Search - Sheila Southern :: Didn't We: Jimmy Webb Songbook

Music for elevator

11/06/1998

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Jimmy Webb never shunned commercial success. He knew how to butter his bread, writing enthusiastically for Madison Avenue. He might have written for Broadway, as well--many of the songs on this album would've made good showtunes.The first cut is "Up, Up And Away"--jaunty fluff well-suited for an elevator, as the title suggests. It's creditably sung by Southern, who is at her best where Webb is at his worst. She delivers smooth, upbeat renditions of "Which Way To Nowhere", "Carpet Man", "Everybody Goes To The Moon" and "Magic Garden". But her monotonously insouciant style undercuts the poignancy of "By The Time I Get To Phoenix", "Honey", "Wichita Lineman", and "The Worst That Could Happen", resulting in simpering bathos. The finale, "Didn't We", is nicely done, however, and somewhat redeeming. All in all, this is not the worst that could happen to Webb's music, but I certainly wouldn't rush out and buy this album."

He did; she didn't.

jfanuzzi@hotmail.com | Chicago | 11/02/1998

(1 out of 5 stars)

"With due respect to Ms. Southern, the fire sale price tells the tale: In the firmament of Webb covers, this album was a lesser light, and in the wake of "Ten Easy Pieces" it's now beside the point. Want Webb? Get it from the horses mouth. James Fanuzzi"