“Return to Pepperland“ was a cancelled Paul McCartney album, originally scheduled to be released in late 1987.
Officially the recording sessions for this project, inspired by the 20th anniversary of Sgt.Pepper's album, began in June at Hogg Hill Mill studios in Sussex, England with Phil Ramone as a producer. Although some songs had already been recorded previously during “Once Upon A long Ago” sessions March/April 1987, others came out from the Paul´s archives, home demos and outtakes recorded shortly before the release of the soundtrack: ”Give my regards to Broad St.” in October 22.1984 and "Press To Play" Era.
The most interesting part of this project was going to be the collaboration of Freddie Mercury and possibly Queen, at least in one of the themes: "Once Upon A Long Ago", a duet between Freddie and Paul, as he had done in the past for example with Michael Jackson. But the agenda Queen´s singer prevented it and it was not possible something that saddened quite to Paul McCartney.
At the beginning of July 1987 a first compilation of the album was made with this provisional setlist: 1.Once Upon A long Ago.- 2..Lindiana. - 3.I love this house.- 4.We Got Married. - 5.Beautiful Night. - 6.Loveliest Thing. - 7.Squid. - 8.Big Day. - 9.This One. - 10.Love Come Tumbling Down. - 11.Christian Pop. - 12.Atlantic Ocean. - 13.Love Mix. - 14.P.S.Love Me Do. - 15.Back On My Feet. - 16.Return To Pepperland.
In addition to selecting a single formed by the song "Once Upon A Long Ago / Back On My Feat.",that would should go on sale like anticipation of the album at the end of summer. In July overdubs were add to this song with George Martin on production and Abbey Road as new location. The album, bit.ly/87PMPP it was produced by Paul McCartney and Phil Ramone.
In September, after listen “Once Upon A Long Ago” final mix, Paul considered that some of the songs from “Return to Pepperland”, could probably be improved with a simple re-mix, but others needed to re-record again. and delayed its publication to improve it and thus avoid bad reviews. He still had in mind the cold reviews received for his previous album "Press To Play"" and he did not want to repeat the story.
Paul took an extra time to improve the project; but as the release of a new album was already signed, one year without lp, since “Press To Play”, to avoid economic losses to the production company; “Return to Pepperland" was changed by another valid alternative, a double album called: "All the best", Although the single "Once Upon A Long Ago / Back On My Feat." remained; and it would be released fifteen days before of “All the best” album, on November 2.
Meanwhile, Paul continued to restructure "Return to Pepperland" and selecting new themes. So, between December 21 and January 21 the project was re-built, with more sessions and songs as:”Rough Ride” or “Figure of Eight”. The new album version was compiled on January 21.1988 with this final line-up:
Side A: (18:17)
1. Return To Pepperland. (Remixed). (4:47)
2. Love Come Tumbling Down. (4:21)
3. Christian Pop. (2:19)
4. Atlantic Ocean. (6:48)
Track 1: June 2-30 1987. Hogg Hill Mill studio,Sussex, England. Track 2: March 1987 Hogg Hill Mill studio,Sussex, England. with additional recording: June 2-30 1987. Track 3 & 4: March 1987. Hogg Hill Mill studios in Sussex, England.
Side B: (18:09)
5. Lindiana. (Remixed). (5:44)
6.I Love This House. (3:47)
7. We Got Married. (1st version). (Remixed). (3:54)
8. Rough Ride. (1st version). (Remixed). (4:42)
Tracks 5, 6 & 7: Sep. to Dec. 10 1984. Hogg Hill Mill studios, Sussex, England. Track 8: Dec´87 & Jan´88. Hogg Hill Mill studios, Sussex, England.
Side C: (17:50)
9. Figure Of Eight. (1st version). (Remixed). (5:09)
10. Squid. (Remixed). (3:58)
11. Big Day. (Remixed). (2:34)
12. Beautiful Night. (1st version). (6:08)
Track 9: Dec´87 & Jan´88. Hogg Hill Mill studios, Sussex, England. Tracks 10 & 11: Dec´1986. Hogg Hill Mill studios, Sussex, England. Tracks 12 & 13: Power Station Studios. N.Y. US. August 1986; with additional recordings June 1987. Hogg Hill Mill studios, Sussex, England.
Side D: (17:51)
13. Loveliest Thing. (3:53)
14. Love Mix. (3:54)
15. Peacocks. (6:46)
16. This One. (Demo). (3:25)
Track 14: April 1987. Hogg Hill Mill studios, Sussex, England. Track 15: March 1987. Hogg Hill Mill studios in Sussex, England. Track 16: Feb..2.1987, Audio International Studios, London, England.
But the result did not end either of convince to Paul and after a brief rest and reflection, in April of 1988, he abandoned the project definitively and began the recording sessions of what would be his next studio album: "Flowers in the dirt". Many of the songs from “Return to Pepperland” came out as B-sides or were included in their next works as “Flaming Pie”.
Ok, that´s all friends. See you soon with more and better.