I'd like to thank our event blog hosts:
Fae @ Far Away Eyes
Here's how we play!!
We feature 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.
Our battles take place twice a month ~ on the 1st and 15th. Our 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!
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.
On with the show ~ ~ ~ ~~~
Featured Song - I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing.
Recorded in 1998 by Aerosmith (Steven Tyler sang lead.)
Songwriter Diane Warren.
"I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" is a power ballad performed by American hard rock band Aerosmith for the 1998 film Armageddon. Written by Diane Warren, the song debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 (the first #1 for the band after 28 years together). It is one of three songs performed by the band for the film, the other two being "What Kind of Love Are You On" and "Sweet Emotion." The song stayed at number one for four weeks from September 5 to September 26, 1998. The song also stayed at number 1 for several weeks in several other countries. In the UK, the song peaked at number four, becoming Aerosmith's highest charting song in the UK, where it was the 17th best-selling single of 1998, and has sold over a million copies. >>This song was also featured in the 2013 video game Saints Row IV. [2] -Wiki stuff & bio.com
Aerosmith is NOT a challenger for today's battle, but you can listen to the original... Soundtrack song and Movie Trailer
Today's battle: # 1- Lee Francis versus # 2 - Little Hurricane
Challenger 1 - Lee Francis is involved with the 'Reggae' culture of artists in the capacity of producer, singer, multi-instruments. He's singing is featured in two albums (that I could find): 'Sexy Love,' and 'Reggae Covers- volume 1.' He also has his own songs but finding biographical information is zilch.
Challenger 2 - Little Hurricane is an American rock and dirty blues band, based out of San Diego, California, United States. Formed in 2010, the band consists of front man Anthony "Tone" Catalano and drummer Celeste "C.C." Spina. Their influences include Van Morrison, Dead Weather, Gorillaz, James Taylor, Paul Simon, and The Beatles.
These are both nice twists on the song and they both work well.
ReplyDeleteThe reggae version is very catchy, but Little Hurricane is intriguingly dark sounding. I like the sound on this.
My pick is Little Hurricane. Good contrast in song covers.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
Thanks, Lee.
Delete>>...Little Hurricane is intriguingly dark sounding. I like the sound on this.
Lee, my sentiments too. I figured even Aerosmith would get a kick out of this cover. Got your vote and thank you for commenting too.
Dixie
Little Hurricane gets my vote. Like Arlee stated good contrasts in song covers. The reggae version didn't really work for me, I liked the vocals for Little Hurricane it was strange but I liked it!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mike.
Delete>>...I liked the vocals for Little Hurricane it was strange but I liked it!
Definitely strange! I liked it too.
Can't wait to see what you've posted today. Thanks for voting here (smile).
Dixie
They both went in really different directions. The second version sounds so retro. Not a fan of reggae, but I'm going to give my vote to Lee Francis.
ReplyDeleteWhoa! Alex, did I guess wrong on your vote. Yep - I was sure that retro would grab your attention. Oh well, got you for Lee Francis.
DeleteThanks for voting and the comment.
Dixie
Wow, this is a great pairing and I really had to pause to choose. I like the reggae vibe, but Little Hurricane gets my vote!
ReplyDeleteNice job, Dixie!
Hello Lady Cherdo - good to see you hanging out. Hope everything is going better (son healing)-(smile).
DeleteThanks, I'm glad you liked the pairing. A little something for everyone or most?!
Little Hurricane for you. Thanks for the vote.
Dixie
Kudos on finding two very different versions of this song (and both very different from the original!).
ReplyDeleteI liked the Little Hurricane version a lot, but it didn't sound at all like the original (aside from the words). I'm not sure they kept any of the original melody line. I think if they'd carefully inserted it into a few places I would've preferred their version over the other (because it was nice and twisty and dark and clever).
I'm not a big reggae fan, but I like the fact that Lee Francis kept the melody line, adjusting it to become reggae. The only thing I'd change about his version is cut off the ending. It went on a just a hair too long for my taste (repetitive), but aside from that really good.
Lee Francis gets my vote.
Hi Robin!
DeleteAll kudos are appreciated, and rare!
>>... nice and twisty and dark and clever. Great description, Robin.
I know - Reggae runs on - and I'll log you for Lee Francis! Great comment!
Dixie
DIXIE POLKA ~
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the song title, I thought I knew this one, but apparently I'm confusing it with some other, much older song with a similar title or line o' lyric.
I agree with what others have said about this being a really good pairing because they are such radically different versions of the same song.
My vote wasn't too hard to decide on though.
I greatly preferred the Reggae version by LEE FRANCIS.
I like Reggae but only sparingly - a little of it goes a long way for me, and I could never get through an entire album of nuttin' but Reggae. But an album that mixes a few Reggae-style songs into an otherwise non-Reggae album (e.g., David Lindley's 'El Rayo-X') is ideal.
The Reggae style works perfectly for lyrics such as we find in this song, and I really enjoyed that Lee Francis take on it.
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
~D-FensDogG,
Delete>>...I agree with what others have said about this being a really good pairing because they are such radically different versions of the same song.
That's probably the highlight of this battle. Ideally I like both and am undecided on which to choose.
I'm usually not into Reggae at all, but Lee Francis has some tunes that I enjoy.
This my favorite Aerosmith song, and I wanted something different to showcase it.
Thanks for the comment and I'll log your vote for Lee Francis!
Dixie
Dixie, whew these two covers are quite different, aren't they? It wasn't hard for me to pick my choice this go around and like most, if not everyone else I'm going to give my vote to Lee Francis. I simply liked the reggae version over the rock & dirty blues sound. Nice pairing, my friend! :D
ReplyDeleteMiss Cathy!
Delete>>...Nice pairing, my friend! :D
After that pairing, it's nice to still be considered friends. Ha!
Hey, check out Lee Francis for one of your song album feature posts. It might be something you'd enjoy. Meanwhile I'll log you for Lee.
Dixie
I liked Little Hurricane's version just fine but I liked Lee Francis' version better. I guess it was the overall Reggae sound that made it more appealing to me so Lee gets my vote on this one.
ReplyDeleteGreat match-up. I had no idea Aerosmith did this song!
Michele at Angels Bark
Hi Michele!
DeleteAerosmith had three days in the studio to cut the song for the movie soundtrack. The stdio loved it and no changes were made. They later recorded it on an album.
I'll log you for Lee Francis - then come play at your house (smile).
Dixie
Carp! I'm really not trying to be negative, really I'm not, but I don't care for either version of this song. I like the song itself. As a matter of fact I used it in a BOTB way back at the beginning when there were maybe two or three of us participating. I put the original Aerosmith version (which I like quite a bit) up against a country version by Mark Chestnutt (which got my vote).
ReplyDeleteNow, I like Reggae - A LOT, but I get a little impatient with every other song being transformed into a reggae beat. It's actually not all that hard to do and there are quite a few songs that are easily adaptable.
Having said that I really didn't like Little Hurricane's - what did you call it - rock and dirty blues, version. It seemed to change the whole song from a power ballad to some techno weirdness. Sorry, just my opinion.
SO...in the end give my vote to Lee Francis and the Reggae version, of the two I liked it miles, and miles, ahead of the other one.
Hi Fae!
DeleteCarp? Ha! My favorite will always be Aerosmith too. I did hear Mark Chestnutt, but... thing became 'thang' and didn't settle with me. Go figure.
You're not negative. You're descriptive!! Kudos! I'll log you for the 'miles and miles ahead,' Lee Francis.
Thanks for the really great comment and your vote.
Dixie
I vote for Little Hurricane because it sounds like music I'd want to play while I make love to Willy Dunne Wooters. Sorry for the TMI, but it's the truth.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Oh, Janie, if only all of my comments could be as pleasant as your comment (smile). Who gives a damn, who wins now? Ha!
DeleteThank you for the truth and a vote for Little Hurricane!
Smile.
Dixie
This is an excellent battle, Dixie! I thought for sure I'd vote Lee Francis; the reggae sound gave new life to this "classic" (I remember when this song was all the rage, and it really doesn't seem long enough ago to warrant classic status :D ), but then I clicked Play on Little Hurricane and — whooosh I was swept away. What a cool, novel, creative twist! My vote goes to them. And kudos to you for introducing me to new music I can fall in love with!
ReplyDeleteGuilie @ Quiet Laughter
Hi Guilie!
DeleteIt's safe to say that I fell in love with the movie trailer and song! I'm not sure how many times I've seen the movie - every time I end up in a puddle of tears - it's that touching.
To find two covers seemed crazy but I had to play with it. The song would not turn me loose. The Reggae and the dirty blues versions put a new spin on it - so I know what you mean!
>>...And kudos to you for introducing me to new music I can fall in love with!
I'm still having quite the struggle choosing between the two. They're two new mood takes on the same song, and totally different from Aerosmith's mood.
I'll log you for Little Hurricane. It makes me happy that you like the version. I hope you'll check out more stuff by them. Thank you for the complimentary comment and vote. (smile)
Dixie
How do you vote against a band who has Gorillaz as an influence?
ReplyDeleteBoth of these are so different from the original version, which was awesome. Of the two, I guess I liked Little Hurricane the best. I like my blues just a little dirty :)
Hi Donna!
DeleteJust for you... the Gorillaz touch - love Bruce Willis in this!
https://youtu.be/nhPaWIeULKk
Well, I'm glad you 'guessed' Little Hurricane. Guesses are good!
>>...I like my blues just a little dirty :)
Any chance of reading a post about this attitude on your blog?? Hmm?
Thanks for voting and be sure and watch Bruce! (smile)
Dixie
These are both so different from the original and I like the sound of "dirty blues". ☺
ReplyDeleteThe reggae version was interesting, but, I'd rather listen to Little Hurricane.
My vote goes to them.
Debbie-Dear!
DeleteI truly loved hearing 'Vincent' by Justin! Wow - played it three times. Thanks for that battle!
>>...I like the sound of "dirty blues"
Any chance of a post on this at your site? You, and Donna have me curious about this attitude(smile).
Hope this was a fun choice. I will log you for Little Hurricane!
Dixie
Glad you enjoyed my battle - Justin did win. :)
DeleteAs for "dirty blues"; I'll look into it. You might enjoy THIS
Thanks for the link, Debbie!!
DeleteFor this battle, I think I'm going to go with Lee Francis. I felt it was catchier. I liked the other song too, but I think I have to be in the mood for it, and I wasn't in the mood for it.
ReplyDeleteHi Jeffrey!
DeleteRegarding Little Hurricane: >> ... I wasn't in the mood for it.
I guess we'll have to wait and see if Donna or Debbie will elaborate on 'dirty blues.'
For this battle, I'm happy you chose Lee Francis. I hope you'll listen to some other songs of his. The song called, 'Whatever' is really nice. Lee is not full time Reggae (smile).
Thank you, Jeffrey. Logging you for Lee!
Dixie
Definitely liked Little Hurricane better. Love that British Invasion sound!
ReplyDeleteJohn - I was hanging out at your place earlier today. Had to hear Phil Woods again. Good memories!
Delete>>...Love that British Invasion sound!
I got'cha, John!
Another Little Hurricane vote. Thank you (smile).
Dixie
Little Hurricane gets my vote-I like the darker aspect while I am not one at all for Reggae
ReplyDeleteLittle Hurricane is definitely different.
DeleteI'm grateful you stopped by and voted in my battle. Thank you. I've got you logged.
Dixie
Hold on, let me get out my legal weed for the reggae version. Wait, we don't have any of that? We don't smoke? We're the worst Coloradans ever.
ReplyDeleteNeither of us cares for reggae at all, so while the second one may not be our cup of tea either, Little Hurricane wins our vote by default.
When I was a child, I spoke, smoked, toked, joked, as a child. Now that I'm grown up - I read your blog!
DeleteMy goodness - you've never purchased my "Song Default Insurance" (SDI)? what does it do, you wonder? Your votes automatically go on the winner's list, no matter which artist wins. Whaddaya think? IT's really cheap!
Two for Little Hurricane! Thank you Bryan and Brandon!
Dixie