I didn't know what to expect from this concert. As a long time Campbell fan, I wanted to hear all of the hits, as well as some of the newer releases. I was wary about the effect his health would have on his performance - I had heard it was minimal. It wasn't.
The attitude was there, the guitar skill was there, and the voice was there - but the performance was a little off. Forgotten lyrics, mumbling, missed cadence - harsh, I know, but it was real. The monitors with lyrics that he spent most of the night trying to follow told the truth.
But there were a lot of bright spots as well. Immediately recognizable songs were the least of it. The interplay with the band, which included his son and daughter, was truly fun, and you could tell they truly admired the front man. The reaction of the crowd was fantastic (especially the gray haired old ladies), and when he nailed Wichita Lineman (almost), I went back to the old days and nearly cried. Goose bumps.
My daughter and I wondered who was driving this tour - did Glen truly want to make one more run, did the kids just want to sell another record, or did the lawyers see a quick buck. Turns out it didn't matter. Glen seemed to have a good time, his kids seemed to appreciate and admire him, and i gladly turned over my $100 to say i saw Glen Campbell.