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You really need to be an avid fan to buy a collection of demos. I have been a fan of Love since first hearing "Orange Skies" too many years ago. This is a nice collection of demos retrieved, as the story goes, from the family garage by Bryan's mother. From the photos of Bryan as a child, I'd say is mother also had some input into it's packaging. All of that being said, the music still holds up well today and it's always nice to hear where the final released recording came from while taking note of Bryan's vocals compared to Arthur Lee's. With two versions each of "Alone Again" and "Orange Skies", early versions of "Barber John" and "Old Man", and great takes of other lesser known material, the listener/fan is left asking the question of "what if?" often posed through out the rather extensive liner notes. The answer of "we'll never know" has been in place since Bryan split with Love to chase that solo dream. We are left with all that has been dug up and released since. I gave this an excellent rating. I feel it is quite a showing of Bryan's underrated work as a composer, guitarist and vocalist, usually with good/great sound quality - considering the 60s recordings and great packaging. I am not familiar with the other solo releases but, after listening to this several times, I'll be looking into them. Also of note is the typhical rise in interest of an artist after their passing as seen of Love on YOU TUBE. There are also some pretty poor wannabe performances posted that you can wade through. I have even heard cuts from this disc on internet radio which sparked my interest. For more info, there's even a website: BryanMacLean.com. - a very nice tribute. If you're a fan, you need this.Read full review
1966 solo acoustic demos are not going to be of the highest sound quality. Saying that the sound is reasonably good throughout despite the tape hiss. The songs are pretty much guitar and vocal only. All of Bryan's best known material is here, and a number of songs that might well have been on later Love LP's had the band stayed together. A recording that devotees of Love will want to own and which is far better than many of the bootleg quality recordings that dog the collecting of Love. Bryan was a good songwriter who had a strong voice. This set of recordings is a worthwhile listen for all interested in the history of America's finest group of the late 60's.
Bryan MacLean was the other creative force behind Love. His performance of his own composition "Alone Again Or" is stunning.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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