FAE Vs. STMcC, Female Vs. Male, 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 first thing you noticed was that the date's wrong. Yip! I misread my notes and mistook 7/10/2013 for June instead of July. This 6th Anniversary BOTB installment is about 1 month too early. Oh, well. (I do letters better'n numbers.)
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No, BOTB did NOT begin as a blogfest and, no, I did not take over hosting it when my friend FarAwayEyes (aka FAE) split the scene. Back in 2013, FAE blogged regularly and kept to a schedule. On July 10, 2013, she was due to post something, but being preoccupied with house guests, she just quickly threw together a "Battle of the Bands" blog bit. She chose the song 'SUMMERTIME' from 'Porgy & Bess' ["I loves you, Porgy!"] and put Nina Simone up against Muse. Nina got 8 votes, Muse got 3. You can see that first BOTB installment and its comments / votes by clicking HERE.
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FAE had not intended to do another BOTB installment. As far as she was concerned, it was a 'one and done' type of affair. But as my comments on her original post show, I thought it was a terrific idea, which I indicated I was inclined to steal:
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STMcC to FAE: "Hey, I really like your 'Battle Of The Bands' concept! Maybe you should run with that idea, making it a regular feature on your blog. [...] Incidentally... if you decide NOT to make this 'BOTB' concept a regular feature on your blog, I am DEFINITELY going to steal the idea and make it a semi-regular feature on MY blog. Just sayin'."
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I later Emailed FarAwayEyes and yakked her into doing semi-regular BOTB installments WITH me. That's how it started. It wasn't meant to be a blogfest; it was just something two "blog buddies" decided to do together. But other folks saw what we had begun doing, liked it, asked to join, and - voila! - a blogfest was born.
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| Good-niks Vs. No-Good-niks |
FAE has long since ceased blogging. But because she always used to post in "blue", I incorporated that color into the official 'BOTB' logo, and I have always written 'Battle Of The Bands' and 'BOTB' in blue as a tribute to FAE, who did it first.
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For this (one month premature) 6th Anniversary BOTB installment, I decided to re-use the first song ever used in BOTB - 'SUMMERTIME' - and take FAE's first-ever BOTB winner, Nina Simone, and pit her against a new challenger. In July of 2013, Muse lost to Nina by 5 votes. Now, nearly 6 years later, let's see if Mahalia Jackson can put up a better fight.
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| Godzilla Vs. King Kong |
SUMMERTIME -- Nina Simone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmrUrEbaYWE
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| Riddler Vs. Batman |
Mahalia Jackson's version is actually a medley, in which she briefly incorporates 'Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child' into the middle portion of the song. But she quickly transitions back into 'Summertime' after just a couple minutes:
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SUMMERTIME -- Mahalia Jackson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0M4zUEGkdBw
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QUESTION: Will the challenger, Mahalia, beat Nina, the reigning queen of 'Summertime'?
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SIKIKE PHTEVEN (0-2): If she doesn't, may The Amazing Sixwell push me right in front of a speeding bus driven by the Magic 8-Ball!
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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.
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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".
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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.
@ 'THE DOGLADY'S DEN' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CHERDO ON THE FLIPSIDE' by clicking HERE.
@ 'AI LOVE MUSIC' by clicking HERE.
@ 'ANGELS BARK' 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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I miss FAE, Robin, and others who used to do the BOTB and have fallen by the wayside. It's been a long ride--or at least a lot of Battles--in this blog feature. BOTB is primarily what has been keeping me blogging these days.
ReplyDeleteThis Battle is a tough one since the pacing and style is so similar. I prefer the vocal tone and sincerity of Mahalia's version better and the gospel piano is a beautiful touch.
I'll give my vote to Mahalia not only for her version, but also because I like her last name.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
LEE ~
DeleteI really miss FAE and Girl Wonder also. They came up with some good Battle ideas and it was fun interacting with them in the comment sections.
Ha! Yeah, that's definitely a good surname that you and Mahalia share.
I wasn't at all sure, but thought perhaps the Jazzy-ness of Nina's version might win you over in this Battle.
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS
Maybe if Nina's version had the same recording clarity as Mahalia's then I might have been swayed. But that version by Mahalia sparkled with crystal clarity.
DeleteLee
Interesting to read about the beginnings of BOTB. And, what a coincidence that I used the same song, without knowing it was the very first. Cool! ☺ Ah, THIS MJ is way better than the one that came to my mind when you mentioned it. I'm voting for Mahalia. Nina Simone was a fabulous singer, but I felt her version dragged a bit and she was getting drowned out by the piano.
ReplyDeleteHiYa, DEBBIE D'DOGLADY ~
DeleteI like that we both used the same song in this round of BOTB. Great minds drink alike! Er... I think that was supposed to say "think", but you know me - I've always got Mojitos on muh mind. ;^)
So, I have to ask... Were you thinking my "MJ" was- *gulp!* - Michael Jackson?
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS
Hahaha! Yes, that was my first thought, but then, I didn't think you would feature him in a BOTB. On the other hand, you have used Tiny Tim! ☺ You enjoy your Mojitos and I'll have my Margaritas (or Crown Royal, Long Island Iced Tea, etc.) So, I guess we do drink somewhat alike. Cheers!
DeleteDEBBIE ~
DeleteYeah, you will not ever see Michael Jackson on this blog. Not a fan of his in *any* way.
Tiny Tim, on the other hand... Tiny was perhaps the most original person I've ever become aware of. Not all of it "good", but - Wow! - I would have loved to spend one day with him. What a trip and a half that would have been!
I read a very well-researched biography of Tiny Tim and one thing that was repeated many times was that most everyone thought he was just an "act". That he was acting weird just for the publicity, just to get the spotlight on him. But then when they met him and really got to know him, they realized that it wasn't an "act" in the least. Tiny Tim *really was AT LEAST* as weird as he seemed on stage!
Oh, I'm a big fan of Margaritas, too!
I just discovered 'Revel Stoke', a "roasted Pecan flavored Whisky" from Canada. It tastes GREAT! The only problem is... even after flossing and brushing my teeth, I still wake up with that flavor in my mouth the next morning. If not for that odd peculiarity, this would be my new go-to drink!
~ D-FensDogG
'Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...'
Michael Jackson never held much appeal for me, either, although "Thriller" was pretty good (song and video), but that was when he still seemed relatively sane. I was pretty sure Tiny Tim was as weird in real life as he came across on stage. Certainly an interesting character! Obviously, heavily influenced by Rudy Vallee. I've heard of Revel Stoke but likely won't try it, since I have an issue with anything involving nuts of any kind. (Skin breakouts.) My Canadian flavoured whiskey favourite is Crown Royal Apple. On the rocks, of course.
DeleteDEBBIE ~
DeleteYes, Rudy Vallee was definitely one of Tiny's favorites. That was his favorite era of music and he was a walking encyclopedia of turn-of-the century and early 1900s music. Someone once mentioned an extremely obscure early Sinatra song - pre-solo Sinatra - and Tiny immediately rattled off the record label's catalog ID number for that song.
Another time, after a concert at the Fremont hotel in Las Vegas, Tiny flew into a rage because his megaphone was broken and he felt the show "had suffered from a lack of megaphone". (Hopefully the show hadn't likewise suffered from a lack of cowbell.)
>>... I have an issue with anything involving nuts of any kind. (Skin breakouts.)
The best thing for skin breakouts is Windex. ;^D
~ D-FensDogG
'Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...'
I agree with Arlee - the BOTB is basically what comprises my blogging as of late. So, thanks to you for keeping it going.
ReplyDelete"Summertime" is the theme on my blog today, too, and you have no idea how close I came to using this song! Glad I went with others. "Summertime" is a favorite of my Mom...sometimes, she'd just do the phrase: "...your daddy's rich and your mama's good lookin'..." Ha ha...that's half true.
For me, Mahala does it! The soulful expression; the emotion behind her delivery...yep, Mahala gets my vote.
Have you heard the Hozier song, "Nina Cried Power" featuring Mavis Stapleton? Google it.
Ciao, brudder! I'm limping back to Ye Olde Recliner!
Cherdo
DOC MacSIS ~
DeleteI'm pleased as spiked punch that BOTB has kept you and Lee active in the Blogosphere! It also accounts for about 98% of my blogging, too.
I went over to your Battle yesterday but couldn't decide how to vote. That is such a toughie for me - you have no idea! But I will make a decision before the deadline. (By far, it's my hardest vote to cast in this BOTB round!)
I will definitely check out that song. I LOVE Mavis and The Staples Singers! Really *my* kind of music!!
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS
Happy Anniversary to BotB. My vote goes for Mahalia Jackson because her song is so soulful.
ReplyDeleteHi, AMY ~
DeleteI'm happy to see ya here!
Yeah, Mahalia was a real treasure - a gift to mankind from God. I discovered her very shortly after becoming a Christian in 1994, and I still think she was probably the most gifted singer of all time!
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS
Nina Simone is good, but Mahalia Jackson's voice is from Heaven. You just knew I'd vote for Mahalia Jackson, didn't you?
ReplyDeleteHa! Actually, JOHN, to be honest, I thought perhaps you'd be a Nina voter. Primarily because I know how much you love Jazz, and her version was definitely more in the Jazz vein than Mahalia's rendition was.
DeleteI'm not particularly adept at predicting how my "boters" will "bote".
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS
I miss FAE sooooo much! Once in a while I miss posting for BoTB - just so I can read your snarky comments, lol. I've been away from blogger for a couple months, and music seemed to be the best start back into it, since I missed the WEP writing prompt.
ReplyDeleteI do love Nina, but I have to agree with John up there. Mahalia gets my vote for this :)
WILD THANG ~
DeleteYou make my heart sang!
Yes, FAE is greatly missed around these parts. I'm still in touch with her, but I wish she still had a public presence. I've tried to yak her into returning, but you know how stubborn and unreasonable she can be! (;^D)
Welcome back to Blogger, my friend! But... Wot? Me snarky?! Say it ain't so! (Go ahead, say it ain't so... and make a liar outta yerse'f.)
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS
Mahalia has my vote. The other music is too dark and moody, and I don't like waiting over 2 minutes to hear a voice on a song.
ReplyDeleteJadeLi at http://tao-talk.com
MS LILI ~
DeleteHey, thanks for stopping by with two cents to contribute to the BOTB kitty. I thank you, and kitty thanks you. (She told me to tell you: "Meow!")
Feel free to drop in any time! The more the merrier (to coin an expression).
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS
McBruthaMan,
ReplyDeleteI didn't think this genre of music was my glass of malt liquor. You read that right, I'm one of the elite few who drink malt liquor from a glass. Yet both songs are good. As myself and Billy Dee Williams are at a round table with a table cloth with our malt liquors in glasses (as Billy says, "Either go dapper or go home") listening to the music.
A vote for sublime Nina Simone here. The bass is top notch throughout.. she let the music flow for quite some time... then sang with the music while Mahalia Jackson sings right away and sings more over the music.
McBRUHTHUH G-DOGG ~
DeleteI have nuttin' but respect for a man (an Old School man, at that) who drinks his Mickey's Big Mouth or his OE-800 from a glass. Class in a glass! (I think the God in Heaven was taking a well-deserved nap when The League Of Soul Crusaders was forming. Otherwise, you'd-a been a member fo' sho!)
I was hoping someone would come along and save me from a BOTB shutout... [Link> And Then... (Of course I mean that in the most "John Wayne" way possible!)
Brother, someday we will meet, and when we do, I'm buying all the Deschute's 'Mirror Pond Pale Ale' that you can drink! Hell, I'll even pay for the taxi that we'll need at the end of the night!
~ Stephen
STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS
Happy Early Anniversary BOTB! There are a few times where it is appropriate and alright to be early. This is one of them. It would surely be a shame if you were a month (or more) late. And being that you are of the male species, it's good that you remembered at all :)
ReplyDeleteAnd it was good learning about the early daze of BOTB. Like everyone else, I sure do miss all the participants.
You've got yourself quite the unique battle here. I really loved the bass in the Nina's version, but her voice felt like nails on a chalkboard for me.
On the other hand, Mahalia contributes a beautiful voice, and the instrumental in the background is very subtle.
I suppose I will cast my vote for the one that was most pleasing to my ears - and that would be - Mahalia.
Here's to more years of BOTB success!
MMQE ~
DeleteThanks for making me feel a wee bit o' better about my numeraltardation.
>>... And being that you are of the male species, it's good that you remembered at all :)
Ha!-Ha! I'll not even attempt to defend my gender against that (accurate) criticism.
You know what men are, right? As Elayne Boosler once stated: Men are just bears with furniture.
I still enjoy BOTB, even after all these years. I've met some really cool people through this "accidental blogfest".
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS
Oh I just love Mahalia Jackson whose voice, to me, is better than Nina’s but that’s apples and oranges since Nina’s is unique. I can just melt right into the bluesy style Mahalia gives.
ReplyDeleteBIRGIT ~
DeleteI am totally with you when it comes to Mahalia. She was something very special. Nina is great too - a highly original and unique artist - so this Battle really features a couple of supreme musical talents.
I really liked the idea of resurrecting FAE's first winner for a 6th Anniversary BOTB celebration. This contest includes influences from both FAE and myself, which seems very fitting considering the history of this unintended blogfest.
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS
Hello Stephen,
ReplyDeleteJust a quick reminder, I'm sitting out the rest of summer in featuring BoTB. I made the decision to keep my 4M posts running after this week and that's about it until mid-September. I will do my best to stop in to cast my vote in fellow BoTBers showdowns, though.
Both artists are great but Nina Simone gets my vote. Her vocals seem more sultry and more pleasing to my ears than Mahalia's. Until next time, be well and have a bandtastic day, my friend! :)
HiYa, CATHY ~
DeleteWe'll miss you this Summer, but hopefully we'll see you popping in with two cents for kitty - just like you did *this* time. Thanks!!
Wow! A second vote for Nina. Good deal. Nina is now getting a taste of what she did to Muse 6 years ago. I could have subtitled this Battle "The Karma Strikes Back".
~ D-FensDogG
'Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...'
Mahalia gets my vote I liked her voice better
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm sorry, MIKE, but if you want your vote to count, you're going to need to come up with a better reason than that!
DeleteI'll give you 3 days to think it over and come back with sumpin' mo' better'n dat!
~ D-FensDogG
'Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...'
And Stephen,
ReplyDeleteGood battle my friend, my friend! But no, but no, but no...Seems like we were in an endless summer way back when and while the livin started out easy....later....not so much. It could drive a man to become a non drinkin MF. Now back to our regularly scheduled program. Liked both, same song but treated a bit differently by each artist. I'm gonna vote for Mahalia Jackson because it spoke to my soul just a little bit more.
JW and see you at Station 26,
Pooh
...AND, POOH, THAT'S NOT ALL!...
Delete>>... I'm gonna vote for Mahalia Jackson because it spoke to my soul just a little bit more.
Soul?
SOUL?!
What soul?
You mean that thing you sold to Bacardi 151 in the Summer of '81?!
Silly Rabbit! Souls are for Trix!!
Station 26? You mean [Link> THIS slice o' paradise?!
OK, by mentioning Station 26, your hell-bound soul has been redeemed by Jesus Christ from the clutches of the "demon rum" - Bacardi 151.
And may you never be cut-off by a bartender at 'The Bucket Of Blood Saloon' in Virginia City ever again!
~ D-FensDogG
'Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends'
Yup, that would be the Station 26 I was referencing. You might have seen it in your yearbook after have a bitchin summer and I don't really know you...written by the cutest girl in the class....
DeleteJW,
Pooh
Are you kidding? All the cutest girls in the class knew me! (I was the guy who dipped their pigtails in the ink wells!)
DeletePiece O' Advice (aka Pro-Tip): slather the tops of your feet with sunblock before setting your beach towel down near Station 26.
~ D-FensDogG
'Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends'
If I'm already bored by my own comment BEFORE I even write it, think of how you'll react!
ReplyDeleteI am not a fan of Simone on just about any given day, so Mahalia already has one leg up. I AM a fan of Mahalia on any given day, so now she has two legs up... which results in my falling down. I also very much prefer the artwork on the video of Mahalia to the Simone vid, so that is three legs up outta two.
However, I don't really like Mahalia's version of Summertime, so that is three legs down. Finally, I really really don't like Simone's version of Summertime, so that is one leg up again for Mahalia. Is that clear? At this point I suspect you want to lift one leg up on this comment, and mark your territory.
SHEBOYGANBOY McSIXGUN ~
DeleteHa!-Ha! I was wondering how long it would be before someone commented on the artwork used in Mahalia's video. (I'm pretty sure Mahalia would not approve.)
>>... However, I don't really like Mahalia's version of Summertime
I was about to ask you, "How could you possibly NOT like Mahalia's version of 'Summertime'? But then I remembered: Oh, yeah. Of course. The Great Musical Divide.
The real question would have been: How could you possibly have liked Mahalia's version of 'Summertime'?
Sounds like a half-leg, fully lukewarm vote for Mahalia. 10-4, McBrother. That's good enough for the record book.
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS
Yeah, yeah, blah, blah... the divide. It isn't THAT big. 'Tis but a small gap, a mere crevasse in the philosophical cosmos.
Delete(I should say I love the Janis Joplin version just to enrage you! But her version is just awful.) I think Mahalia's voice is fabulous. I didn't loathe Mahalia's version... I didn't like it as well as others I've heard. The pace is a bit slower than I like and I really like a trumpet as accompaniment. The Ella/Satchmo version is the best one by far. Isn't it, Rupert?
McSIXGUN ~
DeleteI think we both occasionally exaggerate the immensity of The Great Musical Divide simply for the fun of it. In truth, one couldn't fit the Grand Canyon into it more'n 666 times. It's not so big after all. ;^D
And as I've often said, better we should greatly disagree about music than greatly disagree about Spirituality, Politics, and the TV show 'Frasier'.
Speaking of The Divide... I actually like Joplin's version. It's probably one of only two Janis Joplin songs I like. The other being 'Me And Bobby McGee'.
Truth be told, I don't think I've heard any version of 'Summertime' that I don't like. It's such a beautiful melody that it would be hard for a professional musician / singer to mess up.
I honestly credit BOTB for making me more fully appreciate Ella Fitzgerald. I was familiar with her prior to BOTB, of course, and even owned a CD or two which included a little Ella. (Can one really use "little" and "Ella" in the same sentence?)
But it wasn't until I heard more Ella used in BOTB contests that I really started to realize what a crystal voice she had. And Satchmo's trumpet is the music world's version of avocado: anything you put it on automatically becomes instantly better!
It'd be hard for me to say which is my favorite version of 'Summertime'. I think it's a contest between Mahalia, Ella & Satchmo, and Miles Davis. Although most people mention 'Kind Of Blue' first, 'Porgy & Bess' is actually my all-time favorite Miles Davis album, and his instrumental version of 'Summertime' is sublime!
Now, how about that version by Billy Stewart? I'll bet you hate that. Hate it more'n Joplin's?
~ D-FensDogG
'Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends'
"WHOYYYY...YOU..." (POW, BIFF, CRASH, "OOOF!") You'll keep a civil tongue in ye head when talkin' to the good cap'n.
DeleteWith me, when a song is as good as "Summertime" it makes me upset when somebody ruins it. Like Joplin. You've said before that you HATE Janis Joplin... and now you are saying you like her ruining a favorite song of yours?!?!?! UHP! Somebody's and idiot! Maybe me.
Janis has a voice like no other. Sometimes that is good, often it isn't and this is such a case. Her catterwawling (sp?) and screeching works great on "Piece of My Heart" but would fail miserably on other stuff.
But I always liked Ella. She was one of my dad's favorites; he played her records all the time when I was a kid.
I like the Billy Stewart version. Your BoTB this month - as is often the case - had me off listening to many versions to see other interpretations and his was pretty good, but different. I (predictably) also like the more operatic versions.
SHEBOYGANBOY McSIXGUN ~
DeleteBob y Ray, like Cheech y Chong, are forever welcome at my blogs! ;^D
I don't think I ever said I "hate" Janis Joplin. Hate is a very strong word, which I prefer to reserve for the likes of Reno and Renotards. (Well, Antifa, too, and other like-minded commies.) And I'm sure I never called 'Summertime' a favorite song. Although I definitely like it... by pretty much everyone. (Unfortunately, Tiny Tim never recorded a version.)
I'm really surprised you liked the Billy Stewart version. Debbie D'Doglady used that one against Joplin's in her BOTB installment this round, and the last I looked, Billy was whuppin' her pretty good.
I give Billy Stewart a lot of credit for re-imagining 'Summertime'. I think his is the only non-ballad rendition I've ever heard. In a comment section at YouTube for Billy's recording, someone wrote: "He Billy Stewarted it all up". That made me LOL! I think I shall be borrowing (aka stealing) that line in the future.
~ D-FensDogG
'Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...'
Howdy, Stephen T!
ReplyDeleteMs. Mahalia for me - that was lovely. For a moment it sounded as if my great-g-ma had come back to plink on the old Baldwin after Sunday supper once again. So nice.
I enjoyed the BOTB backstory. I'm glad you, as well as the others, have kept it going.
Funny, the 'youngers' and I have been listening to Mungo Jerry for a week now. Soon the Boys of Summer will ditch the relentless summer winds for a cool Summer Breeze in the woods.
Hope your new location isn't as toasty as your last ;-)
Howdy, dIEDRE ~
DeleteThanks for stopping by with a BOTB bote!
>>... For a moment it sounded as if my great-g-ma had come back to plink on the old Baldwin after Sunday supper once again.
Sounds like you were living in Mayberry. Good stuffs! (Did Barney Fife ever sit on your front porch in the evening and say he was going to the filling station for a bottle of pop and then over to Thelma Lou's to watch a little TV? ;^)
Mungo Jerry?... Didn't he do that song 'Mungo In The Jungle'? Ha!
Well, after 20 years in Phoenix (with no A/C in my automobile), anything would seem cool by comparison.
~ D-FensDogG
'Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...'
Ha! I guess it does sound like Mayberry, though the elders were originally from Gary, Indiana. Barney was only allowed to visit on TV as, according to g-ma, she wouldn't have a horse's patoot on her porch! Poor guy.
DeleteDid you keep oven mitts for the steering wheel in your glove box when you lived in Phoenix?
Ahh, Indiana, the salt of the Earth.
DeleteIt wasn't uncommon for my Ma to also use the expression "horse's patoot".
Ha! No, no oven mitts in the glove box, but they *would* have come in handy (pun intended) on many occasions. Indeed there were times I started the car, took hold of the steering wheel and let out a yelp!
During the summertime in Phoenix, people need to crack a couple windows when they park their car and leave it for a couple hours or more. I have actually seen car windows get blown out and burst into tiny little pieces due to heat build-up in a parked car.
Q: You know what the difference is between Phoenix and hell?
A: In hell, you're not allowed to wear sunglasses.
~ D-FensDogG
'Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...'
I came by here earlier and was trying to leave a comment, but technology got the better of me. I had to walk away from the iPad or throw it from the deck. This I forgot all about this lovely tribute and Battle. While tossing and turning in my bed, unable to sleep, I remembered that I never got back to this blog bit to leave my comment. Thank goodness for insomnia, eh?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, This was truly a beautiful tribute to Battle of the Bands. I have to admit I really enjoyed it for quite some time, but when it was tie to say adios, it was time. I’m like that. I prefer to exit the stage while their still clapping and I’m not exactly sure that I didn’t overstay my welcome at BOTB.
It’s unfortunate that all social media has become so confrontational and competitive. Once that starts I just don’t want to play. Also, I found that I started blogging to help improve my writing and I was blogging and interacting with other blogs more than I was writing and reading. That and some personal issues gave me pause for thought and I said to myself, “self, what are ya doin’ here? Is if raising you up or dragging you down? Are you improving as a person, a writer, a friend? When I really couldn’t answer any of these questions in the positive, I knew it was time to exit stage right. Continued...
Ok now that the history lesson is over let’s get on to this here BOTB installment. I appreciate the great tribut to this little ole blog fest and my small part in it. I am ever grateful to see so many of you still having a great time with it and encouraged that there are new people coming on from time to time. I do troll around a read most of your BOTB posts from time to time, but have refrained from commenting, because...well because I am stubborn and sometimes unreasonable and don’t want to take a chance at falling back into the black hole of the blogosphere. But today I find that I would be remiss and somewhat of a jerk if I didn’t comment on this particular post.
ReplyDeleteGreat job Mr. McCarthy. I thank you for the kind words and this great BATTLE. I love this song and these women really do it justice. As much as I love the smokey, sultry, sensuous tones of Nina, (although this is not my favorite version of her performing ‘Sumertime’) I have to bow my head and give my vote to the divine rendition by Miss Mahalia. She never fails to move me with the portion of her soul inflused into her music.
Excellent BATTLE, generous way to round out six years, and a fun tribute to all my friends to continue to participate in whatever capacity. Thank you very much!
I hit publish on every segment of my comments without going back to proofread, so I apologize in advance for the grammar and spelling errors. I should have taken more time, but then you know me.
ReplyDeleteHokey-Smoke! Look what the BOTB dragged in!
DeleteFAE, thanks for coming by and commenting. And I thank you for the kind words. I was a bit premature with this post but... you know how men are.
>>... It’s unfortunate that all social media has become so confrontational and competitive. Once that starts I just don’t want to play.
I really didn't mind the battlefields of social media, for awhile. Of course, it's more fun when you know you'll win in the long run. (Research & Snarkastic humor always prevails.) But even I got tired of it after awhile. And considering these (End-)Times we're living in, it makes more sense to try using what time is left in as productive a manner as possible. Naturally, I'm still always open to a debate, should one come to me, but I don't troll people into them anymore (...very often).
>>... I am ever grateful to see so many of you still having a great time with it and encouraged that there are new people coming on from time to time.
BOTB has had some notable staying power. Especially considering that it was never intended to be a blogfest at its inception. But your "one-off" idea was a really good one, obviously.
>>... As much as I love the smokey, sultry, sensuous tones of Nina, (although this is not my favorite version of her performing ‘Sumertime’) I have to bow my head and give my vote to the divine rendition by Miss Mahalia.
I had a sense that this wasn't Nina's version of 'Summertime' that you used in the first BOTB installment. But I searched YouTube and could not find any other version by her. So I thought perhaps I just hadn't remembered it too well. Although that long instrumental intro didn't ring any bells in my noggin.
Thanks again, FAE, for chiming in with a vote and a very nice comment!!
~ I. B. Charmyn (aka 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, you can put the following URL into your browser:
http://stmccpresentsbattleofthebands.blogspot.com/2019/06/2019-june-15-botb-results-or-nina.html
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
Hank Williams Jr gets my vote
ReplyDeleteMIKE ~
DeleteIt is greatly going to disappoint Nina Simone and Mahalia Jackson that Hank Williams Jr. got your vote.
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS