Glen Campbell: Good Times Again

It's not easy to reconcile the Glen Campbell on this DVD with the dude in the police photo taken when he was busted for DUI in 2003 (a mug shot rivaled for sheer horror only by Nick Nolte's). Needless to say, that image is a far cry from the clean-cut young fella seen in this hour-long collection of clips from The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, the TV series he hosted from 1969-72. An excellent guitarist and session man (he briefly replaced Brian Wilson in the Beach Boys' touring band), Campbell also boasted a clear, pure voice that was highlighted in an impressive string of hits, which started with "Gentle on My Mind," continued with "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," "Wichita Lineman," and "Galveston" (the latter three all written by Jim Webb), and ultimately led to the TV show. In addition to performing those early songs, Campbell duets with the likes of Johnny Cash, Linda Ronstadt, Cher, Roger Miller, Ray Charles, Rick Nelson, and an almost unrecognizable (i.e., pre-beard and pigtails) Willie Nelson. The song choices ("Folsom Prison Blues," "King of the Road," "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head," etc.) are all obvious; and the performances are merely serviceable, with only Cash and Brother Ray coming close to lighting a fire. But that's TV for you, and as middlebrow as this set may be, it's ideal for the medium. Taken on those terms, Good Times Again, which includes Campbell's new onscreen introductions between tunes, is recommended. Aud: P. (S. Graham)