Customer Reviews

Classics

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

 

 

This CD is false advertizing. I bought it expecting to be getting some of Don McLean's classics. Instead, what I got were only 3 originals and 7 re-dos. The package of the CD doesn't warn you about this and the title "Classics" implies that inside are the classic versions. The re-do of "Vincint" is slow like a funeral procession with a different guitar arrangement. Songs 8 and 9 are extremely boring. If you want classic Don McLean, buy one of his other releases.

For someone mildly to moderately interested in the music of Don McLean, "Classics" will provide just about anything the listener desires. The original versions of "American Pie", "Crying", "Since I Don't Have You", "Castles in the Air", and "Jerusalem" are all here. For the ardent McLean fan, the album's value is in the new version of "And I Love You So" and a moving new rendition of "Vincent", in which McLean displays a more mature and developed voice than in the 1972 original. Rounding out the album are the lesser-known "It's a Beautiful Life" and a forgettable new version of "Pie". All in all, though, any fan of Don McLean will enjoy this album. END

Don McLean is one of the finest artists ever. This album does not reflect that. Seven alternate takes. The worst one is Vincent. The main line is screwed up, and many songs are totally out of rhythm. Don't Buy this.

Didn't realize that I knew so many of the songs on this CD. All great lyrics and sung with a professional spirit of one who knows life well. Chose other CD from Mr. McClean for gifts this Christmas. Will probably try to educate the young ones about this gifted writer and singer.

This cd is worthwhile only to CURB RECORDS. Beyond that I think it is mostly a waste of time for Don Mclean and for his fans. There are ONLY THREE new VOCALS or RENDITIONS of song on this cd. "AND I LOVE YOU SO" is the best of the three new renditions. "AMERICAN PIE" is redone but it has Don not phrasing his words with the careful precision of the original. First, Don's voice is much more mature on "American Pie". Also, near the end of the song Don almost harkens back to the way he has sung the song LIVE so many times. The point is that Don has not redone "American Pie" with any precision at all. Basically Don just sings the song with some people playing along with him in the studio. The other substandard studio remake is of "Vincent". Personally I think it is WEAK. If you want to hear Don do a better job of "Vincent" just pick up any LIVE recording of the song. I think this cd is only a MONEY MAKER for CURB RECORDS and a disappointment for everyone else, including Don Mclean. You have to realize that for many YEARS Don Mclean DID NOT HAVE A RECORD DEAL. Don did two CDs with Curb, "River of Love" and one other record. I want to pick up both of those cds, ONLY because I am a Don Mclean Fan. "Classics" is only for COMPLETISTS. Also, the SOUND is very ANALOG. Studio songs such as "Crying" suffer tremendously due to the hushed up analog fuzziness of the project.

Add the reviewer from Phoenix to a growing list of collectors who have learned to avoid just about anything associated with Curb.

As they did with their Sammy Davis, Jr., Bobby Darin, and Vikki Carr cheapo CDs they not only leave off some bona fide hits, but provide alternate takes on three others - Vincent, Castles In The Air, And I Love You So. The last, incidentally, was the B-side to his first version of Castles In The Air which, as his first hit, reached # 40 on the Adult Contemporary charts in 1971 for the Mediarts label. As the flipside to the original Vincent in 1972, the same version of Castles In The Air this time was a follow-along pop hit.

What we do not get here are: Dreidel [# 7 AC/# 21 Billboard Pop Hot 100 in early 1973]; If We Try [# 12 AC/# 58 Hot 100 in April 1973]; Fool's Paradise [the Buddy Holly 1958 hit which, for McLean, topped out at # 25 AC/# 107 Hot 100 "bubble under" in March 1974]; and Wonderful Baby [his tribute to Fred Astaire which reached # 1 AC and # 93 Hot 100 in June 1975].

Just one more in a long list of Curb products to avoid like the plague.

this is a very talented artist,in my opinion the best songs are vincent,american pie,since i dont have you but dont get me grong all the songs are great.i say buy this cd

Everyone who stereotypes McLean as being a one-hit-wonder is wrong. Sure, everyone knows him as the "guy who sings American Pie," but very few know him for his other hits, and for that reason, i highly recommend this CD. I encourage everyone to discover the beauty of "Vincent," his tribute to Vincent Van Gogh, which coincidentally was a follow-up to "American Pie," his tribute to the late great Buddy Holly. Enjoy the original recordings of "Crying," and "Since I Don't Have You," and engage yourself in the serenity of "Jerusalem," and "Castles in the Air". "It's a Beautiful Life" is a little strange in that the song mainly consists of McLean lyrically talking about writing the song, then singing the verses that he talked about. Also, the new version of "American Pie" almost seems a little rushed even though it's actually longer than the original version, and it's not quite as good as the original. However, the first eight tracks on the album are truly incredible, and although the last two tracks are a little shaky, this CD is still a wonderful one to add to your collection!

"American Pie is really the only reason to buy this CD. It's the greatest song ever! Don Maclean also has one of the best voices ever heard."

I know that I'm supposed to write a 1000 word essay on why I liked the music on this CD. I gladly choose to spare your, my willful reader's, time. So I'll simply say that Don McLean is one of the best singers/songwriter's of at least two generations. "American Pie" is an amazing masterpiece. It is one of my favorite songs, you just never tire of it. I have to admit that there are songs which rival "American Pie", namely, "Brown Eyed Girl", and some others.