Tapestry
Studio album by
Don McLean
ReleasedOctober 1970 (1970-10)
Recorded1969–1970 (1969–1970)
StudioSierra Sound Laboratories, Berkeley, CA
GenreFolk
Length40:38
LabelMediarts
ProducerJerry Corbitt
Don McLean chronology
Tapestry
(1970) 		American Pie
(1971)
Singles from Tapestry
  1. "Castles in the Air[1]"
    Released: December 1970
  2. "And I Love You So[2]"
    Released: 1971
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[3]

Tapestry is the debut studio album by American folk singer Don McLean. The album was originally released by Mediarts Records but was re-launched in 1971 by United Artists after United Artists' purchase of Mediarts.[4] The album was also reissued in 1981 on Liberty Records, but without including the song "Three Flights Up".

The title track "Tapestry" was an inspiration for the formation of the Greenpeace environmental movement.[5] "And I Love You So" is one of McLean's most recorded songs, with versions by artists ranging from Elvis Presley in the 1970s and to Glen Campbell nearly 30 years later. Perry Como had a huge international hit with the song in 1973.

The album was produced by Jerry Corbitt of the Youngbloods. The album was recorded at the Sierra Sound Laboratories, 1741 Alcatraz Ave, Berkeley, California, in 1969–70.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Don McLean

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."Castles in the Air"2:50
2."General Store"2:53
3."Magdalene Lane"4:28
4."Tapestry"3:44
5."Respectable"2:29
6."Orphans of Wealth"4:37
Total length:20:44
Side two
No.TitleLength
7."Three Flights Up"5:48
8."And I Love You So"4:16
9."Bad Girl"3:39
10."Circus Song"5:00
11."No Reason for Your Dreams"2:09
Total length:19:54

Chart positions

Chart (1970) Peak
position
Billboard 200 111[citation needed]
Chart (1972) Peak
position
Australian (Kent Music Report)[6] 22
United Kingdom (Official Charts Company) 16[citation needed]

Personnel

Technical

Release history

Region Date Label Format Catalog
United States 1970 Mediarts Records stereo LP 41-4

References

  1. ^ "Don McLean - Castles In The Air". 45 Cat.
  2. ^ "Don McLean - And I Love You So / If We Try". Discogs.
  3. ^ AllMusic review
  4. ^ don-mclean.com Accessed July 28, 2008
  5. ^ Bob Sarlin - Turn it up!: (I can't hear the words) 1974 – Page 143: Another noteworthy song on this first album is the title tune, "Tapestry," which is perhaps the best statement on preservation of the physical, livable world yet produced by the songpoets. It is succinct and neither pompous nor ... over a period of time. One can see a difference from cut to cut: a growth of expression and a careful refining of technique. The album's most impressive song is "Three Flights Up," and it is one of the most innovative songs of its period. McLean creates a building, ...
  6. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 187. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.


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