French Kiss

Bob Welch | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 1, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: EMI Special Products
• ASIN: B000002TIR
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,417 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Audio CD.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 47 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Easy to Fall, Impossible to Forget June 15, 2000

By J. Collins

Format:Audio CD

I came across this wonderful album a little late, after all three singles had been released and Bob had established himself as a solo artist. At the time I was exploring Fleetwood Mac's recorded history, and had already fallen in love with his notable contributions to their post-Green pre-Nicks era. When I recognized the "Bare Trees" song, "Sentimental Lady" as a recent radio hit, a brief search at the record store brought me my first copy of "French Kiss." Like a lot of the reviewers here, I wore out several copies of the vinyl album, and was greatly relieved when Capitol reissued the album on digital disc.

Now that 20+ years have passed and I've had a chance to put this album in perspective (along with the rest of his solo recordings and the two albums with Paris), I find it remarkable that such "light" rock made an indelible impression on me. Like it's dynamic followup, "Three Hearts," "French Kiss" is a Pop/Rock confection with hooks and beats aplenty. Though some fans of "Sentimental Lady" might have been disappointed that the gentle, almost crystalline tones of that single were not representative of the rest of the album, I was bowled over by the sheer tunefulness of the songs it contained. The album is flavored with early Pop and Rock influences (the be-bop style backup vocals and Duane Eddy-ish guitar work) but the rolling bass and explosive drum parts are representative of a Rock-Disco synthesis that few artists of the period were able to achieve. (Blondie's "Heart Of Glass" is a notable exception.)

Though some may label this music as formulaic Pop, the experience of listening to these great tunes is anything but by the numbers.... The soaring strings ("Easy To Fall," "Dancing In Our Eyes", "Lose Your Heart") are the perfect complement to the low-end flash of Welch's bass and Alvin Taylor's drums. Welch's multi-tracked vocals pack a punch that is sorely missing in many of his contributions to the Big Mac. Lyrically, the songs of "French Kiss" are direct and accessible...something of an oddity when you consider the opaque mysticism of some earlier compositions. The combination of all these elements is undeniably infectious, and sounds great wherever the CD is played.

The only flaws that I can find in this album come from the "same-ness" of a few songs on the original B-side of the album, but this is a minor consideration. It's hard to pick out highlights, but here are a few in addition to the singles ("Sentimental Lady," "Ebony Eyes" and "Hot Love, Cold World"): "Mystery Train"'s brilliant rhythm track and thrilling vocal harmonies, "Easy To Fall"'s minor-key hooks (including great backups from Christine McVie), and the beautiful, recurring melody that makes all three "Lose Your/My..." compositions the album's centerpiece(s).

Welch fans should look for a UK Import version of this album, which combines "French Kiss" with the diamond-perfect Pop-Rock of "Three Hearts" on one CD. Together they represent (in my opinion) the pinnacle of Welch's solo offerings, and many memorable listens. (FYI: There is a similar Import disc that combines his last two albums for Capitol, "The Other One" and "Man Overboard"...also well-worth a little hunting.)

Now if RCA Records would just get off their collective butt and do CD reissues for "Bob Welch" and "Eye Contact"......

-Mic Read more ›

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Takes me back to 1978 May 11, 2004

By Jamey Key

Format:Audio CD

I remember French Kiss as being one of the few albums you could listen to all the way through. As another reviewer said, there is a sameness to all of the songs but that may be one of the things that makes the album so enjoyable. The best time to play this cd? On a lonely road trip in the middle of the night. It's a mellow, moody, middle of the night piece of music - that rocks!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A cool album with songs that stand up to time. August 4, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Audio CD

An album from my high school days that never seems to loose its appeal. Everyone loves "Ebony Eyes" and "Sentimental Lady" and on those rare occasions that "Easy to Fall" makes it on the air on a 70's station, noone seems to mind when the volume is turned up. A real gem.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Long-Forgotten Classic!!! March 25, 2006

By Louie Bourland VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

"French Kiss" was the solo debut from former Fleetwood Mac guitarist/singer/songwriter Bob Welch and his most successful album.
The year was 1977 and it was a great one for what is now known as "Classic rock". Steve Miller, Rod Stewart, Electric Light Orchestra, Styx, The Eagles and Welch's former bandmates (it was the year of "Rumours") were all acheiving great success with some of their best work. Bob Welch's "French Kiss" is no exception. It's a staple of its time and is a fantastic album from beginning to end.
The hits "Ebony Eyes", "Hot Love Cold World" and the remake of his 1971 Mac hit "Sentimental Lady" are timeless classics and the latter song still gets considerable airplay on Classic Rock stations. Elsewhere on the album are catchy tuneful moments such as "Easy To Fall", "Mystery Train", "Danchiva", "Carolene" and the "Lose My Heart/Lose Your../Lose Your Heart" trilogy which is spread throughout the album. There are also some atmospheric moments such as the Steve Miller-esque "Outskirts" which brings to mind songs like "Hypnotized" from Welch's days with Fleetwoood Mac.
While it seems a bit forgotten over the past few decades, "French Kiss" is an album that brings back fond memories for those who were there when it was first released. This album was a huge hit during its day and it's easy to see why. It's original, mostly upbeat and impossible to dislike even for those today who don't know who the heck Bob Welch is.
If you enjoy light Classic rock of the mid 70s, this album is definitely essential.
A long-forgotten classic that deserves rememberance!!

On a personal note: I was four years old when my sister bought "French Kiss" on LP when the album was newly released.... Although it seems unthinkable, I still have clear and fond memories of listening to this album in my sister's bedroom and in the living room at the time. Those memories still run through my head when listening to CD now. Read more ›

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Not quite French... September 2, 2002

By Wade Fransson

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Bob Welch had to be miffed about Fleetwood Mac's rise to superstardom shortly after his departure. My money says it fueled the creativity behind this beautiful album. He cut definitive versions of his Fleetwood Mac contributions, bettering them at a time when they ruled supreme. Some criticize the sameness of the songs, but in the pre-CD world most fans didn't want to find experimentation on a 35-40 minute LP. Finding a sound - or hitting a groove, was a virtue, not a vice. Fans expected "more of the same," and Bob delivered. And there is variety... "Sentimental Lady" and "Hot Love in a Cold World" nicely sum up the yin and yang of romantic and sexual tension so aptly depicted on the cover. "Ebony Eyes" is a pop-rock-er and "Outskirts" even provides some edge. Overall, though, despite the title, it's clear Bob seeks to please, not penetrate. This he does extremely well, and for all its 70's pop cachet, or cliche - depending on your perspective, the album has aged reasonably well. I've docked it a notch for filler effect, as Bob reworks the same idea one too many times in his eagerness to get this out the door. In so doing he comes across a bit lightweight, more than is really the case. But he wasn't really trying to have his way with his audience, just make a really good impression. The two or three absolute classics on this set sure do - and that's one or two more classics than some famous "artists" have in their entire catalogue... Overall this is a hidden gem, that even today is well worth hearing. The cover shows it well - this French Kiss has only a playful, teasing hint of tongue, which is why it always leaves you wanting more.