Sea-Saint Recording Studio, New Orleans
Producer: Paul McCartney
Engineers: Alan O’Duffy, Ken Laxton, Roberta Grace
Wings worked on the Venus And Mars song ‘Spirits Of Ancient Egypt’ on 23 January 1975.
This was the first recording session to feature new drummer Joe English, who had been hastily recruited the previous day. It was also the first New Orleans session with guitarist Jimmy McCulloch, whose work visa delayed his arrival in the US.
English was in at the deep end, performing in the studio on a song he had never heard before. He took direction from arranger Tony Dorsey, who had recommended him to Paul McCartney as previous drummer Geoff Britton’s replacement.
The recording had McCartney on bass guitar, Linda McCartney on organ, Denny Laine and McCulloch on electric guitars, and English on drums. At the end of the session he was invited to remain for the remainder of the album sessions.
With the backing track completed, Laine attempted to overdub lead vocals, but struggled with a high note in the chorus. The song was set aside for another day. The session ended with a jam between Laine, McCulloch, English, and with Dorsey on bass guitar.