Sir Paul McCartney shares unreleased 1994 collaboration with Jeff Beck

Sir Paul McCartney spoke of a “never-released and never-before-heard” collaboration between him and the late Jeff Beck that they recorded in 1994.

hy Are they cutting down the rainforest? features influential rock guitarist Beck talking about deforestation and ranching to a psychedelic rock background.

The track was unearthed by Sir Paul for the latest installment of his Meatless Monday campaign, which encourages people to go meat-free once a week, and was released following Beck’s death earlier this month at the age of 78.

In a video message shared on his Twitter on Monday, the Beatles star said: “With the sad passing of Jeff Beck – a good friend of mine, and a great guitar player. , amazing – it reminds me of a time we worked together for many years. previously in a vegetarian campaign.”

He added that the recording has “great guitar playing – because it’s Jeff!”

“Never released and never heard before” begins with the guitarist saying, “Hi, this is Jeff Beck. Why do they cut down rainforests?

He continued: “Grazing. What worries me is what other animals are we killing besides cows.

“Nearly a quarter of all the drugs and pharmaceuticals we use today are derived from tropical plants.

“Seventy percent of the plants identified as having anti-cancer agents come from the rainforest, yet because we want more and more grazing land, we are ripping through the rainforest, not caring. or unaware of the fact that these forests can and may contain plants that can cure leukemia or heart disease, maybe even cure Aids – who knows.

“But for me, risking losing my ability to discover a miracle cure for a $1.50 hamburger is pointless to me. Thank you for listening.”

The environmental message was originally included in a 13-part US radio series presented and created by Sir Paul called Oobu Joobu.

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The show offers an insight into Sir Paul’s world including rehearsals, demos, unreleased recordings, conversations and guests from his friends.

It also highlights campaigns that are close to his heart, such as going vegan.

Sir Paul launched Meatless Monday with his daughters Mary and Stella in 2009.

Since then, the charity has worked in schools, universities, restaurants and businesses, making appeals to the European Parliament and publishing a cookbook.