Rearview Mirror: An American Musical Journey [Import]

Well, no it's not just another compilation, since the songs on it are largely not the original recordings we all know so well, and of course because there's a DVD this time.

The DVD first: this isn't quite as good as I expected, but it's nice enough. I doubt most will watch it more than once though. Mainly it's Don rehearsing with the Jordannaires. Then there are a couple of music videos that aren't particularly well done.

The CD has some stuff even die-hard collectors might not have come across. Like the first track, a really nice version of Gordon Lightfoot's 'If You Could Read My Mind'. 'TB Blues' is another good one.

But the rest are largely old ground, even if the versions aren't ones you'll have heard before, they're not that different. Some have been on other CDs. I was looking forward to hearing the newish 'Run Diana Run' but it turns out to be one of the worst on the album - it's done in the 'Headroom' style with a silly rock backing and no tune, just shouty, trite rhymes.

There's a long, rambling piece in the booklet from Joel Dorn that doesn't really add much to the story.

In terms of value, the DVD lifts this above the usual, but I was on the whole just a little disappointed.

Rearview Mirror CD Review (ONLY)

The biggest problem with this cd is that the songs
on the compilation have not been accounted for. The
buyer and listener is left to wonder what has already
been released and what is NEW. I hope my citations below
help others. The title "Rearview Mirror" comes from the song
"Run Diana Run" and if refers to paparazzi who are chasing
Princess Diana. I give this CD FOUR stars because of the breadth
of selection and for the UNRELEASED MUSIC. The essay by Joel Dorn
is also interesting, even though he never provides us with citations
that would tell the listener from wherein the "DON MCLEAN ARCHIVES"
the songs derived. The essay combined with song citations would have
made for an EXCELLENT cd booklet. The booklet also has MANY nice photos
of Don Mclean as a kid and as a younger man.

1. If You Could Read My Mind -- From Chain Lightening. I LOVE this song.

2. Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)----- UNRELEASED LIVE VERSION. This is not from the 1976 LIVE SOLO CD, nor is it from the later LIVE in London, England set from around 1980.

3. Wonderful Baby---- LIVE and UNRELEASED. I don't know if we needed another live version of this song though.

4. Love Me Tender-----UNRELEASED STUDIO VERSION. This song has never been on a Don Mclean cd. This studio version is a lot like "If You Could Read My Mind", the rendition is. This cover is equally as good as "IYCRMM". It's a nice track but I wish it was placed further down in the mix of tracks.

5. (It Was) A Very Good Year----UNRELEASED STUDIO VERSION.

6. El Paso---- I think this is the version from the "Don Mclean Sings Marty Robbins" cd.

7. My Saddle Pals and I---- I guess this is from Don's "Western Album". I HATE IT.

8. And I Love You So----- LIVE and rom the "Starry Starry Night cd" featuring Nanci Griffith. This song was first released in 2000. It's nice to have this version on another cd.

9. Crying---- LIVE and from The "Starry Starry Night" cd

10. Empty Chairs----LIVE AND UNRELEASED. This version is quite easily BETTER than the version from "American Pie".

11. Homeless Brother------LIVE, I'm not sure if this has been released before now or not.

12. TB Blues-------- LIVE and previously UNRELEASED. Don's voice is INCREDIBLE and his acoustic guitar work is masterful.

13. Magdalene Lane----- LIVE and previously UNRELEASED. I've heard this version before and I think it is on one of the bootleg recordings that I have.

14. Infinity---LIVE and previously UNRELEASED.

15. Prime Time-----LIVE and previously UNRELEASED.

16. American Pie---Studio version with some clapping overdubbed at the beginning of the song.

17. Run, Diana Run----Previously UNRELEASED STUDIO song. I think this song is pretty good. It's more of a rock song than a vocal. It is in the vein of "Prime Time". The song is about Princess Diana. I don't know if it was written before or after her untimely death.

18. You've Got to Share---- This is from "You've Got To Share, Songs for Children". This has Don singing along with his son and daughter. This song is quite nice and innocent. The harmony the three make is quite sweet.

Trying to gather a collection of songs together that can truly give an impression of such a diverse artist like Don McLean is not easy. Grammy Award winning Producer Joel Dorn has done just that with Reaview Mirror. He's captured the wonderful vocalist and interpreter of Songs , the Solo live concert artist , the concert artist with full band and strings , the folk singer and the blues singer. Don McLean is all of these - he's also a cowboy and Dorn has included to fine examples of McLean in cowboy mode. This CD is a gem - as a bonus it includes McLean's new single from his upcoming originals CD - plus a bonus DVD - this is value and well worth the price - as the album has just been released I ould doubt the reviewer who claims to have found it in a clearance bin - and doubt he even listed to it. Buy it its great