Rocky Mountain High by John Denver (cover)

Glennwillow · #1 05-31-2018, 05:26 PM

Several folks here on the AGF suggested I give "Rocky Mountain High" a try since I have been on a John Denver cover binge lately. I learned this song way back when I was about 22-23 years old when the song first came out, but I haven't played it since. I realized this time around that I never really played it in my younger years the way John Denver played it, where he maintains the flat picking pattern throughout all the verses.

I had to practice this a little bit before I could make a passable recording of this song using his approach!

It certainly makes the song a lot more interesting musically.

I think I am a better guitar player than I was when I first learned this song, which is a good thing to have come with age. But I am not a better singer than I was at that young age. The one thing I cannot do that I could once do is jump an octave higher at the end of this song using my falsetto voice, as John Denver originally did on his original recording. I had a reasonably clear falsetto once upon a time, but with age, my falsetto is pretty unreliable. But, you can't have everything.

I hope you like this -- thanks so much for listening!!

- Glenn

#2 05-31-2018, 06:59 PM

Very engaging performance Glenn! Well done!

reeve21 · #3 05-31-2018, 07:14 PM

Thanks Glenn, love it!

Glennwillow · #4 05-31-2018, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Doug

Very engaging performance Glenn! Well done!

Thank you Doug!

Thanks for listening and commenting! Glad you feel that this came out okay!

- Glenn

Glennwillow · #5 05-31-2018, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reeve21

Thanks Glenn, love it!

Thank you, Bob!

I am so glad you like this! It was a little more of a challenge than I was expecting!

- Glenn

mikealpine · #6 05-31-2018, 08:35 PM

Glenn, I really enjoyed this! I heard it recently as I was driving, sang along loud and proud. It’s a fun song to harmize with and I made a mental note to learn the opening guitar part. It was really nice to hear you, sitting alongside my wife I told her I want a similar recording setup. Thanks for putting thus one together!

Next up? How about James Taylor’s Shower The People? Just a thought...

CaptRedbeard · #7 05-31-2018, 09:00 PM

Nice cover! Always liked John Denver and btw, I can't make that falsetto leap anymore either. lol

Glennwillow · #8 05-31-2018, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikealpine

Glenn, I really enjoyed this! I heard it recently as I was driving, sang along loud and proud. It’s a fun song to harmize with and I made a mental note to learn the opening guitar part. It was really nice to hear you, sitting alongside my wife I told her I want a similar recording setup. Thanks for putting thus one together!

Next up? How about James Taylor’s Shower The People? Just a thought...

Hi Mike,

I thought I had answered your post a little while ago, but for whatever reason it's not here! Oh well -- I will try again!

First, thanks for the kind words about my rendition of "Rocky Mountain High!" I'm so glad you thought this came out okay!

And also, thanks for the suggestion of the JT song, "Shower the People." My wife has suggested that to me a couple of times, and I probably should have listened to her. I have always thought of this song as a group song because of the harmonies involved, but I will look at this song more seriously to see what I can do with it. I have always really liked this song!

Thanks so much for your feedback Mike!

- Glenn

Glennwillow · #9 05-31-2018, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptRedbeard

Nice cover! Always liked John Denver and btw, I can't make that falsetto leap anymore either. lol

Hi Capt!

Thanks so much for your comments and for listening! I am not surprised that I am not the only one who has mostly lost his falsetto voice in old age. I have read that when the voice is in trouble, the first part to fail is the falsetto. So I guess you and I are singing on borrowed time!!!

Thanks so much for your feedback Capt!

- Glenn

JeffaOM1 · #10 06-02-2018, 04:41 PM

Very nice. I've enjoyed all your John Denver covers. Thanks for sharing.

ADG · #11 06-02-2018, 05:46 PM

This was great. I thought the vocal performance was outstanding and the playing very engaging. We should all be so lucky to have your pipes ( and chops).

TBman · #12 06-02-2018, 08:57 PM

Great job Glenn!

Rogerblair · #13 06-02-2018, 09:03 PM

Nice job, Glenn. It takes a lot of focus to maintain the energy that is required to pull that one off. I really enjoyed your take on a great old standard from J.D.

Roger

Glennwillow · #14 06-02-2018, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffaOM1

Very nice. I've enjoyed all your John Denver covers. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you Jeff! I am so glad you are listening -- thanks so much for your positive response here! Much appreciated!

- Glenn

Glennwillow · #15 06-02-2018, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ADG

This was great. I thought the vocal performance was outstanding and the playing very engaging. We should all be so lucky to have your pipes ( and chops).

Thanks so much ADG! I'm glad you liked this rendition. It's been quite a while since I have tried my hand (or hands!) at playing this song. I appreciate your positive support and kind comments!

- Glenn