BOXING YOUR EARS

Unfortunately, this one isn't going to sell any better than the half-dozen other fine solo discs he's turned out since his 60s heyday. When not composing for a Glen Campbell or an Art Garfunkel, Webb writes tunes so idiosyncratic that only his diehard fans will appreciate them. No one else could do the engaging story song "Elvis and Me," regarding Webb meeting the Man Himself, and "What Does a Woman See in a Man" is so uncomfortably self-hating that only a masochist would do a cover version. "It Won't Bring Her Back" is as good a booze-and-lost-love song as was ever written, but, sadly, it's probably just as true of Webb's once-grand career. Webb's royalty checks for all of those past hits mean he no longer has to write lighter fare for anyone else's voice. You may have to search out this disc, but you should.