Don McLean

 MANILA, Philippines – American singer-songwriter Don McLean must have found his Filipino audience who trooped to his concert Wednesday night (March 2) at the Araneta Coliseum unbelievably good at singing that he loudly expressed his delight hearing their collective voice.

“You are good singers!” exclaimed the folk singer behind the classics “American Pie” and “Vincent.”

Wearing green long sleeves and carrying an acoustic guitar, the 65-year-old recording star earned big-time applause from “hard-to-please” Pinoys who found his voice still that powerful despite his age.

Performing close to 20 songs, the Songwriters Hall of Famer practically stunned the crowd with his emotive, distinctive singing, especially on songs with only his guitar as accompaniment. His hit songs were obviously given the loudest cheers, including “Crying,” “Wonderful Baby,” and “And I Love You So” which he acknowledged as a piece he is proudest of, having been covered by Elvis Presley.

“Thanks for coming out and spending time and money. You are a terrific audience,” he told the crowd of mostly middle-aged concert goers and senior citizens reminiscing the old days.

Pinoys are known to be generally good singers, prompting performers to consider concert fans here as a choir as they sing along – collectively in tune.

McLean, who covered Nazareth’s “Love Hurts,” knew what songs the people were waiting to hear that he pulled a little trick. He sang them without warning. “Vincent” and “American Pie” were number 16 and 17 as the surprised spectators pulled out their digital cameras for the moment’s posterity.

Ovation Productions brought McLean here and titled his concert “A Starry Starry Night,” taken from “Vincent’s” famed first line. McLean’s music was no doubt alive throughout the night.