[*This BOTB installment is dedicated to those individuals who are about to join me, beginning this upcoming weekend, in 'THE SPIRITUALITY PROJECT' ('TSP'). I honestly believe we're in for some life-changing stuffs just before He changes "this world" forever.*]
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Donald Trump & his "Deplorables" Vs. Illery-Killery-Hellery Clinton & her medical staff, 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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'BATTLE OF THE BANDS' ('BOTB')
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Shoop-Shooby -
Shooby-Duh-Dooby-Doop-Dooby-Dooby-Doo-Wah -
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. Let's get ON this thing!...
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| EUGENE MARTONE VS. JACK BUTLER |
The song 'I DON'T WANNA KNOW' was written by John Martyn. What else ya need to know? Carry on...
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| GOODNIKS VS. NO-GOODNIKS |
I generally don't like to pit live recordings and studio recordings against each other, but each BOTB installment is unique, and the BOTBer needs to evaluate things with an ear toward what will make the best match-up, rather than stick to hard and fast rules that won't always work in every situation.
In this case, I felt strongly that the live version by Richie Havens was considerably better'n his studio recording and would create a more competitive contest against Danny Caron.
But since the video for the Danny Caron rendition has only a single, static image during playback, in order to even the playing field, I think you ought to listen to but not watch the Havens video -- unless you're 100% certain that live concert footage will not sway your ears when it comes time to vote.
Both artists perform this in a Jazzy-Blues-hybrid style. Havens leans perhaps slightly more toward the Jazz side, while Caron more toward the Blues. Or vice versa.
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| GODZILLA VS. KING KONG |
Richie Havens is one of those singers whose popularity and influence was not reflected in Billboard chart success. In fact, he only scored one Top 40 hit. It was a cover of The Beatles' song 'Here Comes The Sun' which went to #16 in 1971. The Beatles themselves never got into the Top 40 with their original. (Some BOTBer might want to pounce on Havens' cover before I do!)
FUN FACT: Richie Havens was the opening act at the famous 1969 Woodstock musical festival. And here's his live version of today's song...
"I DON'T WANNA KNOW" by Richie Havens
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woOR0VW0vhw
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| RIDDLER VS. BATMAN |
The name Danny Caron might not be familiar to you, but there's a good chance you've unknowingly heard his guitar before. He has played on numerous sessions with the famous Blues singer and pianist Charles Brown. He's also played on recordings with Clifton Chenier, Bonnie Raitt, John Lee Hooker, Van Morrison, Ruth Brown, Etta Jones, John Clayton, Teddy Edwards, Gerald Wilson, Donald Fagen of Steely Dan, Dr. John, Little Milton Campbell, John Hammond Jr., and many others.
It's safe to say that this man has some serious axe chops.
The singer on this track is Maria Muldaur. You women may not know this, but every single guy who was 13 or older in 1973 wanted to "slip off to a sand dune, real soon" with her when it was midnight at the oasis. (Hell, I'd still like to slip off to a sand dune with her, even though it's half-past geriatric at the bingo parlor.)
'I DON'T WANNA KNOW' by Danny Caron & Maria Muldaur
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPBpW0s5Ck0
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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
Voice Your Vote...
@ ‘TOSSING IT OUT’ by clicking HERE.
@ ‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’ 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.
@ 'JANIE JUNEBUG, RIGHTING & EDITING' by clicking HERE.
@ 'J.A. SCOTT' by clicking HERE.
@ 'QUIET LAUGHTER' by clicking HERE.
@ 'REINVINTAGED' by clicking HERE.
@ 'DISCCONNECTED' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE PEDESTRIAN WRITER' by clicking HERE.
As I've done in the past, I will continue to return to my 'BOTB' blog bits on the 7th and 21st of each month to post my own votes and announce the winners in the comment sections.
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~ Stephen T. McCarthy
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This is a song I don't ever recall hearing. It's a very nice tune.
ReplyDeleteOf course, I was familiar with Havens mostly through his Woodstock appearance. I never cared for his musical style much so I never bought any of his albums over the years, therefore there are only a few of his songs that I've heard. His live treatment of this song is so outstanding that I was sure that I'd vote for that one.
Then came along Danny and Maria. With this version tossed in the ring the contest becomes a very tough choice. Both are winners.
I really like the smooth playing, the instrumentation, and the sweet vocals of the Caron and Muldaur version--that's a real winner. On the other hand so is Richie Havens.
Just because of the punch and soulfulness of the Richie Havens version I'm going to cast my vote to his version. This is my favorite of songs of Richie Havens that I've heard.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
DEPLORABLE LEE ~
DeleteHa! Yeah, I think this should be a pretty dern good Battle, because both versions are superb in their own ways. I genuinely love both.
The studio version by Havens is much more sedate -- a very "Smooth Jazz" sound -- but this live version has a hard, almost Jazz Fusion w/ Soul sound.
And then Danny and Maria -- Wow! That's some deep Blues playing there combined with damned powerful singing!
Very interested to see how this one goes and who votes how, because I really can't predict an outcome this time.
~ Deplorable D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
Mr BOSSMAN
ReplyDeleteAccording to my records, 'Here Comes The Sun' was presented in BOTB just last month by our humble Mike Spain. No, he didn't use Richie Havens, but he did use the song. Making a side note for myself for 'possible future BOTB usage'. Others are welcome to do the same.
I honestly don't think that I have heard this song before. But I am quite curious as to why you don't want to know about evil, only love. Confucious once said "To know Love, one must experience Evil" (Don't quote me on that. This is a made up internet fact. I'm posting it to wikipedia immediately, though!)
I don't want to sound mean-spirited, but Maria Maulder sounded like Wanda Sykes every time she said 'about love' and I just cant shake that image of Wanda Sykes performing this in my head now.
I'm going to have to give my vote to Richie Havens. It just felt better to me.
Mary
Jingle Jangle Jungle
ps Has anyone heard from Jeffrey Scott lately? It's so unlike him to be so quiet for such a long time. I hope he is alright.
McMARY ~
Delete>>... This is a made up internet fact. I'm posting it to wikipedia immediately, though!
Ha!-Ha! I laughed out loud when I read that last night, and I laughed out loud again when I read it this morning. Thanks for the laughs, Mary!
I'm not sure if the question was sincere or meant just as a setup for the funny joke. But in case you really WERE asking the question too, my answer is...
“We have fallen asleep in God's embrace,
having a nightmare that we are elsewhere.”
>>... I don't want to sound mean-spirited
Then get the hell off my blog and don't come back!
Wanda Sykes? I don't even know who that is. Is she evil? If so, that would explain my ignorance. I don't want to know about evil, I only want to know about... Maria, me, and that sand dune, real soon.
Michele and Debbie have asked about Jeffrey too, and I have no idea. At this point we're ALL worried about him. I'm gonna go see if he includes an Email address on his blog.
~ D-FensDogG
Wanda Sykes. She's a comedian. Sometimes funny. Google her. (or youtube)
DeleteYou'll have to pardon me this morning. I am not sure if it's the Harvest Moon or the Super Moon, the Eclipse (or as the BF says "The Earth is throwing shade again!", or the fact that it is Friday, but I am in a bit of a silly mood. I should probably refrain from posting many comments today because they will most likely come out as nonsense.
~Mary
Silly is good. I try to remain silly and intoxicated as much as possible.
DeleteI could find no Email address at Jeffrey's site, but I Emailed Alex Cavanaugh to see if he has it. He might because Jeffrey once hosted an IWSG forum. Will let everyone know what I find out.
~ D-FensDogG
I am not on Facebook, but someone who is can "FB message" him. I believe this is his FB page:
Deletehttps://www.facebook.com/jeffrey.scott.12327
SBB-6 ~
DeleteThanks, Bro. If I don't hear back from Alex with an Email address, I will try the FB approach from work on Monday. I don't have FB either, but my co-worker does and he leaves it open so I can access that site when I want to.
~ D-FensDogG
Danny Caron & Maria Muldaur get my vote. Richie is a legend but the guitar in Danny's version won over my vote. Mary thanks for the mention, but some songs have so many possibilities for Battles.
ReplyDeleteOK, thanks for your vote, MIKE. You ended the shutout -- although it was only two votes long.
Delete~ D-FensDogG
This was a difficult choice. I'd never heard the song before. Where did you first find it? Is it one you encountered in your seeking and finding God? Was it played at some church service?
ReplyDeleteI like both performers. Typically I like Richie a tad better'n Maria, but - as we've discussed before - when I first heard and saw her I was SMITTEN.
In this song, I like Haven's voice better and I like the stylistic approach he takes with the lyrics. He seems to catch the soul of the song's message in his singing. However, I really like the instrumentals in Maria's version, and that is how I am voting.
Thanks, SHEBOYGANBOY VI. Glad you liked the contest. Yeah, "smitten", that's the word. She was a little hottie. And I saw her interviewed in a Bob Dylan documentary when she was much, much older. But you know what? I'm much, much older too, and yes, I'd still sneak off to that sand dune, real soon.
DeleteOK, you're voting for the CARON-MULDAUR version, right? I just want to make certain I'm understanding that correctly.
And I dare not reveal how I found this song lest I also reveal my vote too early. But I'll spill the beans in my BOTB Results post on the 21st.
~ D'plorable D-FensDogG
D'plorable DogG -
DeleteI deplore the fact that I was unclear. Yup. I voting for the hottie, as her version Trumps Richie Havens. And I agree with your "old man's" assessment. She is still attractive as an old lady! Years do not change what is attractive to you, but they DO lower your expectations a bit. Attractive older people gradually become interesting.
Ha! Way to get with the new slogan, Brother.
DeleteMy expectations got so low that they dropped off the page and I swept them up with the Cap'n Crunch I'd accidentally spilled on the kitchen floor.
~ D'plorable DogG
Wow, this is a tough one... Danny Caron's has his playing and Maria Muldaur's vocal, while Richie Havens has him and the slap bass... how can one decide? I'll go with Richie on this one, because it moved a little faster, but if it was possible to split my vote... it's that close... Great battle!
ReplyDeleteThanks, JOHN! I'm glad you really dug this Battle. It's really close right now and I foresee this one being close all the way to the finish line. I love 'em when they come off like this (just so long as they don't end in a tie).
Delete~ D-FensDogG
Wow. I can only hope this is as tough for you as it is for me, because both versions are excellent.
ReplyDeleteThe only reason I am going to vote Caron is because I prefer the more polished studio version, but Havens' arrangement on a studio effort might have changed my mind.
So a vote for Caron and a good choice of tunes.
LC ~
DeleteEveryone is saying how tough the vote is on this one and I fully understand that. I knew beforehand that this Battle was going to be a battle.
You should go check out the studio version by Havens. I think you'll find that it's not what you're thinking. The studio version had a very different, far less dynamic arrangement and was very tame compared to this live version. That's why I went with Live Vs. Studio this time, because I was sure Havens' studio recording would be no match for the Caron studio recording.
~ D'plorable D-FensDogG
I'll have to Spotify it-the only thing I have by Havens is 'Mixed Bag" and I do not think it is on there.
DeleteWell, don't forget, we'll always have YouTube.
DeleteHere it is (if you haven't found it yet on Spotify)...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7P97WYy7QKY
~ D-FensDogG
Stephen, what a fabulous song to cover this round! I actually do not remember this one but totally love it. I definitely will add this to my music library. Actually I might add both artists. Contender #2 was wonderful and the sultry seductive vocals really rev ones motor. Ha-ha! It was hard to NOT vote for Danny Caron & Maria Muldaur. In the end, I preferred the smooth, bluesy performance of Richie Havens slightly better and am giving Havens my vote in this battle. Great job. Loved the song! Happy BoTB day and thanks for hosting, my friend!
ReplyDeleteCATHY ~
DeleteGreat! I love that you love it. This is already becoming an A-list E-Ticket Battle because everyone digs BOTH recordings. And I like that they're really stylistically quite different but fantastic in their own ways.
~ D-FensDogG
Wowsa, this is seriously tough! I really enjoyed both versions equally and am having a hard time deciding who to vote for. I think musically I liked Richie Havens just a tad better so give my vote to him. But I could've just as easily voted for Danny Caron...
ReplyDeleteExcellent battle Stephen!
Michele at Angels Bark
Thank you, MICHELE. That seems to be the universal reaction to this one: Wow! This is tough.
DeleteAnd I agree completely. Glad to know you liked it.
~ D-FensDogG
Sheesh, I don't check your blog for ONE day and all of a sudden I am way behind! My vote is for Danny and Maria. Even though I'm not a guy, I loved her voice in Midnight at the Oasis, and sang along with it every time I heard it on the radio. (I'm not too bad when I have music to sing with, but if ya ever heard me "Acapulco," as my husband and I say, you'd run fast thinking a wild animal was loose...or Lucy Ricardo was attempting to sing! :) ....oh, by the way, did I miss something? Was it the "TSP"?
ReplyDeleteThanks, for your vote B-E B-O! And this race continues to be neck-and-neck.
DeleteEven singing "Acapulco" you'd have to be better'n my Brother. He's captured the gold in the "Bad Singing Olympics" 55 years running now.
'TSP' is a Biblically-based meditation support group that begins tomorrow. Everyone is welcome. The monthly dues - paid to me - are $10,000, which I will use to throw a fruit punch and cookies party at the end of the year for everyone who sticks with it. So it's not like the people don't get anything in return for their dues.
~ D-FensDogG
Uh...sure! Alrighty then!
DeleteMake your check payable to:
DeleteD-FensDogG
P.O. Box 666
Rip-U-Off Station
New Yawk, NY.
14666
Crappola! I could not listen to the Caron/Muldaur version. I tried finding it on YouTube but no go. I liked the way the guy in the dress sang it:) I thought he did do the song in a jazzy way.
ReplyDeleteWell, thanks for trying, BIRGIT. I tested the video beforehand at http://polsy.org.uk/stuff/ytrestrict.cgi which states it's allowed in Canada. Obviously not.
DeleteThat YouTube region restriction checking website is wrong as often as it's right, meaning it's of no value at all.
I wish there was a RELIABLE site for checking these videos so I wouldn't keep wasting the time of you Canadian friends.
Sorry 'bout that.
~ D-FensDogG
Stephen,
ReplyDeleteMan you been had matched two good versions again. I do indeed like both versions. I liked Ritchie Haven''s version andlike his voice. But I liked Danny Caron's guitar licks and Maria Muldar's version just a wee bit more. And that's not only because I remember how cute I thought she was, you nailed it with that statement.
Well that is it.
Pooh
...AND POOH, THAT'S NOT ALL!
DeleteThank you for your vote. Yeah, Maria was just as nice to look at as listen to.
If only I had been a little older and a lot better looking, and if I had lived in New York, Maria and I would have been an item. Damn the bad luck!
~ D'plorable D-FensDogG
Al Bondigas here. Good match up bro. When I hear Ritchie Haven's version, I get the sense that I've heard this a million times by Isaac Hayes/Barry white. The guitar work by Caron and the sexy,saucy voice of Muldaur sold me from the get go. Rulin' fer Muldaur/Caron. That's it!!! That's my rulin'.
ReplyDeleteJUDGE AL ~
Delete"GUILTY! Thank you. That is all", eh?
SHAFT don't wanna know about evil. He only wanna know 'bout love. And you know, that cat Shaft is a bad muhtha--
OK. I'll shut my mouth.
Another vote for Danny Caron and the topless, sexy, saucy Maria Muldaur. (Oh? Did I fail to mention she was topless when she sang this in the studio? Man, I'm so damned deplorable!)
~ D-FensDogG
Hey, I've got to say that Richie Havens version is rockin and the bass player and band are fonky! I love Richie Havens anyway, he's always been one of my favorite musicians. But I thought we did a nice take on the tune with Maria, too. The vibe is laid back, acoustic bass, minimal percussion. But Bruce Kaphan produced it nicely and it builds and Maria sings great on it, so I'm proud that we could even participate. Thanks D! And everyone else too. Danny Caron
ReplyDeleteDANNY ~
DeleteSomehow I just now accidentally deleted my original reply to you here. Consarn it!
Well, hopefully you got a chance to see it before it disappeared.
But again I'll say thanks so much for taking the time to come by here and leave a comment on my li'l ol' blog. I suspected right from the get-go that you were a nice, down-to-earth kind of guy!
We've been putting on these music Battles for three years now. They're a lot of fun and frequently result in some funny and clever dialogue in the comment sections.
The voting ends tomorrow (the 21st) when I announce my own vote and the winner.
I recall that in my first reply to you here I asked you to tell Maria the next time you see her that I've been waiting for her at this sand dune since 1973 and this is the WORST that any woman has ever stood me up!
Thanks again, Danny! Very, very cool that you stopped by and acknowledged the Battle. With little voting time left, it looks to me like you're gonna take the Gold medal in this showdown with Richie.
~ D-FensDogG (Stephen)
Al Bondigas here. Oh, I forgot to mention how I loved the laid back feel and the acoustic bass with minimal percussion.
ReplyDelete[:o)} I don't know how you could have forgotten to mention them. What kind of courtroom are you running, anyway? What's with your incomplete, half-baked rulin's? UHP!...
Delete~ D-FensDogG
Wow, hard to top a comment from the man himself, huh?
ReplyDeleteWe both liked both versions, but ultimately, Danny killed it on the guitar, and Maria has such a great voice (topless, you say? - no, but really, great voice) and their version earned each of our votes. Which is saying a lot, because Richie's version is fantastic.
Excellent battle!
~6B
BEER BOYS ~
DeleteThanks for the votes and analysis. This has been a terrific Battle, but it looks as if Danny and Maria are extending their lead here in the home stretch.
I strongly thought O.B. would vote for Danny but, 6-B, your vote I was less certain of. I finally decided to guess Richie and... Wrong!
~ D-FensDogG
My dear Saint Mac. I honestly don't know which I like better. Sometimes a live recording is better than a studio, and sometimes not.
ReplyDeleteThese are excellent contenders. Both are outstanding. I can't choose; but I must. Soooooo....
I'll go with Maria and Carron, cuz, ya know, I'm a girl, she's a girl . . .
Really excellent battle. Luv them both!!
WILD THING, You Make My Blog Sing ~
DeleteThanks for stopping by and expressing your admiration for both recordings.
I've logged your vote for the girl.
~ Saint MacDogGy
So, here’s my story, and I’m sticking to it. I listened early in the morning on the 15th, checked back later in the day and you still had no comments…that was my chance to be the first and have all my ‘original’ ideas be well, original. But, then a chicken crossed my path, and ‘you know me’.
ReplyDeleteLet me just say: very good BATTLE two excellent choices, blah, blah, blah.
Really a hard one for me, blah, blah, blah.
Great things to like about each, both excellent but different, blah, blah, blah.
Familiar with both artists, but not this particular song, blah, blah, blah.
Now the hard part, I have to choose. I think I’ll go with Caron/Muldaur. Maria sounds different here somehow. Don’t think I would have guessed it was her, but I like the vocals all the same. The instrumentation is great. Not to say Richie didn’t do a band up job, but objectivity, objectivity, objectivity, ya know and all that jazz.
Finally, Danny Caron came by to say ‘hey’. Now, how cool is that! This must be why you are and always will be Mr. BOTB. Now, you better hope Maria doesn’t stop in to slap your face for that topless remark. I think she might have meant that to be a secret.
FAE ~
DeleteI'm sure Maria would understand and forgive the topless remark for several reasons...
1) She knows I've been waiting on this desert sand dune for her since '73, it's blistering hot and I'm seeing mirages of topless women.
2) When she sang https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bjzuSO27fA and dressed like that, she was askin' for it!
3) When she recorded https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvrupRQD44I she was just askin' for it.
4) When she sang https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ41U9qOjx8 she was just askin' for it.
5) When she sang songs like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m8h6Gq5utE she was jus' axin' for it.
Maria understands. She can't activate the launch code and then pretend that she's entirely blameless.
I agree with you, incidentally, that Maria's voice sounds different now. I would say it's actually richer and more powerful than in her youth.
Thanks for the vote, FAE!
~ Mr. (BOTB) DogG
Hi Stephen! I also didn't recognize Maria Muldaur's voice, but liked her and Caron's version best. Now "Put your camel to bed!"
ReplyDeleteJulie
Howdy, GEM JULIE!
DeleteSadly, my camel's been asleep for years. (Wait! What are we yakking about here?:-)
Thanks for your vote, my friend!
~ D-FensDogG
I hope when people were checking for my BOTB post, they took more than two shots while waiting. Sorry, I've been away. I'm striving to come back and post October 1st.
ReplyDeleteJEFFY ~
DeleteI can't speak for others, but I lost track of the fifths I consumed while awaiting your return.
Very happy to see you commenting again and I look forward to your next BOTB on 10/1.
And thanks for r-E-sponding to my Email, Brother J.
~ D-FensDogG
ATTENTION PEOPLES!
ReplyDeleteIf you are interested in seeing the final vote tally for this 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS' installment and my closing thoughts on it, please click (Link:->) HERE.
Or you can put the following URL into your browser:
http://stmccpresentsbattleofthebands.blogspot.com/2016/09/2016-sept-15th-botb-results-and-top-5.html
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'