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Listening to Jimmy Webb sing his most well-known compositions, all of which entered the pop pantheon by way of other voices (the Fifth Dimension, Glen Campbell, et. al.), is like hearing a poet read his own work. One is overwhelmed by a sense of rightness, that this is the way these songs were meant to be sung. While the considerable charms of the original recordings (Art Garfunkel's gorgeous reading of "All I Know," Glen Campbell's workmanlike approach to the transcendent "Wichita Lineman") are undeniable, these sparse, piano-based versions have a stark nobility that pares the songs down to their bare bones. It is to Webb's credit as a pop craftsman that his songs stand up so well in this context.
Subtle vocal assists from Shawn Colvin on "Didn't We" and Marc Cohn on "If These Walls Could Speak" add a touch of color to the proceedings. Even the baroque excesses of "MacArthur Park" are redeemed by Webb's tasteful approach, in a version that easily rivals Richard Harris' '60s chart fluke and Donna Summer's disco version. TEN EASY PIECES reads like a career resume for one of pop's finest songsmiths.
Recorded at McClear Pathe Studios and Zoomar Studios, Toronto, Canada; The Hit Factory, New York, New York; The Production Block, Austin, Texas. Includes liner notes by Jimmy Webb.
Personnel: Jimmy Webb (vocals, piano, keyboards); Dean Parks (guitar); Fred Mollin (acoustic guitar, autoharp, background vocals); Oliver Schroer (fiddle); Audrey King, Paul Widner, David Hetherington (cello); Steven MacKinnon (accordion); Lesley Young (oboe); Pat Perez (soprano saxophone); Marc Cohn, Matthew McCauley, Michael McDonald , Shawn Colvin, Susan Webb (background vocals).
Audio Mixer: Jeff Wolpert.
Liner Note Author: Jimmy Webb .
Recording information: Hit Factory, N.Y.C., NY; McClear Path Studios, Toronto, Canada; Zoomar Studios, Toronto, Canada.
Photographer: Carolyn Jones.
Unknown Contributor Role: Jimmy Webb .
Personnel: Jimmy Webb (vocals, piano, Hammond B-3 organ); Fred Mollin (acoustic guitar, autoharp, background vocals); Steve Smith (pedal steel guitar); Dean Parks (guitar); Oliver Schroer (fiddle); David Hetherington, Donald Green, Audrey King, Paul Widner (cello); Lesley Young (oboe); Steve MacKinnon (accordion); Pat Perez (soprano saxophone); Marc Cohn, Matt McCauley, Susan Webb, Shawn Colvin, Michael McDonald (background vocals).
Engineers: Jeff Wolpert, Brian Nevin, Glen Marchese, Bill Harwell.
Entertainment Weekly (11/29/96, p.93) - "...there's no denying the quality of the songs, making this a serviceable introduction for beginners until some smart label finally compiles the all-star Webb tribute album we (and he) deserves." - Rating: B
Ten Easy Pieces Music Review
Average Rating: (4.3 out of 5 stars)    Jimmy Webb at his best
This is a beautiful collection of songs by Jimmy Webb. Simple in its execution, keeping other instruments to a minimum, and allowing Webb and his piano to shine. No-one can ever express the true emotions behind a song, the way that the songwriter can. Each piece on "Ten Easy Pieces" is a gem on its on. Particularly moving, is MacArthur Park, finally heard here WITHOUT the over-orchestration of the version that Richard Harris made famous. Whether you are re-discovering Jimmy Webb, or being introduced to him for the first time, this collection is a MUST HAVE!
Submitted by Jo (Southern GA)
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 A Wonderful Find
A wonderful listening experience of compositions performed by the composer, utilizing uncomplicated, yet powerful and artfully done arrangements. This is one of my favorite CDs.
Submitted by russlyl (Murfreesboro, NC) 
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Jimmy Webb fans NEED this!
When you strip down the excesses that big record company producers usually insist upon, all you're really left with is the song itself and the feeling it evokes. This is where Jimmy Webb excels: at crafting beautiful songs. The fact that Jimmy recorded this album with little more than his own piano playing shows you how confident he is of these ten songs. It stands as a kind of summary CV of his songwriting career and a lesson to music biz heavies that nobody can perform songs like the person who wrote them, especially when they're this talented. Listen to Galveston the way it was meant to be performed and you'll forget that Glenn whats-his-name ever tried to turn it into a jingoistic, flag-waving anthem. This is great late night reflective music performed and recorded beautifully. A must-have!
Submitted by U-need-it (Melbourne, Australia)
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