WELCOME TO BATTLE OF THE BANDS!! aka, "BOTB".
First, a big shout out, and thank you to our blog hosts:
FAE
Stephen T. McCarthy
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. 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!
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 song, "Reason to Believe."
Wiki says: " "Reason to Believe" is a song written, composed, and first recorded by American folk singer Tim Hardin in 1965. The original recording of "Reason to Believe" comes from Hardin's debut album, recorded in 1965 and released on the Verve Records label in 1966 when he was 25." It has since been recorded by artists including Carpenters and Rod Stewart in 1971 and 1993.
Wiki says: Damita Jo DeBlanc (aka Damita Jo), was an American actress, comedian, and lounge music performer. She worked with Ray Charles, Count Basie, and Lionel Hampton. And, in 1963, she released a recording for Mercury Records with Billy Eckstine and the Bobby Tucker Orchestra. She also did a cover of Tim Harden's song, "Reason to Believe," in 1968.
Today's challengers: Tim Hardin vs Damita Jo
Oh Tim Hardin was a great songwriter! Damita Jo is the first woman I ever heard cover the song. I didn't like the instrumentation of her version so Tim will get my vote.
ReplyDeleteOkay, Mike. Thanks, and we have the first vote for Tim.
DeleteTim Hardin gets my vote!
ReplyDeleteThanks, eViL... another vote for Tim Hardin.
DeleteHi, Dixie!
ReplyDeleteI was familiar with the version of "Reason To Believe" recorded by Rod Stewart. Thank you for introducing two other fine renditions.
While I enjoyed the version performed by folk singer Tim Hardin, I found myself liking the soulful up tempo version waxed by Damita Jo. Damita's recording gave my spirits a lift. She sounds a lot like Dionne Warwick, don't you think? I vote for Damita Jo!
Thank you, dear friend Dixie, and have a great week!
You are right. Damita does sound like Dionne. I love the instrumental on her version. Thank you for voting, and I'll log you for Damita Jo.
DeleteI've always liked Rod Stewart's and the Carpenters' version of this song. Never got into Tim Hardin, but I've never given him much of a chance either. He does his own song well--no problem with that version.
ReplyDeleteHowever I like the Dionne Warwick-sounding version by Damita Jo the best. She gives the song a nice twist.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
Hi Lee. I've also heard Carpenters, who have a country/ folk sound, and Rod with the bagpipes. Tim and Damita were a surprise for me too.
DeleteThank you, and I'm glad you enjoyed Damita's version.
Bagpipes? In "Reason to Believe"? I remember the fiddle and the organ, but I must have missed the bagpipes.
DeleteArlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
Sorry Lee. It's another song that Rod does with bagpipes.
DeleteI vote for Damita Jo-I like the styling of the music more and her voice more. Tim Hardin's voice sounds a bit nasally to me
ReplyDeleteHi birgit! thank you for playing my battle. These two are really different, I agree.
DeleteI'll put you down for Damita!
This is a great song. I like Rod Stewart's version. I really didn't care for Tim Hardin's version, sad to say. I did definitely like Damita Jo's upbeat version so please give my vote to her.
ReplyDeleteThis song is going to be stuck in my head all day, I think! :)
Michele at Angels Bark
Thanks, Michele. Stewart, probably would have run away with votes. I chose not to use him.
DeleteGlad you liked Damita - I'll show your vote for her.
There was a lot to like about Damita Jo's version. I kind of liked the backing, and she has a great voice. Just not for this song. My vite goes to Tim Hardin.
ReplyDeleteHey, did you get my email about being a minion again?
Hi John, I'll log you for Tim.
DeleteYes, I got the email, I may have sent it accidentally to Susan, instead of to you. I would love to be a Minion again!
We both like folk music, but neither of us really clicked with Tim Hardin's version. Not sure if it's his voice, or maybe just the pace, but Damita Jo's arrangement, pace, and voice won us both over with ease. We each vote for her.
ReplyDeleteB&B, thank you for voting in my battle!! Wow, you both went with Damita? Cool :)
DeleteDamita's voice in the second version was good, but not a fan of the organ playing. It killed the song for me. Tim Harding gave an all around good performance. That being said, had Rod Stewart been a contender, he would have received my vote hands down.
ReplyDeleteMy vote goes to Tim Harding
Jeffrey, I think Rod would have created a blow-out. I know what you mean.
DeleteI'll log you for Tim.
DIXIE POLKA ~
ReplyDeleteI own the version of this song by THE CARPENTERS. I knew it was a cover, but I didn't know who wrote the original, and their recording was the only one I'd heard... until now.
I'll admit, I've always felt kind of "Eh" about The Carpenters' version, even though they are one of my all-time very favorite groups, and Karen is my favorite vocalist ever - male or female.
I confess to having read all the comments before listening to both of your competitors, and based on the comments, I was sure I'd be voting for Damita. Why? Because I like Dionne Warwick's music a lot. Plus, Damita has got some serious musical cred, having worked with Charles, Basie, Hampton, and Eckstine.
But in listening to Damita, I didn't think her voice sounded AT ALL like Dionne's. And, yes, the arrangement sounded a wee bit like a Warwick song might, but I did not at all like that choppiness that the rhythm gave to it.
Not only did I prefer the TIM HARDIN original, I think I may even like it better'n the cover by the fabulous CARPENTERS.
Interesting Battle, PIGTAILS! Drastically different versions of the same song, and a good illustration of a time when it made perfect sense to use the ORIGINAL recording of a song against a cover of it. Well played, DP!
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
Ha! you are a smart cookie. Carpenters' version is nice but I too, liked Tim Hardin better. Damita gave it a edge for the motown-ers, (if there are any left, besides me)
DeleteCarpenters vs Rod Stewart might have been fun!
It's okay to read the previous comments - I do not penalize! I'll log your vote: Time Hardin.
Another great song this week! I am really loving the battles this week. There sure are some really good songs, and they are all making me a bit nostalgic. If I could, I would vote for Rod Stewart, as that one is my most favorite version. But since he's not a contender....
ReplyDeleteI'm going to give my vote to Tim Hardin.
~Mary Burris
Jingle Jangle Jungle
Hi Mary. So many really like Rod, and The Carpenters. I figured I's go with lesser known covers.
DeleteTim Hardin for you.
This one was a learning experience. I didn't know who wrote this song, nor had I heard either of these two birds singing anything before. I'd at least heard the name "Tim Hardin."
ReplyDeleteThis will be a boring comment because I will echo so many others: if I could, I would vote for Rod Stewart. I own (like millions of other people) "Every Picture Tells a Story" and it was always one of my favorite albums.
"Miss" Damita Jo's version really bothered me. The instrumentation, her voice... heck, even the album cover. Bah!
Hardin at least just did a straight version of the (his) song. He gets the vote, though his voice bothers me also!
SBB6, no comment is boring. I've learned a few things with the battles; this one too. yep, Rod and Karen, would still be a killer battle. Hmm, maybe another time.
DeleteMeanwhile, I'm grateful you had time to participate. Tim Hardin is definitely worth the vote. Thank you.
Dixie, There was something about the way Hardin sung this song that told a story. I didn't feel that with Damita Jo. Tim Hardin gets my vote! Nice battle. )
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cathy. Tim for you!
DeleteI vote for Tim Hardin because I like the simplicity of his sound. His voice is honest.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
>>..."His voice is honest."
DeleteWow - I like that. Another vote for Tim.
I think this song is meant to be nostalgic and sad. Most of all, introspective. For that reason, I'm voting for Tim Hardin. I get all of that when he sings the song. Damita Jo has a nice voice (quite lovely:), but the arrangement of the song doesn't echo the feeling I want to get from it (upbeat, happy, etc.).
ReplyDeleteHi Robin. I understand what you're saying. That's something to keep in mind for future battles - the overall tones of the lyrics.
DeleteTim Hardin is logged for you, Robin:)
Tim Hardin by a country mile. Danita Jo, just did nit do it for me.
ReplyDeleteThank yoi, Fae... got you for Tim. ;)
Delete