2004

Born on October 28th, 2003 Beatrice McCartney….. Any doubts that this child was NOT the product of Paul and Heather need look at the young lady, now approaching 18 years old.

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Beginning in 2004, Giles Martin and his father, George began remixing Beatles material for the Cirque du Soleil’s Las Vegas Mirage Casino stage show, LOVE, which would also be released in album form.

This process would take place over the next two years, under the direct supervision of Paul, Ringo, Yoko Lennon and Olivia Harrison.

Work also started in 2004 on the remix album, TWIN FREAKS. Paul and co-producer, DJ Freelance Hellraiser. In the summer of 2004, he toured Europe with Paul, opening each show with a 25-minute set of remixed McCartney songs. This led to the idea of creating a full album of re-mixes.

At the end of February, Paul reunited with producer David Kahne and recorded seven songs for what was going to be Paul’s next album.

In April, Paul has a change of direction, meeting up with producer Nigel Godrich.

Godrich was best known for his work with the English rock band Radiohead and is sometimes referred to as the “sixth member” of the band.

He is also a member of Atoms for Peace and Ultraísta.

Godrich has also worked with acts such as Travis, Beck, Ride, Ultrasound, Jason Falkner, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Pavement, Here we go magic, Brazzaville, Air, Natalie Imbruglia, The Divine Comedy, The Sundays, U2, Metric, and R.E.M.

They recorded one track together with playing all the instruments, and with Paul really enjoying the experience on this “test track” he decided to proceed further working with Godrich.

Paul and his band recorded the next track that would be part of the next album, when Godrich suggested he should not use his band and instead, record all future tracks by himself, ala McCartney I and II.

Paul agreed and explained to his understanding band mates and the recording got seriously underway by the two with Paul’s newest batch of material.

After Paul met with Capitol records chairman on May 28th and played him tapes of both sessions, they mutually agreed to shelve the Kahne recordings and proceed forward with recordings with Godrich.

They would have five such session that would continue into November of 2004.

In 2004 the American fans were treated to a Beatles surprise with the remixing of the first four U.S. Beatles releases in a box set. These U.S. versions were different than the official British releases (less tracks, different titles and covers to make more money) and must have brought back old listening memories to the grown up baby boomers.

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On May 24th thru June 26th Paul and the band toured 12 European countries, playing 15 shows.

Besides his love of performance, this may have been another way as well for Paul to reward his band and staff with income they would now not be getting on the work in progress next album.

He also worked with Brian Wilson in 2004 on Brian’s, GETTIN’ IN OVER MY HEAD album. He played and sing on the track, the appropriate “A Friend Like You.”

On September 20th he released a new single called “Tropic Island Hum,” which was the title song of the animated video it was featured in.

On September 27th of 2004, he released “The Music And Animation Collection” DVD. The collection of three beautifully animated short films introduced a new character to rank alongside Rupert and the Frog Chorus, namely Wirral the Squirrel. Paul introduces the short films, all directed by Geoff Dunbar, and the final short, Tuesday, features a closing monologue by Oscar-winning actor Dustin Hoffman.

An annual, non-profit charity concert organized by Neil Young, the Bridge School Benefit Concert has seen performances from the likes of Thom Yorke, Bruce Springsteen, Fleet Foxes and R.E.M.

On 23rd October 2004, Paul joined a stellar line-up of acts to perform a solo set and also collaborate with the fellow artists on the bill, including Tony Bennett.

Next…. 2005, and amid all the CHAOS comes the CREATION of a masterpiece.