Love, Old And New

WANT TO warm your Valentine's heart today? Do it with an album of classic romantic music, newly reinvigorated. Or with fresh-baked originals offering curious takes on love.

MACCA MAGIC: Can't say I was enthralled with his last, symphonic effort. But Paul McCartney's entry in the American songbook, "Kisses From the Bottom" (Hear/Concord, A) is the total charmer. Surrounded by a top team of tasteful jazz/pop talents - producer Tommy LiPuma, keyboardist/arranger Diana Krall, guitarist John Pizzarelli, engineer Al Schmitt - Macca brings multiple voices, oft surprisingly frail but effective, and childhood memories as he celebrates songs largely introduced to him by his dad and which surely influenced his own compositional nature.

Contrast the gentle, understated readings of "Always" and "Bye Bye Blackbird" with the oddball, old-timey growl he lends to Fats Waller novelty tunes (including the best known "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter," from whence springs the album's title). Yeah, the guy's having fun.

He even adds a perfectly timed period-sounding original, "My Valentine," dedicated to his new wife, Nancy.

LOVE MINUS ZERO: Role model for many a piano jazz chanteuse (including Diana Krall), Roberta Flack returns to the microphone with "Let It Be" (429 Records, B). She's offering new takes on some of the most memorable and romantic classics of Paul McCartney (him again!) and John Lennon from their Beatles daze. Flack brings a fresh edge and strong personality, from the electro-percussion-popped "We Can Work It Out" to the gospel truth of "Oh Darling" and "The Long and Winding Road."

Got a Bob Dylan fan to shower with affection today? Here's a way that also makes a meaningful contribution to Amnesty International. "Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan" (Amnesty International/Fontana, A-) delivers a generous four-disc collection of mostly new performances by Dylan devotees both expected (Bryan Ferry, Billy Bragg, Pete Townshend, Sting, Sinead O'Connor, Mark Knopfler, Jackson Browne, Dave Matthews) and a bunch you'd never assume. Among the latter: Ke$ha, with a shockingly subdued "Don't Think Twice It's Alright"; Miley Cyrus, Raphael Saadiq and Adam Levine/Maroon Five. Adele's "Make You Feel My Love" was recorded live at WXPN.