Paul McCartney: Live Kisses

Filmed live at Capitol Studios in Hollywood in February 2012, Sir Paul McCartney performs all 13 songs from his most recent release, Kisses on the Bottom—Macca's love letter to the American Songbook. Directed by Jonas Åkerlund in atmospheric black-and-white, Live Kisses alternates between the songs—which include classics such as “It's Only a Paper Moon,” “Ac-Cen-Tchu-Ate the Positive,” “Always,” “Bye Bye Blackbird,” and “We Three” (from the stage version—but not the movie—of Guys and Dolls)—and interview clips featuring a lot of kisses-on-the-bottom accolades directed at the former Beatle from Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton, Joe Walsh, and Diana Krall. Guitarist Walsh plays on a couple tunes (including the one McCartney original, “My Valentine”), while pianist Krall performs on all, and nearly has as much screen time as McCartney during the concert segments. On the cusp of 70 during filming, McCartney no longer sports the pipes to really do these songs justice (and couldn't compete with the crooners who made them famous anyway, including Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, and Bing Crosby), but he is backed by such solid studio musicians, including John Clayton on bass, John Pizzarelli on guitar, and Karriem Riggins on drums, that the whole thing just kind of grows on you, so by the time Fats Waller's “My Very Good Friend the Milkman” rolls around, it's hard not to smile, nod your head, and tap your foot. Presented in DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo on DVD, and DTS-HD 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1, and PCM stereo on Blu-ray, extras include six different music video takes on “My Valentine,” photo shoot footage, an interview with McCartney and producer Tommy LiPuma, and a booklet. Recommended. (R. Pitman)