Glen Campbell - Wichita Lineman

Wichita Lineman is the twelfth studio album by American singer guitarist Glen Campbell, originally released in November 1968 via Capitol Records.

The album was produced and arranged by Al De Lory.

Commonly referred to as “the first existential country song”, Stuart Maconie has hailed Wichita Lineman as “the greatest pop song ever composed”, its reputation further enhanced by its inclusion in Rolling Stone’s ‘500 Greatest Songs Of All Time’ poll.

Written by Jimmy Webb and inspired by the image of a solitary lineman atop a telegraph pole, observed while driving through rural Oklahoma during sunset, this definitive version, released as a single in 1968, would go to Number 3 in the US chart and enter the top ten in the UK.

It was first recorded by Glen Campbell with backing from members of The Wrecking Crew. The musicians used on the recording included Campbell, Al Casey and James Burton (guitar), Carol Kaye (bass), Jim Gordon (drums), Jimmy Webb and Al De Lory (piano). The orchestral arrangements were by De Lory.

The album supporting this standout song mix mid-tempo country pop and folk pop to create a smooth and beautiful collection of songs. His cover of Otis Redding's "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" is nice and his cover of American folk musician Tim Hardin’s “Reason To Believe” is one of the best versions ever recorded. He also covers a Bee Gees song “Words” to give it his own spin on the song and the final track is a stand out with a heartfelt interpretation on “That’s Not Home”.

The album was a massive hit, peaking at #1 on the US Country and Billboard 200 Albums charts, the first of his LPs to do so. In addition the title song as a single peaked at #1 on the Hot Country and #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles charts.

This is another excellent Glen Campbell album.

Check out the tracks:  “Wichita Lineman”; “If You Go Away”; “Words”; “Reason to Believe” and “That’s Not Home”.

This LP record is a 2017 reissue on black vinyl with replicated album artwork, pressed in the US.