Bryan MacLean - Alone Again Or (Second Version)
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- Опубликовано: 30 мар 2013
- Bryan MacLean - Ifyoubelievein (1997)
As the secondary songwriter in the renowned folk-rock/psychedelic group Love, guitarist and vocalist Bryan MacLean was overshadowed by that group's driving force, singer/songwriter Arthur Lee. Yet MacLean did manage to squeeze a few of his own compositions onto the group's first three albums: "Softly to Me," "Orange Skies," "Old Man," and "Alone Again Or." MacLean's tunes had a lighter, poppier touch than Lee's, but also had a similar evanescent, mystical glow, enhanced by MacLean's odd trembling vocals. "Alone Again Or," in fact, could be Love's most well-known song of all, leading off their classic Forever Changes album, and driven by an unearthly arrangement of harmony vocals, mariachi trumpet, and strings.
MacLean left Love under confused circumstances in 1968, shortly after the release of Forever Changes. Elektra offered to record him as a solo artist, but decided not to release anything after hearing the projected material, which label boss Jac Holzman, according to MacLean's recollection, found "too fragmented." MacLean was halfway through a solo album for Capitol when he abandoned the rock business in 1970. He did play some live shows with Arthur Lee in a retooled version of Love in the late '70s, but had, for most purposes, turned away from the entertainment world towards Christianity. His half sister, Maria McKee, rose to prominence as a country-rock singer in the 1980s and 1990s, both with Lone Justice and as a solo act.
In 1997, Sundazed released a collection of solo acoustic MacLean demos, ifyoubelievein, that were mostly recorded back in Love's 1966-1967 heyday (some material from 1972 and 1982 was also included). Most of the songs were never released by Love, and form an intriguing missing piece of the cult group's legacy, which highlights MacLean's enigmatic melodic and rhythmic compositional style, with its unconventional meter stretches and key switches. His quavering vocals, too, are revealed as a potentially greater influence on the style Lee employed throughout Forever Changes than was previously thought. A second album of similar solo acoustic vault material, Candy's Waltz, recorded between 1971 and 1984 (although many of the songs had been written in 1966-1970), appeared on Sundazed in 2000. MacLean, however, wasn't around to see its release, having died on Christmas Day, 1998.
Source: Allmusic.com
So happy that the original songwriter's tapes were preserved and shared. Beautiful song. Thank you Bryan.
Bryan's solo performance of his famous song is hauntingly beautiful. This is the real Bryan Maclean.
Lovely to show that not only had Brian written the song but he also had the arrangement for the horn break! And it is sung SO much better here than on the record....
By this masterpiece alone Bryan MacLean can claim the throne of The Most Underrated Songwriter pop has ever known. And, here his voice has evolved in quantum leaps since the Forvever Changes days.
Bryan's solo voice and guitar version of Alone Again Or stands shoulder to shoulder with Love's rendition.
Brian was a friend of mine. I can still remember when I was meeting up with him if I was a little late. He would always be leaning up against his car or the building on his cell phone. Often wonder if he was really talking to anybody. He pretended like he was upset cuz I was late. I still enjoy listening to Brian's music.
One of the greatest songs ever written.This is Bryan at his best. Thank you Bryan and Artur both unique in your own ways. R.I.P. ^^
Wonderfully intimate and deeply felt; nice guitar playing as well. It's such a shame that Lee's prodigious narcissism and multi-layered paranoid drug and alcohol-addled defenses crowded out many of other Bryan's contributions. It is ironic, then--but also a fitting tribute to Bryan--that this composition would become the emblematic Forever Changes song. Those who view this site, however, know of and appreciate Bryan's gifts, and understand that Love was more than just Arthur Lee's vehicle.
Love's recording of this song still can make the hair on the back of my neck stand up all these years later. RIP and thank you, Bryan - you were a great talent.
When I was younger, I thought if time travel became possible, I would push the lever into the future. Now I know I would pull it back
RIP Bryan Maclean (September 25, 1946 - December 25, 1998), aged 52
Songwriting of the highest order
Magnificently genuine as timeless. .
I was about 13 when a friend and I sneaked into the Hullabaloo on Sunset and saw Love with Maclean and Arthur Lee
Great guitar. I can hear those mariachi trumpets.
Most beautiful song a lot of people never heard! Very underated LA band. I have the 45 from my 8th grade ! Song freakin’ stops me in my tracks still 51 years later !
Right after I graduated from Navy boot camp in San Diego in 1966, I went to radio school. A friend and I went to a small club outside the base and Love was playing there. I fell in love with their music and have been a fan ever since! Even though they were more of a west coast phenomenon, its great to turn other people on to their music which is so relevant even now.
He has an amazing voice and sounds like no one else, he's also an excellent guitarist, a very talented family and I see where Maria McKee gets her beauty from, she looks just like her mother.
Absolutely a gorgeous song. Beautiful acoustic guitar playing.The vocals are mesmerizing as well as haunting. The music,the vocals penetrate the subconscious mind.
Thank you Brian for such a beautiful peace of music