LP MPL A60 00415 006 CCCPCHOBA B CCCP (English: Back in the USSR or The Russian Album) is an album of rock 'n' roll oldies by Paul McCartney originally released in 1988 exclusively in the USSR. With the addition of an extra track, the album would see international release in 1991. Following the tepid reaction to his 1986 studio album Press to Play, McCartney spent much of the first half of 1987 plotting his next album. In July, he got the urge to get back to his roots by singing some of his favorite hits from the 1950s and over the course of two days, with three other session musicians, McCartney recorded sixteen songs, thirteen of which would be chosen for the eventual album release in the USSR the following year. The title CHOBA B CCCP translates from Russian to English as "Back in the USSR" - a famous McCartney song from The Beatles' 1968 double album The Beatles (also known as the White Album). The title is often taken as if written in Roman letters (i.e. CHOBA B CCCP), but they are actually Cyrillic letters and transliterate as 'Snova v SSSR'; the Russian pronunciation is roughly snova vess-ess-ess-air. During the recording sessions 16 songs were recorded, but only 14 were put on the album. The two songs not used were "I Saw Her Standing There" (the Beatles song) and "It's Now or Never". The latter would eventually be released on the New Musical Express double-LP/CD "The Last Temptation Of Elvis" in England in February of 1990. The Russian album includes liner notes all in Russian, from original text by Roy Carr of the New Musical Express. The cover of the album was designed by Linda McCartney: Paul's photograph in a red star, the USSR's symbol. Side 1. 1. "Kansas City" (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller) – 4:02 2. "Twenty Flight Rock" (Eddie Cochran/Ned Fairchild) – 3:03 3. "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" (Lloyd Price) – 3:17 4. "Bring It On Home To Me" (Sam Cooke) – 3:14 5. "Lucille" (Richard Penniman/Albert Collins) – 3:13 6. "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" (Duke Ellington/Bob Russell) – 2:51 7. "I'm Gonna Be A Wheel Some Day" (Fats Domino/Dave Bartholomew/Roy Hayes) – 4:12 Side 2. 1. "That's All Right Mama" (Arthur Crudup) – 3:47 2. "Summertime" (George Gershwin) – 4:57 3. "Ain't That A Shame" (Fats Domino/Dave Bartholomew) – 3:43 4. "Crackin' Up" (Ellas McDaniel) – 3:55 5. "Just Because" (Bob Shelton/Joe Shelton/Sydney Robin) – 3:34 6. "Midnight Special" (Trad. Arr. Paul McCartney) – 3:59
