Galveston - Glen Campbell cover by des0free

[des0free]

This song was written by Jimmy Webb and made popular by Glen Campbell, hitting #1 in 1969.  My dad used to listen to Glen Campbell, but I rediscovered this song by hearing a TV special about 5 years ago that had members of the US military performing songs.

The song is short but has 13 different chords!  Starting in the key of D it has: A7, Am, B, Bm, D, D7, Dm, Em, Em7, F, F#m, G, and G7. That was quite a workout, especially when playing my new 12-string as it requires more accuracy and hand strength!  (thank goodness for "auto punch in" recording ).

Tracks:
- 1x 6-string acoustic (Taylor GS mini) - panned 80% left - recorded with AT4040 mic and Focusrite 2i2 usb (testing the unit, may not keep...Tascam seems to glitch less)
- 1x 12-string acoustic (Fender CD60SCE - cost only $200!) - panned 80% right
- 1x Vocal recorded with AT4040 mic, CLA vocals plugin
- All other instruments are virtual (Sampletank 3 + MODO drums), played via MIDI transcriptions
- Recorded, mixed, and mastered in Reaper (Waves Q2 eq, API-2500 compressor, J37 tape, and L1+ limiter plugins)

[chapperz66]

A fantastic version of a truly great song.  Really enjoyed this and will listen again.

Paul

[TPB]

The 12 string is sounding good and your vocal is top notch on this song
tim

[StephenM]

Jimmy Webb just played within 30 miles of where I live.  I didn't know who he was but i looked him up. 
Dude is a great songwriter.  Glen Campbell was a star and these songs are etched in my memory. 

from the very start you did a fantastic cover here.  That keyboard makes this sound real pro.  Drums seem perfect for this. 
Glad you had the courage to do all those chords.  Pro recording.  That lead is great sounding too.

[Zoltan]

I didn't want to hear this at first I was afraid! Not that i lack faith in you. I didn't even get that far with my thinking when i saw the song title. An impossible song to do properly as it's impossible to bring that sound of forgotten era back.

But oh my! This is the best song and a performance i've heard from you so far. The vocals are superb (there's only one minor hickup where your pipes are struggling a bit). The outro solo stuff is a bit stiff and weak sound wise. And it's a detail that wouldn't otherwise be even noticeable if it weren't for the overall high class production quality of the song.

Your voice is made for songs like these. The sound of sun, summer, dreams and the 60s. Superb!

[Zoltan]

That lead is great sounding too.

Ha! I just noticed this. As much as i appreciate Mr Stephens musical wisdom... I can't really play the rhythm to this sentiment

[des0free]

I didn't want to hear this at first I was afraid! Not that i lack faith in you. I didn't even get that far with my thinking when i saw the song title. An impossible song to do properly as it's impossible to bring that sound of forgotten era back.

But oh my! This is the best song and a performance i've heard from you so far. The vocals are superb (there's only one minor hickup where your pipes are struggling a bit). The outro solo stuff is a bit stiff and weak sound wise. And it's a detail that wouldn't otherwise be even noticeable if it weren't for the overall high class production quality of the song.

Your voice is made for songs like these. The sound of sun, summer, dreams and the 60s. Superb!

Hey - thanks for the feedback, I really appreciate it.  I want to make it clear that all parts except the acoustic rhythm guitars and vocals are MIDI generated, so that is why the outro lead guitar (a Sampletank instrument) in this case doesn't sound very real. I should learn and play the guitar part myself, but I'm more focused right now on improving my rhythm guitar and vocal skills.

I have put in a request to JP to see if he could replace that part with something purely analog

I also want to do some more vocal takes as there are some parts I hope I could do better.  I ran out of time yesterday before a bunch of noisy people (wife, kids  ) arrived home, but was close enough that I was itching to go ahead and post it. I often wish I had a quiet room all to myself to record in

Edit: this evening I suddenly noticed my wife was out, and did a few more vocal takes and posted a new MP3.

[StephenM]

"I often wish I had a quiet room all to myself to record in "

Don't we all Doug?  I have limited distractions.  At times there are none.  But then again, some days I just record with the blender rolling in the background or go outside to do vocals...lol

[Farrell Jackson]

When I first saw this song posted, like Zoltan, I thought oh that is a tough one to cover. But I was pleasantly surprised to hear you've done well with it. I knew it had a lot of chords but didn't realize there are 13 of them. Yes, there are a couple of fixes, but you've explained those above. Overall, well done Des!

[Mike_S]

Ha yes i too get the "limited space/time" thing. I record vocals and my wife sits in the other room, the door is closed but she is in pain from my efforts (especially in my more unusual destination insanity moments... eh Steve?

But great work, and yes what a tune. Got to be right up there in the finest pieces of country recorded. You did good here Doug, fabulous rhythm playing, pretty flawless with a great feel. Good vocals too, but I get where you are coming from itching to post the track when you get so close to the finish line, Sounds a lot like me too!

Mike