Wings take flight again: The revival of McCartney’s rare documentary 'One Hand Clapping'

Earlier this year, British billionaire Paul McCartney revealed plans for exclusive cinema screenings of One Hand Clapping, a rare documentary featuring his band Wings, and it is now premiering on September 26th, 2024. Originally shot in 1974, this newly restored film offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at the band’s recording sessions at Abbey Road Studios. Directed by David Litchfield, the documentary captures Wings during a pivotal moment in their career.

At the time, the band was riding high on the success of their iconic album Band on the Run, which had spent seven consecutive weeks at the top of the UK charts. The film showcases the band's work on the One Hand Clapping live studio album, which, despite fan interest, remained unreleased for decades. The documentary features rare and previously unseen footage of Paul McCartney and his bandmates in the studio.

It includes interviews, behind-the-scenes moments, and exclusive clips of the band at work, providing a detailed insight into the recording process (perhaps comparable to Metallica's "Some Kind of Monster," but probably less volatile). Fans will also be treated to unreleased material, such as the special "Backyard Sessions," which show McCartney performing acoustic renditions of well-loved tracks. These sessions also include the unreleased song "Blackpool" and McCartney’s covers of songs like "Twenty Flight Rock," the song that famously impressed John Lennon during their first "eyeball to eyeball" meeting.

Again, the film is set to premiere on September 26 as a special cinema event, and it comes with several exciting features for audiences (in case some were thinking, "Eh, not really for me"). It boasts an exclusive filmed introduction by McCartney himself, along with previously unseen Polaroid photos from the sessions. This restored version of One Hand Clapping has been meticulously scanned and remastered from the original '70s videotape into 4K quality.

Moreover, the audio has been re-engineered using advanced MAL software, overseen by Wingnut Films, and is presented in Dolby Atmos, thanks to the work of sound engineers Steve Orchard and Giles Martin, son of George Martin, the Beatles' legendary producer.

Paul McCartney loves the film

Reflecting on the project, McCartney shared his enthusiasm: "It’s so great to look back on that period and see the little live show we did. We made a pretty good noise actually." McCartney suggests the band was really starting to hit its stride, and that One Hand Clapping captures that excitement and energy.

The screenings are organized in partnership with Trafalgar Releasing, and tickets started being available on August 16. This film offers both long-time fans and new audiences a chance to experience McCartney and Wings in a way that hasn’t been seen before. It’s a unique opportunity to relive a golden age of rock and roll.

The movie complements an album release

The film’s release follows the official unveiling of Wings’ live studio album One Hand Clapping earlier this year. Initially recorded over four days in 1974, the album faced a long-delayed release, with bootleg versions circulating for years. Finally, in June 2024, fans were able to enjoy the full album, marking its first official release in nearly 50 years.

This album showcased the band’s new lineup, which included guitarist Jimmy McCulloch and drummer Geoff Britton, who had recently joined after the departure of Denny Seiwell and Henry McCullough. The documentary also highlights the evolution of Wings, featuring in-studio renditions of hits like "Live and Let Die," "Band on the Run," "Jet," and "Junior’s Farm," as well as McCartney’s beloved solo track "Maybe I’m Amazed."

Additionally, the film includes reworked versions of classic Beatles songs such as "Let It Be," "The Long and Winding Road," and "Lady Madonna." Other notable performances include "Go Now," a hit originally performed by Moody Blues, and a solo piano rendition of the Tin Pan Alley favorite "Baby Face."

One Hand Clapping serves as both a time capsule of McCartney’s post-Beatles career and a tribute to Wings' legacy, offering fans an intimate glimpse into the creative process of one of rock’s most influential figures. As for the title of "One Hand Clapping," why did they choose that? Paul explains "we just thought it's a nice phrase, and makes people think."