Categories: uncategorized
Date: 23 June 2011 06:01:36
Monday night I got to see my favourite song of all time, "American Pie" performed live at a gig where the most exciting performer was actually "the legend's" son. Wyatt McLean is definately a name to keep an eye out for he is a wonderfully unassuming 18 year old singer song-writer. Couldn't find a web page to link to for him, but this is the link to Don McLean's - man who should be told to steer well clear of rock based novelty songs, he is a musician not a caberet star.
The concert was great and there was no support as McLean snr. played both slots of the show, except for the brief interlude when he gave the stage over to his son and daughter. All the greats were there (Vincent, Castles in the Air and of course American Pie) and it was a good performance by a true musician and his band who reminded me of the band in the Blues Brothers, you know great musicians in their own right acting as the backing band .
The best material beyond "the hits" was the gospel, folk, country and blue grass stuff he was playing. I was really touched by Homeless Brother which was a beautiful country number. After the kids came on they did some family stuff which involved all gathering around a mic together, just like you see in those 50's documentaries - this was great. The guy is obviously older than he used to be and his voice is not as good as it was as a result but it was still a stella experience.
As for American Pie....well it was American Pie and we all knew the words and all I can say is if the BBC show him doing it at Glasto on Sunday watch - there is something magical in that many people being united in a common song which has so many memories and is being performed by a guy who rather than resenting it seems more than aware of the power it has - and probably the way it continues to pay his bills.