Artist: Glen Campbell
CD title: "Meet Glen Campbell"
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Grade: A
In recent years, Glen Campbell has been a tabloid mug shot, a Branson theater act and a recovering alcoholic who found God. Thankfully, somebody decided to resurrect the Glen Campbell who was one of the best pop artists of the '60s, as well as a killer session guitarist for everybody from Elvis and Sinatra to the Beach Boys.
"Meet Glen Campbell," in which the country star sings hits by the Foo Fighters, U2, Green Day and Tom Petty, is obviously modeled on recent efforts by Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond and Loretta Lynn to woo a new generation of fans. Fortunately, it doesn't have the shticky feel of some celebrity makeover projects.
The songs are swathed in heavy pop orchestrations, perhaps as a nod to Campbell's Al DeLory-produced '60s hits. His older voice is sometimes buried deep in the mix, but that delightful high country squeak still manages to pop out now and then.
And his recent troubles may have given him a new perspective on such introspective ballads as Jackson Browne's "These Days," Lou Reed's "Jesus" and John Lennon's "Grow Old With Me." Best of all, the songs have a strong backbeat, laced with banjo, mandolin and Campbell's distinctive electric guitar licks.
This is one of the most joyful - and surprising - discs I've heard all year, and could easily make my Top 10 list. I haven't been able to stop listening to it for a week. Meet Glen Campbell: At age 72, he still rocks.
— Larry Aydlette, Palm Beach Post
