One of the true signs of an artist is if he can speak to the head and heart of people from all walks of life. Glen Campbell, who we recently lost to heaven, was one of those musical giants. Originally a member of the legendary studio band The Wrecking Crew, he eventually became a household name through his famous songs like “Wichita Lineman,” “By The Time I Get To Phoenix” and “Rhinestone Cowboy,” leading up to his highly popular TV show and then baring his soul as he opened up about his battle with Alzheimer’s disease as well as his faith in the Lord. This four disc, 78 song retrospective covers all parts of his career and life, and it’s a tale worth hearing.
If you only know Campbell from his voice on tunes like “Gentle On My Mind,” get ready for a nice collection from his early bluegrass days with picking and grinning material such as “Kentucky Means Paradise” and the two stepping “Too Late To Worry-Too Blue To Cry.” Along with the famous piece about Vietnam (“Galveston”), there’s the more obscure piece by Buffy St. Marie, “Universal Soldier” along with Brian Wilson’s “Guess I’m Dumb.” His height of popularity included movie roles such as being in True Grit, which has a wonderful title track here. His collaborations with composer Jimmy Webb are deservedly highlighted here, with “MaCarthur Park,” “I Wanna Live” and “Where’s The Playground Susie” along with the aforementioned hits.
The last disc is the most intriguing, as it covers the most underappreciated period of Campbells career, namely his spiritual awakening. Here, he displays his faith with a penetrating “Amazing Grace” as well as “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and “People Get Ready.” His final tune was a hope of reunion in heaven as “I’m Not Gonna Miss You” is a message of a faith placed in the eternal. The message, as well as the music here, is timeless.