McLean serves up slices of Americana

DON McLEAN, UTAH SYMPHONY, Deer Valley, Saturday.

DEER VALLEY — It's a rare American — of any age — who doesn't know (and love) the classic rock hit "American Pie" — and after 34 years, singer-songwriter Don McLean can still deliver the goods.

McLean joined the Utah Symphony over the weekend for a performance at Sundance on Friday and at Deer Valley on Saturday, treating the audiences to his biggest hits and some lesser-known goodies as well.

The first half of Saturday's concert began with just the Utah Symphony, setting the stage for McLean with a trio of pop medleys:

— First there was "Sounds of the Carpenters," which featured such recognizable tunes as "We've Only Just Begun" and "Rainy Days and Mondays."

— Then came "Motown Memories," with such memorable hits as "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and "Heat Wave."

— And finally, the symphony played a classical medley — "Hooked on Classics."

The latter was the most interesting choice, of course. It's not often one has the opportunity to hear an orchestra the caliber of the Utah Symphony playing "Hooked on Classics."

Following an intermission, the orchestra played an overture, and then McLean took the stage with Buddy Holly's hit "Everyday."

Although he's not as young as he once was, McLean still delivers a solid performance in his folk/pop style.

He ran the gamut in song selections, from such well-known hits as "Castles in the Air" and "And I Love You So," to more obscure songs, such as his so-called "lost hit from the '70s," "If We Try."

McLean also hit on a social/political vein with "Jerusalem" and "Have You Seen Me."

The highlight, of course, was toward the end of the evening, as McLean invited the audience to sing along to a rousing "American Pie."

This is probably one of the few Utah Symphony concerts in memory that had everyone in the audience singing, dancing and pulling out lighters.

(It's safe to say that just doesn't happen in Abravanel Hall.)

The concert ended after "Lost in the Stars" led into "Vincent," and everybody wandered off into the "starry, starry night."

As for the members of the Utah Symphony, they stuck around during McLean's portion, providing mostly a harmonic pad (a k a "sweetening") to his music.

Although the symphony did a fine job during both halves of the concert, the program selection didn't do much to show them off.

But then, that probably wasn't the point with this program.

---

E-MAIL: rcline@desnews.com