Thursday, January 1, 2015

January - Battle # 1:: "I Open My Mouth To The Lord"

















Welcome to "dcrelief ~ Battle of the Bands" - my first battle! And after all of the crazy links, bells, and whistles to get this posted - I hope it's not my last (smile). Today's song was written by Dr. Robert Wise, and I've included a bit of information on him.

Dr. Raymond Wise, PhD. D., a native of Baltimore, Md., who began his musical career at the age of three, singing gospel music with his family singing group "The Wise Singers."  He was educated through the Baltimore City Public School System and graduated second out of a class of 500 from the Paul Laurence Dunbar Community High School in 1979.

As a composer Dr. Raymond Wise has penned more than 600 compositions that have been performed and recorded by local, national, and international recording artists. His goal is to use his education and experience to establish an accredited “Center For The Gospel Arts” in which “Gospel Music” and the “Gospel Arts” can be elevated, instructed, and promoted.  To this end, he founded and is President of Raise Productions (1985), a gospel music production company (Columbus, Ohio).

There are many recorded versions of Dr. Wise's song. I chose these two choirs. Enjoy!

1 ~ A unidentified director and college choir, posted to You Tube by Edgar David Sopón:



2 ~Britain's got talent - gospel choir, under the direction of Pastor Patrick George.



Now it's your turn! Listen to both. Choose the one you like best, and then leave a comment indicating your choice, and why you like that version of the song.

28 comments:

  1. The second selection was well performed, but for my taste it was a bit too much of a novelty as well as a bit shouty and oversung.

    I much preferred the subtlety and textured layers of the first arrangement. This is the version that I would enjoy listening to repeatedly.

    My vote goes to the first unknown choir. Tasteful and beautiful.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Lee...
      So glad you found my post... I did something but who knows what?

      Delete
  2. DIXIE POLKA ~
    I had no idea you were actually going to use this in your first BOTB. I thought it was just a practice run to see if everything was working as it should.

    Well, the sound quality of the first video was a bit ragged, but I think I'm voting for the unnamed college choir anyway.

    The second version has some fancy harmonizing going on, but it's a bit shrill to my ears at times.

    Also, the first one is a bit more simple in the harmonizing but there's a vocal quality there that sounds Bluesy, and I really like when Gospel songs also contain elements of Jazz and Blues. (I love Mahalia and so many of those arrangements she worked out with Blues and Jazz undertones.)

    So, give my vote to The Mystery Choir.

    ~ D-FensDogg
    'Loyal American Underground'

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Stephen...

      I think deleting it was my first mistake... then...
      This will get easier, right?!? Ha ha.

      Delete
    2. Yeah, you'll get the hang of it. Your blog is still linked at my blog in two different places: The Sidebar blog roll links, and at the bottom of my current BOTB page.

      I just double checked and they both lead right here to this page. The only thing that went wrong is that by deleting something you had above this, in the Sidebar links it's still showing that title as your most recent posting here, rather than the BOTB post. But it shouldn't matter because once they get here they will find THIS page.

      Another thing I would urge you not to do in the future is cover up your BOTB installments before the week is over. Some BOTBers begin posting new stuffs right away, on top of their BOTB blog bits, and that makes the Battle harder to find. And some people probably won't scroll down, but just read the uppermost posting. This undoubtedly costs them votes.

      ~ D-FensDogg
      'Loyal American Underground'

      Delete
    3. >.."Another thing I would urge you not to do in the future is cover up your BOTB installments before the week is over."

      I know what I did. Tried to change the time zone and deleted the post to supposedly start over.

      Thanks - I may need a practice blog!

      Delete
  3. I prefer the 2nd! I enjoyed the brightness to the song and the exuberance. The first choir was nicely done but it was boring...to me. So the Pastor get my vote:)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I had to listen to both of these twice. The first time I was distracted by the theatricality of the second and the lack thereof with the first. So, I went back and closed my eyes and listened to both.

    What I noticed is this: 1) The first group was much better when I wasn't looking at them. 2) The second group was much shriller when I wasn't looking at them, and not nearly so enjoyable. Our eyes sometimes deceive our ears!

    So, chalk a vote for the unknown choir.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I like the Pastor Patrick-directed version. The first one sounded good, but I guess because the quality of the video wasn't the same, maybe that's why it didn't sound quite as good. And off-topic, but shame on Simon Cowell for such an ugly remark.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kim. Yes that was ugly of Cowell. I like Pastor Patrick - spunk on the spin(!) I also like the college choir - is it me or did they seem to drag a bit? Yep - video quality was pretty much the same for all of the ones I liked for this challenge. Nothing professionally recorded under this song title. We'll see how this one goes.

      I enjoyed your battle a lot!

      Delete


  6. When I first heard the Pastor Patrick version (on your test post) I thought Wow, so I thought they would be a shoe in. BUT, I find that I like the more peaceful, reverent version of the first choir, so give them my vote. Who knew?

    If I could find a follow button on your blog I would follow, but so far no luck. Any suggestions?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Okay on the vote. I know exactly what you mean!

      I removed the follow feature when I shut down the original blog three years ago. I found what's called "Google plus." I haven't taken time.to see what it requires. I'll have a look evening, and thank you for your patience.(smile)

      Delete
  7. So glad you added the "Follow" button. So much easier for me and I'm sure many others. Now I'm following! And thank goodness you didn't resort to the dreaded "Google Plus" (though you can certainly use that option as well). I find Plus to add complications to the commenting process.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "Google Plus" is a rat's nest! This is an old blog; had to default to the old template layout. Done deal, sir! Thank you - happy to assist.

      We'll be reaching an altitude of 30,000 - buckle up!(smile)

      Delete
  8. Pastor Patrick's, on the strength of the "Amen" alone. I've heard our church choir do that particular "Amen" and they nearly knock the walls of the church down, but I think Pastor Patrick's group could do even more damage. That's the kind of singing that gets into your heart and soul and remind you, yes, you're alive, and you are loved.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. John - I like the way you think!

      "...and the walls came a-tumbling down..."

      Delete
  9. Not really my cup of tea...but if I had to choose, I'd say the second version. It seemed more rich sounding...more full.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kate. I'm not into tea either. So we add another vote for Patrick. Thank you for voting!

      Delete
  10. I've seen more than one person use the word 'shrill' to describe the second one, and I think that's true. It's a little less refined. However, it's also more fun, and while the first one is beautifully done that's also the kind of style that always made me nod off in church. If Pastor Patrick was in charge of music at my church, though, I'd probably have paid attention more. Give my vote to him. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep, you might find it hard to nod off during one of Patrick's concerts! Thank you Bryan and Brandon - one for the Patrick George Choir!

      Currently the battle is so close:
      The Unknown College Choir @ 4 votes
      The Patrick George Choir @ 5 votes

      Surprise, surprise!! But we'll see...

      Delete
  11. Wow, #2 has my vote. The first one also sounded great, but the visual performance of #2 took me by surprise.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's what I'm talking about! Thanks for voting Sharon.

      Patrick and choir score another!

      Delete
  12. EASILY the second one. It's got so much more soul.

    ReplyDelete
  13. i'm going to save my vote for the next battle.

    ReplyDelete