KVR Audio

TristezaOrange · Post by **TristezaOrange** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 11:10 am

I have discovered his songs fairly recently and I have been awestruck by the intricacy of the music, the words and the arrangements. I also bought a book he wrote called 'Tunesmith: Inside the Art of Songwriting' and he seems to be a pretty funny guy too.

Do any other people on KvR appreciate his songs? He wrote 'By The Time I Get To Phoenix' and 'Wichita Lineman' of course but there are lots of classics waiting to be discovered in his discography ['All my Love's Laughter' for example, which is heart-rending].

nuffink · Post by **nuffink** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 11:24 am

Yeah, I'm a bit of a fan. Let's face it, his songs were good enough to give Glen Campbell a career and that must say something.

TristezaOrange · Post by **TristezaOrange** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 11:26 am

nuffink wrote:Yeah, I'm a bit of a fan. Let's face it, his songs were good enough to give Glen Campbell a career and that must say something.

bluedad · Post by **bluedad** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 11:35 am

well, I lived through that era..I was never really fond of Jimmy Webb songs. None of them really stand out to me in the same way that makes one burst out singing 'good, good, good -good vibrations'
or,
'sweet caroline, good times never seemed so good'
btw, I prefer Isaac Hayes version of 'by the time I get to Phoenix'

TristezaOrange · Post by **TristezaOrange** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 11:41 am

bluedad wrote:well, I lived through that era..I was never really fond of Jimmy Webb songs. None of them really stand out to me in the same way that makes one burst out singing 'good, good, good -good vibrations'
or,
'sweet caroline, good times never seemed so good'
btw, I prefer Isaac Hayes version of 'by the time I get to Phoenix'

Hey, what about 'Would you like to ride in my bautiful balloon... Up, Up and Away!', Gary?

But anyway, can anyone ever really write a better song than Good Vibrations? [yes, they can and they have, but I have to praise mr. Wilson too

]

bluedad · Post by **bluedad** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 11:48 am

TristezaOrange wrote: Hey, what about 'Would you like to ride in my bautiful balloon... Up, Up and Away!', Gary? But anyway, can anyone ever really write a better song than Good Vibrations? [yes, they can and they have, but I have to praise mr. Wilson too ]

ok, forgot about that..I'm sure there may be more.
I reckon there was just something about his songs I didn't like.
kind of hit a raw nerve..sort of like a bacharach/david song.

(kidding)

knockman · Post by **knockman** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 12:28 pm

i love select moments.

i love the fifth dimension's 'magic garden', well most of it at least, which he composed, especially the title track - an orchestral, psychedelic pop extravaganza, and there's an astonishing track entitled 'requiem: 820 latham' on the album which always blows me away.

my favourite 'witchita linesman' cover is by optiganally yours.

i know you like brian wilson and the high llamas too, do you know harmony grass/tony rivers? i think you may find something to your liking among that as well.

regards

morelia · Post by **morelia** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 12:41 pm

I got his book for Christmas one year. A great read. And let's face it, anyone that can write a song about a cake has to have some serious creative ability.

bluedad · Post by **bluedad** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 12:57 pm

morelia wrote:I got his book for Christmas one year. A great read. And let's face it, anyone that can write a song about a cake has to have some serious creative ability.

let's not forget, it's an 8 minute song about cake!
with richard harris singing (or trying)

morelia · Post by **morelia** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 1:09 pm

8 mins

TristezaOrange · Post by **TristezaOrange** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 2:16 pm

bluedad wrote:
TristezaOrange wrote: Hey, what about 'Would you like to ride in my bautiful balloon... Up, Up and Away!', Gary? But anyway, can anyone ever really write a better song than Good Vibrations? [yes, they can and they have, but I have to praise mr. Wilson too ]
ok, forgot about that..I'm sure there may be more.
I reckon there was just something about his songs I didn't like.
kind of hit a raw nerve..sort of like a bacharach/david song. (kidding)

beej · Post by **beej** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 2:18 pm

Jimmy Webb is an incredible songwriter for sure. My favourite song is probably "If These Walls Could Speak". Just beautiful.

TristezaOrange · Post by **TristezaOrange** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 2:19 pm

knockman wrote:i love select moments.

i love the fifth dimension's 'magic garden', well most of it at least, which he composed, especially the title track - an orchestral, psychedelic pop extravaganza, and there's an astonishing track entitled 'requiem: 820 latham' on the album which always blows me away. my favourite 'witchita linesman' cover is by optiganally yours.

i know you like brian wilson and the high llamas too, do you know harmony grass/tony rivers? i think you may find something to your liking among that as well.

regards

Unfortunately, I can't find any 5th Dimension records here, just the obvious hits.

I'll keep looking tho.

I' ve heard about Tony Rivers but I've never actually listened to any of his stuff. If it comes recommended by you I'll have to check him out. Any albums in particular? Now, harmony grass I know nothing about

bluedad · Post by **bluedad** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 2:22 pm

morelia wrote:8 mins

well, actually not quite..but the richard harris version, which was a big hit in 1968 is 7+ minutes

ross g · Post by **ross g** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 4:07 pm

bluedad wrote:well, I lived through that era..I was never really fond of Jimmy Webb songs. None of them really stand out to me in the same way that makes one burst out singing 'good, good, good -good vibrations'
or,
'sweet caroline, good times never seemed so good'
btw, I prefer Isaac Hayes version of 'by the time I get to Phoenix'

(edit- i see i'm a day late and a dollar short on this one...what can you do?)

i really love both songs you mentioned, but how does that bring down Webb? "phoenix" is a different type of song, as are " i am i said" and "don't worry baby" ...didn't webb write "my beautiful balloon"? not sure/don't shoot...now you got my panties in a bunch and i gotta googling ahead of me.....

and my favorite "phoenix" ver was seeing nick cave encore with it..." i just want to tell...each and every one of you...i love you....bye the tiiiime iiii get to phoe-nix...." twas goose bumps....

(ot-who's the guy who "worked" with nancy sinatra? that song "some velvet morning when i'm strait...i'm gonna open up your gate" that's one of the eeriest songs i've heard...i think he wrote "these boots were made for walking" LEE GREENWOOD! (or is it lee hazelwood? i get them confused) that's the dude (maybe)...check him out too (or the other guy)...

i like hard rock, loud noise, weird synth pop, and GOOD SONGS!

rg

Jimmy Webb - songwriting supergenius.