Customer Reviews

Don Mclean

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was fortunate enough to see a very young and nervous Don McLean perform alone at a high school "performing artist" assembly on a wintry March afternoon in 1970, right after his debut environmentally conscious "Tapestry" album had been released, but before "American Pie" was released the next year. Anyone who saw him knew he would be a superstar if that's what he wanted. Sure enough, with the release of "American Pie" he got fame with spades, and promptly retreated from that kind of public attention ever since. He has had a number of excellent albums; but has never recaptured the sort of outrageous success he achieved with this one; indeed, he seems to be singularly uninterested in anything to do with it. Instead, he has spent the last 30 years following the whimsy of his own heart and artistic sensibilities.

Yet all the brilliant talent and ability is here, folks, in the next album after American Pie. From the dark and fateful look at human nature in the opening number of "Dreidel", a song that shows just how accomplished a lyricist McLean is, to the more tragi-comic flair of "Bronco Bill's Lament", from the poignant "Oh, My, What A Shame" to the lovely melody and lyrics of "If We Try". McLean was clearly stretching his wings here, and was unafraid to explore the limits of his style and substance without worrying baout whether his newfound fans would follow suit. And although some did not, many more did, and he continued to delve into his little treasure trove of talent to produce many more albums. My own favorites here, besides the ones already mentioned, are "The Pride Parade" and "Falling Through Time". All of these songs should still be getting FM air time over much of the poorly produced trash the producers seem to favor, but never have.

By the way, I have had to chuckle over the years at all the questioning and active efforts at second-hand interpretation that has gone on regarding what the title cut of "American Pie" is really all about. Such wondering and endless intellectual speculation really misses the point that McLean the incredibly gifted artist so singularly makes in the song itself; the music is the thing. It's the music that makes us smile. As did Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens, so to with Don McLean. Listen to what he has to say, and how artfully and wonderfully he phrases it. All of McLean's work is timeless, and it will hopefully always be around. Enjoy!

I bought this album on vinyl many years ago on my first trip to the USA (aged 17) on a whim. It proved to be one of my most prized possessions, and when it got scratched in the late 80s I was so sad. Finding it again on CD (on a British label?) was like finding a lost brother.

All the tracks have been the sound-track to parts of my life - the sense of being caught up by events in 'Dreidel', of the value of work in 'Bronco Bill', of how any romance can fail in 'Oh My', the hope of new love in 'If We Try' ... and so on. I return again and again to the music and lyrics here and regard this as Don McLean at his very best, capturing the essence of real life with lyrical and musical excellence.

My favourite track is 'Falling Through Time', and that's where I am in life and love right now. This is not 'American Pie', but if you like that and enjoy gentle, moving folk-pop, this will become your best friend too.

If there were ten stars, I'd rate it an eleven. My favorite track is "More You Pay". The unusual guitar work and haunting melodies stir my soul. It's the next best thing to a time machine, but never really taking on a "dated" feel. The music is as refreshing today to new listeners as it is to people who've grown up listening to Don Mclean-especially THIS album!

I bought the 8-Track tape of this album because I liked American Pie so much. The tracks "Oh My What a Shame" and "Pride Parade" showcase songwriting combined with passionate performing beyond almost anything I've ever heard and are reminiscient of my favorite "Empty Chairs" from American Pie. Still listen to this CD every few months when I get tired of most of the mediocre stuff being written today.

I will always consider "American Pie" to be one of the most important and influential albums of the early '70's. I can remember many nights in my Ohio State dorm sitting around with my friends analyzing that song which lead to many lively discussions on a menagerie of topics well into the night. I eagerly purchased this follow-up album, "Don McLean," but didn't expect it to live up to the expectations and reactions I had to "AP." Was I ever surprised! This particular album cover alone like no other puts me in a pensive, reflective mood. I've always wondered where it was photographed....

This incredible ensemble of songs was equal to and in some ways better than "AP." Mr. McLean can weave tales in his songs and music like no other and I was just as content with this grouping in "AP." "Oh My What A Shame, "If We Try," and " Pride Parade," are some of Mr. McLean's reflective songs on the album. He doesn't leave his listeners feeling totally forelorn though (smile) with his sudden up-beat songs "Birthday Song," "On The Amazon," (which has a Dr. Seuss quality to it) and "Narcisissma." This album has influences of folk, rock, happy, and sad that will leave all its listeners pleased, satisifed, and feeling they know a little more about life. In my opinion, the two "must have" Don McLean albums one should have of this wonderful artist are "American Pie" and "Don McLean."

This is arguably Don McLean's best album, certainly one of the top two or three. His songwriting was deep and thought-provoking; his voice was clear; the acoustic flavor of the album just outstanding. Take a listen to "Oh, My, What a Shame", "Bronco Bill's Lament", "Pride Parade", or "Birthday Song" and you'll probably be hooked. And who couldn't love "On The Amazon", a novelty song from early in the 20th century? This album has some of the same feel as the "Tapestry" album, but it's much more polished. If you're a Don McLean fan, this one's a must.

Growing up, I had two album's by Don McLean. One was American Pie and the other was this album. American Pie did not even compare. The emotion on "Don McLean" is incredible and chilling. I'd listen to it over and over and to this day, it's appeal has never waned.

There are very few albums that I would ever dare to refer to as perfect, but this is absolutely one of them. There is not much I need to add to the other reviews already listed. This album's emotional depth is incredible.

Although all of Don McClean's music is great, this is the best ever. I found this by accident years ago on an 8-track and have since reordered on cassette several times, because I keep wearing it out. I'm thrilled to find the CD. I wish McClean would do more along these lines in the future. Although "On the Amazon" is probably my favorite on this album, all the songs are great.

This is just great. DonMcLean's best album, full to bursting with perfect, timeless songs you can listen to thousands of times. There's real poetry here, and humour, and simply some of his best ever tunes. And all produced with an immensly likeable delicacy only Homeless Brother can match. BUY IT!