Saw Mr. Jimmy Webb at SXSW in Austin Texas at a ballroom. No stage, just a grand piano in the middle of the room. There were about 400 people standing around the piano when Mr. Webb came through. One heard, “pardon me” and “hey jimmy” as he made his way through the crowd and sat down at the piano. He opened up with Wichita lineman and for the next hour and 40 minutes you could’ve heard a pin drop. Nobody sat down. Nobody bitched. It was one of the most moving musical performances I’ve ever experienced in my 50 years as a professional musician. This is one of the most lovely songs harmonically, and it’s actually very weird and unusual and it’s chord progressions. One time I did a search of all the variations of the song and listen to about 25 different versions all in a row. That’ll blow your mind!
Excellent job and so perfect. This tune has become a favorite at steel guitar shows because the great Buddy Emmons had a cut on it. I love the song and your version.
You know how some songs make you glad you're alive? And when you're ready to pitch it all and just give up, but then you hear that song? This is one of those songs for me. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Jimmy Webb and he is just awesome! Thanks for playing this so well...I'm tuning up my lap steel and I'm going to take a run at this version. BTW, Johnny A does a beautiful version: Johnny A - Witchita Lineman
As a guitar player, I am just blown away by the combinatation of dobro and pedal steel. Thank you sir. This is one of the few videos I continue I return often. Would love to meet you in person to say thanks. God bless my brother.
This is amazing Greg!! I am a beginner dobro player. (I can't find a teacher in Upstate NY) So I just plink and plod along. Back to the song..."Witcha Lineman" is one of few songs just by the melody and chord progressions can bring me to tears. It is one of a few songs that I call :perfect songs" everything collides in a perfect storm of melody, chords, rhythm and emotion. Especially when Glen sings "Vacation" it just ripps my heart out every time!! Anyway, thanks for the Monday morning lift!!
That song has set my emotions rolling since I heard Glen Campbell the first time...and I have no idea why.....now on steel and resonator and so well done, just blows me away!! I love it and always will!!
Hello Greg, that is the best thing I have ever heard, thank you for that! Cheers to RU-vid, unfortunately only now! I play steel myself and can call myself one of the lucky few who owns a PedaBro (Franklin Guitars)! I have always been interested in the Dobro, but when I devoured your videos yesterday and today I was motivated to the core, and the dropt E is amazing, why didn't I come across it sooner, thank you very much!
Thank you! I had a career playing psg full time in house bands during the oil boom in Alaska from the mid 70s thru the 90s. Although I admired all of Paul Franklin’s work with the PedaBro I never was interested in the dobro until I stopped playing music full time for a while and realized that the dobro was cool and not a step backwards. Coming to the dobro as I did at age 53, I brought a lifetime of playing steel (and banjo before that) to the table and it definitely informed my approach. Thanks for your nice comments and you might be interested to visit my website gregboothdobro.com/home
I just listened to Johnny A doing this and thought it was great. I then saw your post and clicked on it. Johnny does a wonderful version but I must say, the resonator and pedal steel just added so much color to an already beautiful song that my soul was touched. Kudos, love the sound and amazing musicianship. You have 2 new fans from the Jersey Pinelands.
Thanks....I recorded direct to my software through a UA Solo 610 tube pre-amp DI, then in Cubase I added some reverb and just a little delay. No eq, no compression, no limiter.
We need to get you together with Freedy Johnston for the ultimate version of this great song. Beautifully done, thanks. Check out Freedy Johnston "Wichita Lineman" Live at KDHX 2/12/10 (HD)
