Don McLean - DON MCLEAN****

Dreidel/Bronco Bill's Lament/Oh My What A Shame/If We Try/The More You Pay/Narcisissima/Falling Through Time/On The Amazon/Birthday Song/The Pride Parade

This self titled release was the follow up to Don McLean’s huge hit single and album American Pie. Although it attracted positive reviews a fickle record buying public largely ignored it. (US:23)

“OK, so you've just recorded the most fascinating song of the decade, and become a sensation. Now what? Well, if you're smart, you won't try to do the same thing on your next album, and that just might be the key to the success of this fine album. Here you have ten excellent songs, performed very well, by a very gifted singer. Check this out, and you'll find that McLean's talent runs quite deep indeed.”

“This solid early McLean album justifies itself every time I listen. This is good time music with a point, Dreidel is a great cut and If We Try has become a standard. The LP is well worth searching for and taking real good care of once you’ve found it.”

“About on a par with American Pie as an album. All the tracks are very good, and there are a couple of standouts. Very enjoyable and essential for all fans, casual listeners as well.”

“Poor Don. Everyone went nuts over American Pie, and the rest of his career is barely known at all which is a shame as he is such a talented signer. Every song on Don McLean is beautiful and a joy to listen to. Do Don a favour and listen to this album.”

“From the dark and fateful look at human nature in the opening number of Dreidel, a song that shows just how accomplished a lyricist McLean is. With the more tragi-comic flair of Bronco Bill's Lament, the poignant Oh My What A Shame and the lovely melody and lyrics of If We Try, McLean was clearly stretching his wings here, and was unafraid to explore the limits of his style and substance without worrying about whether his newfound fans would follow suit.”

Not bad at all, really. The strongest songs are the more upbeat ones. The two side-openers, Dreidel and Nircisissima are both quite pleasing. Don's lyric writing is impressive and songwriting isn't bad either. But some songs like Oh My What a Shame are just such downers.”