Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Missing Songs!!, August 25, 2004
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
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18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Consummate actor first, singer second, December 25, 2003
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.
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Jimmy Webb / Richard Harris fan, May 21, 2005
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!
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