MacArthur Park - Richard Harris Sings The Songs of Jimmy Webb [Import]

Richard Harris | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 21, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Half Moon UK
• ASIN: B00000ILLA
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,145 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #5 in Music > Indie Music > Jazz > Vocal Jazz
  • #9 in Music > Indie Music > Pop > Traditional & Vocal Pop
  • #11 in Music > Indie Music > Pop > General

Track Listings

1. Didnt We Interlude

2. Paper Chase Interlude

3. Name Of My Sorrow Interlude

4. Lovers Such As I

5. In The Final Hours

6. MacArthur Park

7. Dancing Girl Interlude

8. If You Must Leave My Life

9. A Tramp Shining

10. The Yard Went On Forever

11. Watermark

12. Interim

13. Gayla

14. The Hymns From The Grand Terrace

15. The Hive

16. Lucky Me

17. Thats The Way It Is

Editorial Reviews

OK, here's a collaboration they weren't expecting way back when: a collection of songs by melodramatic British actor Richard Harris and American hit songwriter Jimmy Webb. There must have been a lot of alcohol consumed when someone thought of this pairing...but it worked and the single 'McArthur Park' is a shining example. This hit contained everything that made a great song work except it was twice the length of what the radio stations usually played and it was performed by an actor that couldn't really sing! Nonetheless, it's a perfect slice of musical history that is still played on the radio far more than Donna Summer's discofied remake a decade later (ironically enough, she was a singer that couldn't act!). This collection features 17 tracks including 'A Tramp Shining', 'In The Final Hours', 'The Yard Went On Forever' and, of course, 'McArthur Park'. Spectrum. 2008.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Consummate actor first, singer second December 25, 2003

By Gene Bivins

Format:Audio CD

In Richard Harris, Jimmy Webb's songs found their ideal interpreter. Harris's voice was not great, but wielded by his prodigious acting talent it conveys nuances of Webb's intricate lyrics that other singers usually missed. Of course, the title song is the most famous, but listen to "The Yard Went On Forever." It's at once a remembrance of childhood, a lament for lost innocence, an idealization of mother love and a cry against the tyranny of war. This song was also, many years ago, one of the earliest to have an accompanying film produced. Harris stands in a long overcoat whipped by the wind while the camera whirls upward and the children's chorus intones "Dona Nobis Pacem," Give us Peace.

The CD contains all the songs from both of Harris's albums of Jimmy Webb's songs, all performed with the same attention to dramatic detail as "Yard" and "MacArthur Park." Whether a used copy or new, if you care about the art of song interpretation, you can't afford not to own this CD.

47 of 51 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Missing Songs!! August 25, 2004

By S. Jacob

Format:Audio CD

These two albums certainly contain some of Jimmy Webb's greatest songs. _The Yard Went on Forever_, in particular, is a classic 60s-70s "concept album" with one phenomonal song after another, and has a cumulative effect that is shattering. How disappointing to report, therefore, that this reissue is NOT COMPLETE. Missing are "When It Was Done", and "If I'd Been Born a Different Man", both of which come between "Hymns for Grand Terrace" and "The Hive". These are not just two very beautiful songs, but part of the arc of the whole album, and the shock of "The Hive" is considerably lessened by their abscence.

Presumably this was done because both albums could not fit on one CD, but lovers of the original LPs would have gladly paid the price for an extra CD. I am of the opinion that this practice by CD companies is irresponsible, especially with an album that is as great as _Yard Went on Forever_, which was obviously concieved as a single entity, a quasi "rock cantata". Certainly these omittions should have been mentioned in the introductory remarks on this website.

In spite of all the great music on this CD, I connot recommend it-- The lack of these songs is simply too irritating to me. Someday, hopefully, the CD company will come to their senses and release the ENTIRE album!!

Scott Tisdel

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Jimmy Webb / Richard Harris fan May 21, 2005

By Dr. Wu

Format:Audio CD

I'm biased, but all these years later I still listen to this music over and over. This CD is similar to the Webb Sessions CD from a couple of years ago, combining (most) of the songs from A Tramp Shining and The Yard Went on Forever, which to my mind is one of the great integrated albums ever made, right up there with Days of Future Passed (The Moody Blues).

The session musicans on these two albums, which were recorded together and released separately, are some of the best to ever play: Dean Parks, Joe Osborn, Mike Deasy, Hal Blaine, Fred Tackett, Larry Knechtel...you'll see these names over and over through the last 30 years of pop music. I agree with other reviewers that Richard Harris' unique interpretation of this music is extraordinary, and a part of music history. In addition to his interpretation, the music of Jimmy Webb, who could only have been in his early 20's when he wrote this, is incredible. He has continued to be a major force in music, both as a composer, and later as a performer. His own solo piano rendition of MacArthur Park (10 Easy Pieces) is as unique and beautiful as this one.

I heard Richard Harris, who was a real hell-raiser in his younger years, tell a story about MacArthur Park. When he recorded it, he made a bet with Webb that the song would be a dud, and he bet his Rolls Royce. When it hit number 1, he reportedly gave the car to Jimmy Webb.

As a composer, Jimmy Webb stands at the top. Check out his discography and you'll see there are few others who can come close in terms of both being profilic and writing towering hits. If you like this music, check out 10 Easy Pieces and Suspending Disbelief...both real gems with all-star supporting musicians, including some of the same pros who played on this CD in the late 60's!

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My Favorite Album August 23, 2003

By A Customer

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

This album is absolutely addictive. I never tire of it. Richard Harris was a great actor and this album displays his acting talent in the form of music. I bought this one for MacArthur Park, and discovered so many wonderful surprises. Every piece is a gem. If you don't have it, buy it!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The recipe for MacArthur Park July 26, 2006

By LV Beethoven

Format:Audio CD

This is a review of the reviews and an attempt at an explanationabout the songs of Jimmy Webb. As a professional musician andsongwriter, I study the songs of musicians I admire, such asJimmy Webb. When I first heard the songs he wrote for The 5th Dimension in 1967, I was hooked. Then, he wrote an album forJohnny Rivers and the songs were even better. But when the firstRichard Harris album was released, I thought, this guy is agenius! Musically, he is complex and always interesting. Yet hislyrics leave everyone scratching their heads. Well, it's quitesimple really. He uses "imagery" in his words. He constantlyalludes to other things that represent what he is wanting toexpress. I believe this makes for a very interesting approachto lyric-writing. As for the "someone left the cake out in therain" line, with all the references he makes to having lost agreat love, coupled with "and I'll never have that recipe again"he is writing about the recipe of love...at least, that's myinterpretation. As for McCartney being a better songwriter. Ilove McCartney. In my opinion, his work is superior to Lennon'stunes. But McCartney's not a better somgwriter...he's just adifferent kind of songwriter. You cannot compare McCartney toWebb. As for Richard Harris' singing...it took me a while, atfirst, to become accustomed to his voice, for he always soundedflat to me. But with time, I've come to realize that no one elsecould have done a better job on these songs than that wild, crazy and talented Irishman. His name will be forever associatedwith "MacArthur Park" and that cake that melted in the rain.