Paul's - Kisses On The Bottom - your reviews

Album is dreadful, dreary,slow and bland.

And pointless too.

Originally Posted by Zimmerman The Gnome

Album is dreadful, dreary,slow and bland.

And pointless too.

Pointless is a bit harsh isn't it? Haha.
I remember discussing this when on holiday with family if classic bands that decide to reunite or make albums, such as this one if it's out of passion or just to 'pay the bills'...I think the Michael Jackson which unfortunately didn't happen is a pure example of that. I suppose that as musicians careers go on their influences, interests and musical tastes change and develop. But you're right...the album could've had a bit more punch.

Originally Posted by Zimmerman The Gnome

Album is dreadful, dreary,slow and bland.

And pointless too.

You could have ended this review after "dreadful".

I disagree about this being a pointless release.Sure it's not what we expected from someone like Paul, certainly not what I was looking forward to, but turns out that I and many other fans like the album.

Paul had this project in mind for a longtime, and why shouldn't he have done this? From what I read the reactions seems mostly positive.Ofcourse not everyone is charmed by it, but pointless I don't think so.

I'm with you Legs. It's an acquired taste. It's not what we expect from Paul, but it is a really good listen for the band that's backing him up. Hearing Paul sing more than makes this worthwhile. IMO! The more I hear My Valentine it grows on me too. I also would be willing to bet that the next one will be the guitar album. Nothing wrong with him expanding his horizons.

I still haven't heard it! Hubby snitched it to the car and it's not been seen since! He's not a huge Paul fan (Beatles fan though) but this one and the Unplugged are the two that he really love. Oh, and Memory Almost Full got a 'not bad' from him. But he doesn't like Electric Arguments although the argument that ensued on that one was quite electric.

Originally Posted by Zimmerman The Gnome

Album is dreadful, dreary,slow and bland.

And pointless too.

Originally Posted by Colonel Angus

You could have ended this review after "dreadful".

Originally Posted by lucylemon

Pointless is a bit harsh isn't it? Haha.
I remember discussing this when on holiday with family if classic bands that decide to reunite or make albums, such as this one if it's out of passion or just to 'pay the bills'...I think the Michael Jackson which unfortunately didn't happen is a pure example of that. I suppose that as musicians careers go on their influences, interests and musical tastes change and develop. But you're right...the album could've had a bit more punch.

I agree that album could have had more punch, there are a ton more songs from that era that would have given Paul's album much more zeal! Some of the songs sound glum, maybe Paul was going for melancholy?

Originally Posted by Zimmerman The Gnome

Album is dreadful, dreary,slow and bland.

And pointless too.

The point was to pay tribute to the music of Paul's parents era of music! Paul grew up with those tunes also!

Where do you think many of the youngest Beatles fans on this forum gained their love of the Beatles, their parent's music!

I loved listening to this album, so nice to hear Paul doing the songs from his parents era that he would have heard so often.

Originally Posted by Legs

I disagree about this being a pointless release.Sure it's not what we expected from someone like Paul, certainly not what I was looking forward to, but turns out that I and many other fans like the album.

Paul had this project in mind for a longtime, and why shouldn't he have done this? From what I read the reactions seems mostly positive.Ofcourse not everyone is charmed by it, but pointless I don't think so.

Depends on what point Paul's trying to make, isn't it? If he simply wanted to beat a little on the drum for the music of an earlier era then he does that. If he wanted to make his 'own' versions of this old swing ballads, well, not so much. It's a pretty inoffensive album with pleasant versions of songs we rarely hear today, that's all. I like it for what it is but if somebody expects the usual rocky Paul, he will be disappointed. It's all smooth and not at all a rocky anything.

I've heard it, won't buy it because I'd never listen to it. It was songs like this that made me a rock'n'roller.The idea was cute 40+ years ago when Ringo did it.

I bought it, played it, put it away. And there it will sit.

Hi, I came across this thread by chance, very interesting actually!

I love all kinds of music, as long as it's good, and therefore I'm a huge fan of McCarney's... and loving all kinds of music, I try to keep my mind and ears open and learn as much as possible about different styles and their history and evolution, be it jazz, rock, soul, blues...
So it's startling to read that so many people have never heard of these songs, most of whom are established classics and true standards in the american songbook!...

I appreciate artists who try and do something different, instead of endlessly repeating themselves, and so I was very curious about this project. And I'm glad McCartney had a go at it, instead of putting out the mpteenth impersonation of himself as a 20-year-old kid, or releasing just another variation in the vein of “she was just seventeen” (now that he's well into his 70s...) as some people would like him to do.

So in my opinion this album is quite good, impeccably accompanied by the great Diana Krall and other wonderful musicians, and PM sings his way across the songs with his usual charm, even if the voice does reveal some strain of age occasionally.

As much as I appreciate this album, I can't help but reminding that the definitive “american-standards-album-by-a-rockstar” was done a long time ago... and no, it's not Rod Stewart... it's the late great Harry Nilsson (with his unbelievably good “A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night”), who incidentally was highly regarded, and befriended, by both Lennon and McCartney.

Originally Posted by beatlelover45223

The point was to pay tribute to the music of Paul's parents era of music! Paul grew up with those tunes also!

Where do you think many of the youngest Beatles fans on this forum gained their love of the Beatles, their parent's music!

Well said, BL. Kind of makes me think of the lyrics of "Your Mother Should Know." Paul McCartney is a very versatile talent!

Ringo did "Sentimental Journey" and "Beaucoups of Blues," which are all on a related theme.

Originally Posted by feelfab

I've heard it, won't buy it because I'd never listen to it. It was songs like this that made me a rock'n'roller.The idea was cute 40+ years ago when Ringo did it.

Yeah, hard too believe I'd ever prefer "Sentimental Journey" to any Paul album, but at least some songs on Ringo had some "zip" and/or were fun ect...

And like explained, since then, doing old standards albums has become old hat (to be polite).

Also, Paul's album isn't quite onje or the other... supposed to be old standards, but he chose not to do to his said childhood songs (which was suppose to be the "raison d'etre" if the album)... because it was too obvious... and the elad single is a Paul original...

This was, I think aimed at the Depression and WWII generation. While it is not one of my favorites, I recognize Paul's talent and musical versatility.

I confess that I never liked "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire" and find the lyrics inane and irritating. Although Paul has, to date sung it better than anyone else I've ever heard, I still dislike the song. My aversion for it is equal opportunity, across the board.

Originally Posted by Jerry

Well, I gotta say, I like the album a lot. I was at work alone all day today, and I must have played it 3 or 4 times. Easily the most enjoyable listen front to back since 'Flowers In The Dirt.'

We all know McCartney has always loved this kind of music, so it's about time he did a full album. He's thrown in a song here and there over the years, but now he's fully dived into it.

I agree. I love this album lots. My favorite song on it is Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive.

The only song on it which isn't a favorite, maybe, is Bye Bye Blackbird but only because Ringo completely spoiled me with his version on Sentimental Journey. I played Ringo's soo much that it's become the only acceptable version for me.

The album's just so sweet. Love "My Very Good Friend the Milkman"... and "Inchworm" is precious. "Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter" is perfect. The music is so soothing and words charming. I hope Paul does more like this.

This is old, now on to something new.

Originally Posted by Jerry

I think Concert For NY version is much slower than the single version, without Clapton, and it's longer too.

After they do Let It Be, they all do Freedom again. Clapton is on that version, but again, it's just totally different than the version on Driving Rain.

What I'd like to hear is the true single version of Freedom, released by itself as a CD single. Anybody got it?

I am probably in the minority here, but I never liked "Freedom." I appreciate the fact that Paul's heart was in the right place. I really don't care for the song and think it is not at all commensurate with Paul's vast talent.

I've said all along that I think "Freedom" is the equivalent of an Honors student turning in F work. I also think "Freedom" is equivalent to an Honors student hastily dashing off poor work after midnight on the day the assignment is due.