Don McLean - Legendary Songs of Don McLean

Limited two disc (CD + PAL/Region 2 DVD) pressing of this excellent new compilation from the American singer/songwriter best known for his hits 'American Pie' and 'Vincent' as well as penning Perry Como's worldwide hit 'And I Love You So'. Also included is a brand new unreleased song: 'In A Museum'. Features a bonus DVD that includes Don performing 12 of his songs at the Dominion Theatre in 1982 and being interviewed by Paul Gambaccini. The CD features 20 tracks including the aforementioned hits and more. EMI. Album Description

a puzzle for me

This album is a puzzle. The same songs were released in 2003 under the same album title and are for sale on Amazon under the same title. I have a huge respect for Don McLean, his songs, his performances and how he has handled his career. I am also a huge fan; so I do not understand why this album is being released in the US in its present form. It originally was released in Europe during McLean's tour and had a limited edition DVD with it. At this price, that would have been okay, BUT! The DVD was region 2 which usually plays only on European DVD players. Whether the DVD is still included is hard to tell, since it was a limited edition. With that said, if this is only the 21 songs, this is a huge price for the same material that can be obtained just another mouse click away. Why the DVD wasn't also made for region 1 - the US and Canada and sold as a product that might be worth the money is a puzzle
April 8, 2008

The best single CD collection available

This is the best single CD Don McLean collection available. It includes all hit classic hits plus many of his best album cuts. Highly recommended if you like acoustic based, folk-rock. A must for any 70's music collection. February 6, 2008

Don McLean, some better than others...

This CD has my favorite Don McLean songs. On repeated (non-stop) listening, I find that some of his classics are not as good as I used to think, while others are better than I remembered; and some that I have never heard before are outstanding! Some even seem to pre-date the rock era (which is good). December 18, 2007

A master folk balladeer

Don McLean is the subject of Roberta Flack's heartfelt tribute in the 1973 hit 'Killing Me Softly With His Song'.
McLean is certainly one of the greatest balladeers, coming out with some really superior music, soothing, thoughtful and with poetic lyrics.

The second song on the album is McLean's most famous hit 'American Pie' (1971) which was inspired by the tragic death of one of McLean's earliest role models and musical influences, Buddy Holly, in 1959.
Later commentators have tried to put other significance to the song, such as claiming it was an anti- Vietnam War protest song, but there is no evidence for such claims, as McLean refuses to comment on such spurious analysis.

At any rate , American Pie is one of my less favourite McLean songs so I don't know why it is his most famous.

'And I Love You So (1970) is McLean's beautiful version of this poignant love song, also done by various other artists.
He also does a great version of Crying (1978), originally the hit of Roy Orbison in 1961. Castles In The Air (1970) is in my opinion, perhaps McLean's greatest piece, an exquisite song of longing for the beauty and simplicity of the country life away from the shallow 'cocktail generation': "Words cannot express the feel of sunlight in the morning , in the hills away from city strife.I need a country woman for my wife , I'm city born but I love the country life" . The words are poetic and set to fantastic music. I can relate to the song perfectly.

Dreidel (1972), another superb piece, refers to the spinning top played with by Jewish children at the festival of Chanukah, and he compares it's spinning to the spinning of life.

Then there is the musical poetry of Winter Wood (1971) and the feel good love song Everyday (1973).





August 9, 2007

Don McLean at his best

This is a beautiful CD, easy listening, I think one of my very favorites is " And I Love You So ", of course "Vincent" is McLean's masterpiece.
Crossroads, is beautiful.
Empty Chairs is a beautiful song with great guitar.
Don McLean is one of my all time favorites, and ranks high on my list.
I am going to purchase more of this CD for Christmas gifts.
Ann in Houston TX.


July 12, 2007

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