PAUL MCCARTNEY

ROKS 1. Mega rare 1987 authentic UK pressing of the 13-track "Russian Album" LP which was made privately by Paul's manager as a Christmas present to Paul. Only 60 copies were pressed in late 1987. This pre-dates the first Russian Melodia release by about a year.

This copy was sent to the late English rock journalist Roy Carr, who wrote for and edited New Musical Express and Melody Maker magazines. In April 1988, he received this album in the mail with a letter on MPL stationery hand-signed by Richard Ogden, Paul's manager. In the typed letter, which mentions that only 60 copies were pressed, Ogden asks Carr to write the liner notes for the forthcoming Soviet Union release of this album (October 1988). He also attached a track listing, since the album cover is totally printed in the Russian language. Carr did in fact write the liner notes, which were translated into Russian and printed on the white back covers of the Melodia LP.

The front cover of this UK LP is similar to the Russian release, but has the album title at the right instead of the left and has no MPL or Melodia logos. Also, Paul's Russian first name is spelled differently. The back cover is completely different. Also, both the front and back cover feature a faux Apple logo in the corner, which is also on the record labels. The track listing (in Russian) is also on the labels. Unlike the cover of the Russian release which is printed, this cover is silkscreened.

Along with the album and letter, included also is the original record mailer that the album was shipped in which has Roy Carr's name and address typed on the MPL mailing label. It also has postage meter tape dated, April 20th, 1988, which promotes McCartney's "New Album - All The Best". It has been torn open at the top.

After lengthy online searching, we did not find a single sale of this album anywhere. Also, we could not find any photos of it either. The only mention of it at all is a short reference in the Wikipedia article about McCartney's Russian Album.

There is a photo of the front cover in Roy Carr's 2010 book, "A Talk On The Wild Side" which will be included in the sale as well. In addition, we are also including Carr's three different Melodia issues of the album (not graded).

This scarce album is in beautiful near mint condition. This is one of the rarest Paul McCartney records in the world!