Paul McCartney Debuts Duet with Ringo Starr at Secret L.A. Listening Event
Paul McCartney held a private listening session in Los Angeles this week. About 30 to 40 fans attended the event at producer Andrew Watt’s studio.
The listening session
The gathering lasted roughly an hour and 40 minutes. McCartney walked the audience through all 14 tracks on his new record.
Journalists from three outlets were present. A small camera crew filmed portions for promotional use.
Where and why
The playback took place in Watt’s newly completed Diamond Dust room. McCartney said tracking happened in the studio’s “B” room and in England.
Attendees included fans who had pre-ordered special editions. Some purchases came through McCartney’s site and a brief sale via Third Man Records.
Production and collaborators
Andrew Watt produced the project and occasionally spoke during the session. He praised McCartney’s multi-instrumental performances.
McCartney played most parts himself and the two mixed the album together. They emphasized a hands-on approach reminiscent of earlier Beatles sessions.
Notable contributors
- Ringo Starr appears on drums and sings on one track.
- Chrissie Hynde and Sherleen Spiteri provide backing vocals on that same song.
- Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers was mentioned as a possible drummer, but McCartney handled many drum parts.
Song highlights presented at the event
- As You Lie There — The opening piece and the first song McCartney and Watt recorded together.
- Lost Horizon — A resurrected composition recovered thanks to Eddie Klein, who died in 2020.
- Days We Left Behind — The lead single, already released ahead of the album.
- Ripples on a Pond — A direct love song for McCartney’s wife, produced with a pop touch from Watt.
- Mountain Top — A festival-tinged track that uses tape loops and includes Nancy Shevell’s processed voice.
- Down South — A memory piece about hitchhiking and time spent with George Harrison.
- We Two — Recorded in England on a rescued four-track machine, notable for its snare sound.
- Come Inside — A straight rocker noted for its resolving final chord.
- Never Know — Inspired by the Laurel Canyon sound of the 1970s.
- Home to Us — Built around an initial Ringo drum track and expanded into a duet with alternating lead lines.
- Life Can Be Hard — Written during lockdown and inspired by family life at home.
- First Star of the Night — Penned on a rainy day in Costa Rica and carrying a hopeful tone.
- Salesman Saint — An orchestral piece about McCartney’s parents, featuring simultaneous 3/4 and 4/4 rhythms.
- Momma Gets By — A fictional narrative song, not a portrait of his own mother.
About the Ringo duet
At the secret L.A. listening event, McCartney revealed the Ringo contribution became more than drums. The track was completed as a vocal duet with alternating lead lines.
McCartney and Watt initially worked from a drum take Starr laid down. They then constructed the song, invited Starr to sing, and assigned alternating lines.
Context and release
The album is titled The Boys of Dungeon Lane. It will be released on May 29.
It is McCartney’s first full-length release in six years. The record contains 14 tracks and mixes nostalgic themes with contemporary production.
Audience reaction
Fans in attendance reacted warmly. Nancy Shevell sat in the front row, and McCartney frequently engaged with her during the presentation.
Attendees left impressed by the mix of memory songs and energized rock. Many praised the full production and Beatle-esque touches.
