Search - Don Mclean :: Homeless Brother

More to this singer than "American Pie."

Steve Thomas | 01/20/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"People who dismiss Don McLean as a one-hit wonder forget that, 1) he had more than one hit ("Vincent," "Dreidel" and his cover of Roy Orbison's "Crying") and, 2) making hit records was never his be-all and end-all. The best thing "American Pie" ever did for McLean was make it possible for him to make the albums HE wanted to with little regard for the suits, and HOMELESS BROTHER is a great example of a "loose" concept album that holds together quite well. The concept--exploring the stories of the down-and-outers of the road--could've been overly-romantic in the hands of someone else, but McLean is careful to show the dark side. "Legend of Andrew McCrew" is the best example, a macabre and apparently true story of a traveling carnival's exhibition of the mummified corpse of an anonymous hobo found dead and unclaimed by railroad tracks. McLean's retelling of this is sardonic without being too heavy-handed and the song and performance work. The title song is in the same vein as songs like "Hobo's Prayer" and "Hobo's Lullaby," and covers of George Harrison's "Sunshine Life For Me (Sail Away, Raymond)" and a terrific acapella version of "Crying In The Chapel" (featuring the Persuasions on backup!) are excellent and serve this overview well. The songs that don't fall into this concept are a mixed bag; McLean is capable of more than a little schmaltz and in a couple of songs it's a little too much, but "Wonderful Baby" is a great Thirties-style crooning tune sung for a newborn that swings and soothes.(I understand that Fred Astaire later covered this--I can believe it!) Overall, this album shows Don McLean as a troubador in fine form, which is what it ought to be all about."

Don McClean the storyteller does what he does best.

Steve Thomas | USA | 03/10/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album, released in 1974, was not a huge commercial success for Don, but artistically it is very representative of his work. And, true to form, it is a bit quirky at times. Like "The Legend of Andrew McGrew", the story of a hobo who was killed by a train near the turn of the century, and was mummified and displayed as a carnival attraction for 50 years! A very special tune is "Wonderful Baby". A good tune, and one that should have become a standard.All-in-all, one of Don's better works, and a must for a serious collector."

A nice surprise

George Smithson | Lake Elsinore, CA United States | 07/08/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A tape pf this ablum somehow appeared in my car about 20 years ago. I listened to it and fell in love; you can sing along, cry along or laugh along .... and all those emotions are sure to be triggered.Being an ICU nurse the tale of Andrew McCrew especially sticks my heart and my rather twisted sense of humor.Thanks for more information on the album...will definately have to try to pick up a CD. Charlie Lake Elsinore"