POLL: How do you rate Paul McCartney's "Kisses on the Bottom" album?

Ah, but please sir, it wasn't me that snuck into those other threads and posted low ratings sir. Please don't ban me. I promise I'll never sing Inch Worm to you sir, please sir.

 

I didn't vote bad on any of his other albums. I adore them all. This is the first time Paul has made one I don't like.

 

Color me guilty for the range of choices.

I mentioned in some of these other threads that I wanted to approach the "ratings" with something other than a 1-star to 5-star approach and I started with that "middle" level because - like it or not - it's a very common criticism of McCartney: that he has too many "throwaways" or "unfinished" songs. It's not really a criticism that gets thrown at the other ex-Fabs, but they all have their unique criticisms, too. The corresponding dig on George might be that his songs are too "preachy", or that John's are too "personal/narcissistic". It doesn't necessarily ring true for big fans of theirs, but these are widely-held positions, even amongst those who were big fans of the Beatles as a group.

It's worth noting here that I know a large number of people who have one or more Beatles albums; outside of this forum, I know very few that have ANY of their solo works, and those were kind of the people I was imagining "talking to". If Mr. & Mrs. Smith have four Beatles albums, and quite like them (especially Paul's songs), what would someone who's knowledgable about Paul's career say if they asked about the quality of _______________ album? Does it fit that "common criticism" of Paul's? Is it worth recommending? Is it essential? Are there really only a couple decent songs, or is it obviously one of his worst?

I initially did this only for his "New" album, because that was taking some particularly harsh criticism here from folks who are clearly very knowledgable about Paul's solo career. In retrospect, I gave those criticisms a little too much regard (only 4 albums have more positive scores than New so far), and I wish I would've come up with a slightly different final option - something like "Clearly one of his worst - recommended only for diehard fans". But by that time, I'd already done a couple of these polls and I didn't think it right to go about changing the options. I figured whatever flaws were inherent in my "scale" were just something I'd have to live with and own up to when I was criticized for it.

Anyway, hope that reasoning makes some sense to you.

 

When taken for what it is, I voted "pretty solid effort."

 

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRINNNNNNGGG.

 

I respect him for recording KISSES ON THE BOTTOM, but I never listen to it.

 

I love the Kisses album! It is the one from his recent releases I actually enjoyed very much and play it quite often. I like the standards and the lush arrangements and Paul's voice sounds great. It's a great little curio as far as I'm concerned. I'm also a big fan of all the Fireman releases.
Kisses is a solid effort for me.

 

Only played once. That was enough.

 

"My Valentine" is such a nice song, that had Michael Buble' recorded it, would have been a smash. In any case I prefer other artists doing most of the standards and rank it as "lower-tier".

 

The Blu-ray (Live Kisses) is nice. I put that on more often than the CD

 

My feelings exactly.

 

My feelings as well, but I like the live from capital tracks even better! The iTunes exclusive Complete Kisses is a revelation with 31 tracks for $14! Start listening from track 12 for the best effect!

 

It's not very good. The voice is gone. This is even more apparent on the live version of the album. Not good song choices either. A poor attempt to shift the kind of units Rod Stewart's been doing. Rod chose better songs and arrangements and can still sing

 

I voted not bad..but the rest of the option.."plenty of the usual throwaways" doesn't really fit my particular assessment of this record.

Most of the album is "good", but I have to be in the mood for it.

I can't really bring it up to the next level..."a pretty solid effort- worth recommending" , because it's probably not for most people.

So, I had to pick an option that's ...close.

 

McCartney can't sing like he used to but you've gotta be sh**ing me!

 

Yeah, you have to lose the.."plenty of the usual throwaways" bit. I don't bother voting purely because of it. It winds at least one person up.

It's like having "Not a patch on ATMP" as, say, the second option on a series of GH album polls.

 

I voted Solid Effort. It's great that Paul added this to his vast repertoire. However, I think the vocals may be better on the "Live Kisses" DVD.

It is also an album that someone who enjoys American Standards can enjoy, even if they're not ordinarily a McCartney fan.

 

Very near the bottom for me. Even if he'd recorded it when he had the voice for it (20 years ago maybe) I still wouldn't have liked it. I don't like these crooning standards, just not my cup of tea. For me, it's the equivalent of Bing Crosby singing Hey Jude.

 

Good point; part of the appeal when recording a standards cover album must surely be that you are potentially appealing to people who might not normally listen to your work.

 

This one's not for me. Probably my least favorite of anything he's ever released. Not even good vocals could have redeemed the uninteresting material.

I know I'm not the target demographic.

 

What do you think of the original songs and the the new version of Baby's Request?

Would you be interested in hearing the KOTB version of Tomorrow?

 

The originals are OK songs, I guess. Nothing about them appeals to me as a listener, though. The style doesn't interest me, and nothing is sung well.

Baby's Request is better on BTTE. I suspect I'd feel the same way about Tomorrow and Wild Life.

 

As the music lover in my family, this Christmas , I was assigned to pick out two cd's to give as gifts, to a 'special couple'.
My 90 yr young mother inlaw & her new beau, also 90 yr young who live in California. A rather difficult job if one gets past the smaltz and platitudes of picking something from the 'big band' era, unamped, safe. Instead I broke out my copy of KOTB and had a listen in the car to confirm what I suspected. Pure 100% class. Smooth, thoughtful, tasteful, timeless. Picked up a copy along with Yo-Yo Ma's Songs of Peace and Joy. We as music lovers all know the best portion is in the discovery of something new and different. The same 'ol same 'ol is good but finding a new 'artist' whose work we enjoy and can support is the best. (For me anyway). The two selections turned out to be big hits and Paul's record has reached across a generational divide who's favorite artist never included the Beatles.

Kisses on the Bottom is a 'timeless' recording of premium quality. Highly recommended.

 

Not my cup of tea

 

Can not stand this record. On the other hand, it would be cool as hell to walk into a piano bar late one night and there's Paul singing all these oldies. That would be something...