.
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...
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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’)
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Alright,
let’s get on it...
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| EUGENE MARTONE VS. JACK BUTLER |
The classic standard 'BLUE MOON' was written in 1933 by the famous songwriting duo Rodgers and Hart. It was originally conceived as a ballad and countless cover versions of it have been recorded. One that I particularly like appeared on the debut album by Elvis Presley. However, without question the most famous version was recorded in 1961 by the bi-racial Pittsburgh Doo-Wop group The Marcels. If you haven't heard this version you've likely been living under a rock, or in Palookaville... or under a rock in Palookaville.
The Marcels took the song, turned up the heat, turned up the beat, and fashioned one of the absolute most famous Doo-Wop songs of all time. It's playing right this second on some radio station in the U.S. while you're reading these words.
The Marcels version of 'BLUE MOON' spent 3 weeks at #1 on the Billboard pop music chart and 2 weeks at #1 on the R&B chart. It also went to #1 in the U.K. Yes, we're talking about a monster hit and a perfect song to begin 'BOTB' in the Halloweenie monster month of October. And speaking of monsters, the song was also included in the soundtrack of the movie 'An American Werewolf In London'.
Wackypedia sez this:
The record sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. It is featured in 'The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame's 500 Songs That Shaped Rock And Roll'.
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I sez that it's one of my all-time favorite Doo-Wop songs. Shall we listen to it then?
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Alright now, anyone who knows me even half-well knows that I am a big fan of the old TV series 'MOONLIGHTING' which ran from March, 1985 to May, 1989. The show starred Cybill Shepherd as Maddie Hayes, and a then unknown Bruce Willis as David Addison.
Q: What is a Cybill Shepherd?
A: It's a German Shepherd that believes
it is 16 different other types of dogs.
Aww, if I gotta 'splain it to ya, Lucy, then never mind.
'MOONLIGHTING' was about a Los Angeles model, Maddie Hayes, famous for representing the product 'Blue Moon Shampoo'. When her accountant rips her off, all she's left with is a big house and a tax-shelter detective agency operated by a fast-talking, smart-ass party animal named David Addison. Maddie is going to get rid of the business but Addison yaks her into keeping it open and doing private investigation work with him (learning in the process that "opposites do attract"). 'MOONLIGHTING' was one of the funniest, most creative, and most innovative TV shows ever.
Q: How innovative WAS it?
A: It was SO innovative that it's now 2014 and
American television STILL hasn't caught up to it!
I own every episode on DVD and have recently been watching them and affixing a letter grade to each one (and realizing for the first time that there's a helluva lotta David Addison in me!)
Without a doubt, one of the very best episodes was 'THE DREAM SEQUENCE ALWAYS RINGS TWICE'. It was a mostly black & white take-off and spoof of the legendary 1946 example of Film Noir 'THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE', starring John Garfield and Lana Turner. [A married woman and a drifter fall in love, then plot to murder her husband... but even once the deed is done, they must live with the consequences of their actions.]
In the 'Moonlighting' version, David and Maddie learn of a murder that took place decades earlier in a fancy Big Band-era nightclub. They argue about who was really responsible for the husband's murder, the adulteress woman or her horn-playing boyfriend. That night they each have separate black and white Film Noir-like dreams in which they see themselves as the main characters and each one tries to pin the blame of the husband's murder on the other.
Maddie's dream is sultry and romantic and highlights the song 'BLUE MOON', while David's dream is very comical and includes the 'Moonlighting' specialty of "breaking the fourth wall". But in both dreams, Maddie is the Big Band's singer and David is its smoking-hot horn player.
OK, folks, let's now hear Maddie Hayes (in truth, Cybill Shepherd) singing 'BLUE MOON' in black and white.
CYBILL SHEPHERD - 'BLUE MOON'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jQPxmtQREw
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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.) Q: What is a Cybill Shepherd?
A: It's a German Shepherd that believes
it is 16 different other types of dogs.
Aww, if I gotta 'splain it to ya, Lucy, then never mind.
'MOONLIGHTING' was about a Los Angeles model, Maddie Hayes, famous for representing the product 'Blue Moon Shampoo'. When her accountant rips her off, all she's left with is a big house and a tax-shelter detective agency operated by a fast-talking, smart-ass party animal named David Addison. Maddie is going to get rid of the business but Addison yaks her into keeping it open and doing private investigation work with him (learning in the process that "opposites do attract"). 'MOONLIGHTING' was one of the funniest, most creative, and most innovative TV shows ever.
Q: How innovative WAS it?
A: It was SO innovative that it's now 2014 and
American television STILL hasn't caught up to it!
I own every episode on DVD and have recently been watching them and affixing a letter grade to each one (and realizing for the first time that there's a helluva lotta David Addison in me!)
Without a doubt, one of the very best episodes was 'THE DREAM SEQUENCE ALWAYS RINGS TWICE'. It was a mostly black & white take-off and spoof of the legendary 1946 example of Film Noir 'THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE', starring John Garfield and Lana Turner. [A married woman and a drifter fall in love, then plot to murder her husband... but even once the deed is done, they must live with the consequences of their actions.]
In the 'Moonlighting' version, David and Maddie learn of a murder that took place decades earlier in a fancy Big Band-era nightclub. They argue about who was really responsible for the husband's murder, the adulteress woman or her horn-playing boyfriend. That night they each have separate black and white Film Noir-like dreams in which they see themselves as the main characters and each one tries to pin the blame of the husband's murder on the other.
Maddie's dream is sultry and romantic and highlights the song 'BLUE MOON', while David's dream is very comical and includes the 'Moonlighting' specialty of "breaking the fourth wall". But in both dreams, Maddie is the Big Band's singer and David is its smoking-hot horn player.
OK, folks, let's now hear Maddie Hayes (in truth, Cybill Shepherd) singing 'BLUE MOON' in black and white.
CYBILL SHEPHERD - 'BLUE MOON'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jQPxmtQREw
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| RIDDLER VS. BATMAN |
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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 blogsto
.
Voice Your Vote @ ‘FAR AWAY SERIES’ by clicking HERE.
@ ‘TOSSING IT OUT’ by clicking HERE.
@ ‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’ by clicking HERE.
@ ‘DISCCONNECTED’ by clicking HERE.
@ 'BOOK LOVER' by clicking HERE.
@ ‘CREATIVE OUTLET OF STRATPLAYER’ by clicking HERE.
@ 'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CURIOUS AS A CATHY' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE SOUND OF ONE HAND TYPING' by clicking HERE.
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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.
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~ Stephen T. McCarthy
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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.
I knew I liked you for a good reason, Stephen! We (means darling husband ~ DH & me) are huge Moonlighting fans, too! The 80s was the decade for good TV programming. Bruce Willis was fabulous in that series and what a knock out of a chick was Cybill Shepard? MEOW! The Marcels are fabulous. I love their version, but I like CB's sultry rendition the best. I remember thinking at the time this episode aired, "WOW, she's beautiful and can sing! Who knew, right?" So, let's give the gal my vote for today's BOTB. Now, I want to watch Moonlighting on DVD. Yeah, we own them, too! ;)
ReplyDeleteHa! Yeah, CATHY, like David Addison, I have my good points and my bad. Love of good music is amongst the good (remember how often he went around singing old R&B and Doo-Wop songs?) He was supposed to be originally from the streets of Philly, where street corner harmonizing was practically the thing that held the city together. (That and cheesesteaks.)
DeleteHow often did he come bounding into the Blue Moon office shouting a Ray Charles song at the top of his lungs, etc.? (The only one I didn't share his enthusiasm for was 'Limbo Rock'. But the office help sure dug it. Ha!)
Glad to hear you and the hubby are fellow 'Moonlighting' fanatics.
I figured this 'BOTB' contest was going to be a close one, but you have helped Cybill Shepherd to jump out of the starting blocks first. (And we know that Bruce Willis is right behind her, chasing her skirt, eh?)
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
Another great BOTB, StevieMac!
ReplyDeleteI am not a doo-wop guy, but I'm very familiar with the Marcels version of "Blue Moon" -- I mean how could you NOT be??? I loved "American Werewolf in London" when it came out and definitely associate the song with the movie, but this is an all-time classic song, integral to the American musical psyche.
I also loved "Moonlighting" when it was on TV, but I'd forgotten Cybil singing this song, and I was truthfully surprised at how good it was. Her voice might not have a huge range but she has really good control holding the notes she hits, and the orchestration and arrangement of this version is simply stellar. This big-band,smooth and sensual rendition is excellent.
I'm very impressed. You once again took a match-up that I thought would be easily one-sided and showed me that my expectations were again all wrong. Cybil (and the uncredited arranger!) gives a really great rendition and turns this into a very tough choice!
But in the end, as impressed as I am with Cybil's version, I simply cannot vote against one of the most iconic songs of modern music. That mix of vocal harmonies, the wonderful nonsensical vocal riffing, and the can't-help-but-smile fun groove of the Marcels version is too hard to vote against.
Chalk me up for the Marcels, but give Cybil a heavy round of applause.
As always, a Grade-A comment and analysis from you, CHRIS. Thanks!
DeleteI was really looking forward to posting this one because I think it's almost astounding how one song can be done about 180-degrees drastically different and yet BOTH versions can be so gosh-darned wonderful.
Everything you said is spot-on about the positive attributes of each cover. The Marcels... is there ANY song that's more "FUN" to listen to than that? It absolutely puts a smile on my face while I'm shaking my head at the tremendous amount of background harmonizing and... heck... it's almost scatting, which I'm not usually a great fan of (unless it's Satchmo doing it), but in this case it's just pure joy to hear.
And then Cybill's version, with the luscious vocals and (as you correctly mentioned) the "stellar" arrangement that nearly melts the full moon until it looks like "a yellow biscuit of a buttery cue ball moon, rolling maverick across an obsidian sky" (to blatantly rip off Tom Waits and his song 'Nighthawk Postcards').
By the way, according to the liner notes in my CD case of 'MOONLIGHTING: The Television Soundtrack Album', 'Blue Moon' was arranged and conducted by Alf Clausen.
So, a heavy round of applause to Mr. Clausen also.
Thanks for the nice compliments and your excellent comment, analysis and vote, my friend!
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
"'Blue Moon' was arranged and conducted by Alf Clausen."
DeleteOf course! I remember a guy named Alf associated with TV in the later 80s. Short, hairy guy. Big nose. Liked cats (mainly for dinner). Worked for a record company named "Melmac" if memory serves...
Yep! That's the guy.
DeleteWho knew he knew tunes too?
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
This is a tough choice for me. I'm not particularly a do-wop fan, but I don't like that showy big band style too much.
ReplyDeleteThe song holds memories for me since my father used to like that song and I'd often hear him singing it when I was a kid. My father also used an uptempo version of this song in his juggling act for a basketball routine he used to do. That seems like a weird song choice for that, but like I said he used to like that song.
I guess I don't like the song as well as he did. Between these two versions I'll go with the less annoying sultry Cybil version.
Lee
Tossing It Out
>>... My father also used an uptempo version of this song in his juggling act for a basketball routine he used to do. That seems like a weird song choice for that, but like I said he used to like that song.
DeleteBOIDMAN, if you think of basketballs as big full moons, maybe it's not such a weird song choice after all.
And did you just call The Marcells and their #1 monster hit song, which is featured in 'The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame's 500 Songs That Shaped Rock And Roll', "annoying"?
You are hereby banned.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
I find most do-wop to be rather banal and, if I listen to too much of it, annoying. I prefer the pre-do-wop versions of this song from the Big Band Era and I don't mean the glitzy post 50's Big Band stylizing.
DeleteLee
Tossing It Out
"Too much of it" meaning anything more than two minutes?
Delete~ D-FensDogg
I need to watch that show. The more you and others talk about it, the more I realize I missed something special. I've never watched an episode. At the time it aired, I was just too busy to include another show in my stable, so I avoided it. Maybe I was under a rock in Palookaville on that one.
ReplyDeleteI've heard the doo wop version, of course, but never ALL the way thru before. It has been the background music in movies or TV shows, but I am not a fan of the genre and so before this I've not sat and listened with intent. Its pretty good... for that sort of thing.
Cybil's version was a surprise, as I did not know she could sing. Frankly, I was never sure she could act, either, but that is an unfair shot since I have not seen her in much. But I liked her sexy version better than the Marcels.
Perhaps it has something to do with my age. I am old enough that the doo wop style was still playing a bit on the radio, but society was past it and on to surfer (and really just past THAT) and British Invasion music. The doo woppers were passe' to me and so to me the style really only works to vividly set the scene in movies or tv shows, like American Graffiti or Happy Days
SHEBOYGANBOY SIX ~
DeleteDoo-Wop was also a shade before my time. I mean, I was alive but playing with my Etch-A-Sketch (sp?) and Lite Bright (sp?) rather than listening to Top 40 radio.
I got turned on to Doo-Wop primarily through the 'American Graffiti' movie soundtrack (GREAT movie; GREAT soundtrack!) And then listening to some Oldies radio stations.
I can't say that Doo-Wop is a favorite musical genre of mine, but when it's done really well, as it frequently was (e.g., 'At The Hop', 'Book Of Love', 'Ya Ya', 'Heart And Soul', and many mo'), the complex vocal harmonizing really impresses me, and it's fun to try to isolate all of the sounds that the background singers are making behind the lead vocalist(s).
'Blue Moon' by The Marcels is just a lot of fun to concentrate on and I think it ranks with the absolute best of all Doo-Wop songs.
It's easy for some to think that Cybill Shepherd wasn't really an actress since she first made a name for herself as a high-priced model. But she was absolutely perfect in 'MOONLIGHTING' and her screen chemistry with Bruce Willis was off-the-charts, and THAT'S what made the show so popular.
Me, I love it for many other reasons as well. Such as the humor and the fantastic creativity of it. And of course the "breaking of the fourth wall" and silly chases. There was NO SUCH THING as a straight Car-After-Car chase on 'Moonlighting' - it was always something unusual (beginning with the 2-hour pilot episode and an elevator chase!)
They used to do all sorts of wacky things on that show. Maddie Hayes and David Addison might be in a huge argument about something and she'd shout, "How can you say something like that?!" And he might reply, "Because it's in the script - right here on page on 36."
Loved that show.
Thanks for your vote and continued support of 'BOTB', Brother Sixgun.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
I remember seeking out a version of the song after seeing that Moonlighting epsiode and hating the Marcels version.
ReplyDeleteBesides her obvious physical appeal, Cybil takes this one handily-arrangement is superior, voice is great.
I concur, Lee-The Marcels version is annoying..
Your vote counts, but you're banned too.
Delete~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
Oooh, I like this song. I really like the Marcels version (just saying that so I won’t be banned also, naw, just kidding – I DO really like it). It’s fun and like Sheboygan Boy said; a blast from the past that kinda sets the mood and gives you a sense of time.
ReplyDeleteI REALLY love the TV show ‘MOONLIGHTING’. I think some of their best episodes were those ‘time warp’ scenes that placed Maddie and David in various periods as themselves, but not really. I’m not sure I distinctly remember this particular one, but I do remember Cybil singing ‘Blue Moon’. While she doesn’t have the range or style of some of the great ‘torch’ singers, she does a better than fine job here. Another blast from the past that sets the mood and gives you a sense of time. Maybe not as much ‘pure fun’, but I love that big band sound and the smoky voice rendition.
I’m sure in your predictions you had me pegged as a vote for Maddie/Cybil and you would be correct. I sincerely look forward to seeing her perform this on my small screen soon.
Another great BATTLE where the two versions are drastically different.
Yes, FAE, I had you pegged as a vote for the German Shepherd with the Multiple Personality Disorder.
DeleteShe DOES sing well, and when you actually see her on the stage performing 'Blue Moon' it's even better because she makes these little gestures and motions that really sell the song in a physical way also.
I'm hoping to finish watching the last stuffs on my DVDs tonight (one or two more episodes and then some DVD specials like 'The Making Of Moonlighting', etc.) and then they'll be flying to Tahoe for a visit.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
Wow. Tough choice. I like both Doo Wop and Big Band music, and to make things worse, I like the song, too. Once upon a time, it was one of the songs I sang in a nightclub with my then-boyfriend's band. I like both of these versions... a LOT... but I think I'm gonna go with Cybil. (Tomorrow? I could vote the other way...)
ReplyDeleteSUSKI ~
DeleteI didn't know you used to sing. Have you ever mentioned that on yer blog?
Well, thanks for the vote. And, by the way, you have until October 7th to change that vote. So, if tomorrow you really do wake up and think you got it wrong, you sho nuff can change it at no cost to you. (After the 7th, however, there is a five-dollar service charge for changing one's vote. ...Just so ya know.)
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
I don't know if I ever mentioned it or not. It's ancient history.
DeleteHey, The United States Constitution is "ancient history" too but that doesn't prevent people from caring abou---
Delete...er, ...never mind.
~ D-FensDogg
Truly love both versions of Blue Moon by The Marcels and especially Cybill's....Hard to choose one to vote but I love all of 'em so I votin' for both!
ReplyDeleteTo D-FensDogg, thanks again for your lovely comments of my Video I did of Cybill's plus inviting me over to your blog
ReplyDeleteHEY, HENRY ~
DeleteThanks for stopping by. And again a huge thanks for putting together that fabulous video for Cybill's version of 'BLUE MOON'. Of those available at YouTube, yours was the one I liked best, and that's why you find it here at my blog.
Ordinarily, I would never allow a person to get away with voting for BOTH versions of a 'Battle Of The Bands' song, but in your case, sir, I will make a one-time exception.
Please feel free to come by here anytime. Especially on the 1st and 15th of each month to cast a vote for a 'BOTB' song. However... next time you're gonna have to pick just one. :-)
Take care, Buddy!
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
The two versions are different as night and day creating an interesting battle. Cybill Shepherd has a nice jazzy, big band sound that is very pleasing to the ears. However, my vote is for the Marcels classic doo-wop tune.
ReplyDeleteThanks, MIKE!
DeleteThat's what really excited me about posting this particular 'BOTB' installment so much. It's kind of rare to find two versions of a song where BOTH of them are really A-list renditions and yet (as you stated) as "different as night and day".
And thanks for showing The Marcels a little love, too.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
When I dropped in yesterday (just to see what you posted) I suspected that I would be voting for Maddie (I mean Cybil, songs unheard). I still haven't figured out how the initials you used in the email translates to these performers... but that isn't really the point.
ReplyDeleteI am still sick and struggling to make the rounds (hence the late appearance).
First, I really liked The Marcels version of this song. Even though DooWop music predates me, I have always liked it. My mom sang with Sweet Adelines when I was a kid. And I sang with them, too, for a couple of years about a decade ago. So, it is appealing to my ear. I don't understand how anyone finds it annoying. (Lee, I am looking at you!)
But, as you constantly say, music is subjective. So, there you go.
I remember this episode of Moonlighting. I can still see Bruce Willis - I mean David Addison - in his white wife beater undershirt holed up in a motel room with his sax. That was a great episode. And when Maddie sings this song: Knockout. She blew it out of the park then - and I still think so now.
(I have all the seasons of this show on DVD. This is a reminder that I need to watch them again.)
So, as we all suspected, my vote goes to Maddie. I mean Cybil.
'SWEET ADELINE' (Or, 'ROBIN, THE GIRL WONDER') ~
DeleteYep, I had you figured for this one. (I have Beer Boy Bryan figured for it too, since he said he loves that Big Band Jazz sound.)
That's way cool that you also own all the 'Moonlighting' episodes on DVD.
>>... David Addison - in his white wife beater undershirt holed up in a motel room with his sax.
Yeah, and the neon light from the hotel across the street flashing through the window... but all you see are the letters "HOT". Great touch!
Hope you feel better soon. (And I will get Part 2 of that Email sent before too long.)
Now I'm off to watch the 2-hour pilot episode of 'MOONLIGHTING' before catching a few hours of sleep before the graveyard shi(f)t starts again.
I gotta get finished with this last episode (which I've seen at least 3 times before) so I can loan my DVDs to FAE, who is yet another 'Moonlighting' fanatic.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
Is anyone thirsty now? Just me? That first one sounds like a subliminal message for Blue Moon beer. Blue Moon, Blue Moon, Blue Moooooon, Drink Blue Moooooon...
ReplyDeleteSo you probably already guessed it by that remark alone, but neither of us are huge fans of doo-wop. The repetition of "Blue Moon Blue Moon Blue Moooooon" kinda grates on me after a while, and it's sung so deep it sounds like the guy is literally mooing it. Mooooo. Moooooooooo.
I had no idea Cybill sang, but her version was much more captivating, much less lactating. Score a big +2 from the both of us for her.
BTW, Mr. I'm-On-A-Moonlighting-Kick, I don't suppose the next BOTB will be featuring a Bruce Willis blues cover...?
~6B
6-B ~
DeleteOh, no fair - you peeked!
Yes, my next 'BOTB' will feature Bruce Willis.
I'm going to put his version of this song...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BY2oWGpNF_s
...up against Cybill Shepherd's version of that song.
Should be a close contest.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
Late to the pond, been zoning out on Spotify. Cybill did a great job. I love doo-wop. Vote to the Marcells. But CS is probably the best slow version.
ReplyDeleteBROTHER MARTIN ~
DeleteI had noticed your absence from all the 'BOTBs' and wondered about it but was hopeful you'd eventually make the rounds.
Glad to have ya back and glad to have ya back with a vote for The Marcels, too. Right now, they need all the help they can get.
By the way, I listened to a lot of versions in preparation for this 'BOTB' installment, and I agree with you entirely: Cybill DOES do the best ballad form of 'Blue Moon'. At least that's what my ears tell me, and they rarely lie to me.
Thanks, and mucho pleased-o to see ya here with yer .02 cents.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
Yo Mr Sexiest Man.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had the Moonlighting series. I wonder if its hit TVland. Have to check it out.
Cybill has a Patsy Cline smooth voice. Her version was awesome; melancholy, wine-sipping music.
But, I first heard the Marcels version watching An American Werewolf, and I just can't get the sound and concept out of my brain. Same for CCR Bad Moon Rising. So the Marcels get my vote, no contest.
BTW; this is Donna Hole at A Writers Life in Progress. I had to delete that blog in early September, so you might want to remove the links in this post and on your side bar. I do plan on returning to BotB posts sometime, maybe not until after the new year as I usually take Nov and Dec off. Now that I'm unemployed and got time on my restless little fingers though, who knows.
DONNA ~
DeleteIt's a relief to find you here. I and some others were really concerned about the mysterious disappearance of your blog without a peep from you.
Very good to know that you seem to be alright!
Thanks for the vote and for "reintroducing" yourself, my Friend.
As soon as I've got a couple spare minutes, I will delete the links to your old blog and replace them with links to your new one, so that you can jump back into the 'BOTB' fun any ol' time you're ready.
Welcome back! Glad you're OK, and please rejoin us just as soon as you can and want to. Your contribution has been missed.
Yak Later, Donna...
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
This is a tough one... Depending on what time of the day I heard them, I could go either way. Cybill Shepherd has a really good voice, and I love the big-band arrangement, but it's Saturday night, and that calls for the doo-wop version of the song. Sorry Cybill, I'm going with the Marcels.
ReplyDeleteJohn Holton
The Sound Of One Hand Typing
JOHN ~
DeleteYou make a good point. I can see where "time of day" might be the deciding factor in this one, because I think both versions are quite good in their own way.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
Al Bondigas here. Easy win for the Marcels. No contest. Don't get me wrong, I like Cybill's version; in fact I like every version of this song, but The Marcels version epitomizes the music of the 50's. You know I am a true anachronism Stephen. I should have been about 15 years old in 1955 or so. That's it. That's my rulin'.
ReplyDeleteJUDGE MEATBALL (or is it JUDGE MEATLOAF?) ~
DeleteYour ruling does not surprise me at all. In fact, I 'spected it.
We may not agree on all tunes, but we both have an appreciation for 1950s / early '60s music that is more extensive than you even realize. (This was brought home to me yet again when at home the other day you had your Nook playing oldies and said to me, "You might as well change it because you aren't going to like this one." And 'Runaround Sue' by Dion And The Belmonts had just started playing. I sez, sez I, "What're ya talkin' about? This is a GOOD song, man!")
I also like every version of 'Blue Moon' (even the ultra-slow one by The Cowboy Junkies - betcha never heard that one before).
Hey, did you hear Milner's gonna race some new fool in town at sunrise? See ya at the drag strip on the outskirts. Be there or be square!
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal Americana Underground'
I don't know man. Milner's gettin old. His days are numbered.
ReplyDeleteAww, what're ya talkin' about, man! Milner's got the fastest set of wheels this valley has ever seen! Milner's gonna cream this guy, man, right off the starting line. I don't even know why they keep tryin', why they keep comin' around. They might as well be driving their grandma's wheelchair, man!
Delete~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
I just finished typing my response to your "stalling" E. And I forgot to send you this link...
ReplyDeletehttp://tvjunctionfunction.blogspot.com/
Enjoy!
I thought that there would be BOTB results today. Are you okay????
DOH!
DeleteThanks for the reminder, Girl Wonder. (I would have realized the oversight when I saw your post show up in my Dashboard Window though.)
Well, now the dirty deed has been done, and the dirty deed done dirt-cheap. (Not "Dunder Chief".)
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
STMcC’s Vote On ‘BOTB - 2014, October 1st
ReplyDelete- The Marcels Vs. Cybill Shepherd’
And The Final Tally:
Well, I really enjoyed this 'BOTB' installment because I had (what I thought were) two really good versions of a song going against each other and yet they were "as different as Night and Day" (to quote Mike Spain).
I also had a contest here that had male voices (plural) going against a single female voice. And on top of that, it was a female known much more for her modeling and acting than for her singing. (Most people don't even realize Cybill Shepherd sings, too.)
As I stated before, a few times, I really dig BOTH versions of 'BLUE MOON' presented here. But when push comes to shove, I gotta give my vote to Cybill Shepherd. I feel (as some others stated) that she has a surprisingly excellent singing voice and really puts the mood of the song over very well. Of course I am also very partial to Big Band music, and I think the arrangement on Cybill's recording is simply wonderful.
So, what were the results? Beforehand, I had predicted that Cybill would win in a very close contest, probably decided by no more than a couple of votes, but I had not anticipated that a few voters would inherently dislike the Doo-Wop musical genre so much.
Therefore, my prediction was only half right: Cybill Shepherd won but it wasn't as close as I'd anticipated...
The Marcels = 7 Votes
Cybill Shepherd = 11 Votes
This was a very nice turnout and as always I thank every one of you for participating. I hope to see you all back here again for my next 'Battle Of The Bands' contest on October 15th.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
No surprises here. I had you 'pegged' the same way.
DeleteI'm not surprised with your preference between these two.
ReplyDeleteSomething that did surprise me though is that the Marcels version came out in 1961. It seems like something should have happened in the 50's. I didn't even realize that do-wop was still a serious chart contender after 1959. I'd heard the Marcels' version often but it just seemed older than 1961. But I wasn't really keeping up with much music until after 1963.
Lee
A Faraway View
BUDDY BOID ~
DeleteI do like a fair amount of Doo-Wop, but certainly not all of it. (Some tracks contain more Doo than Wop.) But I think a lot of the music from the last half of the '50s up to about '65 contained many similar elements.
I mean there's a certain tone or feeling to it that can be found in multiple styles. I've never really pondered this idea very deeply so I can't be more specific. But I'd say that there's this certain "something" that makes even in the non-Doo-Wop songs from that time period seem that they share some sort of commonality with ALL the songs from the period, including the Doo-Wop.
Just to put it in a non-analyzed sentence, I would say, "'Heartbreak Hotel' is a lot closer in style to The Marcels' 'Blue Moon' than it is to 'Drive My Car' or 'Sloop John B'."
I just sense that the point where the change really came is with The Beatles' album 'Rubber Soul' and/or 'Pet Sounds' by The Beach Boys. Those albums seem like evolutionary changes in music, whereas everything in Pop before them was essentially cut from a similar cloth.
I might be full o' it, but I've always had this feeling about popular music. You can almost feel where a giant leap occurred and it was with The Beatles and The Beach Boys at their 1966 'Pet Sounds' point. (Interestingly, all of The Beach Boys tunes - which I do love - that were recorded BEFORE 'Pet Sounds' in '66 clearly belong, style-wise, to the earlier "Elvis/Doo-Wop/Berry/Lewis/Richard" era.)
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
Man, the ol hag caught me with a bottle of old harpers and I got grounded. Missed the race, did Milner pull it off?
ReplyDeleteYeah, they tell me Milner won. I didn't actually see the race because, at the time, I was kissing Carol in Steve Bolander's boss car. (I didn't know she was only ten years old - someone told me she went "up to eleven".)
DeleteAnyway, Milner won the race, and Falfa flipped his car and it caught fire. But so what... hell, that car was ALREADY uglier than I am. ...Uh... that didn't come out right.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
I figured you for a Maddie/Cybil vote, and I can see why you voted for it. It's very, very good (and Alf did a simply fabulous job on the arrangement). And I'm not a DooWop "fan" by ANY stretch of the imagination. But I couldn't vote against that song by the Marcels. It's an almost magical blend of being song that is so clearly attached to a specific era, and yet -- to my ears -- still sounds "fresh" today, over 50 years later.
ReplyDeleteGreat BOTB!
I hear ya, my Friend. I wish I could have voted for both because, indeed, both interpretations of that song were deserving of my vote.
DeleteSee ya on the 15th, Chris.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'