Glen Campbell, who died in 2017 at the age of 81, left behind an inspiring musical legacy. He battled Alzheimer’s for a long time and recorded his coming to terms with his own mortality on the 2011 album Ghost on the Canvas. A duet version of this record entitled “Duets – Ghost on the Canvas Sessions” will be released in April. It was designed by many musicians of our time.
Campbell, who once served as Brian Wilson’s replacement in the Beach Boys, achieved pop-country fame in the late ’60s and early ’70s with hits like “Rhinestone Cowboy” and “Southern Nights.” His life ended in a public battle with Alzheimer’s. The 2011 album, which was listed by American Rolling Stone at number 88 on the 100 best country albums of all time, marked the musician’s artistic farewell.
What we know about “Duets – Ghost on the Canvas Sessions”.
The posthumous duet album offers a new interpretation of “Ghost on the Canvas”. Campbell’s original voice will be heard on it with the vocals of well-known singers. Included are Dolly Parton, Carole King and Eric Clapton, among others. Elton John, who collaborated with Glen Campbell on “I’m Not Gonna Miss You,” is also featured, as are Brian Wilson, Sting, Hope Sandoval, X, Daryl Hall and many more.
The initiator of this project, Dave Kaplan, told Rolling Stone that the idea of reissuing the album initially caused uncertainty. The project could seem morbid or comical. But the passion of Elton John and other artists involved helped dispel the doubts. Kaplan emphasized that no one was involved for financial reasons; the love for Glen Campbell and his musical legacy was motivation enough.
“Duets – Ghost on the Canvas Sessions” will be released in April. But two tacks have been heard since Thursday (January 25th). The duet of the song “Hold On Hope” with Eric Church and the interpretation of Jakob Dylan’s “Nothing But The Whole Wide World” with Eric Clapton offer a foretaste.