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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As I begin typing this BOTB blog bit, it is 8:43 PM on Halloween Night and I am listening to Disneyland's 'Haunted Mansion' ride soundtrack, thanks to my buddy, Kevin, the Kansas Kid!
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I bought exactly 2 bags of Hershey's bars and 1 bag of Reese's peanut butter & chocolate pumpkins in anticipation of Trick-Or-Treaters. And I had exactly 0 Trick-Or-Treaters. But we ALL know that if I had purchased exactly 0 bags of candy, I'd have had 666 Trick-Or-Treaters knocking on my front door.
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So, now, I'm drinking a big Tervis Tumbler full of Pecan Whiskey because, damn-it, SOMEONE's gonna get a treat tonight!
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I'm not really a big fan of the "Horror" movie genre, but tonight - since it is Halloween - I watched what is probably my favorite Horror movie. It's a movie that YOU HAVE NEVER seen - a movie you've NEVER EVEN HEARD OF - even though it includes these performers:
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Richard Dreyfuss, Christopher Walken, Tom Berenger, Jeff Goldblum, Ava Gardner, Eli Wallach, Burgess Meredith, Beverly D'Angelo, Sylvia Miles, Chris Sarandon, José Ferrer, and Jerry Orbach.
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That's quite a cast for a movie you never heard of before, don'tcha think?
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My BOTB installment this month is (Jim) Morrison versus (Van) Morrison. And if you think that [link> Mary Burris and I are in cahoots this month, you are simply a "Conspiracy Theorist!" (There are no really relevant conspiracies, as any truly informed person can tell you!!) And, by the way, BE SURE to check out MMQE's BOTB right [click> HERE! (She's obviously a plagiarist, and if I had even half-a-case, I'd sue the bejabbers outta her!!)
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OK, so my Battle has a theme, and that theme is THIS: TWO MORRISONS (Jim & Van) performing spoken-poetry pieces with musical backgrounds.
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THE GHOST SONG - Jim Morrison & The Doors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgZcGh92qLQ
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PAGAN STREAMS - Van Morrisonhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pP5OqC2eNQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pP5OqC2eNQ
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I generally avoid telling y'all how I intend to vote in my own BOTBs. And, as difficult as that is for me this time, I will do so again. However, I feel SO STRONGLY about this Battle - despite really, truly, honestly, and deeply digging BOTH of these recordings - that I wanna leave ya a couple of photographic clues to how I will be voting. These photos won't really reveal my vote (or "bote") to you, but in my BOTB RESULTS post on November 7th, I will 'splain what these two following photos had to do with the way I "boted":
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Here be the photographic clues 4 U:
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| Photo by STMcC. |
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| Photo by STMcC. |
BOTB PREDICTION:
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Carnac The Magnificent: "The Venice Beach Hippie."
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Question: Which Morrison will win this Battle?
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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
@ CURIOUS AS A CATHY 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 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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The Jim Morrison recording is a new one to me, but I know the Van Morrison recitation well since I have the CD set and have listened to it often.
ReplyDeleteVan's "song" is nice and relaxing, but I've got to give my vote to Jim. I much prefer the uptempo musical background. I also think the poetry is more interesting.
It's Jim Morrison for me!
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
LEE ~
Delete'Hymns To The Silence' is definitely one of my all-time favorite Van Morrison albums. If I were allowed to keep only one, it would be a real tough call for me, trying to decide between 'Hymns...' and 'Into The Music'. They could make movie out of my decision and call it 'Stephen's Choice'. It'd be a real tear-jerker.
~ D-FensDogG
'Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...'
What Arlee said. The music beind Jim is better than that behind Van.
ReplyDeleteJOHN ~
DeleteThe uptempo Jazzy Rock behind Jimbo is what convinced me that he'd win this Battle rather handily.
~ D-FensDogG
'Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...'
Well, I Nevah!!! What are the odds of us posting synchronized Morrison battles? Pretty darn good, as I'm easily convinced :)
ReplyDeleteCan't say that I am familiar with either of these 2 tunes that you have presented today, but I am going to have to follow Lee and John and give my vote to Morrison, Jim.
Hope you're having a great start to November! Stay positive and focused and all that jazz...
Battle of the Morrisons - Jim vs Van
MMQE ~
DeleteWe believe in COINCIDENCES, not in CONSPIRACIES, amiright?!
November is going to be tough, I suspect. So will December... January, February, March, April, May and... hopefully the Rapture will come then (if not sooner).
~ D-FensDogG
'Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...'
Going into this post- Halloween shenanigans, I did a pre-listen tsk, tsk...I was so sure that is like Van better...BECAUSE HE IS VAN, as I keep telling the world.
ReplyDeleteBut I digress...
Actually, I choose JIM MORRISON.
You can't trust your own instincts...what a world.
Nice battle. I like the themes!
DOC CHERDO ~
DeleteThanks! Glad you dig the theme.
Just when you think you know you know what you know, BOTB comes along and upsets yer neatly organized apple cart!
~ D-FensDogG
'Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...'
I get it, and I totally agree.
ReplyDeleteThe Jim Morrison tune has excellent music and I LIKE it... but to me the poem is total bullsh**. Maybe you'll disagree with that strong an opinion, but that's my view. Jibberish. The kind of thing a buddy of mine would write out in poetry class in high school, and get an "A" for purloined "Jackson Pollack-ish" nonsense. But still a kinda fun song.
On the other hand, VAN's poem is incredibly poignant. I feel the pain of loss he is describing. AND I'm certain that I get your references.
A strong, strong vote for Van.
BRUHTHUH SIXGUN ~
DeleteI probably enjoy Jimbo's poem more'n you do, but then I'm in possession of a wee bit o' background info about it. I'll share some of that wid ya when I r-E-ply to yer E. (Yip! Got 'er!)
But, for sure, Jimbo's more opaque and abstract, while Van's pain is very (as you said) "poignant" and worn on his sleeve. And... for some folks who are able to relate (as you found out), it has the capacity to cut very deeply.
When you wrote that you got my references, I had no doubt whatsoever that you did indeed.
Thanks for getting Van-The-Man on the scoreboard!
~ D-FensDogG
'Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...'
Better to be prepared . . you know the rest. I missed most of the Trick or Treaters last night by driving home. Almost ran over bunches of them in the road though, did not expect the area to have hoards of Walking . . idiots! Oh Well. I did not watch any spooky movies last night either, no decent TV here, but been bombarded with all the Slasher Movies that substitute for horror since the 90's. Traveling and hotel stays can be soooo rough, lol.
ReplyDeleteI had to listen to both of these a second time. Wasn't sure how much I liked Jim until I started listening to Van. I guess my real preference depends on what kind of mood I'm in - mello and thoughtful, or relaxed but ready for movement.
I guess its a relaxed and intrigued night. Would like to see Jim reciting with the Van music. That might bee cool. But I'll give my vote to Jim. I like his speaking voice, the cadence of the lyrics, and the slightly upbeat but not to motivating music. Was all delightful.
Incidentally: I have a few pictures of me when I was about 19, short dark hair, always wearing my black cowboy hat. That pic almost looked like me in ancient history. Brought back memories of sitting in the Enlisted members club, too young to drink but nobody checking id, my boy friend (not to be confused with boyfriend) telling me jokes and wanting to get cozy on the dance floor. Thanks for bringing back such awesome, happy memories :)
WILD THING ~
Delete>>... Almost ran over bunches of them in the road
Maybe your aim will be better next October, after another year of driving experience, eh?
>>... bombarded with all the Slasher Movies that substitute for horror since the 90's.
I hear ya, and I agree completely. I can't stand that crap! A good Horror movie should be creepy and give you an uneasy "What's Going On Here?!" kind of feeling. I think the "mystery" of the horror is usually better than the horror itself.
The movie I was alluding to is 'THE SENTINEL' (1977). It was kind of a low-budget affair, but the creep factor is completely off the charts!! It's got its flaws, but it just might be the creepiest movie I ever saw.
Every time I watch that movie, for days afterwards I have this expression running around in my head: "Black and white cat. Black and white cake!" I know that reading this, it makes no real sense. But it's a pretty creepy moment in a movie chock full o' creepy moments.
Glad I could resurrect some good memories for you from your 19th year. And I never knew you were a cowgirl. How cool is that? A Cowgirl Wild Thing!
Thanks for stopping by with $0.02 for the BOTB kitty, my friend!
~ D-FensDogG
'Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...'
As Dolorah said, Jim's voice with Van's music would have been good. I'll go with Van, because I like the piano. Not sure what the photos are saying. is that your old girlfriend? ☺
ReplyDeleteDEBBIE ~
DeleteAlright, color me ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED!!!
Of all my regular voters, your vote for Jim Morrison was the one I was most certain of. And I was 100% certain of it! The Doors uptempo music, with Robby Krieger's snarling electric guitar... I thought there was NO WAY you wouldn't be voting for *that*!!
BOTB - it's one of the most mysterious things I know of.
But I'm glad you surprised me so much, because Van is need of all the votes he can manage in this contest.
Thanks for playing, Debbie!
~ D-FensDogG
'Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...'
To be honest, I do prefer Jim's voice, but I found the melody annoying. Sounds like a 70s cop show theme. Van had a much nicer track, hence my choice and comment that Jim's voice with Van's music would have been better. ☺
DeleteAh-Ha! Ya see? This is why we BOTBers can *never* take any outcome for granted. There are just so many nuances in play in every Battle.
Delete~ Stephen
DogGtor of Alcohology &
King of Inebriation Nation
McBrotherMan,
ReplyDeleteAs Gordon Ramsay would say, the bun is soggy the burger is greasy and too dry. Awful. Bloo'y dreadful. If one of the Morrisons added a drum machine, synths, a robotic voice and catchy repetitive chorus I'd vote for him.
Don't want to read poetry and don't want to listen to it. Why would I want to? Poets and I have nothing in common.
After listening to each song for 20 minutes.. I know they're officially 3-4 minutes but it felt like 20 minutes.
I'm tempted to abstain from a vote. However, I've never met Van Morrison yet playing the Ouija board Jimbo's spirit visited. The pointer got all wobbly and fell off the board -- cm'on Jimbo, get it together! A vote for Jimbo.
Cheers,
G Dogg
BRUHTHUH G DOGG ~
DeleteMuchos gracias! I'm always happy to see you here, even if you're not exactly ecstatic about the showdown.
>>... Poets and I have nothing in common.
Yeah, I can see why you wouldn't be doing back-flips over this one. But, hey, c'mon, not ALL poetry is squishy. For example, this one below certainly has an edge to it:
Like the soft blanket over a sleeping child
Night falls upon the city
And as shadows waver in the moonlight
Silence goes screaming down the street.
The mad dog steps from the darkened corridor
His eyes shine white and burning in the black
For on this night the mad dog
Won't be running with the pack.
In the darkness he goes searching
For answers to questions often asked
And reaches for the many things
He has heard but never seen.
His mind bursting from the inside
With thoughts of something precious and unknown.
Crying in the evening mist
When the mad dog is alone.
Ribs poking at his flesh
Like a washboard trying to bust through
Muscles pulling with the motion
Of a wild animal's escape.
Thriving when the moon appears
By gnawing on the night
In the coolness of the evening air
The mad dog readies for the fight.
With hungry teeth of passion
He thrashes at his foes
With a face so tense and claws so sharp
The barriers shrink from sight.
Victorious now, he licks his wounds
From where life's liquid bled
And don't you know the mad dog?
He's alive and living in my head.
Now, G DogG, imagine that poem with a Punk Rock buzzsaw guitar sound behind it. See? Poetry can be fun! Ha!
Thanks for your bote, Brother. I appreciate that you bit the bullet and threw this mad dog a bone. ;^)
~ Stephen
DogGtor of Alcohology &
King of Inebriation Nation
And Stephen,
ReplyDeleteGood battle but I think you know where my votes a goin. I'm gonna dream and keep bees rather than ramble on. Blinking beach hippies. I also remember listening to Coney Island on a road trip or two. Good memories and the craic was good too.
JW,
Pooh
...And, GENERAL POOHREGARD, That's Not All...
DeleteYou know, Morrison (Jim) was Irish, too. He was eligible fer yer bote! ;^)
"Blinkin' Beach Hippies. Blinkin' Beach Hippies" -- HA! Yip! I got 'er.
Did I ever tell you that when Van says "Honey Street", he's referring to your House At Pooh Corner? Yip! That's right. Marine Street is really "Honey Street". Just ask Van, if you don't believe me.
Thanks for the visit, Ol' Pooh!
~ Stephen
DogGtor of Alcohology &
King of Inebriation Nation
As I said on another Morrison battle post, I love Jim more because of his baritone voice. I like his theatrics antics too!
ReplyDeleteUNKNOWN ~
DeleteAre you The "Unknown" Soldier Jim sang about?
~ Stephen
DogGtor of Alcohology &
King of Inebriation Nation
Stephen,
ReplyDeleteBoth songs are new to me and if I'm honest, neither of them did a lot for me. It's too close to rap. I don't like it when an artist speaks the lyrics generally but between the two songs I prefer Jimbo and the Doors and it's more or less the mewsic arrangement that sold me. Interesting battle. I think I gave Jimbo my vote at Mary's, too. Have a good day, my friend!
CATHY ~
DeleteThanks for stopping by with two cents for the kitty!
Although I actually like BOTH of these recordings, I'm also not a fan of speaking in songs (not to be confused with speaking in tongues). When there's singing, then a spoken portion, and back to singing again - *that* rarely appeals to me. (Classic example: 'Are You Lonesome Tonight?' by Elvis.)
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS
Howdy Stephen T!
ReplyDeleteThe Ghost Song had a haunting little tinkle of Riders on the Storm, I think. Not bad. What I thought was hauntingly sad somehow were the lyrics to Pagan Stream. Even his voice seemed to crack. Stirring, to say the least. Van gets my vote.
The only thing scary around here this Halloween was the amount of candy I bought for ONE trick-or-treater! Oh well ; -)
Howdy, dIEDRE! ~
DeleteThanks so much for contributing to another BOTB installment. And I'm impressed that you, too, picked up on what seems to be a very genuine sense of melancholy in Van's recitation.
Trick-Or-Treaters: You got one and I got none.
Well, I'll know better next year. (This was my first Halloween in "Willoughberry" - aka Carson City.) I'm glad, though, that one of the 3 bags of candy I bought was Reese's chocolate & peanut butter, because I like that and it won't seem like money wasted.
It very much seems to me that "Trick-Or-Treating" has fallen out of favor to a large degree. Probably because of these times we're living in. If I had kids, I'd be very leery of letting them collect candy at the houses of people I did not know quite well. 2019 sure ain't 1970.
~ D-FensDogG
'Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...'
Al Bondigas here. Im with G DOGG on this one. Poetry aint muh thang. I'm more of a limerick guy myself. Anyway, One of your intelligent posters mentioned liking the piano, and I gotta agree with that. So, rulin' fer Van "The Man", based on piano mentioned by intelligent poster. That's it!! That's muh rulin!!
ReplyDeleteJUDGE AL ~
DeleteI really had no idea how you'd vote on this one and was curious to find out.
Yeah, this Battle was a horse of a different color, and I knew beforehand that it wouldn't be everyone's mug o' beer.
~ D-FensDogG
'Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...'
Hi Stephen, I’m more excited about seeing the star-studded “campy horror movie” The Sentinel than I am about either of these songs. Though the movie was released in 1977, Richard Dreyfuss is uncredited as “the man on the sidewalk.”
ReplyDeleteBack to the battle, my vote is for Jim, as I thought he had a little more energy than Van. Another clever theme, Stephen!
Julie
GEM JULIE ~
DeleteYa know, I didn't even realize that Richard Dreyfuss was in 'The Sentinel' (uncredited) until about a week ago when I checked the credits at IMDB. That is so odd that he'd take a part like that. I need to go back and try to find him "on the sidewalk", because I'm not even sure where he comes in. He may have done that as a favor for someone, I'm guessing. Or maybe he really liked the story but there was no role really suitable for him. I dunno.
As always, I thank you for your BOTB participation, my friend!
~ D-FensDogG
'Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends'
The Doors get my vote!
ReplyDelete