Guy & Glen: Part I

EMI Chief Guy Hands must love Glen Campbell, whose "Meet Glen Campbell" marks the country legend's return to the Capitol label after many years. No ridiculous advances to pay, no new media wise guys demanding this digital campaign or that, just good ole' Glen playing it straight and true, finding its way onto the featured end caps at music retail, where Glen fans actually pick it up, take it to the counter and pay for it, just like the old days.

And no new songs to push either: "Meet..." is a cover project, with Campbell putting a personal touch on ten songs, including compelling versions of Tom Petty's "Walls" and Billie Joe Armstrong's "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)". The project is reminiscent of Rick Rubin's work with the late Johnny Cash; it's not acoustic, but it brings an artist back to his own basics (including the swirling string backings) and demonstrates the continuing vitality and chops of a master craftsman.

The record won't change the world (even with a successful cover of U2's "All I Want is You"), but "Meet Glen Campbell" peaked at # 27 on Billboard's Country Album charts, a respectable re-entry for a stalwart of the Countrypolitan 1970s.