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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Anticipating a bunch of Valentines Day themed BOTB installments in this round, I decided to forgo the unicorns and rainbows and puppy poop in favor of a 180-degree opposite theme. That is, the pain that romantic love can cause, rather than the giddy goofiness of it. (In other words: Down with Valentines Day and down with Hallmark!! There's a special place in hell for them.
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Not terribly long ago, on John Holton's blog, he and I were discussing Bruce Blackman, the lead vocalist and primary songwriter for the 1970s band [link> Starbuck. John asked me if I had ever heard Blackman's cover of Toni Fisher's 1959 hit song 'THE BIG HURT'. I told him I had, but that I had never heard the original. The only other recording of the song that I was familiar with was an instrumental by Wes Montgomery.
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So that immediately got me to thinking about a 3-Way BOTB contest featuring a female vocalist, a male vocalist, and a no vocalist.
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Wackypedia sez:
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"The Big Hurt" is a pop song that was a hit for Toni Fisher (billed as "Miss Toni Fisher") in 1959. The song was written by Wayne Shanklin. The song went to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 music chart in the United States. "The Big Hurt" is notable because it featured phasing effects which at that time were rare in popular music; DJ Dick Biondi on WKBW would introduce the record as "Toni Fisher's weird one."
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| Godzilla vs. King Kong |
Something I found interesting in the YouTube comment section of Toni Fisher's video is how many people had such clear, distinct memories associated with this recording. For one example, there's this:
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Alright, let's get on it. Let's get ON this thing!...
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THE BIG HURT - Toni Fisher
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIukZsRS5r8
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| Goodniks vs. No-Goodniks |
THE BIG HURT - Bruce Blackman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CioJM8fEtxY
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| Riddler vs. Batmang |
Poor Wes Montgomery got knocked out by The Ventures in my last BOTB fight. We'll see if he's since learned to keep his hands up and mastered the art of slipping a punch:
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THE BIG HURT - Wes Montgomery
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4dyUsDQ6ys
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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
@ STORMS & STARDUST 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 winner.
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~ Stephen T. McCarthy
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When I saw the title this song did not register with me at all. Then I listened and remembered. This is one of those haunting songs that take me back to childhood. I've rarely heard it in the past 50 or so years, but I've always liked it when I've heard it.
ReplyDeleteOf these versions, the latter two are very nicely done, however it's the version by Toni that has the most familiar ring for me. With the phasing effect, the song has an eerie sound as though coming from an old radio over some lost signal from an old broadcast.
Great song! Give my vote to Toni.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
LEE ~
DeleteYour response to Toni's version was very much like many folks who commented on it at YouTube. It seems to evoke a strong reminiscence for those who remember it from back when.
And, yeah, it does seem to have a kind of faraway "Twilight Zone-ish" sound to it.
~ D-FensDogG
'Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...'
Howdy StMac!
ReplyDeleteI like the anti-Hallmark infested fake holiday theme you have going here. Now, if only I liked the tunes... hmmm
Toni's voice felt like nails on a chalkboard to me (shiver me timbers!)
Wes Montgomery had me thinking I was getting in some retail therapy - reminded me quite a bit of Muzak Elevator tunes.
But it was that middle guy Mr Blackman that won me over today! Mr Blackman will be receiving my vote.
~Mary
ps... thank you so much for your continued support and cheerleading on my behalf. There were days when it was what kept me fighting the fight.
MMQE ~
DeleteI am so pleased to learn that "the fight" is going well. And anything my prayers can contribute, you know you have on your side, as I pray for you every single day.
~ D-FensDogG
'Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...'
I almost feel that I should recuse myself on this one. That way, I wouldn't have to choose between three remarkable versions of a great song.
ReplyDeleteToni's original is superb, for all the reasons Arlee stated above. Bruce Blackman is a fantastic reworking and revisioning of the song. But Wes Montgomery is, for my money, one of the greatest jazz and pop guitarists of all time. They all deserve to win, so I'm going to give Wes my vote and wish that I had two more votes...
JOHN ~
DeleteYou know I would have found where you live and strangled you to death with my own bare hands had you failed to vote in this Battle. Fact!! Just sayin'!
I agree that all 3 renditions are good. This should be a pretty close contest. If 'Carnac The Magnificent' were still amongst us living, he would probably predict that Bruce will win. But we shall see.
What I *REALLY* like is that I have a 3-Way Battle going here and, after 3 votes have come in, all 3 contestants have received 1 vote each, *AND* they have received the votes in the exact order in which they were presented in the Battle. I would bet a pretty penny that this is the very first time in BOTB that such a thing has happened.
~ D-FensDogG
'Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends'
Goodniks vs. No-Goodniks.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I've noticed after ALL these years of BoTB's is that I, more often than not, am fussier than most of your readers. In particular I mean that often I DON'T like all the versions. Others often say: "Oh, I like them ALL!"
Pollyannas.
I only like Wes Montgomery here. I can't stand the first one, and am not fond of the second. They are No-Goodniks. Wes? He is a Goodnik.
Natasha: "Boris! What do you see?"
Boris: "See nuth-ink. Is dark."
SIXGUN MacGILLICUDY ~
DeleteEenie meanie chili beanie, the spirits are about to speak...
100 pazoozas for quoting the world's best No-Goodniks!!
>>... I only like Wes Montgomery here. I can't stand the first one, and am not fond of the second.
Well, maybe if you listened to them for about 666 times you might come to like them. You know, like, musical Stockholm syndrome?
;^)
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. And again, and again, and again...
~ D-FensDogG
'Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends'
3 different versions and all are great but I give it to the gal because her voice is so strong. Bruce’s voice didn’t quite do it for me and I love the jazzy version but Toni still won my heart
ReplyDeleteBIRGIT ~
DeleteHa!-Ha! That is so phunny that your comment immediately followed Sixgun McItchyfinger's comment just above. And I know for a fact that you were not riffing on his remark, because my Comment Moderation was on, so both of your comments were hidden from public view until I published them simultaneously.
Birgit, thanks for your two cents. Yer a goodnik! :oD
~ D-FensDogG
'Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends'
Ms. Goodnik here and nope...not riffing. I still like all 3 but that gal was the best of the 3 for me
DeleteI had never heard this song by anyone, so this is another totally new-to-me song for the 2/1 battles...
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I prefer Bruce Blackman's version over the other two. I didn't care for Toni's at all, and Wes's version was good, but Blackman's musical stylings spoke more to me.
I like your theme of female/male/no vocalist, though!
<a href="https://stormsandstardust.net'>Kim</a>
KIM ~
DeleteI'm pleased as spiked punch that you dug the female vocalist / male vocalist / no vocalist format. It seemed to me the best way to go with this particular song. I don't often do 3-Ways because they are a bit more time-consuming (not to mention "immoral"), but sometimes they seem right.
~ D-FensDogG
'Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...'
I love the variety of botes already coming in, and just how divided people are. Count me in on that - it was really hard choosing between a female vocalist and a no vocalist. I had to play each one three times before I finally settled on my answer.
ReplyDeleteNow, I don't have any connection to Toni whatsoever, having never heard this song before, so it doesn't evoke any familiarity or particular memories with me. But I think it's that "Twilight Zone-ish sound" you mentioned above (great descriptor) that makes me lean a little toward her. Wes's version is fantastic, but for me, Toni's has this haunting sound that's both nostalgic and full of heartache, as this song feels like it was meant to be.
+1 for Toni, and -1 for V-day and Hallmark.
JULIO SEIS-ABEJA ~
DeleteYes! This has already been a berry, berry bodacious BOTB! Votes-4-All!
I love it when songs need to be played multiple times before a bote can be cast. I've been in that position a number of times myself. But the willingness to listen, re-listen, and re-re-listen shows a level of BOTB boting integrity. I thank you for that!
>>... But I think it's that "Twilight Zone-ish sound" you mentioned above (great descriptor) that makes me lean a little toward her.
Speaking of Rod Serling, methinks it'll soon be about time we start TRTing 'The Best O' Twilight Zone', the way we've been doing with 'Raymond' (i.e., "circled" eps only).
"That shit could *really* happen!!"
~ D-FensDogG
'Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...'
Yes! Down with Hallmark and Valentine's Day. It's a fake holiday that's intended to make those of us without lovers feel less than those who have them. I vote for Toni.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
LOVE, JANIE ~
DeleteIt's definitely a fake holiday. I don't think that it's meant to make loveless people feel they're less than the others. But I *DO* think it's crass corporate commercialism. (A+ for the alliteration??)
My most important romance was with "The Countess" (4/29/1989 - 9/29/1994 -- 5 years, 5 months, and 0 days), and she and I had our own version of "Valentine's Day", twice every month. We called them "Happy Days". Mine was the 3rd of every month and hers was the 23rd of every month.
The Countess is now married with kids, but we are still friends, and always will be. And just this morning (Note: it's the 3rd!), she actually sent me a text saying, "Happy Day". So, I responded with this:
Me? You want *ME* to be the director of the Happy Day?!?!
In that case, you have to do everything I say:
Put your finger in your ear and say, "Ting-A Ling-A Loo!"
Believe it or not, that all makes total sense... to us. It was part of the whole "Happy Day" (i.e., "real" Valentine's Day) experience.
What I'm really yakking about here is that lovers should have their own version of Valentine's Day and not have to rely on some multi-billion dollar company to tell them when they should say to each other, "I love you."
Thanks for your BOTB vote, Love Janie!!
~ D-FensDogG
'Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...'
My husband and I have been together since 1971 (married since 1973) and have never paid attention to this fake holiday, made up by the retail industry. ☺ I remember Toni's original version of the song and am choosing her in this battle. Wes (and his jazzy vibe) was a close second, but I thought Bruce was a little bland.
ReplyDeleteDEBBIE D'DOGLADY ~
DeleteI gotta admit, I'm a bit (pleasantly) surprised by how much anti-Valentine's Day support I'm getting in this blog bit! :oD
I thank you for stopping by and playing along. I won't have a BOTB installment on February 15th, but I know you will, and I shall return the favor.
~ D-FensDogG
'Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...'
Stephen,
ReplyDeleteThis is a new song and I don't believe I know any of these artists by name, so thanks for the introduction.
Toni was immediately eliminated. I rarely care for female vocals but her arrangement didn't do much for me. It just didn't seem to go with the title somehow.
I liked the last two quite a bit and this really boils down to mood. So, which one matches how I'm feeling this morning? I'd have to say Bruce Blackman tickles my ears a little more this more than Montgomery but that's a fine jazz arrangement. I'm definitely going to check out both of these artists on YT. Excellent battle! Thanks for visiting over the weekend and casting your bote in Piece of My Heart #BoTB showdown 3rd round, my friend. Have a songsational week!
CATHY! It's That You? ~
DeleteAhh! I'm really glad you liked the Battle. Yer man, Bruce, will be returning to this blog for a repeat performance on June 1st. I've already got that BATTLE figgered out and I can't wait to get to it. In an obscure nutshell, it will relate to the night in June, 1977, that I graduated from high school and went to Disneyland. I suddenly had a brainstorm about 6 weeks ago, and the BOTB gods inspired me with an idea that I am just itchin' to GIT(!) to!
~ D-FensDogG
'Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...'
Stephen,
DeleteIt's me finally checking back in with ya. I'm sorry for being such a slouch when it comes to reading your replies. I almost always forget to check the 'notify me' box but honestly your get so many commenters that I get a bit overwhelmed with them all. Anywho, thanks for the heads up on your June battle featuring my favorite pick in this showdown. I did sample more of his mewsic after your introduction but now my brain is blank. I guess I'll have to go back to YT to listen all over again. *smack forehead*
CATHY ~
DeleteBruce Blackman has recorded a LOT of music over the years - beginning with his 1970s band Starbuck - so there's plenty out there to sample. He's also recorded in several different styles, including a kind of Standards / Pop / Rock hybrid approach. He's not real easy to pigeonhole with a label.
When you have a chance, go to YouTube and check out this one:
[Link> JIM'S CAFE
I abbalouly LOVE this song! And it's a pretty good example of Bruce's hybrid approach, as I'm really not sure how I'd attempt to label this. It's like Big Band meets R&B. Well, whatever it is, I'm crazy about it!!
Here's the same song again, but this time it includes a pretty neat video that some fan put together for the tune:
[Link> JIM'S CAFE
~ D-FensDogG
Valentine's Day...bah, HIMbug. I've got a better chance of sending one to a gal pal than to Hubzam. He just doesn't like Valentine's Day. He thinks it is contrived. I suspect you'd get a long great with him.
ReplyDeleteMy rebellious nature makes me persist in doing SOMETHING heart-shaped on Valentine's Day. Usually, his dinner. He has a tendency to take notice of anything that messes with his chow. :-)
This unromantic, non-Valentine's, three-way has only one possible winner for me: TONI! Not a fan of #3 and I liked #2 (sounded groovy hipster), but it couldn't knock Toni off her perch.
That said, it's not because I was married to the original; I've never heard this tune!
Glad to be back and I'm off to check out some more blogs.
Ciao, brudder!
Cherdo
DOC MacSIS ~
DeleteYer hubzam is right!
Valentine's Day? PISH 'N' PSHAW!!
Martin Crane had the right idea: It should be called "Ballentine's Day", and should be a day when one drinks a lot of beer! ;^)
>>... My rebellious nature makes me persist in doing SOMETHING heart-shaped on Valentine's Day. Usually, his dinner. He has a tendency to take notice of anything that messes with his chow.
Don't tell me! Lemme guess... You serve him heart-of-bull on a silver platter?
Toni thanks you. She's obviously been feeling down and needs all the sisterly love 'n' understanding that she can muster.
~ D-FensDogG
'Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...'
Howdy, Stephen T!
ReplyDeleteThe song title rang one of those tiny bells you’d hear after you thought you’d locked the shop door. Still, I couldn’t resist. What you noted as ‘phasing’ is what I grew up thinking were simply ghosts of black-eyes past. The song, as performed by Toni Fisher, was known as a torch song around our house, and served as a somber reminder to not ever carry one (torch, that is) over the years. So classically tragic.
Though I liked his upbeat version, Bruce Blackman pretty much stamped out any flames of remorse while Wes Montgomery’s toe-tapping jazz sent any lingering ghosts packing, nicely rendering the song nearly unrecognizable. Maybe that was the point? Had I never heard Toni, I might have gone with Wes’ version. But, such is not the case for memories are indelible - until you forget, of course. A vote for Toni, please.
Typically, Valentine’s Day is one of those awkward “Oh, I don’t know. What do you want to do?” type of holidays since our anniversary is Christmas Eve, and the celebrations are still fresh in our minds. I think it’s more of a “Singles” thing. Are you sharpening any arrows? ;-)
Howdy, dIEDRE ~
Delete>>... The song title rang one of those tiny bells you’d hear after you thought you’d locked the shop door.
Aww! Don'tcha just hate it when that happens?!?!
Wait... What tiny bells? What shop doors?
>>... What you noted as ‘phasing’ is what I grew up thinking were simply ghosts of black-eyes past.
Hmmm.... "ghosts of black-eyes past"? Are you sure you didn't mean the Black ghost of Christmas past? I've heard he's kind of a dark character.
Or maybe "the ghost of Bruce Black...man"?
>>... But, such is not the case for memories are indelible - until you forget, of course.
Right, right. And at that point, they are no longer memories, but rather... uhm... rather... Gee! Why's it so dark in here? Where'd ever'one go? ...Who am I?! ... Am I on Candid Camera?!
>>... I think it’s more of a “Singles” thing. Are you sharpening any arrows? ;-)
Ha!-Ha! No, no. That ship sailed a long time ago. In 1912. If memory serves me, it was called the 'Titanic'. :-D
~ D-FensDogG
'Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...'
Hi Stephen, It started as a toss up between Bruce and Miss Toni. Both were very good and both had unsettling album covers. But after going back for another spin, I have to agree that Miss Toni has a stronger voice and a higher creep factor that really resonates.
ReplyDeleteJulie
GEM JULIE ~
DeleteHa! "Creep Factor"? I'm not sure if that's what any of them were actually going for, but whatever works... works.
Alrighty then! Another vote for Miss Toni "Creep" Fisher with the unsettling appearance. (And I think yer right! Neither of those album covers do much in the way of trying to sell the music within them.)
~ D-FensDogG
'Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...'
Wes gets my vote!
ReplyDeleteWes thanks ya.
Delete...Dog.
DeleteAl Bondigas here. Well, I listened to each recording twice and really liked all three renditions. I think Bruce Blackman and Starbuck should have had a lot more hits. They were very underrated. I really like that CD you gave me of Blackman, and I think I'll put it back in my CD player in my car and get him back in the line up. Well, it's time to make a rulin'. I could really feel the big hurt in Toni Fisher's voice and it has an eerie quality that seems to go with those emotions. Although I enjoyed all of them, rulin' fer Toni Fisher. That's it!! That's muh rulin'!!
ReplyDeleteOnce agin, you suhprize me, Judge.
DeleteAh figgered fer shur you'da boted fer Bruce Negroman. (Who is you really? An' what you dun wit Bruhthuh Nappy?!)
Suddenly, ah fe-eee-el I ain't got no clue how you gunna bote in muh upcomin' June BOTB contest. ...You like-um Disco?
;-D
~ D-FensDogG
'Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...'
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:
https://stmccpresentsbattleofthebands.blogspot.com/2020/02/botb-results-2020-feb-1st-or-toni.html
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'