Tuesday 31 January 2012

‘Kisses On The Bottom’: Interview and Track Previews!


With one week to go until the release of Paul McCartney’s Kisses On The Bottom the album is now available to stream in its entirety by clicking here: NPR.org




Additionally the first interview with McCartney and Award-winning producer Tommy LiPuma discussing the new album is now available in the official EPK below: 





Kisses On The Bottom (out February 6/7 on Hear Music/Concord), is a collection of standards beloved to Paul since childhood as well as two new McCartney compositions: ‘My Valentine’ and ‘Only Our Hearts.’ 

Created with the help of Grammy Award-winning producer Tommy LiPuma and Diana Krall and her band—as well as guest appearances from Eric Clapton and Stevie Wonder—Kisses On The Bottom is the first record in McCartney’s historic oeuvre to feature him almost exclusively on vocals. 

With the exception of a bit of acoustic guitar on two tracks, Paul’s sole instrument on Kisses On The Bottom is that unmistakable voice at its most intimate and unadorned.




Kisses On The Bottom is obviously a work born of intense inspiration and affection—and possibly most important of all fun. This is certainly reflected in the album’s title, which confused more than a few Macca obsessives (with many fixating on an anatomical interpretation!), but actually quotes from the album’s opener ‘I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter’. Originally made a big hit by Fats Waller in 1935, the song opens with the lines ‘I’m gonna sit right down and write myself a letter and make believe it came from you. I’m gonna write words oh so sweet. They’re gonna knock me off of my feet. A lot of kisses on the bottom, I’ll be glad I got ‘em’.




Kisses’ heartfelt interpretations of these classics—many of which were introduced to a young Paul by his father on piano--were recorded along with its two McCartney originals at the legendary Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, and in New York and London over the course of 2011. The album also features stellar guest turns from Eric Clapton (on ‘My Valentine’ and ‘Get Yourself Another Fool’) and Stevie Wonder (‘Only Our Hearts’) and suitably classy cover art featuring a portrait of Paul shot by his daughter Mary McCartney worked into a concept by Jonathan Schofield (Visual Director at Stella McCartney) and design by Matthew Cooper (Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand, etc.).


For more information, visit Paul's website: www.paulmccartney.com 


Kisses On The Bottom – Full Tracklisting 
Standard CD – 14 tracks

01. I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter 02:36
02. Home (When Shadows Fall) 04:04
03. It’s Only A Paper Moon 02:35
04. More I Cannot Wish You 03:04
05. The Glory Of Love 03:46
06. We Three (My Echo, My Shadow And Me) 03:22
07. Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive 02:32
08. My Valentine 03:14
09. Always 03:50
10. My Very Good Friend The Milkman 03:04
11. Bye Bye Blackbird 04:26
12. Get Yourself Another Fool 04:42
13. The Inch Worm 03:43
14. Only Our Hearts 04:21

The Deluxe CD Album features two bonus tracks plus access to a download of the Capitol Studios show (available from Tuesday 14th February via paulmccartney.com), plus longer liner notes and expanded packaging featuring three postcards):


15. Baby’s Request 03:30
16. My One And Only Love 03:50

The album will also be available digitally. 






All photographs c. MPL Communications Ltd and may not be reproduced without the express permission of the copyright holder

Friday 27 January 2012

Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder

© 2012 MPL Communications Ltd.
Photographer: MJ Kim

This year sees 30 years since Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder first worked together on the classic smash hit Ebony and Ivory (March 1982), which was number 1 in the UK and the US. The release of Paul's new album Kisses On The Bottom sees them reunited on the track, Only Our Hearts. Only Our Hearts is one of two original McCartney compositions included on the album, which is a collection of standards Paul grew up listening to in his childhood.

On working with Stevie Paul said, "Stevie came along to the studio in LA and he listened to the track for about ten minutes and he totally got it. He just went to the mic and within 20 minutes had nailed this dynamite solo. When you listen you just think, 'How do you come up with that?' But it's just because he is a genius, that's why'.

Stevie joined Paul at LA's legendary Capitol Studio's to record the track.

Kisses On The Bottom is a collection of standards Paul grew up listening to in his childhood as well as the two new McCartney compositions My Valentine and Only Our Hearts. With the help of Grammy Award-winning producer Tommy LiPuma and Diana Krall and her band, Paul’s new album is a deeply personal journey through classic American compositions that, in some cases, a young Paul first heard his father perform on piano at home

Kisses On The Bottom is out on Tuesday, February 7th.



Sunday 22 January 2012

HENRY McCULLOUGH and DENNY SEIWELL to Reunite for New CD of Beatles and Paul songs



Damian Smyth, co-author of The Beatles and Ireland, has just shared this news with the BBFC:


Former Wings Lead Guitarist HENRY McCULLOUGH made his first U.S. appearance in over 20 years, last summer at our Chicago FEST, and he was most personable. His stylish brand of guitar is most evident on the solo on My Love, considered one of the best in popular music. Before joining Wings, Henry was a member of Joe Cocker's Grease Band, and appeared at Woodstock.


Henry and fellow Wings band mate Drummer DENNY SEIWELL are reuniting at our FEST with a musical surprise. They are recording a CD of Wings and Beatles songs and plan to have it ready exclusively for us in March.


They plan to perform some of these new versions Live at THE FEST.


Denny is also going to have another Live Drum Session History of the Ram Album. Denny began his relationship with Paul during the Ram Sessions as a New York City Session Musician. Paul asked him to join Wings, which he did. Henry and Denny were in Wings at the same time for Red Rose Speedway and a few hit singles.


For more details on The Fest, click here 


Saturday 21 January 2012

Celebrate Valentine's Day in Style at the Hard Day's Night hotel in Liverpool

All you need is love ...


Delighted to present to romantics and lovers of good food everywhere :
'So This is Blakes Valentines Menu'
Our chefs have hand crafted a stunning six course menu , for the special price of £42.50

Table reservations are now being taken.
Click here for more information, download our menu’s or to book online.

Wednesday 18 January 2012

Paul McCartney Live Webstream



Join Paul As He Starts Promotion For His New Album 'Kisses On The Bottom'


Thursday 19th Jan – 11am EST (4pm in the UK)



Tune in live to PaulMcCartney.com tomorrow (Thursday 19th January) at 11am (EST; 4pm in the UK) to get an exclusive live behind the scenes broadcast of Paul answering questions from some of the world's media. Paul will be spending the afternoon in London talking with press from around the world to promote the release of his new album.



PaulMcCartney.com will stream 30 minutes of the afternoon at some point between 11am and 12pm (4pm to 5pm in the UK).

In addition you have the opportunity to ask a question to Paul. Simply email your question to kissesonthebottom@paulmccartney.com and one question will be chosen and given to Paul to answer.

This is an amazing chance for fans to get a fly on the wall view of what happens before an album is released.

'Kisses On The Bottom' is released on February 6th in the UK and Feb 7th in the US.

Pre-Order Kisses On The Bottom: 

Tuesday 17 January 2012

MOST FAMOUS CLUB IN THE WORLD CELEBRATES 55 YEARS IN BUSINESS




Liverpool’s iconic Cavern Club celebrated its 55th birthday by inviting 200 music students to perform on the same stage as superstars Sir Paul McCartney, Dave Gilmore, Arctic Monkeys and Adele.






Celebrations included a visit from Liverpool’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Frank Prendergast who met the Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Irene Chamberlain and, along with 200 pupils, presented Cavern Club owners with a giant 55th Birthday card filled with personal messages. 


The birthday marks Solihull Music Services’ annual pilgrimage to The Cavern Club where students, aged between 12 and 18 years old, perform 20-minute sets of their own material on the world famous Cavern Club stage. Solihull Music Services works in partnership with pupils and schools to provide equipment and opportunities for music making. 




Cavern Club owner Dave Jones said: “We have an ongoing relationship with Solihull Music Services after they started bringing pupils to visit us almost four years ago. We were extremely impressed with the musical ability we saw and since then we have honoured our commitment to fostering new music talent by inviting them back for our birthday. The Cavern Club isn’t just about Liverpool’s great music legacy but about the music of today and the musicians of the future. 




“To mark the occasion we made each performer an honorary member of our new Cavern Club membership scheme. The Cavern started as a members club and we feel that now is the right time to go back to our roots. Those who sign up will have access to exclusive content on our website along with other 'member only' benefits.” 


If you would like to become a member of the Cavern Club, click here!


The Cavern club opened its doors on 16th January 1957 and was Liverpool’s first venue dedicated to live popular music. Over half a century later, The Cavern is still surviving and thriving as a contemporary music venue with resident tribute bands and original acts performing seven days a week.

Liverpool’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Frank Prendergast said: “For 55 years Liverpool’s famous Cavern Club has played a pivotal role in pop music throughout the world. I’m proud and excited to have celebrated this landmark birthday with the owners and some of our future musical stars.” 





The Cavern Club’s 55th Birthday is the first in a long line up of anniversary events taking place in 2012 – The Beatles 50th anniversary year. 

Monday 16 January 2012

Become a Member of the Most Famous Club in the World!





When the Cavern Club opened 55 years ago, it was a members club and memberships cards from those early years are now extremely valuable. To mark the Cavern's birthday, on January 16 2012, a brand new membership scheme has been launched!

Two levels of membership are available: Gold and Silver

Gold membership costs £35.00 per year and includes the following:

  • Free General Admission to The Cavern for a year*
  • EXCLUSIVE Members only pin badge
  • Personalised plastic souvenir membership card
  • Monthly e-newsletter
  • EXCLUSIVE FREE Members only T Shirt
  • EXCLUSIVE member only content online
  • Immediate notification of latest gigs
  • Priority notification of latest products
  • Fan club events

Silver membership costs £17.50 and includes the following:

  • FREE General admission to the Cavern for a year*
  • EXCLUSIVE Member Only pin badge
  • Personalised plastic souvenir membership Card
  • Monthly e-newsletter
  • Notification of latest gigs
  • Priority notification of latest products
  • Fan club events

*Some restrictions may apply

More details of how to become a member of the most famous club in the world are on the Cavern website here.


Sunday 15 January 2012

Kisses On The Bottom from Paul xxx



PAUL'S TRIBUTE TO PERSONAL FAVOURITES
& TWO NEW SELF PENNED COMPOSITIONS
OUT FEBRUARY 6TH/7TH


‘Kisses On The Bottom’ is a collection of standards Paul grew up listening to in his childhood as well as the two new McCartney compositions ‘My Valentine’ and ‘Only Our Hearts’. With the help of Grammy Award-winning producer Tommy LiPuma and Diana Krall and her band—as well as guest appearances from Eric Clapton and Stevie Wonder, McCartney’s new album is a deeply personal journey through classic American compositions that, in some cases, a young Paul first heard his father perform on piano at home. The full tracklisting reveals that Paul has been both reverent and adventurous in his song choices.


Kisses On The Bottom

01. I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter - 02:36
02. Home (When Shadows Fall) 04:04
03. It’s Only A Paper Moon 02:35
04. More I Cannot Wish You 03:04
05. The Glory Of Love 03:46
06. We Three (My Echo, My Shadow And Me) 03:22
07. Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive 02:32
08. My Valentine 03:14
09. Always 03:50
10. My Very Good Friend The Milkman 03:04
11. Bye Bye Blackbird 04:26
12. Get Yourself Another Fool 04:42
13. The Inch Worm 03:43
14. Only Our Hearts 04:21
Deluxe CD Album will feature 2 bonus tracks plus access to a download of an exclusive live show (available from Tuesday 14th February via paulmccartney.com, plus longer liner notes and expanded packaging featuring 3 postcards)

15. Baby’s Request 03:30
16. My One And Only Love 03:50


The album was recorded at the legendary Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, New York and London throughout 2011. It also features guest musicians Eric Clapton and Stevie Wonder, respectively, on the original compositions ‘My Valentine’ and ‘Only Our Hearts’. Eric also appears on the track ‘Get Yourself Another Fool’.
www.paulmccartney.com


Sunday 1 January 2012

More Memories of George




Here are some more of the great interviews that DIDN’T make our George special.  


The Harrison Exclusive tribute magazine will be available next week, but orders can be placed now via the BBFC Shop by clicking here.


We would like to thank those who gave their time to give us reminiscences of George.






David Jacobs, who was the host of the hit BBCTV music show ‘Juke Box Jury’, recalls the apprehension of The Beatles as they returned to Liverpool for the premiere:

"I travelled to Liverpool with The Beatles for the first night showing of ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ in their home city.

On the flight, George in particular was worried, as were the other Beatles, about returning to Liverpool. They thought their home city would reject them because of the fame they had achieved and leaving their original fans.

 As we flew into Liverpool Airport, George looked out through a window and said “Look at all that down there, it looks like black tar”.

In fact it was the heads of all the fans that had turned out to greet them on their return to their home city!

I sat with Brian Epstein in the car from the airport taking us to the city centre. To see the look on people’s faces that had just seen The Beatles, who were in the car ahead of us, was simply amazing."

(Our thanks to David Jacobs for granting the BBFC an interview in August 2010)
Leslie Cavendish, the Beatles hairdresser, recalls the occasion when he visited George in hospital when his tonsils were removed.

"I remember going to the hospital when he had his tonsils out in February 1969 at the London University Hospital. This was a few years after Ringo had his out.

I was asked by Derek Taylor to go and wash and cut George's hair because it was making him feel uncomfortable. When I got to the hospital the press were there waiting for news. As I walked in they approached me and asked I would tell them what George had said after I saw him.

I went upstairs to his room and told him that I had never seen so many press people before. He told me this was normal and he just gets on with it. I mentioned that they would like me to tell them what was happening or say something. As it wasn't my job to tell the press anything, when I left I told them (“no comment”) I've always wanted to do that. George had this very special peaceful aura around him and the times I had been in his company you felt it.

It was SOMETHING in the way he smiled."

(The BBFC would like to thank Leslie Cavendish for granting an interview August 2010)
Victor Spinetti shared this special memory with the BBFC:

"I was spending the day with George at his bungalow in Esher.

Whilst sipping some green tea he said,” Come, I’ve just bought something and I’d like you to see it.”

He led me into another room which was all white-a white fitted carpet, white walls and floor to ceiling white muslin curtains gently rippling in the breeze from an open window over which they were drawn.

George was also in white-a loose fitting Indian type garment, comprising of an open shirt and loose fitting trousers.

On the floor of this room was a beautiful ivory studded musical instrument, this was he explained to me a thousand year old sitar.

Without warning he sat behind it and started playing. I too sat on the floor, cross legged as was George, I had previously taken off my shoes, and George was already in bare feet.

As he played, the white curtains rippling behind him, the music in the all white room seemed as though the two of us had been transported to some far off spiritual retreat.

I had been telling George earlier that I couldn’t get it together with Indian music.

“You don’t listen to it Vic, you just let it happen to you”, he said.

So there I was ,letting this whole experience of George, the thousand year old sitar, the amazing music , the all white room ,happen.

He finished playing as suddenly as he begun. We were both quite as the music faded into the stillness of the room.

I reached out and impulsively touched his foot.

“How did you know?” he asked

“Know what?” I replied.

“To touch my foot? This is the custom in India when a musician finishes playing”

I didn’t know of course I’m only glad I did the right thing ,it just seemed the gentle thing to do in order to thank him…to thank my teacher for this one amazing afternoon, To thank my own personal guru in teaching me the ways of Indian music, George Harrison."

(With thanks to Victor Spinetti, February 7, 2011)

In 1969 the Apple band Badfinger would have a huge hit with the Paul McCartney song ‘Come and Get It’, which was part of the soundtrack to Ringo Starr’s up and coming film ‘The Magic Christian’, also starring the former Goon, Peter Sellers.  Joey Molland, of Badfinger, recalls walking into Apple, just after the single became a hit.

“I remember walking into the Apple offices in London, just after ‘Come and Get it’ became a hit. As I walked in there was George Harrison. He turned and congratulated us on having a huge hit, and told me- “You do now realise you will be playing this for the rest of your life, don’t you?.” How right he was.”

(Thanks to Joey Molland- Liverpool August 2010)