This image is a cover of an audio recording, and the copyright for it is most likely owned by either the publisher of the work or the artist(s) which produced the recording or cover artwork in question. It is believed that the use of low-resolution images of such covers qualifies as fair use.
- UK release date:
- Jun 05, 1989
- US release date:
- Jun 05, 1989
Timeline
More from year 1989
Related sessions
This album has been recorded during the following studio sessions
Oct 01, 1984
"Flowers In The Dirt" session #1 with Trevor Horn & Steve Lipson
October - November 1987
Oct 05, 1987
Oct 06, 1987
Nov 09, 1987
Mar 03, 1988
Apr 22, 1988
May 06, 1988
May 18, 1988
Jun 23, 1988
"Flowers In The Dirt" sessions with Mitchell Froom & Neil Dorfsman
September - November 1988
"Flowers In The Dirt" session #7
Sept - Oct 1988
Sep 08, 1988
Recording "Don't Be Careless Love"
Oct 27, 1988
Recording "Don't Be Careless Love"
Friday, October 28-29, 1988
Oct 31, 1988
Orchestral overdubs for "Distractions"
Nov 01, 1988
Orchestra overdubs for "Put It There"
Nov 28, 1988
Dec 01, 1988
Dec 10, 1988
Jan 06, 1989
Jan 08, 1989
Jan 12, 1989
Jan 12, 1989
Mixing "Don't Be Careless Love"
Jan 14, 1989
Jan 16, 1989
Jan 19, 1989
Jan 20, 1989
Jan 23, 1989
Jan 26, 1989
Jan 28, 1989
Jan 30, 1989
Related albums
Spread the love! If you like what you are seeing, share it on social networks and let others know about The Paul McCartney Project.
Track list
Disc 1
1.
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
2.
Written by Paul McCartney
4:44 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Drum overdubs, Guitar, Lead vocal, Percussion, Producer, Synth
- Linda 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
3.
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 • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
4.
Written by Paul McCartney
4:41 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Harmonies, Lead vocal, Percussion, Producer, Solo guitar
- Linda 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
5.
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 • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
6.
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
7.
Written by Paul McCartney
3:25 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Celeste, Electric guitar, Handclaps, Producer, Tambourine, Vocals
- Linda 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 • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
8.
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 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
9.
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 • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
10.
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 • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
11.
Written by Paul McCartney
4:15 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Flugelhorn, Mellotron, Piano, Producer, Tambourine, Vocals
- Linda 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 • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
12.
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 • Buy Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) on Amazon
13.
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
About
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“. […]
Last updated on March 16, 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!