American Pie - Don McClean
This album was originally released in 1971, this is the 1988 CD version, or at least the CD of the 1988 version (says 1988 on CD sleeve, though I do not remember CD's in 1988! Or maybe I just did not have any then, lol). According to various sources this album ... Read review
singer/songwriter, no doubt wanted a hit or some degree of success. "American Pie" gave him that and too much more. McLean's ode to Buddy Holly begins with a folky intro th...
singer/songwriter, no doubt wanted a hit or some degree of success. "American Pie" gave him that and too much more. McLean's ode to Buddy Holly begins with a folky intro th...
singer/songwriter, no doubt wanted a hit or some degree of success. "American Pie" gave him that and too much more. McLean's ode to Buddy Holly begins with a folky intro th...
singer/songwriter, no doubt wanted a hit or some degree of success. "American Pie" gave him that and too much more. McLean's ode to Buddy Holly begins with a folky intro tha...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Temporarily out of stock. Order now and we'll deliver when available. We'll e-mail you with an estimated delivery date as soon...
Birthday song Wonderful baby La la I love you Vincent Crossroads And I love you so Fools paradise If we try Mountains of mourne The Grave Respectable Going for t...
singer/songwriter, no doubt wanted a hit or some degree of success. "American Pie" gave him that and too much more. McLean's ode to Buddy Holly begins with a folky intro that sounds like a protest song. Almost nine minutes later, the tune finally ends. Sure, the song's poetic; sure, it's a touching tribute; and sure, it's undeniably a classic. But it also became the bane of McLean's existence for many years, as it was the only song of his that people wanted to hear. The album American Pie sold well on the strength of the title track, and even propelled the comparatively weak "Vincent" into the Top 20. A fine release rooted in folk, American Pie is a classic, whether or not one actually pays attention to the other songs. --Steve Gdula
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Temporarily out of stock. Order now and we'll deliver when available. We'll e-mail you with an estimated delivery date as soon as we have more information. Your credit card will not be charged until we ship the item....
singer/songwriter, no doubt wanted a hit or some degree of success. "American Pie" gave him that and too much more. McLean's ode to Buddy Holly begins with a folky intro that sounds like a protest song. Almost nine minutes later, the tune finally ends. Sure, the song's poetic; sure, it's a touching tribute; and sure, it's undeniably a classic. But it also became the bane of McLean's existence for many years, as it was the only song of his that people wanted to hear. The albumAmerican Piesold well on the strength of the title track, and even propelled the comparatively weak "Vincent" into the Top 20. A fine release rooted in folk,American Pieis a classic, whether or not one actually pays attention to the other songs.--Steve Gdula
singer/songwriter, no doubt wanted a hit or some degree of success. "American Pie" gave him that and too much more. McLean's ode to Buddy Holly begins with a folky intro that sounds like a protest song. Almost nine minutes later, the tune finally ends. Sure, the song's poetic; sure, it's a touching tribute; and sure, it's undeniably a classic. But it also became the bane of McLean's existence for many years, as it was the only song of his that people wanted to hear. The albumAmerican Piesold well on the strength of the title track, and even propelled the comparatively weak "Vincent" into the Top 20. A fine release rooted in folk,American Pieis a classic, whether or not one actually pays attention to the other songs.--Steve Gdula
A review by paulhanton on American Pie (Greatest Hits) - Don McLean October 5th, 2008
Author's product rating:
Originality
Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics
Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks
Mixed
How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Outstanding
Value for Money
Satisfactory
Advantages:
Vincent & American Pie .
Disadvantages:
Lots of naff tracks .
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
American Pie - Don McClean
This album was originally released in 1971, this is the 1988 CD version, or at least the CD of the 1988 version (says 1988 on CD sleeve, though I do not remember CD's in 1988! Or maybe I just did not have any then, lol). According to various sources this album is amongst the 'best ever' American albums, really?
McClean was/is primarily a folk singer and this album, by all accounts was a 'one off', he certainly has little fame apart from this album. The album itself is quite an epic, particularly the title track 'American Pie', a song of over eight and a half minutes that tells a story that is a mix between psychedelia, Americana folk and angsty ballad. The famous line 'The day the music died' is referring to the air crash that killed Buddy Holly.
This album should not include 'Sister Fatima' according to Wikipedia, but does!
The album is seen, certainly in America, as an all time great, so let's have a look at the tracks.
~~The Tracks~~ 1. American Pie The title and opening track. Though this needs little explaining, as there surely cannot be many people that have never heard this, I will give you my interpretation. Released at the height of the psychedelic time in America, summer of love, tune in, drop out etc. this feels almost like a mourning of the innocence of America, it certainly remains, for me a ballad like list of all the is 'good' about America. Like Bohemian Rhapsody, it is a major production of a song, yet does not have all the bells and whistles that Queen had. It is more about a man a piano and a guitar. Fabulous lyrics, great pace, great construction, clarity in vocals. 10/10.
2. Till Tomorrow A real folks ballad type song, you can just imagine it being sung with an acoustic guitar in the sunset at a festival. Quite a beautiful song really, his vocals are quite moving. 8/10.
3. Vincent (Starry, Starry Night) To me this is as good as, if not better than 'American Pie'. The songs tells the story of Vincent Van Gogh and one of his most famous paintings. It is a soft, angst ridden ballad charting Van Gogh's genius, insanity (he lived with depression and schizophrenia) and subsequent suicide. A haunting song that has several key changes which add to the depth of the story. Beautiful, first time I heard this I cried, and often still well up. 10/10.
4. Crossroads I am not a fan of this track, it is lovely in terms of the music, piano and (a little) guitar again, yet the lyrics and vocals are a little cheesy for me. Cheese is no bad thing when intended, but this takes itself a little too seriously, 5/10.
5. Winterwood Nice acoustic guitar start with some tapping (on the side of the guitar), has an early rock n roll, bluesy, country feel about it, which would normally put me off, but not here. It is catchy and pleasant. 8/10.
6. Empty Chairs A very Latin/Spanish feel about the intro guitar work and in fact he sings about Gypsy Moths etc. all a little too cheesy again, I do love the guitar work though. 6/10.
7. Everybody Loves Me, Baby A song based on his 'fame' I guess, quite a parody, much more up tempo than the other songs so far. Very 70's folk/protest feel about it, hate it. 1/10.
8. Sister Fatima A very weird song, all a bit pretentious for me. All about, well, I'm not exactly sure…..is it about a real woman that is a nun, or is it about a deity, or is it about a fortune teller? Not sure. Some very bizarre and disjointed vocals and guitar work, all very 'arty' I'm sure, hate it. 0/10.
9. The Grave Very Folk inspired. Almost spoken at the beginning, then goes into one man and his guitar again. Quite a protest song, pretty much (I guess) anti Vietnam war. One of those protest songs that we rarely hear about. Telling a story of a marine that fights from (and dies in) a trench. Quite powerful stuff actually. 8/10.
10. Babylon Shortest song on the album at 1.41. Very Jewish inspired in terms of the music and the vocals, in fact, I think this is a cover of a hymn. It is actually very good with some hymn like backing vocals too. I like the fact that it is quite out of step with the rest of the album, probably would not buy this as a stand alone track however. 8/10.
~~~Final thoughts~~~ One of the best albums ever? No. Some of the best tracks ever? Maybe. American Pie and Vincent stand out and I would certainly recommend anyone that does not have these tracks getting them. But I would not by the whole CD unless that is your thing, two tracks from itunes, £1.58…if you can get the album for the same price (close on Amazon), fair enough.
3.: Dreidel, And I Love You So, Vincent (Starry Starry Night), Vincent
4.: Winterwood, Crying, Crossroads
5.: Everyday, Since I don't Have You, Winterwood
6.: Sister Fatima, Castles In The Air, Empty Chairs
7.: Empty Chairs, It's Just The Sun, Everybody Loves Me Baby, Everybody Loves Me
8.: Birthday Song, Jerusalem, Sister Fatima
9.: Wonderful Baby, It's A Beautiful Life, Grave
10.: La La I Love You, Headroom, Babylon
11.: Vincent, 1967, Mother Nature
12.: Crossroads, Infinity, Aftermath
13.: And I Love You So, One In A Row
14.: Fool's Paradise, Lady In Waiting
15.: If We Try, Have You Seen Me
16.: Mountains Of Mourne, Siamese Twins
17.: Grave, Brand New World
18.: Respectable, American Pie (new version)
19.: Going For The Gold
20.: Crying
Additional notes
Album Reviews: Rolling Stone (1/20/72, p.49) - "...["American Pie"] is a brilliant song, a metaphor for the death and rebirth of rock that's at once complex and immediately accessible..." -Lester Bangs
Album Notes: Personnel: Don McLean (guitar, banjo, vocals); Gene Orloff (conductor); David Spinoza (elctric guitar); Warren Bernhardt, Paul Griffin (piano); Ray Colcord (electric piano); Mike Mainieri (marimba, vibraphone); Robbie Rothstein (bass); Roy Markowitz (drums, percussion); Tom Flye (drums). Recorded at the Record Plant, New York, New York from May to June 1971. Includes liner notes by Bruce Eder. This Dutch-issue compilation brings together Don McLean's greatest hits, including the evergreen classic "American Pie," and his plaintive ballad for Vincent Van Gogh entitled "Vincent."
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