ifyoubelievein

[silentseason]

I gave this my first listening this weekend and let me unreservedly recommend this collection of music from Bryan Maclean. All songs are just Bryan and his acoustic guitar and are a pleasure to hear. Especially good are the ones we know and love from LoVe; you can hear the genesis of them and really appreciate what a great band LoVe was by how they took these unpolished gems and made them into the masterpieces that they are. But on this album you can hear the depth and purity of them as sung and played by Bryan. Get this one if you already don't!

[jamestkirk]

I gave this my first listening this weekend and let me unreservedly recommend this collection of music from Bryan Maclean. All songs are just Bryan and his acoustic guitar and are a pleasure to hear. Especially good are the ones we know and love from LoVe; you can hear the genesis of them and really appreciate what a great band LoVe was by how they took these unpolished gems and made them into the masterpieces that they are. But on this album you can hear the depth and purity of them as sung and played by Bryan. Get this one if you already don't!

IT IS GREAT...YES! I bought the limited edition 180 gram vinyl in 1998 and it is a treasure!
I remember reading the liner notes about how he had more material for maybe another album-full....but was so saddened when only a few months later Bryan passed away at age 50 ( while doing an interview, at a lunch, to talk about a new Love biography).

We miss you Bryan!

[BallroomDays67]

It is indeed an excellent album. The only disappointment is that both versions of "Alone Again Or" were recorded after "Forever Changes", and use a similar arrangement to the released version. I do like both acoustic versions. However, considering that it changed so much by the time it was recorded in the studio, it would have been nice if one was the original demo, or at least something closer to the original arrangement.

[silentseason]

It would be 'the greatest fun' to hear the original, unadorned version with Bryan's own vision of what it should be. I think that Johnny mentioned in other threads that maybe Bryan wanted a bluegrass feel to it before he was persuaded to try the Spanish/flamenco version we all love.

I suspect it might have been a little similar to Orange Skies in that there is a hint of what it would become in regards to tempo and chords.

One thing that really grabbed me about ifyoubelievein is Bryan's vocal abilities. He is in great form singing solo accompanied by acoustic guitar. Even if you are only a casual LoVE fan get this album; you won't be disappointed.

[jamestkirk]

It would be 'the greatest fun' to hear the original, unadorned version with Bryan's own vision of what it should be. I think that Johnny mentioned in other threads that maybe Bryan wanted a bluegrass feel to it before he was persuaded to try the Spanish/flamenco version we all love.

I suspect it might have been a little similar to Orange Skies in that there is a hint of what it would become in regards to tempo and chords.

One thing that really grabbed me about ifyoubelievein is Bryan's vocal abilities. He is in great form singing solo accompanied by acoustic guitar. Even if you are only a casual LoVE fan get this album; you won't be disappointed.

His acoustic strumming is great...parts remind me of another great strummer...Pete Townsend.

Bryan was the McCartney to Arthur's Lennon, as far as how they complimented each other and inspired each other to greater heights. But unlike another great pair: Jagger & Richards, MacLean/Lee & Lennon/McCartney rarely co-wrote songs. The symbiosis (mutually beneficial relationships between two "species") was what lay at the core...and neither couple were the same after the divorces.