Music Review: Glen Campbell–“Ghost on the Canvas” (2011)

Glen Campbell over the last 4 years has created the best two albums of his career since the mid-70’s. 2008’s, “Meet Glen Campbell” began his re-introduction to a new generation and “Ghost on the Canvas” is even stronger. In fact, in my opinion it will be a crime if this CD doesn’t get Grammy consideration next year

He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s during the recording of this CD last year, and announced that this would be his last studio offering. There are not many who are allowed the opportunity to document on record the musings of life as they see the end coming. But Campbell not only gets that opportunity, but invites us to listen as he reflects on a life fully lived.

On the first song, “A Better Place”, he encapsulates in less than two minutes his life…the ups and downs…the blessings and the hope of his future. From that point he takes us through a musical tour through his life with musical interludes (written by Roger Manning) that give a dreamlike effect as we pass from one song to the next. Longtime Campbell fans will smile at the musical nods to his past… at the staccato notes at the beginning of the title track that harken back to “Wichita Lineman” or the beginning bars of “Any Trouble” which remind a listener of “Gentle on my Mind”.

The last three full songs (“Any Trouble”, “Strong”, “There’s No Me…Without You”) are my favorites and perhaps the best on the album. He gives some final reflections on hope, the storms of life, and finally a song for the woman who literally saved him from himself. The last three minutes brings us full circle as we get one more glimpse of the boy from rural Arkansas who loved to pick his guitar…and in the process gave us so much more.

All in all, this doesn’t sound like a goodbye as much as it does a reflection of a man who gets the chance to show his thankfulness for life, for the journey and a thank you for those who followed along. If you are a Glen Campbell fan, country music fan, or someone who just likes good music on subjects other than bling and narcissism….give this a listen.


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