UK Release date : Monday, June 5, 1989
Flowers In The Dirt
By Paul McCartney • Official album • Part of the collection “Paul McCartney • Studio albums”
Last updated on June 8, 2024
UK Release date : Monday, June 5, 1989
By Paul McCartney • Official album • Part of the collection “Paul McCartney • Studio albums”
Last updated on June 8, 2024
Previous album Nov 14, 1988 • "Water from the Wells of Home" by Johnny Cash released in the UK
TV show May 31, 1989 • Sacrée soirée
Interview 1989 • Linda Eastman / McCartney interview for Diamond Hard Music Entertainment
Album Jun 05, 1989 • "Flowers In The Dirt" by Paul McCartney released in the UK
Album Jun 05, 1989 • "Flowers In The Dirt" by Paul McCartney released in the US
Single Jun 07, 1989 • "Ou Est Le Soleil?" by Paul McCartney released in the UK
This album was recorded during the following studio sessions:
Written by Paul McCartney, Declan MacManus / Elvis Costello
3:19 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Bass, Harmonies, Lead vocal, Producer, Tambourine Robbie McIntosh : Acoustic guitar, Electric guitar Hamish Stuart : Acoustic guitar, Electric guitar, Harmonies Dave Bishop : Saxophone Chris Whitten : Drums Mitchell Froom : Keyboards, Producer David Rhodes : Ebow guitar Chris Davis : Saxophone Chris White : Saxophone Neil Dorfsman : Mixing engineer, Producer, Recording engineer Noel Harris : Assistant mixing engineer
Session Recording: October 1988 • Studio Olympic Sound Studios, London
Session Mixing: Jan 28, 1989 • Studio Olympic Sound Studios, London
Written by Paul McCartney
4:44 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : Drum overdubs, Guitar, Lead vocal, Percussion, Producer, Synth Linda Eastman / McCartney : Harmonies Steve Lipson : Bass, Computer and drum programming, Guitar, Mixing engineer, Producer, Recording engineer Trevor Horn : Keyboards, Producer Heff Moraes : Assistant engineer
Session Recording: Oct 05, 1987 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Session Mixing: Oct 06, 1987 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Written by Paul McCartney, Declan MacManus / Elvis Costello
3:13 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : 12-string acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Producer, Tambourine, Vocals Robbie McIntosh : Guitar Hamish Stuart : Guitars, Harmonies Elvis Costello : Intro keyboards, Producer, Second vocal Mitchell Froom : Keyboards, Producer Chris Davis : Saxophone Neil Dorfsman : Mixing engineer, Producer, Recording engineer Chris Witten : Drums, Percussion Peter Henderson : Recording engineer Richard Niles : End orchestration Richard Moakes : Assistant recording engineer Noel Harris : Assistant mixing engineer Unknown musician(s) : Horns
Session Recording: Feb 01, 1988 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Session Overdubs: October 1988 • Studio Olympic Sound Studios, London
Session Overdubs ?: Oct 31, 1988 • Studio Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA
Session Mixing: Jan 16, 1989 • Studio Olympic Sound Studios, London
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
4:41 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : Bass, Harmonies, Lead vocal, Percussion, Producer, Solo guitar Linda Eastman / McCartney : Harmonies Hamish Stuart : Acoustic guitar, Harmonies Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Neil Dorfsman : Mixing engineer Chris Witten : Drums, Percusson Clare Fischer : Orchestration Arne Frager : Recording engineer Matt Butler : Assistant engineer Noel Harris : Assistant mixing engineer Unknown musician(s) : Strings
Session Recording: May 06, 1988 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Session Orchestral overdubs: Nov 01, 1988 • Studio Mad Hatter Studios, Los Angeles, USA
Session Mixing: Jan 19, 1989 • Studio Olympic Sound Studios, London
Written by Paul McCartney
4:57 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : Bass, Harmonies, Lead vocal, Mexican guitar, Percussion, Producer, Tom overdub Robbie McIntosh : Acoustic guitar Hamish Stuart : Harmonies David Gilmour : Guitar Dave Mattacks : Drums Neil Dorfsman : Additional production, Mixing engineer, Recording engineer Chris Witten : Additional percussion Jon Jacobs : Assistant recording engineer David Foster : Keyboards, Producer Guy Barker : Trumpet Jon Kelly : Recording engineer Noel Harris : Assistant mixing engineer
Session Recording: Oct 01, 1984 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Session Overdubs: September - November 1988 ? • Studio Olympic Sound Studios, London, UK
Session Overdubs: Dec 01, 1988 • Studio AIR Studios, London, UK
Session Mixing: Jan 26, 1989 • Studio Olympic Sound 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
2:10 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Harmonies, Lead vocal, Orchestra lead, Orchestration, Percussion, Producer Hamish Stuart : Bass, Percussion George Martin : Orchestra lead, Orchestration Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Neil Dorfsman : Additional production Chris Witten : Hi hat, Percussion Peter Henderson : Computer programming, Recording engineer Lance Phillips : Assistant engineer
Session Recording: Apr 22, 1988 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Session Orchestra overdubs: Nov 28, 1988 • Studio AIR Studios, London, UK
Session Mixing: Jan 20, 1989 • Studio Olympic Sound Studios, London
Written by Paul McCartney
3:25 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Celeste, Electric guitar, Handclaps, Producer, Tambourine, Vocals Linda Eastman / McCartney : Handclaps, Mini moog Chris Whitten : Drums, Handclaps Eddie Klein : Assistant engineer Neil Dorfsman : Mixing engineer Steve Lipson : Computer programming, Electric guitar, Producer, Recording engineer Trevor Horn : Handclaps, Keyboards, Producer Noel Harris : Assistant mixing engineer
Session Recording: Nov 09, 1987 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Session Overdubs: November 1987 ? • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Session Mixing: January 8, 1989 • Studio Olympic Sound Studios, London
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
4:10 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Glasses, Harmonium, Keyboards, Producer, Rhythm guitar, Sitar, Tambourine, Vocals, Wine glasses Linda Eastman / McCartney : Backing vocals Robbie McIntosh : Acoustic guitar, Electric guitar Hamish Stuart : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar, Vocals Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Chris Whitten : Drums, Percussion Neil Dorfsman : Mixing engineer Matt Butler : Assistant engineer Lance Phillips : Assistant engineer, Glasses Judd Lander : Harmonica Noel Harris : Assistant mixing engineer
Session Recording: May 18, 1988 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Session Overdubs: September - November 1988 • Studio Olympic Sound Studios, London
Session Mixing: Jan 23, 1989 • Studio Olympic Sound Studios, London
Written by Paul McCartney, Declan MacManus / Elvis Costello
3:19 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Finger snaps, Producer, Tambourine, Vocals Hamish Stuart : Backing vocals, Electric guitar, Tambourine Chris Whitten : Backing vocals, Drums Elvis Costello : Backing vocals, Keyboards, Producer Mitchell Froom : Keyboards, Producer Neil Dorfsman : Additional production, Mixing engineer Peter Henderson : Recording engineer Richard Moakes : Assistant engineer Tchad Blake : Recording engineer Noel Harris : Additional mixing engineer Bob Lacivita : Assistant recording engineer
Session Recording: Feb 01, 1988 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Session Overdubs: Oct 27, 1988 • Studio Soundcastle Studios, Los Angeles, USA
Session Overdubs: Oct 28-29, 1988 • Studio Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA
Session Mixing: Jan 14, 1989 • Studio Olympic Sound Studios, London
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, Declan MacManus / Elvis Costello
4:20 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Producer, Vocals Robbie McIntosh : Electric guitar Hamish Stuart : Backing vocals, Electric guitar Chris Whitten : Drums, Tambourine Elvis Costello : Backing vocals, Producer Mitchell Froom : Keyboards, Producer Neil Dorfsman : Mixing engineer, Producer, Recording engineer Matt Butler : Assistant recording engineer Peter Henderson : Recording engineer Nicky Hopkins : Piano John Taylor : Cornet Tony Goddard : Cornet Ian Peters : Euphonium Ian Harper : Tenor horn Richard Moakes : Assistant engineer Noel Harris : Assistant mixing engineer
Session Recording: Mar 03, 1988 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Session Overdubs: October 1988 • Studio Olympic Sound Studios, London
Session Mixing: October 1988 • Studio Olympic Sound Studios, London
Session Mixing: Jan 12, 1989 • Studio Olympic Sound Studios, London
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
4:15 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Flugelhorn, Mellotron, Piano, Producer, Tambourine, Vocals Linda Eastman / McCartney : Backing vocals Hamish Stuart : Vocals Chris Whitten : Backing vocals, Cymbals, Drums synth Neil Dorfsman : Additional production, Mixing engineer Steve Lipson : Drum programming, Electric guitar, Producer, Recording engineer Trevor Horn : Backing vocals, Keyboards, Producer Heff Moraes : Assistant engineer Jab Bunny : Tongue styley Noel Harris : Assistant mixing engineer
Session Recording: Sep 08, 1988 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Session Overdubs: Sept - Oct 1988 ? • Studio AIR Studios, London, UK
Session Mixing: January 6, 1989 • Studio Olympic Sound Studios, London
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
6:25 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Piano, Producer, Vocals Hamish Stuart : Backing vocals, Electric guitar Greg Hawkes : Keyboards Chris Hughes : Computer programming, Drums, Producer Ross Cullum : Mixing engineer, Producer, Recording engineer Noel Rafferty : Assistant mixing engineer
Session Recording: January 1989 • Studio Hot Nights Studios, London, UK
Session Recording: Jan 12, 1989 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Session Mixing: Jan 30, 1989 • Studio Mayfair 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
4:54 • Studio version • A
Paul McCartney : Bongos, Drums, Electric guitar, Producer, Violin keyboard, Vocals, Woodsaw Hamish Stuart : Electric guitar Chris Whitten : Tom-toms Eddie Klein : Computer programming Steve Lipson : Bass, Computer and drum programming, Keyboards, Mixing engineer, Producer, Recording engineer Trevor Horn : Computered drums, Keyboards, Producer Heff Moraes : Assistant engineer
Session Recording: Jun 23, 1988 • Studio Hog Hill Studio, Rye, UK
Session Mixing: Dec 10, 1988 • Studio Sarm West Studios, London, UK
From Wikipedia:
Flowers in the Dirt is the eighth studio solo album by Paul McCartney, it was released in 1989 on Parlophone. Upon release, It was considered a major return to form for McCartney because he was embarking on his first world tour since the Wings Over the World tour in 1975–76. Flowers in the Dirt was also celebrated due to its musical quality, which earned McCartney some of his best reviews in years. The album gained number 1 status in the United Kingdom and Norway
The album was successful, and produced several hit singles (particularly the debut single “My Brave Face“).
Background and recording
After the meagre sales that greeted Press to Play, McCartney realised that he needed to work much harder on his follow-up. Thus, he not only teamed up with several different producers, but also spent the better part of 18 months perfecting Flowers in the Dirt. A highlight of the sessions was McCartney’s productive alliance with Elvis Costello, with whom he composed many new songs. McCartney greatly enjoyed the new partnership, even finding that Costello mirrored John Lennon in certain aspects of his personality. Costello would also appear on the album, even co-singing “You Want Her Too” with McCartney. Another celebrity guest included was his friend David Gilmour from Pink Floyd, who plays the guitar on “We Got Married“. On “Put It There“, McCartney used an old Buddy Holly trick, the knee-percussion, that McCartney recorded on the same day as the backing track.
Release
Knowing full well he intended to launch the biggest tour of his career thus far, McCartney also put together a regular band to take out on the road, and who would appear in various forms on Flowers in the Dirt. Hamish Stuart was best known for his tenure in Average White Band, while Robbie McIntosh had been a member of the Pretenders. Filling out the sound would be Chris Whitten on drums and Paul “Wix” Wickens joining McCartney’s wife Linda McCartney on keyboards.
Finally, early in 1989, the project was ready for release. In May, the Beatlesque “My Brave Face” was released as a single and promptly gave McCartney a US hit, reaching number 25, while reaching number 18 in the UK. In June, Flowers in the Dirt was released to high anticipation and immediately entered the UK charts at number 1, garnering very positive reviews from all around. In the US, the reaction was better than Press to Play, with the album reaching number 21, staying on the charts for a year and going gold, though it still sold beneath expectations. The second single, “This One“, also reached number 18 in the UK. The follow-ups “Figure of Eight“/”Où est le Soleil?” and “Put It There” would all be minor UK hits.
The Paul McCartney World Tour opened on 26 September 1989 and featured concerts in North America, Europe, Japan and Brazil until the following July.
The album cover artwork was photographed by Linda McCartney. The background canvas was painted by the British artist Brian Clarke, who was also responsible for designing stage backdrops for the world tour.
A limited-edition “World Tour Pack” of Flowers in the Dirt, sold in a facsimile trunk, was issued in Britain in October 1989, and America (with British catalogue numbers) in January 1990. The set included a bonus single of “Party Party” (mixed by Bruce Forest and released on a one-sided 7″ single in vinyl editions of the “World Tour Pack” and a 3″ CD-single in compact disc editions of the “World Tour Pack“). In March 1990, another limited edition of the album that featured a bonus disc was released exclusively in Japan and re-entered the country’s chart. A remastered CD was released in 1993.
Another reissue has been announced for release, as part of the Paul McCartney Archive Collection.
Critical reception
Reviewing for AllMusic, critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote of the album: “Paul McCartney must not only have been conscious of his slipping commercial fortunes, he must have realized that his records hadn’t been treated seriously for years, so he decided to make a full-fledged comeback effort with Flowers in the Dirt.“
Writing for Chicago Tribune, David Silverman wrote that the album was “a welcome, if not wholly fantastic, return from the fabbest of the Fab Four“. […]
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