Paul McCartney is releasing one final Beatles tune with the assistance of AI and a 1978 demo from John Lennon — “Now and Then” releases on November 2.
Paul McCartney revealed in June that he had recorded a tune to which he referred as “The Beatles’ final tune,” created with the assistance of AI software program. Made utilizing a 1978 demo from John Lennon and the assistance of AI to isolate his vocals, “Now and Then” will debut on November 2 at 10 AM Japanese, with a music video releasing the next day.
The tune will likely be launched digitally, in addition to a double A-side single on 7” vinyl, 12” vinyl, and cassette, with a B-side of the band’s first single, 1962’s “Love Me Do.” On November 1, a 12-minute documentary about “Now and Then” will launch to precede the tune’s debut.
Written and sung by John Lennon as a demo recorded in his New York residence in 1978, “Now and Then” initially featured solely Lennon’s voice and piano. In 1994, Yoko Ono gave that demo and two others (“Free as a Chicken” and “Actual Love”) to Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.
With the assistance of producer Jeff Lynne of Electrical Mild Orchestra (ELO) fame, the remaining three Beatles recorded components for a brand new model of “Now and Then,” however know-how of the period prevented isolating Lennon’s vocals from his unique recording.
Paul and Ringo revisited the challenge whereas working with director Peter Jackson on his “Get Again” documentary. Jackson’s sound staff devised a way to isolate Lennon’s vocals on the unique demo with the assistance of AI.
“There it was, John’s voice, crystal clear,” mentioned McCartney. “It’s fairly emotional. And all of us play on it; it’s a real Beatles recording. In 2023, to nonetheless be engaged on Beatles music, and about to launch a brand new tune the general public haven’t heard, I feel it’s an thrilling factor.”
“It was the closest we’ll ever come to having him again within the room, so it was very emotional for all of us,” added Starr. “It was like John was there, you understand. It’s far out.”
McCartney and Starr accomplished the tune in 2022, that includes electrical and acoustic guitar performed by Harrison in 1995, a brand new drum half and backing vocals from Starr, and bass, guitar, and piano by McCartney, who additionally performs a Harrison-inspired slide guitar solo.
“Now and Then” will likely be included on the expanded reissues of 1962-1966 (The Pink Album) and 1967-1970 (The Blue Album), releasing on November 10 with up to date mixes.