Two remaining Beatles to duet on Ringo Starr's forthcoming album

Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney

Ringo Starr has released nearly two dozen solo albums since the Beatles broke up, but his new effort "Y Not" will boast a special feature that few others have: contributions from his former bandmate Paul McCartney.

The legendary bass player will lend his talents on that instrument on "Peace Dream" and sings a Starr and Van Dyke Parks-penned track  "Walk With You." "Y Not," produced entirely by Starr is due Jan 12, 2010.

McCartney and the former Beatles drummer have collaborated on only a few other solo efforts, such as on 1997's McCartney album "Flaming Pie" and on Starr's 1998 album "Vertical Man" (the late George Harrison also appeared on that set).

Joss Stone, Richard Marx and Ben Harper will appear as guest vocalists on "Y Not" as well; Joe Walsh (The Eagles), Benmont Tench (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard contributed songwriting duties.

"I was the least involved in the production of the Beatle records," Starr said in a statement, noting other producers who have helped with his solo sets. "Then suddenly, it's another point in your life, and you say, 'I'm going do this now.' So I'll be producing anything I make from now on."

Starr's last major solo release, "Liverpool 8," dropped in 2008.