Paul McCartney reveals his favorite studios and best memories of working at those facilities

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MJ Kim/MPL Communications Ltd.

MJ Kim/MPL Communications Ltd.In the latest installment of his “You Gave Me the Answer” Q&A feature, Paul McCartney reveals which recording studios he enjoys creating music in the most, and shares some favorite memories from those facilities.

“My own studio in Sussex [U.K.] is a great favorite, but it’s also really cool to go back to [London’s] Abbey Road because of the memories of the exciting times I had there,” Sir Paul shares. “I also love Henson Studios in [Los Angeles,] where I made most of Egypt Station.”

McCartney says his favorite memory of working in his home studio was making the 1995 Beatles reunion track with his old band mates George Harrison and Ringo Starr.

“Because it was so remote, nobody knew that George, Ringo or myself had got together,” Paul recalls. “So, it was very cool and it was very private. Those were fabulous sessions.”

McCartney’s favorite Abbey Road highlight was recording the orchestra for the epic Sgt. Pepper’s track “A Day in the Life.”

Paul remembers that producer George Martin was initially worried about the expense of hiring an orchestra, but the band insisted.

“He said, ‘Well, if you’re going to hire a symphony orchestra you can tell them what to wear,'” recalls McCartney, who says the band wanted the musicians to wear “posh” evening suits, and also requested that they put on funny hats and fake noses.

“A few people in the orchestra were good sports and put them on,” says Paul, “and it was a fun session.”

As for Henson, McCartney says he enjoyed the experience of working with producer Greg Kurstin on tracks for his latest solo album, Egypt Station. He also had fun popping in on other artists who were recording there at the same time, including Chaka Khan and Black Eyed Peaswill.i.am.

By Matt Friedlander
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