All The Best! (US version)

Track list

Disc 1

1. Band On The Run

   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

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

   SessionOverdubs : October 1973 • Studio : AIR Studios, London, UK

   SessionMixing : 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 • 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

   SessionRecording : October 1973 • Studio : AIR Studios, London, UK

   SessionMixing : 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. Ebony And Ivory

   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

   SessionRecording : Feb 28, 1981 • Studio : AIR Studios, Montserrat

   SessionOverdubs : Mar 30, 1981 • Studio : AIR Studios, London, UK

   SessionOverdubs : October 1981 • Studio : Strawberry Studios South, Dorkins, Surrey

   SessionMixing : Jan 19, 1982 • Studio : AIR Studios, London, UK

4. Listen To What The Man Said

   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

   SessionRecording : Jan 31, 1975 and Feb 20, 1975 • Studio : Sea-Saint Recording Studio, New Orleans, USA

   SessionOverdubs : Mar 03 to Mar 06, 1975 • Studio : Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA

   SessionOverdubs : Mar 10, 1975 • Studio : Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

   SessionMixing : Mar 26, 1975 • Studio : Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA

5. No More Lonely Nights

   Written by Paul McCartney

   4:39 • Studio version

6. Silly Love Songs

   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

   SessionRecording : Jan 16, 1976 • Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   SessionOverdubs : January - March 1976 • Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   SessionMixing : 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

7. Let 'em In

   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

   SessionRecording : Feb 03, 1976 • Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   SessionOverdubs : January - March 1976 • Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   SessionMixing : 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

8. Say Say Say

   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

   SessionRecording : May 1981 • Studio : AIR Studios, London, UK ; Odyssey Studios, London, UK

   SessionRecording : April 1982 • Studio : Cherokee Studios, Los Angeles, USA ; Sigma Sound Studios, New York City, USA

   SessionMixing : 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

9. Live And Let Die

   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

   SessionRecording : Oct 19, 1972 • Studio : AIR Studios, London, UK

   SessionOverdubs : Oct 20, 1972 • Studio : AIR Studios, London, UK

   SessionMixing : 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

10. Another Day

    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

    SessionRecording : Oct 12, 1970 • Studio : CBS Studios, New York City

    SessionOverdubs : January 1971 • Studio : A&R Studios, New York City

    SessionMixing : 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

11. C Moon

    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 Eastman / McCartney : Backing vocals Mary McCartney : Backing vocals Alan Parsons : Mixing engineer Mike Bobak : Recording engineer

    SessionRecording : Sep 02, 1972 • Studio : Morgan Studios, London

    SessionMixing : 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

12. Junior's Farm

    Studio version

13. Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey

    Studio version

14. Coming Up

    Written by Paul McCartney

    3:52 • Live • A

    Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Drums, Electric guitars, Electric piano, Mixing engineer, Percussion, Producer, Recording engineer, Synthesizers, Tambourine, Vocals Eddie Klein : Mixing assistant

    SessionRecording : June - July 1979 • Studio : Home Studio, Peasmarsh, Sussex, UK

    SessionRecording : June - July 1979 • Studio : Spirit Of Ranachan Studio, Campbeltown, Scotland

    SessionMixing : 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

15. Goodnight Tonight

    Studio version

16. With A Little Luck

    Studio version

17. My Love

    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

    SessionRecording : Jan 25, 1973 • Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

    SessionRecording : Jan 26, 1973 • Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

    SessionOverdubs & mixing : Jan 27, 1973 • Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

From Club Sandwich N°46, Winter 1987:

To save you some head-scratching: the US have ‘Junior’s Form’ and ‘Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey’ to themselves, while the rest of us have ‘Maybe I’m Amazed’, ‘Once Upon A Long Ago’, ‘We All Stand Together’, ‘Mull Of Kintyre’ and ‘Pipes Of Peace’ that they don’t have. Paul’s British and American singles history explains most of this. ‘Junior’ was a bigger hit Stateside than at home, while ‘Albert/Halsey’ (a US number one) was never a British single. The live ‘Maybe I’m Amazed’ was actually a bigger American than British hit: American fans may well have it on Wings Over America, while the rest of us can count it a happy bonus, ‘Long Ago’ and Rupert’s song are British-only singles; ‘Mull’ was an American B-side, only later promoted as half of a double A-side, ‘Pipes’ remained an American B-side. One other difference might escape the casual observer: the live ‘Coming Up’ (from Wings’ last tour) on the flip of Paul’s McCartney II version was the American hit (number one, in fact), so that’s the one on their album.

All The Best can afford to exclude five British or American top ten hits. ‘Hi Hi Hi’ (on Wings’ Greatest), ‘Mary Had A Little Lamb’ (Wings Wild Life CD), ‘Wonderful Christmastime’ (Now That’s What I Call Christmas – Various Artists), ‘Waterfalls (McCartney II) and ‘Helen Wheels’ (Band On The Run in the US). And from ‘Let Me Roll It’ to ‘The Man’, we all have favourite album tracks we’d fit in if we could. But a hits album, rightly, is all about singles.

That being so, programming is obviously important. Both versions of All The Best achieve the same variety of mood that you get on a really good purpose-made album. One exception is Side Four on the Rest of the World set: after ‘Say Say Say’, the listener can wind down to the Horlicks hour in the pleasantest possible way. Editorial policy tends towards Bournvito, but there still seems nothing wrong with this – after all, Frank Sinatra designed whole albums for that time of day.

But why is the score ROW 20-USA 17? That’s our old friend the compact disc again. To keep things tidy, tracks on the American CD, record and tape will be the same, approaching the maximum CD time limit. Elsewhere the CD will lack ‘Maybe I’m Amazed’, ‘Goodnight Tonight’ and ‘With A Little Luck’. The first is on the Wings Over America double CD and the last will be out on the London Town CD before too long. With an excellent sleeve by Michael Ross, who also did ‘Once Upon A Long Ago’, and a clever film-and-animation TV advert by Derek Hayes, the signs look good for All The Best. The demand is there and much care has been taken to meet it in a satisfying way. Happy listening!