| Year |
Album |
Notes |
| 1971 |
American Pie |
|
| 1971 |
Tapestry |
Don's first album, famously rejected by over 30 labels before being snapped up by Mediarts. Mediarts was soon taken over by United Artists. Album includes legendary 'Castles in the Air' and 'And I Love You So' and other excellent folk songs concerned with environmental and social issues. Reissued in 1994 by BGO records on CD with extensive liner notes. |
| 1972 |
Don McLean |
Follow up to the 'American Pie' album and single. From this album, 'Dreidel' and 'If We Try' became hits. Reissued in 1994 by BGO records on CD with extensive liner notes. |
| 1973 |
Playin Favorites |
A collection of cover versions of folk, pop and blue-grass numbers. 'Everyday', 'Fool's Paradise', and 'Mountains of Mourne' became hit singles. CD re-issue by BGO records in 1994 features lyrics and extensive liner notes |
| 1974 |
Homeless Brother |
Features 'Wonderful Baby', later recorded by Fred Astaire. 'La La Love You' became a minor hit. Reissued in 1994 by BGO records on CD with extensive liner notes. |
| 1976 |
Solo |
Double album recorded LIVE in Manchester, Bristol, and Oxford, England. Reissued in 1994 by BGO records on CD with extensive liner notes. |
| 1977 |
Prime Time |
His one and only album with Arista records. Arguably his least successful album but one that contains excellent songs. 'When Love Begins' and 'The Pattern is Broken' were written and recorded for the film 'Fraternity Row'. Re-issued in 1997 on Hip-o Records with 'If You Can Dream' bonus track and liner notes written by Joel Dorn. |
| 1978 |
Chain Lightning |
A worldwide hit album. Recorded in Nashville and features for the first time with Don McLean, Elvis Presley's backing singers (The Jordanaires) and musicians. 'Crying' and 'Since I Don't Have You' became huge hits. CD re-issue (hip-o records, 1997) includes bonus track 'If You Could Read My Mind'. CD cover also features the original artwork that was not used for the original release. |
| 1980 |
Very Best of Don McLean |
Made UK top-3 |
| 1981 |
Believers |
Includes the re-recorded 'Castles in the Air' and the highly popular 'Jerusalem'. The 1997 Hip-o records re-issue of this album includes detailed liner notes written by Don McLean himself. In them he tells us that he re-recorded 'Castles in the Air' for this album because "I never liked the original, which at most had been a 'B' side for both 'And I Love You So' on Mediarts Records and later for 'Vincent' on United Artists Records. When this recording was released it went top-40 around the world and it si now the 'hit' version of the song." CD re-issue on hip-o records in 1997 includes bonus track: 'Dream Lover' (studio version). |
| 1983 |
Dominion |
Recorded live in concert at the Dominion Theatre, London in 1980. Features band and strings. |
| 1985 |
American Pie & Other Hits |
|
| 1986 |
For the Memories |
UK Release |
| 1986 |
Greatest Hits Then & Now |
Mix of old Don McLean classics and new compositions |
| 1988 |
Love Tracks |
The first and only time Don McLean has recorded brand new songs written by other composers. 'Can't Blame the Train' became a top-40 country hit. 'Love in my Heart' made the top-10 in Australia. |
| 1988 |
Best of Don McLean |
|
| 1989 |
For the Memories Vols I & II |
Songs from the 30s, 40s and 50s. 1997 reissue on hip-o records includes bonus track 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' |
| 1989 |
Very Best of Don McLean |
CD re-issue of 1980 release but featuring 5 bonus tracks |
| 1989 |
And I Love You So |
UK release. |
| 1991 |
Best of Don McLean |
UK release in response to Don's return to the UK top-10 with the re-issue of 'American Pie' |
| 1991 |
Don McLean Christmas |
|
| 1991 |
Headroom |
|
| 1992 |
Favorites & Rarities |
Includes many previously un-released songs dating back to the 'Tapestry' and 'American Pie' sessions. Biographical booklet included. |
| 1992 |
Don McLean Classics |
Includes re-recorded versions of 'American Pie', 'Vincent' and 'And I Love You So' |
| 1994 |
Crying: The Most Beautiful Love Songs |
Compilation. |
| 1994 |
Very Best of Don McLean: American Pie |
|
| 1994 |
Killing Us Softly |
Australian release. |
| 1995 |
River of Love |
|
| 1996 |
Favorites |
Compilation |
| 1997 |
Greatest Hits Live |
CD re-issue of 'Dominion' |
| 1997 |
Don McLean Christmas Dreams |
|
| 1998 |
American Pie |
Digitally remastered. Gold Disc. New liner notes, lyrics and photos. |
| 1999 |
20 Great Love Songs |
Netherlands release available internationally (compilation) |
| 2000 |
American Pie: The Greatest Hits of Don McLean |
International release that made the top-30 in the UK in April 2000. |
| 2000 |
The Don McLean Collection |
Yet another compilation but with some interesting song choices. The album features LIVE versions of 'American Pie' and 'Vincent'. |
| 2001 |
Starry Starry Night |
A double CD release of Don McLean's November 1999 concert in Austin, Texas that was recorded for broadcast throughout the USA by PBS in March 2000. This double-CD was sold as part of the PBS 'pedge' and has an accompanying video. Don is accompanied by his band and an orchestra. Guest appearance from Nanci Griffith. Released April 24th 2001. |
| 2001 |
Don McLean Sings Marty Robbins |
Released April 24th 2001. Don covers a collection of Marty Robbins songs. See the 'Marty Robbins' link on this site for more information. |
| 2003 |
The Western Album |
"Some albums are labors of love, others works of art. In returning to the western music which fired the imagination of his youth, Don McLean has clearly, beautifully, crafted a work of love and a work of art as well, spanning the spectrum of western music." Ranger Doug, Riders in the Sky
This album is dedicated to the memory of
Neal Matthews and Duane West
These were their last studio sessions.
"My Saddle Pal and I" was recorded at the wrap party for the "Chain Lightning" album.
Recording made on the spur of the moment, all quite drunk. |
| 2003 |
American Pie: Original Recording Remastered |
The American Pie album has been remastered and two bonus tracks (both from the original studio sessions) added. There are extensive liner notes, including Don McLean providing song by song notes. The accompanying booklet also includes lyrics to every song. Unusual cardboard packaging gives the feel of an original music LP. |
| 2003 |
Legendary Songs of Don McLean |
Comprehensive compilation for the North American market that features a previously unreleased track called "Just to hold my hand". |
| 2003 |
You've Got to Share |
Don's album of children's music to be released on the Web in March/April 2003. |
| 2004 |
Christmastime! |
Complete collection of Don McLean's Christmas recordings. |
| 2005 |
Rearview Mirror |
Career retrospective including previously unreleased material, the original studio recording of American Pie and Don's new song, Run, Diana Run. Includes a bonus DVD featuring Don McLean rehearsing at home with the Jordanaires in 1984 and Don's only music video - Headroom. |
