GLEN'S BACK
Arkansas native Glen Campbell has finished work on a new album produced by Julian Raymond, known for his work with Rosanne Cash and the Wallflowers. The album, Meet Glen Campbell, also marks his return to Capitol Records, reports NoDepression.net. It was there Campbell recorded his biggest hits, including "Rhinestone Cowboy," "Galveston" and "By the Time I Get to Phoenix." No release date has been announced.
The songs reportedly include Tom Petty's "Angel Dream" and "Walls," U2's "All I Want Is You," Velvet Underground's "Jesus" and the Replacements' "Sadly Beautiful."
"I really like all of the songs and I had a great time recording them," Campbell told the magazine Web site. "While I didn't write these songs, this soundslike a Glen Campbell album, which is important to me."
Guests include Roger Joseph Manning Jr. and Jason Faulkner of Jellyfish, Chris Chaney of Jane's Addiction and Robin Zander of Cheap Trick.
NEIL AND MATT
Matt Sweeney, front man of the band Chavez, is an unexpected collaborator on Neil Diamond's new album. Sweeney was brought into the sessions for Home Before Dark by producer Rick Rubin.
"I've been a fan of Neil Diamond since before I could talk," Sweeney told billboard.com. "My mom still always plays his music. In high school my friends and I would freak out to [Diamond's 1973 live album] Hot August Night. I am a giant fan.
"Here's the mindblower: Neil Diamond is so funny, low key and open. He sees every song as a chance to, in his words, 'make a great record.' He was so encouraging and excited about making music. Every day was awesome."
Diamond is "very self-effacing about his guitar playing, which is funny because he is one of my all-time favorite guitar guys," Sweeney says.
During the sessions, Sweeney says, Diamond played a Martin guitar from the 1800s.
MUSIC NOTES
Singer-songwriter Beck has completed a new album with producer Danger Mouse (Brian Burton). The album, with 10 news songs, is due this summer.
Journey - guitarist Neal Schon, keyboardist Jonathan Cain, bassist Ross Valory, drummer Deen Castronovo and singer Arnel Pineda - will issue Revelation on June 3. The three-disc CD and DVD package is to be available exclusively at Wal-Mart stores.
Exene Cervenka has signed with Chicago's Bloodshot Records. She will have a new solo album next year. Cervenka is currently on tour with X.
Metallica has launched a new Web site, www.missionmetallica.com, to promote its first album in five years, which is due in September. The site offers excerpts of new songs and a preview clip of the band working in the studio. Fans who sign up for the site will have an opportunity to win backstage passes to the hard rockers' shows.
Style, Pages 67 on 05/18/2008