By the Time I Get to Phoenix [Original recording remastered]

Glen Campbell | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 9, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 1967
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: EMI Special Products
• ASIN: B00005Q3A4
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,108 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #47 in Music > Country > Classic Country > Nashville Sound
  • #88 in Music > Country > Bluegrass > General

Editorial Reviews

Includes the #2 smash title track plus Hey Little One; Homeward Bound; Bad Seed , and more. 1967 release.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Forgotten Grammy Winner, July 1, 2001

By 

Dave Blank "parabolamcfeeney" (West Hollywood, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: By the Time I Get to Phoenix (Audio CD)

Of the 43 collections that have won the Grammy for Album of the Year, this is probably the most underrated. While most people remember the phenomenally successful title cut (written by Jimmy Webb), the album itself seems to be all but forgotten. While other higher profile albums such as the Beatles Magical Mystery Tour and Simon & Garfunkel's Bookends were also nominated the same year (1968), it was this unpretentious catalogue of songs that won the coveted prize. It was certainly Glen Campbell's finest studio recording, and he sings each song with his unique brand of conviction and wistfulness. While the showpiece is the much-loved ballad "By the Time I Get to Phoenix", it is the lesser known songs such as "I'll Be Lucky Someday", "Tomorrow Never Comes" and "You're Young and You'll Forget" that give this album its resonance and poignancy. Most of the songs are laced with tinges of regret, but this album is anything but a downer, primarily because of the bittersweet yearning of Campbell's vocals and the spare but melodic arrangements (by, among others, Al de Lory and Jimmie Haskell). When talking about music in that turbulent year of 1968, one readily thinks of Hendrix, the Doors, the Stones, the Beatles (of course), Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, even music from The Graduate and Hair. Glen Campbell wouldn't be placed on most people's list of memorable music of that era. True, he wasn't a rock artist, but his contribution to music is just as important---providing a bridge (and, some might argue, a balm) between the easy listening (and more sentimental leanings) of contemporaries such as Bobby Goldsboro and O.C. Smith, and the rebellious, harder edges of the rock music so prevalent then. No question, Campbell was beloved by his music industry peers (or at least those who were Grammy voters) because of his soothing voice, his lack of cynicism and his cleancut image. Seen from that perspective and that he was a well-respected session player (playing with the Beach Boys and Sinatra, among his impressive credits) who also had the strong backing of the Nashville contingent of voters, it seems justifiable, in retrospect, that this collection won Album of the Year. That alone should be reason enough for Capitol to re-release this album on CD. It's also excellent on its own terms---even if it is not as well remembered as Carole King's Tapestry, Simon and Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water or Sgt. Pepper's--three other Grammy winners from that era that are undeniablly considered classics, and all easily found on CD even now.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars what a tour de force--BRAVO, GLEN CAMPBELL !!!, May 14, 2010

By 

Matthew G. Sherwin (last seen screaming at Amazon customer service) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: By the Time I Get to Phoenix (Audio CD)

By The Time I Get to Phoenix is one of Glen Campbell's best albums ever. He is in excellent form throughout this album; he performs with panache and I'm very impressed. I bought this on vinyl many year sago--and I practically worse out the grooves from playing it! The quality of the sound on this CD is excellent and that artwork is faithful to the record album artwork.

These songs are all terrific; there's not a dud in the bunch. The title song by Jimmy Webb opens the album with Glen singing beautifully; he does this passionately and with great sensitivity. No wonder Glen enjoyed a huge fan base! The strings are used very well in the musical arrangement and Glen's sophisticated phrasing makes his performance very strong and memorable. "Homeward Bound," a number by Simon and Garfunkel, gets the royal treatment from Glen; he does a cover of their song singing straight from his heart. He also handles complex tempo and key changes like the masterful artist he was and still remains; and that's quite an accomplishment. "Tomorrow Never Comes" is poignant and Glen delivers this faultlessly. The backup chorus does a great job--not that Glen ever really needed backup, but they do sound pretty good.

"Cold December (In Your Heart)" is quite well done; the music that plays as Glen sings makes this number especially powerful. "My Baby's Gone" has Glen squarely in the spotlight; and that's quite all right by me! "My Baby's Gone" is another tune with a poignancy that truly moves me; and listen for an upbeat "Back in the Race" that has Glen once again performing at his usual very best. Excellent!

"Hey Little One" lets Glen show off the operatic qualities of his voice; he never lets go of a superfluous note. "Bad Seed" has a lush arrangement; and "I'll Be Lucky Someday" is a stunning number. "You're Young and You'll Forget" has Glen singing about a love that can never be; and the album closes beautifully with Glen Campbell performing "Love Is a Lonesome River." "Love Is a Lonesome River" is extremely beautiful and Glen delivers it so well that I wish the album had eleven songs more!

Glen Campbell fans should consider this a must-have for their collections; it also makes a great CD for newcomers to Glen's artistry. Glen Campbell gives so much of himself on each and every song here; and we're all better off for his sharing his talent with us.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed it very much, March 5, 2009

By 

William R. Bullerman "Rusty Bullerman" (Round Rock, TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: By the Time I Get to Phoenix (Audio CD)

This album was released originally just before I went to Viet Nam. I had a recording over there and listened to it constantly. When I saw it available again in CD, I jumped all over it. Had a good time listening to it and remembering....