Don McLean live

Press, 26 October 1982, Page 6

Don McLean live

■ Don McLean, at the Christchurch Town Hall auditorium' last, evening. Running time, 8.15 p.m. to 10.44 p.m. Reviewed by Nevin Topp. Perhaps-the best clue to Don McLean’s concert came from the - singer-songwriter himself. Introducing a song as; a Spanish one, written by an Irishman, and record in Texas, McLean, accompanied on stage by a bassist and another (electric and acoustic) guitarist, sang “South of the Border.” The concert was a melting pot of styles presented in a professional and entertaining manner. It was not his hits, “Vincent,” . or “American Pie,” which will stay in the mind

of the concert-goers, rather it was his approach as an artist. He said that modernday music had embarked on a present day course that stank. "I like rock ’n’ roll but with more than one chord. I’m a two-chord man,” he said. Later in the concert he proved his point by playing a number of rock ’n’ roll hits. The show had an interesting structure. It moved from one of social concern in a folkish stance at the outset to a more mellow romantic ’ line, before finally settling on rock *n’, roll. . <: McLean made the romantic songs seem natural -

there were five between "South of the Border” to the Roy Orbison hit "Crying” Some might have considered that McLean had played “American Pie” with almost indecent haste, but after 10 years who can blame him. But in the encore McLean sang two rock ’n‘ roll hits. Carl Perkins’ “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Maybe Baby” by Buddy Holly. McLean also mentioned the likes of Nat King Cole and Marty Robbins during the show, and it all adds up to prove that popular music is not dead, but is a steadily growing tradition.