Customer Reviews

MacArthur Park - Richard Harris Sings The Songs of Jimmy Webb

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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

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!

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.

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!

I've always been familiar with Richard Harris' acting work, and over the last few years, his charming and humorous visits on "Late Night with David Letterman" and yet I never put the name with the recording artist until his recent passing.I can't believe now that I didn't recognize the beautiful, theatrical vocalizing which somehow makes his voice sound better than it probably is.His stylings are acting at its best, and I find it hard to believe that anyone is selling used copies. (I purchased mine new). It's been a long time since I purchased an album and liked every single track, but his is the one!

...of course it's not everyone's cup of tea. That's why there's so many choices out there. Incidently Jonathan W. Williams' review offered a pound sterling to anyone who figured out the lyrics. I'm not saying that I have the difinitive answer, but I'm told that MacArthur Park is, or at least was, the Bowery of San Francisco, a place where people, who were once full of promise, go to drink it all away, and watch their formerly structured lives "melt" in the rain, no matter how long it took to "bake" it.

In 1973, I saw Mr. Richard Harris on Stage at The Academy Of Music in Philadelphia. Performing all the Songs that made him a Signing Legend.
He told stories of his drinking with Richard Burton and Peter O'Toole.
I hope i spelled his name right. He went through the spectrum of emotions with the songs and stories. He was great. His voice was Richard Harris.
Just as Johnny Cash used to say about the Music Scale- " I hit a few, I miss a few." Richard Harris Fans' never noticed, I didn't. He was Great, i only wish he stuck to the original line of songs in the movie 'Camelot'. But at the performance i was able to see and hear, he was great. i wished he kept up his singing part of his life.

I bought this CD for one song and I was left even more impressed by the unique talants of Richard Harris.

The title track "MacArthur Park" is simply amazing and I would recommend this CD just for that one song!!!

A dazaling combination of theatrical rock and orchestral power that is way ahead of its time and music that Jim Steinman would have been proud of!!!

"Someone left the cake out in the rain", listen and see if you can take it!!!

MacArthur Park is the best song of all time. I would buy this album just for that song, but there are many many other songs on here that are well worth the price!! Amazing artist.