For Completists Only

Bob Dylan allegedly didn't think much of the Beatle's "Michelle." He felt rock and roll and other blues-based music was what they did well, while there were simply tons of Tin Pan Alley tunes already out there and was no need for the Beatles to come up with their own versions.  Dylan was wrong.  The Beatles, especially McCartney, had a gift for melody, and there was no reason to stifle it.

On the other hand, one thing Paul has never needed to do was follow so many of his contemporaries and record a whole album of standards.  He's a great songwriter and performer, but, following Dylan, there are tons of interpreters of that music already out there, and the last thing we need is McCartney, who helped end the era of the Great American Songbook (which he feels somewhat guilty about), giving us his take.

But that's just what he's done with his latest, Kisses On The Bottom, his first album in five years.  I suppose Sir Paul has earned the right to do what he wants, but it doesn't mean I have to listen to it.