Classic Album Review – Glen Campbell “Wichita Lineman”
Here is one of the best albums of 1969, Glen Campbell’s “Wichita Lineman”.
It contained eleven tracks of modern pop-country from one of the late 1960′s top male vocalists.
The album opens with the title track, which was a big hit in late 1968 on both the country and pop charts. Really, what can I say about this song? It’s a classic and one of my favorite Glen Campbell songs.
Think of (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay, and no doubt, Otis Redding immediately comes to mind. Redding’s version, in my opinion, is untouchable and simply one of the best recordings to come out of the 1960′s, period. That said, I have to say that I do actually like Glen’s up tempo version on this disc. Of the versions I have heard, again, it doesn’t touch the original, but I’d rate it above Waylon & Willie’s recording, as well as Michael Bolton’s, both of which were hits.
Next in line, we have Glen’s version of a pop standard, “If You Go Away”. Since it’s 1959 introduction, it’s been recorded by a wide variety of artists ranging from Frank Sinatra, Damita Jo, Tom Jones, Brenda Lee, Dusty Springfield, and Cyndi Lauper, among others. Campbell’s version is pop all the way and he shows that he could have been a strait pop singer, had he chosen.
Glen reverses direction on the next cut, a Billy Edd Wheeler work titled “Ann” (not the same song made popular a few years later by Tommy Overstreet). It’s a bouncy ditty that will have your toes or fingers tapping along. Despite the arrangement, the song, itself, is pure country.
“Words” is not a bad recording, but does nothing for me. I have to admit that I prefer the original Bee Gees version.
Like a good depressing song? If you do, the last song on side 1 fits perfectly. “Fate Of Man” was written by Glen and chronicle’s a man’s life from childhood to death. The song has a feel very similar to the Hank Williams recordings released under the name Luke The Drifter.
“Dreams Of The Everyday Housewife” was a big hit in 1968, but often gets overshadowed by Glen’s other hits of that era. Great song, though, that many housewives of that era could identify with.
“The Straight Life” is an up tempo song, with a touch of folk to it.
“Reason To Believe” also has a folk touch to it, having been written by a folk artist named Tim Hardin. Glen does a great rendition of the song, which later became better known as the flip-side of Rod Stewart’s smash “Maggie May”.
In 1967, “You Better Sit Down, Kids”, was a top ten pop hit for Cher and was later a top 40 country hit for Roy Drusky. Glen’s version is unique. Part of the song has a definite country feel, part of it has more of a “go-go” beat, and the end becomes more bluegrass influenced. Not a bad cut, not a great cut, certainly an interesting cut.
Glen wraps up the album with a solid country song, “That’s Not Home”. Slow tempo, great sound and a great way to end up the album.
Overall, a very contemporary sounding album for it’s time. Very much in the Nashville Sound/Countrypolitan style of the late 1960′s; on par with the work of that time from Eddy Arnold and Ray Price.
“Wichita Lineman” is such a great song, that if the other ten were junk, the album would still rate 2 out of 5. As it is, the album has several good tracks, so I give it a 4 out of 5. And if you are interested in a copy of this album, yes, you will find used copies fairly easily (I saw 3, the day I purchased mine, last month) in thrift stores, antique shops, and used record houses. A quick search of Ebay, found several copies for sale. It is also still listed as available for purchase as a CD, having been remastered for Capitol’s Cornerstone series.
If you like country music or pop music from the late 1960′s, then this is a great addition to your collection.
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