Customer Reviews

For the Memories

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

 

 

Beautiful renditions of many musical favorites-- especially the rock and roll sounds of Orbison, Elvis, Rick Nelson. Don McLean's voice is better than ever presented against the backdrop of the Jordanaires. There are also renditions among the 21 tracks of traditional favorites like "Stardust," "It Had to be You," Someone to Watch Over Me." The real feeling of the songs seems enhanced by the fact that it is a live recorded in-studio performance. END

if you are a mclean fan, this is a must to own. the songs are smooth and flowing and don's sultry voice sounds even better w/ the jordanaires behind him.you will find yourself reaching for this one again and again.

I can really recommend this album. McLean reworks a lot of old classics, but gives them a new freshness that is really enjoyable. It is nice to hear good modern reworkings of timeless songs and that is just what Don McLean does. Highly recommended.

Having long respected Don Mclean for his guitar and songwriting abilities, I was delighted to find this 'For The Memories' CD purely by chance.

The great man does some great versions of well known classics such as Crazy, Travellin' Man, It had to be You and the humorous and sweet, 'If I Only Had A Match.' He shows his love for these songs and the fun in making them is very evident. The accompanying singers and musicians are first rate and this is a joyous CD to have on either at home or whilst travelling. His voice whether singing these well known standards or his own compositions is an aural thrill. The man will always get five stars from me, as his respect for the music and his audience is not to be taken forgranted - and I don't.

Absolutely one for the collection!!!

I played this CD today for the first time in quite awhile. It is really one of the most underrated and enjoyable CDs I own. "For The Memories" was originally recorded as a pair of LP's on the Gold Castle label in the mid 1980's. The first album featured 9 tunes from the 1950's that Don McLean admired and always wanted to record. Among these you will hear outstanding versions of the Patsy Cline classic "Crazy", "You Don't Know Me", Rick Nelson's "Travelin' Man" and "A White Sport Coat" all backed by the legendary Jordanaires. Tracks 10 through 20 feature great standards of the 1930's and 40's. Everyone is certainly familiar with great Gershwin tunes like "Someone To Watch Over Me" (the best version of this tune I have ever heard) and "Somebody Loves Me". Then there is the outstanding Irving Berlin classic "Count Your Blessings". Again, I would have to say that McLeans rendition of this tune is the absolute best I have ever heard. There are also a couple of lesser known gems here including "If I Only Had A Match" (the last charted single for Al Jolson in 1948) and "But Beautiful" (a hit for Frank Sinatra that same year). You will also find magnificent recordings of Bessie Smith's Depression era favorite "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out" and a haunting version of Hoagie Carmicheal's all-time favorite "Stardust". Once again, memorable background vocals are provided by the Jordanaires on most of these tunes.
Gold Castle combined the two LP's onto a single CD in 1989. Since this was hardly one of Don McLeans most popular CDs I would not have been at all surprised if it was no longer available. However, Hip-O records reissued this disc back in 1997 and happily it is still available for your enjoyment. I would grab it while you can!
Don McLean continues to perform around the world. As a matter of fact as I type this review he is on a tour of Australia. My wife and I caught his act several years ago at a local university. Simply outstanding! In any event, whether you are a big McLean fan or just a music buff you are sure to enjoy this fabulous CD. Very highly recommended!!!!!