TCCDM Pulls One Out..."Paul Stanley" - Paul Stanley (1978)

"Paul Stanley" - Paul Stanley (1978)

     I've always been in the Ace Frehley camp when it comes to the original KISS solo efforts, but Paul Stanley's album is nearly as good and comes about as close to a KISS album as any of them.  There’s a hint of Bad Company, "Ain’t Quite Right."  There’s some Slade vibes, "Wouldn't You Like To Know Me?"  And some straight-up 70s KISS action, "Love In Chains" and "Tonight You Belong To Me."  The album is filled with hooks and rockers, and Stanley wrote all the songs.  His vocals have always been somewhat underappreciated, but here they truly shine.  Your speakers will love the mix.  Aside from a couple of cheese crackers that Stanley is wont to do, it's a solid square affair.

     The four KISS solo albums were released a year before "Dynasty" (1979), which marked the conclusion of the first decade of KISS.  In an alternate world, the original members would have compiled their best solo song ideas into a double album and taken it to the 'Firehouse', but whaddygonnado?  If you can set aside the cult of personality that hovers around the band in general, this is an enjoyable spin.

"Paul Stanley" - Paul Stanley (back)

"Paul Stanley" - Paul Stanley (22x17 poster)

Favorites include:
"Tonight You Belong To Me"
"Ain't Quite Right"
"Wouldn't You Like To Know Me?"
"Love In Chains"

     My copy has a saw-cut in the bottom left corner.  The album came with a picture inner sleeve featuring the other Kiss members' solo albums, as well as a 22x17 Paul Stanley poster.  Any merchandise order forms that originally came with the album are missing.  

(Custom sleeve and Casablanca label)

Cat #
NBLP 7123
SIDE A  DEADWAX
NBLP-7123-AS-A2  STERLING
SIDE B  DEADWAX
NBLP-7123-BS-A2  STERLING

"Tonight You Belong To Me" - Paul Stanley / "Paul Stanley" (1978)

TRACKS:
A1  "Tonight You Belong To Me" 4:39
A2  "Move On" 3:07
A3  "Ain't Quite Right" 3:34
A4  "Wouldn't You Like To Know Me?" 3:16
A5  "Take Me Away (Together as One)" 5:26
B1  "It's Alright" 3:31
B2  "Hold Me, Touch Me (Think of Me When We're Apart)" 3:40
B3  "Love In Chains" 3:34
B4  "Goodbye" 4:09

PERSONNEL: 
Paul Stanley - vocals, guitars, EBow, b-vocals, producer, mixing
ADDITIONAL:
Bob Kulick - lead guitar, acoustic guitar
Steve Buslowe - bass (A1-A5)
Eric Nelson - bass (B1-B4)
Richie Fontana - drums (A1-A4) 
Carmine Appice - drums (A5)
Craig Krampf - drums (B1-B4
Doug Katsaros - piano, Omni string ensemble, b-vocals (B2)
Steve Lacey - electric guitar (B3)
Peppy Castro - b-vocals (A3, B2)
Diana Grasselli, Miriam Naomi Valle, Maria Vidal - b-vocals (A2)

Good stuff.

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