Glen Campbell is best remembered for his hits from the 1970's that included Wichita Lineman, Galveston, By the Time I Get to Phoenix and Rhinestone Cowboy. Country songs that were as comfortable in the pop charts of the day as they were on Grand Ol' Opry. As well as being a fine country singer, Campbell was no mean guitarist - you had to be in Nashville - and he played guitar on Sinatra's Strangers in the Night. Like yesterday's other departure, Campbell also struggled with alcohol (and drug) problems but he overcame them and they haven't tarnished his memory.
That memory was kept alive at this year's SummerTyne Americana, held, as always, at Sage Gateshead where Glen's youngest daughter Ashley Campbell and her band played a support set to Merle Haggard's Strangers. Reading Ann Alex's write-up, I got the impression the billing should have been reversed. Ashley, reported Ann, commented on her dad's Alzheimer's before singing Gentle on my Mind. Now, 17 days later he's gone - he was 81.
Rest In Peace.
Barbara Cook was another legend who passed away yesterday and, like Campbell, had an alcohol affected career. A Broadway star in the 1950's receiving a Tony award for her role in The Music Man
she appeared in many more Broadways smashes as well playing straight roles on television. A critic wrote of her, many years later: "The world is usually divided into actresses who try to sing and singers who try to act. Cook is one of the few performers who manage to combine the best of both traditions."
It looked like her career was over when the alcohol took hold and binge eating caused her to become obese. However, after befriending composer and pianist Wally Harper he persuaded her to put on a concert at Carnegie Hall. This was so successful they did another (of which I have the CD) and the rest is history. The second concert was predominantly the songs of Stephen Sondheim and, from then on she became synonymous with his work.
A Broadway legend who will be sadly missed.
Barbara Cook was 89.
Lance
Vanilla Ice Cream (see comment by Liz)
Vanilla Ice Cream (see comment by Liz)
2 comments :
I loved Barbara Cook. I saw her live many years ago, it was either at the Donmar or the Menier Chocolate factory in London. Both are ideal venues for her type of intimate revue. It was just her & Wally Harper, her accompanist. I was enthralled by her singing and acting. The one song with which I associate her is "Ice cream, Vanilla ice cream" it is from a show called " She Loves Me" which has since been reprised many times. This show, with which she took the lead in the far off Soubrette days, belongs to her, and her only. Such a talent! RIP wonderful lady!
Campbell is the only male c+w singer I've come across who I have any time for. His final album, knowingly and poignantly titled 'Adios', has a CD of hits and one of new stuff.
'Rhinestone Cowboy' is a perfect popsong to rival 'Dancing Queen'. I played it for an elderly neighbour and his face lit up; 'they don't make em like this any more' I observed, 'in fact they'll probably never make them like this again'.
As a soul fan, Isaac Hayes' 19 min version of 'By the time I get to Pheonix' is supposed to be the ultimate version, but I confess to preferring Campbells, though William Bell, who plays it straight, has the definitive version.
The other track that interested me was 'Gentle on my Mind', by far and away the best track I've ever heard by Maddy Peyroux. I knew his version immediately but hadn't connected them as hers is a spine-tingling ballad while his is a an upbeat, uptempo romp.
Haven't heard the new stuff yet but there's a version of Willie Nelsons 'Funny How Time Slips Away' which I can't believe he hasn't already recorded, and is always worth a listen.
Yip, he was one of the good guys and, as Lance observed, a serious guitarist.
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