Entertainment

Beatles announce their ‘last song’

Published

1 year ago

October 27, 2023

editor

More than 50 years after The Beatles broke up, the band have announced the release of their “last song”.

Called Now And Then, it is based on a 1970s demo recording by John Lennon, and was completed last year by Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Ringo Starr.

Sir Paul teased the song in a BBC interview this summer, saying AI technology had been used to “extricate” Lennon’s vocals from an old cassette.

The track will premiere at 14:00 GMT on Thursday, 2 November.

It will also feature on newly-remastered versions of The Beatles’ Red and Blue albums, due on 10 November.

Originally released in 1973, the career-spanning compilations have been described by Rolling Stone magazine as “arguably the most influential greatest hits albums in history”.

Featuring everything from Love Me Do to The Long And Winding Road, the two volumes are essentially divided between the band’s early mop-top days (the Red Album) and their more experimental and expansive late period (the Blue album).

In a press release, the surviving Beatles said completing the song had been a surreal experience.

“There it was, John’s voice, crystal clear,” said Sir Paul. “It’s quite emotional. And we all play on it, it’s a genuine Beatles recording. In 2023 to still be working on Beatles music, and about to release a new song the public haven’t heard, I think it’s an exciting thing.”

“It was the closest we’ll ever come to having him back in the room so it was very emotional for all of us,” added Starr. “It was like John was there, you know. It’s far out.”

‘Rubbish’ recording

Now And Then was originally written by John Lennon after the Beatles’ split up in 1970, and has circulated as a bootleg for years.

An apologetic love song, it is addressed to an old friend (or lover), to whom Lennon declares: “Now and then, I miss you / Now and then, I want you to return to me”.

After Lennon was fatally shot outside his New York apartment building in December 1980, his widow, Yoko Ono, gave the song to Sir Paul.

It was on a cassette labelled “For Paul” that also contained early versions of Free As A Bird and Real Love – which the remaining Beatles polished up and released as singles in 1995 and 1996, as part of their Anthology project.

The band also attempted to record Now And Then, but the session was quickly abandoned – with guitarist George Harrison saying the quality of Lennon’s recording was “rubbish”.

Sir Paul has wanted to complete the song ever since – and advancements in audio technology have finally made that possible.

The story began with the release of the Beatles’ Get Back documentary in 2021. Director Peter Jackson and his team developed new software that allowed them to “de-mix” mono recordings from the 1970s to isolate individual instruments and vocals.

That same technology was used last year to create a new mix of the band’s album Revolver. Producer Giles Martin told the BBC the software used elements of Artificial Intelligence and machine learning to separate overlapping sounds.

“It has to learn what the sound of John Lennon’s guitar is, for instance, and the more information you can give it, the better it becomes,” he said.

That process has now been applied to the original tape of Now And Then, removing tape hiss and electrical mains noise while preserving Lennon’s performance.

Sir Paul and Sir Ringo set about completing the song last year, adding new vocals, drums, bass, guitar and piano; as well as electric and acoustic guitar parts recorded by Harrison in 1995, before his death,

Giles Martin, son of the late Beatles producer George Martin, also added backing vocals from the original recordings of Here, There And Everywhere, Eleanor Rigby and Because, creating an extra layer of nostalgia.

The release of Now And Then will be preceded by a documentary about the making of the song, which will premiere on Wednesday, 1 November.

To tie in with all of this, the BBC has announced a new six-part podcast on the story of the Liverpool-born group.

The first five parts arrived on Thursday, including a recently re-discovered interview from 1964 which has not been heard since.

The final part will come out on 2 November, along with the record, and will include exclusive interviews with Sir Paul and Sir Ringo Starr – the two remaining Beatles – about the new material.

(BBC News)

Entertainment

‘Papon Live’ rocks Colombo (Pics)

Published

3 days ago

January 23, 2025

editor

A live concert by Indian trailblazing musician – Angaraag Mahanta, known by his stage name – ‘Papon’ was held in Colombo yesterday (Jan. 22).

The event was organised by the High Commission of India in Colombo and its cultural arm- the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre on the occasion of the 76th Republic Day of India.

A host of dignitaries including the acting High Commissioner – Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, former President – Maithripala Sirisena, Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe as well as Central Bank governor – Dr. Nandal Weerasinge and deputy ministers – Nalin Hewage, Harshana Suriyapperuma, Sunil Watagala, Mahinda Jayasinghe and Chathuranga Abeysinghe. In addition, the large gathering included members of defence and civil services of Sri Lanka, members of diplomatic corps, academia, members of business and media communities and Indian diaspora.

In a display of the rich cultural affinity between India and Sri Lanka, the evening commenced with a dynamic opening act titled ‘Swasthi’. The renowned Sri Lankan percussionist Dr. Ravibandhu Vidyapathi and his team showcased Indian melodies, including India’s National Song, ‘Vande Matram’ with the vibrant rhythm and traditional sounds of Sri Lanka.

Angaraag Mahanta aka Papon is a multifaceted musical genius-singer, multi-instrumentalist, composer, record producer and live performer.

With a voice that effortlessly blends smoothness and soul, he crafts a unique soundscape that spans ambient electronica, acoustic folk, electro-ghazals, and classical melodies.

In Bollywood, Papon’s rise to stardom has been marked by unforgettable hits like Moh Moh Ke Dhaage (Dum Laga Ke Haisha), Kyon (Barfi!), Jiyein Kyun (Dum Maaro Dum), Humnava (Hamari Adhuri Kahani), and Labon Ka Karobar (Befikre), along with contributions to films such as Sanju, Raid, Karwaan, and Sui Dhaaga.

A trailblazer in Indian non-film music, Papon has left an indelible mark with his participation in all four seasons of Coke Studio India and as the producer of two episodes of MTV Unplugged. His artistry has earned him accolades, including the Best Male Playback Singer awards at the Star Screen Awards, Mirchi Music Awards, TOIFA, GIMA, and IIFA Madrid.

Papon and his band have enthralled audiences across major Indian music festivals, college fests, corporate events, and private shows globally, from India to the USA, Europe, and the Middle East. A true innovator, his music transcends borders and genres, touching hearts worldwide.

(Pics : Shanika Jayasekara ; Additional Pics – Indian HC)

Entertainment

Veteran singer Anil Bharathi passes away

Published

4 days ago

January 22, 2025

editor

Veteran Sri Lankan singer Anil Bharathi has passed away today (Jan. 22).

Popular songs by him include ‘Bethlehem Pure’, ‘Ma Adarei Nangiye, Rosi, Seethala Sanda Eliye and ‘Bambareku Aduna’.

Entertainment

Netflix to raise prices as new subscribers soar

Published

4 days ago

January 22, 2025

editor

Netflix will raise prices across a number of countries after adding nearly 19 million subscribers in the final months of 2024.

The streaming firm said it will increase subscription costs in the US, Canada, Argentina and Portugal.

“We will occasionally ask our members to pay a little more so that we can re-invest to further improve Netflix,” it said.

Netflix announced better-than-expected subscriber numbers, helped by the second series of South Korean drama Squid Game as well as sports including a boxing match between influencer-turned-fighter Jake Paul and former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson.

In the US, prices will increase across almost all plans including the standard subscription with no adverts which will now cost $17.99 (£14.60) a month, up from $15.49.

Its membership with adverts will also rise, by one dollar to $7.99.

The last time Netflix raised prices in the US was October 2023, when it also lifted costs for some plans in the UK.

Asked if prices were set to increase in the UK, a spokesperson for Netflix said there was “nothing to share right now”.

Meanwhile, the company said it finished last year with more than 300 million subscribers in total. It had been expected to add 9.6 million new subscribers between October and December but far surpassed that number.

It is the last time that Netflix will report quarterly subscriber growth – from now on it said it will “continue to announce paid memberships as we cross key milestones”.

As well as Squid Game and the Paul v Tyson fight, Netflix also streamed two NFL games on Christmas Day.

It will also broadcast more live events including WWE wrestling and has bought the rights for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027 and 2031.

Paolo Pescatore, a technology analyst at PP Foresight, said Netflix “is now flexing its muscles by adjusting prices given its far stronger and diversified programming slate compared to rivals”.

Net profit between October and December doubled to $1.8bn compared to the same period a year ago.

Sales rose from $8.8bn to $10.2bn.

(BBC News)