Venus and Mars

Track list

Disc 1

1. Venus And Mars

   Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

   1:19 • Studio version • A

   Paul McCartney : Bass, Electric guitar, Finger cymbals, Piano, Producer, Vocals Linda Eastman / 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

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

   SessionOverdubs : Feb 26, 1975 • Studio : Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA

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

2. Rock Show

   Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

   5:33 • Studio version • A

   Paul McCartney : Bass, Hand bells, Mellotron, Producer, Vocals Linda Eastman / 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

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

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

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

   SessionMixing : Mar 20, 1975 • Studio : Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA

3. Love In Song

   Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

   3:07 • Studio version • A

   Paul McCartney : Bass, Hand bells, Piano, Producer, Strings arrangement, Vocals Linda Eastman / 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

   SessionRecording : Nov 07, 1974 • Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   SessionOverdubs : January - February 1975 • Studio : Sea-Saint Recording Studio, New Orleans, USA

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

   SessionMixing : Mar 19, 1975 • Studio : Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA

4. You Gave Me The Answer

   Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

   2:19 • Studio version • A

   Paul McCartney : Bass, Piano, Producer, Strings arrangement, Vocals Linda Eastman / 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

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

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

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

   SessionMixing : Mar 21, 1975 • Studio : Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA

5. Magneto And Titanium Man

   Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

   3:21 • Studio version • A

   Paul McCartney : Bass, Electric guitar, Electric piano, Moog, Producer, Vocals Linda Eastman / McCartney : Backing vocals, Clavinet 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

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

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

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

   SessionMixing : Mar 15, 1975 ? • Studio : Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA

6. Letting Go

   Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

   4:35 • Studio version • A

   Paul McCartney : Bass, Electric guitar, Electric piano, Producer, Strings arrangement, Vocals Linda Eastman / 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

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

   SessionOverdubs : Feb 06, 1975 • Studio : Sea-Saint Recording Studio, New Orleans, USA

   SessionMixing : Mar 15, 1975 ? • Studio : Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA

7. Venus And Mars (reprise)

   Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

   2:07 • Studio version • A

   Paul McCartney : Bass, Guitar, Mellotron, Moog, Producer, Strings arrangement, Vocals Linda Eastman / 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

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

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

   SessionOverdubs : Mar 14, 1975 • Studio : Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA

   SessionMixing : Mar 24, 1975 • Studio : Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA

8. Spirits Of Ancient Egypt

   Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

   3:01 • Studio version • A

   Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Gizmo, Moog, Producer Linda Eastman / 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

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

   SessionOverdubs : Jan 18, 1975 and Jan 20, 1975 • Studio : Sea-Saint Recording Studio, New Orleans, USA

   SessionOverdubs : Mar 17, 1975 • Studio : Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA

   SessionMixing : Mar 25, 1975 • Studio : Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA

9. Medicine Jar

   Written by Jimmy McCulloch, Colin Allen

   3:38 • Studio version • A

   Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Electric piano, Producer Linda Eastman / 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

   SessionRecording : Nov 13, 1974 • Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   SessionOverdubs : Feb 03, 1975 and Feb 06, 1975 • Studio : Sea-Saint Recording Studio, New Orleans, USA

   SessionOverdubs : Mar 02, 1975 • Studio : Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA

   SessionMixing : Mar 22, 1975 • Studio : Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA

10. Call Me Back Again

    Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

    5:01 • Studio version • A

    Paul McCartney : Bass, Clarinet, Piano, Producer, Strings arrangement, Vocals Linda Eastman / 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

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

    SessionOverdubs : Mar 10, 1975 • Studio : Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA

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

11. Listen To What The Man Said

    Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

    3:55 • 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

12. Treat Her Gently/Lonely Old People

    Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

    4:24 • Studio version • A

    Paul McCartney : Bass, Celeste, Piano, Producer, Strings arrangement, Vocals Linda Eastman / 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

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

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

    SessionOverdubs : Mar 12 and Mar 14 and Mar 18, 1975 • Studio : Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA

    SessionMixing : Mar 27, 1975 • Studio : Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA

13. Crossroads

    Written by Tony Hatch

    1:16 • Studio version • A

    Paul McCartney : Bass, Producer, Strings arrangement Linda Eastman / 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

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

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

    SessionOverdubs : February 1975 • Studio : Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA

    SessionMixing : Mar 27, 1975 • Studio : Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, USA

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.