London Town

Track list

Disc 1

1. London Town

   Written by Paul McCartney, Denny Laine

   4:10 • Studio version • A

   Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar (?), Bass, Electric guitar (?), Piano, Producer, Synthesizer, Vocals Linda McCartney : Backing vocals, Keyboards Denny Laine : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar, Electric piano Jimmy McCulloch : Electric guitar, Slide guitar Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Joe English : Drums Mark Vigars : Assistant engineer Pete Henderson : Assistant engineer Steve Churchyard : Assistant engineer

   Session Recording: February 7 to March 31, 1977 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   Session Overdubs: August 1977 • Studio Spirit Of Ranachan Studio, Campbeltown, Scotland

   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. Cafe On The Left Bank

   Written by Paul McCartney

   3:27 • Studio version • A

   Paul McCartney : Bass, Percussion (?), Producer, Vocals Linda McCartney : Backing vocals, Keyboards, Percussion (?) Denny Laine : Backing vocals, Electric guitar, Percussion (?) Jimmy McCulloch : Electric guitar, Percussion (?) Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Joe English : Drums, Percussion (?) Mark Vigars : Assistant engineer Pete Henderson : Assistant engineer Steve Churchyard : Assistant engineer

   Session Recording: May 02, 1977 • Studio Record Plant Mobile Studio, Fair Carol Yacht, US Virgin Islands

   Session Overdubs: November 1977 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   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. I'm Carrying

   Written by Paul McCartney

   2:44 • Studio version • A

   Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Electric guitar, Producer, Synthesizers, Vocals Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Mark Vigars : Assistant engineer Pete Henderson : Assistant engineer Steve Churchyard : Assistant engineer

   Session Recording: May 05, 1977 • Studio Record Plant Mobile Studio, Fair Carol Yacht, US Virgin Islands

   Session Overdubs: December 3 to 14, 1977 • Studio AIR Studios, 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

4. Backwards Traveller

   Written by Paul McCartney

   1:09 • Studio version • A

   Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Bass, Drums, Electric guitar, Producer, Synthesizer, Vocals Linda McCartney : Backing vocals, Keyboards Denny Laine : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Mark Vigars : Assistant engineer Pete Henderson : Assistant engineer Steve Churchyard : Assistant engineer

   Session Recording: October 25 - December 1, 1977 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   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. Cuff Link

   Written by Paul McCartney

   2:02 • Studio version • A

   Paul McCartney : Bass (?), Drums, Producer, Synthesizer Linda McCartney : Keyboards (?) Denny Laine : Bass (?), Synthesizer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Mark Vigars : Assistant engineer Pete Henderson : Assistant engineer Steve Churchyard : Assistant engineer

   Session Recording: October 25 - December 1, 1977 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   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. Children Children

   Written by Paul McCartney, Denny Laine

   2:22 • Studio version • A

   Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar (?), Autoharp (?), Backing vocals, Bass, Flute, Producer, Violin Linda McCartney : Autoharp (?), Backing vocals, Keyboards Denny Laine : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Flute, Vocals Jimmy McCulloch : Acoustic guitar (?) Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Joe English : Drums, Harmonica, Vocals (?) Mark Vigars : Assistant engineer Pete Henderson : Assistant engineer Steve Churchyard : Assistant engineer

   Session Recording: February 7 to March 31, 1977 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   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. Girlfriend

   Written by Paul McCartney

   4:42 • Studio version • A

   Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Drums, Electric guitar, Electric piano, Piano (?), Producer, Synthesizers, Vocals Linda McCartney : Backing vocals, Keyboards Denny Laine : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar, Piano (?) Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Mark Vigars : Assistant engineer Pete Henderson : Assistant engineer Steve Churchyard : Assistant engineer Unknown musician(s) : Flutes, Strings

   Session Recording: February 14, 1977 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   Session Overdubs: October 25 to December 1, 1977 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   Session Recording: January 12, 1978 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   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. I've Had Enough

   Written by Paul McCartney

   3:06 • Studio version • A

   Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar (?), Producer, Tambourine (?), Vocals Linda McCartney : Backing vocals, Keyboards, Tambourine (?) Denny Laine : Backing vocals, Electric guitar Jimmy McCulloch : Electric guitar Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Joe English : Drums Mark Vigars : Assistant engineer Pete Henderson : Assistant engineer Steve Churchyard : Assistant engineer

   Session Recording: May 1 to May 31, 1977 • Studio Record Plant Mobile Studio, Fair Carol Yacht, US Virgin Islands

   Session Overdubs: Nov 24, 1977 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   Session Overdubs: January 4-23, 1978 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   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. With A Little Luck

   Written by Paul McCartney

   5:46 • Studio version • A

   Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Drums (?), Electric piano, Producer, Synthesizer, Vocals Linda McCartney : Backing vocals, Keyboards (?) Denny Laine : Backing vocals, Synthesizer (?) Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Joe English : Drums (?) Mark Vigars : Assistant engineer Pete Henderson : Assistant engineer Steve Churchyard : Assistant engineer

   Session Recording: May 10 and 12, 1977 • Studio Record Plant Mobile Studio, Fair Carol Yacht, US Virgin Islands

   Session Overdubs: November 1977 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   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. Famous Groupies

    Written by Paul McCartney

    3:36 • Studio version • A

    Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar (?), Bass, Electric guitar (?), Mellotron, Percussion, Producer, Slide guitar (?), Vocals Linda McCartney : Backing vocals Denny Laine : Acoustic guitar (?), Backing vocals, Electric guitar (?) Jimmy McCulloch : Electric guitar, Slide guitar (?) Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Joe English : Drums Mark Vigars : Assistant engineer Pete Henderson : Assistant engineer Steve Churchyard : Assistant engineer

    Session Recording: May 13, 1977 • Studio Record Plant Mobile Studio, Fair Carol Yacht, US Virgin Islands

    Session Overdubs: November 1977 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

    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. Deliver Your Children

    Written by Paul McCartney, Denny Laine

    4:18 • Studio version • A

    Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Bass, Producer, Vocals Linda McCartney : Backing vocals Denny Laine : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Spanish guitar, Vocals Jimmy McCulloch : Acoustic guitar (?) Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Joe English : Drums Mark Vigars : Assistant engineer Pete Henderson : Assistant engineer Steve Churchyard : Assistant engineer

    Session Recording: May 1 to May 31, 1977 • Studio Record Plant Mobile Studio, Fair Carol Yacht, US Virgin Islands

    Session Overdubs: November 1977 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

    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. Name And Address

    Written by Paul McCartney

    3:09 • Studio version • A

    Paul McCartney : Bass (?), Electric guitar, Percussion, Producer, Vocals Linda McCartney : Backing vocals, Organ Denny Laine : Backing vocals, Bass (?), Electric guitar (?) Jimmy McCulloch : Electric guitar Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Joe English : Drums Mark Vigars : Assistant engineer Pete Henderson : Assistant engineer Steve Churchyard : Assistant engineer

    Session Recording: February 7 to March 31, 1977 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

    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. Don't Let It Bring You Down

    Written by Paul McCartney, Denny Laine

    4:35 • Studio version • A

    Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Irish tin whistle, Producer, Vocals Linda McCartney : Backing vocals Denny Laine : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Irish tin whistle Jimmy McCulloch : Acoustic guitar (?) Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Joe English : Brushes, Drums Mark Vigars : Assistant engineer Pete Henderson : Assistant engineer Steve Churchyard : Assistant engineer

    Session Recording: May 25, 1977 • Studio Record Plant Mobile Studio, Fair Carol Yacht, US Virgin

    Session Overdubs: November 24, 1977 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

    Session Mixing: Wednesday, January 18, 1978 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

    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. Morse Moose And The Grey Goose

    Written by Paul McCartney, Denny Laine

    6:34 • Studio version • A

    Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Bass, Electric piano, Mellotron, Producer, Vocals Linda McCartney : Backing vocals, Keyboards Denny Laine : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Piano Jimmy McCulloch : Electric guitar Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Joe English : Drums Mark Vigars : Assistant engineer Pete Henderson : Assistant engineer Steve Churchyard : Assistant engineer Gavin Wright : Violin

    Session Recording: May 1 to May 31, 1977 • Studio Record Plant Mobile Studio, Fair Carol Yacht, US Virgin Islands

    Session Overdubs: November 1977 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

    Session Overdubs: December 3 to 14, 1977 • Studio AIR Studios, 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:

London Town is the sixth studio album by Wings, released in 1978. Recording the album was a long and tumultuous project which saw the loss of two band members, the birth of a baby and the release of the then best-selling single in British history.

History

After the commercial zenith of 1976 with Wings at the Speed of Sound and its well-received Wings Over the World tour, Wings’ leader Paul McCartney planned on making 1977 a similar year. However, things did not quite work out as planned.

In February 1977, Wings began recording sessions at Abbey Road Studios, which continued until the end of March. Here, Wings recorded five songs: “Girls’ School“, “Name and Address“, “London Town“, “Children, Children” and Linda McCartney’s “B-Side to Seaside“, later issued as the flip-side of the Wings single “Seaside Woman” (issued under the name “Suzy and the Red Stripes“). The initial plan of touring the US again was thwarted by Linda’s discovery that she was pregnant with her and Paul’s third child. (Mary had been born in 1969 and Stella in 1971). With the knowledge that they were not going to tour and had time at their disposal – and once again looking for different locales to record in – Wings found themselves moored on a yacht called “Fair Carol” in the Virgin Islands during the month of May where several new songs were recorded. Reflecting the nautical locale, the album’s initial working title was Water Wings. As Linda’s pregnancy progressed, the band halted the sessions for the album, save for the recording of a new track called “Mull of Kintyre” that August and the completion of the already begun “Girls’ School“, which would be released as a single – Wings’ one and only release in 1977.

Before the single’s release came two defections from Wings. Drummer Joe English had become homesick for America and returned home, and lead guitarist Jimmy McCulloch left to join the Small Faces that September. For the first time since 1973’s Band on the Run, Wings were down to the core three of Paul, Linda and Denny Laine, reflected on the picture sleeve of the single, which just showed the three remaining members.

In November, two months after the birth of son James, and shortly after sessions for London Town resumed, the Scottish tribute “Mull of Kintyre” was released to enormous commercial success, becoming the UK’s biggest-selling single (even outstripping The Beatles’ largest seller “She Loves You“). Although it would be topped in 1984 by Band Aid, “Mull of Kintyre” still ranks as the UK’s fourth biggest selling single and the largest selling non-charity single.

After some final overdubbing in January 1978, London Town was completed and preceded by the US #1 “With a Little Luck” that March, while the album was released a week later. The album also features the song “Girlfriend” which was also recorded by American pop star Michael Jackson, who featured it on his 1979 album Off the Wall. London Town generally fared well with the critics and in the charts, reaching #4 in the UK and #2 in the US where it sold over one million copies and went platinum. But after its strong start, it did not have the staying power of Wings’ previous releases, with subsequent singles “I’ve Had Enough” and the title track becoming small hits. Although the advent of punk music (which sent the music industry into a period of change) would certainly have contributed to the slightly smaller sales of London Town, the album is now considered to mark the end of Wings’ commercial peak and the beginning of a minor commercial slump for McCartney. On 14 May 1978, Paul and Linda McCartney were interviewed for BBC Radio’s The Simon Bates Show, to endorse the album, and “With a Little Luck“.

Paul McCartney was reportedly displeased with Capitol Records in the US, where “Mull of Kintyre” flopped (its B-Side, “Girls School,” did make a modest dent in the Top 40, reaching #33), and was further dismayed at what he viewed as lacklustre promotion for London Town. With his contract at an end, he promptly signed up with Columbia Records for North America only (remaining with EMI worldwide) and would stay there until 1984, before returning to Capitol in the US.

In 1993, London Town was remastered and reissued on CD as part of “The Paul McCartney Collection” series with “Mull of Kintyre” and its B-side “Girls School” as bonus tracks. […]