in quite a few songs recorded between 1985 and 1987: [[All My Dreams]], [[Bob George]], [[Christopher Tracy's Parade]], [[Lovesexy]], and [[Madhouse]] songs [[Nine]] and [[Six|6 (The End Of The World Mix)]] all contain this sample.
|trivia                    = The {''Bizarre!''} sample used in this song is originally from 'Our Bizarre Relationship' by Frank Zappa (from ''Uncle Meat'' 1969). It was one of the preset samples in the Fairlight CMI sample-synthesizer and [[Prince]] took it from there. It was utilized in quite a few songs recorded between 1985 and 1987: [[All My Dreams]], [[Bob George]], [[Christopher Tracy’s Parade]], [[Lovesexy]], and [[Madhouse]] songs [[Nine]] and [[Six|6 (The End Of The World Mix)]] all contain this sample.
|see also                  = [[Album: Parade|Parade]] album
|see also                  = [[Album: Parade|Parade]] album
* [[Film: Under The Cherry Moon|Under The Cherry Moon]] movie
* [[Film: Under The Cherry Moon|Under The Cherry Moon]] movie
|references                = ''[[Book:_The_Vault|The Vault: The Definitive Guide to the Musical World of Prince (2004)]] ''
|references                = ''[[Book:_The_Vault|The Vault: The Definitive Guide to the Musical World of Prince (2004)]] ''
|categories                = [[Category:1986]][[Category:Released Songs (Prince)]][[Category:Songs (Prince)]][[Category:Songs (Prince and the Revolution)]][[Category:Recorded 1985]]
* ''[https://www.duanetudahl.com/prince-book Prince and the Parade/Sign O’ The Times Era Studio Sessions 1985 and 1986, Duane Tudahl (2021)]''
|categories                = [[Category:1986]][[Category:Recorded 1985]][[Category:Songs (Prince)]][[Category:Songs (Prince and the Revolution)]][[Category:Released Songs (Prince)]]
 
}}
}}

Latest revision as of 17:04, 15 November 2024

Chocolate Box   < < < Non-Prince Songs All Prince Songs Unreleased Songs > > >   Cindy C.
Christopher Tracy’s Parade

from the album Parade
Song details
Performer: Prince and the Revolution
First Released: 31 March 1986 - Parade album
Album(s): Parade
Writer(s): Prince and John L. Nelson
Producer(s): Prince (credited to Prince and the Revolution)
Live Appearances
First and last live appearance:
Performed regularly on tour:
Performed occasionally in shows:

Christopher Tracy’s Parade (a.k.a. Wendy’s Parade) is the first track on Prince’s eighth album Parade, the third to be credited to Prince and the Revolution. The track is also played in Prince’s second feature film, Under The Cherry Moon, and is named after his character in the movie, Christopher Tracy.

Basic tracking (as Wendy’s Parade) took place on 17 April 1985 at Sunset Sound in Hollywood, California, with Prince recording the drum track in sequence of Wendy’s Parade, New Position, I Wonder U and Under The Cherry Moon, all in one take. He then layered other instruments over all four tracks.

The song was named after Revolution guitarist Wendy Melvoin.

Clare Fischer arranged and recorded orchestration for the song in early July 1985 at Monterey Sound Studios in Glendale, California. Recording dates for the revised vocals of Christopher Tracy’s Parade are not known, although it is likely these were recorded after September 1985.

Prince’s father, John L. Nelson, receives co-writing credit, although his input is uncertain.

Of note is that the title and lyrics of the track were changed to match Prince’s character in the Under The Cherry Moon movie. The original lyrics referenced Little girl Wendy’s guitar -- which rhymes with evil car in the next line. In the released version this line is replaced by Christopher Tracy’s piano, which doesn’t rhyme.

Also, the album version of Kiss contains Prince saying the phrase "Little girl Wendy’s parade" to introduce a guitar solo (actually played by Prince himself).


Recording Information
Recording Sessions
Date Studio Additional info
17 April 1985-19 April 1985 Sunset Sound- Studio 3,
Hollywood, CA, USA 		Tracking (17th); overdubs (18th); overdubs and mix (19th) (as Wendy’s Parade)
22 April 1985-24 April 1985 Sunset Sound - Studio 3,
Hollywood, CA, USA 		Wendy & Lisa vocal overdubs, mix (22nd); overdubs, mix (23rd); overdubs (John Liotine, Steve Madaio, Carleton Smith), mix (24th)
July 1985 (estimate) Monterey Sound Studios,
Glendale, CA, USA 		Orchestra recording by Clare Fischer
11 or 12 November 1985 (estimate) Advision Studios,
London, England 		Mix
18 November 1985 (estimate) Pumacrest Mobile Recording Unit (from Advision Studios)
in Nice, France 		Mix (Wendy & Lisa, probably with Prince)
16 December 1985 Sunset Sound - Studio 3,
Hollywood, CA, USA 		Mix and strings only mix
December 1985 or January 1986 Sunset Sound - Studio 3,
Hollywood, CA, USA (assumed) 		Vocal overdubs (as Christopher Tracy’s Parade)
Recording Personnel

Clare Fischer Orchestral Players:

  • Violins - Isabelle Daskoff, Francine Walsh, Mari Botnik, Pam Gates, Janice Gower, Karen Jones, Betty Moor, Irma Neumann, Assa Drori, Bill Hymanson, Oscar Chasow, Ron Clark, Henry Ferber, Erne Granat, Ed Green, Bill Hybel, Reggie Hill, Pat Johnson, Don Palmer, Sheldon Sanov, Joe Schonbrun, Terry Schonbrun and Harold Wolf
  • Violas - Pam Goldsmith, Margot Maclaine, Carol Mukagawa, Myer Bello, Alan Deverich, Norman Forrest, Alan Harshman, Jorge Moraga and David Stock
  • Cellos - Jim Arkatoff, Ray Kelley, Ray Kramer and Fred Seykora
  • Basses - Chuck Dominico and Arni Egilsson.
  • Woodwinds - Gene Cipriano, Don Ashworth, John Clarke, Dave Edwards, Gary Foster, Jim Kanter, John Lowe, Dick Mitchell, Jack Nimitz, Joe Soldo and Bob Tricarico
  • Trumpets - Ray Brown, Rich Cooper, Bob Findley, Larry Ford, Bob O’Donnell and Al Vizutti
  • Trombones - Garnett Brown, Charles Loper, Morris Repass and Bill Watrous
  • French Horns - Marni Johnson, David Duke, Joe Myer, Brian O’Connor, Calvin Smith and Jim Thatcher
  • Tuba - Tommy Johnson
  • Tympani and percussion - Brent Fischer

Omitted from released version


Versions
Released Versions
Title Length Released Version Additional info
Christopher Tracy’s Parade 2:11 Parade Studio
Christopher Tracy’s Parade 1:44 NPG Ahdio Show # 4 mp3 (not available as a separate track) Live 31 August 1986, Alsterdorfer Sporthalle, Hamburg, West Germany
Video Versions
Title Length Released Version Additional info
Christopher Tracy’s Parade T.B.C. Live concert TV broadcast Live 7 June 1986, Cobo Arena, Detroit, MI, USA
Christopher Tracy’s Parade 2:23 Under The Cherry Moon film Studio Studio version with an extra-bridge not included on the Parade album. Released on VHS and DVD.


Unreleased Versions
Title Version Additional Info
Wendy’s Parade studio Original 1985 track before lyric changes
Christopher Tracy’s Parade studio Track before orchestral overdubs
Christopher Tracy’s Parade studio Strings only mix
 
Additional Information
See also Trivia
References
Chocolate Box   < < < All Songs Unreleased Songs > > >   Cindy C.
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