El Mirage (album)

El Mirage is Jimmy Webb's sixth album. Released by Atlantic Records in 1977, it was the first album for which Webb handed production and arrangement duties on to another person, George Martin, producer of The Beatles.

It is notable for containing "The Highwayman", a song that later provided both the name and first hit for The Highwaymen, a country supergroup comprising Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson. Jennings also recorded the track "If You See Me Getting Smaller" for his Ol Waylon LP (1977).

Track listing

All tracks composed by Jimmy Webb; except where indicated

1. "The Highwayman"
2. "If You See Me Getting Smaller I'm Leaving"
3. "Mixed-Up Guy"
4. "Christiaan, No"
5. "Moment In A Shadow"
6. "Sugarbird"
7. "Where The Universes Are"
8. "P.F. Sloan"
9. "Dance To The Radio" (Fred Tackett)
10. "The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress"
11. "Skylark (A Meditation)"

Personnel

• Jimmy Webb – vocals, keyboards
• Fred Tackett – guitar
• Dean Parks – guitar
• Lowell George – slide guitar
• Herb Pedersen – banjo, 12-string guitar, background vocals
• David Paich – keyboards, synthesizer
• Harry Bluestone – concert master
• David Hungate – bass
• Larry Knechtel – bass
• Dee Murray – bass
• Harvey Mason, Sr. – percussion
• Nigel Olsson – drums
• Jim Gordon – drums
• Kenny Loggins – vocals
• Billy Davis - vocals
• George Hawkins – vocals
• Sherlie Matthews – background vocals
• Susan Webb – background vocals
• Clydie King – background vocals
• George Martin – arranger, conductor, keyboards, synthesizer, producer
• Bob Fisher – mastering
• John H.R. Mills – engineer
• Steve Smith – photography
• John Mills – engineer
• Bob Defrin – art direction
• George Tutko – engineer
• Henry Diltz – cover photo
• Richie Unterberger – liner notes

References