Customer Reviews

Chain Lightning

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Fortunately for the small but faithful followers of Don McLean, all of his 25+ years of work is now available on CD. This includes a re-release of "Chain Lightning", a rock-solid album recorded in Nashville in 1978. Most noted for the incredible cover of Roy Orbison's "Crying", the album contains an even blend of McLean originals and re-makes of other classic tunes. McLean's "Words and Music" is an energetic opener to the album while "Genesis" paints a vivid picture of the Creation story and mankind's journey from Eden. His renditions of Hank Williams' "Your Cheatin' Heart", Buddy Holly's "It Doesn't Matter Anymore", and the Skyliners' "Since I Don't Have You" are every bit as strong as the more familiar "Crying". This album represented a change in gears for Don McLean, a completely different sound from his earlier work but every bit as good. The CD version contains a bonus track as well, a capable cover of Gordon Lightfoot's "If You Could Read my Mind". My vinyl copy of this album, now twenty years old, is a little worse for wear. Thankfully, "Chain Lightning" has struck a second time in compact disc form!

Don's rendition of "Crying" is as fine as Roy Orbison's, althought different, and not to be overlooked. He takes the songs of other artists, plus his originals, and makes a beautiful easy-listening CD. My 35 yr. old son loves his music as much as I do. He calls it "awesome".

Don McLean is an artist. And like all artists, his style and message have evolved over time. Chain Lightening represents an important link in the "chain" of Don McLean's work. Until recently, Chain Lightning was not available on CD. Now it is, and those who liked McLean's better known, earlier works will love where Don went with Chain Lightning. I consider McLean a sort of T.S. Eliot of tune and verse. Play his work over and over until you are saturated with his message and feel it in your heart. This is GOOD STUFF!!

Most people buy this disc for the hit "Crying" (which does showcase Mclean's awesome vocal range & stamina), but the best cuts are the waltzy "It's Just The Sun," "It Doesn't Matter Anymore," and 50's rocker Gene Vincent's, "Lotta Lovin'," (the original version of which can be found on the 3 CD box set, "Rock & Roll Legends"). However, having owned this album on vinyl (!), I am thrilled at the bonus track, "If You Could Read My Mind," which is the best cover of Gordon Lightfoot's masterpiece I have heard since the soundtrack to the film, "54" where a girl group does the ditty disco-justice!

Most people buy this disc for the hit "Crying" (which does showcase Mclean's awesome vocal range & stamina), but the best cuts are the waltzy "It's Just The Sun," "It Doesn't Matter Anymore," and 50's rocker Gene Vincent's, "Lotta Lovin'," (the original version of which can be found on the 3 CD box set, "Rock & Roll Legends"). However, having owned this album on vinyl (!), I am thrilled at the bonus track, "If You Could Read My Mind," which is the best cover of Gordon Lightfoot's masterpiece I have heard since the soundtrack to the film, "54" where a girl group does the ditty disco-justice!