I saw Willis at Texas State University back in 2001. It was a small auditorium filled with maybe 100 people. After each song he gave the history and story behind each one. Needless to say, he did not play muskrat love and no one dared ask him. It was one of the best intimate performances I've seen and I've seen several hundred live shows. By the way, I think he's still wearing the same tennis shoes he wore in the 70s.
never got to see him live.......close, as he was supposed to play at the wooden nickel in b'ham, but didn't show. closest i've ever come to seeing/hearing someone i've deeply admired for many years.
Ir'a good to know he's still performing. I first and last heard and saw him live in San Antonio in Oct. 1973. Makes me feel sorta old to realize that's 38 years ago. He was and is one of the greatest. He performed that night with Jerry Jeff Walker and Michael Murphey. Some concert. Hondo Crouch (was that truly his last name) mayor of Luchenbach, TX introduced JJW with an awesome pratfall in a tux. Mmmmerrrrorrrrieeeeesssss.
I found a copy for $5.00 at a pawn shop in MT. My brother also found a vinyl copy at a garage sale for .50. The things people don't realize they have.
i agree with this : someone saw WAR in Austin last year (2010) and asked if he was ever going to record another album, in typical WAR style he replied "why, was something wrong with the first one?""
@247wadup Got a cd copy - duplicated on three hard drives! - with album artwork and everything. Shipping and handling are all that are needed, since Amazon etc want 100 bucks for it, since it's out of print, even on cd. S&H is $150.00....hee hee.....just kidding about that last part. #1 on my "stuck on a desert island with a cd player list."
This song just popped up one day on my ipod, I had no idea who this guy was or how it got there. But I'm glad it did, awesome song, it's one of my favourite song now.
A shame he only made one album, but you gotta love his bad ass response that :)
someone saw WAR in Austin last year (2010) and asked if he was ever going to record another album, in typical WAR style he replied "why, was something wrong with the first one?"
Thank you for this...I still have the album! and had no idea he was only 22! I got the song in my head, and was so happy to hear it here. Lilly left town and he never saw her again - no second chances for Spider, huh?
I first heard of Willis Alan Ramsey via Jimmy Buffet (Jimmy has an ear and a nose for finding good material) and as much as I loved his cover on "Livin' and Dyin' in 3/4 Time", even Jimmy couldn't touch this! Thanks to: ramajama32 for the upload(keep 'em comin', please) as always You Tube for the power and space! Willis Alan Ramsey is on a short list to be named Texas Poet Laureate!
A shame he only made the one album in 1972. Such talent. His lyrics and seasoned voice belie his age of a mere 21. I was lucky to see W.A.R. give a solo concert in a small venue in 1992 and asked for his autograph for my brother who turned me on to his music when I was about 9 or 10 years old when the album was released.
I first heard this song when Sam Bush played it on his Glamour and Grits album and immediatly loved this song. It wasn't until later that I realized he didn't write it, when I was surfing Youtube and had found a version that Jimmy Buffet did, which talked about how Willis Alan Ramsey wrote it.
I knew Willis when I was at Vanderbilt in the 70s. He taught me how to play this song, and it's one of the few that I can still play. I told him the muskrat song was the sappiest pice of crap I ever heard. Shows what I know.
I saw Willis at Texas State University back in 2001. It was a small auditorium filled with maybe 100 people. After each song he gave the history and story behind each one. Needless to say, he did not play muskrat love and no one dared ask him. It was one of the best intimate performances I've seen and I've seen several hundred live shows. By the way, I think he's still wearing the same tennis shoes he wore in the 70s.
MisterMistmoore 5 days ago
on my way to nowhere.,,, man, does that touch some yearning raw and deep in the soul?
spacetruckinmf 2 weeks ago
didn't never live this, but dang it is a high and lonesome song.
spacetruckinmf 1 month ago
If you see my Lily, give her my regards.
spacetruckinmf 1 month ago
..give her my regards...
brimane 2 months ago
never got to see him live.......close, as he was supposed to play at the wooden nickel in b'ham, but didn't show. closest i've ever come to seeing/hearing someone i've deeply admired for many years.
fatpius 2 months ago
Ir'a good to know he's still performing. I first and last heard and saw him live in San Antonio in Oct. 1973. Makes me feel sorta old to realize that's 38 years ago. He was and is one of the greatest. He performed that night with Jerry Jeff Walker and Michael Murphey. Some concert. Hondo Crouch (was that truly his last name) mayor of Luchenbach, TX introduced JJW with an awesome pratfall in a tux. Mmmmerrrrorrrrieeeeesssss.
thndrsound47 4 months ago
I remember buying this LP the day it came out. I still have it somewhere. He lost me on Muskrat, but I like the LP.
vinylvillela 5 months ago
I found a copy for $5.00 at a pawn shop in MT. My brother also found a vinyl copy at a garage sale for .50. The things people don't realize they have.
danaharper99 6 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
i agree with this : someone saw WAR in Austin last year (2010) and asked if he was ever going to record another album, in typical WAR style he replied "why, was something wrong with the first one?""
apolloguide 7 months ago
now its up to 99.00 for a used copy
dwt56 7 months ago
they want 60 bucks for a used copy of this on Amazon 211.00 for a new one I got it somewhere around here...love it
dwt56 8 months ago
Looked for this a few years ago and couldn't find it. Thought it was lost forever.
Thanks for posting it whoever you are.
247wadup 9 months ago
@247wadup Got a cd copy - duplicated on three hard drives! - with album artwork and everything. Shipping and handling are all that are needed, since Amazon etc want 100 bucks for it, since it's out of print, even on cd. S&H is $150.00....hee hee.....just kidding about that last part. #1 on my "stuck on a desert island with a cd player list."
WyattD18 1 month ago
There is no one who does this song better than WAR....I, too, have been searching for this for a long time...thanks for having it.
revdave31 9 months ago
I've hunted this song for over 10 years. No one else ever came close to WAR's version. Thank you, and thank you again.
melonkali 9 months ago
This song just popped up one day on my ipod, I had no idea who this guy was or how it got there. But I'm glad it did, awesome song, it's one of my favourite song now.
A shame he only made one album, but you gotta love his bad ass response that :)
yesmyfriend 10 months ago
Willis Alan is the master.
sndmann5 11 months ago
Great album/CD. Worth every penny. Every penny.
Lightrider22 11 months ago
someone saw WAR in Austin last year (2010) and asked if he was ever going to record another album, in typical WAR style he replied "why, was something wrong with the first one?"
probinson1337 1 year ago 15
Thank you for this...I still have the album! and had no idea he was only 22! I got the song in my head, and was so happy to hear it here. Lilly left town and he never saw her again - no second chances for Spider, huh?
jlinaangel 1 year ago
I first heard of Willis Alan Ramsey via Jimmy Buffet (Jimmy has an ear and a nose for finding good material) and as much as I loved his cover on "Livin' and Dyin' in 3/4 Time", even Jimmy couldn't touch this! Thanks to: ramajama32 for the upload(keep 'em comin', please) as always You Tube for the power and space! Willis Alan Ramsey is on a short list to be named Texas Poet Laureate!
redsfanstu 1 year ago
A shame he only made the one album in 1972. Such talent. His lyrics and seasoned voice belie his age of a mere 21. I was lucky to see W.A.R. give a solo concert in a small venue in 1992 and asked for his autograph for my brother who turned me on to his music when I was about 9 or 10 years old when the album was released.
michaelstonejohnson 1 year ago
I saw WAR do this live in Dallas this summer. It was a moment for this old, Northeast Texas woman.
netw52 1 year ago
Found this searching for Jimmy's version.. Very nice!
Afcct12 1 year ago
Haven't heard WAR for years, thank you so much for the post.
g0rdog 1 year ago
Jimmy's version is great, too. TY for upload.
Bllackguard666 1 year ago
more
goodtimesparta 1 year ago
Best song ever. Thanks for posting.
mcrbshoe 1 year ago 3
so smooth and clean. calms my heart
MysticFiddler 1 year ago
wow i havent heard this album for about 20 years since my ex wife took it away frome me you have really made my day thank you so much
51punch 1 year ago
This is probably been my favorite song for 30+ years.
Thanks for posting it. ;~)
artabr 1 year ago
I first heard this song when Sam Bush played it on his Glamour and Grits album and immediatly loved this song. It wasn't until later that I realized he didn't write it, when I was surfing Youtube and had found a version that Jimmy Buffet did, which talked about how Willis Alan Ramsey wrote it.
gabehampton 1 year ago
i heard this for the first time not too long ago as bob dylan was introducing him as a true artist. I've been addicted ever since
jtincubus 1 year ago
I knew Willis when I was at Vanderbilt in the 70s. He taught me how to play this song, and it's one of the few that I can still play. I told him the muskrat song was the sappiest pice of crap I ever heard. Shows what I know.
DigitalAntiquaria 1 year ago
Love this so much, I remember hearing this album first time about 12 years ago...stopped me in my tracks
CliveBarnesMusic 1 year ago