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Format

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  CDTOP1481CD  £10.00

Label

Ace

Various

Love's Been Good To Me ~ The Songs Of Rod McKuen

The latest in Ace's 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. It features Waylon Jennings, Glen Campbell, Tom Jones, Frank Sinatra, Petula Clark, Dusty Springfield, Perry Como etc.

Tracklist

• 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