DON MCLEAN
‘BOTANICAL GARDENS’ RELEASE DATE: 23rd March 2018
Prolific American songwriter and performer Don McLean is releasing his new album ‘Botanical Gardens’ this week, his new single ‘A Total Eclipse of the Sun ’, the first from the album , is currently winging its way to radio stations. The album precedes a 19-date tour in Ireland plus a 14-date UK tour. The Irish tour kicks off with 6 dates in Dublin’s Vicar St, May 20th , culminating with a performance in The Marquee Cork 14th June. Don will play additional dates around the North, South, East and West of the country, see below.
With over 40 gold and platinum records worldwide, Don McLean is one of America’s most beloved country artists. ‘Botanical Gardens’, his 19th studio album and first in 8 years, is arguably one of Don’s most reflective to date, as he puts it, “The inspiration for the project started years ago when I would walk in the beautiful gardens in Sydney Australia near the Opera House. I would dream young dreams and it was a comfort and an inspiration. I was always young inside, like we all are, and I felt it again there.”
Further reflecting on the record, Don says, “the whole album really revolves around the title song. Later on I realized that the gardens are really a metaphorical heaven, and there’s a kind of death and rebirth.”
Intimacy can be found at the heart of this record, with Don penning personal numbers looking back on a life well lived, as well as his observations on youth and love. Recording at Watershed Studios in Nashville also allowed a different kind of intimacy for Don and his band, as they were made to “play close and feel the music”, resulting in a raw, yet tight sound throughout.
Don proves his prowess at writing timeless sounding songs once again, as the album weaves country, Americana, folk, and boot stomping rock in this release. In nearly 50 years on the scene, Don’s songs have become a staple in Americana music. His music has been performed by artists as diverse as Elvis Presley, Madonna, Fred Astaire, Chet Atkins, Weird Al Yankovick, George Michael, Josh Groban, Coolio and Ed Sheeran and his biggest hit ‘American Pie’ was recognised with high honours by being inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2003.
Don famously only uses Martin guitars. He has more than 40 Martin guitars and in 2000, the Martin Guitar Company honoured Don McLean with his own limited edition signature guitar, the D40DM.
Tour dates:
May 20/21/22&23 Dublin’s Vicar St
May 25 Castlebar Theatre Royal
May 26 Derry Millennium Theatre
MAY 27 Aura Arena Letterkenny
MAY 29 Wexford Opera House
MAY 30 Lyrath Estate Kilkenny
JUN 01-02 UCL Theatre Limerick
JUN 03 Knocknarea Arena Sligo
JUN 05 Mullingar Park Hotel Co. Westmeath
JUN 07 Waterfront Hall Auditorium Belfast,
JUN 08-09 Seapoint Galway
JUN 11-12 Vicar St, Dublin
JUN 14 The Marquee Cork
Further information: Lindsey@lhpublicity.ie 01 4970313
www.don-mclean.com