14 Comments
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Andrew Till's avatar

Sometimes, drowning in busy-ness, I forget why I was moved to subscribed when I don’t have much time to read. Then I’m awoken by a piece like this that reminds why and the joy of thinking I’ve got a few months of posts to dive into. Cheers! Can’t wait for the book.

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Ian Leslie's avatar

Hurray!

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Carol Cantor's avatar

So right that John was on the whole more of a sentimentalist, but is this song a good example? "Now and then I miss you" does not strike me as a sentimental notion.

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Mike Hind's avatar

My sub just renewed, so bring it on. I like the variety of thoughtful reading I get here and the bonus Beatles obsession works a treat. Good luck with the book, eventually.

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Ian Leslie's avatar

Thanks Mike!

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Tim Riley's avatar

Nice story here, for anyone who hasn’t seen it yet.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/caroline-buckman-obituary-beatles-1.7020774

https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.7020774

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Tim Riley's avatar

Having thought the song was pleasant but nothing special on first listening, it’s steadily grown on me over the week. It’s really quite moving, and not just for the backstory you so eloquently detail above. The bit that gets me is at 3.00 - where the ‘aahs’ (borrowed from Because?) come in, sending you from 2023 straight back to the 1960s. I get that not everyone feels the same about Now And Then - and that’s fine. But either way, this new song doesn’t diminish The Beatles or their canon one jot. We’re free to take it or leave it. For me, that Mr McCartney and Mr Martin (it’s catching) could take all those different elements and weave them into something so affecting is a little miracle. A beautiful bonus. Maybe it’s not a ‘Beatles’ record, but it’s a record by The Beatles. And I’m very pleased it exists.

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Tony Fancher's avatar

not a huge Beatles fan (30 y/o american) but I do love Paul McCartney and this article reminded me of how much of legends they are!

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Barry Jackson's avatar

Would us un-Godlike folks be able to purchase signed copies? Asking for a frie....well me actually 😁

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Ian Leslie's avatar

Yes, for £72!

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john jacobs's avatar

Spot on about the video. Maudlin is perfect word to describe the song. Paul, in his 80's, known for his love songs and looking back, may be more sentimental and maudlin than John in his youth. People who dislike the song because it is "not what John would have done" look at it wrong. It is the "last" Beatle song, not the last Lennon song. If they do not like this song think about how badly most of us will think of the AI generated songs of the Beatles rapping/covering NWA.

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Phil Riley's avatar

Ian - can I put in an early interview request. My day job is running Boom Radio, and of course the Beatles loom large with our 1.1m regular listeners. I host a weekly music and chat show choices where we can discuss the book, and them, in depth. I’d love to talk to you about it at the appropriate time. I think you have my personal email.

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Ian Leslie's avatar

I'd be delighted to

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Phil Riley's avatar

Great. When you are ready contact me on phil.riley@boomradiouk.com

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