Comments on: London – May 7th http://www.don-mclean.com/europe2010/?p=122 World Tour 2010-11 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 09:13:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Iain http://www.don-mclean.com/europe2010/?p=122&cpage=1#comment-1198 Iain Fri, 21 May 2010 10:57:55 +0000 http://www.don-mclean.com/europe2010/?p=122#comment-1198 This was my first Don Mclean concert having missed out in 2007 when he was at the Marlowe Theatre ( right on my doorstep! ). I was lucky enough to be sitting right at the front after I bought 2 tickets from a guy who couldn't attend. I have always loved his songs since I was a young boy and I thouroughly enjoyed the evening. He sang all the songs I wanted to hear and I certainly didn't go home disapointed. My favourites were Vincent, Empty Chairs, and Crossroads and American Pie was amazing... 40 year old song and nearly 65 year old man and still has the whole hall on their feet!! This was my first Don Mclean concert having missed out in 2007 when he was at the Marlowe Theatre ( right on my doorstep! ). I was lucky enough to be sitting right at the front after I bought 2 tickets from a guy who couldn’t attend. I have always loved his songs since I was a young boy and I thouroughly enjoyed the evening. He sang all the songs I wanted to hear and I certainly didn’t go home disapointed. My favourites were Vincent, Empty Chairs, and Crossroads and American Pie was amazing… 40 year old song and nearly 65 year old man and still has the whole hall on their feet!!

]]> By: sal http://www.don-mclean.com/europe2010/?p=122&cpage=1#comment-648 sal Wed, 12 May 2010 21:57:07 +0000 http://www.don-mclean.com/europe2010/?p=122#comment-648 I was rather disappointed, few of my favourites were there until the point when we had to unfortunately get up and leave. I thought the support act was brilliant/ first class and would pay the same £60 to see her alone, a world name to watch out for!! The concert should have started much earlier. I saw Leonard Cohen in Brighton in 2008 - on stage for 3hrs and still left by 11pm An Experience!! Thanks I was rather disappointed, few of my favourites were there until the point when we had to unfortunately get up and leave. I thought the support act was brilliant/ first class and would pay the same £60 to see her alone, a world name to watch out for!!
The concert should have started much earlier.

I saw Leonard Cohen in Brighton in 2008 – on stage for 3hrs and still left by 11pm
An Experience!!
Thanks

]]> By: T.K. Kang http://www.don-mclean.com/europe2010/?p=122&cpage=1#comment-610 T.K. Kang Tue, 11 May 2010 13:40:45 +0000 http://www.don-mclean.com/europe2010/?p=122#comment-610 Wished I was there..... !! Wished I was there….. !!

]]> By: Judith Cowell http://www.don-mclean.com/europe2010/?p=122&cpage=1#comment-588 Judith Cowell Mon, 10 May 2010 21:27:14 +0000 http://www.don-mclean.com/europe2010/?p=122#comment-588 Waited nearly 40 years to hear my favourite song of all time 'American Pie' played live! I was not disappointed - it was amazing! A big fan of Don since I was 15. American Pie was also the first single my 22 year old daughter bought when it was re released. Waited nearly 40 years to hear my favourite song of all time ‘American Pie’ played live! I was not disappointed – it was amazing! A big fan of Don since I was 15. American Pie was also the first single my 22 year old daughter bought when it was re released.

]]> By: Steve http://www.don-mclean.com/europe2010/?p=122&cpage=1#comment-586 Steve Mon, 10 May 2010 20:02:25 +0000 http://www.don-mclean.com/europe2010/?p=122#comment-586 My wife (Liz) and I were able to attend Don McLean's fantastic concert at the Royal Albert Hall. We traveled from Minneapolis, MN, USA and this was our last night in London. The venue and concert were a fantastic way to finish our trip. We both were waiting to hear Vincent, it was a great encore. We celebrated Valentine's day at the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul watching "Van Gogh: Brush with Genius" at the Omnitheater. Don's "Vincent" was played during the movie, and the concert brought the experience back for me. Leslie Roley started the night off wonderfully, and created a bond with the audience. She knew how to pull us in with "I like the flowers ....." and the picture taking from on stage. My wife (Liz) and I were able to attend Don McLean’s fantastic concert at the Royal Albert Hall. We traveled from Minneapolis, MN, USA and this was our last night in London. The venue and concert were a fantastic way to finish our trip.

We both were waiting to hear Vincent, it was a great encore. We celebrated Valentine’s day at the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul watching “Van Gogh: Brush with Genius” at the Omnitheater. Don’s “Vincent” was played during the movie, and the concert brought the experience back for me.

Leslie Roley started the night off wonderfully, and created a bond with the audience. She knew how to pull us in with “I like the flowers …..” and the picture taking from on stage.

]]> By: Wanda http://www.don-mclean.com/europe2010/?p=122&cpage=1#comment-580 Wanda Mon, 10 May 2010 14:34:47 +0000 http://www.don-mclean.com/europe2010/?p=122#comment-580 Another video from the RAH. The ONLY solo song Don played? Even Vincent at the end of the show featured the 'marching band'. I love the line about the 'echo as he climbs the stairs'. For some reason Donny clips off the opening guitar notes and ommits the closing strum of notes - leaving a rapt audience waiting for the song ending, then belatedly clapping when they realise they ain't comin'. I was not impressed Don. :-) Empty Chairs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiYk41g4bzI Another video from the RAH.

The ONLY solo song Don played? Even Vincent at the end of the show featured the ‘marching band’.

I love the line about the ‘echo as he climbs the stairs’. For some reason Donny clips off the opening guitar notes and ommits the closing strum of notes – leaving a rapt audience waiting for the song ending, then belatedly clapping when they realise they ain’t comin’. I was not impressed Don. :-)

Empty Chairs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiYk41g4bzI

]]> By: Annie http://www.don-mclean.com/europe2010/?p=122&cpage=1#comment-564 Annie Sun, 09 May 2010 21:01:15 +0000 http://www.don-mclean.com/europe2010/?p=122#comment-564 Memories are so much better than dreams, that’s what my husband has always said to me and to see Don again at the RAH is such a good memory to have. We are all entitled to our own view point and this is mine from where I was sitting in a box close to the stage with a great group of long time Don fans and from Cloud 9 post performance. I am aware from reading some of the reviews that fans are frustrated by :poor sound quality, the choice of songs, the banjo not being played, transport timings etc the list could go on ,but, Don told us in a radio interview he knows over 10.000 songs so he’s not going to please anyone one of us all of the time and many things are out of his control, so why oh why can’t fans enjoy the concert for what it is Don at his best, live, no act, no set list just pure magic with an amazing bunch of musicians and an enduring happy memory to take away with you till next time [ I hope ] and enjoy the change in the way he plays or sings his songs . His voice is still amazing even though he has to adjust some notes ,so even with volcanic ash I only had to hear Crying and I got goose bumps. Crossroads too left me crying silently the emotion is heartfelt and Tony on the piano well WOW! We arrived at the stage door in the hope of seeing Don before the concert but just missed him which was sad for me , I had hoped to give him my red rose a tradition of mine so I had to hand it in at the stage door and hope it reached him. I also wanted to get something rather special signed, Ron Buck made it happen so thanks a million Ron. Another fan waiting for an autograph took my friend Angela and I under his wing lending me his coat to keep warm and listening to me rambling on about just how wonderful Don is in concert, he asked why we attend more than one concert so we told him it’s never the same concert, that is what is so fantastic about Don, I believe his band only know the opening number and then he keeps them on their toes ,how amazing is that so many bands these days have set lists taped to the floor but no our Don. He dedicated “Someone to Watch Over Me “ to his wife Patrisha in the audience, actually she was discreetly taking photographs of him, there were allot of smiles for her when he knew she was there. That song makes me tingle and was sung so beautifully . I do hope we might be lucky enough to see those photographs as he looked gorgeous in dark red shirt. He came out to rapturous applause and when he sang American Pie his song, not Madonna’s I think the whole of the RAH was standing he said he loves applause well he got it and plenty of it and well deserved too. We waited a long time after the concert for Don to appear but it was and is always worth it for a hand shake a warm smile and a promise that Manchester will be great .Only 5 days to go hurrah till I see him again .His wife and son were charming to meet too, his son a reminder of what a young Don used to look like! There was a great couple from Montreal too who had seen Don for the first time loved his music the and had danced at the front of the stage, they said the music made them feel that way. We took a taxi back to our apartment where I probably drove BillH and Angela nuts with my incessant chatter about how good Don had been while we ate doughnuts and drank coffee realising it had been such a long time since we had eaten. I hardly slept living through all the music of the concert again and an early morning cup of tea was made even more wonderful with Don on DVD a recent you tube download that BillH had been given . Thank you Don for another lovely memory. Memories are so much better than dreams, that’s what my husband has always said to me and to see Don again at the RAH is such a good memory to have. We are all entitled to our own view point and this is mine from where I was sitting in a box close to the stage with a great group of long time Don fans and from Cloud 9 post performance.
I am aware from reading some of the reviews that fans are frustrated by :poor sound quality, the choice of songs, the banjo not being played, transport timings etc the list could go on ,but, Don told us in a radio interview he knows over 10.000 songs so he’s not going to please anyone one of us all of the time and many things are out of his control, so why oh why can’t fans enjoy the concert for what it is Don at his best, live, no act, no set list just pure magic with an amazing bunch of musicians and an enduring happy memory to take away with you till next time [ I hope ] and enjoy the change in the way he plays or sings his songs . His voice is still amazing even though he has to adjust some notes ,so even with volcanic ash I only had to hear Crying and I got goose bumps. Crossroads too left me crying silently the emotion is heartfelt and Tony on the piano well WOW!
We arrived at the stage door in the hope of seeing Don before the concert but just missed him which was sad for me , I had hoped to give him my red rose a tradition of mine so I had to hand it in at the stage door and hope it reached him. I also wanted to get something rather special signed, Ron Buck made it happen so thanks a million Ron. Another fan waiting for an autograph took my friend Angela and I under his wing lending me his coat to keep warm and listening to me rambling on about just how wonderful Don is in concert, he asked why we attend more than one concert so we told him it’s never the same concert, that is what is so fantastic about Don, I believe his band only know the opening number and then he keeps them on their toes ,how amazing is that so many bands these days have set lists taped to the floor but no our Don.
He dedicated “Someone to Watch Over Me “ to his wife Patrisha in the audience, actually she was discreetly taking photographs of him, there were allot of smiles for her when he knew she was there. That song makes me tingle and was sung so beautifully . I do hope we might be lucky enough to see those photographs as he looked gorgeous in dark red shirt.
He came out to rapturous applause and when he sang American Pie his song, not Madonna’s I think the whole of the RAH was standing he said he loves applause well he got it and plenty of it and well deserved too.
We waited a long time after the concert for Don to appear but it was and is always worth it for a hand shake a warm smile and a promise that Manchester will be great .Only 5 days to go hurrah till I see him again .His wife and son were charming to meet too, his son a reminder of what a young Don used to look like! There was a great couple from Montreal too who had seen Don for the first time loved his music the and had danced at the front of the stage, they said the music made them feel that way.
We took a taxi back to our apartment where I probably drove BillH and Angela nuts with my incessant chatter about how good Don had been while we ate doughnuts and drank coffee realising it had been such a long time since we had eaten. I hardly slept living through all the music of the concert again and an early morning cup of tea was made even more wonderful with Don on DVD a recent you tube download that BillH had been given .
Thank you Don for another lovely memory.

]]> By: Wanda http://www.don-mclean.com/europe2010/?p=122&cpage=1#comment-562 Wanda Sun, 09 May 2010 13:23:09 +0000 http://www.don-mclean.com/europe2010/?p=122#comment-562 Thanks Bob for your comments, you are a real good guy. At Bournemouth Don also saved Vincent for the enore and it was also the last song of the night there - banjo also remaining unplayed. At least the RAH audience also got Castles in the Air afterwards. I have videos of both of those songs, may upload them when I get the chance. Regarding the running time, notices around the hall stated that Don McLean would be on from 9pm - 10.45pm. The notices also stated NO cameras and NO recording equipment too. OOPS. :-) Meanwhile, here's my video of Winterwood. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJt6Feb_ZAQ Thanks Bob for your comments, you are a real good guy.

At Bournemouth Don also saved Vincent for the enore and it was also the last song of the night there – banjo also remaining unplayed. At least the RAH audience also got Castles in the Air afterwards. I have videos of both of those songs, may upload them when I get the chance.

Regarding the running time, notices around the hall stated that Don McLean would be on from 9pm – 10.45pm. The notices also stated NO cameras and NO recording equipment too. OOPS. :-)

Meanwhile, here’s my video of Winterwood.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJt6Feb_ZAQ

]]> By: Andrew http://www.don-mclean.com/europe2010/?p=122&cpage=1#comment-560 Andrew Sun, 09 May 2010 12:13:32 +0000 http://www.don-mclean.com/europe2010/?p=122#comment-560 Bill N Thanks for the set list. I always go into the "zone" when I see Don Mclean and muddle up the set list. Enjoy tonight & thank you Don. Bill N

Thanks for the set list. I always go into the “zone” when I see Don Mclean and muddle up the set list. Enjoy tonight & thank you Don.

]]> By: Mary W http://www.don-mclean.com/europe2010/?p=122&cpage=1#comment-558 Mary W Sun, 09 May 2010 12:11:48 +0000 http://www.don-mclean.com/europe2010/?p=122#comment-558 This was our first Don McLean concert having been fans since the 70s. We enjoyed the songs he played and it was a good night but I thought it a bit sneaky ending with American Pie not having played Vincent and reserving this for an encore. I was just getting disappointed as it's my favourite number - I also missed 'Dreidel' which I like a lot. Anyway at least he played Vincent - his delivery and presence is masterful and this was great entertainment, also an excellent backing band. This was our first Don McLean concert having been fans since the 70s. We enjoyed the songs he played and it was a good night but I thought it a bit sneaky ending with American Pie not having played Vincent and reserving this for an encore. I was just getting disappointed as it’s my favourite number – I also missed ‘Dreidel’ which I like a lot. Anyway at least he played Vincent – his delivery and presence is masterful and this was great entertainment, also an excellent backing band.

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