Customer Reviews

Cottonwood Farm

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Let's start off positive. The title track, COTTONWOOD FARM, is nothing short of brilliant. Another MacArthur Park. Shoulda been cut by Glen Campbell a long time ago. Still could be a hit for him. This is a masterpiece. The music is chilling, sensitive as usual, and the lyric is extremely touching. The arrangement is interesting and the trading off of vocals works. I don't know whether the song is about the maternal or paternal grandfather but there is still irony to hearing Webb's own father at the end of the song. It will put you away if you have half a heart. The cover photo is also fascinating. Another highlight is Webb's SNOW COVERED CHRISTMAS although it feels very out of place here. More a show tune on this very uneven album. Webb also wrote THE HIGHWAYMAN which opens the CD. The song has been heard to death but is not done a service by Webb's sons' vocals. Webb himself performs at the end. Another Webb song entitled IF THESE WALLS COULD SPEAK has also been covered numerous times. With his vast catalog, it's a pity Webb couldn't have chosen something more interesting. WHERE THE UNIVERSES ARE is sung by Webb's sons but offers nothing more special than when Webb debuted it himself decades ago. The Webb Brothers' own songs are mediocre. No need to compare them to their father's. If they were on someone else's album, they wouldn't shine. Bob Webb (JW's father), lisp and all, is very acceptable sounding like an old country singer on his porch singing his heart out on RED SAILS IN THE SUNSET.

Jimmy Webb's latest project is a musical family reunion with his sons Christian, Justin & James (The Webb Brothers), his father and (I assume) granddaughters on backing vocals. The set opens with an update of Jimmy's lovely tune "The Highwayman." On the 12-minute title track, Webb's voice is weathered but retains its emotional wallop on the reminiscence, "Out of the reach of tears." The Webb Brothers wrote the powerful "Hollow Victory," "Don't you have everything that you could need? Still you take what's mine from me." The Brothers' "Mercury's in Retrograde" is orchestrated, lush & lovely. Jimmy Webb's "Where the Universes Are" is spun again with his sons taking the vocal lead. The arrangement doesn't sound so different from Jimmy's earlier version, but the lovely melody shines again. The Webb Brothers penned "Old Tin Can" and give a strong performance. Jimmy Webb wrote Christmas songs that appeared on Beach Boy Brian Wilson's holiday album What I Really Want for Christmas. Here we have an upbeat happy "A Snow Covered Christmas," "Breathlessly, we spin & we whirl on a winter carnival ride." It's a sweet happy holiday track. Jimmy's dad sings the closer "Red Sails in the Sunset." "Cottonwood Farm" is a musical family reunion with the sound of celebration & affection giving the disc enduring charm. Enjoy!

A few Webb - the hit maker - songs, some weaker ones by his sons and one nice - but VERY LONG title track

As Webb says in his liner notes, he wanted to get his "Family" together for an album and that's what he did, and they are all in the photo on the cover. The "group" sings 3 of Webb's own songs - including the best-known song: "The Highwayman". The "centerpiece" is the title track - which goes on for 12 minutes (!) well-exceeding Webb's "MacArthur Park" (which is not here). Great song - and his father is heard at the end - but not sure how many times you'll play it. The " A Snow Covered Christmas" track seems out of place here. And I just couldn't get into the four songs composed by his sons. The songwriting genes didn't travel down the family tree for me.

So the CD gets just an OK from me. Not bad but not great either. It may be a family affair but I don't think the Webb Brothers have much of a career ahead of them. I only wish there was more of Webb here.

Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"

Let me say for the record that I have been a Jimmy Webb fan for most of my life. I remember as a kid seeing him play "MacArthur Park" locally in Oklahoma City at a July 4th concert. So, he's not just a young girl's fancy, but a native son who's made good.

This album is Jimmy and his sons, the Webb Brothers Christiaan, Justin, James and Cornelius, recording together. There's not much new to me except for the brilliant title track, "Mercury's in Retrograde," and "A Snow Covered Christmas."

Jimmy's not singing that much on this collection. His voice's seen some wear, but his words have not. His sons have definitely inherited his talent as well.

"Cottonwood Farm" is brilliant. I'm not sure why someone hasn't grabbed this song and made a hit from it before this, though I suspect artists will be mining Webb's writings for literally years to come.

"Mercury in Retrograde" isn't the funny screwed-up song I'd write from all the miscommunication I've done during those times when the stars should tell me I should keep my mouth duct-taped shut, but it's still wise and witty.

"A Snow-Covered Christmas" is another take of "White Christmas." I like it and I'm grateful Jimmy didn't just recycle a classic like so many other artists have. Wish he'd do a whole album of holiday music.

It's all good music, maybe not my favorite versions of the classics, but for a lifetime Webb fan, "Cottonwood Farm" is worth it. I'm glad to hear his kids grew up singing--how could they not? If you're new to Webb, or you want the best of his work, I'd recommend "Archive" or one of his other collections.

Rebecca Kyle, November 2011

Jimmy is an artist whoms talents have reached all the different "ART" forms and been superior in all. Here with his sons on a UK tour he as well as they creat a river of sound and verses that will indure forever.