Christmas in April? You must be fooling me!

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

A big shout out, and thank you to our event hosts:

Fae

and,

Stephen T. McCarthy

Details, and 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. 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. 

Today's challengers:

1 - Rosemary Clooney with Rosemary Clooney

2 - Peggy Lee with Peggy Lee.

 I'll be back on the 7th with the results.

#MWA - Music and Words Award

The following is quoted from the blog belonging to, Mr. Shady Del Knight :

"The Music & Words Award" was created by music fan Andrea aka Miss Andi. The purpose is to acknowledge and bring together music-loving bloggers from all over the world, and sharing info about artists and music of all genres." Thank you, Shady!


No one is obligated to accept the MWA, but those who do are asked to follow these five steps:

1 -Link back to the person who nominated you .

2- Answer the questions with words AND music

3- Pass the award on to 5 bloggers who inspire you with their posts about music

4- Tag your post with #MWA, for Music&Words Award so that we can all find you down the line. Tags are not my specialty - sorry.

5- Quote these 5 steps and the award icon in your post. You can display the icon on your sidebar as well. 

I accepted this award from Stephen T. McCarthy, even though I was later nominated by others. Thank you, Stephen!

Here we go with the Q & A:

Q1: What does music mean to you? 

I use music as  a part of me, for reflection, expression, or simply,"a do-nothing day." Wherever I go, music goes. I allow lyrics and melodies to impress me. As an example, I had the urge to "go west, young girl". "The Mamas and the Papas" had a song I loved, and it has stayed with me all these years. Of course I've yet to see California, much less L.A, however, for this post I would like to share "The Beach Boy's" cover of it. A young girl stays East but still loves the western artist(!) Poor baby!

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe3VBoE3g4k&feature=youtu.be

I love movie soundtracks. I'll feature two that inspired me at a young age. Both are works of Mr. Henry Mancini. Ironically both songs are rather haunting-sounding to me.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe3VBoE3g4k&feature=youtu.be

Q2: What is your first music-related memory?


My first musical memory was my Mom's musical jewelry box. Children were not allowed to wind the key to play the little song. Every time she'd open it, I'd beg her to wind it up. After her passing in 1997, I received the jewelry box from my Dad. Unfortunately, the mechanism no longer worked. I'm left with a memory of the tune... "Around the World in 80 Days."


  Q3: What was the first album you’ve purchased yourself?

 My family loved the beach, and this song played quite a bit. I saved my allowance for 'The Drifters'. I was still in elementary school. I called this my "Motown Era", even though I didn't know then what I know now. It was simply a time of great tunes!

 Q4: What was the latest music you purchased? (No online streaming or free downloads, I’m talking about cash here!)


There's a question! Offhand, I'd say a 'Johnny Mathis' CD in the last eight months. It replaced an album someone had taken from me many years before. A former babysitter gave it to me the day before she committed suicide. I was eight years old then. I never tire of hearing it.

 Q5: Which song did you listen to last? (No cheating, come out with the dirty pleasures!)

How funny! My neighbor operates his own construction company. He and I are working out a "swap" for his services on home repairs for my house. (Nothing dirty, though). He looks like a gray-haired Jon Bon Jovi. Whaddaya think? Should I hire him??


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CeX5VEo10c&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32YPozK5Y-0

Nominations - So many have already been named within the BOTB group. So, I ask, "who would like to do this?" I open the floor to any, and all takers. Just leave me an "ACCEPT" notation in your comment. Thank you :) 

BOTB: Results of March 15th Battle

Welcome back for the result post. My battle song was, "Game of Thrones". Challengers National went against duo, Ben & Dan. It was a blowout but not as bad as I expected.

But first... I extend a big 'thank you' to our music event hosts:

Fae @ Far away Series

and

Stephen T. McCarthy

I'm pleased with the battle. Many of you stated you liked both versions. I did too, and wasn't sure until the last moment where my vote would land. In the end I went with Ben & Dan's Western because it was a funny version to me. (it also eased that 'blowout' thingy!) 

Here's the final vote:

National @ 14 votes

Ben & Dan's Western @ 7 votes


Thanks everyone for listening voting. I enjoyed the comments. I hope too see you back for the next battle - April 1st. Some of you will be doing the A-Z Challenge. Good luck with that.

I'm posting in early due to sporadic Internet issues. My ATT service thinks my Gateway modem is going. They'll be out for repairs some time on Monday.(hooray!) 

Today I'll close out playing the version from National.

March 15 Battle ~ The Game of Thrones

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

A big shout out, and thank you to our blog hosts:

Fae @ Far Away Series

Stephen T. McCarthy presents Battle of the Bands

This is 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. 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. Thank you!

Want to join us?


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.


Featured song: "The Game of Thrones" and background information:


The music for the fantasy TV series Game of Thrones by the U.S. cable channel HBO is composed by Ramin Djawadi and published by Varèse Sarabande. The soundtrack is instrumental and features one major theme, the Main Title, which accompanies the series' title sequence. The instrumental music by Ramin Djawadi was performed by the Czech Film Orchestra and Choir and recorded at the Rudolfinum concert hall in Prague. The 6th season begins in April.

You can listen to the original here:  Game of Thrones original This version is not in today's battle.

Indie rock band The National, with their vocalist Matt Berningera recorded the vocal of "The Rains of Castamere" for Ramin Djawadi's original album. Today  we'll hear their version of the main song, "The Game of Thrones". 


Today's Battle Contenders:

1- The National is an American indie rock band from Cincinnati, Ohio, formed in 1999. Currently based in Brooklyn, the band consists of Matt Berninger (vocals), Aaron Dessner (guitar, keyboards), Bryce Dessner (guitar), Scott Devendorf (bass) and Bryan Devendorf (drums). Sharon Van Etten on violin.

 2- Ben & Dan Productions- Western Theme. Video by Benedikt Mendzigal and Daniel Brauner. Produced by BenDan Productions. Two guys doing it all.

Who will you vote for - (1) The National Indie band or (2) Ben&Dan Productions? Let's hear them now... See you on the 21st.

March 1st. Battle Results Day

Welcome to RESULTS DAY for Battle of the Bands!!

I am dc ~ relief, and my battle featured: How Do you Keep the Music Playing?


Tito Nieves with Alexandra Taveras @ 13 votes - The Winners!!!


George Benson + Carmen Bradford @ 9 votes (including mine)

'Mucho-thanks to our event hosts:

Fae

Stephen T. McCarthy

Thank you for voting in my battle. Hope to see everyone at the next battle on Tuesday, March 15th.


It's the month of March and I'm thinking March wind... 
Spring is on the way... 
Daffodils popping up in my yard, gently swaying in the wind... 
hmm, windy city... Chicago! 
Oh yes... Chicago... and a  nice windy song. 
Spring - 'Only the Beginning.' 

Welcome March!!!

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

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 Battle song: 

"["How Do You Keep the Music Playing?" is a song composed by Michel Legrand, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman for the 1982 film Best Friends, where it was introduced by Patti Austin and James Ingram.[1] The Austin/Ingram version became a single in 1983 and reached #45 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #5 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. It was one of three songs with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman that was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 55th Academy Awards.]"  

Read more here:

1 - Tito Nieves with an unknown female, duet

2 - George Benson + Carmen Bradford 

Intermission & Closing out February...

Today, I bring a close to February, and the LOVE month music.  Was it lost love, or did you "agree to disagree?" After all is said and done... I have the "Warmth of the Sun." How about you?

Take it away "Beach Boys"!