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From paulmccartney.com:
London Town – Wings’ seventh album – saw the departure of both Jimmy McCulloch and Joe English from the line-up, Linda’s pregnancy (with James), a song written for Michael Jackson (‘Girlfriend’) and recording one of the biggest-selling singles of all time, ‘Mull of Kintyre’. (Released before the album was completed, the track did not appear on London Town until a 1993 reissue.) Despite its title, the album was recorded in the Virgin Islands, not least because of the weather. As Paul said, “We thought of recording London Town in the Virgin Islands on the basis, I think, that it was warmer there. There wasn’t a studio but we took mobile equipment and installed it on a boat – it was as good as being in a proper studio, but if you wanted to have a break you could dive off the side for a swim! In a typical day we’d swim, have breakfast, sunbathe a while, just like you do on holiday, and then putter across in the dinghy to the other boat and make some music for a few hours.” The relaxed atmosphere made for a light, pleasingly laidback and hugely melodic album that went on to achieve huge success.
We recorded London Town in the Caribbean, in the Virgin Islands. There was a little vogue going around – people still do it, they go to Montserrat and places like that, which is nice work if you can get it. Some people called Record Plant in LA got some equipment and put it on a boat in the Virgin Islands, so we recorded that whole album on a boat. The only strange thing about it is we never put ‘Mull Of Kintyre’ on it. It’s like never releasing ‘Yesterday’: I’ve done some funny things like that.
Paul McCartney, Club Sandwich N°47/48, Spring 1988
Last updated on March 22, 2020
Related singles
I've Had Enough / Deliver Your Children
By Wings • 7" Single
By Wings • 7" Single
With A Little Luck / Backwards Traveller
By Paul McCartney • 7" Single
Related bootlegs
London Town - Ultimate Archive Collection
By Wings • Unofficial album
By Paul McCartney • Unofficial album
By Paul McCartney • Unofficial album
By Paul McCartney • Unofficial album
By Wings • Unofficial album
Related songs
Officially appears on London Town
Officially appears on London Town
Officially appears on London Town
Officially appears on London Town
Officially appears on London Town
Officially appears on London Town
Officially appears on London Town
Officially appears on London Town
Officially appears on London Town
Officially appears on London Town
Officially appears on London Town
Morse Moose And The Grey Goose
Officially appears on London Town
Officially appears on London Town
Officially appears on London Town
Related films
1978 • For Wings • Directed by Keith McMillan
1978 • For Wings • Directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg
1978 • For Wings • Directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg
1979 • Directed by Jack Prestty
Related sessions
February 7 to March 31, 1977 • Songs recorded during this session appear on London Town
May 1 to May 31, 1977 • Songs recorded during this session appear on London Town
August 1977 • Songs recorded during this session appear on London Town
October 25 to December 1, 1977 • Songs recorded during this session appear on London Town
December 3 to 14, 1977 • Songs recorded during this session appear on London Town
January 4 to 23, 1978 • Songs recorded during this session appear on London Town
Related interviews
The Trial of James Paul McCartney
Apr 29, 1978 • From New Musical Express
Apr 08, 1978 • From Liverpool Echo
Apr 01, 1978 • From Melody Maker
Mar 25, 1978 • From Record Mirror
The very private life of Paul and Linda McCartney
Mar 21, 1978 • From US Magazine
Nov 19, 1977 • From Melody Maker
Water Wings - McCartney waives the rules
Aug 20, 1977 • From Sounds
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