French Kiss (Bob Welch album)

French Kiss
Studio album by Bob Welch
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
Big Towne, 2061 (1976) French Kiss (1977) Three Hearts (1979)
Singles from French Kiss
"Sentimental Lady" Released: October 1977 "Ebony Eyes" Released: January 1978 "Hot Love, Cold World" Released: May 1978

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
Christgau's Record Guide	C+ [2]

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.

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.

Side one

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

Side two

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

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 February 11, 2018.
6. "Image : RPM Weekly, January 21, 198". www.bac-lac.gc.ca. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
7. "American album certifications – Bob Welch – French Kiss". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved February 11, 2018.