Love Tracks (Don McLean album)

Love Tracks is the ninth studio album by American singer-songwriter Don McLean, released by Capitol in 1988.

Love Tracks
Studio album by
Released1988[1]
GenreCountry
Length30:43
LabelCapitol
ProducerDave Burgess
Don McLean chronology
Dominion
(1982)
Love Tracks
(1988)
For the Memories Vols I & II
(1989)
Singles from Love Tracks
  1. "You Can't Blame the Train"
    Released: October 1987
  2. "Love in My Heart"
    Released: 1988
  3. "Eventually"
    Released: 1988

Two singles were released from the album. You Can't Blame the Train reached No. 49 on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs in December 1987,[2] while "Love in My Heart" reached No. 65 in August 1988.[3]

Critical reception edit

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [4]
Billboardmixed[5]
Cash Boxmixed[6]
Toronto Star (USA)     [7]

Upon release, Cash Box commented: "The man who was the great hope of folk music a decade and a half ago is back but not nearly as eye-opening. Now he's a bit countrified and more than a little corny; but at least he's got Duane Eddy guesting on guitar."[6] Billboard stated: "Missing here are the profound and vivid lyrics that have long been McLean trademarks. Still, the song are melodic and listenable."[5] In a retrospective review, Jim Esch of AllMusic described the album as "overly slick and dated '80s Nashville production" that "mars this comeback effort by Don McLean". He added: "The obvious intent was to pitch McLean at the mainstream country market, and while he does a credible enough job, McLean's real strength was always his sensitive songwriting."[4]

Track listing edit

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Love in My Heart"Michael Brewer3:02
2."Eventually"Terri Sharp2:53
3."Dust for Blood"Don McLean2:57
4."Going for the Gold"Charles Browder, John W. Ryles2:46
5."What Will the World Be Like"McLean2:56
6."The Touch of Her Hand"William Oliver Swofford3:21
7."You Can't Blame the Train"Sharp3:09
8."It's Not Your Fault"McLean2:52
9."Everyday Is a Miracle"McLean3:07
10."Blues Train"McLean3:36

References edit

  1. ^ Larkin, Colin (2011-05-27). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music - Colin Larkin - Google Books. ISBN 9780857125958. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
  2. ^ Billboard. "Don McLean You Can't Blame The Train Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
  3. ^ Billboard. "Don McLean Love In The Heart Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
  4. ^ a b Jim Esch. "Love Tracks - Don McLean | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
  5. ^ a b Billboard magazine – September 3, 1988 – Album reviews – page 72
  6. ^ a b Cash Box newspaper – September 3, 1988 – Album releases: feature picks – page 13
  7. ^ https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/474236081.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Oct+21%2C+1988&author=Craig+MacInnis+Toronto+Star&pub=Toronto+Star&desc=Healey+shows+fluid+dexterity+in+big-league+debut&pqatl=google [dead link]