Operator - Jim Croce Cover

Performed by The Other Favorites with Reina Del Cid and Toni Lindgren on a day off in Desert Hot Springs, CA.

Instagram @joshua_lee_turner

I had a bit of a cold during this one, sorry about that. Recorded live on a Zoom H6 and a U87Ai.
Big thanks to Toni for letting me play her Martin HD-28V, and letting Carson play her J-Bass (through his Zoom AC-2). She is playing Reina's Martin 00-15, and Reina is playing Carson's shaker. Sharing is caring.

Edited in Pro Tools and Premiere.

[markwesley]

I'm pushing 70 years old. The plethora of hits from the "distant" past being sung by these highly skilled and wonderfully presented youngsters (includes Alison Young, et. al.) have been providing me with huge dollops of pure joy. You people make me forget the woes of the world and provide hope for the future. Thank you.

[travisjennette]

I've been a professional musician for 35 years. This is the best cover of this song I've ever heard! Best of all things to all of you and yours!

[merlin]

I'm smiling because the music of my youth has been left in good hands.

[braydenname]

Bass player singing the bass notes in the harmony is Gold

[jeremiahgarcia]

My father was my best friend, mentor, and my compass. He passed away last year i was not even 17 yet. He was obsessed with music and the feelings he could impose on himself and the things he could create. I never understood the world he lived in, nor did it appeal to me. Shortly after he died i picked up the martin guitar that we had hung up on the wall with his help. Its been about a year now. And my biggest regret was not finding this world in music sooner. Though i sometimes feel i was too late, music is still too often my road to him. Its as if im with him again when i pick up my guitar. All to often i find myself weeping late at night to his music on and old zune audio recorder. Though it hurts more than I could put into words. Just as music does, his voice connects me back to him and brings me some form of closure i will always cherish. Ive heard a hundred covers of operator. But none of them made me cry the way this did aside from his cover for obvious reasons. Thank you dearly for sharing this piece of beauty. When you inevitably blow up even more than you have. Ill still be in debt and forever more great full to you lot.

[nedwards]

I was born in 1958. So pleased to see the younger generation covering this great singer/composer and gone too soon. Thank you! Well played!

[livingadreamlife]

You honored Jim Croce with this cover of his song. I can’t pay you a higher compliment than that.

[morethan]

There were no more operators, no more payphones when these kids were growing up. But a classic is a classic and a heartbreak feels the same across all ages and all people and all time. RIP Jim and Maury. You must be proud of these kids.

[PeterGregg]

I am now in my 60's. This song came out when I was much younger than you, such a personal conversation to listen in on. Truly marks this as a touching and emotionally revealing insight into a deeply personal moment of a life. I smile when I see your talent, you are making and leaving a mark on this earth. Who put such talent in you?

[wayneeverett]

EXCELLENT !!!! 65 yr old guitarist, here. Best cover I ever heard anyone do of this. I remember when it came out. Just Excellent !

[JusBidniss]

Jim Croce wrote this while doing basic training in the National Guard in 1966, far from home and his new bride Ingrid. While standing in the rain with other guardsmen, each waiting their 3-minute turn at the pay phone, some of whom had gotten Dear John letters or calls (their ladies breaking up with them), Jim was impacted by these stories and the humanity of the occasion. His songs were like that, simple yet profound glimpses of life. Thanks for keeping this one alive!

[jakoblarsson]

so pleasurable I can't find words

[debratreston]

I’m 60 years old and like those have said before me, I have never heard such an AMAZING version of this timeless Jim Croce masterpiece. I’m certain he is smiling down on you. I just cannot believe how long it’s been. I’m tearing up listening and remembering. Thank you.

[davidwebb]

wow! young people singing a Jim Croce song ... life is still beautiful! humanity lives on! awesome, guys! thanks for sharing!

[ianson]

Carson's bass vocals are prominent in my headphones and are spot on. Really adds depth, as does his bass playing. Hey Carson, with all the praise that goes to Josh, your contributions are not underestimated at all.

[nancyloftus]

So pure...the singing, instruments...they have old souls.

[CeeOlleab]

I am 70 and I love guitar music - as my late brother used to play the guitar and this was one of the songs he loved to sing. Fantastic cover - you did justice to the song and to Jim Croce, legend.

[grizzlybearkid]

i'm 20 and my dad is 60. he loves this song and watches this video every day and it inspired him to learn guitar. thank you for making my dad so happy :)

[gordcurrie]

This just proves that you dont need computers and vocal harmonizers to create great music. This is the real deal right here and JIM CROCE would be proud to hear his music sung by a new generation.

[tulsavol]

Outstanding! Jim could only be very pleased. Thanks for sharing.