.
Welcome back, my friends, to the "Battle" that never ends.
We're so glad you could attend. Come inside! Come inside!
.
This is 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS' ('BOTB') where you listen to different recordings and vote for the one you like best. A new Battle gets posted on the 1st of each month and on the 7th, I place my own vote, tally 'em all up and announce the winner.
.
Friend? Foe? Stranger? No matter, ALL are welcome. So pull up a chair, pour yourself 24 oz. of DOG BITE High Gravity Lager (or the poison of your choice) and turn it up to Eleven!
.
[NOTE: Links to the first year of 'BOTB' (#1 - #24) can be found at the very bottom of this page.]

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

2017, AUGUST 15: BATTLE OF THE BANDS (Or, JIMMY DORSEY VERSUS HERB ALPERT)

.
Yes, it's the 15th of the month and that means that it's time once again for 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS' ('BOTB').
.
Alright, let's get on it. Let's get ON this thing!...
.
.
I associate the color orange with August because the eighth month is "the dog days of Summer" when it's hot... and the heat has gotten really old! It's like the Sun has gone from "happy yellow" to "just-leave-me-the-hell-alone orange". Also, those of us who were born in August are Leos, and lions are orange -- I ain't lyin' (sorry):
.
.
And tangerines are not oranges but they're orange. And this brings us to my August BOTB song.
.
I've always loved the melody of 'TANGERINE' and have been wanting to BOTB the song for quite awhile. Once, a couple years ago, I checked YouTube for recordings of it but didn't find any match-up that really appealed to me. But on August 1st I took a second look and then found what I felt were a good pair of Tangerines. Mmmm.... a pair of tangerines. You know wot I mean? Or do you want a picture?
.
Wackypedia sez:
"Tangerine" ... was written by Victor Schertzinger, the lyrics by Johnny Mercer. The song was published in 1941 and soon became a Jazz standard.
.
It was introduced to a broad audience in the 1942 movie, 'The Fleet's In', produced by Paramount Pictures, directed by Schertzinger just before his death, and starring Dorothy Lamour, William Holden, Eddie Bracken, singer Cass Daley, and Betty Hutton in her feature film debut.
.
The song portrays a fictitious South American woman with universally recognized allure: "When she dances by / seƱoritas stare / And caballeros sigh." 
.
As one of Mercer's biographers explained the initial popularity: "Latin America, the one part of the world not engulfed in World War II, became a favorite topic for songs and films for Americans who wanted momentarily to forget about the conflagration."
.
The most popular recorded version of the song was made by the performers who introduced it in the film: the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra with vocalists Helen O'Connell and Bob Eberly. ... The record first reached the Billboard charts on April 10, 1942, and lasted 15 weeks on the chart, including six weeks at #1.
.
The tune was featured as background music in the films Double Indemnity (1944) and Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984).
.
In 1976, All In the Family gave a nod to the song in the episode "Archie's Operation", when Archie Bunker burst into it repeatedly to interrupt son-in-law Mike's efforts to help pay for Archie's surgery.
.
Alright, our first competitor is the original #1 Big Band hit. Have a listen:
.
Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra 
with Bob Eberly & Helen O'Connell
Contestant #2 is Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass. Their version appeared on the popular 1965 collection 'Whipped Cream & Other Delights', which any "confident heterosexual" male can tell you sported one of the greatest album covers of all time!
.
.
"Confident Heterosexual" Old West Gunfight

.
OK, and now for your consideration...
[COOL FUN FACT: Notice the sign at the very end of the Herb Alpert video paying tribute to Tommy Dorsey's original 'Tangerine' hit!]
.
Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass
.
Question: Will Jimmy Dorsey And Friends Win This Battle?
MAGIC 8-BALL sez:   "Yes definitely"
.
Alright now, “you know the gig”... I welcome you (whether I know "you" or notto 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 vice your voice ...vote your vice ...voice your vote.)


Voice Your Vote...

@ ‘TOSSING IT OUT’ by clicking HERE.
'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE SOUND OF ONE HAND TYPING' by clicking HERE
@ 'JINGLE JANGLE JUNGLE' by clicking HERE.
@ 'ANGELS BARK' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE DOGLADY'S DEN' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CHERDO ON THE FLIPSIDE' by clicking HERE.

As I've done in the past, I will continue to return to my 'BOTB' blog bits on the 21st of each month to post my own votes and announce the winners in the comment sections.
.
~ Stephen T. McCarthy
.

51 comments:

  1. Oh my! I am just bewitched by Herb Alpert's version! I never heard him before. Thank you, thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. EPT, I'm pleased that you dug that so much!

      Suddenly I'm craving tangerines with whipped cream on 'em. Methinks I just invented something new -- a heavenly combination. And I'll bet it has an aphrodisiac-like effect, too.
      ;^)

      ~ D-FensDogG
      (link:] Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends

      Delete
  2. Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass get my vote. I liked the instrumental version better.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the vote, MIKE. I probably will get to your big political debate tonight. :o)

      ~ D-FensDogG
      (link:] Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends

      Delete
  3. Very cool ending on the TJB video.

    This turned out to be tougher than I initially thought it would. This is a classic tune that I haven't heard in many years (though I did watch Double Indemnity not too long ago, but I don't recall hearing this song--or at least identifying it).

    I thought for sure that I'd have to go with the old big band version--which is wonderful-- but that dreamy sound of Herb Alpert took me back to my younger days when I would listen to that Whipped Cream album along with Alpert's other albums. They were my favorites when I was in middle school.

    I've got to go with Herb Alpert and the TJ Brass. Love that mesmerizing percussion and the group centers on the melody in a very nice way.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LEE ~
      Yeah, that Herb Alpert album, "Whipped Cream & Other Delights" -- we only bought it for the articles, right? ;^)

      That percussion you mentioned gives it a rather Bossa Nova flair.

      ~ D-FensDogG
      (link:] Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...

      Delete
  4. Viva Tijuana - and Herb Alpert too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks mucho for the vote, dIEDRE!

      I gotta admit though, I'm starting to get a wee bit o' nervous. I can live with a blowout, but SOMEBODY better come along here and break up this shutout. It's 4 to Zip and I'm startin' to feel antsy.

      Stupid Magic 8-Ball!
      Ha!

      ~ D-FensDogG
      (link:] Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...

      Delete
  5. Funny/bizarre film clip! That was an actual movie? LOL As for the contest, it's Herb Alpert and his sexy trumpet, all the way! Whipped cream definitely has aphrodisiac uses. ☺

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, DEBBIE, that was a clip from the movie, which I have never seen. I wouldn't mind seeing it though because I think JIMMY DORSEY's orchestra was great and I'm also a big WILLIAM HOLDEN fan.

      Holden must have been pretty dang young in that movie. I wonder if it was his film debut. I'll have to look that up.

      Another vote for Herbie. My feet are tapping now and my fingers drumming on the table. Where's that vote for DORSEY, damn-it?!

      The great thing about whipped cream is that you can burn off the calories WHILE you're consuming them.

      This blog is suddenly in jeopardy of losing its "Family Friendly" rating.

      ~ D-FensDogG
      (link:] Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends

      Delete
  6. Sixgun McItchyfingerAugust 15, 2017 at 10:14 AM

    If I'm in first, I'm gonna break the blowout. As you know, I love Herb Albert. I think his version is great.

    But the orchestration and musical talent on display in the Dorsey version wins me over. I will add that I was not quite as fond of O'Connell's singing here, with the sort of punchy, harsh style. I'm guessing she laid it on because of the lyrics. Macy's probably considered a lawsuit after the subtle slam at their clothing lines.

    After this battle you should put the winner up against Led Zep and THEIR "Tangerine." ("The DEVIL, you say! The HELL I will!")

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sixgunboy McItchyfinger, MY HERO!!!

      >>... "As you know, I love Herb Albert."

      Actually, DID I know that? If so, I plumb forgotted it. I guess a lot of firewater has flowed over the tongue since then.

      But, hey, we can add him to the Tom Petty collection! (Can one item really be called a "collection"? Well, it's at least two items NOW!)

      Brother, thou hast saved me from the dreaded shutout! I was really starting to worry. Looks like it'll be two blowouts in a row (I'm starting to lose my BOTB touch) but I can still say I've never had a shutout -- at least for another month, anyway.

      Yeah, the line about Macy's is kinda humorous. And... oh... was O'Connell singing? I didn't even notice. I couldn't seem to focus on anything but her pretty face and the way she slightly shimmies her shoulders. Mmmm-Mmmm Good!

      It's funny that Led Zep's "Tangerine" kept coming up when I was surfing YouTube for two really good versions of THIS "Tangerine", and I kept thinking: No, no, no! Not YOU, you satanists!
      [;o)}

      Thanks again for that last second field goal to save the game, Brother! You dun goot!!

      ~ D-FensDogG
      (link:] Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...

      Delete
    2. Back on April 15 (Ugh) 2015 you featured Bobby Darin (Ugh) vs. HA&TTB in a battle. I went back just now and found it - hard to do on the blog since it isn't linked (Ugh) - and really enjoyed reading the comment section for that one! Lots of action and interest in the blog bit and lots of entertaining banter. I voted for Herb in that one and you voted for Darin (Ugh). I've always liked Herb... and that Whipped Cream Honey is STILL propped up against my stereo cabinet!

      I also listened today to Zep's "Tangerine" and was amused at several people in the comment section saying that God Himself must have made Plant, Page, et al because they were so perfect. HA!

      Delete
    3. McITCHYFINGER ~
      For future reference (to make things less Ugh-ly), if you're trying to find an older blog bit, just scroll up to the "Search This Blog" box at the upper right on this page and enter your keywords.

      For instance, I just tested it. I typed in Bobby Darin and Herb Alpert and clicked "Search". It took me there to that Battle almost instantly.

      I'll have to go back and re-read those comments you mentioned. There has been a lot of really fun comment banter in some of my BOTB blog installments over the years.

      I very specifically remember that Battle because it was one of the Top 3 most difficult BOTB votes I ever had to cast. (I'll bet I even said that in that old comment section, didn't I?)

      That one -- A TASTE OF HONEY -- along with WE'LL BE TOGETHER AGAIN (Frank Sinatra & Ray Charles), and WALK THE DOG (Aerosmith & Roger Daltrey) are the 3 Battles that come to my mind first when I think of times I literally AGONIZED over how to cast my vote.

      Ha! Yeah, Jimmy Page even made it a point to buy Boleskine House which had previously been owned by Aleister Crowley. Nuttin' disturbing about that, is there?

      And I recall years ago sending you to a site where you could hear the "luciferian" messages that had been backward masked into STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN.

      Creepy dudes those led zeppelins.

      ~ D-FensDogG
      (link:] Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...

      Delete
    4. UHP! I'm an idiot! I didn't see the search box up there. DOH.

      Delete
    5. Ha!-Ha!
      You voluntarily demoted yourself, eh, Fivegun McItchyfinger?

      That reminds me of a family vacation we took decades ago. My Pa had purchased a Five Star General hat, but every time he'd screw up badly (like take the wrong Interstate and get us way off course), he would take out his pocket knife and cut off another star from his cap.

      By the time the vacation ended and we got home, I think he was only a Two Star General. Ha!

      I was raised by wacky people, so it's no wonder I turned out this way.

      ~ D-FensDogG
      (link:] Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...

      Delete
  7. Wowzers Stephen!

    This was a fun battle, I remember that album cover. My parents were big fans of Herb Albert, and I couldn't agree more. He just puts life into that tune.

    So, even though I typically give my vote to the one with the lyrics, my vote today has to go to Herb Albert.

    I've got your big band battle set up for December, when the weather is cooler and it's time to sit by the fire and reminisce. In the meantime, it looks like your magic 8 ball is getting low on electrolytes again.

    ~Mary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, MARY, MARY! Glad you liked it (even if Herb continues to trounce the opposition).

      Looking forward to your Big Band Palooza in December. Big Band be good!

      I've got something uniquely twisted planned for January 15th, as that will be my 100th BOTB installment, so I'm gonna have a little fun with that one.

      Yeah, that 8-Ball! And just when it seemed it had gotten its mojo back. Looks like I'll need to spill some more Bacardi 151 on it. (That has electrolytes, right?)

      ~ D-FensDogG
      (link:] Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends

      Delete
  8. I love this song, despite the best efforts of the ad agency who decided to use it for the Pillsbury account, who had a diet crunchie snack for ladies called Figurines. The rewritten words actually featured the line, "Figurines! Crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch!"

    The Alpert video indicates that it was filmed at the Aragon Ballroom, which is in Chicago just off the CTA Red Line at Lawrence Avenue. I used to pass every day when I was going to school, and would see the sign painted on the brick wall of the building, from the days when it was a dance club and acts like Tommy Dorsey (who gets a nod here, toward the end) would play there. In its later days it was a rock venue, but that sign was a testimony to its days as a dance club.

    Now, on to the contestants, which are, as always, excellent... This is a hard one, because I like both arrangements of the song. The Latin rhythm and laid-back approach of the TJB was superb, and Herb Alpert is a great trumpet player. Bob Eberly and Helen O'Connell were two great singers, and the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra provided fantastic musical accompaniment for them. It was a little disconcerting to watch Dorsey play the alto sax and hearing him play the clarinet, but it wasn't as though I expected him and the orchestra to be playing live.

    I'm going to go with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra on this one, though it's awfully close.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JOHN ~
      I literally laughed out loud when I read that bit about Figurines. I don't remember that, but that's AWFUL!!! (And to think someone actually got paid a good amount of money to come up with that idea!)

      I've never seen it, but because of my love of Big Band music, I do know of the famous Aragon ballroom.

      Although it was never said (and couldn't be so because the story took place in Los Angeles), I got the feeling it was the Aragon that they had in mind in the great episode of MOONLIGHTING titled "THE DREAM SEQUENCE ALWAYS RINGS TWICE". One of Moonlighting's very best eps, which included some terrific Big Band style music.

      Thanks for the nice compliment on my contestant selection, and I'm glad this Battle gave you some trouble.

      I'm especially thrilled to see JIMMY DORSEY & FRIENDS get a second vote. I kind of thought the Magic 8-Ball was going to get this one wrong, but I felt it would be closer than it thus far is.

      ~ D-FensDogG
      (link:] Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...

      Delete
  9. Dear Mr. McCarthy,

    May I return to BOTB next month on the 15th?

    Love,
    Janie

    ReplyDelete
  10. And Stephen,

    Blinking cowboys...I do recall feeling very heterosexual looking at that cover. Good battle again my friend. I like Herb's smoothness as well as his tribute to Dorsey. Dorsey gets my votes because the lyrics are interesting.
    JW,
    Pooh

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ...AND POOH, That's Not All!...

      Thanks for the vote, buddy. JIMMY really needed that!

      Yeah, that album cover is a true classic. My Grandfather had that album and that's where I first saw it. After Catwoman (Julie Newmar) it was probably that album cover that made me think: Hey, girls are different from boys!

      Do a Google Images search of that cover sometime and you'll be amused by the many parodies of it that have been produced.

      Thanks again for taking time to remember my Battle. Also, thanks for the very cool birthday card! (That one I sent your way, did you ever pass it on to Bob for me?)

      ~ D-FensDogG
      (link:] Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...

      Delete
    2. You'll have to refresh my memory...about Bob....

      Delete
    3. There is no Bob. (Unless you want to count Mark's brother... which I wasn't.)

      It was a joke.

      You're a quart of Mickey's Big Mouth low, bro! (You'd have found that funny in '82. And me, I don't wanna grow up! I'm a Malt-Liquors-R-Us kid.)

      ~ D-FensDogG
      [Link:) Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...

      Delete
    4. Thank goodness! I thought you sent me a card to pass on to Bobby D and I forgot, you saved me hours of searching for it. Memory ain't what it used to be. Marty's is gone, I think it is a restaurant now. pfffft! We're lucky to have all our fingers drinking that Mickey's before they went twist top. I tried to visit Mark when I was in NY in April but he was out of town, or at least that's what he said... See you at the 99cent club...wait that's gone too, a California Chicken Cafe took its place. Well, we'll always have the diner. JW, Pooh

      Delete
    5. ...AND POOH...
      Damn! Marty's is gone? That's where I bought my very first legal beer on my 21st birthday. And the SOB didn't even have the decency to card me!!

      And the 99Cent Club is now a C.C.C.? Isn't that some sort of racist organization? (Oh, wait. Never mind. I was thinking of the K.K.K. -- all three of them who still exist and aren't really George Soros bought and paid for impostors.)

      Hey, we'll always have the Bucket Of Blood Saloon! In fact, I drove up to Virginia City last Thursday and paid my respects to the bartender. (He said he still remembers you from 1986... when he 86'd you.)

      ~ D-FensDogG
      [Link:) Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends

      Delete
    6. Woo hoo, 86'd at the Bucket of Blood in 86.

      That was one of the final shots of my drinking career. Funny, I haven't been 86'd from anywhere since then, go figure....do you think it could have been the drinkin'?

      I hadst to know what a shot and a beer and a shot and a beer and a shot and a beer and a shot and a shot would be like with or without you. By the time we went together you were no good to me. Come to think of it I was no good to me too. Good times my friend, good times!

      We should plan a visit to good ol' Virginny City in the near future. We can do a reenactment of the get the hell out of here corral.
      always JW,

      Pooh

      Delete
    7. BTW I was watching Hill Street Blues and saw you and Mark D extraing as members of the Shamrocks.

      Delete
    8. ...AND POOH, THAT'S NOT ALL!:
      I'm beginning to think quite a number of things may possibly have been related to the drinkin' an' all. Some of those wounds, some of the vomiting, the Mexican jail incident -- drinkin' may have played a small part in them.

      You know, we were (un)lucky that the Virginia City thang worked out the way it did. If it hadn't been for my atrocious hangover, I'd have gone out with you that day. We'd have had a shot of whiskey and a beer together at the Bucket Of Blood and... no story. Nuttin' special about that. Just another shot and a beer.

      But the way it worked out, we were left with a funny memory that we still yak about and a truly "classic" drinkin' story.

      Better to be unlucky than good.

      (link:] Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends
      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
  11. Dear Confident Heterosexual, I had a difficult time picking between the two contenders. I love both mewsic arrangements but I didn't care too much for the lyrical version. It seemed to change the mood. At first glance, I thought I'd go with Tommy Dorsey. However, the trumpets swayed me, placing me in a ball room dancing cheek to cheek with my DH and so I'm giving my vote to Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Band. I'll be back with the BoTB gang on September 15th. Try to keep cool during these last dog days of summer!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CATHY ~

      These days of Summer have me panting like a dog! Enough already!!

      I was a big fan of Summer when I was a teenager and spent nearly every day at the beach body-surfing or just gawkin' at the girls. But from the time I had to start working full-time, Summer just hasn't been the same.

      Yes, the Tommy Dorsey version gives two tempos for the price of one. Which can be a positive or a negative depending upon the ears that hear it.

      Thanks for the vote. See you again on 9/15.

      ~ Confident Heterosexual

      Delete
  12. The Tijuana Brass version makes me yearn for the days when I could wear my plaid pantsuit, a turban, blue eye shadow dreaming about the tri-colour shag carpet I want to buy. It's good but too much from that era. I have to go with Dorsey and the gang which I enjoyed and liked hearing the lyrics. I remember Helen O'Connell from something I used to see in the 70's but can't remember

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh and that confident a heterosexual skit was too funny....isn't that Patrick Wayne as one of the good guys??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BIRGIT, thanks for stopping by and voting. It's appreciated, as always.

      Excellent call on Patrick Wayne. Yes indeed, that's Son of Duke!

      It's from the movie RUSTLER'S RHAPSODY which absolutely bombed at the box office, but which nevertheless was hilariously funny!

      It starred Tom Berenger, Marilu Henner, Fernando Rey, Andy Griffith, and G.W. Bailey (who played Rizzo on MASH). Without a doubt I consider it one of the most underrated comedies of all time! It's kind of like a toned down but still wacky-as-hell 'Blazing Saddles'. I actually like it slightly better'n 'Blazing Saddles' -- which I do also love.

      The problem was that by the time this came out in 1985, Westerns were out of fashion. Plus, there were a lot of references to the entire Western film genre (including "B Westerns") which many viewers weren't enough aware of to get the inside jokes. (Example: In one scene, a train comes to a screeching stop, and Fernando Rey's head crashes through one of the train windows in slow motion. Ha!-Ha! Obviously a wink and nod to Sam Peckinpah, but how many audience members would "get it"?)

      I highly recommend you see this one, Birgit. I KNOW you'd love it.

      ~ D-FensDogG
      [Link:) Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...

      Delete
  14. Al Bondigas here. Hmmm, muy interesante. I usually prefer lyrics with my music, but the version by Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass was just so reminiscent of the music they piped in when we were locked up in that wonderful Mexican jail. Good times! Good times! Just joking of course. They were both soothing and dreamy, but today I rule fer Herb Alpert and band. That's it !! That's my rulin!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JUDGE AL BONDIGAS ~
      I think it was actually Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass' recording 'THE LONELY BULL' that they kept playing over and over in that jailhouse. It was like Chinese Tor-- er... like a MEXICAN torture.

      Thanks for yer vote. I really wasn't sure how you'd rule in this case.

      ~ D-FensDogG
      [Link:) Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...

      Delete
  15. I vote for Herb. Internet troubles prevent me from saying more. Hope my vote comes through.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Loud and clear, NITRO. Thanks!

      See you in LA LA LAND tonight, right? 18:00 my time.

      ~ D-FensDogG
      [Link:) Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...

      Delete
  16. Hey there Stephen,
    Did you think I abandoned ship? I'm soooo late in making the rounds. I haven't even responded to comments on my battle yet. It's been absolutely crazy here. I'll shoot you an email and catch you up but suffice it to say, it was a nightmare move for my Mom! But at least my brother & sister-in-law were here for 2 weeks to help us get her settled in her new place. There's no way Mom and I could've ever done it without their help. Every day ended with alcohol though...and sometimes the days started with it because, well, why not?!
    Anyway, my apologies for being so tardy. And if you left a comment at my battle, I haven't seen it yet...

    As for your battle, I gotta say: I'm actually shocked that so many people are voting for Herb Alpert's version. I remember that album cover for sure: my folks had it in their collection. When I saw that he and his Tijuana Brass Band was a contender I figured I'd be placing my vote there. But, to me, that version was a big yawn-fest. Maybe I'm just not in the right mood for it but I so much liked Jimmy Dorsey's Orchestra better. Maybe I was expecting more from Herb Alpert? It was just boring to me. I didn't care for it at all. So, needless to say, please give my vote to Jimmy Dorsey.

    Hope all is well and that you had a good weekend. I'll catch up with you soon...

    Michele at Angels Bark

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Howdy, MICHELE ~
      You made it! I knew you would. Never doubted it for a second.

      Glad to hear the Mom Move is over with. It may have been a "B!" but at least it's over and done and you have her nearby now. Whew! The whole thing was a struggle from beginning (convincing her) to end, wasn't it?

      You woke up some mornings and you got yourself a beer? Because the future's uncertain and the end is always near? (Ha!)

      Thanks for the Jimmy Dorsey vote. The poor guy needs every vote he can get. Legends aren't supposed to get blown out like this.

      Yak Later...

      ~ D-FensDogG
      (link:] Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...

      Delete
  17. My dear brudder:

    This was not an easy choice because both tunes bring back memories and sometimes, that alone tips the scales one way or the other.

    All things Dorsey make me want to wander on and find some old Andrews Sisters (I met Maxine Andrews once…I was fan-struck). That whole era was fantastic; I love the big bands.

    Herb Alpert always makes me think about the 60s and 70s…sitting on the floor, listening to 45s…with no one asking "what is a 45?" I had Herb's version of "A Taste of Honey" and it got more than it's share of spins. The other records were jealous, as you can expect.

    Well, I'm still in his corner: Herb Alpert it is!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the vote, DOC MacSIS.

      I'm with you! I love Big Band AND Herb. And his version of A TASTE OF HONEY is utterly fantastic! Do you remember when I used it in BOTB against Bobby Darin's rendition? That was one of the toughest BOTB votes I ever had to cast.

      See ya again on September one-five.

      ~ D-FensDogG
      (link:] Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...

      Delete
    2. "What is a 45?"

      Oh, I can answer that. '45' is what snowflakes call the current US President, because it's, like, super scary to use his name out loud, you guys.

      ...I'll show myself out.

      Delete
    3. A "45" is also what I use to thin the Snowflake herd.

      ~ D-FensDogG
      (aka Bill Foster)

      Delete
  18. I'm slipping in here under the wire. Not sure it'll help, but I'm at least making my voice heard.

    What is this comment section, the Herb Alpert fan club?

    Okay, okay, I don't blame them. Two great versions here, but ultimately, I'm enchanted by Bob Eberly and Helen O'Connell's voices. Give my vote to them! Jimmy can come, too, I guess.

    ~J S-A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. J S-A ~
      I just heard back from Jimmy and he sends his thanks for the invitation, but won't be able to make it. He's opening for brother Tommy tonight at the Cloud Nine Lounge in Big Band Heaven.

      ~ D-FensDogG
      (link:] Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...

      Delete
  19. ATTENTION PEOPLES!
    If you are interested in seeing the final vote tally for this 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS' installment and my closing thoughts on it, you can put the following URL into your browser:

    http://stmccpresentsbattleofthebands.blogspot.com/2017/08/botb-results-2017-aug-15-or-jimmy.html

    ~ D-FensDogG
    'Loyal American Underground'

    ReplyDelete

---> NOTE: COMMENT MODERATION IS ACTIVATED. <---
All submitted comments that do not transgress "Ye Olde Comment Policy" will be posted and responded to as soon as possible. Thanks for taking the time to comment.