Customer Reviews

Capitol Years 1965-77

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Glen's success was truly international, so there has been a steady stream of compilations of his music down the years in Britain, America and elsewhere. Most British compilations consist of some of his big hits and a selection of cover versions of famous songs. This one is different, as it contains a much higher proportion of original material. There are a few covers here, but they are included because they were big hits for Glen, or milestones in his career, or have otherwise become identified with him.

All Glen's UK hits are included, together with any other songs that were important in his career. Among the classic songs to be found here are Gentle on my mind, By the time I get to Phoenix, Dreams of the everyday housewife, Wichita lineman, Reason to believe, Galveston, Where's the playground Susie, Try a little kindness, All I have to do is dream (with Bobbie Gentry), Honey come back, It's only make believe, Rhinestone cowboy, Country boy you got your feet in LA, Southern nights and Sunflower.

Buffy Sainte-Marie wrote Universal Soldier, which became a UK hit for Donovan but provided Glen with his first American top 50 hit. Brian Wilson of the Beach boys wrote Guess I'm dumb, on which Glen was backed by the Honeys, an excellent female trio. True grit was the theme from the movie starring John Wayne, in which Glen also appeared. This is Sarah's song is a great way to end an outstanding compilation.

If you just want the obvious big hits, a single CD will probably be all you need, but for those who want to explore further, this compilation provides that opportunity. Students of American pop and country charts will find plenty of songs in those charts that are not featured here but every track here deserves its place here and there are no serious omissions from a British perspective. As such, this is as good a Glen Campbell collection as you are likely to find anywhere.

Glen Campbell has had some of the best songs written and sung in the last 40 years. From the great classic's of "Wichita Lineman" and "Gentle on My Mind" to "True Grit", his voice is fantastic and you can here the emotion of which he sings. These are songs of Glen in his early years up to the late 1970's with his more pop oriented songs that did very well on cross-over radio stations. Glen is a very gifted guitar player and I remember listening to my Dad's album of Glen Campbell when I was a kid. It is nice to rediscover the songs of the great Glen Campbell. Even Michael Stipe of R.E.M. said that the song "Wichita Lineman" "has to be the greatest song of the last 50 years". I almost have to agree with Michael Stipe. This collection is Highly Recommended!

Got this for Christmas of 2008, although its an import and perhaps a little more money the recordings are clean (unlike some others I have bought for this artist)fresh sounding and are all overall good performances of the GC. He plays some tunes that was I was a young man use to wonder hey who did that well now I know. All songs even the covers
are very good-if you are a GC you will not be disappointed. All in all he
shows his guitarmanship on all these tracks as you give a 2nd and 3rd listen and ask yourself why this man hasnt received more accolades. A good if not great selection of his tunes-well worth the prices-even weeks and months down the line after you realize just how good and fresh
his hit song-Wichita Lineman-Gentle on My Mind-& Universal Soldier sound.

If you are reading this review, then you are probably searching for a Glen Campbell CD with more than just the well-known hits. Simply put, "The Capitol Years 1965-1977" is the best possible choice to gain an appreciation for Glen Campbell's incredible depth as a singer, interpreter of songs and guitarist. What is especially noteworthy are the more obscure, non-hit tracks that were chosen for inclusion here. Every one of his albums had some gems, many of which have rarely or never appeared on CD and many of the best are here. Further, there are three selections from the legendary "Reunion" album, the wonderful Jimmy Webb-Glen Campbell project that EVERY lover of pop music should own. Rest assured that "The Capitol Years" will find plenty of play-time.

Later: A re-listening reminded me of two oddities on this collection. Joe South's "Don't it Make You Want to Go Home" is a practice demo, outstandingly performed, but with Campbell giving on-the-fly instructions to his other players: "Key of C," etc. Good song and great fun. Second, this disc was originally for the British market and so the hit "Houston" has been re-recorded with a new vocal, changing the title from "Houston" to the more topically relevant, if slightly clumsy "London." This re-listening just reinforces my conviction that this is a simply fantastic collection of familiar and no-so-familiar. Try: "Love is Not a Game" on disc 2, for starters.

FAST DELIVERY GREAT PRICE,AS I GET OLDER I SEAM TO BE MELOWING OUT GREAT CDS.IF YOU LIKE GLEN CAMPBELL YOU WILL LIKE THIS.

Was sent to me right away . This collection of Glen Campbell's songs are wonderfull. This is great times that I have going to listening to his music from the past !