Paul McCartney: Kisses on the Bottom

Paul McCartney                                                                                                                       Kisses on the Bottom                                                                                                       Capitol Records, 2012 

With this latest CD, Sir Paul has made good on a long ago promise to “Get up and dance to a song that was a hit before you’re mother was born.”  “Kisses on the Bottom” is largely a collection of older songs, with a few new McCartney penned tunes.  This disc of standards is in the vein of Rod Stewart’s American Songbook CD’s, but most of the tunes are less well known than Rod’s picks.

The first thing you’ll notice is Sir Paul’s voice.  He sounds his age, and that’s just fine. It’s a voice we’re all familiar with and he doesn’t need to compete with anyone, in particular, his younger self. He more than ably takes on “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter,” “It’s Only a Paper Moon,” and “The Glory of Love.”

Backed by Diana Krall’s band the music is warm and sounds live. There is an off the cuff spontaneity to the recordings. I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter,” “It’s Only a Paper Moon,” and “The Glory of Love.” Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder, and Diana Krall all make guest appearances.

In the liner notes, PM says these are songs he grew up with and that he wanted to have some less obvious song choices that would be “unfamiliar to some people.” He also commented on the effect and influence they had on his own songwriting. In particular, “My Very Good Friend the Milkman,” has strong overtones of “When I’m 64.”

Sir Paul isn’t done filling the world with silly love songs. And what’s wrong with that?