Ghost On The Canvas

What stopped Glen Campbell?

It would be difficult to suppose how much longer brilliant musician, star of sixties and seventies, Glen Campbell would carry on, if doctors had not diagnose him with Alzheimer’s. It seemed that, the age itself hinted that it was time to quit and have some rest, but, as strange as it looked, having turned seventy, Campbell felt an upsurge of strength to keep going. In 2008, the artist returned to his favorite Capitol label where he released his best works in a remote past, and offered a short cover album, Meet Glen Campbell. Soon, he announced the beginning of work on a more serious and substantial record featuring some new material. Unfortunately, shortly before the release of the CD, Glen found out he had the disease and made it public that the upcoming album would be his last. At seventy five, having Alzheimer’s, he did it right to decide to go, but the farewell party was arranged properly. His final work, Ghost On The Canvas, is going to be a decent conclusion to a glorious career.

Memories museum

Ghost On The Canvas, just like it was expected, is like a museum album that brings back to life Gel Campbell’s most cherished moments of past. The CD’s each second track is not a full-scale piece, but a short instrumental interlude that is aimed at reconstructing the atmosphere of days long gone, words being not necessary. One of the most standout examples is The Rest Is Silence that would remind veteran listeners of Beach Boys and the times when the band had Glen as a session guitarist. The majority of Ghost On The Canvas songs are direct references to Campbell’s most acclaimed albums, Gentle On My Mind, and Wichita Lineman. Any Trouble, and A Thousand Lifetimes sound as if those that failed to make it through to the final versions of those CDs, and only modernistic arrangements betray them. Glen is not afraid to speak freely in front of the big audience as he knows this is his last chance to say everything he wants to. On several occasions, he addresses his wife who helped him overcome alcohol and drugs related problems that were close to killing his career. You can gear that in Strong, In My Arms, There Is No Me... Without You.

A must-have album for all Campbell’s fans

Glen Campbell’s fans should not have any illusions that at a respectable age like that and in conditions far from best, Glen Campbell would offer on Ghost On The Canvas his best efforts. The rich arrangements not only work well to polish the sound of live instruments, but also help out Glen’s voice which, of course, is not as good as it used to be. Not all the tracks are penned by him alone, which is, maybe, only did good to the record, because, firstly, Glen has always been a better performer than a writer, and, secondly, he was supported by big time professionals who worked with him on his highlight albums. Besides, the CD offers several songs about what Glen thinks and feels about the recently found disease. And you can’t blame the artist for singing about what is his biggest trouble now. However, this is not the voice, nor the lyrics, and even nor the music that makes Glen’s last album worth listening. The biggest value of Ghost On The Canvas is of a different kind. For those who care for Glen Campbell’s music, this is an amazing opportunity to do a little tour round the huge life of this brilliant performer, and share his joy and sorrow altogether. For the last time.