Tuesday 18 July 1978 | Spirit of Ranachan Studio, Low Ranachan Farm, Campbeltown, Scotland
On 18 July 1978, Wings began recording Old Siam, Sir at the Spirit of Ranachan Studio, located at Low Ranachan Farm near Campbeltown, Scotland. The track would appear on the group’s final studio album, Back to the Egg, released in 1979. The sessions were produced by Paul McCartney and Chris Thomas, and engineered by Phil McDonald, Mark Vigars, and Tim Summerhayes.
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The Origins of Old Siam, Sir
The song was based on a 1976 instrumental demo by Paul McCartney titled Super Big Heatwave. The distinctive middle section was suggested by drummer Steve Holley during a jam session.
The Backing Track
- Paul McCartney — Fender Rhodes electric piano
- Denny Laine — electric guitar
- Laurence Juber — electric guitar
- Steve Holley — drums
Lead Guitar Overdubs
McCartney and Juber overdubbed the lead guitar lines in a distinctive split arrangement:
- Paul McCartney played the lower notes in the solo on his Epiphone Casino
- Laurence Juber played the higher notes on his Gibson Les Paul Custom
The session was completed with McCartney’s lead vocals.
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Session Details
| Date | Tuesday 18 July 1978 |
| Studio | Spirit of Ranachan Studio, Low Ranachan Farm, Campbeltown, Scotland |
| Producers | Paul McCartney, Chris Thomas |
| Engineers | Phil McDonald, Mark Vigars, Tim Summerhayes |
| Song | Old Siam, Sir |
| Album | Back to the Egg (1979) |
| Origin | Based on 1976 McCartney instrumental demo ‘Super Big Heatwave’ |
| Middle section | Suggested by Steve Holley during a jam session |
| Guitar solo | McCartney (Epiphone Casino, lower notes) + Juber (Gibson Les Paul Custom, higher notes) |
Campbeltown, Scotland — home of Low Ranachan Farm and the Spirit of Ranachan Studio, where Wings recorded Back to the Egg in 1978.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What album is Old Siam Sir on?
Old Siam, Sir appeared on Wings’ final studio album Back to the Egg, released in June 1979. It was recorded at the Spirit of Ranachan Studio in Campbeltown, Scotland, in July 1978.
What was Old Siam Sir based on?
Old Siam, Sir was based on a 1976 instrumental demo by Paul McCartney called Super Big Heatwave. The middle section was suggested by Wings drummer Steve Holley during a jam session.
Who played guitar on Old Siam Sir?
The lead guitar solo on Old Siam, Sir was split between Paul McCartney, who played the lower notes on his Epiphone Casino, and Laurence Juber, who played the higher notes on his Gibson Les Paul Custom. Denny Laine and Juber also played rhythm electric guitars on the backing track.
Where was Back to the Egg recorded?
Back to the Egg was recorded at several locations, including the Spirit of Ranachan Studio at Low Ranachan Farm near Campbeltown, Scotland, and Lympne Castle in Kent, England. It was produced by Paul McCartney and Chris Thomas.
Who were Wings in 1978?
Wings in 1978 comprised Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney, Denny Laine, Laurence Juber (guitar, who joined in 1978), and Steve Holley (drums, who also joined in 1978).
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