McCartney’s “Live Kisses”

This just a quick follow up to an earlier post pointing to Paul McCartney’s “Live Kisses” coming out on DVD, BluRay and digital video.

I got a copy of the BluRay today so I thought I’s share some photos of the packaging and what’s inside:

That’s it still in it’s shrink wrap. The front cover photo is taken by Mary McCartney. Here it is released from the plastic:

It is really quite a nicely put together package. It’s not in a standard BluRay plastic cover but is more like a small, bound  hardback book. (The DVD comes in the same packaging only in a slightly larger format). That dark black stripe you can see down the left-hand side is embossed with a shiny finish. Quite stylish. Here’s the rear cover:

There’s a 41 page book inside which contains some nice photos and the stylish layout begun on the exterior continues:

The design is reminiscent of the “Kisses on the Bottom” CD packaging, but is also quite distinctive in itself. There’s a Foreword from Mr Diana Krall –  none other than Elvis Costello:

Costello also conducts an extensive interview with Paul McCartney about the project and the recording and this takes up the bulk of the book. At the rear are a couple of pages containing info on the composers, the song publishing details, and the recording personnel for each track. The disc contents and the bonus features are detailed, and the final page is a thin slot container for the BluRay disc itself:

(click on images to see larger versions)

So, all in all, quite nicely put together. Now to go and watch it! For those wanting a preview, McCartney’s MPL site has just put up an extended promo video package.

Meanwhile, a Paul McCartney Christmas track (which sounds like it may have been recorded during the “Kisses” sessions) is part of a new holiday CD compilation called “Holiday’s Rule” featuring a variety of artists. It’s a project coordinated by Paul’s record companies Hear Music/Concord Music and MPL. He does the classic “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)”. You can hear the song if you visit the MPL site – it is featured on their embedded music player at the moment.

 

 

Live Kisses Coming on November 12

Official confirmation today that November 12th is to be the release date of Paul McCartney’s “Live Kisses” on DVD, BluRay and digital video:

It is a live film performance for the launch of his retro album “Kisses on the Bottom“. The press release which arrived in my inbox says:

November 12th will see the release of ‘Live Kisses’ – a stunning 13-song film, directed by Jonas Åkerlund, that captures the magic of an extraordinary evening in February of this year. In the intimate surroundings of Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, where Paul recorded much of his ‘Kisses On The Bottom’ album, he was reunited with the all-star musicians who joined him on the record to bring the songs to life for a once in a lifetime performance.

This was a concert unlike any Paul had given before. Without his famous Höfner bass in hand or in fact any musical instruments, Paul took his place behind the same microphone that has captured some of the most iconic voices in history to focus on his vocal delivery as he led the assembled A-list group of musicians through a collection of the standards he grew up listening to in his childhood, as well as his own original composition ‘My Valentine’.

Streamed live to the world online, ‘Live Kisses’ marked the launch of Paul’s ‘Kisses On The Bottom’ album. The film tells the story of how, with the help of Grammy Award-winning producer Tommy LiPuma, Diana Krall and her band, Paul created a critically acclaimed album, which featured guest appearances from Eric Clapton and Stevie Wonder. The record represents a deeply personal journey through classic American compositions that a young Paul first heard his father perform on piano at home. Upon its release ‘Kisses…’ topped the US Billboard Jazz album chart at number 1, as well as charting Top 5 all around the world.

Bonus ‘Live Kisses’ material includes six versions of the ‘My Valentine’ music video, directed by Paul and starring Johnny Depp and Natalie Portman as well as a ‘Making My Valentine’ film. There are also two short films with behind the scenes footage filmed at the Mary McCartney album photoshoot for ‘Kisses On The Bottom’. The final extra is an interview with Paul and producer Tommy LiPuma talking about the story of the album, its conception and creation.

‘Live Kisses’ is an intimate and charming concert film which offers an insight into the music and songwriters that inspired Paul to go on to become the most successful songwriter and performer in modern history. Beautifully presented, ‘Live Kisses’ comes with a 40-page hardback book containing photographs from the day itself, including the rehearsals.

TRACKLISTING

1) I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter
2) Home (When Shadows Fall)
3) It’s Only A Paper Moon
4) The Glory Of Love
5) More I Cannot Wish You
6) We Three (My Echo, My Shadow And Me)
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) My One And Only Love

Recorded and filmed at Capitol Studios, Los Angeles, February 2012
Executive Producer: Paul McCartney
Directed by Jonas Åkerlund

BONUS FEATURES

1) ‘My Valentine’ Video:
       i) ‘My Valentine’ (Music Video)
ii) ‘My Valentine’ (Music Video – Natalie Portman One Take)
iii) ‘My Valentine’ (Music Video – Johnny Depp One Take)
iv) ‘My Valentine’ (Music Video – Split Screen)
v) ‘My Valentine’ (Music Video – Natalie Portman Edit)
vi) ‘My Valentine’ (Music Video – Johnny Depp Edit)
vii) Making ‘My Valentine’

Videos directed by Paul McCartney
Featuring Natalie Portman and Johnny Depp

2) Kisses On The Bottom Album Photo Shoot – Version One
3) Kisses On The Bottom Album Photo Shoot – Version Two
4) Kisses On The Bottom Album Interview – Paul McCartney and Tommy      LiPuma interviewed by Robert Hilburn

There’s more at paulmccartney.com  and the first of what appears to be a series of short “teaser” videos: