KELSEY GRAMMER'S NEW SHOW IS BRILLIANT

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THE WEB GOSSIP
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Glen Campbell

CAMPBELL GOLD --- Hands down, the album of the year is the final opus from singer/songwriter Glen Campbell, entitled Ghost On The Canvas. There's no need to re-visit his proclamation earlier in the year of his ongoing health issues, and his subsequent finale tour (which reached L.A. Last week with none other than Micky Dolenz in the audience), but this last release is just out and simply outstanding … in every way. First off, the material is stronger than anything the singer has ever done before in his career. This is not the “Dreams Of The Everyday Housewife” Campbell, but rather a serious, sobering look at the artist's life and eventual end of it; both the good and the bad. As the singer writes and sings on the very first track, “A Better Place": “I've tried and I have failed Lord; I've won and I have lost; I've lived and I've loved, Lord; sometimes as such a cost.” Let's face it, you don’t go into listening to this album looking for the singer to bring you to a happier place; you know what's going on and when the singer writes in the liner notes (remember them?) “Ghost On The Canvas is the last studio record of new songs that I ever plan to make. I've been saying it to my friends and family, but now that it's in writing, it really seems final. I've done a lot in my life – played, sang, toured, hosted a TV show, acted in a movie – most of the things that happened were because of music, because of the records, and now it's time to close that book.” Before the singer fully emerged as a solo artist in his own right, he played on many of the early records from The Beach Boys and Monkess; he was also a key playing with the legendary L.A.-based group of musicians called The Wrecking Crew. Suffice to say, if you were in the music business back in those days, you knew Campbell. Funny thing was, he was that good; a more-than-proficient player and inspired singer. As he emerged as a solo artist, he literally captivated the country and world with many songs from writer Jimmy Webb: “By The Time I get To Phoenix”; “Wichita Lineman,” and, “Galveston.” His Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour (January 1969 through June 1972) on TV was just an amazing show; did you know he had guests like George Harrison, The Monkees , Neil Diamond, and, Willie Nelson on? During his 50 years in show business, Campbell has released more than 70 albums. He has sold 45 million records and racked up 12 Gold albums; 4 Platinum albums and 1 Double-Platinum album. Of his 74 charted records, 27 landed in the Top ten. One of the very first things you notice on this new work, is that there are no Jimmy Webb songs; why? I have no idea, but interestingly enough, conceptually he's been replaced by Paul Westerberg (The Replacements) who has written the brilliant title track, as well as “Any Trouble.” It's always interesting when the artist himself writes the song; I always feel they have more of an attachment to the song. Here, Campbell has written several and they're among the strongest on the album. His “Strong” and “It's Your Amazing Strength” are among the best songs I've ever heard him do. To be candid, I've not kept up with the artist in the last decade or so; his success with “Rhinestone Cowboy” (written by Larry Weiss) and “Southern Nights” (written by Allan Toussaint) were worldwide hits and in a sense brought him his biggest audiences ever, but to me, they were a tad too showy and silly. To hear him express his deepest thoughts at a time like this resonate like never before. The whole album grabs you from the first note … first lyric. Brutally honest and so enjoyable. Jakob Dylan's “Nothing But The Whole Wide World” is a terrific track as well; it makes you wonder why the artist never attempted an album as diverse and artistic as this before. There could be a million reasons why, but we should fully enjoy this one. Me, I loved those Webb-songs as well as his Everyday Housewife” and the terrific “Where's The Playground Suzie?” This one's his best ever … what a career, what an artist. It may well be the album of the year.

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Kelsey Grammer

BOSS IS BOSS -- Kelsey Grammer is someone we've never written about before in this column. We loved him on Cheers and Frasier, but now he's developed a show that is just so brilliant we've got to call it out. It's on cable, so there's some words you don't hear on regular TV and some flesh you're not used to seeing, but it is positively riveting. The roll-out episode was directed by Gus Van Sant and every shot is thoughtfully developed by him; just a wonderful touch. Called Boss, it tells the story with Grammer as the Mayor of Chicago (Tom Kane) with some dark, dark secrets and a debilitating health issue. The writhing is crisp, photography outstanding and the Julliard-educated Grammer is simply sensationally; often saying more with a quiet stare or ominous pose. I had always heard that comedic-actors make the best dramatic actors … and, it appears true. Van Sant's editing is also a standout as well; call it The Shield-factor ... just terrific! Also standing out is Kane's executive assistant Kitty O'Neil portrayed by Kathleen Robertson, who embodies her role was a ferociousness and bold sexuality. She's a babe in dark glasses! Also, Martin Donovan as Kane's chief of staff Ezra Stone is ominously terrific. Thc show is on the cable-net Starz which does makes it a bit harder to find, but do yourself a favor and check it out. Very, very impressive.


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NILES ON TV --- Look for our musical-find from Cleveland, Adrian Niles, to regroup here on the East Coast in late-November with his band for a series of performances. His song “Skylark,” from his latest album Roll & Move, still simmers whenever we hear it. Also, we hear from his rep that several TV's shows have fallen under his spell as well. We'll keep you posted.


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Bethenny Frankel

SCHRAGER SHOWS AT 54 --- Ian Schrager did show up at last night's Sirius/XM/Studio 54 event, but the only names I saw posted from the old days were Lady Bunny, Randy Jones, and Patti Hansen (pre-Keith). The celebs that did show, Andy Cohn, Donald Trump, Bethenny Frankel, Tinsley Mortimer, Jason Binn and Robert Verdi, would not have made it in back then sorry to say … well, maybe Verdi. Where were Jellybean, David Geffen, Barry Diller and Billy Smith? Our friend David Salidor, by the way, didn't make it in at all. Sorry to say Sirius/XM … good idea, but to have captured some of the original flavor of the club might not have been a bad idea at all. Right? Funny thing about these sat-casters (satellite radio) … you don't get it for free … you've got to pay for it. I don't know how the Studio 54 channel is doing … but, by January I'm sure it will be gone. Hell, even the station's star Howard Stern didn't show. Sad.


Photos By: Walter McBride/RD/Dziekan/Jackson/Retna