RECORDING INFO:

Dates: Between December 1988/January 1989 - March 1989
Players: Flea, John Frusciante, Chad Smith, Anthony Kiedis.
Additional Performers: Keith Barry (Saxophone), Patrick English (Trumpet), Vicki Calhoun (Backing Vocals), Kristen Vigard (Backing Vocals)
Recorded at: Ocean Way Studios, 6050 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, and Image Studios, 1020 North Sycamore Avenue, Los Angeles, CA.
Produced by: Michael Beinhorn
Engineered by: Michael Beinhorn, Eddie DeLena, Sean Demey, Garth Richardson
Mixed by: Dave Jerden
Mixed at: Post Logic, 1800 North Vine Street, Los Angeles, CA and Royal Recorders, 7036 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva, WI
Released on: August 16, 1989

SONGS RECORDED:

• Good Time Boys

• Higher Ground

• Subway to Venus

• Magic Johnson

• Nobody Weird Like Me

• Knock Me Down

• Stone Cold Bush

• Pretty Little Ditty

• Punk Rock Classic

• Sexy Mexican Maid

• Johnny, Kick A Hole In The Sky
  released on the album Mothers Milk

• Politician (Mini Rap)
  released on the Higher Ground single

• Song That Made Us What We Are Today

• Salute to Kareem
  released in 2003 on the remastered version of Mother's Milk

• The Harder They Come
  Jimmy Cliff cover, never finished

• The Dub Song
  instrumental, never finished

The album is the result of several different sessions and was not a pleasant time for any of the band members.

Fire is not included here because it was recorded in 1987 with Hillel and Jack - see the Uplift Mofo Party Plan sessions. I'm not sure if it was added to the album as a tribute to Hillel or just to fill space on an already fairly bare album.

Taste the Pain was also recorded prior to the rest of the album.

ALTERNATES/MIX DIFFERENCES:

• Knock Me Down, Pretty Little Ditty and Sexy Mexican Maid - 2003 re-release extended versions
  In 2003, when EMI remastered and re-released their portion of the RHCP catalog, it became apparent these three songs were edited to become shorter on the album's original release. The full length versions were included as bonus tracks (though Pretty Little Ditty was kept in its original position). There's a chance that more songs were edited down during the sessions, but nothing has been confirmed yet; supposedly seven different songs were edited. Pretty Little Ditty has an extended opening and closing whereas Sexy Mexican Maid and Knock Me Down are extended throughout, including longer instrument breaks and added verses. John mentions in this interview that the editing was done without the bands consent.

• Taste the Pain - Say Anything soundtrack
  Extended intro and solo for each band member instead of just drums.

• Subway to Venus / Salute to Kareem - Mothers Milk Sessions Tape
  Lacking horn, guitar overdubs.

• Fire - Fight Like A Brave single/The Abbey Road E.P
  The original appearances of Fire vary slightly as they seem to be a different transfer of the session tape. You can tell which version it is if there's a slight in-balance of the stereo separation a few seconds into the song: this is present on all versions of Fire post Mother's Milk

• Higher Ground - Greatest Hits
  Remixed much dryer in 2003 for the Greatest Hits compilation. The second guitar part is higher and the drums sound quite different.

More here.

WORKING TITLES:

Fairfax High = Magic Johnson*
The Power of Equality = Johnny, Kick A Hole In The Sky

*Magic Johnson’s drum beat is an adaptation of a marching band beat that Flea and Anthony knew from their days at Fairfax High School. The song was only turned into a tribute to the Laker legend late in the process (much to Michigan-born Chad’s chagrin).

ALTERNATE SOURCES:

Mother's Milk Session Tape
This recording contains early versions of 'Subway to Venus' and 'Salute to Kareem', pre-overdubs. It is sourced from a DAT tape made in 1988 and given to an A&R rep in New York. 

SESSION PHOTOS:

ALTERNATE ARTWORK:

On the left, an alternate cover shot featuring Ione Skye, Anthony’s girlfriend at time, instead of Dawn Alane, the final model. On the right, an alternate mock-up featuring Dawn Alane.

LINER NOTES: