‘New” Glen Campbell has come a long way
by Steve Grandin, The Saratogian
Glen Campbell has come a long way in the past seven years. He’s gone from that high-pitched, young guitar player to a slick, Las Vegas-type showman. And the “new” Glen Campbell came to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Monday night, and the 4,100 fans seemed to accept the modern version of the Arkansas singer. Appearing with Campbell was comic-singer Jud Strunk of “Laugh-In” fame.
If people came to SPAC to see the same man who had his own television show several years, they would have been surprised. His act seems like something straight out of Lake Tahoe or Caesar’s Palace, with a large orchestra behind him, bright flashy outfits, and popular songs. More than anything, the “new” Campbell is very much like a “country-fied” John Davidson.
As with most nightclub-type acts, the performer must have a tremendous voice to allow him to sing current songs. If his voice leaves something to be desired. the listener will automatically compare him to the artist that does the song – usually in an unfavorable light. Campbell has the voice to sing whatever song he likes. And the listener is the one who benefits.
Campbell was wise to get all of his well-known songs out of the way in a hurry. He apparently didn’t want to mix his old image with his new one. Leading into his old favorites by saying, *1968 wasn’t really that long ago,” Campbell did a medley including “By The Time I Get To Phoenix,” “Narrow-Minded People,” “Wichita Lineman,” “Honey, Come Back,” and “Gentle On My Mind.” His current single, “Rhinestone Cowboy,” was well-done, but a ridiculous light show nearly ruined the song.
Campbell did Mac Davis’ “I Believe in Music,” a tune that seems to be popping up in almost every act, along with Neil Sedaka’s “Love Will Keep Us Together,” another song that many people are doing.
Other current songs Campbell did included Ray Stevens “Misty,” Tanya Tucker’s “Delta Dawn,” John Denver’s “Thank God I’m A Country Boy” and “Annie’s Song,” Linda Ronstadt’s “When Will I Be Loved?” and Gladys Knight’s version of “Try To Remember The Way We Were.”
Part of his nightclub act included a parody on Elvis Presley, a rendition of the theme to “The Lone Ranger,” and a rousing version of “Amazing Grace,” including Campbell playing bagpipes. A big part of his act included banjoist Carl Jackson. Jackson did a pair of great solos, one on the banjo, another on the fiddle. Arranger Dennis McCarthy did a good job of leading the Saratoga Festival Orchestra to back up Campbell’s vocals.
The Saratoga Festival Orchestra, headed by Allan Dennis, included the following Saratoga Springs musicians: Conrad Kuchay, Tom and Maxine Ellison, Robert and Michael Meade, Vern Hellijas, Mary Lou Saetta, Peggy Foy and John Jacobsen. Nick Morano of Hudson Falls also played.
Strunk had a hard time getting the audience into his act. Most of the time he spent building up to a punch-line, and then got little response to the joke. Admittediy there were a few good guffaws, but many of his stories failed to do much. His songs didn’t do much either, with the only consolation being that he got better as he went along. His tunes included “Daisy A Day” (his “big” hit), “They’re Cutting Down A Tree,” and “She’s Got The Biggest Parakeets In Town.”
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