Posthumous albums have the power to evoke a sense of nostalgia and pay tribute to the artistic legacy of beloved musicians. From what I’ve heard so far, Glen Campbell’s “Duets” album is doing this for me. Although this posthumous release is scheduled for April 19, several tracks have been pre-released on streaming services. See links links in this blog to get into some of these pre-releases on the Our Mind on Music YouTube channel.
The Glen Campbell Duets: Ghost on the Canvas Sessions Tracklist:
1. Intro
2. There’s No Me… Without You (with Carole King)
3. Ghost On The Canvas (with Sting)
4. Hold On Hope (with Eric Church)
5. The Long Walk Home (with Hope Sandoval)
6. Nothing But The Whole Wide World (with Eric Clapton)
7. In My Arms (with Brian Setzer)
8. A Better Place (with Dolly Parton)
9. Strong (with Brian Wison)
10. A Thousand Lifetimes (with Linda Perry)
11. It’s Your Amazing Grace (with Daryl Hall & Dave Stewart)
12. Any Trouble (with X)
13. I’m Not Gonna Miss You (with Elton John)
Honoring Glen Campbell’s Legacy
As the tenth anniversary of Glen Campbell’s album “Ghost on the Canvas” approached, Dave Kaplan of Surfdog Records sought to commemorate Campbell’s legacy in a unique way. Inspired by Natalie Cole’s successful duet album with her late father, Kaplan envisioned a posthumous project that would bring together music icons to sing alongside Glen Campbell’s original vocals.
The album was produced by Julian Raymond, who had previously worked with Glen Campbell on his album, “Meet Glen Campbell.” As producer, Julian Raymond, was charged with the responsibility of ensuring the quality and integrity of Glen Campbell’s legacy.
Reimagining the Original Tracks
“Duets” is a reimagining of Glen Campbell’s 2011 album “Ghost on the Canvas” that offers a blend of incredible musical talents and a heartfelt homage. The duets on the album showcase a deep appreciation for Glen Campbell’s music and legacy. The album boasts an impressive array of artists collaborating with Campbell on songs from the original album. Among the notable contributors are Eric Church, Dolly Parton, Sting, Elton John, Carole King, Brian Wilson, and Eric Clapton, to name just a few.Eric Church and Dolly Parton, representing the country music scene, lend their voices to “Hold On Hope” and “A Better Place,” respectively. Rock veterans such as Sting, Carole King, Brian Wilson, and Eric Clapton contribute their talents to reimagine Campbell’s original tracks, including “Ghost on the Canvas,” “There’s No Me… Without You,” “Strong,” and “Nothing But the Whole Wide World.”
Each artist brings their unique style and musical prowess to the table, creating a diverse and captivating collection of duets.
Some Surprises Too…
One of the standout tracks on the album features Elton John, who lends his voice to “I’m Not Gonna Miss You,” a song first heard in the documentary “Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me.”
The collaboration between Elton John and Glen Campbell adds another layer of emotional depth to the album, showcasing the profound connection between two musical legends.
A personal favourite of mine is, “The Long Walk Home,” featuring Hope Sandoval. Not only is this a beautiful duet, but it is also a rare treat to hear Hope Sandoval’s voice on record again.
The album also includes musical contributions from Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins), Chris Issak, Wendy Melvoin (Prince and the Revolution), Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick), Steve Hunter (Lou Reed), The Dandy Warhols, Chris Chaney, Jason Faulkner Jr., Kim Bullard, Josh Freese (The Foo Fighters), Vinnie Colaiuta, Marti Rifkin, Dick Dale and Tim Pierce.
Each artist brings their unique musical styles and talents to the album, creating a rich and varied collection of duets with Glen Campbell. Each collaboration adds a distinct flavor to the songs, resulting in a captivating and memorable musical experience.
One artist/band included has especially piqued my interest… punk band, X… Honestly, I had no idea who “X” were. I had a look around, and the best introduction I could find was on “Rock and Roll True Stories.” . If you’re curious, as I was, this is a quick, yet thorough introduction to the band.
I’m really curious to find out how X became connected with Duets,” and I really look forward to hearing what they add to “Any Trouble.” In the meantime, here’s Glen Campbell’s original version of the song:
A Labor of Love
The creation of “Glen Campbell Duets” was a labor of love for all involved. The artists recognized the importance of preserving Glen Campbell’s musical legacy and paid tribute to his unique vocal style and country twang. Some artists sang to the same backing tracks as the original album, while others contributed entirely new tracks, resulting in a seamless blend of old and new.
I suppose not everyone loves the idea of posthumous albums, and not all such albums are created equal. In this case though, I believe Glen Campbell’s “Duets” album stands as a touching testament to the enduring impact of his music. The album not only celebrates Glen Campbell’s rich musical legacy, but also brings together an amazing lineup of artists who pay homage to his talent and add their own, individual style to the project. I do hope “Glen Campbell Duets” will help fans like me celebrate Glen Campbell’s music as well as inspiring some new fans to explore his music, now and in the future.
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