Paul McCartney - Flaming Pie

According to Paul McCartney, working on the Beatles Anthology project inspired him to record an album that was stripped-back, immediate, and fun, one less studied and produced than most of his recent work. In many ways, Flaming Pie fulfills those goals. A largely acoustic collection of simple songs, Flaming Pie is direct and unassuming, and at its best, it recalls the homely charm of McCartney and Ram. McCartney still has a tendency to wallow in trite sentiment, and his more ambitious numbers, like the string-drenched epic "Beautiful Night" or the silly Beatlesque psychedelia of "Flaming Pie," fall a little flat. But when he works on a small scale, as on the waltzing "The Song We Were Singing," "Calico Skies," "Great Day," and "Little Willow," he's gently affecting, and the moderately rocking pop of "The World Tonight" and "Young Boy" is more ingratiating than the pair of aimless bluesy jams with Steve Miller. Even with the filler, which should be expected on any McCartney album, Flaming Pie is one of his most successful latter-day efforts, mainly because McCartney is at his best when he doesn't try so hard and lets his effortless melodic gifts rise to the surface. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Name Credits Adrian Levine Violin Andrew Crowley Trumpet Andrew Findon Flute (Alto) Andy Fawbert Trombone Anthony Pleeth Celli, Cello Belinda Bunt Violin Bernard Partridge Violin Bob Kraushaar Engineer Boguslaw Kostecki Violin Briony Shaw Violin Chris Davis Saxophone Chris Laurence Double Bass Christian Kampen Celli, Cello Dave Bishop Sax (Baritone) Dave Woodcock Violin David Ogden Violin David Snell Conductor David Theodore Oboe Frank Farrell Engineer Gary Kettel Percussion Geoff Baker Liner Notes Geoff Emerick Engineer Geoff Foster Assistant Engineer George Martin Producer, Orchestration Graeme Scott Viola Greg Calbi Mastering Ivo Jan Vanderwerff Viola Jackie Hartley Violin James McCartney Guitar (Electric) Jeff Lynne Guitar (Electric), Vocal Harmony, Vocals (Background), Producer, Keyboards, Guitar (Acoustic) Jeremy Smissen Viola Jeremy Williams Violin John Barclay Trumpet John Pigneguy French Horn Johnathan Rees Violin Jon Jacobs Engineer Julian Tear Violin Keith Pascoe Violin Keith Smith Assistant Engineer Kevin Robinson Trumpet Levine Andrade Viola Linda McCartney Photography, Vocals (Background) Maciej Rakowski Violin Marc Mann Sequencing, Digital Sequencing Marcia Crayford Violin Mark Bennett Trumpet Mark Lewisohn Liner Notes Martin Loveday Celli, Cello Martin Parry Flute Michael Cox Flute Michael Thompson Horn, French Horn Nigel Black Horn Paul Hicks Assistant Engineer Paul McCartney Vocal Harmony, Guitar (12 String), Double Bass, Vocals, ?, Fender Rhodes, Harpsichord, Drums, Guitar (Bass), Percussion, Guitar (Electric), Organ (Hammond), Vocals (Background), Mellotron, Organ, Vibraphone, Guitar (Acoustic), Harmonium, Wurlitzer, Producer, Piano, Spanish Guitar Peter Lale Viola Peter Manning Violin Philip Dukes Viola Richard Bissill French Horn Richard Edwards Trombone Richard Watkins Horn, French Horn Ringo Starr Vocals (Background), Drums, Percussion Rita Manning Violin Robert Bailey Cello, Celli Robert Smissen Viola Robin McGee Double Bass Roger Garland Violin Roy Carter Cor Anglais, Oboe Skaila Kanga Harp Snake Davis Saxophone Stephen Tees Viola Steve Miller Performer, Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Rhythm), Vocal Harmony, Vocals (Background), Guitar (Acoustic) Steven Orton Celli, Cello Susan Milan Flute