Willis Alan Ramsey

Ramsey, Willis Alan

album cover

The One (and Only) Record from a Visionary

This, the lone album by enigmatic Texas singer-songwriter Willis Alan Ramsey, gave the world one of the most poignant songs ever written about Woody Guthrie (the pedal-steel drenched "Boy from Oklahoma") as well as "Muskrat Love," the whimsical hit for the soft-rock group the Captain and Tennille (here titled "Muskrat Candlelight"). That spread tells something about the Alabama-born tune-smith, whose works have been memorably covered by Jimmy Buffett ("The Ballad of Spider John") and Waylon Jennings ("Satin Sheets"). A storyteller with a quick wit and a penchant for catchy melodies, Ramsey helped develop the sound and the sensibility of "progressive" or "alternative" country associated with everyone from Lyle Lovett to Son Volt. And then he went underground.

Recorded quickly for a small label in 1972, Ramsey's debut has acquired mythic status over the years, in part because he's been so stingy with his work. He cowrote a few songs with Lovett in the 1990s, but has yet to release a follow-up. One website claims he moved to the British isles to study Celtic balladry.

The genius of Willis Alan Ramsey lies in his vocals. Ramsey's songs are salt-of-the-earth stuff, with zero pretension—no cornpone wizardry needed. Ramsey sings with a slightly bemused affect, a raconteur who counts on his slight drawl to keep his story at least plausible. This unassuming delivery makes you want to follow Ramsey's characters around and be there when the title character of "Watermelon Man," who's been awaiting the arrival of the sweet fruit for months, gets that first juicy bite.

Genre: Country
Released: 1972, Shelter (Reissued 1999, Koch)
Key Tracks: "Boy from Oklahoma," "Muskrat Candlelight."
Next Stop: Townes Van Zandt: Live at the Old Quarter
Book Page: 632

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Comments:

#1 from e.j. thomason, Hot Springs, Arkansas - 03/04/2011 11:03

I grew-up listening to this album and dearly love every note on it. I had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Ramsey perform at a local resturant back in the late ‘80s. And he was just as good live. This album came out the year I was born. It every song on it brings back memories of my going up. I recommend this album to everybody!!

1000 Recordings To Hear Before You Die