Many artists as they get older will look at some point to embrace a more mellow musical style. This is certainly the case with Paul McCartney’s latest offering, which finds the iconic star tackling a range of laidback jazz standards. It’s all a long way from The Beatles’ art rock experimentation, but Kisses On The Bottom undeniably has a certain easy-going charm.
The majority of the tracks are built around a jaunty blend of piano, double-bass and brushed drums, with different elements occasionally thrown into the mix. ‘Home (When Shadows Fall)’ and ‘More I Cannot Wish You’, for example, both feature lush string arrangements, while ‘It’s Only A Paper Moon’ boasts acoustic guitar, violin and even some whistling. Certainly, it’s all very mature and “adult contemporary”, but McCartney’s obvious love and enthusiasm for the genre is infectious, and his crooning throughout is top notch.
The best track is actually the one original Macca composition ‘My Valentine’, an atmospheric, noir-ish ballad that offers a powerful reminder of his peerless melodic gifts and formidable stylistic range (it fits seamlessly with the rest of the songs). Overall, Kisses On The Bottom is the easiest of easy listening, but both long-term McCartney fans and jazz aficionados alike will find much here to admire.