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Track Listings
| 1. As I Love My Own |
| 2. Jean |
| 3. Marvelous Clouds |
| 4. A Man Alone |
| 5. The Beautiful Strangers |
| 6. Doesn't Anybody Know My Name |
| 7. One By One |
| 8. Pushing The Clouds Away |
| 9. The Lovers |
| 10. Mr. Kelly |
| 11. Love's Been Good To Me |
| 12. Lonesome Cities |
| 13. The World I Used To Know |
Editorial Reviews
Aaron Freeman, front man for the iconic cult rock band Ween, has gained equal notoriety and critical acclaim over the past two decades as a musical shape shifter, under the pseudonym Gene Ween. Now, for the first time, Freeman has shed the moniker, recording a solo album and giving fans a glimpse at the man behind the mask.
Marvelous Clouds is his most personal and authentic effort to date, showcasing his oft-overlooked abilities as a vocalist. As his fans can attest, however, there s always more than meets the ear with him.. Ironically, he manages to articulate himself more honestly than ever on a record of songs by someone else.
The record is Freeman's interpretation of 13 songs by Rod McKuen. To many younger people today, that name means nothing. But throughout the `50s and `60s, he was one of the biggest celebrities in the world.
His books of poetry sold millions of copies. He won a Grammy and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and two Academy Awards. He has been covered by everyone from Frank Sinatra to Madonna to Johnny Cash. Since the `70s, however, McKuen has retreated into seclusion, leaving a generation widely unaware of his work.
Now, his music is being introduced to a new generation, from the most unlikely of sources. These thirteen songs deal with struggles that Freeman deftly brings out in his performance, including love, self-identity, and societal integration. Many of the songs appear happy at first listen, hiding dark themes behind a lyrical veil. Producer Ben Vaughn masterfully found a way to emphasize this, providing a bright compelling sound just transparent enough to show the listener that there's something menacing behind it.
Marvelous Clouds is his most personal and authentic effort to date, showcasing his oft-overlooked abilities as a vocalist. As his fans can attest, however, there s always more than meets the ear with him.. Ironically, he manages to articulate himself more honestly than ever on a record of songs by someone else.
The record is Freeman's interpretation of 13 songs by Rod McKuen. To many younger people today, that name means nothing. But throughout the `50s and `60s, he was one of the biggest celebrities in the world.
His books of poetry sold millions of copies. He won a Grammy and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and two Academy Awards. He has been covered by everyone from Frank Sinatra to Madonna to Johnny Cash. Since the `70s, however, McKuen has retreated into seclusion, leaving a generation widely unaware of his work.
Now, his music is being introduced to a new generation, from the most unlikely of sources. These thirteen songs deal with struggles that Freeman deftly brings out in his performance, including love, self-identity, and societal integration. Many of the songs appear happy at first listen, hiding dark themes behind a lyrical veil. Producer Ben Vaughn masterfully found a way to emphasize this, providing a bright compelling sound just transparent enough to show the listener that there's something menacing behind it.
Customer Reviews
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By B. Taitch
Format:Audio CD
OK - I am a big time Ween fan -- that being said, I really like Chocolate & Cheese on... Sure the first three albums are fun, but the songwriting that developed over the next 15 years or so is nothing short of amazing. Yes, they can do it all -- and Aaron's ballads are top notch.
That brings us to 2012 and Marvelous Clouds. Ween hasn't been putting out music for years, and they are touring sporadically. Mickey's pretty much over it -- he just wants to fish now, and good for him (even if I do lose one of my absolute favorite bands because of it) -- and Aaron has been trying to find his solo "place." He's been doing many Gene Ween solo shows over the past couple of years with varying degrees of success. Now he puts out his first solo record, under his real name. Good for him. It's an interesting choice to do a cover album of a fairly obscure, very "poppy" songwriter and poet Rod McKuen. He said in an interview I recently heard, that this took the pressure off of being a songwriter, and just focusing on performance of the songs. Makes sense -- I guess. What we get is a fantastic collection that Ben Vaughn -- producer of Ween's brilliant "12 Golden Country Greats" -- picked out for Aaron to record. And it just works. Simply and beautifully. It just works. The songs are at once shallow and deep - quirky and straight forward - beautiful and a little silly. Sound like the work of any band you know? Exactly. This is good stuff here. Not groundbreaking, but damn good.
That brings us to 2012 and Marvelous Clouds. Ween hasn't been putting out music for years, and they are touring sporadically. Mickey's pretty much over it -- he just wants to fish now, and good for him (even if I do lose one of my absolute favorite bands because of it) -- and Aaron has been trying to find his solo "place." He's been doing many Gene Ween solo shows over the past couple of years with varying degrees of success. Now he puts out his first solo record, under his real name. Good for him. It's an interesting choice to do a cover album of a fairly obscure, very "poppy" songwriter and poet Rod McKuen. He said in an interview I recently heard, that this took the pressure off of being a songwriter, and just focusing on performance of the songs. Makes sense -- I guess. What we get is a fantastic collection that Ben Vaughn -- producer of Ween's brilliant "12 Golden Country Greats" -- picked out for Aaron to record. And it just works. Simply and beautifully. It just works. The songs are at once shallow and deep - quirky and straight forward - beautiful and a little silly. Sound like the work of any band you know? Exactly. This is good stuff here. Not groundbreaking, but damn good.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By McGeech
Format:Audio CD
Aaron Freeman's "Marvelous Clouds", an album of Rod McKuen covers, is up there near Ween's best work. Had I not read about it being a collection of covers, I never would have guessed. Why? It sounds not at all unlike a Ween album. The lyrics are so earnest they at times come off as fatuous, and Aaron's delivery, while free of affect, suits the material. I've gone back and listened to some of the originals, and, frankly, they're not only done justice here, they're interpreted in such away that they're elevated. Like all fans, I'd like a new Ween record. Word is, though, that Aaron's already working on a second solo album. Based solely upon what he's done with this, I can't wait.
If there were any justice in the world, this album would hover near the top of the charts and produce three or four hits. I'm finding it to be a great summer record already. If you don't like it on the first spin, if you give it a chance, you'll love it by the fourth.
If there were any justice in the world, this album would hover near the top of the charts and produce three or four hits. I'm finding it to be a great summer record already. If you don't like it on the first spin, if you give it a chance, you'll love it by the fourth.
By Wiggity
Format:Audio CD
I purchased this collection after hearing an interview with Aaron Freeman on WTF with Marc Maron so I was not expecting hear WEENish tunes. I knew he was talented because I am a WEEN fan but now have an expanded appreciation for his talent as a musician. He's great in my book! I love this "album"!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Keep up the good work aaron!
I love this solo release, it is very different from his ween releases. The vocals are at a normal and the audio sounds great. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Justin
3.0 out of 5 stars
Jonathan Livingston Seagull wants your soul
On his debut solo release, Aaron Freeman, a.k.a. Gene Ween from the band Ween, delivers
"heartfelt interpretations of songs written by ...Rod McKuen". Read more
"heartfelt interpretations of songs written by ...Rod McKuen". Read more
Published 9 months ago by Charlie Quaker
2.0 out of 5 stars
Go back to being Gene Ween
This album is OK at best. Listening through it feels sort of empty and missing something. That something is the collaboration with Mickey Melchiondo. Read more
Published 10 months ago by AFrap
3.0 out of 5 stars
Meh.
Good songs. Great artist, with a great voice. I guess my problem with this album was expectations. I knew it was not going to be Ween, but I expected something different. Read more
Published 10 months ago by DHotep
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great album and well worth the time and money...
True Ween fans will love this album. Anyone who has been following the group since the days when 4 track recordings were their bread and butter knows that since then the band and... Read more
Published 11 months ago by bukowskifan1969
1.0 out of 5 stars
Not the Aaron Freeman we all know and love.
I have been a Ween fan for twenty two years, unconditional, I consider Aaron Freeman to be one of the greatest musicians of all time. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Senor Blanco
