The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 93

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1986- -THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR- 5E thur Park grown im since I SCI MacAr Webb Park, a song that intrigued many and infuriated others, the spell has kept more of a grip on the popular imagination than Webb ever expected. The song was twice a hit (Donna Summer's rendition reached No. 1 in 1978) and has been recorded by such diverse artists as Frank Sinatra and Waylon Jennings, who recorded it twice. If that weren't enough, two movie producers recently have inquired about buying licensing rights to the song. The song's success perplexes Webb', who groaned when asked about it but relented good-naturedly.

"The song for some reason will not die," he said with an air of mock weariness. "The controversy about the cake in the rain rages as much today as" it did 17 years ago." Meanwhile, Webb is charging into another art form: a "classical, autobiographical American novel" set in Oklahoma, where he grew up. "I'm probably, if truth be known, more literary than musical," he said. But then he added, "I don't fancy myself James Joyce starting a new literary form or anything. i VV: i A v'- was awash in fame, wealth and artistic acclaim.

Webb lived for a spell in the former Philippine Consulate and trooped around the country with Richard Harris, who "was like a big brother to me" and who promised Webb the keys to his Rolls-Royce Phantom if MacArthur Park broke the Top 10. The song, in fact, made it as high as No. 2 in 1968, but Webb never did get the car. Instead of the car originally promised, "he wanted to give me a little Silver Cloud instead." Webb recalled. The two began to feud, and they didn't speak for several years.

But Webb says they are now best of friends again. "Looking back, I'm glad a lot of it is over," he said about the notoriety that came with the song's success. "It's extremely distracting at that age to have all that attention. If you have aspirations to produce serious art, it can be a considerable distraction. And it can possibly stop some of your progress as a human being.

"Now my feet are firmly on the ground. I've learned a lot of the things I would have studied if I hadn't dropped out of music school. I've had time to do projects that I never would have done if I'd stayed in the full glare of the limelight." Webb, who provided entire albums' worth of material for such artists as Glen Campbell, Art Garfunkel and Kenny Loggins, hasn't given up on pop music or the poetic, at times enigmatic, but seldom obscure lyrics that first gave him fame. The fleeting glimpses he provides of people's lives, such as the phone-tapping voyeur depicted in Wichita Lineman, cut across the pop formula grain. Typically eschewing straight narrative for powerful, sometimes exaggerated imagery, his songs take on a resonance by letting the listener's imagination fill In the gaps.

In the case of MacArthur NOW! Cheek SfefaWtj I j'ftM Dir6ctory for tlma w. aem mickigan PttTrTTuu'ciH? pmt piLWrmyn U'STum mi ji jin ihe SHOPPING Ctl BBfl J8 IN THI MAU 899-4100 By MARTIN BOOE LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS Los Angeles Jimmy Webb, who was touted as "wunder-kind" and "pop's golden boy" as a teen-ager, has turned 40. And, while the fabled cake of his cryptic 1969 blockbuster hit MacArthur Park is still melting somewhere in the rain, Webb himself shows no signs of dissolving. The teen-age millionaire has grown up, and his musical inspirations these days come more often from his children than the glamour world he lived In in younger days. That, anyway, is the case with the latest recording of his semi-classical cantata, The Animals' Christmas, by Art Garfunkel and Amy Grant, which Is currently In record stores.

"I wrote it for my kids and for my community," said Webb, who until a year ago lived in Tuxedo Park, N.Y. (He and his family have since left their mansion there for a homier Victorian house In Montclair. N.J.) "I wanted to give something back. "It started," Webb added, "on a very small scale. The piece had a life of its own.

It kept getting bigger and bigger, largely due to Art Garfunkel's interest and involvement with it." Webb began work on The Animals' Christmas four years ago. It was first performed at a church in Tuxedo Park with a small choir and ensemble. Since then, Webb said, "It's almost become a Christmas tradition. This year it will be performed on tiie Amy Grant TV special (10 p.m. today on NBC).

Amy, In fact, wants to do it three times: once In New York, once In Los Angeles and once somewhere else." The Animals' Christmas, as its title suggests. Is a retelling of the Christmas story from the animals' point of view. Webb has described it as "an orchestral tour of styles with little bows to the composers I admire." The piece does not, however, herald a particular commitment lo religious music for Webb, who also has been pursuing Broadway and film scores lately. "I'm not going to church, but 1 do have a personal relationship with God." Webb said. "I'm the son of a Baptist minister, Jearned all my music In church.

It would be unnatural not to have an affection for the Bible. JWhereas I went far afield to find jny answers, I think I'm a Christian person." Webb's Journeys sti)l haven't 'TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY, MATE! Jimmy Webb (1975 photo) TOPEE There's a little of him in all of us. Iffllteltf liA given him a hit on Broadway. The two productions on which he collaborated have been sidelined by a variety of problems. "It.

hurt." Webb said. "I've been working for three years and for no pay. You don't do it for pay, of course. You do it for love. Fortunately, film scoring has picked up for me.

It's always been in my mind that it's something I would like to be considered good at." To that end, Webb is ly scoring an episode of Amazing Stories, after which he'll turn his attention to the score for the POW film Hanoi Hilton, now in production. "I'm Just In love with the movies," Webb said. He can remember as a child analyzing the orchestral arrangement of the theme from Cone With the Wind, which was playing on the radio while he lay in the back seat of his father's car. "To me, (scoring films) is a very worthwhile thing to do." It is with a mixture of fondness and relief that Webb looks back to his early 20s, when he 'SS'A PARAMOUNT PICTURE II 1 I yt 13711 HIT WEEK! l.mm&A f-tmrnm pmmm Check Directories For Show Times Bargain Matinees Daily DECEMBER Wednesday Thursday Saturday Friday Tuesday Monday Sunday 27 24 26 22 21 23- 25 CHRISTMAS 1986 1986 HOOSIER CLASSIC 7:00 P.M. HOOSIER CLASSIC 7:00 P.M.

vs DETROIT 5:30 P.M. 31 30 29 28 WWF RATT 7:30 P.M. SHERATON PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING 7:30 PM vs CLEVELAND 7:30 P.M. VS PEORIA 7:30 P.M. MERIDIAN'S NEW YEAR'S MARKET ARENA EVE BLOW OUT START 1987 JANUARY 3 OUT ON TOP! ON TOP OF THE SHERATON MERIDIAN MARKET Arena vs L.A.

CLIPPERS 7:30 P.M. The Ramsgate Restaurant FOR A NEW YEARS EVE GALA SECOND TO NONE. DINNER Your Choice oh PRIME RIB 7 6 8 5 SHRIMP PROSCUITTO CHICKEN RASPBERRY PEPPERED STEAK Served with Salad, 10 World's Jf -Tr Touchcst R9D0 8:00 P.M. 9 world's i Toufihest zT-1 8:00 P.M. vs SALT LAKE 7:30 P.M.

vs FLINT 4:00 P.M. 14 12 Dessert Beverage. DANCING TILL 2 A.M. EXCITEMENT CHAMPAGNE AT MIDNIGHT, PARTY FAVORS and A GLISTENING VIEW OF THE CITY UNWIND Guest Room lor Two and New Yean Day breakfast buffet (served I a.m. to Noon).

ALL FOR JUST 11 5 Toughest SS R9D0 2:30 P.M. vs DALLAS 6:00 P.M. vs KALAMAZOO 8:00 P.M. vs WASHINGTON 7:30 P.M. vs PHILADELPHIA 8:00 P.M.

4 21 20 18 M3995 per couple vs PHOENIX 7:30 P.M. vs FLINT 8:00 P.M. vs LA. LAKERS 8:00 P.M. vs MILAWUKEE 7:30 P.M.

vs CHICAGO 5:30 P.M. vs FT. WAYNE 2:00 P.M. 7 Ask About Preferred Quarters Room. DINNER PARTY ONLY $ftQ95 09 couple CELEBRATE IN WILLIAMS PUB 97 31 28 26 25 29wWF PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING 7:30 P.M.

-II per PaCcRjt vs BOSTON 7:30 P.M. couple vs MILWAUKEE 7:30 P.M. vs KALAMAZOO 7:30 P.M. Includes Party Favors. Dancing till 2 a.m.

and unlimited hors oeuvres. FOR RESERVATIONS CALL 924-1241 nt 1S00 CALL TODAY SPACE IS LIMITED. CALL TODAY SPACE IS LIMITED. I I 1 Ticket Information Toughest 1986 HOOSIER CLASSIC INDIANAPOLIS CHECKERS $12 PER SESSION JAN. 9-11 EWorld's: JZz Toughest jt IOD0 $9.50 $7.50 Vi OFF WITH COUPON FROM PRESTON-SAFEWAY Vi OFF YOUTHS 12 UNDER $8 $7 RATT $14.50 ADVANCE $15.50 DAY OF SHOW I Iff SHERATON MERIDIAN 28th AT MERIDIAN INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA will' bg WWF WRESTLING $12, $10 $8 INDIANA PACERS $17, $11 $5 Tickets T'cxcfftizrrG i nr.atinns, including Arena Box Office, all in town Karma Records and select out of town stores.

Block's Dept. stores (Indy. Lafayette. Bloominqton) the Natatorium on I.U. P.U.I, campus and Freddie's in Muncie Charge Dy Phone: 317-297-5151 Visa MasterCard.