Glen Campbell

Arriving on stage to a standing ovation, the country legend greets his audience with the words, “Hi. I’m Glen Campbell. I’m happy to be here. I’m happy to be anywhere nowadays”, before slipping into the warming pastoral lilt and uplift of ‘Gentle On My Mind’. Campbell is a consummate performer and entertainer, exuding politeness, Southern hospitality and a show-must-go-on attitude. His ‘Goodbye Tour’ is a graceful farewell and homely celebration (his backing band contains his daughter Ashley and sons Shannon and Cal) of a life lived in music. The vulnerability of ‘Where’s The Playground Susie’, the warm amiable gospel clap of ‘Try A Little Kindness’ and the soaring railroad-clack-narrative ache of ‘By The Time I Get To Phoenix’ attest to his talents. The throaty timbre and warm wood tones of the brittle ballad ‘The Moon’s A Harsh Mistress’ find Campbell alone with piano accompaniment. ‘Wichita Lineman’ still retains its heartfelt beauty, all clear mountain air and warm sunshine after the rain. His signature paean to survival and perseverance ‘Rhinestone Cowboy’ induces a mass singalong. Dry eyes are at a premium as the sepia-tinged encore of ‘Better Place’ brings the curtain down. It’s his Johnny Cash ‘Hurt’ moment.