The Undertaker

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The Undertaker

from the album The Voice
Song details
Performer: Mavis Staples; Prince;
First Released: 24 August 1993 - The Voice album
Album(s): The Voice
Writer(s): Prince, Tommy Barbarella, Michael B., Levi Seacer, Jr. and Sonny T.
Producer(s): Ricky Peterson; Prince
Live Appearances
First and last live appearance:
Performed regularly on tour:
  • none
Performed occasionally in shows:

The Undertaker is the sixth track on Mavis Staples' second Paisley Park Records album The Voice, and was included as the eleventh track when the album was re-released by NPG Records in 1995. In 1995, it was included as the second track on the CD single of Blood Is Thicker Than Time single, released in Europe to promote the reissue. Also in 1995, a rehearsal version of the track by Prince was included as the sixth track (and title track) on Prince’s VHS release The Undertaker. In 2001, the same recording of the track (although this time credited to ), was released on mp3 as part of NPG Music Club Edition # 10, with an accompanying .mov video taken directly from The Undertaker. Unusually, writing credit is given to Prince, Tommy Barbarella, Michael B., Levi Seacer, Jr. and Sonny T..

While specific recording dates are not known for Mavis Staples' version, the track was recorded in Summer 1992 at Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota. Prince’s version was recorded as part of the session for the aborted The Undertaker album on 14 June 1993 at Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota (along with versions of The Ride, Poorgoo, Honky Tonk-Woman, Bambi, Zannalee and Dolphin, the day before recording Calhoun Square), but no other studio version by Prince is known to exist.

The song title stems from Mavis Staples' six-year marriage to a mortician.


Recording Information
Recording Sessions
Date Studio Additional info
Summer 1992 Paisley Park Studios,
Chanhassen, MN, USA 		Tracking (Mavis Staples version)
14 June 1993 Paisley Park Studios,
Chanhassen, MN, USA 		Rehearsal recording
Recording Personnel

Mavis Staples version


version


Versions
Released Versions
Title Length Released Version Additional info
The Undertaker 7:26 The Voice

Blood Is Thicker Than Time single

Studio
The Undertaker 9:44 NPG Music Club Edition # 10 mp3 download Rehearsal 14 June 1993, Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA
The Undertaker 5:48 NPG Ahdio Show # 11 mp3 (not available as a separate track) Rehearsal Unknown rehearsal date and location; instrumental version including clips of Groove On
Video Versions
Title Length Released Version Additional info
The Undertaker 9:44 The Undertaker VHS/laserdisc

NPG Music Club Edition # 10 .mov download

Rehearsal 14 June 1993, Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA
The Undertaker 6:59 The Sacrifice Of Victor VHS/laserdisc Live 8 September 1993 am, Bagley’s Warehouse, London, England
The Undertaker (Sax Solo) 1:06 Rave Un2 The Year 2000 VHS/DVD Live 18 December 1999, Paisley Park, Chanhassen, MN, USA; saxophone by Kathy Jensen
The Undertaker (Harmonica Solo) 1:04 Rave Un2 The Year 2000 VHS/DVD Live 18 December 1999, Paisley Park, Chanhassen, MN, USA; saxophone by Jimmy Russell
Broadcasts/streaming (only)
Title Length Released Version Additional info
The Undertaker (Sax Solo) 1:06 NPGOnlineLtd.com audio stream Live 18 December 1999, Paisley Park, Chanhassen, MN, USA; saxophone by Kathy Jensen; audio of Rave Un2 The Year 2000 version
The Undertaker (Harmonica Solo) 1:04 NPGOnlineLtd.com audio stream Live 18 December 1999, Paisley Park, Chanhassen, MN, USA; saxophone by Jimmy Russell; audio of Rave Un2 The Year 2000 version


 
Additional Information
See also Trivia
References
Underneath The Cream   < < < All Songs Unreleased Songs > > >   Undisputed
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