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...
'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').
Alright, let's get on it. Let's get ON this thing!...
 |
| EUGENE MARTONE VS. JACK BUTLER |
OK, I'll admit it: I suspect this will be a blowout Battle. I'm just hoping it's not a shutout.
Question: "Will this BOTB installment be a blowout?"
Magic 8-Ball sez: "It is decidedly so."
 |
| GOODNIKS VS. NO-GOODNIKS |
'Christmas Auld Lang Syne' was first recorded by Bobby Darin in 1960. It climbed only as high as 51 on the Billboard Pop Music chart. The phrase "auld lang syne" essentially means "times long past". Here are the lyrics:
When mistletoe and tinsel glow
Paint a yuletide valentine
Back home I go to those I know
For a Christmas auld lang syne.
And as we gather 'round the tree
Our voices all combine
In sweet accord to thank The Lord
For a Christmas auld lang syne.
When sleigh bells ring and choirs sing
And the children's faces shine
With each new toy we share their joy
With a Christmas auld lang syne.
We sing His praise this day of days
And pray next year this time
We'll all be near to share the cheer
Of a Christmas auld lang syne.
In sweet accord we thank The Lord
For a Christmas auld lang syne.
 |
| GODZILLA VS. KING KONG |
Remember, unless you're asked to do otherwise, you're meant to evaluate the songs musically ONLY -- not taking into account the video images or stage performances. And, no, I'm NOT asking you to do otherwise.
Here's the first contestant with the first recording of the song:
'CHRISTMAS AULD LANG SYNE' -- by Bobby Darin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qD2WRtjBR1k
.
 |
| RIDDLER VS. BATMAN |
And here's Helen Reddy's version of the song, released in the year 2000:
'CHRISTMAS AULD LANG SYNE' -- by Helen Reddy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6s2lKbeXCk
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.
@ '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.
@ 'J.A. SCOTT' by clicking HERE.
As I've done in the past, I will continue to return to my 'BOTB' blog bits on the 7th and 21st of each month to post my own votes and announce the winners in the comment sections.
~ Stephen T. McCarthy
Stephen, Excellent Christmas/New Year song! Well, I always associate this tune with New Year's but it's really a Christmas song. I'm giving my vote to Bobby Darin. I prefer his tempo, style, and vocals over Helen Reddy's. Thanks for hosting another year of BoTB, my friend and may you have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!
ReplyDeleteCATHY ~
DeleteThank you for your vote. I'm still enjoying BOTB over three years into it and happy to have you participating.
A Merry Christmas to you and yourn as well!
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
I considered using Helen Reddy's version of the song I chose, but opted otherwise.
ReplyDeleteBoth of these versions have warm melancholia to them--a traditional sound harkening to Christmases past.
Reddy does a nice version however for me Darin's version does a better job of tapping into the spirit of the song. He reminds me of Perry Como in the way he sings it and then I picture a sweatered Como on a TV Christmas special.
It's Perry--er, I mean Bobby getting my vote on this one.
I think this is a close contest. Not sure you'll have a blowout this time. I could go either way on this vote.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
LEE ~
DeleteYeah, I saw where we nearly did a Helen Reddy Helen Reddy (not to be confused with Mary Hartman Mary Hartman).
Yes, there's definitely a melancholia in this song, which is something I will elaborate on when I vote and announce the winner.
~ D-FensDogG
when I was much younger, I was a really big fan of Ms Reddy. I just couldn't get enough of her singing.
ReplyDeleteBut in this pairing, I feel as though the song is meant to be in a male voice, and I really enjoyed Bobby Darin's version.
So, I must go against my childhood, and cast my vote for Mr Darin.
Merry Christmas, Stephen.
~Mary
ps. Regarding the BOTB spreadsheet - One of the frequent questions that follows was this song ever battled is what was the outcome. So... I've gone back through everyone's archives to include total votes and winners of the various battles. I did this for everyone except for one that I could find the info on.
MARY ~
DeleteGoing against your childhood at Christmas? Is that even legal? Ha!
The BOTB Spreadsheet: Wow! I thought it was already impressive.
I have one question / problem with the copy you sent. I've found it's strictly a "Read Only" version. Do you know of a way I can alter it so that I can add to it the other Battles as they come up, as you are doing with your original?
~ D-FensDogG
BossDawgG ~
DeleteI knew there was something I forgot to do! Yes, of course, you may now edit that spreadsheet. Feel free to add or make any adjustments as necessary.
~Mary
Thank you so much, MARY McHISTORIAN! It works great now. That's really sumpin'!
Delete~ D-FensDogG
Hi Stephen. I'm not sure why you're so sure this will be a blowout. I'm kinda torn on who to go with. I like both versions. I really adore Helen Reddy's version but I think in the spirit of the song, of times long past, I'm going to vote for Bobby Darin because his version takes me back to Christmas memories of my childhood. So for that reason, he gets my vote. But I could've just as easily voted for Helen.
ReplyDeleteReally nice song choice. I like it a lot! And now, I'm off to go Christmas shopping... :)
Michele at Angels Bark
Thanks, MICHELE!
DeleteWell, so far, this Battle IS a blowout: 7 to 1. The Magic 8-Ball isn't perfect, but it seems to get more right than wrong.
~ D-FensDogG
Stephen,
ReplyDeleteHelen was actually better that I thought she would be. We actually run into her once in a while in Santa Monica at the Coffee Bean on 2nd and Santa Monica, I think she lives nearby. Enough of the brushing elbows with celebrities in SoCal...now for the vote, you know its gotta be Bobby Darrin. Just more smooth and Jolly Jacksish. While its no Mack the Knife it is pretty good. Now buy me another beer will ya? Perhaps we can split a half-pint on the walk (stumble) back from Lucky Liquors to Bay St. I wish you a Merry Christmas my friend and may you be warmed with thoughts of the good times long past. Yah I said it....now dooooo something!
JW,
Pooh
...AND POOH...
DeleteI gots to know: Is Helen Reddy still Woman (these days, one never knows) and does she roar in the coffee shop?
"Jolly Jackish"... HA! That should be a thing! Let's see if we can start something that catches on, eh?
Enjoy a Hot Buttered Nothing during the Christmas season, Pooh!
Thanks for your vote, my friend!
~ D-FensDogG
Helen is indeed still a Woman but did not roar. She seemed nice. But I got the sense she would be eligible to be an honorary attendee at Bitter Breakfast. Had one with Rick and Lonnie the other day. Lelly couldn't make it.
DeleteJW,
Pooh
Ain't nuttin' wrong wit bitter. Suddenly, for the very first time, I feel as if I like Helen Reddy! Any bitter person is a brother of mine. (And with Helen, I have the idea that "brother" is indeed more appropriate than "sister".)
DeleteREALLY sorry I couldn't have been at that Bitter Breakfast. So, it seems you were the token White boy there, eh? Ha!
Ironically and purely coincidentally, as I'm typing this comment, playing on my CD player is the song 'CHRISTMAS IN LOS ANGELES' by Lawrence Welk. I bought this disc a godzillion years ago at that gigantic Tower Records on Sunset Boulevard, which is long, long gone.
Pooh, my Christmas card is going to be very late (haven't even gotten 'em back yet from the company producing them) but it'll be a hoot when you finally get it. Best one I ever came up with, I think.
~ D-FensDogG
DogGtor of Alcohology &
King of Inebriation Nation
I am surprised that so many are saying that this should not be a blowout... it SHOULD be a blowout, and the Magic Six Ball confirms what the Magic Eight Ball affirmed: DARIN blowout.
ReplyDeleteI had not heard either of these versions, and neither is my favorite by a long shot. However, Hell-n Ready is one of my least favorite singers... right up there with the others I've complained about for all the years you've been doing this thang. I would never ever vote for Reddy... unless she was up against one of the "dirty dozen" (or half dozen, however many it is adding up to these days.) Frankly, she may make the top of my non-fav list, but I consider her such a lower-tier artist that I never think of her... unless I have to.
Gee, THANKS, Bro!
SBB-6 ~
DeleteIt's funny that 2 or 3 people have said they don't feel this should be a blowout and yet they're all voting for Bobby Darin, creating a... BLOWOUT! Ha!
But that's OK. Kinda funny, really. And it's not like the Magic 8-Ball, the Magic Six-Ball and I didn't see it coming.
I never really thought much about Helen Reddy back during her hit-making days, but later I heard her recording 'CANDLE ON THE WATER' from the Disney movie 'Pete's Dragon' and I fell in love with it. That's when I first realized that she actually had a really good voice.
Thanks for the vote.
~ D-FensDogG
At first, I thought you were wrong about the blowout. Now, I'm not so sure. I really liked Darin's version, and I loved that place at the end where he talked. It felt genuine.
ReplyDeleteWhen Helen first started singing, that's when I thought you might be wrong. As she went on, I realized I wasn't crazy about how she phrased the lyrics (vocal styling?). By the end, I decidedly didn't love it.
But, blowout might be too strong a word. Or it might not. I'm terrible at predicting these things.
Bobby Darin for me, please.
GIRL WONDER ~
DeleteRight now, it's 7-1. If it ended here, that's definitely a blowout. But we know how BOTB voting can swing back and forth. We shall see.
>>... I really liked Darin's version, and I loved that place at the end where he talked. It felt genuine.
Something I've always found kind of fascinating in some peculiar way is the fact that Bobby Darin actually recorded his version in August of 1960. So, when he wished the listeners a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year it was the dog days of Summer. Therefore, there's a kind of "time travel to the future" element to the song, even though today it's all very much old history.
~ Stephen
It hit me when I was listening to these two that Bobby Darin's musical accompaniment was better suited to Helen Reddy and vice versa. Dub Bobby's vocal onto Helen's background music and you'd have a real winner. The strings on Bobby's were a little overbearing, to the point where his voice got lost. I'm going with Helen Reddy, not on the basis of her vocal but because of the music on hers.
ReplyDeleteJOHN ~
DeleteHmmm... A very interesting take on this Battle. I'll have to listen again with your idea in mind while I do.
Sure am glad you were able to break up this shutout. I was starting to worry.
~ D-FensDogG
Yay for John. I was getting worried I sold you a bum steer. Ha!
ReplyDeleteFAE ~
DeleteYep, John was the Mighty Mouse and Underdog of this BOTB installment. ("Here I come to save the day!" / "There's no need to fear, Underjohn is here!")
But, not your fault, FAE. Because I personally liked the Helen Reddy recording better'n the Gloria Estefan version, so it made sense to use the one I did.
I'm putting you down as a vote for Bobby.
~ Sexy Santa
Authorization granted for one vote for Bobby Darin. Stop.
ReplyDeleteMagic 8-ball will know why. Stop
Why are there so many different lyrics to this song? Stop.
I’m sure Burt, Ernie, and Zuzu were singing it differently. Stop.
Always did have a thing for Violet . Stop.
And Tinkerbell. Stop.
And Toto too. Stop.
This telegraph spoof is getting tiresome. Stop.
But not for me. Stop.
I’m not tired. Stop.
Or proud. Stop.
Now I’ll Stop.
Stephen,
Hee-Haw and Merry Christmas,
Sig Wainwright II
SIG WAINWRIGHT II ~
DeleteHa!-Ha! I think you've finally hit on the perfect nickname for yourself. This might be the keeper.
Man, I so enjoy your clever comments. Please don't ever stop keepin' 'em coming. (*Proper-Grammar-R-Us!*)
This was so funny, Brother! Had me laughing even before I was half-way finished with Cuppa Joe #1.
Violet -- I don't usually go for blondes but... -- that gal can stop traffic! Even in an old dress she wears when she doesn't care how she looks. ("WE'LL WAIT FOR YA, BABY!" One of my favorite lines in the whole movie, spoken by the slimiest looking Used Car Salesman I ever saw. Ha!)
Tinkerbell -- I don't usually go for blondes but... -- Hmmm... Maybe I go for blondes more than I've ever thought I did.
Toto -- Ahh, finally, a non-blonde. And you know, as far as dogs go-- Nah. Never mind. I ain't going there.
I need to develop a new idea for BOTB: 'Best Comment O' Da BOTB Installment' award. Because I get some great comments, and you, sir, would be in the running for the award in every single Battle. In fact, I'd probably have to retire you from the comment competition at some point.
...but then there's Lassie--
NOPE! Still ain't goin' there!!
Seriously, thanks for your continued support of BOTB, Sig. (Pssst. Did you know F-FFF is still active again? ...*Proper-Grammar-R-Still-Us!*)
Sig, a Merry, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yourn!
~ Stephen Oddbody, Demon First-Class
Interesting battle, Stephen. Your magic 8 ball is likely correct. I've never been a big Helen Reddy fan. Bobby Darin's version is smoother and more lush. Another vote for Bobby, here. Thanks for keeping the BOTB going. Most fun of all the blogfests! Wishing you and you family a very Merry Christmas. P.S. I'll be taking a blog break after the 21st and will likely miss the Jan. 1 battle, so Happy New Year too. ☺
ReplyDeleteDEBBIE ~
DeleteThank you so much for the wish, and for the kind words about the BOTB blogfest. I really enjoy it too. You probably already know this, but when I first started BOTBing, it was just something I intended to do regularly on my own blog. Apparently, the concept had ideas of its own and called to other folks who then asked if they could do it also, and -- voila! -- the BOTB blogfest was born.
I sure hope you come back to read this comment because I have something important to tell you:
I have tried 5 or 6 times, on two different days, with two different browsers, to leave a comment and vote on your blog, but every single time, it's gotten rejected and I've received the following message:
"INTERNAL SERVER ERROR"
I have no idea why this is happening, obviously. But if you wind up with way less votes than you should have, it could be that others are having the same trouble and then giving up.
But for the record, below is my comment and vote for YOUR BOTB installment...
DEBBIE ~
My vote goes to the MOODY BLUES. I've always liked them, which is a bit puzzling since I am NOT a fan of ProgRock (which is putting it mildly!) However, I've always enjoyed the Moody Blues. Perhaps because they were so melodic and didn't get too carried away with all the tempo shifts that most ProgRock bands did/do.
~ D-FensDogG
I sure hope you see this, Debbie, so you don't mistakenly think I've ignored your Battle!
We'll miss you during the New Year's Day Battles, but enjoy the break. If you find you have a chance, please swing by here for a quick listen and vote. I have a feeling Carole King is going to need your help. (Then again, maybe it's Phil Collins who will need your help. I'm still conflicted about this.)
Stephen, please accept my apologies for the technical difficulties you experienced while trying to comment on my post. Very aggravating, as these are things beyond my control and stem from the hosting company's server (The downside of owning a website, unfortunately.) Thanks for your patience! Your comment will be added to the others. Thanks for your vote! We talked about prog rock and The Moody Blues before. ☺ Not sure about Jan. 1, but if I'm around, I'll definitely check out some battles. Always interesting! Carole vs Phil sounds intriguing.
DeleteNo problem, DEBBIE. I just wanted to make sure you knew I'd not missed nor ignored your Battle.
DeleteThanks for adding my vote to the official total.
~ D-FensDogG
Clicking on the first contender...a thought goes through my pea-brain...I know I'm voting for Bobby, why listen to both?
ReplyDeleteThen, about midway through Helen Reddy's version, I decided it fit my mood better. Something soothing, kind of sad, a sort of longing in the delivery.
HELEN REDDY for me. Bobby, you know I love ya, but it's gotta be.
True to form, I have not read all the other comments but I'm betting I'm not the majority. Like always, :-)
Thanks, my bruddah. Excellent battle.
SISDAH McCHERDO ~
DeleteYou have now given Helen her second vote, and boy-oh-boy was she more than Reddy for it!
Let us hear no more questioning of the Magic 8-Ball's psychic ability. He may not go "up to eleven" like the Magic Eleventy-Ball does, but his hits to misses ratio is pretty impressive!
~ D-FensDogG
I love Bobby Darin's version much more...made me think of that certain movie I love( did you hear a bell ring??) . I always felt bad for Darin since he died so young and had quite the life! I just wasn't too much into Helen Reddy's style. My vote to Bobby
ReplyDeleteBIRGIT ~
DeleteThanks for your vote!
Yes, when I read your comment, I DID hear a bell ring! I think, thanks to you, Bobby just got his wings! :o)
~ D-FensDogG
Well, right now I'm on my third Ballast Point Dead Ringer Oktoberfest, and I'll be damned if I don't like this a little bit more now that I'm not comparing it to the SN Oktoberfest. I wish I could say the same about Helen Reddy. She still just ain't going down right for either of us.
ReplyDeleteI'll admit that I've always been a sucker for cheesy Bobby Darin, even when he's splish splashing around the bath like a damn fool. Even so, he still takes this one by a mile. His voice seems way better suited for this song. My cohort agrees, though he does not have the same love for Bobby's splish splashery that I do.
I guess we're both gonna add to the slaughter. Two mo' for Bobby Darin.
~6B (Splish splash I was drinkin' in the bath, long into a Saturday night...)
6-B ~
DeleteNot only did the Magic 8-Ball predict this Battle correctly, but I also predicted your vote and Other B's vote correctly as well.
Be sure to check back when I announce the winner of this Battle (Ooh! The suspense is killing me... like Bobby is killing Helen.) I will have something to say about Bobby's voice which I think is perceptive (...or just a bunch mo' of my usual bovine excrement).
You? Drinkin' in the bath?! I thought you were strictly a beer in the shower kinda guy.
Rub-A-Dub-Dub, three men in a tub...
And one of them was Michael Obama.
Barack was not one of them because... "men".
~ D-FensDogG
Al Bondigas here. Woow!! Great choices. Hmmm, I truly enjoyed both versions and found them wistful and melancholy. As much as I don't care for Helen Reddy and her feminism I kind of wanted to give her a little help here. She really did do a wonderful job with this song. But, I have to be honest in my rulins and I give Bobby Darin a very slight edge. I think Mary may be right about this song more suited for a man. Ohh, the irony in that huh? How would Helen Reddy feel about that chauvinistic opinion? Anyway, I am judge hear me rule. Vote for Darin. That's it!! That's my rulin'.
ReplyDeleteWell, my next one will be better.
DeleteAww, you ain't Eddie.
Delete~ D-FensDogG
Yeah, I really liked Bobby Darin's version. Helen has some good songs, but not this one.
ReplyDeleteI (mostly) read your last post. Its a shame such a decent man has such an awful disease. And I agree, anybody can have a minor screw up. Life is tough sometimes.
Loved your margin notes, lol.
WILD THING! ~
DeleteThanks for stopping by with a vote for Bobby. Who knows, it might make the difference between a win and a loss for him.
;o)
~ D-FensDogG
Hi Stephen! Bobby Darin gets my vote. While I was listening to him I was imagining Kevin Spacey doing his Bobby Darin impression. If you haven't heard it, you will definitely get a kick out of it. Merry Christmas, Stephen!
ReplyDeleteJulie
Thanks, GEM JULIE!
DeleteI figured you for a Darin vote. And, by the way, I HAVE seen Kevin do "his best Bobby Darin" -- and it was perdy dern good, too! I like biopics and documentaries about singers / musicians whom I enjoy listening to.
Thanks again for your vote, and the very Happiest Holiday to you, as well, my friend!
~ D-FensDogG
Nice battle, Bobby Darin gets my vote. I simply liked his version more.
ReplyDeleteGot it! Thanks, MIKE!
Delete~ D-FensDogG
I know you already counted my vote for Bobby, and on that count your were correctamundo. As I told you earlier, there is some quality about Helen's voice that just kind of sets my teeth on edge. Never really liked her.
ReplyDeleteI sincerely doubt Gloria would have done any better up against Bobby and although I like her version (and way better than Helen's), I still would have voted Bobby on this one, regardless the time of year he recorded it. Ha!
FAE ~
DeleteI agree with you that this was destined to be a blowout, whether I used Helen or Gloria Estefan. Today, Gloria might be perceived as a bit "cooler" than Helen, but I think Bobby would have mopped up the floor with her, too.
This was a case where I wanted to use the song because I like it and it's not well known, however, I knew it would make for a lopsided Battle. You know, sometimes you just want to use a certain recording regardless of how uncompetitive that might make a contest.
~ 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/2016/12/results-2016-dec-15th-battle-of-bands.html
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'