Kim and Ashley Campbell Share Stories Behind Glen Campbell’s Final Album, ‘Adiós’

June 9 will mark the release of Adiós, a new album of recordings made by Glen Campbell as the Country Music Hall of Fame member was wrapping up his acclaimed final tour a few years ago. According to his daughter, Ashley Campbell, the material on the disc holds a special place in his heart.

“These are all my dad’s favorite songs from over the years, and he’s always wanted to record them, but never had,” she told Sounds Like Nashville. “We’re real excited that they’re coming out so the fans can hear them.”

The album was produced by Carl Jackson, who went to work for the singer when he was eighteen. Ashley says that Jackson was the fitting choice to steer the musical ship for the project.

“At the time, dad was having a lot of difficulty with short-term memory, and it was difficult to get him to remember more than one or two lines from a song, so sometimes, he had to take it line by line. Every single time, Dad would say ‘I don’t know,’ Carl would say ‘It’s ok, buddy. We’ve got all day. No worries. Let’s try it again.’ He was at his side the whole recording in the studio, giving him so much love and support.”

Glen’s wife Kim says that the songs are ones that the singer has always loved, but for different reasons never recorded.

“I had heard Glen sing these songs almost on a daily basis for years every time he picked up his guitar. He’d say ‘I gotta get in the studio and record these someday.’ When we were nearing the end of our tour, we started talking about it, and reminiscing about favorite songs he had never recorded, and said ‘Why don’t we just do it?’ We had a blast. Glen was like a kid in a candy store, and couldn’t wait to put vocals on these songs. It was a wonderful experience.”

Jackson says that Campbell’s condition was worsening, but he was still able to work his magic in the studio on the collection – which includes such standards as “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright.” Still, he notes there was a sense of urgency to capture the musical moment in time.

“I think that Kim felt that too. If there was anything left in there, we wanted to get it out,” he said. “I really feel like we did that. Glen is the greatest singer – ever. I don’t hold back on that. I’ve worked with a lot of them, and a lot of great ones, but I never heard him sing a bad note in the twelve years I traveled with him. I tell people I would bet them 500 bucks that they couldn’t go on YouTube and find me a bad note on Glen Campbell. We’re talking about stuff that was done live – TV shows. We did a series in England in front of a live audience, and every bit of it is live. It sounds like a record. He’s so good. I’ve never seen anyone with that vocal capability. You throw in his guitar playing, and his showmanship, he was the ultimate professional. He was America’s golden boy, the Mickey Mantle of music. Everybody loved him, and rightfully so.”

As many of the song choices reflected Campbell’s favorites, one song that will be of note to Country Music fans is “She Thinks I Still Care.” Originally a hit for George Jones in 1962, the song also hit the top for Anne Murray (1974) and Elvis Presley (1977). Jackson says it was one that Campbell always had at the top of his list.

“He cut this years ago on Glen Travis Campbell (1972). It was a much more produced version, with strings, I always thought it was the ultimate Country song. He would sometimes sit down with a guitar, and just start singing this song. I think his version is one of the most country cuts he has ever done – with steel guitar and fiddles, and Glen delivers it masterfully.”

Adiós, which features guest appearances from Vince Gill and Willie Nelson, will be in stores June 9.