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BATTLE OF THE BANDS! (‘BOTB’)
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Shoop-Shooby
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Shooby-duh-Dooby-Doop-Dooby-Dooby-Doo-Wah
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Buh-Doo-Wah!
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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 |
This is another song that was introduced to me by my Ma when I was young. The funny thing is that I have always associated this tune with Count Basie, and I had every intention of using Basie in this BOTB installment. But when I went looking for a competitor, I realized that Basie's version isn't the one I heard first.
Now, I have NO IDEA who was responsible for the recording that my Ma often played. So, I'm starting this BOTB installment on an even playing field.
In my last blog bit [click HERE], I mentioned that my very favorite bar in Reno is 'Roxy's Lounge' and it's located in the Eldorado casino. Well, it just so happens that the piano player almost always plays 'SATIN DOLL'. And that got me to thinking that I should use it in a BOTB contest.
Wackypedia sez: "Satin Doll" is a Jazz standard written by Red Garland and Billy Strayhorn with lyrics by Johnny Mercer.
[Damn! What songs DIDN'T Johnny Mercer write?!]
Written in 1953, the song has been recorded countless times... Its chord progression is well known for its unusual use of chords and opening with a ii-V-I turnaround.
Johnny Mercer was often asked to write lyrics to already popular songs. The lyrics to "Satin Doll" were written after the song was already a hit in its instrumental version.
Bill Doggett recorded a version on his 1959 tribute album...
[I own the Bill Doggett version. It's on a compact disc that my Ma gave me one year for Christmas or my birthday. And yet, that's still not the version I grew up listening to, which my Ma played frequently. That's probably a mystery that'll never be solved. Where's David & Maddie when you need 'em? ...Well, where else would they be? Working on "The Anselmo Case", of course!]
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| GOODNIKS VS. NO-GOODNIKS |
'SATIN DOLL' - DUKE ELLINGTON ORCHESTRA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrytKuC3Z_o
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| GODZILLA VS. KING KONG |
'SATIN DOLL' - NANCY WILSON
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| RIDDLER VS. BATMAN |
Alright now, “you know the gig”... I welcome you (whoever you are) to vote for your favorite of these songs in the comment section below. And feel free to tell us WHY you chose one song over the other.
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.
@ '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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It is a terrific song, and both versions are excellent. i would think that YouTube would have so many versions available that you could figure out which one your Ma played all the time!
ReplyDeleteI read more about the song than you posted, and that helped me make a decision. When an instrumental version is competing with a version with singing, I usually give a bit more weight to the version with words. I assume that the words were there to start with and the instrumental band just left them out. That is not the case in this song. It was a hit as an instrumental before Mercer wrote the lyrics, therefore in THIS case I'll weight it slightly towards the instrumental.
And that is just enough for Ellington to get the vote. The band is so tight and perfect, I would be hard for me to vote against 'em, anyway! The musicians were all top-notch.
SHEBOYGANBROTHER 6 ~
DeleteYou take a slightly different approach than I do. I know that DiscConnected also tends to side with a tune with vocals. Me, I don't naturally lean in any particular way, regardless of how a song was originally conceived (either instrumental or vocals).
I just listen and decide. I love instrumentals (some of my all-time favorite recordings are instrumentals), so they aren't at a disadvantage against a song with lyrics. But neither do they have a head start. I begin with a very even playing field and then tilt it according to my preference. Ha!
Thanks for your vote, Brother!
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
~D-FensDogG - this battle was tougher than I first thought, but after four plays each - I'm voting now.
ReplyDeleteWow! I know this song but never remember the name. Duke's version brings the sound of tinkling glasses to mind. I could sit and listen to the piano only. Wait, throw in the upright bass. I bet'cha it got play time on 'The Lawrence Welk' show. I enjoy the big bands, but Duke wasn't the top band for me. Of course my Grandfather would disagree with me. (Sorry Pop)
Nancy's version reminds me of the NBC Orchestra version for 'The Tonight Show, starring Johnny Carson.' She has a nice, slinky sound. Even though I'm not a Nancy fan, I prefer her instrumental. Ironically I now want a copy of her version. Log me for Nancy Wilson, please.
DC
dp ~
DeleteYep, I too love the Big Bands, but despite all the acclaim, Ellington wasn't one of my very, very favorites. Damn good though! I owned some albums.
And thus ends the shutout after two votes. Ha! I knew there was not a chance in the world that this would be a shutout for either artist.
It should be a pretty close contest, but I predict a 4, maybe 5 vote margin of victory for one of these two artists in this BOTB.
Thanks for the vote and analysis.
~ D-FensDogG
This is one of those songs that I think works best as an instrumental. I'm heard it covered often by vocalists over the years, but no one ever grabbed me like the instrumentalists sauntering wordlessly through the song.
ReplyDeleteWilson does a nice job, but not enough to capture my vote.
It's Duke Ellington and orchestra for me on this classic tune.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
Thanks for your vote, LEE. I pretty much guessed you'd go with Ellington on this one.
Delete~ D-FensDogG
My mother used to listen to this also. I believe the recording she had was by Les Brown. Could that be the one you remember, Stephen?
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed both of your selections, but the instrumental is more to my liking, probably because it's more familiar. Please give my vote to Duke Ellington.
Thanks for trying, DEBBIE. But actually, the version my Ma had, it included a male vocalist.
DeleteDuke is pleased to have received your vote.
~ D-FensDogG
I think I'm going to have to go with Duke Ellington's version. It's so classic. I liked the instrumental version over the vocals in Nancy Wilson's version so my vote goes with Duke.
ReplyDeleteGreat battle!
Michele at Angels Bark
Thanks, MICHELE. Looks like Duke is pulling out to an early lead.
Delete~ D-FensDogG
I bet you easily predicted my vote on this one. I don't make a big secret of the fact that I generally prefer the song with the lyrics. In this case, I definitely did. I really dug Nancy Wilson's version of Satin Doll. Really dug it. So she handily gets my vote. In fact, I might listen to it again... just for fun!
ReplyDeleteGIRL WONDER ~
DeleteYes, indeed. I'd have bet a couple of pretty pennies that you'd have Nancy Wilson's back in this contest.
I think both versions are really good, and I like how different they are, what with Instrumental Vs. Vocal, Male Vs. Female. Gives folks sumpin' to think about.
~ D-FensDogG
Well I like them both but for different reasons. Since I have to vote Nancy wins.
ReplyDeleteI was going to tell Cherdo that I was doing a light hearted BOTB today but she seems to be missing in action. So here's my notice.
MIKE ~
DeleteThanks for coming by with a vote. Yeah, Cherdo won't be participating this time, but I'm sure she'll be back on October 1st.
I will definitely come over to yer place and see what you've got cooking.
~ D-FensDogG
The Duke - Ellington - so classy, so timeless, is one of my favourites, and Satin Doll is one I've heard countless times. I also love Black and Tan Fantasy and so many more. My vote - Ellington, of course. Nancy Wilson does a respectable rendition, but doesn't touch Ellington in my mind. Love the classics, love the jazz.
ReplyDeleteThanks, D.G. I love that you love Jazz. And I feature Jazz in my BOTBs fairly often because people gots to know 'bout this stuffs.
Delete~ D-FensDogG
Wow-Nancy Wilson looks so different on the Heart album covers...
ReplyDeleteWhile I am not sure I'd opt for a vocal version first (as you suggest above), I certainly am drawn to lyrics first in my listening experience. This was tough, though, maybe because I am familiar with the instrumental, and not really with Wilson's version.
Yet I loved Wilson's version, too.
I just hear her name and picture a sexy blonde rock chick.
When all else fails, I think you have to go with rank, so I'm going to vote for royalty.
Go Duke!
LC
LC ~
DeleteI'm surprised your vote went to "The Duke Of Ellington".
Yeah, than Nancy Wilson was a chameleon, eh? White blonde gal when she was singing Rock, and a Black gal when she was singing Jazz.
I prefer her Black persona, actually.
~ D-FensDogG
Stephen, the orchestra version is definitely VERY nice, but I LOVED Nancy Wilson's cover. I think adding feminine vocals to this jazz number really did the trick for me. Give my vote to Nancy Wilson, please! Nice battle.
ReplyDeleteThanks, CATHY! Nancy appreciates your support, and she's giving The Duke a serious challenge here.
Delete~ D-FensDogG
I know this song and am most familiar with it as an instrumental. That said; Nancy did a fine job, but I find the lyrics to kind of goofy and fun - not that there's anything wrong with that - but I love, Love, LOVE the big band sound and prefer it undiluted, especially on this song, where I find the lyrics distracting.
ReplyDeleteSo, need I say it out loud - give my vote to Duke and his band.
FAE ~
DeleteI like the "fun & goofy" lyrics. In fact, the version I first heard and grew up with was a vocal recording, and for a long time I didn't realize that the song was a hit first BEFORE lyrics were added. So, I can appreciate this one BOTH ways.
~ D-FensDogG
A tough one, Stephen... Normally I'd vote for Duke above anything or anyone, but — this one, I'm afraid, is one he loses for me. Nancy's version, with the smoothness of her voice, adds something to the (magical) original that counts as improvement in my book. Sorry, Duke. My vote goes to Nancy.
ReplyDeleteSo good to be back!
Guilie @ Quiet Laughter
Glad to have you back with us again, GUILIE. And I really enjoyed the "Battle" you put together for us on your blog. "Got a goot one!"
DeleteThanks for helping Nancy to keep up with The Duke. (I hope this one doesn't end in a tie. It's super-close right now.)
~ D-FensDogG
Oh boy this is a toughie! I like both for various reasons but Nancy edges in front for me because I love her voice-reminds me of the classy joints the rat pack would saddle themselves in with a hard drink in one hand and a buxom gal in the other. She gets my vote
ReplyDelete"Oh boy this is a toughie!"
DeleteThat's what I like to hear, BIRGIT!
Thanks for your vote. And you're right, this IS a toughie, because Nancy and The Duke are running neck-and-neck right now. I love it!
~ D-FensDogG
Nancy Wilson has a gorgeous voice and is a gorgeous woman, but it doesn't get much better than Duke Ellington and his Orchestra. Love the way he and the bass player trade fours in the middle of the song, and the band is so tight behind him, he just plays the occasional chord while they're playing, then sits back and enjoys with the rest of us. And I love those big band blasts from the horns! Duke all the way.
ReplyDeleteJOHN, I pretty much had you figured as a vote for The Duke. I've gotten pretty good at guessing how some folks are gonna vote.
Delete~ D-FensDogG
Great song. I have always loved this song.
ReplyDeleteCast my vote for Nancy Wilson. Love her vocals and she plays the song great. Not that the Duke doesn't, because he does. But my vote is for her because of both how well the song is played and sung.
JEFFREY ~
DeleteI almost never count my votes
When I'm sittin' at the table.
There'll be time enough for countin'
When the votin's done.
But this time I got too curious and counted. I think The Duke has a one-vote lead at this point. This is still either player's card game.
~ D-FensDogG
Damn good battle here. Duke Ellington's version is pure class. I could listen to that orchestra wail for hours. Then again, you already know I love that classic jazz sound, vocals or not. My cohort prefers Nancy's version because of the vocals, and me, I say who needs 'em?
ReplyDeleteOne for Duke, one for Nancy, and zero is the level of surprise on our voting.
~6B
BROTHER BEER BOY BRYAN BODYGUARD BETTY (I.P.A.) ~
DeleteAs always, I thank you and BRANDON for playing along. And thanks for the compliment. I enjoy trying to put together Battles that I think will come right down to the wire and require a "photo finish". Blowouts? Who can enjoy them?
I think The Duke is leading by a nose (or "one vote") right now. But I also think Judge Al Bondigas will side with Nancy. This could be another Battle where me, myself and I get to decide the winner. Maybe.
~ D-FensDogG
Duke Ellington's version just sounds like... elevator music. It sounds like the thing that blares in my ear while waiting on hold for hours on the phone. Do. Not. Like.
ReplyDeleteNow, I do dig Nancy's voice. So sweet and pleasant. Soothing my soul after the memories drudged up by Ellington.
Vote: Nancy Wilson
- Madilyn Quinn @ NovelBrews
MADILYN ~
DeleteWell, whoever is putting you on hold for hours on the phone definitely has better taste in music than the people who put me on hold for hours.
But... nevertheless, I thank you for the vote, and Nancy thanks you, too. Nancy and Duke are now all tied up, 9 to 9. (And here we go again, heading toward another BOTB tie.)
~ D-FensDogG
Wow, Nancy sure was a beautiful woman. In some of her middle-age pictures she was prettier than when she was young. She has an awesome voice too. Johnny worked wonders with the lyrics, and Nancy was a excellent choice to sing them.
ReplyDeleteI liked the bit of cello and piano duel during the Duke musical version. That little band sounded so BIG. I'll give my vote to Duke.
On an aside: are we having breakfast together when I'm in Reno next month?
DONNA ~
DeleteThanks for your vote. I think I would have guessed you as a vote for Nancy, but I can't get 'em ALL right, ya know? 'Cause that would make me psychic, and That would make me play the lottery, and THAT would make me broke.
Breakfast next month? Yeah, I think I might have heard that somewhere. But I didn't catch the date or the place or who's picking up the tab. Ha!
~ D-FensDogG
Wouldn't be broke if you used those psychic abilities to WIN. And of course you're picking up the tab for two beautiful women!! Or we're going dutch. Whatever. Oct 9. Breakfast if you're working that day, dinner if not :)
DeleteEmail me, lets talk. donnahole at gmail dot com
OH DONNA ~
DeleteOctober 9th? Sheee-it! You WOULD have to pick the one day I have scheduled to wash my hair in October, wouldn't you?
Ha! Just kidding. That's really 'Clip-My-Toenails' Day.
Well, just so you're aware... Under no circumstances do I get out of bed before 9 AM, and I have to be in the shower (getting ready for work - ONLY!) at exactly 1:00 PM. So.... if you can devise a devious plan... have at it.
But also be aware that if we're going "Dutch" (i.e., I have to pay for myself) then (Link:->) THERE'LL BE NO "WOODY" AFTERWARDS. I don't work for free, ya know? On the menu, "Woody" doesn't come with "Dutch".
~ D-FensDogG
Al Bondigas here. You guessed my vote correctly. I go with Nancy Wilson. I enjoyed them both very much, and actually liked the band in Nancy's version as much as in the Duke's. The addition of those lyrics and that satin voice nudges her into the victory column. I remember mom always singing that song. Let me know if you figure out which singer she used to listen to. Anyway, that's it!! That's my rulin'.
ReplyDeleteJUDGE AL ~
DeleteYeah, whoever that band was backing Nancy, they were damned good, too!
I'm glad I guessed your vote right this time. After you went Aerosmith over Daltrey in the last contest, I was afraid I'd lost my touch. (Because I was ENTIRELY POSITIVE about your vote in that one.) If I'd guessed wrong twice in a row, I would have KNOWN that I'd lost my touch.
I could be way off here, but... do you remember that little portable 8-track tape player we used to have? Probably came to us from Grandpa - one of his "No more than two bits!" buys from a garage sale. I think we had only two 8-track tapes to play on it.
For some reason, I feel like the version of 'SATIN DOLL' that Ma always played was on one of those 8-track tapes, which was a collection of various songs. (The other tape was 'Hamilton, Joe, Frank And Reynolds', and remember?)
If it wasn't that, then the song may have been on a hit songs compilation LP she had and played A LOT! Actually, I think it was a 2-LP set. (We probably broke one of them with a badly aimed dart. Ha!) With absolute certainty, I can state that the song 'SUNNY' by Bobby Hebb was on one of those 2 albums. Remember? She played the living hell outta those LPs. And 'Satin Doll' may have been a cut on one of them. But I don't know who the artist was.
Very often, for no apparent reason, a line from 'Satin Doll' will pop into my mind:
"And that'n... my satin doll".
~ D-FensDogG
POSTSCRIPT:
DeleteSo, Dolorah (aka Donna) voted Ellington and you voted Wilson. Now they're tied 10 votes to 10 votes.
It's really starting to look like my own vote is going to decide the winner in this contest.
~ D-FensDogG
Al Bondigas here. Yeah, I do vaguely remember the 8 track player. Not sure if you're right about the artists. You may very well be right, though. For some reason, I associate the song 'Sunny' with you during the time you were taking guitar lessons. Is it possible that was one of the songs that you had to learn to play? Anyway, the judge is leaving the building.
DeleteJUDGE AL ~
DeleteI associate 'Sunny' strictly with Ma. She was crazy about that song and played it often! And I did used to try to pick out the notes to certain songs on the guitar. It's possible I had learned to play some of the melody from 'Sunny', though I don't recall that.
Surely you remember the 8-track tape we had by 'H,JF,& Reynolds', right? It was THIS album:
http://audiopreservationfund.org/graphics/archives/7/Front%20Covers/Big/ARC_7_01184.jpg
Thinking back on it, they were actually pretty good! Remember THIS song?...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFBPxVzBhNo
There's something about that video which really appeals to me. Unfortunately, though, I can't put my finger on it. ...Sure wish I could.
Kind of a sad day for me. This is the day that Kelly did what he did in '86. So, I'm just sitting around drinking beer (not Coors though) and listening to Kenny Loggins sing 'HOUSE AT POOH CORNER' over and over. Pretty soon, I will switch to Merle Haggard, and Johnny Russell's 'Rednecks, White Socks And Blue Ribbon Beer'. Kelly wouldn't want it any other way.
~ D-FensDogG
Stephen, I agree with Al that both bands were great! This is such a classic song, but I really enjoyed listening to Nancy Wilson's powerful pipes. Interesting tidbit that Johnny Mercer was called in to write lyrics after the song had become a success. Most of his songs can make me tear up in the first verse.
ReplyDeleteAnother brilliant battle!
Julie
GEM JULIE ~
DeleteThanks so much for your vote! You know I love ya, right?
I was just about to go to bed for the night - and hopefully for the life - but I decided to check my Blogspot dashboard first, and there yer vote be!
Only a brilliant person can put together a "brilliant battle", so Brilliant I thankz youz fer dat komplymehnt. Ha!
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC’s Vote On '2015, September 15th: Battle Of The Bands' (Or, 'Duke Ellington Vs. Nancy Wilson')
ReplyDeleteFirst and foremost - DEFINITELY FOREMOST! - I want to SINCERELY thank everyone who took the time to visit my blog, listen to the songs, and post a vote in the comment section. I really appreciate EACH and EVERY one of you!
In my opinion, BOTH of the recordings I posted here are really terrific! I love them BOTH!
The version of 'SATIN DOLL' that I grew up hearing, thanks to my dearly beloved Ma, was by... well, honestly, I haven't figured out WHO it was by, but I know it included vocals by a MALE vocalist.
However, I love the song... PERIOD! Vocals, instrumental... it makes no difference, because the melody is memorable, and so are the words. I enjoy it either way.
In this Battle - although I think Nancy Wilson has a GREAT voice and sings this song PERFECTLY - I feel that the DUKE ELLINGTON instrumental is fantastic, and doesn't need a thing... not even Nancy Wilson's perfect vocals. So... my vote goes to "THE DUKE OF ELLINGTON" and his fabulous orchestra!
What that means is that... well... read it for yaself:
Duke Ellington & Orchestra = 11 Votes
Nancy Wilson = 11 Votes
Yep! Another tie. That's OK. I'm alright with this.
In fact, some other BOTBer, in a BOTB comment section somewhere (can't recall WHO or WHERE it was), recently wrote that (s)he didn't know if a BOTB tie was really significant in any way. (S)he wasn't sure that anything in particular could be definitively determined or assumed by a voter tie in a BOTB contest.
Me - in "most" instances - I prefer to see an artist win a BOTB contest. After all the work, I like to see someone come out on top... most o' da time.
But my very favorite BOTB outcomes are those that end with a ONE-VOTE MARGIN OF VICTORY. To me, THAT means that the BOTBer put together a HIGHLY COMPETITIVE Battle, but still got to see someone win it.
The WORST BOTB outcome is obviously a SHUT-OUT.
Thankfully, I've not had one of those yet.
The NEXT WORST is a BLOWOUT.
I've had some of those but, thankfully, not TOO many.
I'd much rather have a TIE than a SHUTOUT or BLOWOUT.
I'll leave it to y'all to decide for yaselves, individually, if there is any genuine meaning in a BOTB tie.
At any rate, THIS was my 7th BOTB Tie, and my Second BOTB Tie in a row. I'm not crazy about BOTB ties, but I suspect I'm doing SUMPIN' RIGHT when I conceive my BOTB contests. I'll leave that up to YOU to decide.
Either way, I hope you'll return for my OCTOBER BOTB CONTESTS, because I have some unique concepts in store for the month of... "THE GREAT PUMPKIN'S ARRIVAL".
Thanks again for voting, y'all!
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
You voted correctly in my opinion since you and I voted the same way.
DeleteTo me a tie usually means the versions were so equally fine that the win could have gone either way and likewise I could have voted for either choice and been able to justify my choice.
I thought my most recent Battle might have been a shut-out, but that would have been fine with me since I had a bigger agenda in the song pick.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
LEE ~
Delete95% of the time, my only BOTB agenda is to select a good song and then find two good recordings of it to give voters something to really contemplate and internally debate with themselves when trying to determine which song they prefer and why.
In 52 Battles, I think only 3 times have I used what I would consider an inferior recording. The first time was as an object lesson, in order to illustrate the importance of and the effect that an arranger / arrangement can have on a song.
Once I did it because that's the way the match-up was put together in the movie I was referencing. And the last time... simply because I wanted to see the old, dead communist get clobbered in a BOTB showdown. Which he did.
But to me, by and large, the fun and pleasure of a quality BOTB contest should be the only "agenda". What's more important than that, when axing friends to come by and spend some time at my blog?
~ D-FensDogG
However keep in mind that I'm playing to an audience to readers who seem to not give a whit about BOTB so I try to tie in my battles to play to them as well by linking some other issue or story to my song picks.
DeleteI've already essentially cut back my blogging to one post per week and don't want any one thing to dominate my blog posts (not even during April A to Z).
I try to keep a high standard in my match-ups as well as presenting posts that will hopefully be interesting to a broad audience and I think that's an important agenda for me to pursue as a blogger. I think I've already alienated a large segment of my former audience with BOTB posts, but I don't care so much because I love doing the music posts. I also enjoy the posts that encourage readers to think for a few seconds and leave their thoughts.
I'm now trying to think of any song versions that I have used that were "bad". Not a one I'd say, but that's according to my taste and opinions and I know some disagree with me on that. At least I've shared music that I've liked or appreciate on some level.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
This one turned out as it should for these two worthy opponents.
DeleteFAE ~
DeleteYeah, protly so.
~ D-FensDogG
LEE ~
DeleteWell, to thine own self be true. I'm a big believer in that maxim and I pretty much (or always) follow it.
I love BOTB too. If it weren't for BOTB, I probably wouldn't be blogging at all anymore. But at the same time, I'm not trying to appeal to or interest anyone who isn't already interested in music and the BOTB concept.
I mean, MUSIC-RELATED blog bits are all I do anymore. I'm still able to tie a variety of topics into my blog by simply finding a music catch. But BOTB is the main attraction here, and I don't really make any attempt to please anyone, other than to offer quality recordings of quality songs (in my op).
That's just me. I'm an old, inflexible, curmudgeonly pain-in-the-ass. But someone's gotta be me, and I suppose I'm the best candidate for THAT job.
Your music tastes and mine don't often align, but I'm still pleased you enjoy BOTB so much and I'm glad yer still doing it, and doing it yer way. That's A-OK.
~ D-FensDogG
I think you are right. It's better to have a tie than a blow out or shut-out. It's an indication the person who orchestrated the battle knew what songs worked well together and which would be harder to choose from. That's the real battle. And yes, it would be nice to know for a certainly which of the songs we prefer as a group, it's also nice to know it was a good battle. Sometimes the fun is in seeing the actual battle, not who wins or loses.
ReplyDeleteGood comment, JEFFREY.
DeleteYes, for me, probably the most fun I get out of one of my Battles is watching the voting swing both ways - like a good horse race or boxing match, when the lead changes at times and you're left guessing who will be in front when the final bell rings or the wire is crossed.
That's where the fun is. And one will miss out on that fun if one of the competitors is getting clobbered from the opening bell or the second the starting gate opens.
Also, after all these Battles, I've found that there's some sort of an art to selecting two combatants for a Battle. It's not always just as simple as finding two good recordings and putting them against each other. There are all kinds of little details one can take into consideration that can sometimes even make a good Battle great instead.
I don't always get it right, and sometimes I overlook things or outguess myself. It's not a science, that's for sure. But for the most part, I think I've picked up a few observations for my bag o' tricks as I've gotten mo' BOTB experience along the way.
Thanks for stopping by, Jeffrey!
~ D-FensDogG
I think you are right, it's more observation than a science. Yes, I've learned a thing or two so far in my matchings. But I think I've done a good job finding songs that are best suited for each other. I hope i can continue to improve.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think you're doing great. I always look forward to seeing what you've come up with.
Delete~ D-FensDogG
A tie means you picked wisely in choosing evenly-matched contestants. Unlike you, this is a skill I haven't been able to master - until now. Yup; got my first tie! ☺
ReplyDeleteDuke and Nancy were both great, but the instrumental was my choice, same as yours.
It's always interesting when a vocal competes with an instrumental. Haven't seen too many of those.
DEBBIE ~
DeleteCongratulations on your first tie!
I don't care what anyone else may think, I believe a tie is the sign of a very well thought-out competition (even though I don't really like ties - ha!)
I've done a number of Instrumentals Vs. Vocals BOTBs, but then I've been around since the beginning, so I've had a long time to come up with different ideas. (My Nov. 1st contest will be "something completely different".)
I think my favorite is when a song is used but the musical genres are TOTALLY DIFFERENT. I've done that a few times.
One that comes immediately to mind is 'Route 66' - a 3-Way I did between Jazz, Garage Rock, and New Wave. Also when I used 'Ain't Misbehavin'' and let two Jazz greats slug it out with an Outlaw Country great. Those were both fun, even though the 'Route 66' winner wasn't the artist I voted for.
On my way over now to check out yer tie...
~ D-FensDogG
~D-FensDogG:
ReplyDeleteGreat Battle! 22 voters says a lot! I'm not a Duke or a Nancy fan... so this was tough for me. Your versions were well matched :)
I guess you'd call my battle a blowout > October is gonna need more work to get me back on top of things.
See ya next time. ~dp
You'll get there, dp!
DeleteA temporary setback. ...Or "blowback".
Believe it or not, I don't own ANY CDs by Nancy or Duke, although I do own a couple Ellington recordings on Jazz compilation discs.
I think they were both terrific, but there are other Jazz performers I generally like better. However, I thought their versions of 'SATIN DOLL' matched-up really well for a BOTB contest, and that's why I used them. Glad I did, too.
~ D-FensDogG
I've been out of town and unable to get to anyone's blogs. I missed a good one it seems. For what it is worth I would have voted for Duke's version. Most of the time I'll pick an instrumental piece over one with vocals.
ReplyDeleteNo problem, but yeah, I missed yer vote, ANNE O'. I knew you must have been busy with something because this Battle was right up yer alley. I was watching for ya.
DeleteI had guessed beforehand that you would vote for DUKE. As did I.
Your vote for Duke, and the would-be vote for Nancy from my old drinkin' buddy, Pooh, would have still left me with a tie. Ha! I guess a tie it was meant to be, no matter what.
I have no problem voting for instrumentals. For me, instrumentals don't necessarily have an edge over vocals, but neither do they take a backseat to them (as is often the case with many people). Many of my very favorite recordings of all-time are instrumentals, so a lack o' lyrics does not put a tune at a disadvantage in my mind.
I hope you can make my October 1st BOTB, because I have something unusual planned. And I DEFINITELY want your input for my October 15th Battle, because I'll be doing something no one else has ever done with BOTB, and I want all the ears I can get for that one. Plus, you'll bring a different perspective to that one, I believe.
~ D-FensDogG