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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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| STMcC, BONEHEAD, SANTA CLAUS, & NAPPY |
It's become tradition for me in December BOTBs to use a secular Christmas song on the 1st and a sacred song on the 15th. I used 'Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer' last time (for the first time in BOTB history). So, now it's time for a sacred song.
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"A Merry Christmas to us all; God bless us, every one!"
~ Tiny Tim
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Back in July, on this blog, when Tiny Tim beat the superstar Garth Brooks in a BOTB installment (and without any help from me), I warned y'all that Tiny would probably be back here again for Christmas, because... what is Christmas without "Tiny Tim"?
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I gave y'all advance warning, so don't be a...
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Besides, it could be worse. At one point, I was seriously thinking about making this Battle Tiny Tim versus Justin Bieber.
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The song is 'SILENT NIGHT' - quite possibly the most popular of all Christmas songs.
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Now, make no mistake about it: Tiny Tim was a sincere Christian. Tiny never hesitated in giving Jesus credit for his improbable success.
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Hersh watched on, incredulously, as Tiny continued to sabotage his career ... this time with a heated on-air argument with Howard Stern. ... Tiny flew into a rage when Stern took Jesus's name in vain. Stern's insincere apology and attempts to blame co-host Robin Quivers for the slip-up only agitated Tiny further.
"The name of Jesus Christ is being used in vain on this show", he railed, "and the FCC allows it!" ...
After this, Tiny refused all further interview requests from The Howard Stern Show, effectively killing his one significant tie to mainstream audiences.
~ 'Eternal Troubadour: The Improbable Life Of Tiny Tim'
by Justin Martell
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His recording of 'Silent Night' is absolutely "classic Tiny Tim". The passionate (and accurate) rant mid-song comes directly from his heart, but since this IS Tiny, quite naturally, it also includes some unintended humor.
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SILENT NIGHT - TINY TIM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPprRVvl2vQ
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| "PEZ are hard to load." |
Next we have Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac fame. At YouTube, the comment sections of her videos for 'Silent Night' are filled with countless folks saying that her recording of the song is their all-time favorite. {"This is the best version of this song ever. It will give you chillbumps & make you misty eyed." / "I actually cried over silent night... wow... the chills are unreal... that's how it should be sung... I bet the angels surrounded her and applauded."}
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But you will also find there a (much, much smaller) number of detractors. And those folks who dislike it dislike it pretty intensely. They detest her {"nasal"} singing, the arrangement, and Robbie Nevil's {"trying-too-hard"} backing vocals.
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Those who dig Stevie's version totally love it; many of them saying it's the ultimate rendition of the song.
Those who don't dig Stevie's version really can't stand it at all.
There is very little middle ground; it seems to be one extreme or the other.
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This got me thinking: Gee, I wonder what the BOTB voters would think of it? AND... since I do need to find a competitor to put up against Tiny Tim... why not Stevie Nicks?
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SILENT NIGHT - STEVIE NICKS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFxxQnhT5XQ
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The Battle Within The Battle
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VERSUS
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Question: "Will Tiny Tim Lose To Stevie Nicks?"
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The Magic 8-Ball (11-6) sez: "Yes, Definitely"
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The Amazing Sixwell (12-5) sez: "Don't Count On It"
You put up some VERY puzzling battles. ... Once again you put up a very popular, multiple hit artist against the Buster Douglas of the vocal world - a guy who only reached the top once with a lucky punch... and he was on his tiptoes just to do that..
HOWSOMEVER - Sixwell thinks that it will be a back and forth voting affair with the underdog Tiny Tim getting a Christmas victory. Perhaps not the second hit that so many have wished for all these years, but a victory against a much stronger opponent.
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Alright now, “you know the gig”... I welcome you (whether I know "you" or not) 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...
@ ‘TOSSING IT OUT’ 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
@ '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.
@ 'AI LOVE MUSIC' 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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This is a tough one. While I listened to and agreed with much of what Tiny Tim had to say in his rant, I wonder whether "Silent Night" was the proper place to put it. Part of me says no, this is a song of peace and awe at the birth of the Savior, another says yes, there's been too much silence about the disgraceful behavior seen especially among the Catholic clergy toward young people, particularly young boys and seminarians. As a lifelong Catholic, I'm angry about it, because according to some accounts this has been going on for at least fifty years, meaning there's a very real chance that I know classmates who were abused and have never talked about it, possibly threatened into their silence. I could say much more, but I'll leave it at that.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I liked Tim's voice better than Stevie Nicks's, so he gets my vote.
JOHN ~
DeleteI hear you! I once had the same thoughts -- that maybe 'Silent Night' wasn't the right song for a sermon from Tiny. But at the same time, his rant definitely fits the theme. And I applaud Tiny for his boldness!
I've never been a Catholic, but quite a number of years ago I decided I wanted to learn what was going on in the Catholic church, because the pedophilia seemed to be occurring and being covered up by the highest levels of the church. So I read several books about it.
Likewise, I won't go into it much here, but the most disappointing thing I learned in my research was how even 'Boys Town' in Nebraska was being used to recruit very young (teenage and younger) male and female prostitutes for a Washington, D.C. sex ring.
Needless to say, I have donated the last penny I ever will to 'Boys Town'.
~ D-FensDogG @ Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
Good day, Stephen; What a battle! ☺ I have to admit, Tiny Tim isn't my cup of tea, but, neither is Stevie Nicks and I agree with those who thought she sounded nasal. Tim did sound better than usual. That speech in the middle was funny, yet he made his point. Tough decision, since neither of these appealed to me a whole lot. Still, I could stand listening to Stevie again, so, she gets my vote. And thank you for NOT using Justin Bieber. YUCK! Have a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteDEBBIE ~
DeleteI'm not quite sure I could have lived with myself afterwards, had I really used Justin Bieber in this Battle.
Yeah, Tiny's rant entertains me at the same time that I applaud the man for being so bold about his strongly held beliefs. ...But I can't help chuckling when he mentions "a secondary class, and a thirdary class". Are there also quadrupledary classes? Ha!
Thanks for listening and voting, Debbie.
~ D-FensDogG @ Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
I like both artists, but not so much on this song. Each version has it's irritating aspects, but each has something commendable to offer.
ReplyDeleteNeither artist seems particularly appropriate for the nature of the song--Stevie Nicks less so. Tiny Tim comes across as weird--more so than on other songs I've heard him do. And especially in that spoken interlude, Tim comes across as doing his Jimmy Durante impression--at least what I hear there.
So, not so much with raves, I give my vote to Tiny Tim with extra points given for his bold stand on the subject of Jesus during this Holy Season.
Merry Christmas to all!
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Thanks, LEE, for the vote and explanation.
DeleteActually, I think Tiny sounds much weirder on many other songs -- some of which I like better than his 'Silent Night', and some of which I like less.
I guess his rant comes as a surprise to many, but I don't really think of it as weird. But then I know more about him than most folks do, so I guess I just find it "in character" for him.
Both of these versions are rather unusual, which is why I paired them up against each other in this round of BOTB. And I can easily see why some folks would not be fond of either rendition. I was prepared for that.
~ D-FensDogG @ Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends
Well Well Well... What have we here?
ReplyDeleteI thought for sure I was going to be giving my vote to Mr Khaury. Hey did you notice his middle name is Buckingham? I wonder if it's a family name, and if by some weird relation, related to Lindsey Buckingham? If so, then your match against Ms Nicks makes an awful lot of sense!
I agree that Stevie's vocals sound a bit nasally, but then Tiny Tim's vocals in this particular song aren't all that spectacular, either.
I had to listen a few times to come to my decision. There's something about Stevie's version that makes it really special. And Tiny Tim's rant in the middle definitely gives one food for thought.
But in the end, I'm casting my vote for Ms Nicks, with no hard feelings toward Mr Khaury.
~Mary
#BattleOfTheBands : Christmas Edition
MMQE ~
DeleteHa! I like the Buckingham connection you made. I hadn't thought of that, but it's like an underground theme.
I like that Tiny uses his natural baritone voice in this song. But the thing about it that appeals to me most of all is the mid-song rant. And I knew that would be the thing many voters would probably like least about it. But... oh, well... that's how the BOTB crumbles.
~ D-FensDogG @ Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends
S-Man, if here's a time machine I would go back to the 70's and join 10 million other guys who want to bang Stevie Nicks. Naturally.
ReplyDelete"That's not in the Christmas spirit," says McCarthy. "This isn't the 80's with synths and drum machines. And you better show respect for Stevie Nicks." And you're right.
^ That's poetic license. Stevie Nicks. Stevie Nicks. Stevie Nicks. I just like saying her name. She's "fine" as the 80's word or "foxy" the 70's word. I heard all about the Fleetwood Mac drama, she's a handful. And being an 80's fan, I'd - if could only go back to one era - Terri Nunn. She doesn't sing so well. And going back to the 70's, I choose Stevie Nicks as the best vocalist. If Fleetwood Mac and Olivia Newton John (three names is usually reserved for serial killers and assassins) little Miss Priss. Respect for Olivia Newton John. She was awesome. Jesus Christ. These Days, I'd see Stevie Nicks.
The songs. Stevie Nicks gets my vote. As all that 70's stuff evaporates.. I like her song better.
Cheers and Merry Christmas.
G DOGG ~
DeleteI was NOT one of those 10-million guys. But my buddy, Eric (whom I mentioned in that recent comment about our 1983 road trip and "Southern Hospitality"), was most definitely amongst the 10-million.
He talked me into going to a Fleetwood Mac concert with him in late 1976. It was an outdoor venue, and they advertised in the papers that they'd play "rain or shine".
On the day of the concert, it rained. They left us all standing out in the rain for a couple hours before announcing that they wouldn't be playing and we could get refunds on the tickets or else attend the rescheduled performance.
I got a refund and have held a grudge against Fleetwood Mac ever since then. (Not that I was inclined to like their type of music, anyway. That was Eric's department. And I think that at least half of his interest in the band had to do with Nicks. He had a thing about dumb blondes.)
Best singer of the '70s? No, not Stevie. No, not Olivia. Karen. Yes, Karen. (And by coincidence, I'm listening to her right now, as I type these woids.)
Gotcher vote recorded for Eric's crush, Bruhthuh DogG.
~ D-FensDogG @ Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
You have given me a difficult task, but let me start by saying that I love the song, "Silent Night." Good choice, my brudder from anudder mudder.
ReplyDeleteTT and his crazy vibrato are not on my hit or miss list consistently, it depends on the song. As for Tiny Tim personally, I always liked him; he seemed like he was being true to himself. Let your freak flag fly, TT.
Stevie Nicks is in the same boat as TT: it depends on the song. Her pairings with Tom Petty (RIP) are by far my favorite...plus I like that fact that Tom Petty (RIP) never let her be a Heartbreaker, though she expressed the desire to do just that. You gotta back off, Stevie...he's Tom Petty (RIP), not that pushoever Mick Fleetwood.
"Silent Night" would firmly be on the "depends on the song" list. What's a girl to do? On one hand, TT sideways glance in the picture looks a bit...shall we say...creepy? I'm afraid of that guy...his look doesn't go with his hat. And the spoken part...he should have let that go, in my humble opinion.
Stevie Nicks' holy undulated version of "Silent Night" is fine, but I give her my vote with hesitancy...she'll abuse it, I'm sure.
But in the end, STEVIE NICKS GETS THE VOTE (or the bote).
It's a sweet battle when a person has to both think and justify their decision.
Merry Christmas! Unto US a savior is born. Sweet mercy.
What's up, DOC?
DeleteTiny Tim was a true original and a natural freak. Most people thought he was all just a wild act to get attention... until they actually met him and discovered he was truly as weird as he seemed. (Even weirder, actually, but I won't waste time writing about skin lotions and cosmetics.)
>>... plus I like that fact that Tom Petty (RIP) never let her be a Heartbreaker, though she expressed the desire to do just that.
And I love the way he told her no. He said she couldn't join The Heartbreakers "because there are no girls in The Heartbreakers". Makes perfect sense to me!
Thanks for your bote, Sis!
~ D-FensDogG @ Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
First time here, and thanks to John Holton for leading me to it. I listened as much as I could to each of the choices. Tiny Tim has no backup but his voice... no thank you. Stevie sounds bored out of her skull. Robbie Nevil should have sung it and left Stevie off. That said, I go for Stevie because bored is better than terrible and her backup was better.
ReplyDeletems_lili ~
DeleteJust remember that it was JOHN'S FAULT you stopped by, not mine. John did it!
>>... Tiny Tim has no backup but his voice... no thank you.
As a big fan of backing vocals, like me, you must also be a big fan of The Beach Boys, right?
Seriously, thanks for coming by, even if this Battle wasn't your cup of Lipton. I knew beforehand that this would be far, far from one of my more popular Battle Of The Bands installments. But like Ricky Nelson sang, "You can't please everyone, so you gotta please yourself."
Sometimes I don't concern myself that much with how beloved my Battles will be. But I try to keep my crazy impulses in check at times, so as not to go too far out too much of the time, causing everyone to lose interest.
As Ed Wood said: "My next one will be better."
~ D-FensDogG @ Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
Neither for me. Silent Night is one of my favorite carols and neither singer did the song justice in my opinion. If I had to choose one it'd be Stevie because ... well because she's Stevie.
ReplyDeleteJ-Dub ~
DeleteThanks for coming by to listen, even if you didn't like either version.
Truthfully, neither one is my favorite recording of 'Silent Night'. But if I always used my favorite renditions of Christmas songs in December, the voters would get tired of hearing Johnny Mathis and Karen Carpenter.
~ D-FensDogG @ Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends
I, Stephen T. McCarthy (aka D-FensDogG), received the following vote via Email from Sheboyganboy Six (aka Sixgun McItchyfinger) :
ReplyDeleteThis is not the best introduction to BOTBs for a newcomer! ms_lili... please return and vote again in the next battle! This particular battle is certainly more "out there" than most of Stephen’s, but you have to admit that it is pretty interesting.
Like Lee, I have an issue with BOTH of these versions. And like G Dogg, I was one of MORE than 10 million guys that were attracted to Stevie Nicks in the 70s, though I don’t have G Dogg’s way with words. Stevie was a very attractive young woman with a distinctive voice. For me, her voice worked well on some songs and not on others. She became famous as a part of Fleetwood Mac, and in my book she was at the bottom of the talent there. She also has proven to be a vindictive snake in the grass in the last couple of months in getting the MOST talented Mac member fired from his own band. She took Buckingham's song about her, "Go Your Own Way," and shoved it back at him. Sadly, her millions of male former followers have seen recent pictures of her, and hence are no longer attracted.
You're right about the comments on YouTube about her version. People RAVED about how wonderful it was. I simply don't hear it. Her version is lousy. Rather than filled with feeling and emotion, I hear a bored, nasal-toned has-been hoping she can get the video done so she can bolt to the donut shop. Awful version.
Despite his too-fast vibrato, Tiny Tim's version is way better, at least until you get to the speaking break. And frankly, I don't have a problem with using that as a device. He is right about the meaning of Christmas being lost, and it would work for me... IF it were much shorter and IF he had not gone so over the top with it. He is too gruff sounding, and rather that trying to guide and inform and illustrate a valuable lesson about Jesus Christ, he launches from talking about people being pompous and hypocritical RIGHT INTO "fornicating with children, fornicating with young girls." Come on, Tiny! Unless that extremely minute audience of 300 evil dudes in the whole USA is your target market, CRANK IT DOWN and help out the vast majority of us who just fall short in following Christ in less dramatically evil ways. Give us a valuable lesson about Christmas... but you almost lose me with that hyperbole about the... well, you know.
Tiny Tim wins handily, however. Better voice and proper recognition of the importance of the birth of Jesus earn him the vote.
SIXGUN McITCHYFINGER ~
Delete>>... And like G Dogg, I was one of MORE than 10 million guys that were attracted to Stevie Nicks in the 70s
Yeah, yeah. You horn dogs were all about the blonde hair. Tiny Tim coulda worn a blonde wig and both you guys would have been salivating and doing wolf whistles. 'o)
I was totally prepared for some voter backlash over this Battle. 1) Because... Tiny Tim, and 2) Tiny's politically incorrect rant, and 3) Stevie Nicks' overrated rendition.
I knew several voters would say they didn't particularly care for (or even like at all) either version. But, you know me, I always follow my own lead. Sometimes I forget if I'm the head or the ass. (Both.) But as the penguin sang out from the mass of other penguins: "Oh, I gotta be me! I just gotta be me!"
>>... "Unless that extremely minute audience of 300 evil dudes in the whole USA is your target market"
I wish it were such a small number. But the number of pedophiles just in Washington, D.C., alone climbs well, well above 300. And they're not all males, either. Not by a long shot.
Research PizzaGate and the Franklin Scandal, if you think your stomach can handle it. (Actually, I don't recommend it. It's one of those things you can't ever forget about once you're made aware of it. And it's sick, twisted, and demonic.)
Needless to say, I have a real appreciation for Tiny's rant -- even if it does come in the middle of a sweet lullaby. Sometimes there's something to be said for "shock value".
You're right, though, that this Battle is pretty far "out there", even for me. But I really didn't want to do just another standard Christmas Battle. I wanted something "different", and I was genuinely curious to see how the boters would react to Tiny's rant.
Sometimes I just gotta go in a "different" direction, if only to keep it feeling fresh to me.
Thanks for your extensive commentary. It was sincerely appreciated. I always like reading the details about why a person botes one way or the other.
~ D-FensDogG @ Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
McBrotherman, <>
DeleteAhahaha, that's some funny stuff.
Tiny Tim could wear a blonde wig and write a book "Blonde Like Me" (based on "Black Like Me" I already know you know the reference) about the daily struggles of simultaneously being told to "be quiet blonde dim bulb" to being hit on 20 times per day with "clever" lines she (Tiny Tim incognito) heard earlier in the day and every time she (Tiny Tim incognito) goes into a 7-11 for a soda each guy of the 20 guys goes into a monologue about himself without even letting Tiny Tim talk and he's thinking, "All these guys are the same." And when Tiny Tim buys a soda and gets back in his car to leave, a few of the 20 guys call blonde Tiny Tim "snobby." That's what blondes have to put up with every day. It's a blonde thing, many people don't understand.
Bruhthuh, G DogG ~
DeleteMan, if that's really the way it is for blondes... I'm glad I'm grey.
Speaking of blondes... [Link> THIS ONE is my favorite. She never talks back, and she's always ready and willing when I am. (FUN FACT: That's actually O'Doul's amber non-alcoholic beer in my cup. Shhh... Don't tell those nice folks at Great Basin Brewing Company.)
It's a blonde tha-aaa-ng! Black folks'll never understand it.
Q: What do you call Ellen Degeneres and Portia de Rossi?
A: THIS
~ Bruhthuh Stephen @ Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends
OlderBrotherMan.
Delete…. Okay, I know you surpassed this already.
In the same league. Let's say it together: Jim Morrison is a sissy.
That's a given. No need to add to that. Mandatory end of story.
Some nerd at a debate podium says otherwise.
"Okay Sonny Jim. I woke up this morning and drank - quaffed three 24 ounce cans of malt liquor at middle age,"
Nerd: What does this have to do with the blondes vs brunettes debate?
I'm not a fan of brunettes. And I just felt like talking about Jim Morrison.
We walk off the stage, shake hands full respect, and tell Oxford to go to , we don't have to tell them anything they need to research what they heard it's too abstract they can't handle it takes time for them to digest (sissies)
Bruhthuh of the Canine Division:
DeleteI'll actually give Jimbo some credit for... well, for one thing, he definitely earns a spot in the Punk Rock Hall O' Fame for ratcheting up a notch or two its worldview.
To put it more succinctly, I would have been honored to drink with him at the Whisky-A-Go-Go... right up until I felt compelled to punch him in the face for being too artsy-fartsy.
I mean, let's face it: When Jimbo sang, "I woke up this morning and I got myself a beer", he definitely set the Punk Rock ethos forward by at least a six-pack of light years.
But had he, instead, sang, "I woke up this morning and I got myself a [Link> DOG BITE HIGH-GRAVITY LAGER", he'd still be considered the Grandfather of Punk today in 2018.
Baretta
Robert Blake
~ D-FensDogG @ STMcC Presents 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS'
Stephen,
ReplyDeleteIt was very interesting to learn that Tiny Tim was a Christian. I think it's pAwesome that he took a stand against Howard Stern for using the Lord's name in vein. I wish more Christians were verbal when someone uses God's name irreverently. I couldn't follow TT's rant in the song because of my muffled hearing but I'd love to give my vote to TT just for his boldness.
Judging both covers strictly from a vocal perspective I'm going to have to give my vote to Stevie Nicks. I like Stevie but I wouldn't say her 'Silent Night' rendition is the ultimate version as some of the commentors wrote. I've heard better!
Have a joyful, blessed Christmas and may God's blessings follow you into the new year, my friend!
Merry Christmas to you, CATHY!
DeleteI try to keep some control over my language, as The Good Book tells us to. However, the s-word slips out of me more often than I'd like. (I'm thinking it's better to let it out than to keep all that s-word bottled up inside a person.)
But language-wise, nothing makes me cringe more than hearing someone take God's name or The Lord's name in vain. People toss it into their everyday dialogue so casually that I think most of them aren't even aware of it when they've broken that commandment (like, six times in six minutes). But when I hear it, I have an almost negative physical reaction to it. An internal cringing.
Yes, I've heard better 'Silent Nights' than either Stevie Nick's or Tiny Tim provide us with here. But I wanted to do something a bit *different* in this round of BOTB.
I hope you and yours have a healthy & happy 2019, my friend!!
~ D-FensDogG @ Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
I had no idea Tiny Tim was ever a guest on Howard Stern, and a regular at that. I also had no idea they got into it over Jesus. I had to listen to the clip for myself, and it's equal parts interesting and infuriating. I knew Stern was a dick, but that clip reminded me why I can't stand him. You'd think if a long time guest asked you nicely not to do something, you'd either not do it and move on, or explain your position and defend why you said it. Leave it to Stern to just waffle like a jackass and alienate a long time guest in the process.
ReplyDeleteI think the most aggravating part is Stern insisting over and over again that Tiny is unnecessarily upset, when Tiny really sounds quite calm - annoyed, but firm in his point - and is just explaining his position. Eventually he DOES get upset, and it reminds me of those idiotic spats where person #1 tells person #2, "You're just angry!", when they're not... but person #1 keeps saying it over and over again, "You're angry! Why are you angry?", until finally person #2 DOES get mad... out of exasperation.
Onto the battle. I appreciate the uniqueness of this. Full disclosure: Tiny Tim is not my cuppa morning Joe. I can appreciate his talent, but his music isn't something I find myself wanting to sit down and listen to. With that said, I can't stand Stevie Nicks, and her version sounds kind of... well, boring. Uninspired. But I can hear the passion in Tiny's voice. And for that, he easily gets my bote. He also gets my respect, for standing up for his beliefs in an industry where doing so is often career suicide. Just ask... oh, you already know the list. It's a mile long.
JULIO SEIS-ABEJA ~
DeleteSorry I'm so late in responding but I've been spending my online time... well, you know... working on future BOTB songs.
Indeed, Howard Stern was a jerk. But, really, Tiny Tim, being a Christian, had no business being on that guy's show to begin with. So, I guess Tiny set himself up for that.
We'll see if Howard thinks taking The Lord's name in vain is still funny when he reaches the final destination he seems to be heading toward.
>>... Full disclosure: Tiny Tim is not my cuppa morning Joe.
That's only because you've never heard him singing while in the Chocolate Waybac Machine.
'o)
Indeed, I went more for "unique" than "good" in this Battle. I just can't play ALL of them straight. Gotta mix it up once in awhile, if only to keep my inner Roger Miller satisfied.
~ D-FensDogG @ Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends
HiYa Travel Meister!
ReplyDeleteTiny Tim was definitely one to Go his Own Way, Tip-toeing Through the Tulips as he did. And while he gave it his best shot (I suppose), it sounded very much like hundreds of panic-stricken crickets trying to sneak out of the path of a sluggish plow. Poor guy.
Stand Back, Stephen T.! Stevie Nicks? Really? She’s been a favorite of mine for longer than ever, but again, nope. Makes me practically comatose.
It’s the song. That’s what it is. For some reason, folks tend to let the cat sleep on the turntable which turns a celebratory birth announcement into a funeral march, thus rendering the song itself into the antithesis of holiday gaiety. Honestly, they sing it better in the south.
Regrettably, neither gets my vote. But you do, for best and bravest battle using a song that puts not just the contenders to the test ;-)
Merry Christmas!
Howdy, dIEDRE ~
DeleteHey, you changed your avatar photo!! (Can you do that?) I can't make out what your T-Shirt says. I must be getting old.
>>... Tiny Tim was definitely one to Go his Own Way
Ha! I see what you did there!
>>... it sounded very much like hundreds of panic-stricken crickets trying to sneak out of the path of a sluggish plow. Poor guy.
Huh?! Wha-?!
I've never lived on a farm, so I guess I just don't know what hundreds of panic-stricken crickets attempting to avoid a sluggish plow sounds like. But I dig your stream o' conscious description!
>>... best and bravest battle using a song that puts not just the contenders to the test
Ha!-Ha! I think that could be taken a couple of different ways. Funny!
Well, thanks for stopping by, anyway, dIEDRE. And I hope you have a wonder-filled Christmas, and that you get that little dolly in the corner on Christmas morning. (I just watched 'Scrooge' with Albert Finney, ya un'erstan'.)
~ D-FensDogG @ Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
Howdy back at ya!
DeleteDue in part, to changes going on with Google+ I had the opportunity - or obligation - to change a few things on Blogspot. Against the wishes of well-meaning friends who thought I should portray myself as perpetually way younger, I opted for the late-model reveal (okay, five years ago). The T-shirt reads "I'm not short, I'm fun size!"
Which reminds me, the last time I got a doll for Christmas I left her in the corner because she was taller than me ;-) However, she came with a desk and chalkboard that were just my size, so perhaps all was forgiven.
Good to know I'm not the only one watching Christmas shows!
Howdy, dIEDRE!
DeleteHalf a shade late in responding because I was in 1876 the past two days. (1876 = code for Virginia City, NV.) It is SOoooo "off-season" there that I was the only person staying in the entire motel. (Blasted my TV's volume all... night... long! Weren't no one 'round to complain 'bout it.)
Google+ -- what a disaster of an idea those knuckleheads at Google came up with. (Google "knuckleheads" and www.google.com is the first thing that comes back on the results page.)
>>... the last time I got a doll for Christmas I left her in the corner because she was taller than me
Ha!-Ha! But look at the bright side: she was probably also too tall to be considered "fun size".
I really don't like having my picture taken. Not that I think it steals my soul, mind you. But just because I never think I look even half-decent in photos. But an online friend kept asking to see a current photo of me, so back in June I did the unthinkable and took my first ever "selfie". Then I decided to display it on my blog, because prior to that, no one had ever seen any model of me later than 1983. I figured it was probably about time for an update.
~ D-FensDogG @ Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
Merry Christmas Stephen. I am sorry to say but I really didn't enjoy Tiny Tim's version. His voicals were too choppy for me. And because of his vocals, I couldn't take his message seriously. I know that the message he is saying is an important one but I wish he was more serious about his vocals. Maybe it's me, a person who had studied voice/singing for six years. Or maybe the fact I am taking it too seriously.
ReplyDeleteBut, I do have a slight bias towards Stevie and Robbie Nevil. Fleetwood Mac and Stevie's solo career were always playing from the cassette decks of my parent's cards back in the 90s, so I am used to Stevie and became a fan (I actually, this year, move onto Lindsey, shhhh).
However, Stevie's vocals on her version of the song is more fluid than Tiny Tim's. So, my vote goes to Stevie Nicks! (C'est La Vie, says Robbie).
AMY ~
DeleteThanks for stopping by. And you had plenty of company when it came to turning thumbs down on Tiny.
I think this must be my least popular BOTB contest ever, with a few people declining to vote for either version. I've never had that happen before.
I know one thing: The enthusiasm for Stevie Nicks' "greatest version of 'Silent Night' ever recorded" has definitely not shown up in this comment section.
~ D-FensDogG @ Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
Thanks Stephen for sharing these two beautiful renditions of Silent Night. I especially like the last ten seconds of the Tiny Tim version when he sort of laughs and says something like, “I ain’t gonna get no applause for this.” Humble to the very end. And if Stevie Nicks would have just used the word “fornication” once or twice she could have easily won this contest.
ReplyDeleteAfter much deliberation and a flaming rum punch or two, my vote goes to William Shatner.
HeeHaw and Merry Christmas!
Sig Wainwright II
SIG WAINWRIGHT II ~
DeleteHmmm..... Now you've got me wondering for next December whether or not William Shatner ever recorded a version of 'Silent Night'. How about Shatner versus Rosanne Barr?
I have my doubts that Stevie Nicks knows the meaning of the word "fornication". I'm sure she knows the four-letter "f-word", but maybe not the multi-syllable "f-word".
Well, I appreciate you taking time to come by and visit, Sig, even if you abstained from boting in this BOTB.
Hee-Haw and a Merry Christmas 2 U, 2, Brother.
~ D-FensDogG @ Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends
And Stephen,
ReplyDeleteI received your Card...did you make a surprise attack on Orange County and not let me know? Perhaps you were just scouting it out for me. Thank you. That Tiny Tim is beginning to grow on me but Stevie Nicks edged him out in my opinion. I think the reference to fornication put me off having fornicated in a past life or perhaps it was the guild from that act. Nonetheless, I been had enjoyed both of them but Stevie gets my vote. May you have a Christmas Morning on Christmas Morning!
JW,
Pooh
...AND, POOH, THAT'S NOT ALL!...
DeleteYou know, they won't let me move back into Orange County again. It's 'cause I ain't Chinee! (to borrow a word from 'Kung Fu'). Hey, let's do a Bitter Brothers meeting in a Chinee restaurant in Westminster some day!
You letting bumpy bits determine how you vote again, Pooh?
Thanks for taking time to stop by and bote, my friend. And thanks for the fine wish for a Christmas morning on Christmas morning. I'll try to remember that on Christmas eve, when I'm trying to decide whether or not to have that 10th hot buttered rum.
~ D-FensDogG @ Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends
Al Bondigas here. I can't believe so many people don't like Tiny Tim's version. I think it's about time someone said what needed to be said. It's still real to me dammit!!! I really enjoyed his rant, and his voice aint too bad either. Thanks to you he's really grown on me over the years. Man, that's a weird cat though. As for Stevie Nicks, I always thought she was overrated, talent wise and physically. She's certainly not bad looking but, definitely overrated. Rulin' fer Tiny Tim by a landslide. That's it!! That's muh rulin'!!
ReplyDelete"Here come da JUDGE! Here come da JUDGE!!
Delete(Boy, did I ever date myself with *that* line, eh?)
Yip! I too thank Tiny for sayin' "what needed to be sayed".
I remember us listening to Tiny's rant years ago, while heading out of the parking lot after having made a wish for Tiny Tim at Froggy's Pond.
Blonde females seem to have "a leg up" (so to speak) when it comes to attracting men. Stevie Nicks? Eh... Mick Jagger probably wouldn't kick her outta bed for eating crackers but... she never did anything for me. You know me: I like those brown-haired, brown-eyed Mexican womens best of all.
Yeah, this Battle did not go at all the way I guessed it would. I thought Tiny would win by two or maybe three votes.
Oh, well (as the Rockets said much better'n Fleetwood Mac ever did), it's good to be wrong and humbled every once in awhile so that my head doesn't get too big for my cowboy hat.
~ D-FensDogG @ Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
Stevie gets my vote, trying to stop a Landslide. Interesting sermon from Tiny Tim but the more straight version gets my vote.
ReplyDeleteActually, MIKE, your vote looks more like it's trying to *start* a 'Landslide'.
ReplyDelete~ D-FensDogG @ Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...