Band On The Run - Archive Collection

Track list

Disc 1

1. Band on the Run

   Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

   5:14 • Studio version • A2010 • 2010 remaster

   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 Steve Rooke : Remastering Simon Gibson : Remastering Sam Okell : Remastering

   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

2. Jet

   Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

   4:09 • Studio version • A2010 • 2010 remaster

   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 Steve Rooke : Remastering Simon Gibson : Remastering Sam Okell : Remastering

   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

3. Bluebird

   Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

   3:25 • Studio version • A2010 • 2010 remaster

   Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Chimes (?), Guiro (?), Maracas (?), Percussion (?), Producer, Triangle (?), Vocals Linda Eastman / McCartney : Backing vocals, Chimes (?) Denny Laine : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals Howie Casey : Sax Remi Kabaka : Drums, Percussion Geoff Emerick : Mixing engineer, Recording engineer Monday : Assistant engineer Pete Swettenham : Assistant engineer

   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

4. Mrs. Vandebilt

   Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

   4:41 • Studio version • A2010 • 2010 remaster

   Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Drums, Electric guitar, Electric piano, Percussion (?), Producer, Vocals Linda Eastman / McCartney : Backing vocals, Keyboards Denny Laine : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar (?), Percussion (?) Howie Casey : Sax Geoff Emerick : Mixing engineer, Recording engineer Monday : Assistant engineer Pete Swettenham : Assistant engineer Steve Rooke : Remastering Simon Gibson : Remastering Sam Okell : Remastering

   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

5. Let Me Roll It

   Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

   4:51 • Studio version • A2010 • 2010 remaster

   Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Drums, Electric guitar, Producer, Vocals Linda Eastman / McCartney : Backing vocals, Organ Denny Laine : Backing vocals, Electric guitar Geoff Emerick : Mixing engineer, Recording engineer Monday : Assistant engineer Pete Swettenham : Assistant engineer Steve Rooke : Remastering Simon Gibson : Remastering Sam Okell : Remastering

   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

6. Mamunia

   Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

   4:51 • Studio version • A2010 • 2010 remaster

   Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar (?), Percussion, Producer, Vocals Linda Eastman / McCartney : Backing vocals, Moog Denny Laine : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar (?), Percussion Geoff Emerick : Mixing engineer, Recording engineer Monday : Assistant engineer Pete Swettenham : Assistant engineer

   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

7. No Words

   Written by Paul McCartney, Denny Laine

   2:36 • Studio version • A2010 • 2010 remaster

   Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Drums, Electric guitar, Producer, Shaker (?), Synthesizer (?), Vocals Linda Eastman / McCartney : Backing vocals, Keyboards, Shaker (?) Denny Laine : Backing vocals, Electric guitar, Vocals Tony Visconti : Orchestration Geoff Emerick : Mixing engineer, Recording engineer Trevor Jones : Backing vocals Monday : Assistant engineer Pete Swettenham : Assistant engineer Beaux Arts Orchestra : Strings Ian Horne : Backing vocals

   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

8. Picasso's Last Words (Drink to Me)

   Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

   5:49 • Studio version • A2010 • 2010 remaster

   Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Drums, Electric guitar, Electric piano, Producer, Shaker, Vocals Linda Eastman / McCartney : Backing vocals, Shaker Denny Laine : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar, Shaker, Vocals Tony Visconti : Orchestration Geoff Emerick : Mixing engineer, Recording engineer Ginger Baker : Shaker Monday : Assistant engineer Pete Swettenham : Assistant engineer Beaux Arts Orchestra : Horns, Strings Pierre Denis Le Seve : French narration

   Session Recording: September 1-23, 1973 • Studio ARC Studios, Ikeja, 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

9. Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five

   Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

   5:32 • Studio version • A2010 • 2010 remaster

   Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass (?), Drums, Electric guitar, Keyboards, Piano, Producer, Shaker (?), Synthesizers, Vocals Linda Eastman / McCartney : Backing vocals, Organ, Shaker (?) Denny Laine : Backing vocals, Bass (?), Electric guitar Tony Visconti : Orchestration Geoff Emerick : Mixing engineer, Recording engineer Monday : Assistant engineer Pete Swettenham : Assistant engineer Beaux Arts Orchestra : Horns, Strings Steve Rooke : Remastering Simon Gibson : Remastering Sam Okell : Remastering

   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

Disc 2

1. Helen Wheels

   Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

   3:48 • Studio version • A2010 • 2010 remaster

   Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Drums, Electric guitar, Producer, Vocals Linda Eastman / McCartney : Backing vocals, Moog Denny Laine : Backing vocals, Electric guitar Geoff Emerick : Mixing engineer, Recording engineer Monday : Assistant recording engineer Pete Swettenham : Assistant mixing engineer

   Session Recording: September 1-23, 1973 • Studio EMI Studios, Lagos, Nigeria

   Session Overdubs: October 1973 • Studio AIR Studios, London, UK

   Session Mixing: Oct 02, 1973 • 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

2. Country Dreamer

   Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

   3:10 • Studio version • A2010 • 2010 remaster

   Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Percussion (?), Piano, Producer, Vocals Linda Eastman / McCartney : Backing vocals Denny Laine : Backing vocals, Bass Henry McCullough : Slide guitar Denny Seiwell : Brushes, Drums Mark Vigars : Assistant mixing engineer (?), Assistant recording engineer John Barrett : Assistant mixing engineer (?) Alan Parsons : Mixing engineer, Recording engineer

   Session Recording: Sep 26, 1972 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   Session Mixing: Jan 10, 1973 • 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

3. From "One Hand Clapping"

1. Bluebird

   Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

   3:29 • TV show • C • From "One Hand Clapping"

   Performed by : Paul McCartney • Linda Eastman / McCartney • Denny Laine • Jimmy McCulloch • Howie Casey • Geoff Britton Paul McCartney : Producer Geoff Emerick : Mixing engineer, Recording engineer Mark Vigars : Assistant recording engineer John Barrett : Assistant mixing engineer

   Session Recording: Aug 27, 1974 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

   Session Mixing: Sep 29, 1974 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

2. Jet

   Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

   3:58 • TV show • C • From "One Hand Clapping"

   Performed by : Paul McCartney • Linda Eastman / McCartney • Denny Laine • Jimmy McCulloch • Howie Casey • Geoff Britton Paul McCartney : Producer Geoff Emerick : Mixing engineer, Recording engineer Mark Vigars : Assistant recording engineer John Barrett : Assistant mixing engineer

   Session Recording: Aug 26, 1974 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   Session Mixing: Sep 27, 1974 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

3. Let Me Roll It

   Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

   4:26 • TV show • C • From "One Hand Clapping"

   Performed by : Paul McCartney • Linda Eastman / McCartney • Denny Laine • Jimmy McCulloch • Geoff Britton Paul McCartney : Producer Geoff Emerick : Mixing engineer, Recording engineer Mark Vigars : Assistant recording engineer John Barrett : Assistant mixing engineer

   Session Recording: Aug 28, 1974 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

   Session Mixing: Sep 27, 1974 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

4. Band on the Run

   Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

   5:15 • TV show • F • From "One Hand Clapping"

   Performed by : Paul McCartney • Linda Eastman / McCartney • Denny Laine • Jimmy McCulloch • Geoff Britton Paul McCartney : Producer Geoff Emerick : Mixing engineer, Recording engineer Mark Vigars : Assistant recording engineer John Barrett : Assistant mixing engineer

   Session Recording: Aug 27, 1974 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

   Session Mixing: Sep 29, 1974 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

5. Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five

   Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

   6:00 • TV show • C • From "One Hand Clapping"

   Performed by : Paul McCartney • Linda Eastman / McCartney • Denny Laine • Jimmy McCulloch • Geoff Britton Paul McCartney : Producer Geoff Emerick : Mixing engineer, Recording engineer Mark Vigars : Assistant recording engineer John Barrett : Assistant mixing engineer

   Session Recording: Aug 30, 1974 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   Session Mixing: Sep 29, 1974 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

6. Country Dreamer

   Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

   2:17 • TV show • B • From "One Hand Clapping". Credits indicate "recording Aug 24, mixing Aug 29", but the acoustic feel of it (Paul on acoustic guitar and vocals) suggests it was recorded on August 30, as part of "The Backyard" section

   Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Producer, Vocals Geoff Emerick : Mixing engineer, Recording engineer Mark Vigars : Assistant recording engineer John Barrett : Assistant mixing engineer

   Session Recording: Aug 30, 1974 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

4. Zoo Gang

   Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

   2:02 • Studio version • A2010 • 2010 remaster

   Paul McCartney : Accordion (?), Bass, Drums (?), Keyboards (?), Producer Linda Eastman / McCartney : Keyboards (?) Denny Laine : Electric guitar (?) Henry McCullough : Electric guitar (?) Geoff Emerick : Mixing engineer Denny Seiwell : Drums (?) Mark Vigars : Assistant recording engineer Alan Parsons : Recording engineer Andy Arthurs : Assistant mixing engineer

   Session Recording: Apr 25, 1973 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   Session Mixing: May 14, 1973 • 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

Disc 3

1. Audio documentary

1. Band On The Run

   Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

   1:12 • Studio version • C • Nicely Toasted Mix

   Performed by : Paul McCartney Paul McCartney : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Keith Smith : Assistant engineer

   Session Recording: Dec 10, 1998 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

2. Band On The Run - Dialogue Link 1

   2:17 • Interview • Paul McCartney interview about the making of "Band On The Run" album

   Paul McCartney : Producer Eddy Pumer : Producer

3. Band On The Run

   Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

   4:59 • Rehearsal • L3

   Performed by : Paul McCartney • Linda Eastman / McCartney • Robbie McIntosh • Hamish Stuart • Paul Wickens • Chris Whitten Paul McCartney : Producer

   Session Recording: Jul 21, 1989 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

4. Mamunia - Dialogue Link 2 and 3

   4:22 • Interview • Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney & Denny Laine interviews about the making of "Band On The Run" album

   Paul McCartney : Producer Eddy Pumer : Producer

5. Bluebird

   Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

   0:55 • Live • L2 • Recorded during the 1975 Australia tour, as part of a video message for Japanese fans

   Performed by : Paul McCartney • Linda Eastman / McCartney • Denny Laine • Jimmy McCulloch • Joe English Paul McCartney : Producer Geoff White : Recording engineer

6. Bluebird - Dialogue Link 4

   0:23 • Interview • Paul McCartney interview about the making of "Band On The Run" album

   Paul McCartney : Producer Eddy Pumer : Producer

7. No Words - Dialogue Link 5

   1:24 • Interview • Paul McCartney & Geoff Emerick interview about the making of "Band On The Run" album

   Paul McCartney : Producer Eddy Pumer : Producer

8. No Words - Band On The Run - Dialogue Link 6

   1:47 • Interview • Paul McCartney & Tony Visconti interview about the making of "Band On The Run" album

   Paul McCartney : Producer Eddy Pumer : Producer

9. Jet - Dialogue Link 7

   2:55 • Interview • Paul McCartney interview about the making of "Band On The Run" album

   Paul McCartney : Producer Eddy Pumer : Producer

10. Jet

    Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

    3:52 • Live • L3

    Performed by : Paul McCartney • Linda Eastman / McCartney • Robbie McIntosh • Hamish Stuart • Paul Wickens • Blair Cunningham Paul McCartney : Producer

    Concert From the concert in Berlin, Germany on Sep 03, 1993

11. Dialogue Link 8

    1:44 • Interview • Paul McCartney & Clive Arrowsmith interview about the making of "Band On The Run" album

    Paul McCartney : Producer Eddy Pumer : Producer

12. Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five - Dialogue Link 9 and 10

    3:24 • Interview • Paul McCartney, James Coburn & John Conteh interview about the making of "Band On The Run" album

    Paul McCartney : Producer Eddy Pumer : Producer

13. Mrs. Vandebilt - Dialogue Link 11

    2:11 • Interview • Paul McCartney & Kenny Linch interview about the making of "Band On The Run" album

    Paul McCartney : Producer Eddy Pumer : Producer

14. Let Me Roll It - Dialogue Link 12

    Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

    3:52 • Live • L3 • Includes Paul McCartney interview about the making of "Band On The Run" album

    Performed by : Paul McCartney • Linda Eastman / McCartney • Robbie McIntosh • Hamish Stuart • Paul Wickens • Blair Cunningham Paul McCartney : Producer

    Concert From "New World Tour - Rehearsal Concert" in London, United Kingdom on Feb 05, 1993

15. Mrs. Vandebilt - Dialogue Link 13

    2:26 • Interview • Paul McCartney, Michael Parkinson & Linda McCartney interview about the making of "Band On The Run" album

    Paul McCartney : Producer Eddy Pumer : Producer

16. Helen Wheels (Crazed) - Dialogue Link 14

    Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

    5:33 • Interview • B • Crazed - Includes Paul McCartney & Christopher Lee interview about the making of "Band On The Run" album

    Performed by : Paul McCartney • Linda Eastman / McCartney • Denny Laine Paul McCartney : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer

    Session Recording: September 1973 • Studio EMI Studios, Lagos, Nigeria

17. Band On The Run (Strum Bit) - Dialogue Link 15

    Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

    1:01 • Interview • D • Strum Bit - Includes Paul McCartney & Clement Freud interview about the making of "Band On The Run" album

    Performed by : Paul McCartney Paul McCartney : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Keith Smith : Assistant engineer

    Session Recording: Dec 10, 1998 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

18. Picasso's Last Words - Dialogue Link 16

    4:22 • Interview • Paul McCartney & Dustin Hoffman interview about the making of "Band On The Run" album

    Paul McCartney : Producer Eddy Pumer : Producer

19. Picasso's Last Words (Drink To Me)

    Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

    1:11 • Studio version • C • Acoustic version

    Performed by : Paul McCartney Paul McCartney : Producer Geoff Emerick : Additional engineering Eddie Klein : Recording engineer Keith Smith : Assistant engineer

    Session Recording: Dec 04, 1998 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

    Session Additional engineeri: Dec 07, 1998 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

20. Band On The Run (Nicely Toasted Mix) - Dialogue Link 17

    0:42 • Interview • Paul McCartney interview about the making of "Band On The Run" album

    Paul McCartney : Producer Eddy Pumer : Producer

21. Band On The Run

    Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

    0:36 • Studio version • E • Northern Comic Version

    Performed by : Paul McCartney Paul McCartney : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Keith Smith : Assistant engineer

    Session Recording: Dec 10, 1998 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK

From the press release, September 16, 2010:

MPL and the Concord Music Group are pleased to announce the re-release of Paul McCartney & Wings’ iconic Band on the Run on November 2^nd, 2010. Heralded as one of the greatest albums of all time, the GRAMMY winning, smash # 1 album – originally released December of 1973 – yielded the immortal title track and world-wide hit “Jet” becoming Wings’ most successful and celebrated album ever.

Paul McCartney personally supervised all aspects of the Band on the Run reissue. The remastering work was done at Abbey Road using the same team who recently remastered the complete Beatles’ catalog.

Band on the Run will be available in a variety of formats originating with the single disc digitally remastered, essential 9-track standard edition. The 3 disc (2CD, 1 DVD) special edition features nine bonus audio tracks (including the top 10 smash “Helen Wheels”), rare footage of the McCartneys in Lagos and behind-the-scenes at the famous album cover shoot, original Band on the Run promotional video clips, the One Hand Clapping television special (highlighted by studio performances filmed at Abbey Road in 1974) all with beautifully enhanced packaging. Collectors will be especially thrilled by the 4 disc (3CD, 1 DVD) deluxe edition which adds an extraordinary 120-page hard bound book containing many unseen and unpublished photos by Linda McCartney and Clive Arrowsmith, album and single artwork, downloadable hi-res audio versions of the remastered album and bonus audio tracks, a full history of the album complete with a new interview with Paul and expanded track by track information for all four discs. The deluxe edition also includes a special Band on the Run audio documentary (originally produced for the 25^th Anniversary edition). The original remastered album and bonus audio content will also be issued in a 2 disc 180gm audiophile vinyl edition that comes with an MP3 download of all 18 tracks. Lastly, the standard and deluxe versions of Band on the Run will be available digitally worldwide.

The musical achievement of Band on the Run is nearly matched by the amazing story behind its creation. Intrigued with recording abroad in the summer of 1973, McCartney searched for a list of studios around the world. Spotting one in the remote location of Lagos, Nigeria, he became enthralled with the idea of recording in Africa. Days before departure, lead guitarist Henry McCullough and drummer Denny Seiwell quit the band leaving the entire project to the three core members, Paul, his wife Linda McCartney and band-member Denny Laine (along with recording engineer Geoff Emerick). Recorded in August and September of 1973 (with further work done at AIR Studios in London in October 1973), they persevered through a tumultuous, yet creatively invigorating 2 month recording process battling difficult studio conditions, oppressive heat and a dangerous mugging at knife point. The thieves made off with the demo tapes (among other valuables), forcing the band to record the entire album from memory.

Band on the Run triumphed both critically and commercially. The album topped the US album chart 3 separate times, won a Grammy and went on to sell more than 7 million copies. Upon the release of Band on the Run, then Rolling Stone reviewer Jon Landau famously gushed, “The finest record yet released by any of the four musicians who were once called The Beatles.”

Paul is currently playing five songs from the album on his ‘Up and Coming Tour’. Live favorites over the last 8 years of touring have included “Jet”, “Band on the Run” and “Let Me Roll It”. In 2008 when Paul played a free outdoor show to over 500,000 people in Kiev, a Ukrainian poll listed “Mrs Vandebilt” as their all time favorite Paul McCartney song. It’s been included in the set ever since. At the start of this tour Paul added “Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five” to the set.

Band on the Run marks the first release from the Paul McCartney Archive Collection, an ambitious reissue program that encompasses 40 years of cherished, classic material from the most successful songwriter and recording artist in music history. It’s also the initial physical release of the recently announced agreement between McCartney’s MPL and Concord Music Group to globally market and distribute McCartney’s venerated solo and Wings catalog.

Darrell Bishop • 3 years ago

The PaulMcCartney Project • 3 years ago

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