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’)
.
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’)
.
But first, please be sure to visit Holli at 'HOLLI'S HOOTS AND HOLLERS' and Guilie Castillo at 'QUIET LAUGHTER' and vote on their first ever BOTB installments. Thanks, y'all!
But first, please be sure to visit Holli at 'HOLLI'S HOOTS AND HOLLERS' and Guilie Castillo at 'QUIET LAUGHTER' and vote on their first ever BOTB installments. Thanks, y'all!
Alright, let’s get on it...
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| EUGENE MARTONE VS. JACK BUTLER |
'TAKE FIVE' by The Dave Brubeck Quartet is considered a classic amongst classics. One person has said, "It's the 'Stairway To Heaven' of Jazz tunes". Joel Whitburn's 'THE BILLBOARD BOOK OF TOP 40 HITS' says that the Brubeck Quartet was one of America's all-time most popular jazz groups on college campuses. Rock 'N' Roll was all the rage by '61, so it was quite remarkable when this pure Jazz track broke into the Top 40!
Wackypedia:
'Take Five' is a jazz piece composed by Paul Desmond and performed by The Dave Brubeck Quartet on their 1959 album Time Out. Recorded ... on July 1, 1959, fully two years later it became an unlikely one-hit wonder and the biggest-selling jazz single ever. Included in numerous movie and television soundtracks, it still receives significant radio play.
Written in the key of E-flat minor, it is known for its distinctive two-chord piano vamp; catchy blues-scale saxophone melody; inventive, jolting drum solo; and use of the unusual quintuple (5/4) time, from which its name is derived.
OK, let's hear it...
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| GOODNIKS VS. NO-GOODNIKS |
'TAKE FIVE' - THE DAVE BRUBECK QUARTET (1959)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzpnWuk3RjU
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| GODZILLA VS. KING KONG |
Well, if you're going to put a cover version of an all-time Jazz classic up against the original, you damn-sure better have found something special... and I have.
Wackypedia:
"Tito" Puente (April 20, 1923 – June 1, 2000) was an American Mambo musician and Latin jazz composer. The son of native Puerto Ricans, Ernest and Ercilia Puente, living in New York City's Spanish Harlem community, Puente is often credited as "The Musical Pope", "El Rey de los Timbales" (The King of the Timbales) and "The King of Latin Music". He is best known for dance-oriented mambo and Latin jazz compositions that endured over a 50-year career.
Let's listen as Tito picks up the pace, puts some Latin fire under this tune and smokes it:
'TAKE FIVE' - TITO PUENTE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqHEWPgBRmE
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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 blogs to
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Voice Your Vote @ ‘FAR AWAY SERIES’ by clicking HERE.
@ ‘TOSSING IT OUT’ by clicking HERE.
@ ‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’ by clicking HERE.
@ 'BOOK LOVER' 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.
@ 'DCRELIEF - BATTLE OF THE BANDS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THIS BELLE ROCKS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE DOGLADY'S DEN' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CHERDO ON THE FLIPSIDE' by clicking HERE.
@ 'ANGELS BARK' by clicking HERE.
@ 'JINGLE JANGLE JUNGLE' by clicking HERE.
@ 'WOMEN: WE SHALL OVERCOME' by clicking HERE.
@ 'J.A. SCOTT' by clicking HERE.
@ 'NOVELBREWS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'HOLLI'S HOOTS AND HOLLERS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'QUIET LAUGHTER' 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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YAY!!! I'm so excited to be a part of the battles this week. I love it already!
ReplyDeleteNow for my vote- I think I've got to go with Tito. His version made me want to dance and samba more than the Quartet.
I will be honest and say that I've never heard of either version so this was really fun. Have a great day and thanks for letting me play along.
Happy to have you as a new BOTBer, Holli. And I'm pleased as spiked punch to know you're diggin' it.
DeleteTito takes the lead out of the gate.
~ D-FensDogG
My vote goes to Tito Puente. It just sounded a bit more cohesive than the other.
ReplyDeleteOK, thanks for your vote, MARY. (Haven't gotten to your Battle yet, but I'll get there before the dealin's done.)
Delete~ D-FensDogG
Stephen, good instrumental battle. I do know this song, so maybe I don't live under a rock after all. The original is fabulous and I love it, but jazzy, mambo version got me to my feet and because of that I'm giving my vote to Titl!
ReplyDelete#BOTB Star Spangled Banner Showdown ~Spirit VS #MadisonRising
Thanks, CATHY. And the trouncing has just begun.
Delete~ D-FensDogG
Take Five is such a jazz standard. Hard to imagine any cover could compete with the original, but Tito Puente put some real PIZAZZ into that! I like it a lot. Put me down for Tito.
ReplyDeleteDEBBIE, I was actually surprised when I learned about a year ago that ANYONE had the audacity to cover this song.
DeleteThere were a few, but this was the only one I thought might have any chance whatsoever against Brubeck's Quartet in a BOTB contest. And it looks like I was right, 'cause Tito has jumped out to a large lead.
~ D-FensDogG
Tito's version was a great find! Who knew?
DeleteAnother vote for Tito here... As much as I love the original, Tito's version makes me happy. Like cure-clinical-depression happy :D Great face-off! (Oh, and I'm joining BoTB as of today! Been meaning to do it for ages, finally got around to posting on the day and everything.) Off to visit everyone else!
ReplyDeleteGuilie @ Quiet Laughter
Welcome, Guilie! I just now added links to your blog.
Delete~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
>>... Tito's version makes me happy. Like cure-clinical-depression happy
DeleteHa! Great line, Guilie.
~ D-FensDogG
When I first scanned this BATTLE earlier this morning on my phone (without listening to either piece), I thought ‘no brainer’. Dave Brubeck’s ‘Take Five’ is the quintessential smooth jazz piece and who is gonna beat that out. I could listen to this piece of music on repeat all day long. I love the way he anchors me to the ground, even when he takes off into more ethereal spaces, with that simple beat. And that sax, it is so smooth and simple and yet there is something very complex about the sound. Yeah, Dave Brubeck’s ‘Take Five’ may reference the beat, but it makes me want to take more than ‘five’ out of my day, sit back, sip a gin and tonic and let my mind wander amongst those sweet notes.
ReplyDeleteSo, I’m thinking its Brubeck for sure. But, then…just to be fair…I click on Tito and it’s *&%$#; no those aren’t bad words…their fireworks.
W-O-W! Tito not only picks up the pace he picks me right up off the ground and twirls me around a few times. His version was super, superb, magnificent, and just what I needed to get me up and moving this morning. Now, I know somebody is going to say that ‘Tito’s version really got my toe tapping’, and to that I say; SHEESH! Tito’s version got my hips swaying and me up and dancing around the kitchen with coffee cup in hand wishing is was later in the day and more like Margarita time. Say, ‘it’s five o’clock somewhere’, right?
All of that said, this is kind of a hard decision. Well, not really…I’m gonna give my vote to Tito, but I do love the Brubeck version also and I really, Really, REALLY could listen to this BATTLE at another time when I’m more in the mood for that lazy smooth jazz and give my vote to him. But, not this morning.
Great BATTLE! Really and truly do love both version.
>>... take more than ‘five’ out of my day, sit back, sip a gin and tonic and let my mind wander amongst those sweet notes. ... coffee cup in hand wishing it was later in the day and more like Margarita time.
DeleteFAE, where's the "Momjito" (aka Mojito), damn it?! :-)
I really and truly do love both versions, too. The Tito Puente version is terrific! Until I heard it 'bout a year ago, I never would have imagined that I would even consider putting a cover up against Brubeck's classic 'TAKE FIVE' in a BOTB affair. ...It wouldn't be fair... but Tito's making this more than just interesting.
Is Tito really going to clobber Brubeck with Brubeck's own song? Well, it's BOTB, so one never knows how she blows.
~ D-FensDogG
OK, now after casting my vote, I went back and read the other comments. Looks like it continues here also. HA!
ReplyDeleteIts popularity during the rockin age could be attributed to its awesome dance beat. Even with my feet kicked up my toes were busy bouncing. I'm picturing a gum-shoe scene, pounding the streets of San Francisco with the Quartet; and a Latin dancing girl with Tito's. Both of these are awesome. I really liked what Tito did with the middle; added some pep to a redundant part.
ReplyDeletePerhaps its just cuz I have not yet had my first diet pepsi and morning donut, but Tito was just a little too busy for me this morning, even though I like it very much. Maybe I'd feel differently with a glass of wine and cheese cake in me; but I really enjoyed the the laid back Brueback version. Give my vote to the Brueback Quartet.
Have a great 4th of July weekend Saint Mac :)
Here she comes to save the day!...
DeleteDONNA, I first heard 'TAKE FIVE' in the animated movie 'AMERICAN POP', and yes, it does lend itself to mental (and cinematic) imagery, doesn't it?
Ha! Well, so far, we've had Gin & Tonic, Margaritas, Mojitos, and Wine in this comment section.
Is it just me, or is this blog bit slowly spinning?
You have a great weekend, too, my friend!
~ D-FensDogG
This is ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteReading the other comments is actually causing a visceral reaction with me, the same one I has last week after the supreme court (lower case, you will notice) rulings. I am also STUNNED that you said before you didn't know how I'd vote. Really... I think I am still dreaming this morning and need to wake up, or this is some elaborate setup as a joke on me. I'm not voting and saving you on this one.
Looks like Dolorah saved you while I was still typing.
DeleteSHEBOYGANBOY SIX ~
DeleteWell, I really did figure you as a DBQ voter, but I thought you'd be pleasantly surprised by how different and how good the cover version is.
I guess there's room for only one 'Take Five' in your opinion. And although the voting HAS surprised me so far, I knew this would be no shutout, and I also think there's good reason why Tito Puente is scoring some votes. What he did with it has MORE than just a little merit.
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
Yeah, DONNA was the first to save me from the dreaded shutout, but I feel confident that her vote and yours aren't the only votes DBQ will receive before this Battle is over.
Delete~ D-FensDogG
I'm wondering if my comment and vote went into your' spam or something. I commented before you had published any comments. I'm getting notified of other comments but I don't see mine.
DeleteLee
LEE, I just checked and all the submitted comments so far have been published by me, and there is nothing written by you in my Spam file.
DeleteSorry 'bout that, my friend, but it looks like the Blogger Bug kidnapped your comment somewhere between "Publish" and my Dashboard and ate it all up.
"TAKE TWO"?
~ D-FensDogG
No, I would not characterize it as "there is only room for one version of Take Five." If I attended a jazz concert by Puente and heard his version, I would be pleasantly surprised, I'd enjoy it, I'd praise him as doing a great job on it and impressing it with his own style.
DeleteBut I would NOT say, as so many others here have: "wow, that's better than than the original." To me, that's as nuts (as it were) as calling Bruce Jenner Kaitlyn.
Reality exists. Brubeck assembled the best jazz combo ever and Desmond wrote one of the coolest, most innovative songs ever. Take Five - as a few have said since the early ballot stuffing ended - is part of the soundtrack of ALL our lives. It is the best selling jazz single of all time.
Puente is fine. But that was not the question.
It just goes to show the sad state of the electorate, and with voters like this no wonder the country is down the tubes!
Ha! I genuinely love your passion, SHEBOYGANBOY SIX.
DeleteI'm not just saying that to try to mollify you. I sincerely mean it. To you and me, music is far, Far, FAR more than entertainment. It's sort of a form of food - nourishment for the soul.
I remember a time in the early 1980s when I was not doing well financially but I really wanted to buy this Bob Dylan album I had read so much about. It was supposed to be this revolutionary recording that had changed the face of Rock music.
I couldn't really afford it (and this was back when an LP cost about $5.00) but I justified the purchase by saying I would listen to the LP every time I felt hungry but couldn't afford to buy something to eat.
That's what music has meant to me since the late 1970s / early-'80s. (And by the way, I never did go hungry because God looks out for retards, drunks, and drunken retards like me!)
So, I totally "get" your intensity when it comes to some of these BOTB contests. And, frankly, I love it (even when we strongly disagree).
I fully believe that BOTH of these recordings are tremendous in their own ways - I think there's a place for both of them - and we'll see how this Battle ultimately turns out.
But remember... some people think Rare Earth's version of Feelin' Alright was way better'n Joe Cocker's version. And some (intelligent) folks... strongly disagree.
Hang on, Brother. This is going to be a bumpy ride. ;-)
~ D-FensDogG
Yup. But unfortunately, everything is a bumpy ride.
DeleteMusic is a great source of passion for me. Fortunately this stuffs is not as important as "The Creature From Jekyll Island" or FEMA camps or the Surveillance State. THOSE rides will suffer major turbulence!
But I believe that less things are truly subjective than we acknowledge. Passing judgement is now a thought-crime. The only people we are able to condemn is anyone who has a strong opinion or who judges someone else. "Who are YOU to judge?"
I may be wrong about the song, but I'm tellin' ya: SOME things are not a matter of opinion!!! And Nappy expressed objective reality.
VI ~
DeleteI agree with you about less things being subjective than we are conditioned to believe.
There are plenty of things where all or most of the evidence leads to a rational conclusion, but we're told that there's no judging it and it's just our own opinion.
When you have a subjective state of simply varied opinions, now brute force gets to decide which direction to go in. If there's no objective guideline or moral compass, the sheep get led by the most powerful (i.e., The Wizards Behind The Curtain).
And surely it was not happenstance that we find ourselves in this condition today. And, yes, I can prove that... objectively. :-)
~ D-FensDogG
I was re-reading your comment, and I was reminded of one of the funniest lines from a top five favorite comedy of mine.
DeleteHave you watched "Kentucky Fried Movie"? If not, put it on your netflix list and don't hate me the morning after. It slays me!
You said:
"God looks out for retards, drunks, and drunken retards like me!"
Now, this is not the same, but one element is... and its laugh out loud funny:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzH8VXlXxNE
Oh, man, that was REALLY FUNNY!!!
DeleteI have actually seen 'KENTUCKY FRIED MOVIE', probably a couple times. The first time, I believe, in a theatre when it was released.
But it has been so long since the last time I viewed it that I don't recall anything about it, so it was like seeing that scene again for the first time.
I recently saw a used VHS copy of that movie in some thrift store near my house. I may go back and see if it's still on the shelf, because for a buck or two, how could I go "wong"?
Thanks for the laugh, Six! I needed that.
~ D-FensDogG
I do like Tito's version because he really did do it justice but I still must go with the original. The Dave Brubeck Quartet is just so original and brings such great imagery into my head with that famous picture of James Dean walking in NYC even though he was dead by the time this film came out. I am thinking of all the cool films that came out in the 60's-you know the kitchen sink films. I love the original too much
ReplyDeleteBIRGIT ~
DeleteHokey-Smoke! You mean Canada actually let you play both videos? That doesn't happen too often anymore.
Thanks for your vote and for keeping Dave in the game. It's pretty surprising how far behind Tito he fell right from the opening bell.
~ D-FensDogG
Wow, you made this tricky for me today. I love jazz and this is a classic song. I like the original but the spin Tito put on it was just as interesting. In the end, I decided to go with the original. Please give my vote to Dave Brubek.
ReplyDeleteAs a side note, odd how so many battles today are instrumentals.
JEFFREY ~
DeleteI'm glad you appreciated this match-up. I think both recordings are total winners!
Yeah, I've got a ways to go yet in casting my BOTB votes, but I've already encountered more than the usual amount of instrumentals.
~ D-FensDogG
Al Bondigas here. I liked the flavor of Tito Puente's version, but it's a slam dunk, no contest win for Brubeck. No one will ever top his version. That's right, I said it!!! Did I make myself clear, or do you want me to run through it again? Huh? That's it!! That's my rulin'.
ReplyDeleteJUDGE AL ~
DeleteFirst of all, what are you doing here NOW? You don't usually show up with your rulin' until two hours before closing time.
It seems you and Sheboyganboy Six feel rather strongly about this.
Well, don't look now but HERE COMES DAVE! He's just captured the last 5 votes in a row, and suddenly we sense a swing in momentum with this Battle.
This thing is a long way from over.
~ D-FensDogG
A judge as wise as Solomon. The exactly correct rulin'. Too bad you are outnumbered by the crazy wing of the court!
DeleteHa!-Ha! I love you guyz!
DeleteI say... let's divide this baby in half and see who protests the most. (Gotta know a wee bit o' Bible to get that one, but I also know both you guyz get it.)
~ D-FensDogG
HA HA! I will often say outta the blue: "divide the child in twain!" Most of my crowd gets it.
DeleteThat is one of the those sections of the Bible that I truly love. King Solomon NAILS it!
My first comment that apparently disappeared was more interesting than this one will be, but because of my current computer on the road situation I've got to mete out these comments carefully.
ReplyDeleteIn essence as I originally said, Tito's version is good, but not in the right spirit of the tune.
Give my vote to the original by Brubeck.
I said it better the first time so I hope that comment eventually finds its way to your site and you can delete this one.
Lee
Tossing It Out
LEE ~
DeleteI'll keep watching for your original comment to appear, but at least this one made it through OK.
I hope you're safe on the road and everything is mighty satisfactual.
OK, that's now 6 DAVE BRUBECK QUARTET votes in a row. And that big lead Tito Puente jumped out to in the first quarter has all but disappeared in the second quarter. It's just like two really good teams on a football field and shifting momentum.
In whose hands will the football be in when the clock runs down to 00:00?
~ D-FensDogG
Mom and I listened to this in the car on I-77, and we both liked the cover by Tito Puente better, but you can decide if you cast her vote or not.
ReplyDeleteI tried to comment from my phone (and thought I succeeded, but it didn't go through). Gah. However, I did figure out how to sync my phone to the car and play the songs through the car speakers. That was pretty cool.
Great battle!
GIRL WONDER ~
DeleteSure, I'll count YOUR MA'S VOTE, too. Why not?
I kind of guessed you might go with Tito Puente. And like daughter, like mother, eh?
~ D-FensDogG
Oh, Tito Puente for sure! I like that version so much better. I'm just not into jazz at all. I guess I don't understand jazz. I do like an occasional smooth jazz but classic jazz, not so much. Puente's version has such good sound to it.
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th of July weekend! Enjoy...
Michele at Angels Bark
Thanks for listening and voting, MICHELE. And a Happy 4th of July weekend to you as well!
Delete~ D-FensDogG
When I saw Dave Brubeck at the top, I almost voted for him without going any further. IT'S DAVE, MAN. And to top it off, it's "Take Five." Really, could it be any simpler??
ReplyDeleteCurse you, Colonel Ninja! I was tricked and punished for my impulsiveness. If I hadn't read it all and listened to Tito, I would have made a mistake. Tito Puente gives "Take Five" a kick in the pants with a touch of Latin flare.
MY VOTE: TITO!
Ha!
DeleteColonel Ninja sez: "I wouldn't have put just any ol' cover up against Dave Brubeck and his ultra-classic Jazz tune. I got a lick o' sense. No more than that, but one lick fo' sure."
~ D-FensDogG
Oh, it's a triple lick - I'm certain of it.
DeleteHa! Three licks? "The world may never know."
Delete~ D-FensDogG
I have to go with the original: Dave Brubeck. They are part of the soundtrack of my life.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
The classic of classics! Good for you, JANIE.
Delete~ D-FensDogG
This is one of my favorite BOTB! I, too, first thought it was a no-brainer.....Dave Brubeck for sure. BUT, the minute Tito's version began to play, I LIKED it, I really, really liked it! BUT....as it played on and on, it really began to get on my nerves. It veered away from the tune, and just went off on it's own wacky way. SO, I'm happy to give my vote to DAVE, because it's the one, true version....and as Janie Junebug, above, said, it's part of the soundtrack of my life....Take Five, and Green Onions....two of my absolute favorite instrumentals....I'm transported back in time....Thanks, Mr. Stephen T. You made my evening!
ReplyDeleteHey-Ho, BECKY-O! ~
DeleteHappy to see you at BOTB!
>>... "I LIKED it, I really, really liked it!"
OK, but how do you feel about Sally Field? :-)
Yeah, I know what you mean because there's a certain point in the Puente version where I start to feel he's musically said all he has to say with this number, and just as I'm mentally starting to drift-- WHAM! --in comes this fantastic horn part and suddenly I'm pulled right back into the song again.
I'm pleased to see you keeping Dave in this contest. And, yes, I love 'GREEN ONIONS' too. That has got such a strong vibe going for it... and of course, Booker T. on the B-3. What's not to love, eh?
~ D-FensDogG
This is going to be very anticlimactic following Becky's enthusiastic comment. I've also always liked Dave Brubeck's version, but Tito's Latin flavor really spiced this song up. My vote is for Tito Puente. Fantastico Esteban!
ReplyDeleteJulie
GEM JULIE ~
DeleteReally glad you enjoyed it, and I thank you for your continued support of BOTB. I always appreciate your votes.
I knew what "Esteban" meant, but I had to look up "fantastico" in my Spanish dictionary. Ha!
~ D-FensDogG
~ D-FensDogG,
ReplyDeleteSweet torture - great battle! I'm heading back to the doghouse, I know. Tito really turns some tricks with this tune. Yeah, I said it. He gotz my favorite lil' samba beat....massive horns and neck-jarring movements are threatening me. But then I remember my ruts, er, um, roots...
Dave Brubeck really knocked me over when I first heard this song. To me, the beauty lies in the simplicity of the jazz sound. I want that simplicity - that purity of sound. I vote for Dave and the guys!!
Have a nice July 4th. I'm off to find crushed ice!
DIXIE POLKA ~
DeleteI'm off to find some Rum to go with that crushed ice!
Glad you found this BOTB "sweet torture". That's the best kind of torture.
Yeah, on the surface, this seems like a no-brainer but then it makes the brain go loopy, especially if someone likes massive horns and breakneck percussion.
Thanks for your comment and vote. Stay cool, gal!
~ D-FensDogG
I know I have this by someone else, but forget who.
ReplyDeleteLiked Brubeck's version, and am not sure I have ever heard Tito Puente before, but was not sure I'd like it simply based on your description of him (the word "mambo" gave me agita).
Talk about eliciting two very different moods with the same piece of music. Both quite good.
I could go either way, but I think I'll vote Brubeck. The tie-breaker was I had to go double check the spelling of his name each time I typed it.
DR. DISCDUDE ~
DeleteMaybe by Al Jarreau?
Yeah, that's something I like about this BOTB: Same piece of music - both instrumentals - but radically different in several ways, and yet both truly A-list recordings.
>>... I could go either way, but I think I'll vote Brubeck.
And like you always say, when it could go either way, go with the original composer.
Why do I get the feeling there's another BOTB tie shaping up here?
Thanks for checking in with your vote. At this point, I don't know who is in the lead, but both are certainly within range of a victory.
~ D-FensDogG
I was swamped on the 1st, and listened to the songs but never made it back to comment.
DeleteFunny-I have heard of Puente, but honestly think this is the first time I have heard him.
When you described "mambo" I was anticipating that annoying popular song from the 90's...
This one deserves to be a tie-both arrangements bring something to the table!
Ha! I don't even know a popular song from the '90s titled 'MAMBO'. That was the title?
DeleteWell, you know, I wasn't paying any attention to new popular music after about '84 or '85.
~ D-FensDogG
This is no contest for me. "Take Five" by the Dave Brubeck Quartet was the song that introduced me to jazz in odd meter, and it's still my favorite version of the song. The whole "Time Out" album is a masterpiece. Puente's version is good, but it's not the Brubeck version. Brubeck gets my vote.
ReplyDeleteJOHN ~
DeleteHa! I was just on my way over to your place and decided to check my Dashboard first and found this comment.
Yeah, I kinda had you pegged as a DBQ voter. And I agree, 'TIME OUT' is a fantastic album. I played the bejabbers out of it. Believe it or not (even though 'Take Five' is still my favorite DBQ tune), I think their next album, 'TIME FURTHER OUT', is overall even better.
Interesting story: You know how the 'TIME OUT' album cover is almost as famous as 'Take Five' and 'Blue Rondo A La Turk'? Well, originally, Brubeck wanted to use the painting that appears as the cover of 'TIME FURTHER OUT' but he couldn't get permission in time for the release date. So the cover that WOULD have been 'Time Out' wound up as 'Time Further Out' instead.
Just reading the album liner notes that Dave Brubeck wrote blows my mind. That cat was a seriously deep thinker, and the stuffs he writes about the music he wrote leaves my head spinning. That was one incredibly creative and innovative composer and his observations and thoughts on music are as deep as it gets.
You ever heard his 'AT CARNEGIE HALL' album? One of the greatest live albums of all time, in my opinion. I still haven't fully wrapped my mind around it, and probably never will.
~ D-FensDogG
Wow, just reading the first bunch of comments I thought Tito was going to run away with this. I also questioned my taste. I mean, I like both versions - Tito's is fun and zesty and has that Hispanic flair (just how I like my wimens) but it can't hold a candle to the original. Or, at least the two of us think so.
ReplyDeleteWe were both working together yesterday, so we listened to this on a quick lunch break. Even with some Mexican-themed chilebeso to wash the battle down, Brubeck still reigned supreme for both of us.
~6B
6-B ~
Delete>>... fun and zesty and has that Hispanic flair (just how I like my wimens)
Ha! Yeah, me too.
It's peculiar how some of these BOTBs have momentum swings. Sometimes I see it shift 3 and 4 times over the six-day voting period. So often the votes for each contestant come in bunches.
Then other times, I keep waiting for the momentum to swing the other way but it never does and I end up with a blowout on my hands.
And to tell you the truth, at first, I was afraid this was going to be my third blowout in a row. They're not much fun, and three straight would have caused me to begin thinking I'd lost my BOTB touch. Thankfully, that's hardly the case here, as this one has become a rather epic struggle.
I guessed wrong on both you Beer Boys this time. And if Tito couldn't get your votes even with an assist from the great Chilebeso, then truly he was simply no match for the DBQ to your ears.
Thanks for continuing to support my Battles with your votes.
~ D-FensDogG
So I'm just intrigued that you saw both of us taking Tito. Any particular reason why?
DeleteAs for my cohort, his answer was pretty simple. He's not so much for that zesty kind of Latin sound.
As for me, I like Tito's, but that classic 40s and 50s style jazz sound just has a special place in my heart. Always has. I'm not surprised that I picked Brubeck, actually, just more surprised that I liked Tito's version more than I thought I would.
~6B
6-B ~
DeleteWell, for one thing, I didn't realize you knew and liked classic Jazz. Also, I was thinking that since both of you Beer Boys have some "Latin" blood (well, half of your blood, anyway) and had voted for Herb Alpert & The TJ Brass in an earlier BOTB, you might lean toward Tito in this one.
Incidentally, I double checked that and found that it was only Brandon who'd voted for Herb Alpert. You went with Bobby Darin. NOW I remember!
Although my blood is strictly Irish, German, Scottish and Alcohol, I do have a natural affinity for that hot Latin sound. Love all those horns and percussion instruments.
~ D-FensDogG
Wow! Super battle. I think my vote has to stay with Dave but it was close.
ReplyDeleteThanks, MIKE!
DeleteI had tried to predict your vote in advance, but in the end I couldn't decide and thought you might go either way on this one. Sounds like I had it right, except for the slight lean toward Brubeck.
~ D-FensDogG
Tito's version isn't new to me as I've heard it before so this isn't really a hard choice for me. I've heard both pieces at different times in my life and while I've been in different moods so my decision is simply based on what I, as a musician, get from the piece so it's Brubeck for me.
ReplyDeleteNice to see that so many people seemed to dig listening to jazz and were aware of the song.
ANNE ~
DeleteI'm glad you checked in here with your vote, since I had you in mind when I put this BOTB installment together. (You know, after our lengthy discussion about our mutual love of Jazz.)
I kinda guessed you'd go with the Classic classic.
Yeah, it was cool that I got my usual voters to listen and vote (and most voiced appreciation for the recordings) despite these being Jazz instrumentals.
Not the first time I've used Jazz instrumentals in a BOTB blog bit and surely won't be the last.
~ D-FensDogG
I was reading through your comments and came across this. You said
DeleteSo, am I to understand that, in your opinion, people who liked Rare Earth's version better are stupid?
ANNE ~
DeleteI'm not sure which of my comments you're referring to because you left out what you were quoting from me (or else the Blogger Bug ate the middle of your comment but didn't want the hors d'oeuvre or the dessert).
But at any rate, it's safe to say you misinterpreted something I wrote because... I also voted for Rare Earth. In fact, it wasn't even close for me: RARE EARTH over Joe Cocker in a big, big way!
~ D-FensDogG
POSTSCRIPT:
DeleteI just now found what you were referring to and I can see how you might have misinterpreted that. But, actually, it was a joke because Sheboyganboy Six, whom I was addressing, had voted for Joe Cocker.
His votes and mine rarely align, so I was essentially saying that one could be intelligent and still vote for Joe Cocker over Rare Earth (even though I liked the Rare Earth version WAY better).
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC’s Vote On '2015, July 1st: Battle Of The Bands' (Or, 'Dave Brubeck Quartet Vs. Tito Puente')
ReplyDeleteAnd The Final Tally:
First of all, I want to say that I received 27 votes, the largest number of votes for any of my BOTB installments. So, thanks to everyone who participated and made this a record-breaking Battle for me.
Hokey-Smoke and Hoo-Wee! What a freakin' Battle this was, too! What were my expectations before the voting started? I figured that the Dave Brubeck Quartet would win, with Tito Puente scoring some votes (maybe 5 to 7 or so). I did not think that he would get double-digit votes because I didn't suspect most people love that Latin sound the way I do.
This was one hell of a Battle between these two artists - one of the most back-and-forth I've ever had.
TITO PUENTE shot out of the starting gate like he thought he was AMERICAN PHAROAH or something! He recorded the first 6 straight votes, and it looked like poor DAVE BRUBECK was going to get dusted on his own tune.
But Dave came back with a total vengeance, scoring the next 6 straight votes for himself. And then Tito scored the next 4. It seesawed back, but then Dave captured the last 8 votes in a row - including mine - and put an end to Tito's challenge.
My own vote was never in question even though I do think Tito's cover is absolutely terrific. He took an undeniable Jazz classic and put his own spin on it, creating a very exciting, high-energy Latin-influenced gem.
However, with 'TAKE FIVE', Dave and his guys did something totally innovative and unforgettable, with that 5/4 time, the melodically sailing saxophone playing by Paul Desmond, and best of all, that crazy and utterly imaginative drum solo by Joe Morello!
It was 'Take Five' that truly ignited my interest in Jazz, which eventually became hands-down my very favorite form of music. To this day, Joe Morello is my favorite drummer, and his solo in 'Take Five' is probably still my favorite.
It was THAT drum solo that introduced to my mind the idea that music could have a sense-of-humor. Of course, I'd heard songs with funny lyrics, but never before had an instrumental made me laugh-out-loud... until I heard 'Take Five' and began focusing my attention on every sound and rhythm that Morello made during that solo. There's one or two places in the solo that can STILL - these decades later - make me audibly laugh, because what Joe does is just so QUIRKY.
So, to me, the Dave Brubeck Quartet original could never be beaten, and as much as I enjoy the helloutta Tito's cover, I'm glad that the DBQ prevailed.
The DAVE BRUBECK QUARTET = 16 Votes
TITO PUENTE = 11 Votes
Again, my sincere thanks to everyone who voted and made this Battle so memorable in a couple different ways! I hope to see y'all back here again for my July 15th 'Battle Of The Bands' installment.
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
POSTSCRIPT:
DeleteI get tears in my eyes watching this. 37 years I waited to see it...
(Link:->) AMERICAN PHAROAH: All 3 Races
(Link:->) AMERICAN PHAROAH @ Belmont
~ D-FensDogG
Figured your vote for Brubeck from the start. Both versions memorable and depending on my mood, my vote could go either way. Last week Puente, next week who knows. Great music is...great music!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the assessment of why Brubeck and his boys deserved the win in this Battle. Tito was good but he didn't deliver the goods that were necessary on this particular tune. Really I think Brubeck's version is a one of a kind approach--nothing else seems quite right.
ReplyDeleteYou and I agreed on the winner.
Lee
Tossing It Out
LEE ~
DeleteI do feel Tito delivered the necessary goods, but...
I mean, if you're going to cover 'Take Five', you MUST take it in a completely different direction, otherwise what's the point at all in covering such a monumental Jazz tune? (It would be like someone covering 'Stairway To Heaven' but trying to do it in a very similar way to how Led Zeppelin recorded the original.)
I can't imagine a better cover of 'Take Five' than what Tito came up with, truly putting his own musical stamp on it.
But at the same time, you're right that the Brubeck original is a one-of-a-kind approach, and nuttin' is going to measure up, no matter how different and musically accomplished it is.
This turned out to be one of my favorite BOTB blog bits ever. The way each artist was collecting votes in bunches. DBQ kept fighting when twice it seemed Tito was going to achieve an incredible underdog victory, but the originality of Brubeck's Boys just wouldn't let that happen. LOVED THIS ONE!
~ Stephen
I was about to post my results, but don't think I'll bother as the world is about to explode any second now.
ReplyDeleteHa!-Ha! FAE, you literally made me laugh-out-loud!
DeleteRight! Lee, Sheboyganboy Six and I all voted the same way. And we did that on some other BOTB installment very recently, also.
Yeah, I'm calling people now to make my apologies so I can die with a clear conscience.
[:-)}
~ D-FensDogG
A newly discovered verse:
DeleteRev. 15:9
“And I saw another sign on earth, great and marvelous, seven times shalt they agree; and the seventh time portends the wrath of God. And I saw as it were a sea of glass: a prophet shalt rise from the city of the ashes of fire and shalt leave for the mountain, and the bird of peace from the west and the prophet from the mountain shalt cast, and they shalt cast the same lot. And they also shalt both agree with the child whose name is mentioned when in the city. And when they shalt all cast the same lots, it shalt be a sign of the playing of the harps of God and the coming of the angels of fire.”
SHEBOYGANBOY SIX ~
DeleteHA! Best comment EVER!!!
Man, you should write your own scriptures. I'll go out and convert a flock and we'll split the tithes and offerings.
That was great!
~ D-FensDogG
Well, I'm really glad you clarified that I made up the verse. I was just being silly, but thought later on that it was just possible someone might think it was an actual Bible verse, or else might be offended that I wrote it at all.
DeleteHopefully nobody was offended. It so, NEXT time I will just paint a (verbal) picture of Mohammed. I'll be on safe ground there.
>>... Hopefully nobody was offended.
DeleteI hope somebody WAS!
I'm all about offending, you know that. :-)
Brother, if I (Mr. Read-The-Entire-Bible-Every-Year) wasn't offended, how could anyone else be? And if they were, I'd just ban them from my blogs so they'd never have to be offended again.
I thought it sounded so authentic that I wondered how I missed that verse every year since 1995.
~ D-FensDogG
I actually pulled out my Bible just to make sure. The verse sounded so familiar.
DeleteMaybe you should start working on a sequel to the Book of Mormon.
Lee
Wrote By Rote
He employed a couple of real expressions from other places - such as "at it were a sea of glass" - and then tossed in some stuffs that had all the right Biblical flavor which made it seem really genuine. A great piece or work.
DeleteOr maybe rather than a sequel to the Book of Mormon, how about the newly discovered and accurately translated, angelic council's unanimously approved 'Uncorrupted Book of Mormon'. (Huh? Could it be that the original got corrupted somehow? Ha!)
I always figured SBB-6 was some kind of genius. Now it's been confirmed.
~ D-FensDogG
Nah... I just spring off of the original pretty well.
DeleteNow Trey Parker IS a genius!!!
"He found the stones and golden plates
Dum dum dum dum dum
Even though nobody else ever saw them
Dum dum dum dum dum"
Nah, I disagree about Trey.
DeleteI've seen the cartoon. It's humorous, but it deviates too much from the truth to be anything mo' than a po' spoof.
Mormonism is total B.S. - we are in 100% agreement about that. But... even a spoof shouldn't lie about the lies.
You, sir, are far more brilliant than Trey Parker THINKS he is!
~ D-FensDogG
Interesting comments all the way round. I'm so glad I'm going to camp tomorrow. It's going to be all about me and Jesus for three weeks. Since the world is coming to an end, I want to be right with God!
ReplyDeleteSurely "this world" can't last another 3 weeks. I'm certain it'll all be over before you return from camp. (I meant, Robin - not Shirley.)
Delete~ D-FensDogG
I went with Tito, because it was so different and Latin-flavoured, but of course, the original is such a classic. I'm not surprised it won in the end. Great music and interesting battle!
ReplyDeleteThanks, DEBBIE.
DeleteAll I ever ask for is honest voting, and I'm pleased this one had so many votes going both ways that it turned out to be an A-list BOTB contest.
~ D-FensDogG
This was a good battle indeed and I'm pleased to see that Brubeck won. You're right that Tito did a fabulous cover, but the classic just couldn't be beat.
ReplyDeleteANNE ~
DeleteYep! 'Take Five' by Dave's Quartet is even a classic amongst classics. Only right that it should win, but it was a lot of fun for me to see Tito get so many votes, making this one of my all-time favorite STMcC BOTB installments.
In my opinion, this was everything a topnotch Battle ought to be, and even the outcome met with my approval.
Thanks again for making a point of participating in this Jazz slugfest!
~ D-FensDogG