Jimmy Webb Highwayman

The essence of Jimmy Webb’s artistry is exemplified in an unlikely place on this five-disc set, which collects all of his 1970s studio albums plus a 1972 live concert and an assortment of outtakes. It’s the last of those outtakes, a duet with Harry Nilsson on Boudleaux & Felice Bryant’s “Love Hurts”, that reveals the truth.
Webb had recorded the classic ballad for his 1972 album Letters, then cut this subsequent take with Nilsson in London but decided not to use it. In the liner notes here, Webb explains he and Nilsson were “smashed out of our minds” when they cut the track, and confesses he nixed it because he felt Nilsson’s vocal was too melodramatic: “Somewhat hypocritically perhaps, I felt he was too far gone…”

UK collection. Ace's highly regarded and extremely popular Songwriter Series continues apace, with several exciting projects in place for release in the second half of 2022 and beyond. This month we welcome Jimmy Webb onto our expanding list with "Clowns Exit Laughing", a deep dip into this prolific tunesmith's extensive catalogue of the past six decades. After a period of establishing his credentials as a writer with Motown's West Coast office, Jimmy really came into his own in the mid-60s with classic songs like 'By The Time I Get To Phoenix', 'Wichita Lineman' and 'Up, Up And Away'. Everyone wanted to record a Jimmy Webb copyright, and a great many people did as this CD demonstrates. Although Jimmy has never stopped writing, "Clowns Exit Laughing" naturally concentrates on a time when a new Jimmy Webb classic seemed to appear every other week. As is always Ace's policy with the Songwriter Series, each featured artist performs only one song but we are sure that inclusions by the likes of Tony Joe White, Dionne Warwick, Dusty Springfield and other major names will disappoint nobody. Also included for collectors are several rare, seldom-heard original versions of songs primarily associated with other artists, such as Don Ho's original of 'Galveston' and James Darren's first recording of 'Didn't We'.

Tunesmith: The Songs Of Jimmy Webb is a 2CD 2003 compilation from Australia honoring the music and songwriting of Jimmy Webb. Raven Records made this.

The 1985 album from the country supergroup of Merle, Johnny, Kris and Willie that lived up to all expectations. „Highwayman“, consisting of ten tracks, was released as a follow-up to the successful single of the same name and the title track of the album itself. 'Highwayman', a Jimmy Webb cover, hit the top of the country charts and was followed up by the Top 20 hit 'Desperados Waiting for a Train', whose original version was released by Guy Clark. The album was entirely produced by Chips Moman.

Kristoffer "Kris" Kristofferson is an American country music singer, songwriter, musician, and film actor. He is known for such hits as "Me and Bobby McGee", "For the Good Times", "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down", and "Help Me Make It Through the Night". Kristofferson is the sole writer of most of his songs, and he has collaborated with various other figures of the Nashville scene such as Shel Silverstein. In 1985, Kristofferson joined fellow country artists Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash in forming the country music supergroup "The Highwaymen". In 2004, Kristofferson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Collection includes: Kristofferson (1970); The Silver Tongued Devil And I (1971); Border Lord (1972); Jesus Was A Capricorn (1972); Breakaway (1974) with Rita Coolidge; A Star Is Born (1976) with Barbra Streisand; Natural Act (1978) with Rita Coolidge; A Moment of Forever (1995); The Austin Sessions (1999); The Essential Kris Kristofferson (2004) 2CD; This Old Road (2006); Closer To The Bone (2009); Please Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends: The Publishing Demos 1968-72 (2010); Feeling Mortal (2012).

“Ultimate Seventies - The Classics" brings you 100 songs from that mighty decade, when the charts were packed with amazing artists and genres vying with each other for your attention. It was peak time for singer-songwriters, with Van Morrison, Chris Rea and Gerry Rafferty all represented here. Disco was in its heyday, and you can hear Chic, Candi Staton and Sister Sledge on this 5CD set. If it's classic soul you're after, how about Aretha Franklin, Curtis Mayfield or George Benson? There's glam rock, from Wizzard, The Sweet and Mud; punk rock rears its head with The Ramones, The Stranglers and Sham 69; the reggae party is started by Dave & Ansell Collins, John Holt and Althea & Donna; and there's still time to sample mellower sounds from Bread, Daryl Hall & John Oates, and The Doobie Brothers From Young Hearts Run Free to Life's Been Good, "Ultimate Seventies - The Classics" is a hit-packed run through an incredible decade of music.