Here’s the lovely video for his cover of Westerberg’s Ghost on a Canvas.

“Westerberg — who has been out of the public eye for about five years now and famously didn’t appear in the Replacements’ video for “Bastards of Young” — makes a surprising yet typically coy cameo appearance in the video for the title track of Campbell’s acclaimed new album, “Ghost on the Canvas.” The video actually starts off as a direct homage to and/or imitation of the classic “Bastards” clip, with Westerberg playing the part of the dude loafing on the couch staring at the stereo speaker. Paul reappears throughout, too (though not as part of the weirdly hip, young band behind Campbell). The Minneapolis music legend’s involvement makes sense (sort of) if you know that he wrote the “Ghost” song for Campbell. And if you’re a fan, you should know it right away upon hearing the song — classic Westerberg”.

Westerberg makes Bastards-like cameo in Glen Campbell video

As far as the grown-ups go, are you thinking of putting out a proper solo album again, or have you had it with the industry?

I’m always writing and I have plenty of songs, but I think the Glen Campbell record is a bit of a test to see if people still buy records. Or go for my stuff. I’d like to go on record and say something concrete, but I can’t. So, we shall see.

“Meanwhile, Raymond said, “an unbelievable amount of people” wanted to be part of the current project, which will feature all original material. Westerberg wrote the title track, and other collaborators include members of the Dandy Warhols, guitarist Steve Hunter, former Prince cohort Wendy Melvoin and drummer Josh Freese. The album’s release date is pending a label deal.”

Interesting, yes?

Goldmine has five questions for Peter Jesperson, including this gem:
GM: Do you have a favorite out of the four Rhino reissues?
PJ: That’s an impossible question! Let It Be is probably considered their best, and with good reason, but I’d have to go with Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash. It was the first Replacements album we put replacementsbw3_4.jpgout on Twin/Tone and I just personally have an attachment to it. With the inclusion of all the bonus tracks, which includes the original Replacements’ four-song demo Paul Westerberg gave me, the album has now grown from 18 to 31 songs, which is such a great thing. What more could you ask for?

Which reminds me. You can still vote in ‘Mats Madness. Go ahead, I dare you. Go choose between Tim or Pleased to Meet Me, and watch your heart die a little.

Tony Pierce at busblog reminisces about interviewing Our Man Paul and includes some outtakes of the interview. [editor’s note: Yes, I have decided to call him Our Man Paul, because it makes me laugh.]

The Kitty Brains Collective points out the Paul Westerberg and The Replacements’ influence on Wilco’s song “Gun.” It’s pretty interesting, go listen.

I am often easily charmed by good, interesting writing. I am even more charmed when the good, interesting writing includes the lyrics to “Customer.”

You know what else I am a sucker for? Just about anyone talking about how they discovered and continue to love the ‘Mats.

If you haven’t picked up the reissues yet, Chris Riemenschneider of the Strib gives a nice rundown of the extras.

My Old Kentucky Blog has a nice write up of the ‘Mats and the reissues, my favorite part? (because of course you want to know that):
If you just dipping you foot into the ‘Mats, certainly, start with Let It Be. The influence of this little (33 minutes) record is now such that it is no longer blasphemy to mention in the same breath with Velvet Underground and Nico, London Calling or Born To Run.

Okay, this is the weirdest bit of news. At least to me. So Glen Campbell is gonna cover “Sadly Beautiful.” What’s weird, and stick with me on this one, is that it’s GLEN CAMPBELL cover The ‘Mats. He gets all caps because when I was a kid, or maybe an early teen and started to have favorite bands, I would quiz my mom on the music she loved when she was younger. She told me how she never got into Elvis because her older sister Jackie loved Elvis, and The Beatles didn’t really do much for her at all. Then she went on to tell me how she really, really loved Glen Campbell. Like to her he was the bee’s knees and I thought that was just about the nerdiest thing I had ever heard in my entire life. And now Glen Campbell is covering my favorite band. I am totally gonna buy my mom this CD for my mom.