Below is a concise quote of one of the most revered Koans from Japanese Zen tradition. The essence of these inquiries wasn't to yield a correct answer, but rather to engage in the pursuit of understanding unanswerable questions—a core tenet of Zen Koans. The unsolvable nature of these questions, eventually transform the problem into a meditative device, where no answer is the only correct answer, or to put it in modern terms where logic and reason are not the main operators to understand life and problems.

“... ”You can hear the sound of two hands when they clap together,” said Mokurai. “Now show me the sound of one hand.”...

…In vain Toyo meditated to hear the sound of one hand. He heard the sighing of the wind. But the sound was rejected.

He heard the cry of an owl. This also was refused.

The sound of one hand was not the locusts.

For more than ten times Toyo visited Mokurai with different sounds. All were wrong. For almost a year he pondered what the sound of one hand might be.

At last little Toyo entered true meditation and transcended all sounds.

“I could collect no more," he explained later, "so I reached the soundless sound."

Toyo had realized the sound of one hand… “

-Shaseki-shu (Collection of Stone and Sand)

I firmly believe art operates similarly. Music isn't akin to mathematics, despite some insisting on such parallels, just as art isn't a mere philosophy dissertation, despite what many scholarly interpretations seem to imply. Art's profound impact transcends conventional knowledge; its transformative power defies description and resides purely in the present moment: during creation and consumption.

For some reason the album resembles this kohan and I believe this philosophy is present in Paul McCartney's latest release. First, McCartney appears to embrace simplicity, crafting a mix that immerses listeners in an intimate setting—be it a kitchen, a workspace, or any personal space. The album features a collection of 26 songs originating from a previously unreleased and private live session performance from 50 years ago. All these years the session collected dust in a shelf and somehow the public knew about its existence. Fans tirelessly “seek” (As if finding an unanswerable question) to find the mystical sound of the one hand clapping.

Finally, McCartney presents these songs in album quality, offering straightforward melodies with gentle yet unpolished harmonies and technically adept yet unvirtuosic performances. They evoke a sense of familiarity, reminiscent of the Beatles era. It's a paradoxical blend of the old and the new, unveiling relics that feel both timeless and innovative.

Yeah… The contradiction achieved through the passage of time and Paul's creative decisions in this unique reissue; it truly feels like listening to the sound of one hand clapping.

Author: Martín Cacho

Martín is a video game composer, producer and writer from Sonora, México.