Wichita Lineman - Glen Campbell / Jimmy Webb (Piano Cover)

Wichita Lineman, Glen Campbell's 1968 single written by Jimmy Webb, is another tune introduced to me by Rick Beato's channel. Had I been around earlier, I would have doubtlessly known it already - it's a legendary composition and performance that (relatively) recently earned it a place in the Grammy Hall of Fame. I'm always looking for harmonically creative songs to cover, and Jimmy Webb made Wichita Lineman just that. As he points out in an interview, though it's set in F major, following the intro "It never goes to F!" but rather modulating to the unexpected D major.
A distinctive feature of the original song are the prominent lines of repeating notes in the string intro, utilizing a feature of Webb's electronic church organ which Campbell snatched over to the recording studio on a whim (an anecdote related by Webb in Beato's video: • Jimmy Webb on Writing ... . The piano is well suited for both replicating such lines and multitasking them alongside accompanying figures and bass. So, while playing the repeated notes, I covered roughly three other elements across the registers of the piano:
1) the treble lead string melody, which I played in octaves in the right hand - occasionally sharing with the left, e.g. 0:02, 0:09, 0:11
2) the accompanying mid-range rhythm chords in the left hand, and
3) the iconic intro bass riff plus core bass notes
Using these in tandem, I working to match the warmth and fullness of the original intro’s orchestral sound.
I ornamented the first verse as I usually do, but this time a focus on secondary melodies and non-octave intervals in the right hand. For the first bar in D major, I implemented a cross-octave arpeggio which I particularly like the sound of (0:31): Dadd4, beginning a downward arpeggio with a mordent on the F#. Laying this over a left-hand melody filled the gap left by a break in the vocals in the original, though it did leave out a neat bass riff in the fourth beat. As the vocals restarted at 0:38, I incorporated bell tones again (an official arranging addiction of mine at this point). Each “bell” note corresponded to the top line of violins in the original. Since these rang on beats 2 & 4, my right hand was free to relieve my left hand of the bass notes on beats 1 & 2, setting my personal record for most hand-crossings in one video to five (including the two in the intro).
For the first half of the second verse (1:07), I chose to go off-script and use a dreamy high-register texture of 16th note arpeggios. This choice differentiated it from the verse before and gave the listener a respite from the enduring bass presence throughout the rest of the song. Reaching the D-major modulation again, I revisited the arpeggio from 0:31, but doubled it with both hands this time, setting up for the heavier and busier sound of the rest of the verse from 1:26 onward.
I had recorded several takes for the outro at 1:44, but had rushed the process to get it done before my vacation. Somewhere along the line, I lost the video for my final take. So, the footage you see for the outro isn't from the performance, but instead belongs to the take before. Whoops! I tried my best to tempo-map it to the audio, but there's only so much you can do (especially as the ritardando kicks in at the end).
My original covers ▸ • My Original Arrangements
(70's-90's western classics)
The Caretaker covers ▸ • The Caretaker on Piano...
(Leyland Kirby's music - Everywhere at the end of time, An empty bliss beyond this world, etc)
Music:
- Played by ‪@boredPianoAdv‬
- Arranged by ‪@boredPianoAdv‬
- Original song ▸ "Wichita Lineman" by Glen Campbell / Jimmy Webb
Equipment:
- Keyboard: Casio PX-S3000
- Audio: Pianoteq 8.2 - C. Bechstein DG
- Video: Nikon D3400
#piano #pianocover #countrymusic #glencampbell

[@boredPianoAdv]

Yes, there's a typo in the title card. It's too late now 🥲Thanks for watching

[@chrisdurhammusicchannel]

Such a fun song to cover!!!! Excellent interpretation/arrangement, Bored Piano Adventures!!!! 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@boredPianoAdv]

It is! Made my job really easy. Thanks a lot, and by the way I think your quality over quantity decision regarding 30 minute improvs was a good idea!

[@b1to]

LETS GO WICHITA LINEMAN IS GOATED WAHOOOOOOOOOO

[@boredPianoAdv]

SO TRUE BESTIE It really is, though

[@MotifMusicStudios]

What a special arrangement with so many thoughtfully created details! I love Rick Beato's channel too, but haven't heard this one yet! Bravo on a wonderful upload! Loved the dynamic contrasts and flashy technical sections that sparkled!

[@boredPianoAdv]

Thank you so much! This one developed over the course of several months, so plenty of time to accumulate a pool of good ideas. Haven't had time for much including even this these days; do hope you're doing well!

[@FrankTerzo]

This is absolutely beautiful. New friend here. Thank you Lady C.

[@boredPianoAdv]

You're so kind, and Lady C is so wonderful. Thank you for coming along & I hope not to disappoint!

[@angeletic64]

i'm actually so in love with the intro omg and the whole piece is so amazing :)

[@boredPianoAdv]

The original song has such an amazing intro! I put so much effort into making those first few bars the best I could. Would recommend listening to the original - it's over half a century old but as beautiful as ever

[@reneekelly-xo1tl]

Beautiful as always!! ❤

[@boredPianoAdv]

🤝

[@ladycampion]

Absolutely gorgeous, my friend!! You have such a gift for these arrangements... 🎶🎹

[@boredPianoAdv]

Means a lot Lady C! Arranging has been something I've nurtured over time (just two and a half years ago I was a complete beginner) and I'm proud to now be at a place in my progression where so many people can enjoy what I put out! I'm also proud of your progress in combatting stage fright since the genesis of your channel a decade ago - can you believe you're even doing weekly livestreams now? I could never cast/commentate live like that...

[@ladycampion]

@@boredPianoAdv Never say never! You have indeed come a long way in a short time, and it's wonderful to see... So well done!! 🙂

[@StomachAcid]

That was literally so awesome!!!!

[@boredPianoAdv]

It felt awesome! Thanks for sticking around, it means a lot... if there's a video of yours I've missed that you'd like me to see, please direct me to it without hesitation

[@StomachAcid]

@@boredPianoAdv Aw, thanks!!! I really do love your videos a lot, and I think you’re really cool! Well, now that you mention it, I would be really interested to see what you think about this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZ_Eda1no86rnsUsi=XMS6xaiTxUG-n5vu If you don’t have that much time, hear just the third track. It’s one of my favourite things I ever did!

[@markypg]

that's very good, I love the part at 1:09, good job :D

[@boredPianoAdv]

Thank you! That register / high area of the piano is very nice to play in

[@notmymain2256]

Good job :)

[@boredPianoAdv]

Thank you, commenter who's totally not an alt :)