"Dust in the Wind" by Kansas (cover)

Glennwillow · #1 09-20-2020, 02:58 PM

In 1977 Kansas released their album, "Point of No Return," which included "Dust in the Wind." This song reached No. 6 in the Billboard Top 100 in April, 1978. I have always liked this song but never was motivated to learn to play it until recently when we were smothered by smoke from all the forest fires and wildfires along the USA west coast this September (2020). This song popped into my head and got stuck there, like an ear worm, so I felt I should try to record this.

I am not a violinist so I decided to play the violin solo on my 12-string guitar after I recorded the main guitar and vocals. I also doubled the 6-string Travis pick accompaniment on my 12-string.

Thank you for listening!

- Glenn

ChuckS · #2 09-20-2020, 03:26 PM

Hi Glenn,
Most of what I listen to, and what I play, is solo instrumental guitar but I really enjoyed this. This is material I was listening to in that era. Very nice performance. Thanks for posting it.

Glennwillow · #3 09-20-2020, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChuckS

Hi Glenn,
Most of what I listen to, and what I play, is solo instrumental guitar but I really enjoyed this. This is material I was listening to in that era. Very nice performance. Thanks for posting it.

Thank you Chuck!

I appreciate the kind words!

I do realize that most guitar players these days are into instrumental pieces where nobody needs to sing. In fact, just about all the covers of "Dust in the Wind" are instrumental covers, which makes sense. The vocal line is so ridiculously high, even for a player with a half-way decent singing voice.

I was not sure that I could sing this song well. I just decided to try it and on that particular day I was lucky enough to hit most of the high notes.

Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment Chuck! It's greatly appreciated!

- Glenn

Rogerblair · #4 09-20-2020, 03:49 PM

That is a great song, and one I’ve loved since day one. It’s fun to do as well, but as you said some days are better than others, especially as we “mature”. As I recall Kansas didn’t do many songs of this type (Carry On was another) and most of their stuff didn’t appeal to me. With this one I think they hit it way over the left field fence.

Nice job, Glenn. You did it quite proud! I hope you and your family are well.
Roger

Glennwillow · #5 09-20-2020, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogerblair

That is a great song, and one I’ve loved since day one. It’s fun to do as well, but as you said some days are better than others, especially as we “mature”. As I recall Kansas didn’t do many songs of this type (Carry On was another) and most of their stuff didn’t appeal to me. With this one I think they hit it way over the left field fence.

Nice job, Glenn. You did it quite proud! I hope you and your family are well.
Roger

Thank you Roger!

We are very well here, especially since most of the overhanging smoke has been blown away by the Pacific Ocean winds. Unfortunately, that haze is being blown over the entire continental USA and out onto the Atlantic.

Thanks for taking the time to listen and comment, Roger. I'm glad you thought this came out well.

I hope all is well for you, too! Take care!

- Glenn

TBman · #6 09-20-2020, 05:49 PM

Wow^2

Great job Glenn!

Glennwillow · #7 09-20-2020, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBman

Wow^2

Great job Glenn!

Thank you Barry^2!

How terrific that you thought this came out well! I very much appreciate your time in commenting here!

I hope all is well out there on the other coast! Stay well!

- Glenn

zeeway · #8 09-20-2020, 08:06 PM

Glenn...I am running out of superlatives to describe your work. Let me just say it was outstanding.

Hope your ...dust in the wind...will clear up there and give you some good air to breathe. Prayers for you and your family.

Glennwillow · #9 09-20-2020, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeeway

Glenn...I am running out of superlatives to describe your work. Let me just say it was outstanding.

Hope your ...dust in the wind...will clear up there and give you some good air to breathe. Prayers for you and your family.

Thank you Angie!

I appreciate your kind thoughts and words and your prayers. In fact, we are doing a little better over the last couple of days. I started on this "Dust in the Wind" recording project about Tuesday of last week, so while I was working on this, things improved slowly over the week. By Saturday things were looking up a little.

And really, we had only smoke to deal with. We stayed inside and ran our air filters and went a little stir crazy but we were fine. We did not have to deal with any evacuations or nearby forest fires. Many people were not so fortunate. So I'd say we were lucky.

Regarding the YouTube performance, thank you very much for your supportive and kind words. I am so pleased that you thought this came out well!

I was not really sure that I could do this song justice when I started, so I was relieved that it came out okay.

I hope all is well for you Angie!

- Glenn

sevargnhoj · #10 09-21-2020, 07:07 AM

I was noodling the other day and "found" the intro lick.

Sing in that register? Haha.

Very nice, Glenn.

saxonblue · #11 09-21-2020, 07:15 AM

Fantastic Glenn, great vocals too.

noledog · #12 09-21-2020, 08:29 AM

Yo Glenn,

You jam a lot of excellent stuff bro and I enjoy 'em all... but dude this is some next level jam that is outstanding! Being a lead vocalist most of my life I can really appreciate your vox and especially your harmonies because I always suffered from lead vocalist syndrome and had a hard time with harmonies. Your guitar work here is beautiful from every aspect. Most enjoyable bro!

eric

Glennwillow · #13 09-21-2020, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sevargnhoj

I was noodling the other day and "found" the intro lick.

Sing in that register? Haha.

Very nice, Glenn.

Hi Sevargnhoj!

Yes, that Travis pick intro is so classic. And if a person knows how to play the Travis pick, that intro is not too difficult to fall into.

But yes, all those high notes... Man, they're all up at the very top end of my vocal range, and at age 72 I had to practice this for a few days before I had any chance at all. Part of pulling this off is trying to stay relaxed in the larynx but a large part is learning how to do it through practice. As I commented to an earlier response in this thread, I was not really sure I could do this.

Thanks for listening and taking time to comment! Much appreciated!

- Glenn

Glennwillow · #14 09-21-2020, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saxonblue

Fantastic Glenn, great vocals too.

Hi Mick!

Thank you! I'm glad you are listening, and I really appreciate your time in commenting! Stay safe out there!

- Glenn

islandguitar · #15 09-21-2020, 08:53 AM

Hi Glenn!
Saw your post last night, but opted not to listen as I was tired and wanted to listen with "fresh ears". So glad I did.
This work is stunning Glenn. Even to the point of giving me chills in a few places! (12 string lead and harmonic being one of them).
How you hit the high notes.......we'll never know! LOL!
Congrats on a beauty, both performance and with presentation technically.
I'm off to a good day because of that!

Stay safe!
Fred