It's that time again, and I'd like to thank our musical event hosts: Fae and Stephen T. McCarthy.
Today's battle runs from Sunday, May 15th to Saturday, May 21st. I'll be posting the results by noon (EST)on May 21st., hoping that gives enough time for everyone to vote!! Normally we post two versions of the same song, and you vote for the version you like most.
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!
Lastly - 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, I'm changing up the rules a bit. Yes sir! I'm going with same song titles but completely different songs. You'll still vote for the song you like the most... so here we go!
Personal notes:
My early life was greatly influenced by the Motown sound. I had an aunt who taught me dancing. Put them together and I was one moving, grooving kid! Thus THE FOUR TOPS entered my world, and have remained ever since.
Fast forward to 1978 and a movie titled GREASE came out and I loved the soundtrack. It kicked off what became known as the Disco era, even though the music was simply deemed an interpretation of Rhythm & Blues, by the English group, THE BEE GEES. Once again, I was 'moved' by music, mentally and physically.
Today's song is titled, "Still Waters"... which ironically became known as "Still Waters Run Deep" by both featured groups. Both are considered to be "brother bands," but only one group is made up of true blood-brothers. See you on the 21st!
Today's contestants are:
1- The Four Tops
2- The Bee Gees
Background on the groups and their songs:
Wiki says: "Still Waters Run Deep is a 1970 album by the American vocal group the Four Tops. Released in March 1970 on the Motown label. Produced by longtime Norman Whitfield associate Frank Wilson, the album returned the Four Tops to the top forty on the album charts where it peaked at number twenty-one on the albums chart yielding the popular Top 30 hits, "Still Water (Love)" (#11), which was co-written by Smokey Robinson and their cover of "It's All in the Game" (#24), which featured rare co-leads by Four Tops members Abdul "Duke" Fakir, Renaldo "Obie" Benson and Lawrence Payton singing alongside prominent lead Levi Stubbs. The album also served as inspiration behind singer Marvin Gaye's What's Going On, the hit title track, which was written by Benson. The song was written by Smokey Robinson and Frank Wilson."
Wiki says: "Still Waters (Run Deep)" is a song by the Bee Gees. It was the third and final single issued from their album, Still Waters, which was released in 1997. It is a pop ballad written by Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb and recorded in the previous year. The recording and producing of the song were assisted by Hugh Padgham. For the third time in a row, the Bee Gees made a United Kingdom Top 20 hit single from the same album, peaking at No. 18 in the UK Singles Chart.[1] It peaked at No. 57 in the United States Billboard Hot 100,[2] their most recent appearance in that chart. The single performed well on continental European charts. On 14 November 1997 they performed the song in Las Vegas for their One Night Only concert to promote the single.[3]"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSi9DJAgarw
I've always liked the music of the Four Tops, but I like the BeeGees even better. The "Still Waters" song by the Four Tops had a nice sound, but it seemed to ramble on and not really get much anywhere. The Bee Gees song had better lyrical content and a more interesting melody to my ears.
ReplyDeleteMy vote goes to the Bee Gees.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
>>..."a more interesting melody to my ears."
DeleteSounds like a good reason to me. Thank you.
First vote: Bee Gees
There's just something about the Four Tops' delivery that sparkles. The Bee Gees were okay, but my vote goes to the Four Tops!
ReplyDeleteEPT - I got'cha on the "Sparkle."
DeleteFirst vote: Four Tops
I'm actually going with the Four Tops on this one.
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing I know why. Okay. Thank you for playing today.
DeleteFour Tops!
I'm a Motown fan as well and also a Bee Gees fan, but more of their pre-Disco stuff, before Barry starting singing falsetto. (Not my favourite vocal style.) Please give my vote to The Four Tops.
ReplyDeleteAnother Motown fan?? Yippee! I hope you're back with us today!
DeleteFour Tops for Debbie!
Sure am! :) Going with something different today.
DeleteDebbie, I loved your battle - it was a tough choice!
DeleteI liked the music of the Bee Gees' version, the way it took a left turn before the chorus. It's the feeling of, "all right, we're doing this music, and then we're going to do THIS and come back to what we were doing." And maybe I'm feeling just a little sentimental seeing Robin and Maurice again. I liked the Four Tops version also; it's classic early-Seventies Motown, the beginning of Motown's Golden Age. This one I'm giving to the Bee Gees, because I liked the hook.
ReplyDeleteWell said John; I miss the Bee Gees' harmonies too. I hope you're playing today. I'll be by soon.
DeleteBee Gees
Dixie, I always liked The Four Tops. I don't remember their song, but I like it; no question about it it's a good one. The Bee Gees song sounds a bit familiar. I've always been a fan of theirs, too. I liked the disco era. I know some folks didn't care for it too much. Different strokes for different folks, right? Anywho, I'm giving my vote to the the Gibb brothers just because I love the feel of the song. Nice battle!
ReplyDeleteUrgent #BoTB showdown
>>..."Anywho, I'm giving my vote to the the Gibb brothers just because I love the feel of the song."
DeleteI know what you mean. Disco was fun to me. I voted at your house earlier. Tough battle.
Brothers Gibb.
Wow, this one is tough. I'm a big Motown fan and I love the Four Tops. But I also love the Bee Gees.
ReplyDeleteRegarding this song, I'm giving my vote to the Bee Gees. It was lively and I liked the lyrics and loved the sound. So sad the fate of the Brothers Gibb Robin and Maurice. Hard to think of only one Bee Gee left...
Good battle Dixie.
Michele at Angels Bark
Barry is still plugging away with all the kids. Maurice's daughter, Samantha has some nice songs.
DeleteBee Gees.
Love me some Motown. Best thing that ever happened to music, no joke. I'll lean that way frequently, but not so today.
ReplyDeleteIn my oh-so-short life (ha), I've had the opportunity and privilege to see a whole lotta concerts and many great artists. Somewhere along the way, I developed a solid Bee Gee love and you're going to have a hard time getting me to vote against them, ha ha.
BEE GEES!
My only regret is never having seen the Bee Gees in concert when I had the chance. Hope you saw them, Cherdo.
DeleteBee Gees take another vote!
I don't think I can decide this time. I am a fan of both from a long time ago for different reasons. I recluse myself this time.
ReplyDeleteJono, I completely understand. Every time i come by to catch up on comments, I re-listen to both. I love both and still have no clue which one I'll vote for.
DeleteI'm very happy you would take time to listen. That in itself, is appreciated. You're welcome to return and leave a vote... we have 2.5 days left here.
DIXIE POLKA ~
ReplyDeletePlease don't yak this to anybody else, but...
....I think you may have become the best BOTBer of all. I know FAE likes to call me "Mr. BOTB", and of course I was instrumental in making her thing "a thang", but I think you've perhaps become my favorite BOTBer (and that's including meboy!)
Loved this one. I thought both recordings were really good. I hate 99.90% of Disco, but I don't consider this Bee Gees song "Disco". It was good. (And, BTW, I love 'Nights On Broadway'! I always crank that bad boy up to ELEVEN!)
I never knew the Four Tops / Marvin Gaye connection (other than the record label). That "Benson" mention was very enlightening. The stuffs we learn from BOTB, eh?
I think Gaye's 'WHAT'S GOIN' ON' is the greatest Soul album of all time, and by a large farkin' margin! And listening to that Four Tops track with that "Marvin" connection in mind - HOKEY-SMOKE! - its unmistakable! So obvious, once you know it!
All the way,
I vote for
Marvin "FOUR TOPS" Gaye!
Great Battle! Looks like either contestant might win.
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
~ D-FensDogG... wow! Thank you.
DeleteConsidering the many blowout looking scenarios I've experienced this year, I am really excited about this battle, (major smile). 'Mums' the word on the compliment... here's hoping my humble heart will not let my head swell.
If you liked 'Nights on Broadway', you might like 'Winds of Change'. I confess to liking Disco but Bee Gees have quite a contrast in the many years they played together. So I'm happy you enjoyed this song.
I really liked Marvin Gaye too. I suspect he helped many great artists with the 'Motown' soulful stuffs. He and Benson really helped this group go over the Top. I found this particular CD for 25 cents, at a yard sale six years ago. Trivia: I like doing housework while listening to it.
Hope you're feeling better!
Pigtails
Hi, Dixie!
ReplyDeleteThanks for poking me today over at SDMM. I appreciate the visit. I remember this Four Tops song "Still Water (Love)" but I don't think I ever heard the Bee Gees song "Still Waters (Run Deep)." Like you I grew up loving the Motown Sound and the Four Tops were heavy hitters at my hangout the Shady Dell. By the end of the 60s Motown had lost its way, in my opinion. Soulful love ballads and up tempo dance numbers, the bread and butter of the Motown Sound, were for the most part abandoned, replaced with psychedelic sounds and songs aimed at raising social awareness. Most of the fun was lost in the process. The Four Tops were in the groove in the mid 60s, but I didn't particularly care for their 1970 single "Still Water (Love)" penned by Smokey Robinson and Frank Wilson. The melody is nondescript, the lyrics are sparse and uninteresting and the singing overwrought. The Bee Gees were also at their best in the mid 60s and I didn't like their 70s Disco phase, but on this 1997 single, "Still Waters (Run Deep)," the brothers Gibb returned to form. The song boasts powerful lyrics and is delivered in a compelling manner. I love both of these acts but, in this specific match-up, the Bee Gees get my vote.
Thank you very much, dear friend Dixie!
Shady - you are so right. When Motown 'left' I was saddened by the loss. Even though I was pretty young, I had a lot of exposure due to older friends and family. Today I hear an old tune and memories hit me still of times long ago.
DeleteI am happy you enjoyed the Bee Gees' song. The lyrics are really 'deep'. The music is snappy!
Vote: Bee Gees
Neat Battle Dixie! The Four Tops get my vote, I like their sound more.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mike, and I enjoyed your battle too.
DeleteVote: The Four Tops.
I will say that, honestly, I didn't really like either of these numbers much. However, of the two I will go with the Motown "Still Waters" based on the edge that Motown in general holds over disco. If this were Jimmy Fallon singing AS Barry Gibb on the song, I'd vote Fallon!
ReplyDeleteSheboyganboy VI...
DeleteEh? A Fallon fan, huh? I've watched some hysterical videos he's done of BARRY! I understand, I think.
Still, it's nice to know you're a Motown fan...
Thank you for voting here today. I appreciate your time travel, (smile).
@dcrelief from
remove the rose colored glasses
anartfulblogger
dcrelief - Battle of the Bands
Tough decision today. I enjoy the Four Tops and the motown sound, but I am also a fan of the Bee Gees. So I had to listen to both songs more than once to make my decision. I'm really torn, but I think I am going to give my vote to the Bee Gees.
ReplyDeleteMary
Jingle Jangle Jungle
Mary, I get it. I have really challenged myself with this battle. Who will I vote for? I don't know yet.
DeleteVote: Bee Gees.
I had to find versions of both on YouTube since I live in Canada and, for some reason, they won't play here. Neither are my favourite but I give it to the Four Tops...I like their styling better. the Bee Gees were never in my hit parade especially when he sings falsetto
ReplyDeleteBirgit, I'm sorry the links wouldn't play. I'll keep that in mind for the next battle. Thank you for the effort to hear them, where you are, and still vote!
DeleteNot everyone can take the falsetto, I agree.
Vote: Four Tops.
I always thought of myself as a kinda sorta Four Tops fan, but i didn't know this song. I liked both versions, but I like the Four Tops better. Give them my vote.
ReplyDeleteFae - a new song for you? Cool, and still the fan. this is proof, I think.
Delete>>..."I liked both versions, but I like the Four Tops better."
Yes, and that's how we play!
Vote: Four Tops.
I grew up with the Bee Gees. I'd recognize that concert anywhere. One Night Only, 1997. My mom had that tape and played it often. The Four Tops version was really good, and for that one my cohort votes. But me, I've got to give it to the brothers Barry, Maurice, and Robin. Most people just think back on their disco, but their non-disco songs were fantastic.
ReplyDeleteAha! Beer Brothers, you win the candy for the righteous comment. Yes, One Night Only - one of the best concerts, I think.
DeleteSo we have a split vote here! Thank you for visiting my battle!
Vote: One for Four Tops
Vote: One for Bee Gees.
I vote for the soulful sound of The Four Tops.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Janie - definitely soulful!
DeleteVote: Four Tops
Both of these were really good.
ReplyDeleteUntil this battle I had no idea The Bee Gees even recorded anything as late as 1997. So, it was a real treat seeing the three of them performing that song at that time. I didn't know the song (obviously), but they still had the magic. I love the idea of family being close enough to make a career out of their lives. Plus, they sound so darn good together. It really brought back some wonderful memories for me.
In case there's any doubt here, I'm voting for The Bee Gees. Thanks Dixie!!!
Robin, if you get the chance 'google' this concert, called "One Night Only" from 1997. It was really great. I think you'd like it.
DeleteVote: Bee Gees.
Very interesting battle. I like the Bee Gee's and thought for sure I'd be voting for them. But I love what the Four Tops have put together. Please give my vote to them.
ReplyDeleteJeffrey - so you liked the Motown flavor a bit more?
DeleteThank you for voting. I hope you're back with us come June. And I hope you're feeling better.
Vote: Four Tops