'Archive', pretty much, has everything of Webb's on it that I wish to hear. From 'Words & Music' there's the sensational'Let it be Me' medley and the paen to P.F Sloan(author of "The Eve of Destruction", whose recorded career, judging from the disc I once owned, was unsurprisingly brief inspite of Jimmy's lament) and exerpts from my favourite albumns,'Letters', and 'Land's End.' In fact, I purchased 'Archiive' because 'Land's End was unavailable' on CD (until a Japanese re-release in 1998). 'Just One More Time', and the achingly beautiful 'Land's End/Asleep On The Wind' are stunning songs requiring this full orchestral treatment with Ringo belting the bejesus out of the skins. Webb isn't a strong singer. There's not a lot of tone in his voice as evidenced in the more recent 'Ten Easy Pieces'. Nowhere are his vocal shortcomings more apparent than on his doppelganger,'McCarthur's Park'. This piece of obscurist poetry really needs the baroque lushness that Richard Harris's theatrics first brought to it. I can't pin just what it is that saves Webb's writing from being sentimental. So many of his songs verge on it, and this shows in the readings of some of his interpreters. Not in Glenn Campbell though; a performer I've never followed other than for the Webb connection. Campbell's 'Reunion' disc is well worth seeking out, to experience just how these songs can be liberated.

Jimmy Webb's music is like ambrosia, a sound that can soothe the spirit and stir the soul. Alas, it is a great shame that he was not also recognized as equally accomplished as a vocalist. The emotions that he can wrench with a slight tremble in the voice are amazing.

I also liked Jimmy the rocker that is not included in this selection. Songs like "Jerusalem," "Laspitch" and "Pocketful of Keys" fly like lightning bolts of anger. So while this set nods more toward the lush romantic side of Webb, the songs and performances are so classic that it is a blessing to have these digitally remastered versions on CD. They sound great.

The brief notes Jimmy includes are interesting such as "When Can Brown Begin" was written for Sammy Davis Jr. and "Where the Universes Are" was written for Ringo. Jimmy's sense of melody as a songwriter is unparalleled with "All My Love's Laughter" and "If Ships Were Made to Sail" being excellent examples. He can also stir the emotions with a full epic sound like "Just This One Time" and "The Highwayman." His midtempo rock sound produced great gems like "Crying in My Sleep" and "Feet in the Sunshine." I also tune into the wistful, somewhat sentimental sound such as the gorgeous "Piano" that has long been a favorite of mine. Of his best-known songs, "Galveston" is a revelation, hearing the power and emotion he conveys as a vocalist so different than Glen Campbell's pop version. Also, "The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress" that Linda Ronstadt, Joe Cocker and Judy Collins did is wonderful. So while I will continue to pull out my old LPs which are worth their weight in gold, I'm so pleased to be able to throw "Archive" in the changer as I drive down the highway. It's an excellent collection from one of the most underrated singers. Don't miss this one! Enjoy!

I was pleased to find "Archive" after searching for a "Best Of" album of Jimmy Webb songs for so long. As with any of these compilations, one can quibble with the inclusion of some songs and exclusion of other favorites. This CD would have been strengthened by the inclusion of "If You See Me Getting Smaller" from the "El Mirage" album and "Cloudman" from the great "Land's End" album, even if it involved excluding tunes like "Three Songs." But, frankly, most of this material is so strong that additions instead of subtractions should have been the order of business. Webb has a solid collection of fans who have appreciated his lyrics and performances for decades. It has always been sad to me that more people who have been touched by his work performed by other artists either do not know who he is or appreciate his contribution to pop music. It's obvious from the many artists who have covered Webb's songs that those in the industry appreciate his talents. Webb is a fabulous artist and musician who has moved and frustrated me for years. He writes lyrics of pure poetry (see "The Moon's a Harsh Mistress" or "Asleep on the Wind") but can dumbfound you with a song like "MacArthur Park," which combines remarkable lyrics with one of the weirdest choruses ever (the dreadful "cake in the rain" metaphor). Or he'll create a remarkable and unique song like "Scissors Cut" and include a [bad] line like "We all eat it once in a while." But that's Jimmy Webb. Fortunately, these few stumbles do not prevent us from appreciating his insight into our lives and his ability to produce songs that perfectly capture feelings we have had (anyone who grew up in the 50s or 60s who hears "In Cars" knows exactly what I mean). I am thankful in many ways for Webb and his artistry, and grateful to those who finally produced this "Archive" CD that attempts to pull together a remarkable body of work.

This cd arrived today and I put it on, and immediately went back to the 70's. Then I was in my early 30's and seemed to have the world in my pocket. Well, now I'm 63, whose body is breaking down, but thank God for my music! I have a new appreciation for Jimmy's vocal talents. He wrote the songs, and he knows what he wants them to sound like. The four songs that were produced, arranged and conducted by George Martin (The Highwayman, Christiaan No, Where The Universes Are, The Moon's A Harsh Mistress), are gems. For some reason, listening to The Highwayman brought teams to my eyes..along with If Ships Were Made to Sail. Well, that's my review. As soon as I finish with this, I'm ordering another Jimmy Webb cd. He's a treasure.

There is no doubt that 'Archive' is a flawed album..so why give it 5 stars? Because it is a history of someone who will be recognised as one of the great songwriters of the 20th century. There have been others who have sung Jimmy Webb's songs better than he has...but nobody has done Galveston, P.F.Sloan, All My Loves Laughter or The Highwayman better. There are so many 'classic' songs here that anyone interested in the great songwriters of the 20th century would have to purchase this. The three songs (Let It Be me/Never My Love/I Wanna Be Free) also show that Jimmy Webb is not just a great songwriter, but a brilliant interpreter as well. You can add this man's name to the Gershwins, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Rogers & Hart, et al to the greats of the last century. I hope his name appears in the 'fame' list of the 21st century too.