UK release date:
May 27, 1975
US release date:
May 27, 1975

Master release


Related sessions

This album has been recorded during the following studio sessions





Venus And Mars sessions at Sea-Saint Studios

January 16th - February 24th, 1975












Recording "Rock Show"

Feb 05, 1975

















Mixing "Love In Song"

Mar 19, 1975


Mixing "Rock Show"

Mar 20, 1975



Mixing "Medicine Jar"

Mar 22, 1975





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Track list

Disc 1


1.

Venus And Mars

Written by Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney

1:19 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Electric guitar, Finger cymbals, Piano, Producer, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Piano
Denny Laine :
Moog, Sitar
Jimmy McCulloch :
12-string guitar, Electric guitar
Joe English :
Drums
Tony Dorsey :
Clarinet
Alan O'Duffy :
Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
Biff Dawes :
Assistant mixing engineer

Session Recording:
Jan 29, 1975
Studio :
Sea-Saint Recording Studio, New Orleans, USA

Session Overdubs:
Feb 26, 1975
Studio :
Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA

Session Mixing:
February 1975
Studio :
Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA


2.

Rock Show

Written by Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney

5:33 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Hand bells, Mellotron, Producer, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Backing vocals, Hand bells, Moog, Organ
Denny Laine :
Backing vocals, Electric guitar, Hand bells
Jimmy McCulloch :
Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Drums, Electric guitar, Hand bells, Moog
Joe English :
Backing vocals, Drums, Hand bells, Percussion
Allen Toussaint :
Electric guitar, Piano
Alan O'Duffy :
Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
Biff Dawes :
Assistant mixing engineer
Kenneth Williams :
Congas
Ken Lexton :
Assistant recording engineer

Session Recording:
Jan 27, 1975
Studio :
Sea-Saint Recording Studio, New Orleans, USA

Session Recording:
Feb 05, 1975
Studio :
Sea-Saint Recording Studio, New Orleans, USA

Session Overdubs:
Feb 26 and Mar 06 and Mar 07, 1975
Studio :
Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA

Session Mixing:
Mar 20, 1975
Studio :
Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA


3.

Love In Song

Written by Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney

3:07 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Hand bells, Piano, Producer, Strings arrangement, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Backing vocals, Hand bells, Moog
Denny Laine :
Backing vocals, Electric guitar, Piano
Jimmy McCulloch :
12-string guitar
Geoff Emerick :
Recording engineer
Geoff Britton :
Drums, Milk bottles
Sid Sharp Strings :
Bass, Celli, Viola, Violins
Gayle Levant :
Harp
Tony Dorsey :
Strings arrangement
Alan O'Duffy :
Mixing engineer, Recording engineer (overdubs & strings)
Biff Dawes :
Assistant mixing engineer

Session Recording:
Nov 07, 1974
Studio :
EMI Studios, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
January - February 1975
Studio :
Sea-Saint Recording Studio, New Orleans, USA

Session Overdubs:
Feb 27 and Mar 10, 1975
Studio :
Wally Heider Studios & Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Session Mixing:
Mar 19, 1975
Studio :
Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA


4.

You Gave Me The Answer

Written by Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney

2:19 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Piano, Producer, Strings arrangement, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Backing vocals
Jimmy McCulloch :
Electric guitar
Joe English :
Backing vocals, Drums
Tony Dorsey :
Strings arrangement
Alan O'Duffy :
Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
Biff Dawes :
Assistant mixing engineer
Michael J Pierce :
Clarinet
Vito Platomone :
Clarinet
Carlos Klejman :
Violin
Russell Joseph Bobrowski :
Violin
Ronald B. Benko :
Trumpet
John K. Branch :
Viola
Harold Joseph Ballam :
Bassoon
Bernard S. Richterman :
Cello

Session Recording:
Jan 24, 1975
Studio :
Sea-Saint Recording Studio, New Orleans, USA

Session Recording:
Feb 04, 1975
Studio :
Sea-Saint Recording Studio, New Orleans, USA

Session Overdubs:
Mar 06, 1975
Studio :
Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA

Session Mixing:
Mar 21, 1975
Studio :
Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA


5.

Magneto And Titanium Man

Written by Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney

3:21 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Electric guitar, Moog, Piano, Producer, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Backing vocals, Clarinet
Denny Laine :
Backing vocals, Electric guitar
Jimmy McCulloch :
Electric guitar
Joe English :
Drums
Alan O'Duffy :
Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
Biff Dawes :
Assistant mixing engineer

Session Recording:
Jan 27, 1975
Studio :
Sea-Saint Recording Studio, New Orleans, USA

Session Recording:
Feb 14, 1975
Studio :
Sea-Saint Recording Studio, New Orleans, USA

Session Recording:
Feb 17, 1975
Studio :
Sea-Saint Recording Studio, New Orleans, USA

Session Mixing:
Mar 15, 1975 ?
Studio :
Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA


6.

Letting Go

Written by Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney

4:35 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Electric guitar, Electric piano, Producer, Strings arrangement, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Backing vocals, Organ
Denny Laine :
Backing vocals
Jimmy McCulloch :
Electric guitar
Geoff Emerick :
Recording engineer
Geoff Britton :
Drums
Tony Dorsey :
Strings arrangement
Alan O'Duffy :
Mixing engineer, Recording engineer (overdubs)
Biff Dawes :
Assistant mixing engineer
Clyde Kerr :
Trumpet
John Longo :
Trumpet
Michael Pierce :
Alto sax
Alvin Thomas :
Alto sax
Carl Blouin :
Baritone sax

Session Recording:
Nov 05, 1974
Studio :
Sea-Saint Recording Studio, New Orleans, USA

Session Overdubs:
Feb 06, 1975
Studio :
Sea-Saint Recording Studio, New Orleans, USA

Session Mixing:
Mar 15, 1975 ?
Studio :
Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA


7.

Venus And Mars (reprise)

Written by Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney

2:07 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Guitar, Mellotron, Moog, Producer, Strings arrangement, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Piano
Jimmy McCulloch :
12-string guitar
Geoff Britton :
Cymbals
Gayle Levant :
Harp
Tony Dorsey :
Strings arrangement
Alan O'Duffy :
Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
Biff Dawes :
Assistant mixing engineer
Ken Lexton :
Assistant recording engineer

Session Recording:
Jan 22, 1975 and Feb 06, 1975
Studio :
Sea-Saint Recording Studio, New Orleans, USA

Session Overdubs:
Mar 10, 1975
Studio :
Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Session Overdubs:
Mar 14, 1975
Studio :
Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA

Session Mixing:
Mar 24, 1975
Studio :
Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA


8.

Spirits Of Ancient Egypt

Written by Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney

3:01 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Backing vocals, Bass, Gismo, Moog, Producer
Linda McCartney :
Backing vocals, Organ, String machine
Denny Laine :
Electric guitar, Vocals
Jimmy McCulloch :
Backing vocals
Joe English :
Backing vocals, Drums, Gong
Alan O'Duffy :
Backing vocals, Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
Biff Dawes :
Assistant mixing engineer
Ken Lexton :
Assistant recording engineer

Session Recording:
Jan 23, 1975
Studio :
Sea-Saint Recording Studio, New Orleans, USA

Session Overdubs:
Jan 18, 1975 and Jan 20, 1975
Studio :
Sea-Saint Recording Studio, New Orleans, USA

Session Overdubs:
Mar 17, 1975
Studio :
Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA

Session Mixing:
Mar 25, 1975
Studio :
Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA


9.

Medicine Jar

Written by Jimmy McCulloch, Colin Allen

3:38 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Electric piano, Producer
Linda McCartney :
Backing vocals, Organ
Denny Laine :
Backing vocals, Congas
Jimmy McCulloch :
Electric guitar, Vocals
Geoff Emerick :
Recording engineer
Geoff Britton :
Drums
Joe English :
Backing vocals
Alan O'Duffy :
Mixing engineer, Recording engineer (overdubs)
Biff Dawes :
Assistant mixing engineer

Session Recording:
Nov 13, 1974
Studio :
EMI Studios, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Feb 03, 1975 and Feb 06, 1975
Studio :
Sea-Saint Recording Studio, New Orleans, USA

Session Overdubs:
Mar 02, 1975
Studio :
Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA

Session Mixing:
Mar 22, 1975
Studio :
Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA


10.

Call Me Back Again

Written by Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney

5:01 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Clarinet, Piano, Producer, Strings arrangement, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Mellotron flutes
Denny Laine :
Backing vocals, Electric guitar
Jimmy McCulloch :
Electric guitar
Joe English :
Drums
Steve Howard :
Trumpet
Tony Dorsey :
Strings arrangement
Alan O'Duffy :
Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
Biff Dawes :
Assistant mixing engineer
Clyde Kerr :
Trumpet
John Longo :
Trumpet
Michael Pierce :
Alto sax
Alvin Thomas :
Alto sax
Carl Blouin :
Baritone sax

Session Recording:
Feb 03, 1975
Studio :
Sea-Saint Recording Studio, New Orleans, USA

Session Overdubs:
Mar 10, 1975
Studio :
Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA

Session Mixing:
Mar 26, 1975
Studio :
Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA


11.

Listen To What The Man Said

Written by Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney

3:55 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Bass, Clarinet, Electric guitar, Electric piano, Moog, Producer, Strings arrangement, Vocals
Linda 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


12.

Treat Her Gently/Lonely Old People

Written by Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney

4:24 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Celeste, Piano, Producer, Strings arrangement, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Backing vocals
Denny Laine :
Backing vocals
Jimmy McCulloch :
Electric guitar
Joe English :
Drums
Sid Sharp Strings :
Bass, Cello, Violas, Violins
Gayle Levant :
Harp
Tony Dorsey :
Strings arrangement
Alan O'Duffy :
Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
Biff Dawes :
Assistant mixing engineer

Session Recording:
Jan 25, 1975
Studio :
Sea-Saint Recording Studio, New Orleans, USA

Session Overdubs:
Mar 10, 1975
Studio :
Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Session Overdubs:
Mar 12 and Mar 14 and Mar 18, 1975
Studio :
Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA

Session Mixing:
Mar 27, 1975
Studio :
Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA


13.

Crossroads

Written by Tony Hatch

1:16 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Producer, Strings arrangement
Linda McCartney :
Organ
Denny Laine :
Acoustic guitar
Jimmy McCulloch :
Lead guitar
Joe English :
Drums
Sid Sharp Strings :
Bass, Celli, Violas, Violins
Gayle Levant :
Harp
Tony Dorsey :
Strings arrangement
Alan O'Duffy :
Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
Biff Dawes :
Assistant mixing engineer

Session Recording:
Jan 31, 1975
Studio :
Sea-Saint Recording Studio, New Orleans, USA

Session Overdubs:
Mar 10, 1975
Studio :
Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Session Overdubs:
February 1975
Studio :
Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA

Session Mixing:
Mar 27, 1975
Studio :
Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA

About

From Wikipedia:

Venus and Mars is the fourth album by Wings. Released as the follow-up to the enormously successful Band on the Run, Venus and Mars continued Wings’ string of success and would prove a springboard for a year-long worldwide tour. It was Paul McCartney’s first post-Beatles release on the Capitol Records label.

Background and recording

After recording Band on the Run as a three-piece with wife Linda and guitarist Denny Laine, McCartney added Jimmy McCulloch on lead guitar and Geoff Britton on drums to the Wings lineup in 1974. Having written several new songs for the next album, McCartney decided upon New Orleans, Louisiana as the recording venue, and Wings headed there in January 1975. Before the departure to New Orleans, Wings had recorded three songs at Abbey Road Studios in London in November 1974: “Letting Go”, “Love In Song” and “Medicine Jar”, all overdubbed later at Sea Saint Studios between January and February.

As soon as the sessions began, the personality clash that had been evident between McCulloch and Britton during Wings’ 1974 sessions in Nashville became more pronounced, and Britton — after a six-month tenure — quit Wings, having only played on three of the new songs. A replacement, American Joe English, was quickly auditioned and hired to finish the album.

The sessions proved to be productive, not only finishing the entire album, but also several additional songs, including two future McCartney B-sides, “Lunch Box/Odd Sox” and “My Carnival“. McCartney also decided to link the songs together much like the Beatles had on Abbey Road to give the album a more continuous feel.

John Lennon, often in a nostalgic mood during his Lost Weekend period, had told May Pang (his then girlfriend) that they would visit the McCartneys during the recording sessions for Venus and Mars, and considered writing with him again. Lennon’s planned visit never happened due to his reunion with Yoko Ono.

Wings’ interpretation of the theme to Crossroads, a British soap opera, was sometimes used to end the show in place of the regular theme tune, usually when there was a cliffhanger ending with a hint of sadness involved.

Releases

Preceded by the single “Listen to What the Man Said” in May 1975, Venus and Mars appeared two weeks later to decent reviews and brisk sales. The album reached number 1 in the United States, the United Kingdom and worldwide (as did “Listen to What the Man Said” in the US) and sold several million copies during the 1970s, with sales now estimated at over 10 million, even if the reaction was less than what had greeted Band on the Run a year earlier.

Two additional singles, “Letting Go” and “Venus and Mars/Rock Show” were released. Although the latter almost reached the US Top 10, it didn’t chart at all in the UK.

In September, Wings began what would be their year-long Wings Over the World tour in the UK, with concerts in Australia, Europe, the US and Canada to follow. Songs from Venus and Mars featured heavily in the concert setlist.

In 1993, Venus and Mars was remastered and reissued on CD as part of “The Paul McCartney Collection” series with “Zoo Gang” (a UK television theme that was the UK B-side of “Band on the Run” in 1974), “Lunch Box/Odd Sox” (B-side of “Coming Up” in 1980), and “My Carnival” (“Spies Like Us“‘ B-side in 1985) as bonus tracks. In 2007, Venus and Mars was reissued in digital form on iTunes with these bonus tracks plus the 6-minute-plus “party mix” of “My Carnival“.

The album was first issued on compact disc by Columbia Records in 1983, although early pressings were pressed in Japan by CSR Compact Disc, which was etched in the inner ring. This CD was one of the first pressed at CBS/Sony’s Digital Audio Disc Plant in Terre Haute, Indiana CD pressing plant. The Columbia McCartney Discs are prized by audiophiles for their mastering. In 1993, Venus and Mars was remastered and reissued on CD as part of “The Paul McCartney Collection” series with “Zoo Gang” (a UK television theme that was the UK B-side of “Band on the Run” in 1974), “Lunch Box/Odd Sox” (B-side of “Coming Up” in 1980) and “My Carnival” (“Spies Like Us”‘ B-side in 1985) as bonus tracks. In 2007, the album was reissued in digital form on iTunes with the same bonus tracks, plus the extended “party mix” of “My Carnival”.

The album was also originally released in 4-channel quadraphonic. In 1996 the quadraphonic version of the album was issued on compact disc in the DTS 5.1 Music Disc format.

 

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From Melody Maker – June 7, 1975
From Disc – May 31, 1975

Last updated on August 13, 2022

Contribute!

Have you spotted an error on the page? Do you want to suggest new content? Or do you simply want to leave a comment ? Please use the form below!

Alexander John Diachok 5 years ago

Wait who plays piano on Call Me Back Again. I'm pretty sure it is Paul.


The PaulMcCartney Project 5 years ago

Hi Alexander - you're right, Paul plays piano on Call Me Back Again - adding the mention. Thanks !


TurbanGuy4k 4 years ago

The pianos on Magneto and Titanium Man and Call Me Back Again are electric


The PaulMcCartney Project 4 years ago

Thanks TurbanGuy4k, will update accordingly !


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