Don McLean

Don McLean presented a delighted Brighton audience with a juicy slice of American Pie on the final date of his 40th Anniversary Tour. Supported by a four-piece band hailing from Music City in Nashville, the veteran singer-songwriter moved seamlessly between different musical styles, ranging from his home ground of folk to country and rock. He provided us with a grand tour of his influences ranging from Buddy Holly to Johnny Cash, and his 2010 composition ‘In a Museum’ was one of several livelier numbers which set the pulse racing and the feet tapping. Interspersed with these were his moving unaccompanied classics including ‘And I Love You So’, ‘Empty Chairs’ and of course ‘Vincent’. Inevitably though, it was ‘American Pie’ which brought the audience to their feet. Sadly it wasn’t a starry starry night, but we could still all feel like we were ‘good ole boys’ (and girls) for a while, as we sang along with a music legend.

Concert Hall, Brighton Dome, 20 November 2012

Rating: