Rave reviews for Don McLean

As Don McLean prepares for his Sligo concert this weekend, here are some of the reviews from his London Palladium gig - “A concert of well-worn rock’n’roll and acoustic folk that placed the singer-songwriter somewhere between entertainer and poetic maverick” “His masterpiece remains one of the great achievements of the singersongwriter era… he played it, of course, and brilliantly.

“Finally, after the American Pie moment, came Vincent, as poignant as ever with it s serene mood and words of acceptance.” “McLean’s concert was uplifting because it demonstrated a man doing whatever the hell he wanted after almost 50 years in the game.” The Times.

“the American Pie singer’s easy wit and arch anecdotes provided enough colour and context to carr y the evening.” “A sprawling rumination on counterculture’s impact on the American dream, the song (American Pie) was joyous. Oneby-one, the l argely baby boomer audience sprung up like popping corn, singing ever y word and confirming American Pie as their Hey Jude or Wonderwall.” “Some people argue that McLean only has a handful of classic songs, though there’s far more to him than that.” The Telegraph McLean’s own Castles in the Air is l ovely, and hearing him sing Vincent – his youthful eulogy to Van Gogh – is magical, a bucket-list moment.

It turns into a sing-song marathon, and one chap is escorted away after simulating the act of prayer at the singer’s feet. The Guardian

“There is something haunting and magical to hear him play Cr ying, and for it to be so familiar, barely touched by the inter vening decades.”

“Don McLean is majestic, and he held the audience at the London Palladium in his thrall…it was an evening of rich entertainment”

“In truth, nothing could have prepared us for the near-religious experience the song (American Pie) induced in the audience, who were readily willing to submit to it s intoxicating charms.” Entertainment Focus