Love's Been Good To Me: The Songs Of Rod McKuen
Love's Been Good To Me: The Songs Of Rod McKuen
CD
CD (Compact Disc)
Herkömmliche CD, die mit allen CD-Playern und Computerlaufwerken, aber auch mit den meisten SACD- oder Multiplayern abspielbar ist.
- Label: Ace
- Bestellnummer: 5790726
- Erscheinungstermin: 10.2.2017
The latest in our popular Songwriters series puts the spotlight on the late Rod McKuen.
A born outsider, Rod McKuen was embraced by millions of fans who connected with the expressions of desire, nostalgia and self-acceptance found in his songs and poems. In the early 1960s, he began to visit France and gain entry into Parisian songwriting circles. By 1964 he was co-writing with a host of leading French chansonniers, most notably Jacques Brel, resulting in such international hits as ‘If You Go Away’ and ‘Seasons In The Sun’.
Frank Sinatra devoted his 1969 album “A Man Alone” to McKuen material, turning in suavely bittersweet renditions of such tunes as ‘Lonesome Cities’, ‘Love’s Been Good To Me’ and ‘I’ve Been To Town’. Meanwhile, McKuen gained even wider exposure by composing songs for the films The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie, A Boy Named Charlie Brown and The Borrowers. Another creative avenue opened up when he collaborated with arranger / composer Anita Kerr on a series of thematic albums beginning with 1967’s “The Sea”, a soft-pop landmark of its era.
This compilation offers a taste of the breadth and diversity of McKuen’s output as a songwriter. The versions of his tunes gathered here testify to his versatility, craftsmanship and feel for a strong hook. From folk anthems to movie themes and French chanson ballads, these songs cover exceptionally wide ground.
His death in January 2015 left some of his dreams still unfulfilled, but there was no denying the scope of his accomplishments over a 50-plus year career. Through ability, tenacity and sheer will, he overcame enormous obstacles to become one of the great pop culture icons of his time. Surviving poverty, damaged vocal chords and the sneers of the intelligentsia, he left behind a body of work that deserves rediscovery.
Compilation and sleeve notes are by McKuen’s friend and producer, Jim Pierson.
A born outsider, Rod McKuen was embraced by millions of fans who connected with the expressions of desire, nostalgia and self-acceptance found in his songs and poems. In the early 1960s, he began to visit France and gain entry into Parisian songwriting circles. By 1964 he was co-writing with a host of leading French chansonniers, most notably Jacques Brel, resulting in such international hits as ‘If You Go Away’ and ‘Seasons In The Sun’.
Frank Sinatra devoted his 1969 album “A Man Alone” to McKuen material, turning in suavely bittersweet renditions of such tunes as ‘Lonesome Cities’, ‘Love’s Been Good To Me’ and ‘I’ve Been To Town’. Meanwhile, McKuen gained even wider exposure by composing songs for the films The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie, A Boy Named Charlie Brown and The Borrowers. Another creative avenue opened up when he collaborated with arranger / composer Anita Kerr on a series of thematic albums beginning with 1967’s “The Sea”, a soft-pop landmark of its era.
This compilation offers a taste of the breadth and diversity of McKuen’s output as a songwriter. The versions of his tunes gathered here testify to his versatility, craftsmanship and feel for a strong hook. From folk anthems to movie themes and French chanson ballads, these songs cover exceptionally wide ground.
His death in January 2015 left some of his dreams still unfulfilled, but there was no denying the scope of his accomplishments over a 50-plus year career. Through ability, tenacity and sheer will, he overcame enormous obstacles to become one of the great pop culture icons of his time. Surviving poverty, damaged vocal chords and the sneers of the intelligentsia, he left behind a body of work that deserves rediscovery.
Compilation and sleeve notes are by McKuen’s friend and producer, Jim Pierson.
- Tracklisting
Disk 1 von 1 (CD)
- 1 DOESN'T ANYBODY KNOW MY NAME / Waylon Jennings
- 2 THE WORLD I USED TO KNOW / Glen Campbell
- 3 LOVE'S BEEN GOOD TO ME / Tom Jones
- 4 LONESOME CITIES / Frank Sinatra
- 5 A SINGLE WOMAN / Nina Simone
- 6 LES AMANTS DE COEUR / Jacques Brel
- 7 CHILDREN ONE AND ALL / Mary Travers & Rod McKuen
- 8 THE WIND OF CHANGE / Petula Clark
- 9 JEAN / Oliver
- 10 A BOY NAMED CHARLIE BROWN / Rod McKuen
- 11 IF YOU GO AWAY / Dusty Springfield
- 12 THE SEA / The San Sebastian Strings
- 13 I THINK OF YOU / Perry Como
- 14 HELLO HEARTACHES / Barbara Kay
- 15 ALLY ALLY OXEN FREE / The Kingston Trio
- 16 SOLDIERS WHO WANT TO BE HEROES / The Gateway Trio
- 17 THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ROSE / The Limeliters
- 18 AIN'T YOU GLAD YOU'RE LIVING JOE / Michael Sarne
- 19 THIS IS OUR HOUSE / Shelby Flint
- 20 KALEIDOSCOPE / Nancy Sinatra & Rod McKuen
- 21 ONE BY ONE / Barry McGuire
- 22 I'VE BEEN TO TOWN / Glenn Yarbrough
- 23 BECAUSE WE LOVE / Rod McKuen
- 24 I'LL SAY GOODBYE / Jimmie Rodgers
- 25 SEASONS IN THE SUN / Terry Jacks
