This was some battle... I wondered which way it would go. I've had a tough time choosing, but finally I stepped into the light. Both groups are my passion. I have CDs I enjoy every week. I almost flipped a coin! Ha, yes, that tough. You guys really turned this into a tight voting experience. The end result was 'sooo' very close. Thank you for voting in my battle. The comments were great. I wonder what makes each of you 'tick'... and those comments keep me laughing and pondering what song to hit you with next time. Speaking of NEXT - be here (please) for our next battle on June 1st. Thank you, Fae, and Stephen T. McCarthy ... our co-hosts for this fun musical event!
Your interest in joining this blogging event would be most welcomed. Please go to Stephen T. McCarthy's blog, leave your name and blog link in the comment box!
Winner: Four Tops @ 11 votes
Bee Gees @ 10 votes (including mine).
With a battle THIS close, I'm leaving you with a song from each.
I'm dedicating this Four Tops number to me, because I didn't vote for them - sorry guys.
I've chosen a version from 'The Midnight Special- 1975' show-casing the high part sung by Maurice Gibb. Later versions have Barry singing those high notes. Why? You tell me. Maurice always sang the high notes... until Barry's falsetto came along, I guess.
WELCOME TO BATTLE OF THE BANDS!! aka, "BOTB". 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]"
Welcome to RESULTS DAY for Battle of the Bands!! There were some pretty interesting and exciting battles this time around. I hope you got the chance to participate. If not, we return on May 15th for another awesome adventure of BOTB! I'll be looking for everyone to join in the fun!
We have two hosts for this musical event. I'd like to thank Fae and Stephen for their examples and guidance. You never know when they'll "tweak" a battle. Our other participants, (listed in my right-hand margin) bring additional surprises! You won't know if you don't go, and have a listen, (smile). The song I featured was by Cheap Trick : "I Want You to Want Me." It was supposed to be included on their first album, titled, 'Cheap Trick," but did not make the cut. It was a country version. I've researched and discovered that this version was replaced by Cheap Trick after they heard a more upbeat version by a French Group. It is also the version they included on their second album. Therefore the original version is not available. CMT (Country Music Television) recently aired a "CMT Crossroads" program, featuring Jennifer Nettles with Cheap Trick doing this song. Is it a country version? I don't know. All videos of the performance cannot be played due to Viacom copyright grounds. So I'm still not able to bring a country version, played by Cheap Trick. CMT's program aired March 24th. Jennifer Nettles' new album, "Playing with Fire" should be out soon. This song will be included, but I'm not sure if Cheap Trick will be on her album, with her.
Thank you to everyone who could listen, and take part in my battle. This one brought me a few chuckles. Those who don't care for country music - a special "thanks' for toughing it out! (smile). The results of this battle... Dwight Yoakum @ 10 votes, including my vote.
Gretchen Wilson @ 5 votes
Your interest in joining this blogging event would be most welcomed. Please go to Stephen T. McCarthy's blog, leave your name and blog link in the comment box!
The next battle takes place on Sunday, May 15th. I hope to see everyone then!! I'm closing out with the song that was SIDE B of "I Want you to Want Me,"titled, "California Man."
WELCOME TO BATTLE OF THE BANDS!! aka, "BOTB". This musical event is sponsored by our blog hosts: Fae and Stephen T. McCarthy. Thank you, guys!
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. Today's battle runs from May 1st to May 6th. I cut my battle off at midnight on May 6th, posting results on May 7th. 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 co- host, Stephen T. McCarthy. Leave him a message, and your blog address. We would love to have you participate.
Let's go!! Today's battle song: "I Want You to Want Me," by the group, Cheap Trick.
Background noise: This song has a long and intriguing history. It was written by Cheap Trick's guitarist Rick Nielsen and recorded for their 1977 self-titled debut album, but it didn't make the cut. The song was included on their second album In Color, which was released later in 1977. Originally, this version had a medium tempo with a country feel and a honkey tonk piano throughout the song. (I have not been able to locate that particular version.) Later a French cover version ("J'attends Toutes les Nuits") by a fairly obscure French synthpop artist named Niko Flynn, sped up the tempo and put a beat to the song. Suddenly the song was changed from Country to Rock! Lastly, this is one of the few rock songs that starts with the chorus.
In 1978, the band had dropped it from their setlist, but restored it when they toured Japan that year, since Japanese audiences loved the Rock Version of this song. They played it on April 28th and 30th at their famous concerts that took place at the Budokan temple in Tokyo, which was a big deal because many Japanese citizens felt the temple was sacred and not appropriate for rock concerts. The concerts were released as the Live At Budokan album, which captured Cheap Trick's live energy and turned their fortunes around in America, where the album was released in February 1979 and sold over 3 million copies. The extracted "I Want You To Want Me" became their first hit, charting at #7.
Song writer, Rick Nielsen explains his perspective behind the song:
"I just pictured myself in a big, overstuffed chair, and my dad turned on the TV; there were like three stations. I wanted to watch Gabby Hayes – he was a cowboy. I always wanted what wasn’t there, so I think that’s what made me inquisitive throughout my whole life. When you wanted Gabby, Gabby’s not there; when you want your dad, your dad is not there. It was the easiest lyric I could think of. And I wish I were that stupid more often. It’s like Van Morrison – with some of his old songs it didn’t matter what the lyrics meant, it’s how they sounded."
For today's battle I'm featuring two versions with a country-rock flavor. Some of you are not Country fans - tough it out!!
I'm sorry I can't be with you today. Hopefully I can return for the May 1st battle. Side effects of new medications are a bit much. I need more time to acclimate/move past side effects. I hope you have a fun battle. I'll try to get by to vote on everyone's battle!
I am dc ~ relief, and my battle featured the song, "Sisters" from the 1954 movie, White Christmas. I pitted Rosemary Clooney's version against Peggy Lee's version.
For the first 48 hours, Peggy took the lead and I thought I'd be looking at a shutout or a really bad blowout. The count was 5 - 1 with Peggy in the lead. Suddenly there was a strong turn around, as Rosemary picked up 10 votes. Two last votes came in for Peggy and the count stood at 11 - 7 with Rosemary out front - but not by much!! I enjoyed Peggy's version but my heart kept leaning towards Rosemary. In the end, I voted for her. Final tally:
Rosemary Clooney @ 12 votes
Peggy Lee @ 7 votes
Thank you, everyone for taking time out to vote. I know many are involved with April's A-Z Challenge... as am I, in minion capacity this year. I can't wait to check other's battle results as there were a few hot ones that gave me a tough time.
Today's result post brings a different video but features Rosemary Clooney singing both parts. This is straight from the movie... and especially sent out to FAE... one of our two event hosts. By the way... A very special thank you to our event hosts: FAE
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: "SISTERS" from the movie, WHITE CHRISTMAS.
For many years I believed Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen did the duet, "Sisters,"in the movie, White Christmas. April Fools! My research proved otherwise. Here's the inside scoop from Wikipedia:
"Sisters" is a popular song written by Irving Berlin in 1954, best known from the 1954 movie White Christmas. The movie White Christmas also starred Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. Both parts were sung by Rosemary Clooney (who served as Vera-Ellen's singing vocal dub for this song, while Trudy Stevens dubbed Vera-Ellen's other songs in the film). Surprisingly Vera Ellen did not sing in the movie or on the soundtrack.
It was not possible to issue an "original soundtrack album" of the film, because Decca Records controlled the soundtrack rights, but Clooney was under exclusive contract with Columbia Records. Consequently each one issued a separate "soundtrack recording": Decca issuing Selections from Irving Berlin's White Christmas, while Columbia issued Irving Berlin's White Christmas. On Decca the song "Sisters" was recorded by Peggy Lee, while the Columbia label featured the song was sung by Rosemary Clooney.
So what we have is Rosemary Clooney singing both parts on Columbia Records, while Peggy Lee sang both parts on Decca Records. Fooled again!
Later Rosemary recorded the song with her real sister, Betty. The Clooney sisters' version, which was also released as a single, was the most popular recording of the song, charting in 1954.
