I always loved Glen Campbell. Years ago I drove up to the Mohegan Sun, he was playing in their Cabaret. He did a solid set of hits. The guy is not just an incredible singer. But, he started out as a session guitarist and plays some mean ass solos.
Now, he's on his Goodbye Tour as he's been diagnosed with Alzheimers. Three of his children play behind him. They also open the show with a short set. They have nowhere near the talent or charisma of their father.
I went to see his show this past Saturday and it was something else.
If he's doing this tour to combat his disease, perhaps he wants to give his fans a final farewell, or if he just really wants to tour, then it was a great show. He can still sing and his hits are all magnificent.
If he's doing this for the money, or to help his kids get their careers jump started, or anything else besides the love of playing, this was the saddest show I've ever seen.
There's three monitors set up, so he can see the lyrics. He opens with Gentle On My Mind, and while looking at the monitor can't get the words out (this happened a lot throughout the set). Halfway through the song, he keeps repeating "let's start over" the band keeps playing. Finally they start from the top. It was heart-breaking.
When he sang, he sang well. His guitar playing was another story. Lots of bad notes mixed into great runs. There were two instances where it made me cringe. I forget what hit it was but his solo was 100% out of key. Another hit his two other guitarists stop playing so his out of key solo wouldn't be so noticeable.
He wandered around the stage like he had no idea of where he was.
He had to take a break in the middle of the set.
The one shining moment, and I attribute it to the healing power and brilliance of Hank Williams Sr. Glen did an excellent perfect rendition of "Lovesick Blues" without looking at a monitor.
It was brave yet really sad. I bought a t-shirt and program which I don't really do anymore. But, if this is for the money, maybe it'll help get him off the road a little sooner.
Now, he's on his Goodbye Tour as he's been diagnosed with Alzheimers. Three of his children play behind him. They also open the show with a short set. They have nowhere near the talent or charisma of their father.
I went to see his show this past Saturday and it was something else.
If he's doing this tour to combat his disease, perhaps he wants to give his fans a final farewell, or if he just really wants to tour, then it was a great show. He can still sing and his hits are all magnificent.
If he's doing this for the money, or to help his kids get their careers jump started, or anything else besides the love of playing, this was the saddest show I've ever seen.
There's three monitors set up, so he can see the lyrics. He opens with Gentle On My Mind, and while looking at the monitor can't get the words out (this happened a lot throughout the set). Halfway through the song, he keeps repeating "let's start over" the band keeps playing. Finally they start from the top. It was heart-breaking.
When he sang, he sang well. His guitar playing was another story. Lots of bad notes mixed into great runs. There were two instances where it made me cringe. I forget what hit it was but his solo was 100% out of key. Another hit his two other guitarists stop playing so his out of key solo wouldn't be so noticeable.
He wandered around the stage like he had no idea of where he was.
He had to take a break in the middle of the set.
The one shining moment, and I attribute it to the healing power and brilliance of Hank Williams Sr. Glen did an excellent perfect rendition of "Lovesick Blues" without looking at a monitor.
It was brave yet really sad. I bought a t-shirt and program which I don't really do anymore. But, if this is for the money, maybe it'll help get him off the road a little sooner.
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