Paul McCartney returns to studio amid speculation about two new albums

m.guardian.co.uk
Paul McCartney returns to studio amid speculation about two new albums
Former Beatle hooks up with two different producers, Ethan Johns and Mark Ronson, but nature of projects remains unclear
Sean Michaels
guardian.co.uk
Fri 19 Oct 2012

Less than a year after the release of Kisses on the Bottom, Sir Paul McCartney is already at work on one, or maybe two, new albums. The singer has apparently linked up with two different producers, Ethan Johns and Mark Ronson, recording songs with each.
"This is very different to the last album," Johns admitted in an interview with NME. Describing the sound as "classic Paul", the producer of records by acts including Kings of Leon and the Vaccines said they have already finished two sessions together, with another in "a few weeks".
"It's sounding great," said Johns. "He's still one of the most extraordinary recording talents. There's a song on the record called Hosanna which is absolutely heartbreaking – just Paul and an acoustic guitar. It's gorgeous."
McCartney has also allegedly been working with Ronson, who has helped produce records including Lily Allen's Alright, Still and Amy Winehouse's Back to Black. "I know he's also been in the studio with Mark Ronson," Johns said, "which I imagine is going to be quite current-sounding." According to a report this summer, Ronson was on DJ duties at McCartney's wedding to Nancy Shevell in 2011.
Despite the news of these recording projects, it isn't clear what McCartney is working on: one album with several producers? Several albums? The former Beatle may also be recording material for a video game: earlier this summer, he revealed that he has a deal with Bungie, the creators of the game Halo. "I'm not sure what [the plan] is," Johns said. "I'm simply a guy in his phone book he calls up every now and again and asks if I want to do something. And you don't say no to McCartney."
Kisses on the Bottom, McCartney's 15th solo album, reached No 3 on the UK album chart.


Power of two … Sir Paul McCartney at the Paris unveiling of daughter Stella's latest fashion collection earlier this month. Photograph: Julien Hekimian/Getty Images