Willis Alan Ramsey (album)

Willis Alan Ramsey
Studio album by Willis Alan Ramsey
Released	May 1972
Recorded	1972
Studio	Beautiful Sounds, Memphis, Tennessee; Skyhill Studios, Hollywood Hills; Robin Hill Studios, Tyler, Texas, Sunset Sound, Hollywood; Quadraphonic Sound Studios, Nashville, Tennessee
Genre	Country[1] Progressive country folk[1]
Length	39:07
Label	Shelter
Producer	Denny Cordell, Willis Alan Ramsey

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[2]

Willis Alan Ramsey is the sole 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 Russell sat in on piano, keyboards, and vibraphone. Other guest musicians include: Carl Radle, Jim Keltner, Red Rhodes, Leland Sklar, and Russ Kunkel. The song "Muskrat Candlelight" was covered by the band America in 1973 and by Captain & Tennille in 1976, both using the title "Muskrat Love." "The Ballad of Spider John" was covered by Jimmy Buffett on his 1974 album Living & Dying in 3/4 Time. The song "Satin Sheets" (not the Jeanne Pruett song of the same name) was covered by The Bellamy Brothers and Shawn Colvin. The album was mixed by Al Schmitt.