Disco de Glen Campbell: “Old Home Town [Collectors' Choice]”

This seemingly routine album has some absoulte gems in it: Webb's hauntingly beautiful I was too busy loving you, Ruth, A Woman's Touch, and a stunning version of McCartney's Mull of Kintyre, all rendered in Glen's purest and most sincere warm and honey-tinted tenor. The remaining songs have a way of growing on you and becoming part of you.

Glen Campbell entered the music scene with too-lush stings in the background of music to which he brought a country lilt, making him "cross-over" (neither over-the-top country nor immitation Beatles). He moved out of that idiom after his star was somewhat faded, and he then recorded his best music. These are not included in his "Greatest Hits" material, which is reissued ad nauseum. Like most of Campbell's recordings, there is a range to please a variety of tastes, but in this case my favorites are Old Home Town (with is non-hick Country, non-saccharine nostalgia) and Mull of Kintyre (which isn't on "Greatest Hits" but should be on "best of" list, at least if I drew up the list). For those tired of repackaging of the same top 12 over and over, his best stuff is elsewhere, and here are at least a couple of them. He doesn't hit a home run with every song, but who does?

This CD contains some great nostalgic songs, reminiscent of some of Glen's earlier recordings, with the same golden voice. First released in 1983, I don't recall any of these songs getting any radio airplay, although the notes included in Collectors' Choice 2007 reissue state that 3 of the songs did make the country charts.

Old Home Town- A very nostalgic song, stating coming home to his wife is like returning to an old home town; complete with great harmonica, strings, and Glen's falsetto voice.

I Love How You Love Me- A very country song, stating all the things he loves about his woman, but "Most of all, I love how you love me." Includes a nice guitar solo bridge and "organ sounding" instrument (I'm guessing done with synthesizer.)

Hang on Baby (Ease My Mind)- Has a good beat and some great honky-tonk piano. Very upbeat. "Hang on baby, ease my mind. Hang on baby, everything's gonna work out fine."

Blues (My Naughty Sweetie Gives to Me)- A very fast-paced song with tongue twister lyrics. It's great to have this number; it is nostalgic to remember the time (before Glen's Alzheimer's diagnosis) when he could sing so fast and never miss a word or a beat. Also features honky-tonk piano and awesome guitar licks, the likes of which he CAN still play.

A Few Good Men- This one has me confused. Notes with Collectors' Choice 2007 reissue list Joe Rainey as songwriter. However, it was re-recorded by Glen on his 1st New Haven Gospel release "Show Me Your Way"(1991),which gives the credits for words and music to Steve Hardin. It seems to be saying that God is still searching for the righteous. "Cause He's just lookin' for a few good men...People can't you help Him." (Copied directly from booklet accompanying "Show Me Your Way" CD. Note He & Him are capitalized, which would indicate reference to God.) To be "right with God," one must accept Jesus' sacrifice on the cross for the forgiveness of his or her sins, as opposed to being "self-righteous" by doing "good works," as no one can save themselves. Has a good beat and some nice background vocals.

On the Wings of My Victory- This song was also re-recorded for Glen's 2nd New Haven Gospel CD "Wings of Victory" (1992). However, on the second recording there is a very slight but highly significant change in the lyrics. Instead of "On the wings of MY victory," Glen sings "On the wings of HIS victory," giving God the credit for his changed life. This seems to be a very personal statement by Glen, considering his downfall into alcohol, drugs, and failed marriages and affairs. Words like, "I have seen the dark side of night," & "I've been down in the depth of the mire, been sorely tempted and I've given in," are a realization of his falling away from the Lord. Similarly, "But now I'm looking at the light of a brand new day," "A more than one time loser who's about to win," & "Now I've found me a Rock that I can lean on," show the hope and joy he has found in Jesus. The chorus ends "By and by my soul will fly on the wings of (my/His) victory." I much prefer the second recording of this song which acknowledges that the victory is in Jesus! Very upbeat song with guitar and piano.

I Was too Busy Loving You- Written by Jimmy Webb; (that says it all!) A very poetic, sad song about losing his woman's love; while "I was too busy loving you, to see you slipping away from me." Glen's voice is exceptional on this one, sung with a tear that breaks your heart. Features strings and piano.

Ruth- Finally a Glen Campbell song with MY name; it has to be a favorite! :)

A nice ballad; features great harmonica, guitar, and piano, as well as some nice vocal harmony. He's singing to an old love, and asking her, "Are the skies a little bluer now? Are the love's a little truer now, than the loves we knew?" A tearjerker for sure.

A Woman's Touch- This ballad is a favorite of mine, (and not one of the 3 that were released as singles.) Features piano & beautiful string arrangements. Glen's voice again is exceptional as he sings about "The first day, one man stood alone" and continues with the creation of woman, when he rejoiced when "Somebody (God)said, 'This place needs a woman's touch, to share in the plan.' " Beautiful, brings tears to my eyes.

Mull of Kintyre- Another nostalgic number written by Paul McCartney, describing the beauty of a place in Scotland and the longing to return there. (Glen and Paul share Scots/Irish roots.) This waltz features guitar, vocal harmony, and Glen playing bagpipes. A beautiful ending to this nostalgic CD.