The Jukebox Rebel

After a whole lot of label rejection (reportedly 72 times!), Don McLean's debut album was finally delivered in October, 1970, just as he was turning 25. Fair play to the man for the perseverance. He's often a bit too MOR for me, but there are a few good tracks here, all on side one, where the folk style dominates over the songwriter style of side two. His socially conscious lyrics are a feature of the set - from “General Store” scoffing at the Ku-Klux-Klan-hick to the eco-friendly “Tapestry” to the cry for the poor “Orphans Of Wealth”, positively Dylan-esque in delivery: “And they're treated like tramps while we sell them food stamps This thriving and prosperous nation… And they're African, Mexican, Caucasian, Indian, Hungry and hopeless Americans, The orphans of wealth and of adequate health, Disowned by this nation they live in”. Pity very few were listening…

The Jukebox Rebel
27–Jun–2007

A1	[02:56] Don McLean - Castles In The Air (Don McLean) Songwriter
A2	[02:59] Don McLean - General Store (Don McLean) Folk
A3	[04:35] Don McLean - Magdalene Lane (Don McLean) Folk
A4	[03:44] Don McLean - Tapestry (Don McLean) Folk
A5	[02:29] Don McLean - Respectable (Don McLean) Folk
A6	[04:37] Don McLean - Orphans Of Wealth (Don McLean) Folk
B1	[05:48] Don McLean - Three Flights Up (Don McLean) Songwriter
B2	[04:16] Don McLean - And I Love You So (Don McLean) Songwriter
B3	[03:39] Don McLean - Bad Girl (Don McLean) Songwriter
B4	[05:00] Don McLean - Circus Song (Don McLean) Songwriter
B5	[02:09] Don McLean - No Reason For Your Dreams (Don McLean) Songwriter

ratings by TJR