Customer Reviews

El Mirage

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Best known for writing hits that other artists made famous ("Up Up and Away," "Wichita Lineman," "MacArthur Park" and "Didn't We," to name a few), Jimmy Webb kept a pretty low profile as a recording artist, though not by choice. This album, as the excellent Collector's Choice Music liner notes describe, was his last concerted attempt in the 1970's of coming up with hit material that he himself recorded. Although history has shown that El Mirage really didn't succeed in garnering Webb a huge audience or any hits for himself, such results don't really reflect the excellent quality of the album. In fact, though the album wasn't a hit, a number of its songs did continue Webb's trend of providing hits for other artists.

The album's first cut, "The Highwayman," is one of the very best of the lot, emphasized by its later success by country super-group the Highwaymen. It's a mysterious narrative that links numerous colorful characters together. Webb's rough-around-the-edges voice fills each role excellently, supplemented by lush strings and French horn. These production values typify the entire album--lots of instruments, smooth textures, and plenty of backing vocals. It's easy to understand that Webb was going for some mainstream chart success and thus chose to outfit his record with as much pop trappings as possible, but the slick production works better on some songs than on others. Some of the less memorable songs are made to sound fairly dated by the production, proving that some modes of production and arrangement from the 70's have translated to modern times a bit better than others. Still, good songwriting shines regardless of production, and there are plenty of fine songs here.

"If You See Me Getting Smaller..." is mellow pop gold, matching many similar Eagles-esque tunes in quality, and is really enhanced by the female vocal arrangement. Other highlights are "P.F. Sloan," the heartfelt tribute to Webb's fellow songwriter (a song whose impact is only slightly dulled by the fact that Webb had already previously recorded it), and the gorgeous ballad "The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress." Some songs don't work quite as well, like the disco-inflected "Mixed-Up Guy" and the somewhat out-of-place synthesizer-heavy closer, "Songbird (A Meditation)."

Overall, El Mirage is one of Jimmy Webb's very strongest solo recordings, easily proving that he deserved recording success matching his songwriting success. I'd especially recommend this album and artist to fans of Jackson Browne, Elton John, and Warren Zevon (Webb's rough voice often reminds me of a less dark version of Zevon's) and any of the other mellow rock coming from the West coast in the 70's. If you think that genre's got nothing left to show you, Jimmy Webb may change your mind.

I'm so thrilled that I found this again . . . this is one of a short list of albums I would take with me to a desert island. Oh, there's a couple of false steps (Sugarbird), but when it's good it's great. Fave cut: If you see me getting smaller, I'm leaving.
This should be in EVERYONE'S collection.

My wife and I have almost 200 record albums, and this album is in the top 2 or 3; I cannot think of any album off the top of my head that we'd be less willing to part with! Absolutely love the songs on this record. We each have our personal favorites, and I suspect even those have changed at least a couple of times.We would highly recommend it to anyone.
We're planning to order the CD from you as soon as we decide what else to accompany El Mirage with...

Anyone with an ear will tell you that this is one of THE finest albums ever recorded. With songwriting and arranging skills of the caliber of Mr. Webb, the production genius of George Martin and the top studio muscicians, at the time, all on board, how could it be otherwise. Either due to Martin's influence or singing lessons, Jimmy's some-times shaky voice was reigned in, which added greatly to the emotional impact of these songs. Do yourself a sublime favor and get this just to listen to this version of "The Moon's A Harsh Mistress". One listen and you too will be saying "Amen!". Genius does not show up often. Don't miss this opportunity to hear an American Master at the peak of his powers. ......and god bless George Martin,too!

This was my first encounter with solo Jimmy Webb. I had seen his name countless times on record sleeves, but never heard him sing. I found the LP in the cut-out section and looked it over. Hmmm... Kenny Loggins guest vocalist, several others I recognized from the West Coast music scene... oh, the price tag of 49 cents gave me incentive to try him.

Strong, strong music. It opens up with "The Highwayman", produced with soaring strings from George Martin. It creates a lush atmosphere.

Each new song creates a memorable set of tunes. The kind you'll want to sing at the top of your voice, along with him. Okay, his voice isn't as slick as Glen Campbell's or Art Garfunkel's, but combine his pleasant voice with fine musicians and his own excellent songwriting, and you've found a treasure.

I think this CD is his most commercial offering. Radio-friendly stuff. And his version of the title track blows away the later remake by the big-name group.

Still, it's intelligent (as all his stuff is) and makes you wonder why he never broke through on his own. Ah, well, same story for Terence Boylan, Paul Williams and Bill LaBounty.

The writing on EL Marage is what you would expect from Jimmy Webb, and that is always a good thing. This album reminds me of the material he wrote for Glen Campbel in the 1960s. It certianly has the same travlin' man spirit.

The production here, though, is modern--very clean with a lot of popping bass, and the band is letter perfect. But there are female singers, and lots of instrumentation.

You can use a lot of adjatives to discribe Webb's music, but cold and sterile are never two--even with digital recording, all the qualities that make Webb's music so particualar to him are here full force. NO ONE sounds like this guy!

Great album

I first heard Jimmy Webb on the Glen Campbell's TV show. I bought this album because of a comment by him. Playboy magazine asked several performers what their favorite albums were. This was on Campell's list, "even if it did only sell three copies." If you like Jimmy Webb you'll love this. Nobody does his songs like he does. If you don't know Jimmy Webb you'll still like this. Highwayman (performed by others) won a grammy award as best country-western song. To quote Jimmy Webb, "I didn't know it was a country-western song when I wrote it, but I'm not giving the grammy back." If you can't get a copy anywhere else try iTunes.

This was supposed to be Jimmy Webb's big attempt at mainstream acceptance by using George Martin to add 'commercial' clout. Sadly, it didn't work and "Lands End" which Webb did on his own is a superior album. Still 'El Mirage" offers some of some of his finest songs ..'The Moon is a Harsh Mistress' (although Judy Collins still does the definitive version of this song), a great reworking of P.F.Sloan (one of his classics) 'The Highwayman' and 'If You See me Getting Smaller'. El Mirage is a brave album where 'the man' allows someone else to take control. It deserved more success than it recieved, but you can't help wishing that JW had done the thing by himself. Now, that would have been interesting!

I have been looking forever to find this album on CD. I have had the LP for 20 years or so and it is one of my two favorite rock albums. It's great music, great lyrics, great arrangements (by George Martin), great singing by Jimmy.

I have loved this album since it first came out on LP. You haven't
heard "The Highwayman" till you've heard this masterpiece, thanks
to Jimmy's great singing and George Martin's transcendent orchestration.
Every song is a classic; the enigmatic, almost Chinese, instrumental
at the end is a fitting closer. Outer space keeps cropping up in the
lyrics; the album came out at the same time as the first "Star Wars".
BUY IT!