McCartney reveals new album

Paul McCartney is releasing an album of standards – plus two new songs of his own.

Paul McCartney is releasing an album of the songs that influenced his songwriting – plus two new songs of his own.

The former Beatle announced the album will be out on February 7. It does not yet have a title, but he is already streaming one song, called 'My Valentine', on his website. Fans must be site members to hear the song.

McCartney said he and John Lennon were inspired in their own writing by some of thee tracks that will feature on the album. Macca heard some of them first when his father performed them at home on piano.

Eric Clapton and Stevie Wonder make appearances on the disc, which was recorded with Diana Krall and her band.

His website calls the album "a deeply personal journey through classic American compositions".

McCartney said he has been thinking about the project for 20 years and, at 69, thought: “If I don’t do it now, I’ll never do it.”