Jimmy Webb Details Unreleased Songs and Sinatra Encounters in Los Angeles
Songwriter Jimmy Webb is speaking out about the tracks that never made his classic records, his history with Frank Sinatra, and his new album, Yours for the Taking, latimes.com reported. In an interview published by the Los Angeles Times, the 80-year-old Grammy winner opened up about discarded material, recording eras in Los Angeles, and the legendary artists who brought his music to life. Webb is currently visiting from Long Island with his wife, Laura, for a series of performances at the Catalina Jazz Club in Los Angeles. Alongside his live shows, he is promoting his new album and an accompanying PBS special. gathers 11 recordings of songs he wrote across his career that were previously passed over, shelved, or left unfinished. The project features guest appearances by Michael McDonald, Amy Grant, and Graham Nash. Nash joins Webb on “Winter Clothes,” a tune Webb originally pitched to Frank Sinatra.
Pitching Frank Sinatra on Mulholland Drive
Reflecting on his visits with Sinatra, Webb recalled showing up at the singer’s Mulholland Drive home wearing hippie regalia and carrying his sheet music in a paper sack. According to Webb’s account in the Los Angeles Times, Sinatra answered the door in a silk dressing gown and joked, “What are you doing on my porch? You one of those Charlie Manson guys?” before inviting him inside to hear his music.
Webb described playing “Winter Clothes” for Sinatra during one of their meetings at the Waldorf hotel or in Los Angeles. He admitted the track had a weak second verse, noting that songwriters often accumulate a trunk full of problematic tracks that failed to make the cut.
Reflecting on Glen Campbell and Wretched Excess in 1970s Los Angeles
The songwriter also discussed his decades-long creative partnership with Glen Campbell, who turned Webb compositions like “Wichita Lineman” and “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” into enduring hits. Webb recalled listening to the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band on acid at Johnny Rivers’ former house while a neighboring property caught fire.
Discussing his lifestyle in 1970s Los Angeles, Webb characterized his track “Campo de Encino” as one of the great songs about moneyed L.A. in the ’70s. He recounted flying sailplanes out of Crystalaire airport near Palmdale, bringing celebrities like David Crosby and Joni Mitchell along for flights.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jimmy Webb’s Career
What is Jimmy Webb’s new album called?
Yours for the Taking features 11 new recordings of songs Webb wrote over the years that never made it onto a record, including collaborations with Graham Nash, Michael McDonald, and Amy Grant.
Which major artists recorded Jimmy Webb’s most famous songs?
Glen Campbell famously recorded “Wichita Lineman” and “By the Time I Get to Phoenix.” Other major interpreters of his work include the 5th Dimension, who recorded “Up, Up and Away,” and Richard Harris and Donna Summer, who both scored hits with “MacArthur Park.”
Where is Jimmy Webb performing in Los Angeles?
Webb is performing a couple of live gigs at the Catalina Jazz Club in Los Angeles while in town to promote his album and PBS special.