Name: Clowns Exit Laughing - The Jimmy Webb Songbook
Brand: Various

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

CDTOP1620

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Discs

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2022-08-26

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Tax rate GB

UPC / Barcode

029667106320

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1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Various

Genre GB

Classic

Label GB

Ace Records

Ace’s highly regarded and extremely popular Songwriter Series continues apace, with several exciting projects in place for release in the second half of 2022 and beyond. This month they welcome Jimmy Webb onto their expanding list with Clowns Exit Laughing, a deep dip into this prolific tunesmith’s extensive catalogue of the past six decades.

After a period of establishing his credentials as a writer with Motown’s West Coast office, Jimmy really came into his own in the mid-60s with classic songs like ‘By The Time I Get To Phoenix’, ‘Wichita Lineman’ and ‘Up, Up And Away’. Everyone wanted to record a Jimmy Webb copyright, and a great many people did as this CD demonstrates.

Although Jimmy has never stopped writing, Clowns Exit Laughing naturally concentrates on a time when a new Jimmy Webb classic seemed to appear every other week. As is always Ace’s policy with the Songwriter Series, each featured artist performs only one song but we are sure that inclusions by the likes of Tony Joe White, Dionne Warwick, Dusty Springfield and other major names will disappoint nobody.

Also included for collectors are several rare, seldom-heard original versions of songs primarily associated with other artists, such as Don Ho’s original of ‘Galveston’ and James Darren’s first recording of ‘Didn’t We’.

As ever, comprehensive annotation and copious illustration are part and parcel of the CD package. We are delighted to bring this magical collection to you, and equally delighted to add this stellar songwriter to our ever-growing series. 

BY THE TIME I GET TO PHOENIX - Glen Campbell UP, UP AND AWAY - Dionne Warwick CARPET MAN - The Nocturnes WHEN EDDIE COMES HOME - The Everly Brothers I NEED YOU - Shane Martin HONEY COME BACK - Chuck Jackson WHERE’S THE PLAYGROUND, SUSIE? – Everything But The Girl MIDNIGHT MAIL - Joey Scarbury THE MOON’S A HARSH MISTRESS – The Walker Brothers WICHITA LINEMAN - Tony Joe White DIDN’T WE - James Darren MacARTHUR PARK – Waylon Jennings and The Kimberlys I KEEP IT HID - The Supremes DO WHAT YOU GOTTA DO - Nina Simone GALVESTON - Don Ho THE WORST THAT COULD HAPPEN - B.J. Thomas REQUIEM: 820 LATHAM - Mel Tormé MAGIC GARDEN - Dusty Springfield ROSECRANS BLVD. - The 5th Dimension WHICH WAY TO NOWHERE - The Brooklyn Bridge CLOWNS EXIT LAUGHING - The Fortunes P.F. SLOAN - Rumer HIGHWAYMAN - Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson IF THIS WAS THE LAST SONG – Dee Dee Warwick With The Dixie Flyers