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
Released16 September 1977
Recorded1977
StudioSunset Sound, Village Recorders, Cherokee Studios and Producer's Workshop, Los Angeles
GenreRock, power pop, disco
Length35:45
LabelCapitol
ProducerCarter (except track 1, which was produced by Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie)
Bob Welch chronology
Big Towne, 2061
(1976)
French Kiss
(1977)
Three Hearts
(1979)
Singles from French Kiss
  1. "Sentimental Lady"
    Released: October 1977
  2. "Ebony Eyes"
    Released: January 1978
  3. "Hot Love, Cold World"
    Released: May 1978
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]
Christgau's Record GuideC+[2]

History

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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

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All songs written by Bob Welch, with additional writers noted.

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Sentimental Lady" 2:52
2."Easy to Fall" 3:31
3."Hot Love, Cold World"John Henning3:39
4."Mystery Train" 3:07
5."Lose My Heart" 1:55
6."Outskirts"John Carter3:19
Side two
No.TitleLength
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

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Musicians

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Technical

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Charts

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Chart (1977–78) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[4] 8
US Billboard 200[5] 12
Canadian RPM Albums Chart[6] 13

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[7] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ French Kiss at AllMusic
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "Billboard Hot 100 - Bob Welch". Billboard. Retrieved June 10, 2017.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ "Bob Welch". Billboard. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  6. ^ "Image : RPM Weekly, January 21, 198". www.bac-lac.gc.ca. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  7. ^ "American album certifications – Bob Welch – French Kiss". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 11 February 2018.