Review: Glen Campbell

Photos by Jim Barcus/The Star

There were moments when Thursday’s show at the Uptown Theater seemed as ordinary as any other. One of those came toward the middle of the set, when Glen Campbell and his daughter, Ashley, performed a nimble, high-speed version of the instrumental “Dueling Banjos,” the theme to the movie “Deliverance.”

Other moments, however, implied otherwise, like when Campbell had trouble remembering the names of the people on stage with him, including his son, Shannon. Or when he started to re-introduce his music director and keyboard player, T.J. Kuenster. “Dad, we already introduced him,” his daughter reminded him, gently.

Last summer, Campbell announced he had Alzheimer’s disease. So he recorded one last album, “Ghost on the Canvas,” and launched his Goodbye Tour, which stopped in Kansas City on Thursday, four days after his 76th birthday. For 70 minutes, Campbell and his band took a crowd that nearly filled the place on that farewell journey, one that evoked an array of emotions and responses. There was lots of love and melancholy but plenty of laughter, too.

The setlist was front-loaded with several of his biggest hits, so the night got off to a stunning start: “Gentle on My Mind,” “Galveston” and then “By the Time I Get to Phoenix.” Campbell’s voice has lost some muscle and luster, but it can still carry most of those pretty tunes nobly. During his cover of “Lovesick Blues,” he nailed a couple of yodels. He had a teleprompter in front of him, but he didn’t appear to rely on it too much. Most impressive was his guitar playing. During “You’ve Got to Try a Little Kindness” and “Country Boy” his licks and leads showed the flash and style that made him a session wiz back in the 1960s. 

The effects of his illness were most apparent between songs. Some of his banter felt hurried or disassociated with his surroundings. Some of it was humorous, too, like his recollection of meeting John Wayne. Ashley Campbell, 25, kept things on track, with much sport and grace. As her father left the stage for a break, she said something to him, as if to remind him not to go too far, that he’d be coming back on stage soon. It’s a phase most of us go through: becoming our parents’ custodians. To see it carried out in public with so much love and aplomb was deeply moving.

After she and her brother sang a tune, Campbell did return to sing “Any Trouble,” one off the new album and one with lyrics that resonate, like a kick to the heart. Its first verse goes: “Don’t go to any trouble / You know I won’t be here long.” Other lyrics were just as sobering: “Some days I’m so confused, Lord / My past gets in my way” and “I am so afraid of dying.” 

But in the end, this night was more a celebration of a grand music career than a farewell. The crowd took over “Rhinestone Cowboy,” roaring its chorus back at Campbell, surprising him, it seemed. Likewise, “Southern Nights” never sounded brighter or livelier. He ended with “A Better Place,” a lovely hymn about seeing the big picture, the grand perspective: “I need the ones I love, Lord / Each and every day.” Thursday night, he was surrounded by them, and it made for an extraordinary show that most of us will long remember.

Setlist: Gentle on My Mind; Galveston; By the Time I Get to Phoenix; You’ve Got to Try a Little Kindness; Where’s the Playground Susie; Didn’t We; I Can’t Stop Living You; True Grit; Lovesick Blues; Dueling Banjos; Hey Little One; Any Trouble; It’s Your Amazing Grace; The Moon’s a Harsh Mistress; Country Boy (You’ve Got Your Feet in L.A.); Wichita Lineman; Rhinestone Cowboy. Encore: Southern Nights; A Better Place.

| Timothy Finn, The Kansas City Star

Comments

[Jay]

Awesome...yet sad show. I'll sure miss this guy.

[John Fitzpatrick]

Truly an American classic. Bittersweet but so glad he's out there singing and made it to KC.
"Gentle on my mind" still resonates completely when I hear it. So many great tunes. Thanks for the great review, Tim.

[Gary Dean]

I know they did not allow cameras, but I hope someone got some pictures other than what is shown here, some of the band.

I got a good boot of the show,
Missed Tom Petty in Wichita for this show, but it was one I wouldn't miss

[RogerWilco]

I loved the show. It was a little sad at times. I think we all can put ourselves in his or a loved one or a friends spot and it is heartbreaking. Fate can be cruel sometimes, but I think it shows a lot of courage and fortitude on his part. I also think the new record is really strong and loaded with great songs and musicianship.

[Jest cher]

I cried during "Where's the playground, Suzie"? I was honored to be present and witness this legend's grace and talent. This show moves to the top of my list for show of the year. It's early in the year so I will just have to see what happens. I'm sure it will make my top 10. Rock on Glen and God Bless!

[Clint]

God bless you Glen Campbell!

[fiddler]

just my luck that i had to be in wichita so missed this show, and couldn't go to tom petty at intrust arena either. decent write-up of that concert at the wichita eagle online.

[Gary Dean]

Mr Campbell, must be in the early stages of alzheimer's because other reiews I have read he forgot his childrens names too

I think he may have forgetful of a few things, but his childrens names and reintroducing everyone was part of the show, and a good one it was.

[Tony Lordi]

I first heard the name Glen Campbell in 1967 when he made his debut on The Smother's Brother's show. The first song he recorded was Gentle on my Mind & from that song to the present I became a Glen Campbell fan for the next 45 years. Can anyone top that ?As he now rides off into the sunset after a fantastic career I shall music the music he has in his lifetime. I have many of his CD's and will be them more n more and just listen to this man's beautiful music. Thanks for the Memories Glen you will be missed by all and that goes double from me.

[wadkc]

From the moment Glen came out on stage, my wife and I had tears in our eyes. It was such a moving concert. His voice was stronger than I expected and guitar playing not as good. His heart and fingers were trying but the strength to hold down the notes were a bit off. He gave it his all though.

You could tell his kids loved him immensely. His daughter mouthing the words just in case he couldn't find the words on the monitors.

My favorite part of the evening was when, during "Wichita Lineman" he played the one low string solo. Probably one of my favorite guitar breaks of all time. So simple yet effective, take that Yngwie!

His last 2 albums are a must for Glen and non-Glen fans. They're really good, especially the lyrics with what he's going through.

I didn't want it to end knowing that it would be the last time. Damn.

[Randall]

Spot on, Mr. Finn. I'm really glad we attended this show.

[GG]

Missed this one for Tom Petty so thanks for the review and people's own reflections on what sounds like a great show.