I was one of those who had this LP and loved it when I received it from a friend in the Soviet Union. It was a very special gift.
Paul McCartney was one of the youths who was turned on and transformed by Elvis and the sound of Rock and Roll of the mid 1950s. This interest in Rock and Roll lead him to discover and love other stars such as Little Richard, Bo Diddley, Eddie Cochran, Fats Domino etc. While growing up, he would cover songs by these artists with various friends and bands such as the Quarrymen and the Silver Beatles with John Lennon and George Harrison. His love of this music carried on through the years with The Beatles, where he wrote songs in the style of these artists and also covered some of their songs and continued throughout the rest of his career. CHOBA B CCCP is a tribute to his roots in music and a special gift to the citizens of the Soviet Union.
In 1988, Paul McCartney became the first artist to release an album exclusively in Russia with CHOBA B CCCP (Back in the USSR). The idea for the album came from Paul in the summer of 1987. He wanted to release an album of Rock and Roll classics from the '50s, which he recorded with a temporary substitute band in two days and released it through unauthorized sources. In other words, he wanted to make his own "bootleg." His record company did not accept his idea, but his manager, Richard Ogden, didn't forget his idea. That Christmas, Ogden had a group of the albums made with covers printed in the Russian language. McCartney thought that it would be a great idea to release the albums only in Russia. A deal was made with Melodya, the Russian state record label, to press 400,000 copies of the album. CHOBA B CCCP was released on October 1, 1988 and contained 13 tracks that ranged from Rock and Roll classics as "Lucille" to standard songs like "Don't Get Around Much Anymore."
The CD begins with the song "Kansas City." This is the third time that McCartney has covered it. (The first two times were with The Beatles and on the Star Club Tapes.) This version is much more electrifying and coarse than the other two recordings and uses Little Richard's frenzied arrangements.
Another Little Richard classic is "Lucille" and it "...depicts Paul at peak performance and sets the mood for most of the album (CHOBA B CCCP liner notes written by Roy Carr of the New Musical Express).
"Crackin' UP" was an obscure B side that was written by Bo Diddley and one that Paul McCartney turned from an underground status to a top notch performance.
"That's All Right (Mama)" and "Just Because are two Elvis songs recorded with the same sound and flavor as Presley during the Sun Records sessions with Sam Phillips.
Paul McCartney recorded CHOBA B CCCP for Russia because he was interested in how the fans there heard and obtained his music. McCartney stated in the fanzine 'Good Day Sunshine' Issue No. 47 in 1988, "Since The Beatles days many of my loyal fans are in Russia, but it has always concerned me that these people hear our music many years after its official release or through illegal importing and home taping. The new spirit of friendship opening up in Russia has enabled me to make this gesture to my Russian fans and let them hear one of my records for a change."...
I feel that this album contained some great covers of classic Rock and Roll songs and "Spunky, spontaneous performances topped by McCartney's finest, least-mannered vocals in years..."(Rolling Stone, December 12-16, 1991).
Were you fortunate to have a copy of this on LP?
I TRY to like this album!
