Wichita Lineman

[bossaholic]

I love the strings. Adds to the loneliness of the Lineman.

 

[Telemarkman]

I think picking at Jimmy Webb lyrics is like when guys say what they think are clever things about Picasso.

I think that is one of the most beautiful recordings ever. It is as good as anything ever done by anyone in my book. A tremendous singer, a timeless song and a timeless arrangement. No one will ever top that recording nor that moment.

That song is everything that was magic about that studio and that time and those players. It has been my favorite song of all time since I was a kid and I never grow tired of listening to it. Thanks for sharing.

You speak the truth Randy! If Glen singing this song was the last thing I heard before I died, I wouldn't really mind at all ...

Thank you Big John for sharing the original video - hadn't seen that one before.

The Stone Temple Pilots version is my personal favorite, but I have absolutely nothing against the strings on the original - it's perfect as is.

I also love this beautiful instrumental version by Big John himself with his partner Dave on steel:

http://www.box.net/shared/yd5fq2f15n

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Love this song. It almost makes me forgive Jimmy Webb for writing "MacArthur Park."

Almost.

No. He has his own ring in hell.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

no amount of CGI would ever capture the 'sixties' like this.

PS - That's for sure! Sort of a Zip file of the decade.

 

[emu!]

I remember the first time I heard that song. It was only about 7 years ago. Someone in the band suggested we play it. When I heard it...the original...I couldn't help but think, "this is one of the most beautiful melodies I have ever heard in a song." Since then, it's been one of my all-time favs.

 

[DblStop]

WOW!!!One of my favorite Glen Campbell songs of all time,I've always LOVED the chord progression of this tune,I never get tired of hearing this tune it is timeless in my book.Did anyone watch the Glen Campbell Good Time Hour way back when?I tuned into that show every week when I was growing up in East Tennessee,Man do I feel old LOL!!!! All jokes aside, Glen Campbell has always been a very under rated artist in my book,and what a killer picker,a legend for sure!! Mark Moree aka DblStop

 

[Buckocaster51]

That's a good song.

That's for sure.

That's for danged sure!

Jimmy Webb, he's the real deal.

I suspect he still gets a pretty hefty royalty check now and then.

By the Time I Get to Phoenix is a career song.

Plus he has Up Up and Away.

I wonder which brings in the most bacon each year.

With all of that bacon he can probably buy a new cake...

 

[staxman]

For me ,I don't think anything so uniquely evokes the 60s like the sound of a Fender baritone-- makes me smile and get a sappy feeling of nostalgia at the same time.

Thanks for sharing Big John!

 

[getbent]

the jimmy webb songs not enough people have heard... this one breaks me.




the one that changed my life is on the album "ol waylon" called... "if you see me getting smaller, I'm leavin'"

a great great song...

Jimmy's book on songwriting is pretty dang good too...

 

[Buckocaster51]

Didn't Harlan Ellison (or somebody like that) write a piece of short fiction called "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress?"

I know I could look it up, but sometimes it is just more fun to ask the erudite members of this group.

 

[getbent]

heinlein

 

[Telarkaster]

Awesome, simply awesome Big John. Thanks for posting that. Brings a tear to my eye every time.

Depending on the time of day, I can't decide whether Wichita Lineman or By The Time I Get To Phoenix is my favourite Glen Campbell song:



And yes, I love the strings on both songs! Thanks again Big John, good to know that someone else out there has great taste!

 

[Tim Armstrong]

Jimmy Webb's album from 1977, El Mirage, has "The Highwayman", "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" and "If You See Me Getting Smaller I'm Leaving", and is really a damn fine record...

Tim

 

[mickeydean]

Kim Novak would be driving me.......

+1000

Galveston always brings a tear to my eye.

 

[Buckocaster51]

This might be my favorite Glenn Campbell version of a Jimmy Webb song.



there is a certain poignancy about it.

(It's my night for big words!)

 

[chet]

Pretty awesome:
song
video
recording
performance.

I hear that song once in awhile on the radio and think about how beautiful it is.

 

[Tele295]

Dwight Yoakum & Pete Anderson also did a fine version of Wichita Lineman on the CD "Under the Covers."

I have a Jimmy Webb CD called "Ten Easy Pieces" that is mostly Jimmy accompanying himself on piano and singing. Incredible, stripped down versions

Galveston
Highwayman
Wichita Lineman
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress
By The Time I Get To Phoenix
If These Walls Could Speak
Didn't We
The Worst That Could Happen
All I Know
MacArthur Park

 

[asatfan]

Big John,

This song has always been special to me and my family....my father in law was "a lineman for the county" for the rural electric (REMC) here in Indiana. He climbed poles for many years, during and after tornados, ice storms, and squirrel attacks. He passed away at 53....same age as I am now. Thanks for mentioning this wonderfully written and beautifully performed song. Now I don't know what you mean by "CGI", but, if you haven't already, how about a "Big John" intrumental version!

 

[getbent]

man, some of my favorite people talking about some of my favorite things!

Tim, I love all those Jimmy Webb albums, I had the promo kit for that album on my wall in college...

 

[Wardpike]

I grin from ear to ear every time I see someone discover or rediscover Glenn Campbell and fall in love with his music.

Glenn was huge hero of mine as a little kid. Amazing singer, guitarist and performer...

AND THE #1 BEACH BOY IN MY OPINION!! (although some suggest he was a little bit country at times).

;-)