Jimmy Webb’s accomplishments as a writer, composer, arranger, and producer demonstrate beyond question that he remains as important and vital a cultural figure today as he was over thirty years ago. Embraced by his peers, Webb has influenced and affected some of the finest musical talents of our time. Frank Sinatra declared “By The Time I Get To Phoenix” as “the greatest torch song ever written,” and said he enjoyed singing Jimmy Webb tunes because “he has been blessed with the emotions and artistic talent of the great lyricists.” The late Sammy Cahn commented, “I think one of the real, real geniuses is Jimmy Webb. His “MacArthur Park” is a major piece of work, major. I’d almost compare it to Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” in size and scope.” Michael Feinstein, who recorded Webb’s “Time Enough For Love,” for his 1993 album, Forever, and included another Webb track (“Wasn’t There A Moment”) on his Such Sweet Sorrow, says he’s “interested in the work of the great masters from any era, and certainly, Jimmy Webb is a master of this era, of today.” Feinstein also recorded an “all-Webb” album for 2002 and premiered the track, “These Are All Mine” at Carnegie Hall with Jimmy as his special guest in April, ’01. Billy Joel credits Jimmy as a major influence on his own foray into the music business. “When I was starting out as a songwriter,” says Joel, “I looked to Jimmy Webb as one of the most innovative and musically proficient songwriters of our generation.” His songs transcend their precedent-setting critical and commercial acclaim to achieve the level of true classics – a permanent part of the American musical landscape, the soundtrack of an era. In his book about songwriting, Webb states, “the paramount joy of the craft is that, however simply it is begun, it can take the songwriter on a lifelong voyage across many distant and wondrous musical seas.” For Jimmy Webb, that’s a spectacular series of events indeed.
FOREVER 5th DIMENSION, the acclaimed tribute Blog-Magazine for those awesome multi-Grammy winners, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr., Florence LaRue, Lamonte McLemore and Ron Townson invites you to...FLASHBACK!
Join us for our latest Special Edition just in time for Thanksgiving as we take a cozy, carefree "back in the day" look at the legendary original 5th Fan Club with rare memorabilia including excerpts from the fondly-remembered 5th Newsletters of the '70's. You'll chuckle at the climate of the times & marvel at The 5th Dimension's whirlwind appearance schedule!
See you at the Blog on my page & Thanksgiving blessings,
Hi Jimmy, I was very pleased to hear and meet you in Edinburgh Scotland tonight. You are a GREAT writer. You have such a talented family and every song was worth listening to. I hope to record "By the time" next year in Nashville and I will send you a copy for your vast file. Enjoy the rest of your tour. God Bless. Big Ballad Ray.
Terrific show at Largo At Coronet on Tuesday night where it dawned on me that the last time I saw you live might've been about 10 years ago at The Basement in Sydney, Australia. Time flies. (oh wait, didn't you write that song?) If I find myself in the UK in Nov, I'll try to see you with your sons. You're gonna love Union Chapel in London. Safe travels to you & your troupe.
You are one of the finest painters of pictures in music. Listening to your songs is like watching a movie. I think that's about the best compliment you can give an artist. I see your songs as much as hear them, and I'm there!
Friends, I'm pleased to announce our latest, The Girls' Song Edition of FOREVER 5th DIMENSION--the monthly Blog-Magazine on my page. I feel this is one our best issues ever as we wave banners for those amazing women of The original 5th...as beautiful & vocally dexterous as ever, always giving 300% on stage & to the community-at-large with class & Godly grace.
You'll find a special salute to Marilyn McCoo's upcoming birthday (Sept. 30th) with lots of fun including "The One Less Egg to Fry Challenge" plus a Q & A and the link to our exciting new McCoo YouTube! And we check in with FlorenceLaRue, that Delightful Diva on stage with today's 5th!
Enjoy THE GIRLS' SONG...Blessingsalways! --Robert
PS...most of you know, GIRLS' SONG was written especially for Marilyn & Florence by none other than Mr. Webb as part of the Masterpiece he arranged & conducted, THE MAGIC GARDEN! With Appreciation Always, Jimmy!
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