jimmy webb - by the time i get to phoenix - 1971

[BloozeDaddy76]

Wow Jimmy had the hippie look going on big-time here.  His vocals have improved from what they were here too. He does a great version of this on the BBC that is also on youtube.

[harvey1954]

I think Jimmy Webb is a much stronger songwriter. Elton John started off ok at the start, but soon lost the thread. He puts out too much product with mediocre melodies. Look at how many people have covered Webb's tunes compared to Elton's material. Most of the Elton covers come from his early years which is when he was melodically strongest. Webb is in a class by himself partially because he could have so easily cranked out pop fodder like "Up Up & Away", but chose to write some complex things.

[thespian488]

americas answer to elton john

[MrTambourineMan1960]

@thespian488 nope, this was-is-will-ever-be BILLY JOEL

[southwest3210]

And this is the mind the song came out of....wow!

[alphabeets]

Holy Moses! Where the heck did this come from? Any more? Wow!