I‘m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter” was written in 1935 by Fred E. Ahlert, with lyrics by Joe Young. It is a part of the Great American Songbook, having been recorded by many of the biggest names in popular song – Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, etc., though it was Fats Waller’s 1935 version that was key to moving the tune on its way to fame (bonus track below).
Fast forward to 2012 when Paul McCartney released an album containing “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down…” called Kisses on the Bottom, a reference to one of the stranger lines in the tune. It was McCartney’s fifteenth solo album, and it presents mostly jazz and pop standards with a couple of originals thrown in for good measure. Other standards include “It’s Only a Paper Moon,” “Bye-Bye Blackbird,” and “Always” – real Songbook stuff.
As for its reception, it won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the 2013 Grammy Awards. So it did okay.
On critical response from the pros, Rolling Stones’ reviewer said this:
Like Rock ‘n’ Roll, John Lennon’s 1975 album of primal rock gems, Kisses on the Bottom is the sound of a musician joyfully tapping his roots; and like his former song writing partner, McCartney is better transforming influences than mirroring them. But it’s fun, and touching, to hear him crooning his way through the great American songbook.”
And at AllMusic, Stephen Thomas Erlewine said of McCartney that with this album he “cut faithful, loving versions of songs he’s always sung”, even calling his two original compositions—”My Valentine” and “Only Our Hearts”—”quite good”.
I did notice one reviewer give a generally positive review though calling it “easy listening,” something he did not intend as praise. Don’t get me started.
Anything that keeps the tradition alive is good by me. Just a little digging will unearth countless tales of woe about the pitiful sales numbers for jazz and jazz related material, which I’m sure is true. Good to see such a big name adding his prestige to the support of the genre, whatever his motivation.