Ten Easy Pieces

by Jimmy Webb

Overview

The idea of releasing a collection of Jimmy Webb's best known songs sung by the author himself may seem like a no-brainer, but it's taken 20+ years for it to happen, apparently mostly because Webb needed to put some distance between himself and most of these numbers, in order to approach them in a fresh manner that makes this disc more than a mere exploitation effort. The result is the best and most accessible of all Webb's albums, featuring his 1990s' takes on "Galveston," "By The Time I Get to Phoenix," "Didn't We," "MacArthur Park," "The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress," "Wichita Lineman," and "All I Know," amongst others. His voice is more expressive than ever, and the performances are generally grittier, with more raw emotion than the better known hit versions display. The arrangements are generally very simple and straightforward, with Webb's piano the primary instrument, and several of the songs are performed in a deeply personal manner, more akin to home recording for Webb's own pleasure than to a commercial release -- "Wichita Lineman," in particular, sounds here like the most personal and private of performances, filled with wrenching loneliness at which the Glen Campbell version only hints. The notes are very personal and revealing as well. ~ Bruce Eder

Product Details

Release Date:	10/15/1996
Label:	Guardian/Angel / Guardian
UPC:	0724385282621
Rank:	6686

Tracks

1. Galveston
2. Highwayman
3. Wichita Lineman
4. The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress
5. By the Time I Get to Phoenix
6. If These Walls Could Speak
7. Didn't We
8. The Worst That Could Happen
9. All I Know
10. MacArthur Park

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Jimmy Webb   Primary Artist,Piano,Vocals,Keyboards,Organ (Hammond)
Susan Webb   Primary Artist,Vocals (Background)
Shawn Colvin   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Vocals (Background)
Marc Cohn   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Vocals (Background)
Michael McDonald   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Vocals (Background)
Audrey King   Cello
Steve Smith   Pedal Steel
Pat Perez   Sax (Soprano)
David Hetherington   Cello
Fred Mollin   Harp,Autoharp,Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals (Background)
Dean Parks   Guitar
Steven MacKinnon   Accordion
Matthew McCauley   Vocals (Background)
Donald Green   Cello
Oliver Schroer   Fiddle
Lesley Young   Oboe
Paul Widner   Cello

Technical Credits

Brian Nevin   Engineer
Robert Abriola   Art Direction
Greg Robertson   Mixing Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Mary Tiegreen   Package Design
Jimmy Webb   Composer,Liner Notes
Fred Mollin   Producer
Greg Calbi   Mastering
Jay Landers   Executive Producer
Jeff Wolpert   Mixing,Engineer
Matthew McCauley   Arranger,String Arrangements
Denis Tougas   Mixing Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Glen Marchese   Engineer
Carolyn Jones   Photography
Bill Harwell   Engineer