Results post : The 'Memorex' connection

Welcome back for results day! 

First and foremost I'd like to thank Stephen T. McCarthy for keeping the show going. if you'd like to join us, please go to Stephen T. McCarthy's blog, leave your name and blog link in the comment box!  If not, just stop by and vote in his battles. He'd love it!

Well, this turned out to be a fun battle for me. I'm extremely happy with the participation. You guys rock when it comes to trying new stuff. Thank you for not avoiding me. I'll return to 'normal' for my next battle, (smile).

The song was  'Senbonzakura' which translates into "Thousands of Cherry Blossoms." In the battle you heard the piano using different keys while the Wagakki Band sang, and played musical instruments. You got the LIVE parts but not the Memorex parts! Today I rectify my mistake.

Here's the Final Count:

Marasy @ 7 votes

Wagakki Band @ 10 votes, including mine.

First up... this is a Vocaloid production developed by the Crypton Future Media. A vocaloid uses synthesized sounds for all instruments and voices. It features a humanoid persona voiced by a singing synthesizer application.  There are eight (8) vocaloid voices created for this song. A vocaloid uses only synthesized voices for all instrumentation and singing. Please note, this is the song for the anime/cartoon named, Hatsune Miku. Nothing live here!

Now about that Anime part. Remember that's the Japanese equivalent to Western cartoon. The main character of this song's Anime/cartoon is named, Hatsune Miku. She is represented as a 16-year-old girl with long, turquoise pigtails.  The Japanese pop phenomenon has also been 16 years old for the last nine years, because Hatsune Miku isn’t a real person, she’s a vocaloid (a created voice and character). She's also a created hologram for her concerts.

Here's a video of Hatsune Miku's 2014 concert in New York, accompanied by a live band. Crazy stuff, huh?

I'm leaving you with a treat by violinist, Lindsey Stirling. In her version she is covering almost all eight (8) voices. I purposely did not use her version, fearing a blow out! I think she's accompanied by other string instruments, and drums. Looks like she's living in her own anime/cartoon.




I had a good time visiting everyone's battle. I'd also thank those of you for stopping here to play. Our next battle is June 15th. Hope to see you then!

Battle June 1st ~ Is it live or Memorex?

Welcome to the June 1st, Battle of the Bands. Today's battle is dedicated to our friend, 'Fae,' who is leaving BOTB.  I will miss you, but I understand... life happens and things change... but please come back any time you feel so inclined, (smile). God bless you, 'Fae.

The game plan stays the same: 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.

On with the show! Some of you may be 'freaked out' by today's battle, but wait! I couldn't resist bringing the insanity. 

Today I'm introducing 'Anime with Vocaloid music technology' translated into 'Live vocals with real instruments'. 

'Anime' typically refers to cartoon type productions from Japan. The 'Vocaloid' process uses synthesizing technology with specially created vocals of voice actors or singers. To create a song, the user must input the melody and lyrics. A piano roll type interface is used to input the melody, and the lyrics can be entered on each note. The software can change the stress of the pronunciations, add effects such as vibrato, or change the dynamics and tone of the voice. Each Vocaloid is sold as "a singer in a box" designed to act as a replacement for an actual singer. This 'vocaloid' method is very popular in creating "anime' or Eastern cartoons,whereas, most cartoons in the West use a live person to create the voices of characters. (Think: Mel Blanc.)

Today's song choice:  'Senbonzakura' is Japanese Romanji for "Thousands of Cherry Blossoms." It is a 'anime vocaloid' produced by the group, Crypton Future Media. This production has generated over 6 million views, on various videos. It's quite popular. The actual song is a tribute to the WW2 and the 'NOW' modern, antiwar country, Japan. The lyric references to "ICBM" and "Raygun," supposedly bring it into the more modern era.The song talks about 'the 'guillotine,' referring to a type of spy execution group in WW2 that watched their own Japanese people. One of the versions offers an English translation. Lastly, this is not an anti-American song. 

The main character of this song's anime is Hatsune Miku, (Japanese: 初音ミク?), sometimes referred to as Miku Hatsune, is a humanoid persona voiced by a singing synthesizer application developed by Crypton Future Media. Hatsune Miku is a 16-year-old girl with long, turquoise pigtails. She uses Yamaha Corporation's Vocaloid 2 and Vocaloid 3 singing synthesizing technologies. She also uses Crypton Future Media's Piapro Studio, a singing synthesizer VSTi Plugin. She was the second Vocaloid sold using the Vocaloid 2 engine, and the first Japanese Vocaloid to use the Japanese version of the Vocaloid 2 engine. Her voice is sampled from Japanese voice actress Saki Fujita. Hatsune Miku has performed at her concerts onstage as an animated projection.[1] The name of the character comes from merging the Japanese words for first (初 hatsu), sound (音 ne) and future (ミク miku[n 1]), thus meaning "the first sound from the future",[2] referring to her position as the first of Crypton's "Character Vocal Series."

Here's a link to the original Anime Vocaloid by  Crypton Future Media's Piapro Studio. It is not a contender in this battle. Senbonzakura "One Thousand Cherry Trees"- Hatsune Miku It has an English translation - somewhat different than the version by the Wagakki Band.

Today's challenger's:

1 - Marasy (まらしぃ) is a producer and pianist who is well known in both Nico Nico Douga and YouTube for his piano covers of songs (his most popular reaching over 7,000,000 views), but he also has posted a few original VOCALOID works. This is a piano solo of the song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuXp0rzcZ6g

2 -  Wagakki Band (和楽器バンド wagakki bando?) is a musical group from Japan. The shigin singer Yuko Suzuhana (elected Miss Nico Nama ニコ生 in 2011) and seven musicians fuse Vocaloid songs with wagakki (traditional Japanese musical instruments) and Western rock. They are currentlt touring the United States. Their debut concert in New York received rave reviews. This month they are in Texas. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_xTet06SUo&feature=youtu.be

Results for May 15th Battle: The water is still deep for both groups!

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.

Here we go...

Four Tops - When she was my girl

Bee Gees - Nights on Broadway

May 15th - looking for Still Waters that run deep

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]"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSi9DJAgarw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nijj2QMZb6Y

Cheap results but not shabby - results for May 1st BOTB

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."

BOTB - One Cheap "Country" Trick

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!!

Challengers:
1- Dwight Yokum
2- Gretchen Wilson

No battle today

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!