Music Review: Glen Campbell reimagines some of his hits

Glen Campbell, "See You There" (Surfdog)

At 77 and stricken with Alzheimer's disease, Glen Campbell looks back at a lifetime of work on "See You There." He revisits classics such as "Wichita Lineman" and "Galveston" with a contemplative, late-night feel, stripping down to small-combo arrangements based on brushed rhythms, gently sustained organ notes and twangy, single-note, electric guitar.

The vocals mostly were recorded a few years ago, around the time Campbell recorded "Ghost on the Canvas," released in 2011. His voice is pure, strong and as soulful as ever, with only sporadic moments where his tone wavers. "Gentle on My Mind," for example, finds Campbell's voice sounding damp and slurred in places.

Overall, though, this is a testament that Campbell has remained a potent interpreter of good songs. Proof comes not only in how he hits the notes of a classic like "Hey Little One," but in the emotional layers he brings to songs written in recent years. In "What I Wouldn't Give" and "There's No Me . Without You" he acknowledges the melancholy of aging while assuring loved ones there is something better beyond this life for all of them.

Link:

glencampbellmusic.com

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