Search - Glen Campbell :: Rhinestone Cowboy

Economical package of mostly live recordings

Kent Moore | 10/14/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This 3-CD set provides a great opportunity to hear Glen's big hits live at a reasonable price. There are no liner notes, but that is to be expected for a budget set.



CD 1 begins with broadcast recordings, consisting mostly of songs that are very country and whether you like them depends on your musical tastes. "White Lightning" is very infectious and "Burning Bridges" is well-done. The second half is mostly pop standards, which is not Glen's forte. "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "You'll Never Walk Alone" are OK, but pale in comparison with Elvis's recordings of these songs. "The Impossible Dream" is so-so and "Feelings" is weak.



CD 2 is an excellent live set recorded in Branson. Glen does a great job with all his big hits, plus three songs there were new in 1994: "Mansion in Branson" is clever and greatly appreciated by the audience; "Here in the Real World" is an enjoyable country song; "No More Night" (not "No More Nights", as listed on the CD) is a wonderful and powerful Christian song.



CD 3 is another live set with some of his hits, but lots of songs not usually associated with Glen. Again, Glen is in good voice, but the sound is fuzzy at times, especially on "Please Come to Boston". That is regrettable since Glen mimics the folk sound of the original recording and it could have been a nice cover. "Crying" is enjoyable, but no one can match the great Roy Orbison. The fine song "Lovin' Arms" is done well, but again not as good as Elvis's version. He has a rollicking good time with "Rollin' in My Sweet Baby's Arms" and includes a nice version of the rockabilly "Milk Cow Blues."



Overall, this set provides good variety with a mix of all his big hits along with several songs that are hard to find elsewhere."