RELEASED 2017
LABEL Ace Records / Border Music
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.
Track Listing:
DISC 1:
DOESN'T ANYBODY KNOW MY NAME - Waylon Jennings
THE WORLD I USED TO KNOW - Glen Campbell
LOVE'S BEEN GOOD TO ME - Tom Jones
LONESOME CITIES - Frank Sinatra
A SINGLE WOMAN - Nina Simone
LES AMANTS DE COEUR - Jacques Brel
CHILDREN ONE AND ALL - Mary Travers & Rod McKuen
THE WIND OF CHANGE - Petula Clark
JEAN - Oliver
A BOY NAMED CHARLIE BROWN - Rod McKuen
IF YOU GO AWAY - Dusty Springfield
THE SEA - The San Sebastian Strings
I THINK OF YOU - Perry Como
HELLO HEARTACHES - Barbara Kay
ALLY ALLY OXEN FREE - The Kingston Trio
SOLDIERS WHO WANT TO BE HEROES - The Gateway Trio
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ROSE - The Limeliters
AIN'T YOU GLAD YOU'RE LIVING JOE - Michael Sarne
THIS IS OUR HOUSE - Shelby Flint
KALEIDOSCOPE - Nancy Sinatra & Rod McKuen
ONE BY ONE - Barry McGuire
I'VE BEEN TO TOWN - Glenn Yarbrough
BECAUSE WE LOVE - Rod McKuen
I'LL SAY GOODBYE - Jimmie Rodgers
SEASONS IN THE SUN - Terry Jacks
