1972 Willis Alan Ramsey – Willis Alan Ramsey
Willis Alan Ramsey is the solo studio release by the Texas songwriter Willis Alan Ramsey. The album’s genre is hard to categorize with touches of country, country rock, folk, and folk rock. The tunes range from the reflection and regret of “The Ballad of Spider John” to a heartfelt tribute to Woody Guthrie on “Boy from Oklahoma”. It was recorded on Leon Russell’s Shelter label in 1972, and Leon sat in on piano, keyboards, vibraphone. Other guest musicians include: Leland Sklar, Carl Radle, Jim Keltner, Red Rhodes and Russ Kunkel. The song “Muskrat Candlelight” was later covered by the band America in 1973 and then by Captain & Tennille in 1976, both using the title “Muskrat Love.” “Ballad of Spider John” was covered by Jimmy Buffett on his 1974 album Living & Dying in 3/4 Time. The Song “Satin Sheets” was covered by The Bellamy Brothers. The songs “Geraldine and the Honeybee” and “Wishbone” have been covered live several times by Widespread Panic.
Tracks
1 Ballad of Spider John (Willis Alan Ramsey) 4:19
2 Muskrat Love (Muskrat Candlelight) (Willis Alan Ramsey) 3:24
3 Geraldine and the Honeybee (Willis Alan Ramsey) 2:20
4 Wishbone (Willis Alan Ramsey) 2:47
5 Satin Sheets (Willis Alan Ramsey) 2:40
6 Goodbye Old Missoula (Willis Alan Ramsey) 5:04
7 Painted Lady (Willis Alan Ramsey) 3:07
8 Watermelon Man (Willis Alan Ramsey) 3:26
9 Boy from Oklahoma (Willis Alan Ramsey) 3:55
10 Angel Eyes (Willis Alan Ramsey) 3:12
11 Northeast Texas Women (Willis Alan Ramsey) 5:42
Media
Musicians
1 Ballad of Spider John
Guitar | Willis Alan Ramsey |
Accordion | Nick DeCaro |
Sax | Ernie Watts |
2 Muskrat Love (Muskrat Candlelight)
Bass | Willis Alan Ramsey |
Guitar | Willis Alan Ramsey |
Piano | Leon Russell |
Vibes | Leon Russell |
3 Geraldine and the Honeybee
Bass | Willis Alan Ramsey |
Drums | Walter Collie |
Guitar | Willis Alan Ramsey |
4 Wishbone
Bass | Willis Alan Ramsey |
Drums | Walter Collie |
Guitar | Robert Aberg |
Piano | Larry Steelman |
5 Satin Sheets
Guitar | Willis Alan Ramsey |
6 Goodbye Old Missoula
Bass | Carl Radle |
Drums | Jim Keltner |
Guitar | Willis Alan Ramsey |
Pedal Steel Guitar | Red Rhodes |
Piano | Leon Russell |
Harmonica | Willis Alan Ramsey |
7 Painted Lady
Bass | Tim Drummond |
Drums | Kenneth Butrey |
Guitar | Willis Alan Ramsey |
Guitar | Eddie Hinton |
Fiddle | Dusty Rhodes |
Piano | John Harris |
8 Watermelon Man
Guitar | Willis Alan Ramsey |
Slide Guitar | Robert Aberg |
9 Boy from Oklahoma
Bass | Leland Sklar |
Drums | Russ Kunkel |
Guitar | Willis Alan Ramsey |
Pedal Steel Guitar | Red Rhodes |
10 Angel Eyes
Guitar | Willis Alan Ramsey |
Cello | Cathy Pruitt |
11 Northeast Texas Women
Bass | Willis Alan Ramsey |
Drums | Walter Collie |
Guitar | Charles Perrino |
Fiddle | Tim Self |
Vocals | Mike Sexton |
Liner Notes
Producer – Denny Cordell, Willis Alan Ramsey
Engineer – Wayne Dailey (Tracks 1, 5, 9, 10)
Engineer – Peter Nicholls (Tracks 2, 6)
Engineer – Robin Hood Brians (Tracks 3, 4, 8)
Engineer – Elliot Mazer (Track 7)
Engineer – Bob Potter (Track 11)
Remix – Al Schmitt
Design – Good Time Graphix
Photography By, Artwork – Bill Matthews
Recorded At – Beautiful Sounds, Memphis, TN.
Recorded At – Skyhill Studios
Recorded At – Robin Hood Studios
Recorded At – Sunset Sound
Recorded At – Quadraphonic Sound Studios
Remixed At – Sunset Sound
Copyright (c) – Wishbone Music
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Wishbone Music
Distributed By – Capitol Records, Inc.
Published By – Wishbone Music
Pressed By – Capitol Records Pressing Plant, Los Angeles