The wonderful singer/songwriter Don McLean speaks to Music-News.com editor - Marco Gandolfi - at The Kensington Hotel on March 14th 2018. Check out the full uncut interview below.
Prolific American songwriter and performer Don McLean is releasing his new album ‘Botanical Gardens’ on March 23rd 2018. The album precedes a 14-date UK tour, starting April 29th at the Southend Cliffs Pavilion.
With over 40 gold and platinum records worldwide, Don McLean is one of America’s most beloved country artists. ‘Botanical Gardens’, his 19th studio album and first in 8 years, is arguably one of Don’s most reflective to date, as he puts it, “The inspiration for the project started years ago when I would walk in the beautiful gardens in Sydney Australia near the Opera House. I would dream young dreams and it was a comfort and an inspiration. I was always young inside, like we all are, and I felt it again there.”
Further reflecting on the record, Don says, “the whole album really revolves around the title song. Later on I realized that the gardens are really a metaphorical heaven, and there’s a kind of death and rebirth.”
Intimacy can be found at the heart of this record, with Don penning personal numbers looking back on a life well lived, as well as his observations on youth and love. Recording at Watershed Studios in Nashville also allowed a different kind of intimacy for Don and his band, as they were made to “play close and feel the music”, resulting in a raw, yet tight sound throughout.
Don proves his prowess at writing timeless sounding songs once again, as the album weaves country, Americana, folk, and boot stomping rock in this release. In nearly 50 years on the scene, Don’s songs have become a staple in Americana music. His music has been performed by artists as diverse as Elvis Presley, Madonna, Fred Astaire, Chet Atkins, Weird Al Yankovick, George Michael, Josh Groban, Coolio and Ed Sheeran and his biggest hit ‘American Pie’ was recognised with high honours by being inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2003. Don famously only uses Martin guitars. He has more than 40 Martin guitars and in the year 2000, the Martin Guitar Company honoured Don McLean with his own limited edition signature guitar, the D40DM.
Catch Don on tour this year at the following locations.
Don McLean Botanical Gardens UK & IRELAND tour
APR 29 Southend Cliffs Pavilion APR 30 York Barbican Centre MAY 01 Victoria Theatre, Halifax MAY 02 Sage Gateshead MAY 04 De La Warr Pavilion Bexhill On Sea MAY 06 Donald Gordon Theatre, Cardiff MAY 07 The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester MAY 09 London Palladium MAY 10 Symphony Hall, Birmingham MAY 11 Colston Hall Bristol MAY 13 Philharmonic Hall Liverpool MAY 15 Glasgow Royal Concert Hall MAY 16 Usher Hall Edinburgh MAY 20-23 Vicar Street Dublin MAY 25 Theatre Royal Castlebar MAY 26 Millennium Theatre Derry MAY 27 Aura Arena Letterkenny MAY 29 Wexford Opera House MAY 30 Lyrath Estate Kilkenny JUN 01-02 Theatre Limerick JUN 03 Knocknarea Arena Sligo JUN 05 Mullingar Park Hotel Co. Westmeath JUN 07 Waterfront Hall Auditorium Belfast, Ireland JUN 08-09 Seapoint Galway JUN 11-12 Vicar Option Dublin JUN 14 The Marquee Cork
