Customer Reviews

Believers

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Believers" is one of Don McLean's finest album efforts. Recorded in 1981, it follows much in the same vein as McLean's album "Chain Lightning", another solid effort recorded in 1978. Both albums were recorded in Nashville, produced by Larry Butler, and backed vocally by the Jordanaires. Each album was also engineered by Nashville legend Billy Sherrill, who significantly influenced the careers of Tammy Wynette, Barbara Mandrell, David Houston, and many others. In "Believers", as in "Chain Lightning", we are treated to an even mix of McLean originals and rock standards from the 50's and 60's. The album opens with an updated version of "Castles in the Air", originally recorded by McLean in 1970 and released on his first album "Tapestry". The other McLean compositions are just as solid: "Isn't It Strange", an analysis of how men deal with their emotions; "Left For Dead on the Road of Love"; "Sea Man", a true story of a man McLean met while living in Israel; "I Tune the World Out", explaining McLean's escape from reality via his guitar; "Jerusalem", a story of that city which became a smash hit in Israel; and "Crazy Eyes". McLean's vocal style adds new life to the rock standards "Love Hurts", "Love Letters", and "Sea Cruise". The CD version of this album, released in 1997, contains a bonus track, a re-make of the Bobby Darin hit "Dream Lover". I bought this album on vinyl in 1981 and have listened to it hundreds of times since. I was ecstatic when it was released on CD. "Believers" is as good today as ever. END

like this one the minute I heard the background singers. But you know what? Even with them (hence the 4 stars) this turned to be a darn good album. Looking for mid-life Don? This is a pretty good example of him. These lyrics don't have the sharpness of the '70's - hey, nobody's hungry THAT long - but, that doggone turn of phrase is still there.

I even liked the remakes on this, the album is that good. Take it from me, having just listened to it - GET IT.

I think Don tried pretty hard with this one. It's a decent album, naturally paired with Chain Lightning with which it shares a similar feel and mix of songs. Don does a nice job here of some of the standards, like Love Hurts and Love Letters, and invents one or two of his own: I particularly like Crazy Eyes.

Songs like Isn't It Strange, and the title track, are a little overblown though; the subtlety of his previous work is lost in these, but Don's tunes and lyrics are nonetheless catchy throughout.

The remake of Castles in the Air is welcome too, but merely different from, not better than the original.

This album is eloquent and sharp. Don McLean can weave together the most poetic phrase into a beautiful musical melody. These aren't just songs, but peices of well thought artwork.

Standout songs: All of them, particularly the remake of Castles in the Sky.

For those of you who are interested in venturing beyond the obvious, this album is one of his best and most consistant albums. While generally having a "country" feel, the songs are uniformly excellent. A wonderful and largely overlooked album.

J'adore cette musique, Don Mc Lean est vraiment le roi