"The Legacy [1961-2017]" by GLEN CAMPBELL – Featuring Bobbie Gentry, Anne Murray, Jimmy Webb, Leon Russell and many more (June 2019 UK and EU UME/Capitol Nashville 4CD 78-Song Book-Wallet Reissue – Remasters Originally Done For The 2003 Box Set)- A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"...Gentle On My Mind..."

 

What you have here is a Re-Release loosely called the 2019 Reissue Edition.

 

When first US-only issued back in October 2003 on Capitol Nashville 72435-90493-2-8, this 80-Track 4CD Box Set was called "The Legacy [1961-2002]" and had Disc 4 containing 15 live cuts (which made sense at the time).

 

But with Campbell's passing in early August 2017 aged 82, Capitol slimmed down the earlier big box to a more space-friendly card-wallet fold-out set up, rejiggered Disc 4 to contain 13 tracks from studio albums issued between 2003 and 2017 (including stuff from his hugely popular swan-song album "Adios"), used the same quality Bob Norberg Remasters for Discs 1 to 3 (those tracks remain unchanged), updated the liner notes to include the later stuff and his loss - and finally re-titled the whole 78-song shebang as "The Legacy [1961-2017]" - a more accurate description. This '2019 Reissue Edition' was also re-released in both the USA and Europe (a first time for UK/EU fans).

 

There's a heap to get Gentle On Our Minds, so let's get walkin' to that gurglin' cracklin' cauldron by some train yard...

 

UK released 21 June 2019 - "The Legacy [1961-2017]" by GLEN CAMPBELL on Ume/Capitol Nashville 00602577150609 (Barcode 602577150609) is a 78-Track 4CD Reissue in Slimmed Down Card Book Packaging (same Booklet and Remasters as the 2003 Original). The 2019 Reissue Edition plays out as follows...

 

CD1 (54:30 minutes, 21 tracks):

1. Turn Around, Look At Me (October 1961 US 45-single on Crest 45-1087, A-side)

2. Kentucky Means Paradise (from his 1962 US debut LP "Big Bluegrass Special" on Capitol ST 1810 in Stereo, credited to 'The Green River Boys & Glen Campbell' - see also Track 12)

3. Too Late To Worry - Too Blue To Cry (from his 1963 second studio album "Too Late To Worry – Too Blue To Cry" on Capitol ST-1881, first LP credited to just Glen Campbell)

4. The Universal Soldier (September 1965 US 45-single on Capitol 5504, A-side, Buffy St. Marie cover)

5. Guess I'm Dumb (June 1965 US 45-single on Capitol 5441, A-side - a Beach Boys cover)

6. Burning Bridges (from the 1967 US LP "Burning Bridges" on Capitol ST-2679 in Stereo)

7. Just To Satisfy You (from the 1967 US LP "Burning Bridges" on Capitol ST-2679 in Stereo)

8. Less Of Me (from the 1967 US LP "Burning Bridges" on Capitol ST-2679 in Stereo)

9. Gentle On My Mind (from the 1967 US LP "Gentle On My Mind" on Capitol ST-2809 in Stereo - a John Hartford cover)

10. Cryin' (from the 1967 US LP "Gentle On My Mind" on Capitol ST-2809 in Stereo - a Roy Orbison cover)

11. By The Time I Get To Phoenix (from the 1967 US LP "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" on Capitol ST-2851 in Stereo - a Jimmy Webb song)

12. Tomorrow Never Comes (from his 1963 second studio album "Too Late To Worry – Too Blue To Cry" on Capitol ST-1881, first LP credited to just Glen Campbell - an Earnest Tubb cover)

13. Hey, Little One (from his 1968 US LP "Hey, Little One" on Capitol ST-2878 in Stereo - a Dorsey Burnette cover)

14. I Wanna Live (from his 1968 US LP "Hey, Little One" on Capitol ST-2878 in Stereo - a John Loudermilk cover)

15. Turn Around And Look At Me (New Version) (from his 1968 US LP "Hey, Little One" on Capitol ST-2878 in Stereo)

16. The Legend Of Bonnie And Clyde (from the 1968 US LP "A New Place In The Sun" on Capitol ST-2907 in Stereo – a Merle Haggard/Buck Owens cover)

17. Let It Be Me (from the 1968 US duet LP "Bobbie Gentry And Glen Campbell" on Capitol ST-2928 in Stereo - an Everly Brothers cover)

18. Scarborough Fair/Canticle (from the 1968 US duet LP "Bobbie Gentry And Glen Campbell" on Capitol ST-2928 in Stereo - a Simon & Garfunkel cover)

19. Wichita Lineman (from the 1968 US LP "Wichita Lineman" on Capitol ST-103 in Stereo - a Jimmy Webb song)

20. Dreams Of The Everyday Housewife (from the 1968 US LP "Wichita Lineman" on Capitol ST-103 in Stereo - a Chris Gantry cover)

21. Reason To Believe (from the 1968 US LP "Wichita Lineman" on Capitol ST-103 in Stereo - a Tim Hardin song)

 

CD2 (61:00 minutes, 21 tracks, Stereo):

1. Galveston (from the 1969 US LP "Galveston" on Capitol ST-210 - a Jimmy Webb song)

2. Where's The Playground Susie (from the 1969 US LP "Galveston" on Capitol ST-210 - a Jimmy Webb song)

3. If This Is Love (from the 1969 US LP "Galveston" on Capitol ST-210)

4. True Grit (from the 1969 Soundtrack LP "True Grit" on Capitol ST-263 - Elmer Bernstein/Don Black song)

5. Try A Little Kindness (from the 1970 US LP "Try A Little Kindness" on Capitol E-SW-389)

6. Honey, Come Back (from the 1970 US LP "Try A Little Kindness" on Capitol E-SW-389)

7. One Pair Of Hands (from the 1970 US LP "Oh Happy Day" on Capitol SW-443)

8. All I Have To Do Is Dream (February 1970 US 45-single duet with Bobbie Gentry on Capitol 2745, A-side - an Everly Brothers cover, Boudleaux Bryant song)

9. Everything A Man Could Ever Need (from the 1970 US Motion Picture Soundtrack LP to "Norwood" on Capitol SW-475)

10. It's Only Make Believe (from the 1970 US LP "The Glen Campbell Goodtime Album" on Capitol SW-493)

11. Pave Your Way Into Tomorrow (from the 1970 US LP "The Glen Campbell Goodtime Album" on Capitol SW-493)

12. MacArthur Park (from the 1970 US LP "The Glen Campbell Goodtime Album" on Capitol SW-493)

13. Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream) (from the October 1971 US LP "The Last Time I Saw Her" on Capitol SW-733 - a Roy Orbison cover, Cindy Walker song)

14. The Last Time I Saw Her (from the October 1971 US LP "The Last Time I Saw Her" on Capitol SW-733 - a Gordon Lightfoot cover)

15. I Say A Little Prayer/By The Time I Get To Phoenix Medley (from the November 1971 US duet LP "Anne Murray/Glen Campbell" on Capitol SW-869)

16. The Last Thing On My Mind (from the 1972 US LP "Glen Travis Campbell" on Capitol SW-11117 - a Tom Paxton cover)

17. I Knew Jesus (Before He Was A Star) (from the 1973 US LP "I Knew Jesus (Before He Was A Star)" on Capitol SW-11185)

18. I'm So Lonely I Could Cry (from the 1973 US LP "I Remember Hank Williams" on Capitol SW-11253)

19. Houston (I'm Comin' To See You) (from the April 1974 US LP "Houston (I'm Comin' To See You!)" on Capitol SW-11293 - a David Paich song)

20. Bonaparte's Retreat (from the April 1974 US LP "Houston (I'm Comin' To See You!)" on Capitol SW-11293)

21. The Moon's A Harsh Mistress (from the October 1974 US LP "Reunion: The Songs Of Jimmy Webb" on Capitol SW-11336)

 

CD3 (73:51 minutes, 23 songs, Stereo):

1. Rhinestone Cowboy (from the June 1975 US LP "Rhinestone Cowboy" on Capitol SW-11430 - a Jimmy Webb song)

2. Country Boy (You Got Your Feet In L.A.) (from the June 1975 US LP "Rhinestone Cowboy" on Capitol SW-11430 - a Dennis Lambert/Brian Potter song)

3. Arkansas (from the January 1975 US LP Compilation "Arkansas" on Capitol SM-11407)

4. Don't Pull Your Love/Tell Me Goodbye (from the April 1976 US LP "Bloodline" on Capitol SW-11516 a Medley of Dennis Lambert/Brian Potter and John Loudermilk covers)

5. Southern Nights (from the 1977 US LP "Southern Nights" on Capitol SO-511601 - an Allen Toussaint cover)

6. Sunflower (from the 1977 US LP "Southern Nights" on Capitol SO-511601 - a Neil Diamond cover)

7. God Only Knows (from the 1977 US LP "Southern Nights" on Capitol SO-511601 - a Beach Boys cover)

8. I'm Gonna Love You (from the 1978 US LP "Basic" on Capitol SW-11722)

9. Can You Fool (from the 1978 US LP "Basic" on Capitol SW-11722)

10. Highwayman (from the 1979 US LP "Highwayman" on Capitol EST-12008)

11. Somethin' 'Bout You Baby I Like (from the 1980 US LP "Somethin' 'Bout You Baby I Like") on Capitol SOO 12075)

12. Any Which Way You Can (from the 1981 US LP "It's A World Gone Crazy" on Capitol SOO-12124)

13. I Was Too Busy Loving You (from the 1982 US LP "Old Home Town" on Capitol 90016-1 - a Jimmy Webb song)

14. Faithless Love (from the 1984 US LP "Letter To Home" on Atlantic America 7 90164-1 - a John David Souther cover)

15. A Lady Like You (from the 1984 US LP "Letter To Home" on Atlantic America 7 90164-1 - a Jim Weatherly/Keith Stegall song)

16. The Hand That Rocks The Cradle (from the 1988 US CD "Still Within The Sound Of My Voice" on MCA MCAD-42009 - a duet with Steve Warner)

17. I Have You  (from the 1988 US CD "Still Within The Sound Of My Voice" on MCA MCAD-42009)

18. If These Walls Could Talk (from the 1988 US CD "Light Years" on MCA 42210 - a Jimmy Webb song)

19. Unconditional Love (from the 1991 US CD "Unconditional Love" on Capitol CDP 7 90992 2)

20. She's Gone, Gone, Gone (from the 1990 US CD "Walkin' In The Sun" on Capitol CDP 7 93884-2 - a Harlan Howard cover)

21. Show Me Your Way (from the 1992 US CD album "Show Me Your Way" on New Haven NHCD 20012 - a duet with Anne Murray)

22. Only One Life (from the 1992 US CD "Wings Of Victory" on New Haven NHCD 20021-2 - a Jimmy Webb song)

23. Somebody Like That (from the 1993 US CD "Somebody Like That" on Liberty CDP-0777-7-97962-2-9)

 

CD4 (43:02 minutes, 13 tracks):

1. You'll Never Walk Alone (Hammerstein & Rodgers cover)

2. People Get Ready (Curtis Mayfield cover)

3. Amazing Grace (Gospel Traditional cover)

4. Lean On Me (Bill Withers cover)

Tracks 1 to 4 from the 2003 CD album "Love Is The Answer")

5. Times Like These (Foo Fighters cover)

6. These Days (Jackson Browne cover)

7. Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life) (Billie Joe Armstrong cover)

Tracks 5 to 7 from the 2008 CD album "Meet Glen Campbell"

8. Ghost On The Canvas (Paul Westerberg of The Replacements cover) - from the 2011 CD album "Ghost On The Canvas"

9. Waiting On The Comin' Of My Lord - from the 2013 CD album "See You There"

10. I'm Not Gonna Miss You - from the 2014 CD album "I'll Be Me"

11. Everybody's Talkin' (Fred Neil song, Nilsson cover)

12. It Won't Bring Her Back (a Jimmy Webb song)

13. Adios (a Jimmy Webb song) 

Tracks 11 to 13 from the 2017 CD album "Adios"

With his signature/name embossed in gold on the front sleeve and seven colour / black & white photos of Glen giving it some Country Rock (with his so square haircut) across the seven inner fold-out flaps - "The Legacy [1961-2017]" feels and looks classy for damn sure. Its reduced Christmas Card Size actually suits and has a slide-in flap for all 4-CDs, whilst the fifth houses the 58-page colour booklet.

The detached booklet is beautifully laid out with period photos right up to the 00s, a tasty thing to see and read (Mark Copeland compiled it in conjunction with GC). Every song has discography details – the sessionman-list citing the likes of Hal Blaine, Jim Gordon, Al Casey, Bob Felts, Leon Russell (before a solo career) and vocal duets/songwriting partnerships with Bobbie Gentry, Anne Murray, Jimmy Webb many more. The back leaves of the booklet have collage pages of every one of his albums pictured in colour. Very well done as I say. Downsides - it might have been better had the actual entries stated catalogue numbers – full release dates etc – and surely with the 2019 updated reissue – a fifth disc could have been a visual – DVD or BLU RAY – but alas.

The Superb and Clean Audio is the 2002 Remasters done at Capitol by BOB NORBERG for the original 2003-issued Box Set (used again) and while you could argue that the overall number of tracks is down from 80 to 78, Disc 4 now makes a whole lot of sense and sounds utterly amazing – like a really well-produced slick Country Rock album of the 90s or 00s. To the tunes...

 

All the huge hits are here - "By The Time I Get To Phoenix", "Galveston", "Gentle On My Mind" and loads more - his genius being a crossover from pure Country to the beginnings of Country-Pop or Country-Rock as we like to call it now. John Hartford's mini masterpiece "Gentle On My Mind" is a perfect example. His original US 45-single on RCA Victor 47-9175 was issued in April 1967 and is the 'most' hick Country tune imaginable - all pedal steels and a few bars short of yee-haws into the mix. In its original form (which many adore or even prefer over Campbell's) - it is pure Country through and through.

 

Glen Campbell's genius was to hear the potential in the tune and his recording gives it that gorgeous "Everybody's Talkin'" rolling guitar thing that suddenly made it Country-Pop and therefore more accessible to a much bigger audience. Campbell's version was recorded and in the shops by June 1967 on Capitol 5939. It caused a stir and bubbled under to an eventual healthy placing of No. 62 on the Pop charts. But with the album of the same name and a 45-reissue in July 1968, it suddenly took off and headed up to No. 39. The song "Gentle On My Mind" has had extraordinary legs - then and now. Dozens recorded it along the lines of Campbell's interpretation (which has now become something of a default position) and that goes up to 'The Band Perry' whose version issued in 2009 now has over 15-millions views on YouTube.

 

While CD1 and CD2 are full of these kinds of melodies, that other huge collaboration in his life would come with ace-songwriter Jimmy Webb, whose name (when you peruse the lists above) is on a lot of the songs across 'all' the CDs. I wish there was more representation from the mid-70s "Reunion" album with Webb (a bit of a lost classic that), but you can feel his goods all the way to the end. In fact his two for the "Adios" album (recorded five years before issue and amongst his very last recordings) - including that touching title track that would bring a tear to even the most hardened of hearts - are just as good as the 60ts and 70ts stuff. Special mention should also go to Disc 4 where Campbell's solitary composition "I'm Not Gonna Miss You" (recorded in January 2013 with his old playing crew from the 60ts) is an absolute highlight and quite rightly referred to in the updated liner notes by JOEL SLEVIN as a 'masterpiece'.

 

For sure I can remember a time when Glen Campbell and his ah-schucks white picket fence cleanliness was thrown by Rock types like me into the Easy Listening punishment bins and made to slurp less-than-cool-aid with the likes of Frank Sinatra and Burt Bacharach. But time and reappraisal has made us all see those guys and the hugely likeable Glen Campbell as pioneers of their own and their recorded legacy worthy of classy tomes like "The Legacy..."

 

Nicely done and Adios on your journey to that great songsmith in the sky...