Glen Campbell Rhinestone Cowboy/Bloodline CD - Import

Raven's 2002 two-fer reissue of Glen Campbell's 1975 album Rhinestone Cowboy and 1976's Bloodline is given three bonus tracks and billed as "The Lambert & Potter Sessions 1975-1976," since these two albums were produced (and occasionally written) by Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter and have a distinctive sound unlike many other records in Campbell's catalog. It's not a coincidence that Campbell began working with Lambert and Potter after reuniting with Jimmy Webb for the understated Reunion, since this is a logical step forward from Webb's symphonic, intricate compositions. Lambert and Potter weren't as quirky as songwriters or producers, but they had an excellent ear for songs and had grand concepts, helping Campbell build on the excellent Reunion, as well as songs like "Houston (I'm Coming to See You)," with these two grandly polished, sweeping records. Sonically and thematically, there's not much separating the two records; they work as companion pieces, almost like two halves of a double album, so they work perfectly as a two-fer. Simply put, these two records are the best Campbell released since the late '60s, when he was delivering records like Galveston and By the Time I Get to Phoenix, because they work like those albums -- they're commercial and catchy, but there is real emotion in their opulent arrangements, along with consistently strong songwriting that makes this music easily enjoyable and quietly moving. And also essential to any country-pop library. [In addition to the two proper albums, this two-fer contains three bonus tracks, two of which are not Lambert/Potter tracks. Of those, "Houston (I'm Comin' to See You)" is clearly a template for their productions, and if "Bonaparte's Retreat" doesn't quite fit sonically, it's still fun. Then, there's the one song they did produce, "Record Collector's Dream." It is the greatest song Nick Lowe never wrote, a surging, tongue-in-cheek ode to collecting singles that was tucked away on a B-side until its glorious appearance here -- it's the icing on the cake for this great two-fer.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Two-fer reissue of his 1975 & 1976 albums (plus three bonus tracks). Bloodlines appears for the first time on CD. A total of 23 tracks, over 77 minutes of music, deluxe booklet, period photos & detailed liner notes.

2 LPs on 1 CD: RHINESTONE COWBOY(1975)/BLOODLINE (1975).Q (12/02, p.120) - 3 out of 5 - "...Masterful performances from one of America's greatest singers..."