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Editorial Reviews
40 years after his iconic "American Pie" reached #1 on the Billboard pop singles chart, Don McLean is the subject of an authorized documentary, Don McLean: American Troubadour. McLean granted unprecedented access and interviews for the film, revealing his personal account of a career spanning over four decades and performing songs that have become integral parts of American pop culture.
Don McLean: American Troubadour also features over 15 live performances including "American Pie, " "Vincent (Starry, Starry Night), " "Crying" and "And I Love You So" along with extensive commentary by historian and Rolling Stone journalist Douglas Brinkley, interviews with other artists such as Brian Wilson and REM's Mike Mills, footage of McLean on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and performances of his songs by Elvis Costello and Fred Astaire (who inspired "Wonderful Baby"). An abridged version of the documentary aired on PBS earlier this year.
Exclusive Bonus Features Include: Exclusive bonus songs (full-length): "Infinity, " "Wonderful Baby, " and "Building My Body; " Interview with Don McLean; Interview with Douglas Brinkley
Don McLean: American Troubadour was produced and directed by four-time Emmy Award winner Jim Brown, whose work includes Pete Seeger: The Power of Song, The Weavers: Wasn't That a Time, and A Vision Shared: A Tribute to Woody Guthrie and Leadbelly. McLean says, "We've known each other for forty years and he allowed my ideas to be fully realized while telling my story accurately and poetically. "
Don McLean: American Troubadour also features over 15 live performances including "American Pie, " "Vincent (Starry, Starry Night), " "Crying" and "And I Love You So" along with extensive commentary by historian and Rolling Stone journalist Douglas Brinkley, interviews with other artists such as Brian Wilson and REM's Mike Mills, footage of McLean on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and performances of his songs by Elvis Costello and Fred Astaire (who inspired "Wonderful Baby"). An abridged version of the documentary aired on PBS earlier this year.
Exclusive Bonus Features Include: Exclusive bonus songs (full-length): "Infinity, " "Wonderful Baby, " and "Building My Body; " Interview with Don McLean; Interview with Douglas Brinkley
Don McLean: American Troubadour was produced and directed by four-time Emmy Award winner Jim Brown, whose work includes Pete Seeger: The Power of Song, The Weavers: Wasn't That a Time, and A Vision Shared: A Tribute to Woody Guthrie and Leadbelly. McLean says, "We've known each other for forty years and he allowed my ideas to be fully realized while telling my story accurately and poetically. "
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
I was a bit disappointed when I inserted this DVD into my player and it showed 55 minutes ..not the 187 shown on the Amazon.com page. The actual program is 55 minutes ...the other hour plus consists of the bonus features...which are three lesser known songs in full performance (2 from a very superior concert release)an import greatest hits from the UK which has a CD and a live DVD ...you must have an all region PAL compatible player to see this one sadly. Back to this the remainder of the hour of bonus features are many many interview questions with Mr McLean that they didn't use in the documentary...and for a lifelong fan are quite interesting. The last 20 minutes consists of an interview with historian Douglas Brinkley ...which I can't see viewing again frankly. So I am getting at the fact that the Amazon.com says this is a 187 minute program its not...its 55 minute documentary, 11 minutes of music bonus, 40 minutes of Don Mclean interview and 20 with an historian for a total of a bit over 120 minutes....so being a lifelong fan I was excited at the possibility of so much film and sad to report its not true.
The Program itself is much like you would expect from a professionally done sort of A&E Biography and its great in that respect. For me to rate this 5 stars it would need to be the length they advertise and have the option of viewing say the concert that is available only in the UK or a series of the songs shown as a concert only... which would be something a fan could watch over and over more than a documentary... and by the way...the 15 live performances that they tout are interrupted by interview footage etc...so I also think that is a misleading bit of advertising as well.
The Program itself is much like you would expect from a professionally done sort of A&E Biography and its great in that respect. For me to rate this 5 stars it would need to be the length they advertise and have the option of viewing say the concert that is available only in the UK or a series of the songs shown as a concert only... which would be something a fan could watch over and over more than a documentary... and by the way...the 15 live performances that they tout are interrupted by interview footage etc...so I also think that is a misleading bit of advertising as well.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a good biographical DVD of Don Mclean, which really has not been done before. He narrates it and tells the story of his life. The purpose of this is not to give a concert but to show the man behind the music and that it seems to accomplish.
Don tells of his boyhood, some home movies and photographs are shown and his growing interest in music. He mentions his illnesses as a child and his `aloneness'. The guitar is his mask, and others such as Brian Wilson and Lori Lieberman speak about him and his music. There are snippets of concerts and songs as the years go by and the people who influenced him, such as The Weavers, Buddy Holly and Don's hero Josh White. You can see his annoyance at times and how it has come out in his compositions and also his joy. He does talk of `American Pie and his marriage and children.
The DVD itself is 85 minutes and there are extras of the full-length versions of him singing `Infinity', `Wonderful Baby', `Building my Body' and interviews that are another 15 minutes in length. There are no captions.
It is a revealing insight into the man and his music - not a concert.
Don tells of his boyhood, some home movies and photographs are shown and his growing interest in music. He mentions his illnesses as a child and his `aloneness'. The guitar is his mask, and others such as Brian Wilson and Lori Lieberman speak about him and his music. There are snippets of concerts and songs as the years go by and the people who influenced him, such as The Weavers, Buddy Holly and Don's hero Josh White. You can see his annoyance at times and how it has come out in his compositions and also his joy. He does talk of `American Pie and his marriage and children.
The DVD itself is 85 minutes and there are extras of the full-length versions of him singing `Infinity', `Wonderful Baby', `Building my Body' and interviews that are another 15 minutes in length. There are no captions.
It is a revealing insight into the man and his music - not a concert.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
I'd been a fan of Don McLean since his career began in the late 60's. However in more recent years I'd lost faith. He seemed to be going through the motions in concerts and seemed somewhat bitter and twisted. This documentary restored my faith in the man and explained the evolution of his career and how he currently feels about life in general and the music business as it now stands. Far from being bitter and twisted, he is, in fact, that rare thing, 'A Happy Man'. He's produced a fine body of work and openly admits to not feeling as driven as he once did. He seems to have become a person who has figured out what's important in life - and it isn't fame and fortune [although those things are nice to have]. Some great early clips and a selection throughout his career are worth the price alone.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Mostly recent interviews and comments.
If you are a big fan, as I am, well worth viewing. Would have liked more of his music, less commentary.
Published 3 months ago by Ralph E Boyce
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great For McLean Fans!
Great look into the life and music of Don McLean, who is so incredibly talented. And don't expect to learn the meanings behind every line of "American Pie," he doesn't... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Jody Jill McIntyre
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very well done!
This is an exceptionally well done documentary revealing Don McLean's extraordinary musical and personal history. Highly recommend this thoughtfully crafted DVD to all his fans.
Published 4 months ago by Ted1202
3.0 out of 5 stars
cd version is decent
cd version is ok.I went to HDTracks.com and downloaded rearview mirror in a Highend version.WOW what a difference from the cd or dvd
Published 5 months ago by Smileyface
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful bio of Don McLean
If you're a Don McLean fan, this is for you. Needless to say, the music is fabulous but the DVD also includes an in-depth interview with McLean about his childhood and his early... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Alice Herman
3.0 out of 5 stars
Where's the full length version...?
It is really irritating when you see a show on PBS and then order the show from either PBS or Amazon or whomever, and not get the same version. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Roger Harris
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