This is without a doubt his best live album. It is a perfect snapshot of Glen's reinvigorated live set list, includes a great orchestra and even Jimmy Webb conducting a side. The Elvis tribute is still before Elvis death, when England still asked in vain for the king play London. As mentioned earlier the Beach Boys medley is a highlight. It should have done better. It should be in print. 5/5
Basic from Wiki Basic is the 34th album by American singer/guitarist Glen Campbell, released in 1978 Track listing All tracks composed by Micheal Smotherman; except where indicated Side 1: "(You've Got To) Sing It Nice And Loud For Me Sonny" (Smotherman, Mark Durham) - 2:45 "Stranger In The Mirror" - 3:44 "Can You Fool" - 3:08 "I See Love" - 2:13 "(When I Feel Like) I Got No Love In Me" - 3:24 Side 2: "Love Takes You Higher" - 2:39 "Never Tell Me No Lies" - 2:18 "I'm Gonna Love You" - 3:22 "California" - 3:31 "Let's All Sing A Song About It" (Smotherman, Billy Burnette) - 3:14 "Grafhaidh Me Thu" - 2:36 Personnel Glen Campbell - acoustic guitars, electric guitars, bagpipes Craig Fall - acoustic guitars, electric guitars Bill McCubbin - bass guitar Steve Turner - drums Ed Greene - drums Micheal Smotherman - keyboards Carl Jackson - acoustic guitars, electric guitars, banjo Ethan Reilly - steel guitar TJ Kuenster - piano Fred Tackett - acoustic guitar Lee Ritenour - guitar solo on "Never Tell Me No Lies" Background vocals - Fred Tackett, Ed Greene, Carl Jackson, Micheal Smotherman, TJ Kuenster, Bill McCubbin, Steve Turner, Craig Fall, Dan Kuenster, David Turner, Laura Turner, Jo Dell Smotherman, Kathy Smotherman, Steve Crossley (who also adds acoustic guitar) String Quintet - Sid Sharp, Jim Getzoff, David Schwartz, Linn Subotnick, Armand Kaproff. Production Producers - Glen Campbell, Tom Thacker Recording Engineer - Chuck Mellone Mastered - Wally Traugott, Capitol studios String arrangements - TJ Kuenster, Larry Muhoberac Photography - Norman See The album went to 17 Country and 164 on Billboard. Can You Fool went 16 Country, 38 main chart and 7 EZ I'm Gonna Love You went 13 Country, 38 EZ and did not make the main chart California made 45 Country Amazon Review by Son Of Flintstone The three best Glen Campbell albums, in my opinion, are 1) ERNIE SINGS AND GLEN PICKS, 2) REUNION, THE SONGS OF JIMMY WEBB, and 3) this Lp, BASIC (Capitol SW 11722). (I'm sitting out GHOST ON THE CANVAS. It's too soon. And a great album!) This may sound strange, but the reason that I consider this album one of his top three albums is that: In 1978, I. Loathed. It. I really did not like this when I bought it at age 17. Really did not like it. A LOT of his fans didn't. It bombed. The songs that hooked me about my middling high school years began with "Houston (I'm Comin' to See You)" and "Bonaparte's Retreat" on the C&W AM radio station, then the "Rhinestone Cowboy" through "Sunflower" period, at which point I picked up a $4.99 really cheap and junky 20 track budget album, THE GLEN CAMPBELL COLLECTION, TVLP 78038 (Capitol Special Markets), which had ten tracks per Lp side jammed tightly together (normal albums had 5-6 songs on each side)--horrible fidelity. I played the ... out of that budget clunker and heard his stuff all the way back to "Gentle On My Mind," which I liked the most out of all the tunes, for the basic guitar band sound that was just slathered over with sweet easy listening syrup on the later tracks. But I liked the songs; the guitar work and C&W feeling came through the pop backing that turned me off. Then I bought this album. It wasn't a Glen Campbell album, it wasn't what I expected (I heard "I'm Gonna Love You" -- that I wanted), and it was way too rock. Nearly all the songs are by one songwriter, Michael Smotherman. This album was a conspicuous statement, that GC was turning away from making anything that might be a Country & Western record, told his Goodtime Hour fans where to go--and they did. It was Southern funky pop, but it wasn't C&W. It was druggy, he sang high falsetto, like Little Richard 20 years before. They were lousy, just lousy Country & Western songs. But they were great SONGS. In 1968, he found Jimmy Webb's songs and they clicked. In 1978, he found Michael Smotherman's songs, started him (check out Smotherman's recorded song catalog--there's a lot in the 1980s), and ... it bombed. But it's grown on me since. If you get into this, buy the HIGHWAYMAN bomb, too. Of the 10 songs on that contract filler, six are from the sessions that produced this, many of them by Michael Smotherman.
I was still buying these when issued. I know my copy of Basic was from Korvettes. My opinion of Basic is led by California, what a great record! I don't know if it was because it followed the live album or disinterest by Capitol, or what. Micheal Smotherman was a good fit for Glen. Great songs, great arrangement, and great production. Glen had hit a groove. A solid 4/5
Highwayman from Wiki Highwayman is the 35th album by American singer/guitarist Glen Campbell, released in 1979 Track listing Side 1: "Highwayman" (Jimmy Webb) - 3:01 "Hound Dog Man" (Tommy Stuart) - 2:39 "I Was Just Thinking About You" (Micheal Smotherman) - 2:40 "Love Song" (Jimmy Webb) - 3:15 "My Prayer" (Micheal Smotherman) - 2:37 Side 2: "Tennessee Home" (Micheal Smotherman) - 3:10 "Don't Lose Me In The Confusion" (T.J. Kuenster) - 3:13 "Cajun Caper" (Micheal Smotherman) - 3:52 "Darlin' Darlinka" (Micheal Smotherman) - 3:16 "Fool Ya" (Micheal Smotherman) - 2:17 Personnel Glen Campbell - vocals, acoustic guitars, electric guitars and Bass guitars Craig Fall - acoustic guitar, backing vocals Ed Greene - drums Carl Jackson - acoustic guitar, fiddle, banjo, backing vocals TJ Kuenster - keyboards, backing vocals Bill McCubbin - bass guitar, backing vocals Steve Turner - drums, backing vocals Doug Kershaw - fiddle solo on "Cajun Caper" Tom Kellock - piano on "Hound Dog Man" Jimmy Webb - Piano on "Love Song" Additional backing vocals - Micheal Smotherman, Dan Kuenster, Laura Turner, Steve Crossley, Kathy Smotherman, Jo Dell Smotherman, Darlene Groncki. Production Producer - Glen Campbell, Tom Thacker "Highwayman", "Hound Dog Man", "Love Song", "Darlin' Darlinka", "Fool Ya" recorded at Lagniappe, Sherman Oaks, California "I Was Just Thinkin About You", "Tennessee", "Don't Lose Me In The Confusion", "Cajun Caper" recorded at Broad Recording Studios, Honolulu, Hawaii "My Prayer" recorded at Capitol Records, Hollywood, California Arranged by Jimmy Webb, TJ Kuenster Strings conductor - Sid Sharp, Irving Geller The album did not chart. Hound Dog Man went to 25 country My Prayer went 66 country/42 easy listening. Over Glen's loud protests, Capitol refuses to release Highwayman as a single. It would be number one a few years later, but not for Glen. And he really does own this song. I can find no reviews
http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/glen-campbell-capitol-and-the-song-highwayman.109345/ Several years ago I started a thread about Glen and the song Highwayman.
I cannot imagine how frustrated Campbell was with Capitol. He had made money hand over fist for the label, and now they treated him like this. Its said that he made up his mind to leave the label after his contract was up. Why they released Hound Dog Man as the lead single defies logic. It was supposed to be a tribute to Elvis, but the only one ever called hound dog man was Fabian. Of note is the fact that Hound Dog Man is ignored when it comes to Glen's hits and singles, But Highwayman is almost always included. On a five star scale the track of Highwayman rates a six. Instant classic. the rest, well it averages out to 3.5/5 On a side note, at the first Farm Aid concert Glen joined the "Highwaymen" to perform his lost hit when Kris Kristofferson had to leave early.
1979. New wave and disco have pushed "geezers" like Campbell entirely off the pop dial. It's about a year too late to ride the post-death wave of all things Elvis, but that still seems an easier hook to country radio than the grand pop of Highwayman. I can easily see why someone would have made that call. Not a good call, of course.
Somethin' 'Bout You Baby I Like From Wikipedia Somethin' 'Bout You Baby I Like is the 36th album by American singer/guitarist Glen Campbell, released in 1980 Track listing Side 1: "Somethin' 'Bout You Baby I Like" (Richard Supa) - 2:45 (duet with Rita Coolidge) "Through My Eyes" (T. J. Kuenster) - 3:42 "That Kind" (Neil Diamond, Carole Bayer Sager) - 3:13 "Part Time Love" (David Gates) - 2:33 "Hollywood Smiles" (Larry Weiss) - 3:17 Side 2: "If This Is Love" (Kerry Chater, Robbie Patton) - 4:01 "Hooked On Love" (Ian Gomm) - 2:06 "Show Me You Love Me" (Micheal Smotherman) - 3:08 (duet with Rita Coolidge) "Late Night Confession" (G. Portney, J. Davidson) - 3:35 "It Goes Like It Goes" (David Shire, Norman Gimbel) - 3:40 Personnel Glen Campbell - vocals, acoustic guitars and electric guitars Steve Turner- drums Neil Stubenhaus - bass guitar Jeff Baxter - acoustic guitars and electric guitars Dean Parks - acoustic guitars and electric guitars Jai Winding - keyboards, clavinette Jeff Baxter - electric guitar, pedal steel guitar, organ T.J. Kuenster - acoustic piano Cathy Gotthoffer - harp Background vocals - Glen Campbell, Tanya Tucker Horns - Tom Saviano, Dick Hyde, David Boruff, Steve Madaio, Pete Christlieb, Warren Luening, Vince De Rosa, Art Maebe, Lew McCready, Lloyd Ulyat Production Producer - Gary Klein Musical Contractor - Frank Decaro Concertmasters - Harry Bluestone, Sid Sharp Mixed by John Arrias Photography - Jim McCrary Once again the album did not chart. Something Bout' You baby I Like made number 42, 60 Country, and 39 EZ Listening Amazon review by Son Of Flintstone 2 Stars Well, the committee that put it together must've dotted every "i" and crossed every "t" via whatever record industry handicapping sales estimates said might pay off, at least as an A/C or easy listening pop record, circa 1980. You might say this is SOUTHERN NIGHTS 2, with the producing credit showing "produced by Gary Klein for the Entertainment Co...." Well, if you want to know more or less the sound/theme of this release, I suggest you pick up Neil Diamond's 1979 Lp, SEPTEMBER MORN, and hit shuffle, assuming you're spinning the CD of that title. They seem to be much the same album. The songs are: Side one: Somethin' 'Bout You Baby I Like/Through My Eyes/That Kind/Part Time Love/Hollywood Smiles Side two: If This Is Love/Hooked on Love/Show Me You Love Me/Late Night Confession/It Goes Like It Goes There's a songwriting publishing glitch on the back cover and early pressings of the vinyl Lp: "Through My Eyes" shows T.J. Kuenster/Seventh Son Music, Inc.; later pressings corrected the songwriting credit to L. Henley-J. Hurt, who are Larry Henley/Jim Hurt. The song first appeared on Republic Records 45 REP-036A about two years earlier (1978), by Tom Grant; the B-side of that single (interesting!!!) is "You're Easy to Love," songwriting credit to Dave Burgess, who gave GC his start in the LA clubs in late 1960. Other songwriting credits show Ian Gomm, Neil Diamond, Michael Smotherman, and David Gates. (Juicy tidbit: David Gates ran the band, GC in the session work, on Pat Boone's BOSS BEAT Dot Record last Lp rocker back in '64!) Not a bad record. Some nice tracks, and it helps if you're in the mood for late Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow, Johnny Mathis/Deniece Williams, and Dionne Warwick about 1980-ish.
Glen had decided. His run at Capitol was over. His marriage to Sarah had (as had his marriage to Billie) fallen apart, he was drinking and was getting involved with Peruvian marching powder. And Tanya Tucker. Glen's life was falling apart, personally and professionally. Rita Coolidge joins as Glen's newest duet partner, but no Webb tunes this time. Nothing awful, but nothing outstanding. I disagree with the reviewer, this sounds nothing like Neil Diamond. Marking time at 3/5
It's the World Gone Crazy From Wiki It's the World Gone Crazy is the 37th album by American singer/guitarist Glen Campbell, released in 1981 (see 1981 in music). The lead single, "Any Which Way You Can", was the title song to the 1980 movie Any Which Way You Can, the sequel to Every Which Way But Loose. Track listing Side 1: "Why Don't We Just Sleep On It Tonight" (duet with Tanya Tucker) (J.L. Parker, H. Shannon) - 3:05 "I Don't Want To Know Your Name" (Micheal Smotherman) - 4:02 "In Cars" (Jimmy Webb) - 3:05 "It's The World Gone Crazy (Cotillion)" (Shel Silverstein, Waylon Jennings) - 2:38 "Rollin'" (Joe Rainey, Jack Tempchin) - 3:30 Side 2: "Nothing Quite Like Love" (Micheal Smotherman) - 3:57 "A Daisy A Day" (Jud Strunk) - 3:40 "Any Which Way You Can" (Milton Brown, Steve Dorff, Snuff Garrett) - 3:14 "It's Your World" (Joe Rainey) - 3:46 "Shoulder To Shoulder" (duet with Tanya Tucker) (Henry Gaffney) - 3:25 Personnel Glen Campbell - vocals, acoustic guitars, electric guitars Tanya Tucker - vocals Bill McCubbin - bass guitar Steve Turner - drums T.J. Kuenster - keyboards Craig Fall - acoustic guitars, electric guitars, steel guitars Joe Rainey - Hammond B-3 organ, harmonica Micheal Smotherman - Wurlitzer piano Tom Saviano - horns Nick DeCaro - accordion David Foster - piano Larry Byron, Fred Tackett, Billy Joe Walker - guitars Jay Dee Maness - steel guitar on "Any Which Way You Can" Production Executive Producer - Charles Koppelman Producers - Gary Klein for The Entertainment Company, Snuff Garrett ("Any Which Way You Can") Strings - Nick Decaro, Steve Dorff Concert Master - Harry Bluestone Engineers - John Arrias, Grover Helsley Photography - Mike Rothwell
