Glen Campbell - Rhinestone Cowboy

Rhinestone Cowboy is the thirtieth studio album by American singer / guitarist Glen Campbell, originally released in July 1975 by Capitol Records.

Early on in “Rhinestone Cowboy”, Campbell sings that he's making his "comeback," a sentiment that can't help but seem to carry an autobiographical heft.

While it is true that he was hardly off the charts in the early '70s, the quality of his music was a little inconsistent; the singles were often good, but his albums were burdened with an erratic quality.

He started to break free with a pair of 1974 albums, Houston (I'm Comin' To See You) and the Jimmy Webb tribute Reunion, but it wasn't until Rhinestone Cowboy that he seemed in full control of his talent, delivering a record that stands proudly next to his '60s peaks.

Much credit is due to the presence of producers Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter, who help focus Campbell through their own tunes, their expert selection of songs, and their shimmering, high-gloss production that dazzles on the surface but also delivers considerable thematic and musical substance.

Throughout the record, there are allusions to Campbell being a country boy stranded in the big city, where he's successful but emotionally adrift. This is most evident on the album's two big hits, "Country Boy (You Got Your Feet in L.A.)" and "Rhinestone Cowboy" itself, but his yearning is underpinned by sad songs like "I'd Build A Bridge", the despairing "We're Over", and a heartbreaking version of Randy Newman's "Marie".

This is a masterful album that manages to sound soothing even when it's sad. Even with its undercurrents of melancholy, Rhinestone Cowboy sounds and feels like a triumph because of the assured, layered lushness of the production and Campbell'ss fine performances. He sounds engaged by the material, bringing out nuances within the songs, and it's positively a joy to hear after several years of wandering.

Rhinestone Cowboy makes for an album well worth rediscovery.

Check out the tracks: “Rhinestone Cowboy” and “Country Boy (You Got Your Feet In L.A.)”. 

This LP record is a "Back to Black" series reissue (2015) on 180 gram heavyweight vinyl with an embossed album sleeve and digital download code, pressed in Europe.