The Useless Critic 2.0

It’s been a long time since Don McLean was featured on the UC. When it comes to this guy, two words often come to mind. “American Pie.” However, beyond the 5 week number one hit, Don McLean has recorded many Irish traditional songs. I think that must have something to do with his last name. To begin, the first Irish song I ever heard from Don McLean was “The Mountains of Mourne,” which was originally writing by Percy French on the back of a postcard, so one legend once said. His version of this classic is not bad. It’s a little softer than I would have imagined it, but he carries a very comforting feeling with his voice. Moving onward, this next one is a two song piece. The first is “No Irish Need Apply.” He does this one very lively, and there s something just unique about the accent he puts on for the song. The second song in this bit is “Johnny McEldoo,” and I will say that Don McLean does the best version of this that I know. He opens it well, and carries the narration of the lyr...

Friday is finished, and Saturday has started and soared toward sublimation. I didn't really mean to write the word sublimation. QATFYG: To be frank and simple, what is the most All-American Song? Is it simply going to be "Born in the USA" by Springsteen? NO. it just can't be. There has to be something less obvious. There must be something out there with more American Pizaaz and the touch of Jazz. Since this is me, and I love solo bass guitarists. I have to give this Stu Hamm arrangement of the Star-Spangled-Banner! Bitches! Perhaps I could switch now to adding in the song "This Land is your Land," and pick the variation by the Kingston Trio. I will not, and I will digress, but the Kingston Trio is a folk group that has been known to start quite a jubilation in my house. Or perhaps, we could all remember back to the song "America...Fu*k Yeah" from Team America World Police. Nope it has to be "American Pie" by Don McClean. It just has to be...