French Kiss (Bob Welch album)
French Kiss is the solo debut by former Fleetwood Mac singer/guitarist Bob Welch. The songs, with the exception of "Sentimental Lady", were intended for a projected third album by Welch's previous band, Paris. However, the group fell apart in 1977 before recording could begin. So instead, Welch used these songs for his debut solo album.
| French Kiss | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 16 September 1977 | |||
| Recorded | 1977 | |||
| Studio | Sunset Sound, Village Recorders, Cherokee Studios and Producer's Workshop, Los Angeles | |||
| Genre | Rock, power pop, disco | |||
| Length | 35:45 | |||
| Label | Capitol | |||
| Producer | Carter (except track 1, which was produced by Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie) | |||
| Bob Welch chronology | ||||
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| Singles from French Kiss | ||||
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| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
| Christgau's Record Guide | C+[2] |
History
The album produced three hit singles: "Ebony Eyes" (with backing vocals by Juice Newton) peaking at number 14 in the US; a revised version of Fleetwood Mac's"Sentimental Lady", peaking at number 8; and "Hot Love, Cold World", which peaked at number 31.[3]
The album itself peaked at number 12 in the US and later went platinum. It is Welch's best-selling album.
The album features guest appearances by former Fleetwood Mac bandmates Mick Fleetwood, Christine McVie and Welch's successor, Lindsey Buckingham.
Track listing
All songs written by Bob Welch, with additional writers noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Sentimental Lady" | 2:52 | |
| 2. | "Easy to Fall" | 3:31 | |
| 3. | "Hot Love, Cold World" | John Henning | 3:39 |
| 4. | "Mystery Train" | 3:07 | |
| 5. | "Lose My Heart" | 1:55 | |
| 6. | "Outskirts" | John Carter | 3:19 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Ebony Eyes" | 3:33 |
| 2. | "Lose Your..." | 0:45 |
| 3. | "Carolene" | 3:13 |
| 4. | "Dancin' Eyes" | 3:20 |
| 5. | "Danchiva" | 3:51 |
| 6. | "Lose Your Heart" | 3:16 |
Personnel
Musicians
- Bob Welch – vocals, guitar, bass guitar
- Alvin Taylor – drums (except "Sentimental Lady")
- Mick Fleetwood – drums on "Sentimental Lady"
- Christine McVie – background vocals on "Sentimental Lady", "Easy To Fall", and "Lose Your Heart"
- Lindsey Buckingham – guitar and background vocals on "Sentimental Lady"
- Gene Page – string arrangements
- Juice Newton – background vocals on "Ebony Eyes"
Technical
- John Carter – producer, all tracks except "Sentimental Lady"
- Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie – producer, "Sentimental Lady"
- Warren Dewy – engineer, all tracks except "Sentimental Lady"
- Richard Dashut, Ken Caillat – engineers, "Sentimental Lady"
- Art Sims – design
- Daniel Catherine – photography
- Olivier Ferrand – photography
Charts
| Chart (1977–78) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[4] | 8 |
| US Billboard 200[5] | 12 |
| Canadian RPM Albums Chart[6] | 13 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[7] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- French Kiss at AllMusic
- Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: W". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved March 22, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
- "Billboard Hot 100 - Bob Welch". Billboard. Retrieved June 10, 2017.
- Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 335. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- "Bob Welch". Billboard. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
- "Image : RPM Weekly, January 21, 198". www.bac-lac.gc.ca. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
- "American album certifications – Bob Welch – French Kiss". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
