Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Battle 17 for Sept. 1st ~ Ventura Highway or cruising the coast.

WELCOME TO BATTLE OF THE BANDS aka, "BOTB".


Our blog hosts:

Our battles take place twice a month ~ on the 1st and 15th. The results come six days later ~ on the 7th and 21st. That's when I return, add all of the votes, including mine, and announce the winner. Feel free to return and see if your choice won!

I'm dc~relief, and I'm featuring to two different recordings of the same song. Listen to both, and then vote for the song version you like the best.  Feel free to leave me a comment, along with your vote. 

If you would like to listen, and vote in other battles, please see the participant list in the right hand margin. If you would like to join this bi-monthly blog-event, visit the blog host, Stephen T. McCarthy. Leave him a message, and your blog address. We would love to have you participate.

Today's Battle Song:  Ventura Highway by the band America.

Background: [[The song went to number 8 on the Billboard Top 40 Pop Charts for America, spending nine weeks on the charts after debuting on November 4, 1972.[5] It also reached number 43 in the UK Singles Chart, staying in that chart for four weeks.[6]] Wikipedia

You can listen to America's original version here, but remember they are not part of the competition.



Today's Competitors: 
1 - Saxophonist and composer Tom Braxton - Jazz. Touring this summer!
2 - Claudia Gomes - singer, artist, and activist. Not a lot of information available, unless you can read Portuguese.






Extra Fun!!! A commercial featuring the song performed by The Gypsy Queens - do not vote for them. I just liked the commercial, and wanted to share it (smile).

Thanks everyone. See you on the 7th for the results.

45 comments:

  1. You came back to us with a great BOTB installment, DIXIE POLKA!

    I love this song! I love a number of hits by AMERICA and I still own one of their compact discs. 'SISTER GOLDEN HAIR' tears me apart, and always makes me think of a certain girl. It didn't work out, but I hope she's well and happy, wherever she is today.

    And the song 'LONELY PEOPLE' is practically an anthem for me. 'TIN MAN' was a tremendous song. (Did you ever notice that 'A HORSE WITH NO NAME' sounds almost exactly like Neil Young? If you didn't know better, wouldn't you think that WAS Neil Young singing?)

    This TOM BRAXTON cover is wonderful. There are some elements in it that I like even more than the original by America.

    The Claudia Gomes cover was nice, but BRAXTON's recording has some serious "Goldenshadow" going on in it. He gets my vote.

    "Goldenshadow": http://stephentmccarthysstuffs.blogspot.com/2011/02/goldenshadow-stab-pang-inconsolable.html

    What a comeback, dp!
    (Got E. Will r-E-ply soon'z I can.)

    ~ D-FensDogG
    'Loyal American Underground'

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm well and happy and my hair is still gold.

      Delete
    2. Ha! Pleased as Spiked Punch to hear it, JANIE! [;-)]

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
    3. I remember your post on Goldenshadow... though I may not fully grasp it, I can smile.
      Braxton took me back to the lounge days. After hours - patrons gone... kick off the heels, and dance alone in a single spotlight. Nothing like stockings on a wooden dance floor. Count the till, kill the bottle, and head out the door. Goodnight boss. Love the horns.
      Claudia - Sunday 7 a.m. - jump the bike. Peddle, peddle, peddle... ride to the field of morning glories. Wait for sunrise and peddle back. Was it Deja Vu today or yesterday? Maybe I'll know next Sunday.
      Went to a concert - backstage pass... Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Complimented them on the song (Horse with No Name); wondered why they all laughed. Brother Mike never lets me live that one down. Nightmare mistake. Ha!
      I'll log your vote for Tom Braxton.

      Delete
  2. I think I like Claudia's more upbeat style.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too but a hard choice for me this time.
      Claudia for Alex.

      Delete
  3. Hello again, dear Dixie! As I stated in my own BOTB post this week, it starts with a great song, and "Ventura Highway" is just that, one of the most memorable hits of the early 70s. Over the past few years I have developed a fondness for female soloists, female lead vocalists and girl groups. However, something got lost in translation when Portuguese singer Claudia Gomes performed this "all American" song. I thoroughly enjoyed the rich, smooth sound produced by jazz saxophonist Tom Braxton. The arrangement on his version is clean and uncluttered and the vocal style simple and straightforward. I vote for Tom Braxton, dear Dixie!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shady - I'm going to look for your BOTB post. It's not coming through here. Oh no!

      Translations are tricky - I got 'cha. I'll log you for Tom Braxton. Thank you.

      Delete
    2. Hi again, dear friend! My latest battle is already concluded and the results are posted. I conduct my battles in the off weeks so as not to compete with the main group's contests. You are welcome to visit me anytime, dear friend Dixie (smile).

      Delete
    3. Oh - Shady! You're doing 'Battle of the Banned.' Okay - I'll pop over for the next one. Thanks for letting me know. I felt a little lost. (natch).

      Delete
  4. Hi there!! I so wish I could vote for the Gypsy Queens because I love their version for sure! This is a great battle because the versions are different from each other quite a bit and they are both really good. I do like the faster upbeat tempo of Claudia's and her voice is very interesting. However my vote goes with Tom Braxton. I like his voice and the sound of everything together more.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh and the blog cover is Wonderful!!! I want to leave the office and go jump on my Harley.

      Delete
    2. Hi Holli. I started to do a three way but they take so long. I'm glad you liked Tom Braxton.

      Have fun riding!!

      Delete
  5. Welcome back, Dixie. Love your cover art!
    Ventura Highway brings back memories of a fabulous solo road trip I took in 2010, from San Diego to Santa Maria. Yup, I was on the Ventura Highway!
    Both versions have their merits, but I'm voting for Claudia because I liked the arrangement a bit more.
    Cool commercial! ☺

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Debbie. The cover art was sent to me by a guy that wants a mural on his office wall. This will take some time. I'll have to superimpose his bike over the background. Right.

      Love Claudia - she makes me want to move. I'll log her for you.

      Delete
  6. I love America (saw them five times). I love Ventura Highway. As soon as the Tom Braxton version started with the saxophone, I thought, Oh, yes, that's the one for me. Then Claudia Gomes began, and I like her voice so much that I must vote for her.

    Love,
    Janie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh good - your vote is down here!! I've seen America, in concert once. Great concert. Yep, I love saxophones too (smile).

      Logging you for Claudia.

      Delete
  7. I've always loved America (the group and the place) from the git go. "Ventura Highway" is a song that I've never tired of hearing over the years.

    You offer up a difficult choice. Both of these versions are very well done. However the Claudia Gomes version puts the most original spin to the song. I really like the drive behind the music and her voice has a pleasant quality to my ears.

    I can easily groove to the version by Braxton, but the Gomes version jumps out and grabs me, holding on tightly for a marvelous energetic ride down "Ventura Highway".

    My vote is for Claudia Gomes.

    Excellent Battle.

    Arlee Bird
    A to Z Challenge Co-host
    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lee. I didn't realize that Ventura Highway and Ventura Freeway are two different places. I enjoyed both versions as well. My own vote will be tough.

      Hmm, you had me fooled. I thought for sure you'd go for Tom. But no, I'll log Claudia Gomes for you (smile).

      Delete
  8. Both of these are really good covers of this song. I guess it all depends on how you want to travel down Ventura Highway. If you want that leisurely ride Tony is your guy. If you want it pedal to the medal than Claudia is your girl. Me, I like 'em both. I've now listened to both of them twice. I think my vote on this one could change by the hour. Right now, I prefer that pedal to the medal so cast one for Claudia.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Howdy Robin! You know, I'm just nice enough to let you change your vote... haha, no!! I get your point - I'm having issues already.

      Robin for Claudia Gomes!

      Delete
  9. Great Harley commercial! Thanks for sharing that! I like both your cover versions but my preference lies with Tony Braxton. His style is so breezy, easy going and great listening. So Tony gets my vote on this one. Good battle!
    Michele at Angels Bark

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Michele. Though I don't own a Harley... a motorcycle could be in my near future. Been a long time, though. Hard part is picking it up if I drop it - right?!! So don't drop it (smile). I too loved the commercial.

      I'll log you for Tom Braxton! (Tony Braxton is a female artist.)

      Delete
  10. Q: What's the difference between a Harley Davidson and a vacuum?
    A: The location of the dirtbag.

    Kidding, kidding. That's a little biker humor.

    This is a really tough battle. We both really like both covers. Ultimately, one of us picks Tom, and the other picks Claudia. Ask us in an hour, and we could very easily swap our votes. So it's only right that we vote one and one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What? You guys do biker humor too? And is it true that you two were voted "Presidents of the blogs"? (I know I read that somewhere.) Seriously, I love my vacuum. I wouldn't trade it for a Harley. I really am eyeing a cute little Ducati. (Is that spelling right?) Anyway, it's pearl white but has nothing to do with this post. Bah!

      Okay, so you're taking different routes to get to Ventura Highway, right?? One for Tom, and one for Claudia. Noted.

      Delete
    2. We do it all. And I wish we were the president of our blog, but our current president is a retarded goat.

      It was decided by the people democratically.

      Delete
    3. Yep - I saw 'Peggy Sue'...loved the one shoe - hate i missed the background story.

      Nice to know these things - I'll check out your store. Do you Peggy Sue t-shirts?

      Delete
  11. Love the voice of Claudia Gomez. Love the Portuguese accent. Give her my vote.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Jeffery! I wondered if anyone felt vibes for Claudia's cutesy sound?!! Yes - dcrelief scores.

      Logging Claudia for you (smile).

      Delete
  12. Well, I'm an old fuddy duddy because I STILL like America best.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cherdo - I'm older than you - what are you saying??
      Alright - I'll give you an 'honorary' vote! (smile) America.

      Delete
    2. As long as honor is involved....I'll take it and be thankful, my friend. Ha ha ha.

      Delete
  13. I love love love America's version.. but will give my vote to Mr Braxton. Welcome back!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Mary! Braxton's got that slow groove on - right? (Does anyone still say that? Probably not,) I'll log your vote for him.

      Delete
  14. Welcome back! You choose a classic song. Tom Braxton gets my vote, I liked his version better.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Mike - might as well kick it off right. Braxton's version is really nice. I may have tie going on right now - not sure but it is close. I'll log your vote for Tom.

      Delete
  15. Replies
    1. Hello Fae! I'm so glad you stopped for a listen and voted. Tom does a nice job and I'll log your vote for him (smile). Also, I hope you're on the mend soon.

      Delete
  16. Oh Dixie-Chick-a it's so nice to see you again! :D It's hard to out do America. I just love this group! After listening to both contenders who did an excellent job, I think I'm gonna give my vote to Glaudia Gomes. I liked hearing this song done with a woman for a change ~ quite nice! Good battle! Keeping you in my thoughts & prayers, my friend! {hugs}

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You curious thing, you! I hope your vacation has been a lot of fun. I caught a couple of your posts... but mostly I hid under the covers.

      Didn't you like that catchy beat in Claudia's version. I really wanted to run out and buy a motorcycle. (Yeah, sure, right.) I think my Schwinn is finally taking a dive. I'll be walking to the park from now on. Then again I've had it about 27 years! Okay. Done.

      I appreciate the good thoughts, Kiddo, and the prayers(!).Got you & DH on my list (smile). Logging you for Claudia!!

      Delete
  17. I prefer Claudia Gomes-more upbeat and her voice is great. Tom Braxton was just too Kenny G for me. It felt a bit too much like elevator music:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was reading about your Windows 10 issue, so I'm very glad you could get here, listen, and vote. I appreciate it!

      You hit the Kenny G. right. I thought about him too. I'll log you for Gloria Gomes!

      Delete
  18. It's been years since I've heard this song, and I really liked both versions. Though I think that Claudia Gomes has a wonderful voice, I'll have to go with Tom Braxton's jazzy style. Excellent choices for the battle, Dixie! Hope you're doing well.

    Julie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Julie. I am better but it is very slow going right now. At first I was going to come back to Battle in Nov-Dec. I'll know more in a few days.

      These two are very different and it' making it hard for me to choose. Maybe I'll know by tomorrow! Thank you for voting; I'll log Tom for you1

      Delete