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Welcome back, my friends, to the "Battle" that never ends.
We're so glad you could attend. Come inside! Come inside!
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This is 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS' ('BOTB') where you listen to different recordings and vote for the one you like best. A new Battle gets posted on the 1st of each month and on the 7th, I place my own vote, tally 'em all up and announce the winner.
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Friend? Foe? Stranger? No matter, ALL are welcome. So pull up a chair, pour yourself 24 oz. of DOG BITE High Gravity Lager (or the poison of your choice) and turn it up to Eleven!
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[NOTE: Links to the first year of 'BOTB' (#1 - #24) can be found at the very bottom of this page.]

Friday, August 15, 2014

'BATTLE OF THE BANDS: 2014, August 15' (Or, 'ANDREWS SISTERS VS. KAREN CARPENTER VS. JERRY VALE')

Republican Vs. Democrat, Male Vs. Female, War Vs. Peace, Light Vs. Dark, Good Vs. Evil, Man Vs. Machine, Love Vs. Hate, Dog Vs. Cat, Sun Vs. Moon, Brain Vs. Brawn, Oscar Vs. Grammy, Angel Vs. Demon, Laurel Vs. Hardy, Beer Vs. Wine, TV Vs. Radio, Pitcher Vs. Batter, Paper Vs. Plastic, Reality Vs. Fantasy, Yeshua Vs. Beelzebub, Conservative Vs. Liberal, You Vs. Me, House Vs. Senate, Offense Vs. Defense, Kramer Vs. Kramer, Spy Vs. Spy, Fischer Vs. Spassky, W.C. Fields Vs. Sobriety, Harold Gimpy, Jr. Vs. Sheldon J. Pismire, Rock Vs. Paper Vs. Scissors, Islam Vs. Everything, Singer Vs. Singer, Band Vs. Band... 

THE BATTLE OF THE BANDS! (‘BOTB’)

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Shoop-Shooby –
Shooby-duh-Dooby-Doop-Dooby-Dooby-Doo-Wah – 
Buh-Doo-Wah! 

Yes, it’s time once again for ‘Battle Of The Bands’ (‘BOTB’)
 
EUGENE  MARTONE  VS.  JACK  BUTLER
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Alright, let’s get on it...

Today's “Battle” song is a slow, beautiful ballad - the standard  
'I CAN DREAM, CAN'T I?' And below is what Wackypedia has to say about it: 

"I Can Dream, Can't I?" is a popular song written by Sammy Fain with lyrics by Irving Kahal. The song was published in 1938, included in a flop musical, 'Right This Way'. Tommy Dorsey released a hit recording of it the same year, but it was in the postwar years that the song gained its greatest success. 

The best-known version was recorded by The Andrews Sisters and Gordon Jenkins' Orchestra on July 15, 1949, and released by Decca Records … It first reached the Billboard charts on September 16, 1949, reaching number one on all three of the magazine's main pop charts at the time (Best Sellers in Stores, Most Played by Jockeys, and Most Played in Jukeboxes). 

So, obviously we are going to start with the famous Andrews Sisters version. 

'I CAN DREAM, CAN'T I?' - THE ANDREWS SISTERS
'I 'ICan Dram, Can't I?' - The Andrews Siste



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GODZILLA  VS.  KING  KONG

Next up is the 1975 version by Karen Carpenter. It was arranged by Billy May and Richard Carpenter. 

'I CAN DREAM, CAN'T I?' - KAREN CARPENTER
Can Dream, Can't I?' - Karen Carpenter.



My Spidey-Sense told me this wasn't going to be much of a competition (possibly a total wipe-out), so I decided to go looking for a good third optional alternate. What I found was the Jerry Vale version. I'd certainly heard of Jerry Vale, although I don't know if I'd ever heard him. Well, this guy could damn-sure sing, that's for damn sure! So if you would like to hear the song performed by a male voice, you can click the URL link provided below and give Jerry a shot. The Andrews Sisters, Karen Carpenter, and Jerry Vale - all are available for your voting pleasure. [Nope! Looks like Jerry Vale's version has already been deleted by YouTube. Guess it's between The Andrews Sisters and Karen Carpenter only.]


'I Can Dream, Can't I?' - Jerry Vale 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdBhsJaKIh8

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RIDDLER  VS.  BATMAN
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Alright now, “you know the gig”... I welcome EVERYONE to vote for their favorite of these songs in the comment section below. And feel free to tell us WHY you chose one song over the other. (NOTE: Comment Moderation is activated. All submitted comments that do not transgress "Ye Olde Comment Policy" will be posted as soon as possible. Thanks for taking the time to comment.)

After voting here, I suggest - actually I insist - you pop over to the blogs of the other 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS' participants to see which songs they have chosen and vote there also. (If their ‘BOTB’ blog bits aren’t posted yet, pour yourself two shots of ‘Grand Marnier’ over ice – do it twice – and then return to their blogs to vice your voice ...vote your vice ...voice your vote.)

Voice Your Vote @ ‘FAR AWAY SERIES’ by clicking HERE.
Voice Your Vote @ ‘TOSSING IT OUT’ by clicking HERE.
Voice Your Vote @ ‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’ by clicking HERE.
Voice Your Vote @ ‘DISCCONNECTED’ by clicking HERE.
Voice Your Vote @ 'A WRITER'S LIFE IN PROGRESS' by clicking HERE.
Voice Your Vote @ ‘CREATIVE OUTLET OF STRATPLAYER’ by clicking HERE.
Voice Your Vote @ 'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS' by clicking HERE.
Voice Your Vote @ 'CURIOUS AS A CATHY' by clicking HERE.

As I've done in the past, I will continue to return to my 'BOTB' blog bits on the 7th and 21st of each month to post my own votes and announce the winners in the comment sections. 

~ Stephen T. McCarthy 

YE OLDE COMMENT POLICY: All comments, pro and con, are welcome. However, ad hominem attacks and disrespectful epithets will not be tolerated (read: "posted"). After all, this isn’t Amazon.com, so I don’t have to put up with that kind of bovine excrement.

38 comments:

  1. Jerry Vale's version is gone, gone, gone. I'm familiar with Vale, but don't recall his version of this song. I do remember the version by Bobby Vinton and I used to like the way he did it (yeah, go ahead and laugh, but I like Vinton's singing). Since I couldn't find another video of Vale's version he's out of the contest for me.

    I like the Carpenters a lot, but not much on their version of this song. Too slow, syrupy and with an annoying long intro. This version reminded me of something Ronstadt might have done on one of her albums of standards.

    For me The Andrews Sisters run away with this contest. Those girls could sing with class.

    Now I'm wondering which version you thought would wipe out the other. I know you like Karen Carpenter, but seriously? You don't think she does better than the babes from the past do you?

    Oh, those Andrews girls. I'm listening again. Now that's music!

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LEE ~
      Of course I won't be revealing my own vote on this 'BOTB' installment until August 21st.

      But I can still answer your question by telling you this:

      On your own August 15th 'BOTB' installment, without the slightest hesitation, undoubtedly, unquestionably, and with 100% certainty I can predict that you will cast your own vote for Lena Horne.

      Now how do you suppose I knew that? Hmmm...?

      ~ D-FensDogg
      'Loyal American Underground'

      Delete
    2. You've made a bold prediction and my vote may surprise you. But I'm not saying yet as both versions are so dear to my heart. In fact, my vote might change when my announcement comes around. The options I presented are one of those cases where both should win..

      Lee
      Tossing It Out

      Delete
    3. Sorry, my friend, but your vote is NOT going to surprise me. It is already etched in stone. You may think it's close, you may think your vote could change but... it won't.

      You are voting for LENA HORNE (just like I said the first time).

      And as Cheech Y Chong said:
      "Tell them you heard it here FIRST on 'Roller Derby'."

      (Boidman, you have officially become my new "Sheboyganboy Six" at 'Battle Of The Bands'.)

      ~ D-FensDogg
      'Loyal American Underground'

      Delete
  2. The Andrews Sisters get my vote! They ARE harmony and they can do almost any song and give it justice.

    I have never liked the songs of Karen Carpenter and her brother. She has a very nice smooth, but boring voice and most of the songs are too 'middle of the road for me'.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. D.G. ~
      As always, I thank you for checking in and casting your vote. Your continued support of 'BOTB' is appreciated. (Maybe you should become a participant?)

      If you were a male, I don't think you would find Karen Carpenter's voice "boring". But I think it might just be a "guy" thing.

      ~ D-FensDogg
      'Loyal American Underground'

      Delete
  3. I'm curious as to who you think is going to wipe out the competition. Maybe it's just me, but I'm finding it a tough decision. But as you've said before -- perhaps I'm too forgiving and tolerant. ;)

    In general, I have a love-hate thing with the Carpenters. I absolutely love Karen's voice, and I can appreciate Richard's talent and musical arrangements, but sometimes it trips my pap alarm. I mean, sometimes listening to the Carpenters is like seeing a stunning arrangement of perfectly-cut and beautifully-arranged flowers, only to realize they're plastic. Beautiful, perfect, gorgeous, and... soulless.

    But here, I find the tinkly piano, the gentle strings and the breathy, open arrangement to be really good. They wonderfully compliment Karen's captivating voice.

    Still -- how can you vote against the Andrews sisters? Simply beautiful. Those wonderful harmonies evoke a whole era in American music. Listening to them is like coming home to your loving family for the holidays (probably because I've heard them in so many Christmas songs). But I think the extra singers in the background distract and I find the strings are a little too maudlin.

    So -- yes, I really,really like the Sistahs. But the more I listen, the more I become convinced that my vote's going to Karen. And her bruddah, too, I suppose. He did good here (maybe because he had a co-arranger?). But tally me in the Carpenter's column.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CHRIS ~
      So much for a "shutout".

      I don't know if you're familiar with Billy May, but he was an old time Big Band-type arranger:

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_May

      And if I recall correctly from something I read many years ago, Billy May did most of the arranging on this tune and he took charge of the orchestration because I believe the song was recorded at the time Richard Carpenter was laid up with a "substance abuse" problem.

      Listening carefully, it really does have a late 1940s or 1950s kind of sound to it, behind Karen's distinctive, melancholy voice.

      ~ D-FensDogg
      'Loyal American Underground'

      Delete
    2. Billy May? You mean the guitarist for Queen???

      No, wait -- that was Brian May...

      Uhhh...

      Wait! Wasn't Billy May the "Say Hey Kid" who played for the Giants?

      ;)

      Delete
    3. Ha!-Ha!
      Sheesh! You're starting to sound as insane as I am.

      And obviously you don't know doo-doo about baseball, because EVERYBODY KNOWS that the Giants' "Say Hey Kid" was Billy Stargell.

      Hmmm... or was it Billy McCovey?

      Time flies when you're having rum.

      ~ D-FensDogg

      Delete
  4. My vote is for The Carpenters version. The arrangement is stretched longer. I like the instrumentation, nothing over powering but nice like the harp sounds in the beginning, to some of the piano highlights. Her vocals are nice and about 3:40 mark there is some harmonized vocals which came a bit of a surprise.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, MIKE, for your analysis and vote.

      This one might turn out to be pretty close after all.

      ~ D-FensDogg
      'Loyal American Underground'

      Delete
  5. Chalk one up for Karen Carpenter.

    Maybe it was just the update recording technology, but it had a fresher sound to me while still capturing the mood of the song.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Okie-Doke, LC.

      I'm now on my way over to your 'BOTB' blog bit.

      ~ D-FensDogg
      'Loyal American Underground'

      Delete
  6. I was thinking Billy Mays, the pitchman, but remembered the Carpenters didn't do scream, lol!

    The song itself just didn't grab me. I was really having a hard time. So I played them both at the same time... and I'll go with the Andrews Sisters!

    At least two of the other BOTB blogs had songs I had a grudge against... so I saved yours for last, a nice relaxing contest in which I didn't have a dog in the hunt.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your input, BROTHER MARTIN.

      I know I have a few "Battles" I've yet to get to, and a couple of comments on my 'Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends' blog to respond to, also. Hopefully tomorrow morning after work I'll get to them all.

      ~ D-FensDogg
      'Loyal American Underground'

      Delete
  7. McUndies, This is a really tough one. Once again you choose a song I have NEVER HEARD (but I bet you thought the same thing when you voted over at my place!... except it wasn't a tough vote for you:)

    I like the harmonies of the Andrews Sisters but the purity of Karen Carpenter's voice. I think the edge goes to KC because her version just sounds sadder. When you sing a song about missing someone and/or dreaming about a relationship that isn't going to happen it SHOULD be all slow and nostalgic. So, there you go...

    ReplyDelete
  8. GIRL W-UNDER(PANTS) ~
    Your reasoning seems reasonable to me.

    And even when Karen Carpenter sang a song that was happy (like, for instance, 'HAPPY' or 'SING') there was still always a slight undercurrent of melancholia in her voice that was present naturally - there wasn't a thing she could do to change that. (Nor should she have tried if she could have.)

    Thanks for your analysis and your vote.

    ~ D-FensDogg
    'Loyal American Underground'

    ReplyDelete
  9. This took a while for me. Not just because I was waiting for my co-hort to make an appearance, but because I was really set on finding that Jerry Vale version. I'm a stubborn one, you see, and it was NOT easy tracking it down. It's like it barely even exists on the Internet. Which only added to the incentive!

    But I found it. Oh yes I did. And you know what? That sucker wins hands down. Hands. Down. His voice is so rich and strong, and the composure of the song is just incredible.

    2 votes for Jerry Vale! Why? Because of stubbornness, that's why!

    ~6B-Stubborn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 6-B ~
      Alright, thanks for your input.

      I've got you and Brandon listed as...

      "TWO VOTES FOR STUBBORNNESS"

      ~ D-FensDogg
      'Loyal American Underground'

      Delete
  10. Late to the party as usual, but then ‘you know me’. I generally like to make an entrance of some sort.

    I’ve got to say this BATTLE may be the coin toss for me. I have listened to both of the versions you posted here numerous times. From shortly after you first put this up on the 15th, to just now, at about 9:30PM Sunday the 17th, and I really can’t make up my mind.

    I like the orchestration, choral backup, and harmonies in the first. It has a fuller sound. And even though the tempo is a little more upbeat than the second, there is that general feeling of sadness and longing. The Andrews sisters certainly could make you wanna dance, sing, and feel a sense of loss.

    In the Karen Carpenter version there is a more personal feel, perhaps because of the lone voice that has a sense of sadness about it no matter what she sings. I suppose that’s to be expected from someone who strove for a perfection that she could never attain. I really felt that she was singing this in a personal way, maybe as much about that sense of perfection and fulfillment that escaped her, as about a personal lover.

    OK, basically I’m stalling because I really can’t decide. One last thing though; I find it interesting that although both versions are pretty different each conveys that sad longing for something that probably will never be, in its own way.

    Alright, give my vote to Karen Carpenter.

    ReplyDelete
  11. FAE ~
    Thanks for your vote and your serious analysis and your... hemming and hawing.

    One thing is very clear though... I was as wrong as I could be when I anticipated that this particular "Battle" wasn't going to be much of a challenge.

    It's funny how I apparently projected my own quick-and-easy vote onto my readers, friends, and voters. To me, there is almost NUTTIN' to think about here - it's as easy a selection as I've ever been axed to make. But many (most?) of the voters have found it a very tough decision to come by. Hmmm...

    It reminds me of my second ever 'BOTB' contest when I was certain that The Rockets were going to trounce Peter Green and Fleetwood Mac on the song 'OH WELL'. I was actually worried about that one being a shutout in favor of The Rockets. But in the end, I was the ONLY VOTER who sided with The Rockets. That blew my mind.

    This contest doesn't blow my mind quite as much, but pretty close though.

    Thanks again for taking your vote so seriously. See ya on the 21st, when I will cast my vote and announce the winner.

    ~ D-FensDogg
    'Loyal American Underground'

    ReplyDelete
  12. The Carpenter version. Her voice is just so beautiful.
    ~Katie
    TheCyborgMom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CYBORG KATIE ~
      Hey, thanks so much for the vote! I'm always pleased when someone new drops by and I pick up an extra vote in a "Battle".

      Feel free to stop by and vote on ALL of my future "Battle Of The Bands". A new one goes up on the 1st and the 15th of every month.

      Alright, another vote for Richard's kid Sister.

      ~ D-FensDogg
      'Loyal American Underground'

      Delete
  13. Well, Mr. Stephen T ~ I LOVE the Andrews Sisters, and I LOVE Karen Carpenter, but as much as I love them and thought I'd heard all of their songs....I've never heard these! SO, I had a bit of difficulty making my decision...at first. I was SURE I would love and vote for the Andrews Sisters rendition, until I actually heard it. It just doesn't fit their usual style, to me, anyway. And because it does fit Karen Carpenter's style, and because I love her voice....Her version gets my vote! (Yep, it surprised me, too!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BECKY-O! ~
      Thanks for coming over and playing 'BOTB' with us.

      Ya know, a lot of us BOTBers find versions of songs that many people are unfamiliar with. You start out thinking your vote is in the bag for one artist or the other but then when you actually hear the songs, things can do an unexpected 180-twist.

      It's really not uncommon for us to surprise ourselves with how we vote. It doesn't happen to me on my own "Battles" because I almost always know who I am going to vote for before I even begin composing the text. But it happens to me quite a bit when I vote on the other participants' "Battles".

      With me, it's usually that I figure I'm going to vote one way mostly because I dislike the other contestant, but often I find myself thinking something like: "Actually, that was pretty good considering it was... Sting... or Black Sabbath... or The Rolling Stones... or..." some other recording artist whom I don't normally like very much.

      Thanks again for your vote, BECKY-O!, and I hope you'll come back to play in the first and third week of every month.

      I don't count up the votes until the very end (which will be about Noon tomorrow), but if FEELS as if Karen Carpenter has now taken a fairly commanding lead in this "Battle".

      ~ D-FensDogg
      'Loyal American Underground'

      Delete
  14. OK... here goes.

    You know what's goin' on wid me currently, so dropping by for a quick vote means I am really a nice guy! Sorry to the other BoTB-ers... I may not have time to get over there and vote. I did not last contest.

    So, do you know how I am going to vote on this one? Are you sure. If you stop and think about it, you probably do.

    I vote Vale. I have not heard his version, but as you know I am not a KC fan (in fact, last time you offered her up I abstained). I am not a fan of the Andrew Sistahs either. I like the BANDS from that era, not singers. I should clarify that I loved many of the singers... but they were singers employed by and part of THE BAND. Featuring these women just doesn't do it for me.

    Therefore, even without hearing it, I KNOW that I would like the Vale version best. Yak when back, Brother.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, are you the SAME
      'SHEBOYGANBOY SIX'
      who in January of THIS YEAR left the following comment in one of my F-FFF blog bit comment sections?:

      >>...And, as I always say: "What is a BOTB without a Carpenters song???" Bring on more Carpenters, Brother!

      Surely that couldn't have been you unless... unless... you're suffering from a Multiple Personality Disorder.

      Well, either way, at least your vote wasn't COMPLETELY in the dumpster like that OTHER "Sheboyganboy Six" who voted here. (Before this year is out, I'm pretty sure I'm gonna ban him from voting here anymore. Tolerating other viewpoints is fine, but tolerating nearly-100%-of-the-time-WRONG-viewpoints is... well... "INTOLERABLE"!

      So... you think I reminded you that you hadn't yet voted here in order for me to receive another vote for Jerry Vale?

      Please, remind me not to remind you to vote here again. Thanks.
      [;-)}

      Just (mostly) kidding you, of course.

      Hey, have safe trips, my John Wayne friend!

      ~ D-FensDogg
      'Loyal Karen Carpenter Fan'

      Delete
  15. I went back and scoured your January BoTB bits for those comments, but could not find them.

    Therefore, I can only conclude that either you are making it up that I said it, or that it was from my evil twin: "Bakersfieldboy Six." That rat-bastard has terrible musical taste and votes for Democraps. HE should be banned from voting. So should Al Bondigas. UHG! Terrible musical taste, that guy!

    ReplyDelete
  16. SHEBOYGANBOY SIX ~
    Quite naturally, the one time you voted for The Carpenters is also the one time I did NOT:

    http://xtremelyun-pcandunrepentant.blogspot.com/2014/01/battle-of-bands-11-or-julie-andrews-vs.html

    Part of your vote was no doubt determined by the fact that the musical number ('My Favorite Things') was an instrumental, and thus Karen Carpenter did not sing on it.

    Either that or BAKERSFIELDBOY SIX has much better musical taste than you does, Sheboyganboy Six. He are welcome to vote here any time. You, on the other hand,... remind me not to remind you.

    By the way, you is probably going to do some jail time if Al Bondigas ever sees this comment. That guy's a judge, ya know?

    ~ D-FensDogg
    'Loyal American Underground'

    POSTSCRIPT:
    Thanks for the laugh!
    ("Bakersfieldboy Six"... Ha!)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hokey-Smoke! Looks like I dropped the ball on closing out this 'BOTB' installment today like I was s'posed to. So everyone gets an extra chance to place a vote until I get home from work early tomorrow morning.

    It's not often life gives us a second chance. So... if anybody wants to take advantage of this, be my guest. By 7:30 AM on Friday the 22nd, this jig should certainly be up, so seize the moment if you failed to vote but still would like to.

    Al B. Bach.

    ~ D-FensDogg
    'Loyal American Underground'

    ReplyDelete
  18. Al Bondigas here. I rule in favor of The Carpenters. Karen's voice is like honey. The Andrew Sister's version was ok, but there was no comparison. That's it, thats's my rulin. Also 2 years probation for Mr. Six guns for mocking the judge.

    ReplyDelete
  19. STMcC’s Vote On ‘BOTB - 2014, August 15th,
    The Andrews Sisters Vs. Karen Carpenter (Vs. Jerry Vale)
    And The Final Tally:


    Well, this 'BOTB' installment went about the way I'd predicted it would. In my mind, I figured The Andrews Sisters would probably wind up with two or three votes. I was sure they'd get Arlee Bird's vote, and figured they'd get a vote from Sheboyganboy Six (he surprised me though by voting for Jerry Vale, even though he didn't hear Vale's version). And I figured that The Andrews Sisters might possibly steal another vote from someone somewhere along the line. And I assumed all the remaining votes would go to Karen Carpenter.

    I certainly would never have predicted that CW Martin was going to vote Andrews over Carpenters. And then of course the "stubbornness" of The Beer Boys, Bryan and Brandon, gave a couple more votes to Jerry Vale (not sure how they found his version though, because it's gone from YouTube and apparently even Spotify doesn't have it).

    Anyway, the rest of the votes did go to Karen Carpenter. And naturally she got my vote also. I mean, c'mon! It's a sad, romantic song. Karen's got that God-given gift of a voice that was somehow naturally marinated in melancholia. Then you add the lush arrangement and orchestration that almost sounds like teardrops falling at times and... what's there to think about here?

    FarAwayEyes wrote:
    "In the Karen Carpenter version there is a more personal feel, perhaps because of the lone voice that has a sense of sadness about it no matter what she sings. ... I really felt that she was singing this in a personal way..."

    Well, I've pretty much been in love with Karen Carpenter for most of my life, and therefore, I have even read a biography about her. And that's why I know that Karen did not have a really wonderful love life; I believe she felt lonely a good amount of the time. She did really fall for a man once. She saw some guy in a sports car whip a fast U-turn in the middle of a major boulevard. Ahh, the "outlaw" type apparently appealed to her. Who da thunk it? It turned out that she actually knew the guy, and that illegal turn was the beginning of a true romance. Sadly though, she passed away not long after the romance got underway.

    So, when Karen sang 'I CAN DREAM, CAN'T I?' I believe that, for her, there was a great deal of underlying truth to the feeling or emotion that the song addresses. I think she really meant the sentiment and it really comes through to me.

    The Andrews Sisters, on the other hand, sound like they're faking it, to me. It's not bad by any stretch but, frankly, I'm really not buying into what they're selling. I believe Karen, while The Andrews Sisters are just singing a song... and it's a bit too frilly with all that oohing and ahhing in the background.

    Aside from that, I've just never been a big fan of The Andrews Sisters. I do love great vocal groups with layered harmonies, but The Sisters just don't really do it for me. (I've never even really liked their signature song 'Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy'.)

    So, this was an easy choice for me. And although several voters said this was a tough call for them to make, that didn't stop Karen Carpenter from running away with this competition:

    The Andrews Sisters = 3 Votes
    Karen Carpenter = 9 Votes
    Jerry Vale = 3 Votes


    My sincere thanks to all the voters, and I hope to see you back here again for the SEPTEMBER 1st 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS'.

    ~ D-FensDogg
    'Loyal American Underground'

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good to know I surprise you now and then... and myself, too, on that one.

      Delete
    2. I'm no fan of "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" either--I don't care who sings. Not even if Neil Young sang a version. On the other hand that might be a hoot.

      I still prefer Bobby Vinton's version of "I Can Dream Can't I". It takes me back to my more innocent days of middle school.

      Lee
      Tossing It Out

      Delete
    3. Can't say that your vote was a surprise to me, course I know how much you loved Karen. I guess that lone voice singing her heart out appealed to both of us and at least seven others here in this BATTLE, eh?

      AND, Jerry Vale got 3 votes. I still haven't had the time to google him and see who he is, cause I have no idea. Guess I'm not as stubborn as I thought, or at least as some folks.

      Delete
  20. GULP!

    I'm glad I got only probation from da Judge!

    His reputation for toughness makes Judge Roy Bean look like Judge Reinhold.

    (I stole that joke!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SIXGUN ~
      It's funny you mentioned "Judge Roy Bean" because I know for a fact that Al Bondigas, when he plays the part of a judge here on 'Battle Of The Bands', he's kind of modeling his character after Judge Roy Bean - but not the Paul Newman version, rather the Walter Brennan version from the Gary Cooper movie 'THE WESTERNER'. If you've not seen that movie, run - don't walk! It's a genuine classic that I turned Al Nappy Bondigas onto many years ago, and he fell in love with Walter Brennan's portrayal of the judge.

      Nappy and I always watch the movie together while imbibing a little "Rub Of The Brush". (And inside joke 'splained in the movie.)

      ~ D-FensDogg
      'Loyal American Underground'

      Delete

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