Chaos and Creation in the Backyard

Track list

Disc 1

1. Fine Line

   Written by Paul McCartney

   3:05 • Studio version • A

   Paul McCartney : Baldwin spinet, Bosendorfer grand piano, Epiphone casino electric guitar, Hofner bass, Ludwig drums, Martin d28 acoustic guitar, Shakers, Tambourine, Vocals Millennia Ensemble : Strings Nigel Godrich : Producer Darrell Thorp : Engineer Joby Talbot : Orchestra conductor, String arrangement Dan Grech-Marguerat : Production assistant

   Session Recording: September 2004 • Studio AIR Studios Lyndhurst, London, UK

   Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon

2. How Kind of You

   Written by Paul McCartney

   4:47 • Studio version • A

   Paul McCartney : Bosendorfer grand piano, Cuerrero, Epiphone casino electric guitar, Flugelhorn, Hofner bass, Ludwig drums, Martin d28 acoustic guitar, Piano and epiphone acoustic guitar loops, Shaker, Vocals Nigel Godrich : Piano and epiphone acoustic guitar loops, Producer Darrell Thorp : Engineer Dan Grech-Marguerat : Production assistant

   Session Recording: April 2005 • Studio AIR Studios Lyndhurst, London, UK

   Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon

3. Jenny Wren

   Written by Paul McCartney

   3:47 • Studio version • A

   Paul McCartney : Epiphone texan acoustic guitar, Ludwig floor tom, Vocals Nigel Godrich : Producer Pedro Eustache : Duduk Darrell Thorp : Engineer Dan Grech-Marguerat : Production assistant

   Session Recording: October 2004 • Studio Ocean Way Recording Studios, Los Angeles, USA

   Session Overdubs: Oct 25, 2004 • Studio Ocean Way Recording Studios, Los Angeles, USA

   Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon

4. At the Mercy

   Written by Paul McCartney

   2:38 • Studio version • A

   Paul McCartney : B3 organ, Cello, Fender telecaster electric guitar, Hofner bass, Mass vibrachimes, Steinway grand piano, Tambourine, Vocals Millennia Ensemble : Strings and brass Nigel Godrich : Producer Jason Falkner : Electric guitar James Gadson : Drums Darrell Thorp : Engineer Joby Talbot : Orchestra conductor, String arrangement Dan Grech-Marguerat : Production assistant

   Session Recording: April 2004 • Studio Ocean Way Recording Studios, Los Angeles, USA

   Session Overdubs: September 2004 • Studio AIR Studios Lyndhurst, London, UK

   Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon

5. Friends To Go

   Written by Paul McCartney

   2:43 • Studio version • A

   Paul McCartney : Bosendorfer grand piano, Epiphone casino electric guitar, Flugelhorn, Hofner bass, Hohner melodica, Ludwig drums, Martin d28 acoustic guitar, Shakers, Tambourine on snare, Vocals Nigel Godrich : Producer Darrell Thorp : Engineer Dan Grech-Marguerat : Production assistant

   Session Recording: April 2005 • Studio AIR Studios Lyndhurst, London, UK

   Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon

6. English Tea

   Written by Paul McCartney

   2:12 • Studio version • A

   Paul McCartney : Bosendorfer grand piano, Hofner bass, Ludwig bass drum, Recorders, Tubular bells, Vocals Millennia Ensemble : Strings and brass Nigel Godrich : Producer Darrell Thorp : Engineer Joby Talbot : Orchestra conductor, String arrangement Dan Grech-Marguerat : Production assistant

   Session Recording: November 2004 • Studio Ocean Way Recording Studios, Los Angeles, USA

   Session Overdubs: April 2005 • Studio AIR Studios Lyndhurst, London, UK

   Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon

7. Too Much Rain

   Written by Paul McCartney

   3:24 • Studio version • A

   Paul McCartney : Bosendorfer grand piano, Epiphone casino electric guitar, Fender stratocaster electric guitar, Hofner bass, Ludwig drums, Maracas, Martin 12 string guitar, Martin d28 acoustic guitar, Schmidt autoharp, Vocals Nigel Godrich : Producer Darrell Thorp : Engineer Dan Grech-Marguerat : Production assistant

   Session Recording: September 2004 • Studio AIR Studios Lyndhurst, London, UK

   Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon

8. A Certain Softness

   Written by Paul McCartney

   2:42 • Studio version • A

   Paul McCartney : Crown upright piano, Cymbal, Harmonium, Hofner bass, Paiste gong, Petersen classical guitar, Triangle, Vocals Nigel Godrich : Producer Jason Falkner : Classical guitar Joey Waronker : Bass drum, Bongos, Shaker Darrell Thorp : Engineer Dan Grech-Marguerat : Production assistant

   Session Recording: April 2004 • Studio Ocean Way Recording Studios, Los Angeles, USA

   Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon

9. Riding to Vanity Fair

   Written by Paul McCartney

   5:07 • Studio version • A

   Paul McCartney : Epiphone casino electric guitar, Hofner bass, Martin d28 acoustic guitar, Toy glockenspiel, Vocals, Wurlitzer electric piano Nigel Godrich : Producer James Gadson : Drums The Los Angeles Music Players : Strings David Campbell : Arrangement Stephanie Bennett : Harp Darrell Thorp : Engineer Dan Grech-Marguerat : Production assistant

   Session Recording: April 2004 • Studio Ocean Way Recording Studios, Los Angeles, USA

   Session Overdubs: April 2004 • Studio Record One Studios, Sherman Oaks, USA

   Session Overdubs: January 2005 • Studio Ocean Way Recording Studios, Los Angeles, USA

   Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon

10. Follow Me

    Written by Paul McCartney

    2:31 • Studio version • A

    Paul McCartney : Block, Epiphone casino electric guitar, Epiphone texan acoustic guitar, Hofner bass, Ludwig drums, Percussion, Tambourine, Vocals Rusty Anderson : Acoustic guitar Abe Laboriel Jr. : Block, Percussion, Tambourine Brian Ray : Acoustic guitar Millennia Ensemble : Strings Nigel Godrich : Producer Darrell Thorp : Engineer Joby Talbot : Orchestra conductor, String arrangement Dan Grech-Marguerat : Production assistant

    Session Recording: September 2003 • Studio RAK Studios, London

    Session Overdubs: April 2005 • Studio AIR Studios Lyndhurst, London, UK

    Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon

11. Promise to You Girl

    Written by Paul McCartney

    3:10 • Studio version • A

    Paul McCartney : Crown upright piano, Epiphone casino electric guitar, Hofner bass, Ludwig drums, Moog, Shaker, Steinway grand piano, Tambourine, Triangle, Vocals Nigel Godrich : Producer Darrell Thorp : Engineer Dan Grech-Marguerat : Production assistant

    Session Recording: November 2004 • Studio Ocean Way Recording Studios, Los Angeles, USA

    Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon

12. This Never Happened Before

    Written by Paul McCartney

    3:26 • Studio version • A

    Paul McCartney : Epiphone casino electric guitar, Hofner bass, Ludwig drums, Vocals, Yamaha grand piano Millennia Ensemble : Strings and brass Nigel Godrich : Producer Darrell Thorp : Engineer Joby Talbot : Orchestra conductor, String arrangement Dan Grech-Marguerat : Production assistant

    Session Recording: September 2003 • Studio RAK Studios, London

    Session Overdubs: April 2005 • Studio AIR Studios Lyndhurst, London, UK

    Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon

13. Anyway

    Written by Paul McCartney

    3:50 • Studio version • A

    Paul McCartney : Bosendorfer grand piano, Cello, Gibson l5 electric guitar, Harmonium, Hofner bass, Ludwig drums, Martin d28 acoustic guitar, Moog, Steinway grand piano, Vocals. Millennia Ensemble : Strings and brass Nigel Godrich : Producer Darrell Thorp : Engineer Joby Talbot : Orchestra conductor, String arrangement Dan Grech-Marguerat : Production assistant

    Session Recording: November 2004 • Studio Ocean Way Recording Studios, Los Angeles, USA

    Session Overdubs: April 2005 • Studio AIR Studios Lyndhurst, London, UK

    Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon

14. Hidden track

1. I've Only Got Two Hands

   Written by Paul McCartney

   3:12 • Studio version • A • 20 seconds of silence after Anyway, there is this hidden track

   Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Bass, Drums, Electric guitar, Keyboards, Piano Nigel Godrich : Producer Darrell Thorp : Engineer Dan Grech-Marguerat : Production assistant

   Session Recording: April 2005 • Studio AIR Studios Lyndhurst, London, UK

   Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon

   

From Wikipedia:

Chaos and Creation in the Backyard is the thirteenth solo studio album by Paul McCartney, released in 2005. A long time in the making, the set was produced by Radiohead and Beck collaborator Nigel Godrich at George Martin’s suggestion.

McCartney plays almost all of the instruments, similar to his 1970 album McCartney and the 1980 McCartney II album. In addition, Chaos and Creation in the Backyard marks the first time since 1984’s Give My Regards to Broad Street that McCartney was not involved in producing one of his studio albums.

Chaos and Creation in the Backyard was McCartney’s last rock album release for longtime label EMI. He signed a deal with Hear Music, owned by Starbucks, in March 2007. […]

Production

Upon being asked to produce an album with McCartney, Godrich admitted: “My initial reaction was one of terror, not only because it’s a very important person, but I really wasn’t sure how willing he would be to get his hands dirty.”

The two tentatively began a collaboration, recording the songs “This Never Happened Before” and “Follow Me” which was enough to convince both of them that they could develop an album. Godrich’s participation was active: he inspired McCartney to write the song “At the Mercy“, added piano loops on “How Kind of You” and worked with McCartney to slow the tempo of “Riding to Vanity Fair” which McCartney says “changed the mood completely“. Although initially taken aback, McCartney appreciated Godrich’s tenacity and honesty.

According to McCartney, Godrich was at times blunt in his appraisal of McCartney’s songs-in-progress during the making of Chaos and Creation in the Backyard: “Nigel… refused to allow me to sing songs that he didn’t like, which was very cheeky of him.”

Recording

Recording sessions for the album were done over a long period of time, with many pauses. First sessions were held at RAK Studios, London in September 2003 by McCartney and his band. After a few takes, Godrich said to McCartney he wanted to work with him alone, not involving the band. After some months’ break, sessions resumed at Ocean Way Studios, Los Angeles in April 2004, with more sessions in September. Final recordings took place at AIR Studios, London in April 2005.

Artwork

The cover for Chaos and Creation in the Backyard is from a photograph of McCartney strumming a guitar in his family’s backyard in Liverpool, taken by brother Mike McCartney (aka Mike McGear) and originally entitled Paul Under Washing, before being retitled Our Kid Through Mum’s Net Curtains.

Release

The first single, the upbeat “Fine Line“, was released in late August 2005, ahead of the release of Chaos and Creation in the Backyard, and reached No. 20 in the UK. A second single, “Jenny Wren“, reached No. 22 in the UK that November.

The ‘US’ Tour in 2005 helped to promote the album in the US and Canada.

There was also a promotional concert for the album held at Abbey Road Studios, called Chaos and Creation at Abbey Road.

Reception

[…] Advance reviews for Chaos and Creation in the Backyard were very strong and signified that after delivering Flaming Pie, Run Devil Run, Driving Rain and this album – all in uninterrupted succession – McCartney was in a late-career creative peak. Many critics and longtime listeners also acknowledged that the album was unusually reflective and intimate-sounding for McCartney. The sudden shift in direction was generally considered an unexpected and welcome surprise, and resulted in four Grammy nominations for the album, including the nomination for Album of the Year.

In the United States, Chaos and Creation in the Backyard debuted at the number-six on the Billboard 200 with sales of 91,545 copies. It stayed on chart for a total of 21 weeks, selling over 530,000 copies up to 2007. However, the album underperformed in the United Kingdom, peaking at the number-ten on chart and spending only 3 weeks inside the top 200 with cumulative sales of around 45,000 units. It fared better in France, selling in excess of 100,000 copies during a 21-week chart run.

According to the annual report published by EMI, Chaos and Creation in the Backyard had sold 1.3 million copies worldwide by the end of March 2006. […]