ALBUM OF THE WEEK # 256 DON MCLEAN - AMERICAN PIE (1971)

Artist: Don McLean

Genre: Singer/Songwriter

Nationality: American

Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Member: No

Album: American Pie

Producer: Ed Freeman

Release Date: October 24, 1971

Running Time: 36:24

RIAA Certification: Gold

Peak Billboard Chart Position: 1 (Billboard)

Singles: American Pie (Billboard #1) and Vincent (Billboard #12)

Disclaimer: All info that does not reside in my brain is gathered from wikipedia.com (mostly because Jon can't stand it).

Okay, it's official, I'm gonna spend a while in the seventies. This week we cover the third straight album from 1971. Also, Memorial Day is in a few days, and this album has a cool cover that is quite patriotic. The album is American Pie by Don McClean. American Pie (the song) was the only song that I was aware of by McLean for most of my life. But lately, my bro Mike Pell has featured a few of his songs on his show Rockollections. I have yet to hear one that I didn't like. In retrospect, I had heard Vincent, I just didn't realize that it was Don McLean.

Anyway, the album features the chart topping single and title track, American Pie. There is absolutely no way that a person reading this has not heard that song. It's long. The original single had to be split between both sides of the 45. At 8 minutes and 33 seconds in length, it is the longest single ever to reach number one (this info does come from Wikipedia, so it's possible that it actually should say "at the time"). Vincent was also a very respectable hit, and chances are you've heard it before as well. It is also known as Starry, Starry Night. The song is a tribute to artist Vincent Van Gogh.

McLean dedicated the album to Buddy Holly, who was killed in a plane crash on February 3rd, 1959. McLean was a paperboy when it happened (February made me shiver/with every paper I'd deliver). Basically, now the tragedy itself is known as "The Day The Music Died".

So basically, this is a terrific album. It's mostly acoustic and is right out of the folk genre that was very popular at the time. It is very laid back, so if you are a rocker and don't have a taste for more simple, softer music, you may not like this. That's too bad, because I don't see how anyone can listen to a song like Empty Chairs and not realize the brilliance of it.

It's still readily available. You can pick up a brand new, remastered copy with two bonus tracks (not included here) for less than 8 bucks.

Did You Know? The song American Pie was named the number five "Song Of The Century" by the RIAA. It followed these four songs, starting at number one: Over The Rainbow (Judy Garland), White Christmas (Bing Crosby), This Land Is Your Land (Woody Guthrie) and Respect (Aretha Franklin).

1. American Pie

2. Till Tomorrow

3. Vincent

4. Crossroads

5. Winterwood

6. Empty Chairs

7. Everybody Loves Me, Baby

8. Sister Fatima

9. The Grave

10. Babylon

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Permalink Reply by Scott on May 22, 2015 at 8:15am

Still love American Pie, never gets old, and Vincent is definitely familiar in a very good way. But this is more singer songwriter, social commentary folk. Outside of those two tracks it didn't really transport me back into the 70's mindset. Probably should have but , like Niels, it seemed to be really slow for good chunks of the listen.

Jon mentioned this fits his current listening pattern, but it takes me out of mine. Sometimes that's a great thing. I did enjoy the very well played acoustics and the deep thoughts. A great slice in time that Ive never heard before now!

Im going to enjoy this trip into the early 70's youre on...