Paul McCartney's Kisses on the Bottom

There is a new sleeping pill that hit the market in February; it’s called Kisses on the Bottom. It's hard for me, as a long-time Paul McCartney fan, to be critical...but what was he thinking when he chose these moldy oldies? Even Diana Krall's expert piano back-up can't breathe life into yawners such as "The Inch Worm," "Home," and "We Three."

There are two original McCartney songs, "My Valentine" and "Only Our Hearts," that are smothered by stuffy, retro arrangements. There are two standards where Ms Krall and her band seem to be trying to get McCartney to swing a little bit on "It's Only a Paper moon" and "Bye, Bye, Blackbird," but he lets her (and the listeners) down.

It’s painful to hear McCartney crooning as if he is embarrassed by some of the lyrics ("I'll be loving you always, with a love that's true always"). With his constipated take on these ancient ditties, one wonders if Sir Paul should add a little fiber to his diet.

• Album: Kisses on the Bottom
• Artist: Paul McCartney
• Label: Hear Music
• Songs: (1) I'm Gonna Sit Right down and Write Myself a Letter (2) Home (3) It's Only a Paper Moon (4) More I Cannot Wish You (5) The Glory of Love (6) We three (7) Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the positive (8) My Valentine (9) Always (10) My Very Good Friend the Milkman (11) Bye, Bye, Blackbird (12) Get Yourself Another Fool (13) The Inch Worm (14) Only Our Hearts