I think Phoenix and Whitata were written by JImmy Webb. Love that guy.
They were both written by Jimmy Webb. So was "Galveston," another big Campbell hit. From all accounts,
teaming Campbell with producer/arranger Al DeLory and with Webb's material kicked his career from nothing
special to never better starting in 1967-68.
I once had a promo single on Capitol. It was Al DeLory, playing piano and arranging an almost ethereal
re-cut of "Wichita Lineman." I used to like listening to that record in winter, because somehow I always
pictured the protagonist of the song out working an isolated rural line. It might have been the way
DeLory arranged the strings on both his instrumental cut and Campbell's hit, but it was a wintry feeling
that made you feel for the protagonist even if you were growing up near New York City, as I did. I used
to see the linemen working in my little suburb in winter and feel for those poor guys.