Jimmy Webb – Just Across the River – (E1 Music)
27. Jun, 2010 
1 Comment
The critical acclaim composer Jimmy Webb has received during his more than forty years of success is as remarkable as the accomplishments they honor. Webb is the only artist to ever receive Grammy awards for music, lyrics, and orchestration; he’s a member of the National Academy of Popular Music Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame; and, according to BMI, his song “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” (sung on this new album as a duet with Glen Campbell – the first time the two have ever recorded together) has been the third most performed song in the last fifty years. Webb’s “Wichita Lineman” (performed here with Billy Joel and Jerry Douglas) has been listed in the Top 50 of MOJO Magazine’s worldwide survey of the best singles of all time, and was singled out in the Oct/Nov 2001 issue of Blender as the greatest song ever. As a performer Jimmy has released numerous critically-acclaimed albums over the years, earning distinguished reviews, and unqualified praise following his appearances in concert halls and smaller venues. But he has never attempted a project like Just Across the River, where his singing and songwriting are celebrated with collaborations by Jackson Browne J.D Souther, Lucinda Williams, Michael McDonald, and Vince Gill – all who have admired his music for years. Webb was known initially for the instant pop classics he penned for such artists as Campbell, Richard Harris (MacArthur Park), the Fifth Dimension (Up, Up and Away), and Johnny Maestro’s Brooklyn Bridge (The Worst That Could Happen), but he also topped the Country charts when Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson hit #1 with The Highwayman, a ballad which won him yet another Grammy for Best Country Song of the Year, and a CMA Award for Single Of The Year. On Just Across the River, Jimmy shares the mic with Mark Knopfler on that tune, and Linda Ronstadt, is on board here for a heartwarming, intimate, closing duet on “All I Know,” the Webb standard made famous by Art Garfunkel. There has never been a songwriter like Jimmy Webb. And there has never been an album of his songs like Just Across the River. 
Jimmy Webb played The Main Point twice in 1970 & 1971 before heading out to L.A. to work with Glen Campbell on his variety show. If You See Me Getting Smaller Listen to a track from Jimmy’s latest release. Written by Jimmy and originally recorded by Waylon Jennings (also a Main Point performer back in the day) – This version feature Webb along with Willie Nelson with lyrics cetain to put a smile on any old Main-Pointers face.
Click to listen
Yes, the best part of his concert was the “McArthur’s Park” rendition played on a Fender Rhodes piano. He did all the orchestral parts. Very impressive. I also ran in to him at the French Restaurant next to the movies after the show and noticed his beautiful girlfriend……