From the liner notes of
the original Warner Bros.
release : |
"Rod McKuen is a romantic, an unabashed,
totally committed, romantic and last night the California poet-minstrel attracted a full
house of enthusiastically kindred spirits to a birthday concert at Carnegie Hall. His
voice ranges from a smoky purr down to a strangulated whisper, yet it has undeniable
warmth and a virile intimacy that seems to reach out and stroke the audience into willing
submission."
Robert Sherman, The New York Times"McKuen performs a pop miracle by marching to a different
drummer."
Min S. Yee, Newsweek
"McKuen radiated an air of gentleness that seemed to
stem from understanding that love makes the world go round. His songs and recited poems
demonstrated intimate rapport with nature when he wove tales of inquisitive young men
searching for true love and of his childhood days spent waving at passing trains."
Pine, Variety
"Rod McKuen, celebrating his birthday, gave a packed
Carnegie Hall a present on Tuesday (29): a superior birthday concert of a wide range of
the many-faceted entertainer. McKuen's hoarse voice cast its spell as he sang of
loneliness and love... It was a memorable birthday concert."
Fred Kirby, Billboard
"An evening at Carnegie Hall doesn't get any better
than this. What a night, What a show. What a performer ! "
Cotter, New York Daily News
"Now we know what this kid's all about. He's about
excellence, in writing and performing."
Time
This album is a documentary of Rod McKuen's birthday
concert at Carnegie Hall, April 29, 1969. It may tell us why He is not only the
best-selling and most influential poet-writer in America today, but a man whose singing
and performing is so original that one might suspect him of stumbling out of another time.
The list of what Rod McKuen has done with his life is
staggering:
Poet
Classical Composer
Writer of film scores and screenplays
Lumberjack
Best-selling recording artist
Outspoken critic of anything he likes or dislikes
Entertainer
Composer & lyricist of nearly 1OOO songs
Actor
Cowboy, Etc.
But somehow, what Rod is doing with our lives is more
important. He cares and sometimes he gets clobbered for it. Not on that Tuesday night in
April. If you were there you know. Robert Sherman of the Times concluded his review by
saying, "Mr. McKuen would be pleased to know that Odetta, the folk singer, had to
spend much of the concert in the rear of the hall because, as she explained, 'I can't
dance in my seat'"
Edward Habib, May 1969 |
