Amazon.co.uk Review: Big, lantern-jawed Glen Campbell, erstwhile session guitarist and fill-in Beach Boy, had an image problem for years: staple of Seventies Radio 2 and the dream of the everyday housewife. More recently, his best recordings have again been appreciated for their majesty and massive emotional power. 20 Golden Greats is as comprehensive a hits compilation as one could hope for, covering the mid-Sixties to the mid-Seventies and missing little of worth, and to listen and not be affected would require arthritis of the soul. "Rhinestone Cowboy" is pretty cool, if a little camp, but the really great Glen Campbell tracks are invariably Jimmy Webb's songs: Campbell's rich, sensitive tenor and the low boom-and-twang of his guitar dovetail perfectly with Webb's stately songs of torment and regret, haloed with those luscious country strings. The combination yielded the best and best-remembered hits: "Galveston", "By The Time I Get To Phoenix", "Where's The Playground, Suzie?" and the timelessly moving "Wichita Lineman"; schmaltzy, nostalgic, quietly profound and one of the great American songs of the century. --Taylor Parkes
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Campbells Kingdom
Glen Campbell is one of the greatest and most versatile performers of our time. Many of the songs on this CD promote "a good feel factor!" His version 'Only Make believe' is by far the best I have ever heard and 'All I have to dream' is also very good.
19 great songs by a great artist represents a great purchase in anyones language!
Rating: - Nothing Wrong with Easy Listening
My dad had this album on tape years ago and I always remembered how the words of the songs stuck in my mind.
These songs really are great. Campbell's soft plaintive voice really suit them, mostly sad songs of love gone wrong. The arrangements are distinctly MOR but it all sounds perfect really.
And after a few listens you won't be able to stop yourself singing along to them. And that's not surprising as the sings are written by the likes of Joni Mitchell and Jimmy Webb. ... Read More
Rating: - A must for everyone's music collection
I really like this CD. Glen Campbell makes you believe he means every one of his lyrics. It makes me happy just listening to it.
It starts with The Rhinestone Cowboy, the one every one knows, and that isn't even the best song (I'd go with Wichita Lineman). Don't be surprised if you find that you are singing the songs to yourself after a couple of listens.
It's got all the hits you know, probably a few you don't. The ultimate in easy listening, as long as you skip the bagpipes ... Read More
