Customer Reviews

The Lonely Things: The Love Songs of Rod McKuen

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

 

 

I just don't know if you can ask for better than this. If you are a lover of ballads, sweet lyrics, sad but familar emotions, and a gentle tenor voice that just doesn't seem to have limits, then I think you will agree with me that this is an extraordinary album. The years haven't tarnished this lovely work. I admit that Glenn's voice is a trip down memory lane for me, but I can't help but think that a whole new generation would find these songs tenderly and beautifully rendered as I did more than 30 years ago. There are very few albums that I can remember well enough to sing or hum more than a chorus or two a couple of tracks. I can do that with nearly every song on this album. If you have a friend that is a bit of a romantic, buy this album for them. If you are that person yourself, and you've never heard Glenn Yarborough, buy it for you. Light some candles, lay your head back and drift away. It's a sad, lonely, beautiful trip.

This album, well worn-out in vinyl, has long been one of my 3 favorite albums, possibly number 1. Glenn Yarbrough's silky voice singing the sensitive songs of another favorite of mine, Rod McKuen. WOW! I was so happy to find this on CD after years of searching when my album became non-playable from years (30) of repeated playing. Paritally spoken, partially sung, each song surpasses the previous in pure heartfelt emotion. I don't know if "Stanyan Street, and Other Sorrows" or "Channing Way" or "So Long, San Francisco" is my favorite, because each of the remaining songs is absolutely wonderful. Like another reviewer, my only complaint is it comes to an end far too quickly. This album is timeless and perfect. Would that there were a 10 star rating!!!

I first heard this collection of songs in 1965 while in college. Yarborough has to have one of the all time unique and distinctive voices. Combine that with the poetics of McKuen and it makes for a wonderfully rich auditory experience. Simply superb.

If you like poetry and sad songs, this is definately for you. After listening to my mother's vinyl LP of this title, i decided to buy this album on cd. When i listened to it, i was so upset about the bad audio quality that i sent it back to Folk Era Records with a nasty little note exclaiming that if they couldn't do better than this, then they need to quit. Low and behold, 5 or 6 months later i received a new cd with a letter from the president of Folk Era Records. He told me that i (along with a few others) were right about the bad sound and that this new disc had been remastered directly from the original master tapes (thanks to Glenn Yarbrough himself). The sound is as it should be--- clear and beautiful. If the disc you have, or will receive, has "muffled" sound on it, then send it back to Folk Era Records and tell them you want a new one. I hope they will replace yours like they did mine. Buy it and ENJOY!!

I was just a little boy, of about 5 or 6 and when my father would return from work we would sit and talk then he would take a nap before dinner, listening to this album, as well as other works from both McKuen and Yarbrough. Sometimes I would lie beside him and listen to the music while my father slept. The poetry of McKuen and the voice of Yarbrough are a marraige made in heaven and treat for those who want meaningful music. My father is gone now, my old record worn out from playing over thirty years. But thanks to Amazon having this new CD release, I can relieve those tender moments with dad, talking sentimentally about his day and mine as well as the future. Events and happenings. When I play this album, the emotions are resurrected along with memories of a beautiful childhood in the bay area, and my father. I highly recommend this album to anyone who wants to make meaningful memories. Play it with someone special. As I do, I believe you will think it was written especially for you.

I am absolutely thrilled to see this album has been brought to CD. I completely wore out my 1960's vinyl copy. This has always been my most favorite album. Rod McKuen writes like he sees into your own personal soul, and the sweet soft voice of Glenn Yarborough makes each one of these songs unforgettable. This is one album that MUST be in your collection!

Glenn Yarbrough has, without a doubt, no equal as a singer of Rod McKuen's love songs. No one sings them better. I first heard this album in the 1970's as a young man in my early 20's. Now, a generation and more later, the songs have only grown better with age.

When I first heard this album in the summer of '66 I had just graduate from high school, broken up with a long standing girl friend, and faced the prospect of leaving Houston for a 4 year stint in college. The conditions were pefect for the songs on "The Lonely Things" to find a place in my heart forever. Mckuen's words are even more potent when married to Glenn's unique voice and sensitive delivery. This album is truly amazing. The song "The Women" has angered the souls of many a feminist over the years. I guess the truth really does hurt. Of all of Glenn's works this and "For Emily...." are my favorites. Now that I am single again and my children are grown it means even more. If you lean towards introspection you will love this one.

I like to go on Amazon late at night when I can't sleep, I was plowing through and I put on a CD of The Sea by Rod McKuen and I thought of Glen Yarbrough's The Lonely Things. I made a CD from my original LP, I listened to the skips and scratches but I still loved it. Well, tonight I found the CD on Amazon and I immediately ordered it, I can't wait for it to get here and this is Sunday night/Monday morning. Once you listen to this CD, you'll be in love, probably Glenn's best work. I am so delighted to be receiving this item new and unscratched. I can't believe I finally found it, regardless of price, $39.99 is much more than I'm usually willing to pay, but not this time. All I can say is "Go For It".

After more than 30 years this is still my favorite album. Allison Krauss is closing in with "Forget About It," but Yarbrough/McKuen show Allison what "sad pitiful" songs are all about. The follow up album of McKuen songs was a sad imitation, but "Lonely Things" is exquisit on every track. I came here hoping to find a modern enhanced version as the original is compressed much too much. In addition the engineer stepped on nearly every ending, but despite the recording, the whole is still a gem. I think I'll send this oldie to AK so she can shoot a little higher now that GY sailed off on a boat somewhere.