UK Release date : Monday, November 2, 1987
By Paul McCartney • Official album • Part of the collection “Paul McCartney • Compilations”
Last updated on September 21, 2024
Previous album Oct 05, 1987 • "Duane Eddy" by Duane Eddy released in the US
Article October 16-17, 1987 • Filming of the "Once Upon Along Ago" promotional video
Session Oct 23, 1987 • Recording batch 2 of demos with Elvis Costello
Album Nov 02, 1987 • "All The Best! (UK version)" by Paul McCartney released in the UK
Album Nov 02, 1987 • "All The Best! (US version)" by Paul McCartney released in the US
Article Nov 05, 1987 • Paul McCartney commerorates 20 years of Rolling Stone magazines
This album was recorded during the following studio sessions:
Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney
4:09 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Drums, Electric guitar, Moog (?), Piano (?), Producer, Vocals Linda Eastman / McCartney : Backing vocals, Keyboards, Moog (?) Denny Laine : Backing vocals, Electric guitar, Piano (?) Tony Visconti : Orchestration Howie Casey : Sax Geoff Emerick : Mixing engineer, Recording engineer Pete Swettenham : Assistant engineer Beaux Arts Orchestra : Strings
Session Recording: October 1973 • Studio AIR Studios, London, UK
Session Mixing: Late October / Early November 1973 • Studio Kingsway Studios, London, UK
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • From the books "Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs" • Buy Volume 1 (1970-1989) and Volume 2 (1990-2012) on Amazon
Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney
5:13 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Drums, Electric guitar, Electric piano, Producer, Synthesizers, Vocals Linda Eastman / McCartney : Backing vocals, Moog Denny Laine : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar Tony Visconti : Orchestration Geoff Emerick : Mixing engineer, Recording engineer Monday : Assistant engineer Pete Swettenham : Assistant engineer Beaux Arts Orchestra : Horns, Strings
Session Recording: September 1-23, 1973 • Studio EMI Studios, Lagos, Nigeria
Session Overdubs: October 1973 • Studio AIR Studios, London, UK
Session Mixing: Late October / Early November 1973 • Studio Kingsway Studios, London, UK
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • From the books "Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs" • Buy Volume 1 (1970-1989) and Volume 2 (1990-2012) on Amazon
Written by Paul McCartney
3:52 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Drums, Electric guitars, Electric piano, Mixing engineer, Percussion, Producer, Recording engineer, Synthesizers, Tambourine, Vocals Eddie Klein : Mixing assistant
Session Recording: June - July 1979 • Studio Home Studio, Peasmarsh, Sussex, UK
Session Recording: June - July 1979 • Studio Spirit Of Ranachan Studio, Campbeltown, Scotland
Session Mixing: September 1979 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • From the books "Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs" • Buy Volume 1 (1970-1989) and Volume 2 (1990-2012) on Amazon
Written by Paul McCartney
3:43 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : Arrangement, Backing vocals, Bass, Guitar, Percussion, Piano, Synthesizers, Vocals, Vocoder Stevie Wonder : Backing vocals, Drums, Electric piano, Percussion, Synthesizers, Vocals George Martin : Arrangement, Producer Geoff Emerick : Mixing engineer, Recording engineer Jon Jacobs : Assistant mixing engineer, Assistant recording engineer Mike Stavrou : Assistant recording engineer
Session Recording: Feb 28, 1981 • Studio AIR Studios, Montserrat
Session Overdubs: Mar 30, 1981 • Studio AIR Studios, London, UK
Session Overdubs: October 1981 • Studio Strawberry Studios South, Dorkins, Surrey
Session Mixing: Jan 19, 1982 • Studio AIR Studios, London, UK
Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney
3:57 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Bass, Clarinet, Electric guitar, Electric piano, Moog, Producer, Strings arrangement, Vocals Linda Eastman / McCartney : Backing vocals Denny Laine : Backing vocals, Bongos, Electric guitar Jimmy McCulloch : Electric guitar Joe English : Drums, Percussion Sid Sharp Strings : Cello, Violas, Violins Gayle Levant : Harp Tony Dorsey : Strings arrangement Dave Mason : Electric guitar Tom Scott : Saxophone Alan O'Duffy : Mixing engineer, Recording engineer Biff Dawes : Assistant mixing engineer
Session Recording: Jan 31, 1975 and Feb 20, 1975 • Studio Sea-Saint Recording Studio, New Orleans, USA
Session Overdubs: Mar 03 to Mar 06, 1975 • Studio Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA
Session Overdubs: Mar 10, 1975 • Studio Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA
Session Mixing: Mar 26, 1975 • Studio Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA
Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney
5:56 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Mellotron (?), Percussion (?), Piano (?), Producer, String conductor, Vocals Linda Eastman / McCartney : Backing vocals, Tambourine (?) Denny Laine : Backing vocals, Piano (?) Jimmy McCulloch : Electric guitar (?) Howie Casey : Horns Joe English : Drums, Percussion (?) Thaddeus Richard : Horns Mark Vigars : Assistant mixing engineer, Assistant recording engineer Pete Henderson : Mixing engineer, Recording engineer Steve Howard : Horns Tony Dorsey : Horns, String arrangements
Session Recording: Jan 16, 1976 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: January - March 1976 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: January - March 1976 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • From the books "Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs" • Buy Volume 1 (1970-1989) and Volume 2 (1990-2012) on Amazon
Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney
5:11 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Piano, Producer, Vocals Linda Eastman / McCartney : Backing vocals Denny Laine : Backing vocals, Military drum (?) Jimmy McCulloch : Bass Howie Casey : Flutes, Horns Joe English : Drums Thaddeus Richard : Flutes, Horns Mark Vigars : Assistant mixing engineer, Assistant recording engineer Pete Henderson : Mixing engineer, Recording engineer Steve Howard : Flutes, Horns Tony Dorsey : Flutes, Horns
Session Recording: Feb 03, 1976 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: January - March 1976 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: January - March 1976 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • From the books "Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs" • Buy Volume 1 (1970-1989) and Volume 2 (1990-2012) on Amazon
Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney
4:34 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : Cornet, Piano, Producer, Vocals Linda Eastman / McCartney : Backing vocals, Tambourine Denny Laine : Backing vocals, Bass Henry McCullough : Drums Denny Seiwell : Cornet, Xylophone Mark Vigars : Assistant mixing engineer Heather McCartney : Backing vocals Mary McCartney : Backing vocals Alan Parsons : Mixing engineer Mike Bobak : Recording engineer
Session Recording: Sep 02, 1972 • Studio Morgan Studios, London
Session Mixing: Nov 07, 1972 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • From the books "Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs" • Buy Volume 1 (1970-1989) and Volume 2 (1990-2012) on Amazon
Written by Paul McCartney
3:25 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : Arrangement, Backing vocals, Bass, Drums (?), Piano, Shaker (?), Synthesizer (?), Tambourine (?), Vocals Linda Eastman / McCartney : Backing vocals Eric Stewart : Backing vocals George Martin : Arrangement, Producer Geoff Emerick : Mixing engineer, Recording engineer Jon Jacobs : Mixing engineer assistant, Recording engineer assistant Adrian Brett : Pan flute James Kippen : Tabla Pestalozzi's Children Choir : Choir Unknown musician(s) : Horns, Strings
Session Recording: Sep 10, 1982 • Studio AIR Studios, London, UK
Overdubs : October 1982 • Studio AIR Studios, London, UK
Session Mixing: Jun 30, 1983 • Studio AIR Studios, London, UK
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • From the books "Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs" • Buy Volume 1 (1970-1989) and Volume 2 (1990-2012) on Amazon
Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney
3:13 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : Bass (?), Electric guitar (?), Percussion (?), Piano, Producer, Vocals Linda Eastman / McCartney : Backing vocals Denny Laine : Backing vocals, Bass (?), Electric guitar (?) George Martin : Producer Henry McCullough : Electric guitar Denny Seiwell : Drums, Percussion (?) Ray Cooper : Duck-call, Percussion (?), Tympani Bill Price : Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
Session Recording: Oct 19, 1972 • Studio AIR Studios, London, UK
Session Overdubs: Oct 20, 1972 • Studio AIR Studios, London, UK
Session Mixing: Oct 21, 1972 • Studio AIR Studios, London, UK
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • From the books "Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs" • Buy Volume 1 (1970-1989) and Volume 2 (1990-2012) on Amazon
Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney
3:42 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Percussion (?), Producer, Tambourine (?), Vocals Linda Eastman / McCartney : Backing vocals Denny Seiwell : Drums, Percussion David Spinozza : Acoustic guitar (?), Electric guitar Tim Geelan : Recording engineer Ted Brosnan : Assistant recording engineer Dixon Van Winkle : Mixing engineer
Session Recording: Oct 12, 1970 • Studio CBS Studios, New York City
Session Overdubs: January 1971 • Studio A&R Studios, New York City
Session Mixing: Feb 08, 1971 • Studio A&R Studios, New York City
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • From the books "Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs" • Buy Volume 1 (1970-1989) and Volume 2 (1990-2012) on Amazon
Written by Paul McCartney
4:06 • Studio version • A2 • A1 and A2 are identical until 3:48, when A1 repeats the chorus and A2 goes into an instrumental break. A1 also runs five to six seconds longer at the fade
Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Piano, Synthesizers, Vocals Linda Eastman / McCartney : Backing vocals, Tambourine George Martin : Mixing engineer, Orchestration Adrian Brett : Flute Tim Renwick : Electric guitar Nick Glennie-Smith : Keyboards Phil Ramone : Producer Henry Spinetti : Drums Nigel Kennedy : Violin Stan Sulzmann : Sax
Session Recording: Mar 11, 1987 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Session Recording: Mar 12, 1987 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Session Overdubs: Jul 01, 1987 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • From the books "Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs" • Buy Volume 1 (1970-1989) and Volume 2 (1990-2012) on Amazon
Written by Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson
3:55 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : Arrangement, Backing vocals, Electric guitar (?), Electric piano (?), Percussion (?), Synthesizers (?), Vocals Linda Eastman / McCartney : Backing vocals Michael Jackson : Backing vocals, Vocals Eric Stewart : Backing vocals George Martin : Arrangement, Producer Geoff Emerick : Mixing engineer, Recording engineer Jon Jacobs : Mixing engineer assistant, Recording engineer assistant Jerry Hey : Horns Nathan Watts : Bass Bill Wolfer : Keyboards, Synthesizers David Williams : Electric guitar Chris Smith : Harmonica Ricky Lawson : Drums Ernie Watts : Horns Gary E. Grant : Horns Gary Herbig : Horns
Session Recording: May 1981 • Studio AIR Studios, London, UK ; Odyssey Studios, London, UK
Session Recording: April 1982 • Studio Cherokee Studios, Los Angeles, USA ; Sigma Sound Studios, New York City, USA
Session Mixing: Feb 15, 1983 • Studio AIR Studios, London, UK
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • From the books "Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs" • Buy Volume 1 (1970-1989) and Volume 2 (1990-2012) on Amazon
Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney
4:09 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : Electric piano, Producer, Vocals Linda Eastman / McCartney : Backing vocals Denny Laine : Backing vocals, Bass Henry McCullough : Electric guitar Denny Seiwell : Drums Richard Hewson : Orchestra arrangement Mark Vigars : Assistant recording engineer Richard Lush : Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
Session Recording: Jan 25, 1973 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Recording: Jan 26, 1973 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs & mixing: Jan 27, 1973 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Written by Paul McCartney
4:25 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Vocals Eric Stewart : Backing vocals George Martin : Producer John Barclay : Trumpet Jon Kelly : Mixing engineer Nigel Perrin : Vocals Alastair Hume : Vocals Bill Ives : Vocals Anthony Holt : Vocals Simon Carrington : Vocals Brian Kay : Vocals Pete Beachill : Euphonium Robin Williams : Violin Pete Swinfield : Flute Gary Kettel : Tympani Mike Stavrou : Recording engineer The London Community Gospel Choir : Vocals The King's Singers : Backing vocals
Session Recording: Oct 31, 1980 • Studio AIR Studios, London, UK
Session Recording: Nov 03, 1980 • Studio AIR Studios, London, UK
Session Overdubs & mixing: Nov 10, 1980 • Studio AIR Studios, London, UK
Session Overdubs & mixing: Nov 15, 1980 • Studio AIR Studios, London, UK
Written by Paul McCartney, Denny Laine
4:44 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : Acoustic bass guitar, Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Lead vocal, Producer Linda Eastman / McCartney : Backing vocals Denny Laine : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Vocals Geoff Emerick : Mixing engineer, Recording engineer Joe English : Drums Campbell Maloney : Drums Campbeltown Pipe Band : Bagpipes Ian Bairson : Backing vocals Dave Paton : Backing vocals Tony Wilson : Bagpipe Ian McKerral : Bagpipe David McIvor : Bagpipe John Lang Brown : Bagpipe Archie Coffield : Bagpipe John McGeachy : Bagpipe Dougie Lang : Bagpipe Jimmy McGeachy : Drums David Hastie : Drums Ian Campbell : Drums Tommy Blue : Drums John MacCallum : Drums Ian MacKenzie : Drums Tim Summerhays : Assistant recording engineer
Session Recording: August 9, 1977 • Studio Spirit Of Ranachan Studio, Campbeltown, Scotland
Session Overdubs: October 1977 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • From the books "Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs" • Buy Volume 1 (1970-1989) and Volume 2 (1990-2012) on Amazon
From Wikipedia:
All the Best! is the second official compilation album of Paul McCartney’s music, after 1978’s Wings Greatest. It was released in 1987 on Capitol Records and Parlophone Records. […]
The album contains tracks from the beginning of his solo career in 1970 up to (on editions outside the United States) the newly recorded “Once Upon a Long Ago“. The American version has a different track listing, reflecting the popularity of particular songs there. Originally the album was to include the unreleased London Town track “Waterspout”; there are LP slicks that feature it as the opening track on side two, as well as a cartoon icon, but the song was omitted at the last minute.
Editions outside the United States have 20 tracks on the vinyl version and 17 on CD; the CD omits “Maybe I’m Amazed”, “With A Little Luck” and “Goodnight Tonight”. The American edition has 17 tracks on both vinyl and CD, and omits “Pipes of Peace”, “Maybe I’m Amazed”, “Once Upon A Long Ago”, “We All Stand Together”, and “Mull Of Kintyre”, but adds “Junior’s Farm” and “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey”. It also substitutes the studio version of “Coming Up” for a live version, and has a shorter version of “With A Little Luck”.
Issued just as McCartney was beginning work on his next studio album, All the Best! was a commercial success in the UK, where it reached number 2 (having been kept off the top position by George Michael’s debut solo album, Faith). In America, the compilation peaked at number 62, although it was eventually certified double platinum there. […]
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thetimeisdead • 5 years ago
Hey there! I think the US and UK versions should be distinguished for this release. The UK LP has 20 tracks, the UK CD is represented here, and the US LP / CD has 17 songs (different to the UK CD). Love this site!!
The PaulMcCartney Project • 5 years ago
Thanks @thetimeisdead - you're right ! Added to my list of future tasks :) Thanks for the kind words !