Glen Campbell Duets: Ghost On The Canvas Sessions

Campbell is a genuine legend. He was a stellar musician and multi-million recording artist. His catalogue is often peerless. Sadly, his later years were difficult due to battling Alzheimer’s before his death in 2017. There was much coverage during his decline showing the challenges. Throughout these latter years, during the onset, he continued to record; this album is mainly a rework of 2011’s Ghost On The Canvas. This reimagining involved re-recording the original album and inserting some duets. The arrangements are brighter than the original with a contemporary feel. You might be forgiven for wondering why they’ve bothered? I did but came to welcome the project.

The original release is a fine, probably neglected, album that can stop you in your tracks as Campbell poetically sings about his ‘confusion’ and gradual slipping into a state that makes him forget his loved ones. However, with bravery he sings about this journey with no rancour yet resilient reflection on a life well lived. Julian Raymond (producer, now and in 2011) wrote much of the album, with great sensitivity, with Campbell and the sound is hallmark/classic Campbell: string drenched, cinematic 60s pop/easy listening embellished by his never rushed tones and those guitar flourishes that he had the talent, in spades, to deliver.

This album retains the original vocals (obviously) and you can admire Campbell’s mastery; the poignancy of the backdrop of his condition is never far from your mind. The songs are duets with artists who don’t normally turnout such as Carole King, Daryl Hall, Brian Wilson and Eric Clapton. (Other contributors include Elton John, Sting and Dolly Parton.) Brian Wilson worked with Campbell in the Beach Boys and Raymond adds some nostalgic 60s Beach Boys harmonies. Like most of the songs on the album Campbell and Wilson don’t flinch on delivering the unvarnished truth:  “I am a broken prize all neatly wrapped but cracked inside / All the king’s horses and all his men, they lied / As I look at you and at my life, what do I see? / The person that I wish that I could be.”

Another brutally honest lyric comes from a song Raymond wrote for the 2015 Glen Campbell documentary I’ll Be Me “ I know I’ll never be the same again / I hope I’ll still remember you / Above it all I know our love will transcend / On my long walk home”. This is a duet with Hope Sandoval (Mazzy Star), she’s a surprise choice to join him on this, yet a superb pick. Campbell seems to get little mention in country music circles nowadays and if to address the deficit Eric Church joins him on Hold On Hope and delivers one of the album highlights.

The original album with such excellent songs was always a great platform and this 2024 version is a fine and touching piece of work. Also, If you get to listen to the original you’ll be in for a treat.