"I know I need a small vacation..."
~ The Wichita Lineman
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Dear Doggs & Doggettes ~
By the time you read this, I will already be on "The Loneliest Road In America":
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My best friend (you know him as Judge Al Bondigas) and I decided we needed a small vacation (to quote the Wichita Lineman). So from July 1st to the 4th of July, we are driving through the middle of nowhere, [link> "merrily on our way to nowhere in particular".
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In 1986, Life magazine described Nevada's Highway 50 as the "Loneliest Road In America", and stated that there were no attractions or points of interest along the route. It warned drivers not to risk traveling Highway 50 unless they had "survival skills". Well, I have no survival skills, but I DO have a 4 liter bottle of Burgundy. What could go wrong?
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I made this trip across "The Loneliest Road In America" back in April of 2019. But I was alone on that drive, and it was kind of lonely. This time I'm going with Judge Al Bondigas, who has never made the trip before. Judge Al is a nice fella -- the sort of fella who would never USE A SHRUB unless the shrub granted him permission to do so:
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My best friend (you know him as Judge Al Bondigas) and I decided we needed a small vacation (to quote the Wichita Lineman). So from July 1st to the 4th of July, we are driving through the middle of nowhere, [link> "merrily on our way to nowhere in particular".
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In 1986, Life magazine described Nevada's Highway 50 as the "Loneliest Road In America", and stated that there were no attractions or points of interest along the route. It warned drivers not to risk traveling Highway 50 unless they had "survival skills". Well, I have no survival skills, but I DO have a 4 liter bottle of Burgundy. What could go wrong?
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I made this trip across "The Loneliest Road In America" back in April of 2019. But I was alone on that drive, and it was kind of lonely. This time I'm going with Judge Al Bondigas, who has never made the trip before. Judge Al is a nice fella -- the sort of fella who would never USE A SHRUB unless the shrub granted him permission to do so:
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Austin, Nevada -- population: 101.
Austin is one of the few tiny towns on Highway 50. Four years ago when I did this drive, I stopped in at a tiny restaurant in Austin and ordered a pizza. I was ASTOUNDED! It was one of the very best pizzas I've ever had! I told this to the waitress and she said, "Yeah, we hear that all the time." Population: 101.
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Austin is one of the few tiny towns on Highway 50. Four years ago when I did this drive, I stopped in at a tiny restaurant in Austin and ordered a pizza. I was ASTOUNDED! It was one of the very best pizzas I've ever had! I told this to the waitress and she said, "Yeah, we hear that all the time." Population: 101.
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I really hope that tiny restaurant in that tiny town managed to survive the 2020 Plandemic, because I want Judge Al to taste their pizza.
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Meanwhile, please vote for your favorite between these two renditions of 'Wichita Lineman' below. And then please vote on the other BOTBers' BOTBs. I'll reply to comments and be around to cast my own votes
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Wichita Lineman -- Glen Campbell
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Wichita Lineman -- Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GX8Z6IC03c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GX8Z6IC03c
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~ STMcC
~ STMcC
(a.k.a. Mr. Brenda Lee)
Everything I've heard by Sergio Mendes in all of his incarnations has been good. The man and his musicians are all about quality pop music. Still, Glen's version of the song is perfect to my ears. I've heard it too many times for another version to take its place. Still it's a great Battle.
ReplyDeleteI don't recall ever having traveled U.S. 50 in Nevada, but I've heard of its reputation. Maybe someday. Hope your trip goes/went well.
Lee
LEE ~
DeleteI'm with you on Sergio. Love the guy's music and can't think of even a single recording that I dislike. I can't say that about too many musical artists. In fact, I'm not sure I can say that about ANY other musical artists!
Thanks for the good wishes for the trip. It went very well, and I'll have a story or two to tell about it in my BOTB Results post on or about July 8th.
~ D-FensDogG
This is one of those battles where I hate to vote for one or the other. I mean, Glen Campbell doing a Jimmy Webb song: No better combination ever, especially on this one. It's iconic. And yet... the voices of Lani Hall and Karen Philipp and the Latin feel that Sergio Mendes imparts to the song is unique. It's not Glen Campbell's, but then, it doesn't try to be. And I like it.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to vote for Brasil '66 here, simply because I like the Latin sound and feel. It's different, not what you'd expect on this song.
BROTHER JOHN ~
DeleteI know exactly how you feel!
Glen's original is *the* song we all know and love. I knew with certainty that Glen would win this Battle with relative ease. But the Brasil '66 version is so blasted good in its own right that I simply couldn't resist using this Battle. It had been on my 'To BOTB' list for *YEARS*. And with my upcoming "small vacation", the time finally seemed exactly right for it.
~ D-FensDogG
This is an almost perfect song in every way. A classic by one of the great song writers, Jimmy Webb. I have always liked Glen Campbell. I have also always loved Brasil '66. They were one of my favorites while I was in high school, but I took some flak from others then because they were different from the Led Zeppelins, The Whos, or Black Sabbath. My "best of" those guys/girls is literally one of very favorite albums.
ReplyDeleteIn this case, my love of Brasil '66 is slightly trumped by the "correct-ness" and poignancy of the original. Vote Glen. It is a great contest, in any case.
As I must have commented when you drove on Hwy 50 the last time, I love that road and have been down it perhaps ten times. I love Great Basin National Park and have hiked at 11000 feet there several times. I like the cave tour there. I think Ely is a cool little town, and enjoyed the opera house in Eureka. I looked to buy property near Schell Peak near Ely and in the Ruby range north by Elko, but never found what I wanted. The bad part about Nevada is that the government owns 93% of it, so even thought few people live anywhere buy Las Vegas, there are "revenuers" all around the state sticking their noses into your bidnezz. It should be a GREAT drive this time of year, especially with Judge Al making correct rulings along the way.
Sixgun McItchyfinger
Arrrgh. Hate typos! "though" not "thought" and "but" not "buy." Oh, well! There is a first time for everything! Ha.
DeleteSix
SHEBOYGANBOY McSIXGUN ~
DeleteWonderful comment from start to finish!!
(And never concern yourself about typos. As Horacio the Pig famously said: "The artist's mistakes are half of his art.")
You definitely got into Sergio & Brasil '66 at a younger age than I did. I think I just never heard them because all I listened to when I was in high school was Rock & Hard Rock. That means it was mostly radio stations KMET & KLOS. I believe that if I had been introduced to Brasil '66 earlier I would have embraced them earlier.
You'll recall that Sergio & his group came in at #2 in my extensive 'Morning Music With Joe' competition. Edged out of the #1 spot just barely by Ray Anthony's orchestra.
I was, however, well aware of The Carpenters while in high school, and I loved their music. They just had so many massive hits that they were impossible *NOT* to hear, even for a Hard Rock dude like myself. And, it was similar for me in that Led Zep, Deep Purple, Queen et al. were all the rage when I was in high school. So being a big fan of The Carpenters was about the most un-cool thing a dude could be (except for being a "narc", which I also was). I didn't exactly go around broadcasting the fact that I loved Karen & Richard, but it was true and if asked, I would let my "maverick" out with it.
Dang, McBrother, you're even more of a hiker than I am! I like to hike only as high and long as I can go before the beer in my ice chest starts warming up by a few degrees. ;-D
The trip was a goot juan. We had great music and Judge Al made some goot rulin's. No problems -- God is goot! A couple of things (not directly affecting Judge Al and I too much) were kind of sad, but that's life. I'll yak about them a bit in my BOTB Results post.
~ D-FensDogG
What a great battle! Both contenders are outstanding, but Campbell had my vote before I was even old enough to care about such things as cotton candy love. Actually, the two versions kind of balance each out...Nah. It's still Glen for me.
ReplyDeleteHappy trails!
Thanks, dIEDRE! I'm pleased as spiked punch that you dug the Battle.
DeleteI knew from the outset that using such an iconic hit -- Glen Campbell's recording -- would result in a big blowout. But occasionally I don't care. As long as I'm not looking at a shutout, I don't mind a lopsided victory if it means I can introduce some folks to something else I think is great.
And "Happy Trails" to you as well!
(I met Roy & Dale once. What a thrilling day that was for The Countess and I.)
~ D-FensDogG
Well well well...
ReplyDeleteLook who it is. The Indian Giver of Battles. Yer darn lucky I am too caught up with the Call Me battles to have used this one. That's a-okay, because it may have been a year or two before I got around to using it. At that rate, we'd all be older and forgetful so no one would be the wiser if I used it again. But not to worry, it's all good in my book.
I like Brasil 66, but they ain't no Glenn Campbell. And since I grew up watching all those variety shows on tv, I can honestly say I believe I saw Mr Campbell more times than Brasil 66 perform this tune. So it's a bit nostalgic for me.
Therefore I must be giving my vote to brother Glenn.
Have a great mini vacation with Judge Al. Did you bring him for just in case you get arrested and they tell you the judge is out until the 5th? This way you can say that you brought your own judge with you and no need to wait.
-MMQE
MMQE ~
DeleteYou're right. Rather than giving you this Battle match-up, I should have given you "an Indian instead. It's not so personal" (as Dean Martin said to Jerry Lewis in 'HOLLYWOOD OR BUST').
>>... "I like Brasil 66, but they ain't no Glenn Campbell. And since I grew up watching all those variety shows on TV..."
I like Glen Campbell, but he ain't no Hudson Brothers!
(Do they ring any sort of bell in your Variety Show noggin?)
>>... "Judge Al... Did you bring him for just in case you get arrested and they tell you the judge is out until the 5th?"
Hokey-Smoke! That's brilliant! I never coulda thought o' that.
Actually, I brought Judge Al along only because it was his car.
~ D-FensDogG
A pizza so good, it deserves a second road trip and another person to bear witness. That sounds like a damn good time. I hope you guys are having a blast out there on the not-so-lonely road.
ReplyDeleteThis was a great battle, and Glen was good, but you know how much I've come to love Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66, so they take this one pretty easily for me. Give my bote to them.
BEER BROTHER ~
DeleteAnd what's a little beer in the shower without a little pizza to go with it?
Sergio & '66 damn-sure needed some help, and along came you. It looks like I'm going to dodge a shutout by a mere two votes (yours and John's), but, hey, all it takes is one.
Sergio Mendes -- he's not just for morning coffee anymore!
~ D-FensDogG
Happy roadtrippin', Stephen! Always more fun with a friend. ☺ Glen Campbell's classic is too engrained in my mind and I have to vote for him.
ReplyDeleteThanks, DEBBIE! We had a good time "On The Road Again".
DeleteI fully understand the situation. That Campbell version is just so excellent and so well known. It's one of those songs we've heard so many times that one automatically thinks: That's how that song is *supposed* to sound.
This is why one doesn't use a big hit against a relatively unknown cover in BOTB. I was just begging for a shutout, and I knew that in advance. But the Brasil '66 rendition is so good, cool, and *different* that I figured I could get away with this. And I did!
~ D-FensDogG
Stephen,
ReplyDeleteI hope you're enjoying your mini vacation. I'd love to visit out west but those worrisome lonesome stretches of highway sound scary. Survival skills? Gee, I don't know about that. I don't have much of that under my belt, either, but I think it's possible you picked the wrong beverage for your trip. I'm pretty sure water is a better choice when entering such places. :)
Alrighty now to your battle. This is a great song. These artists are quite different in style but both are fabulous. I'm like Debbie. The original is beautifully embedded in my head. His vocals make you feel the loneness the songwriter wanted. Please give my vote to Glen Campbell!
Join me when you can for I Was Made For Lovin' You BOTB Showdown!
Have a bandtastic week and Happy Independence Day, my friend!!
Howdy, CAThy! It's That You!
Delete>>... I'd love to visit out west but those worrisome lonesome stretches of highway sound scary.
Fortunately, it didn't happen to us. But we *did* see someone (or some... thing) broken down out in the middle of Nowhere, USA. I'll have something to say about that in my BOTB Results post.
We were so tired that we were in bed on July 4th before it was dark enough for fireworks. But we did watch some 'WKRP In Cincinnati' earlier, so *that* was pretty "American".
I hope you and yours had a good time.
~ D-FensDogG
I like both songs but...I'm actually going with Glenn because he puts more thought into the words, in my humble opinion.
ReplyDeleteThat loneliest road sounds good but I hope your buddy washed his hands before eating some pizza:). Make sure you don't end up like Julian Sands...too soon??😁
BIRGIT ~
DeleteHa! For the record, Judge Al wasn't really "going". He just faked it for the picture. The shrub was so "relieved".
I actually had to do an Internet search for Julian Sands. I'd never even heard of him. Movie stars ceased to exist for me circa 1984.
~ D-FensDogG
Al Bondigas here. Great selections you done did chose here Stephen. Well, I love both versions of this song and tend to like just about everything from both groups, but a rulin' must be made. I sat in my chambers deliberating for a good while and decided to make a rulin' fer Glenn Campbell. Rulin' fer Campbell. That's it, that's muh rulin'. Now I just finished my third cup of coffee and need to find me a shrub in a hurry.
ReplyDeleteJUDGE AL (not to be confused with Weird Al) ~
DeleteWell, look who's here so early!
I take it you survived "The Loneliest Road In America". How was your traveling partner? "A" for Effort and Good Music?
>>... Now I just finished my third cup of coffee and need to find me a shrub in a hurry.
Maybe you should go back to carrying a shrub around with you, like you used to do.
"You're such a hedge!"
~ D-FensDogG
And Stephen,
ReplyDeleteLet me know if you come across the f'd up family on that road trip. If they'd be anywhere they'd be there or at Old Faithful where we first saw them on another road trip.
I will be honest I didn't think Sergio stood a chance before I listened to it. It is much hipper and livelier than Glen's and quite honestly I liked it much more than I thought I would. BUT! It's not easy to dethrone the champ. It was very close but I'm going with Glen.
Happy 40th once again!
JW,
Pooooooooooooooooh!
Thanks for spikin' the punch, POOH!
DeleteSomebody had to do it, and if not you, WHO?
FUN FACT: The 'Phuq't Up Family' actually came up while we were on this "small vacation".
I can't say exactly which small town we were in, but Nappy and I were in a bathroom (somehow that seems thematically natural) when we briefly reminisced about that family in Jellystone Park, Whyyouroamin.
Funny how such a small incident is still so vividly remembered by the three of us 35 years later.
Thanks, as always, for your participation. (The Participation Trophy is in the mail!)
Glen coulda won it without ya, but he wouldn't want to. After all, you da man what put the wine in the Winestone Cowboy!
I actually thought about doing a tribute to the 1983 4th of July parade as a BOTB installment, but I couldn't come up with just the right couple o' songs to pull it off. Maybe next year... if there *IS* a next year. (What with the insanity an' all.)
~ D-FensDogG
I honestly seriously thought about voting for Sergio. But then I had to give it to Glen. Hmm songs fir the league...Our House, Come on Aileen, Night, Rocky Raccoon, Boys are Back in Town, Lust for Life, The Piano has been Drinking....but then again what would be the criteria for people who weren't there to pick a winner? Maybe you go with summer songs? See you next year, have a bitchin Summer!
Delete...AND, POOH, THAT'S NOT ALL!...
DeleteAs you'll recall, I did [Link> THIS Soul Crusaders-inspired BOTB back in March of 2019.
I wouldn't want to use either of those songs again. So I gave up on the idea quickly.
But thinking a bit more about it now (...now that it's too late), it occurred to me that what would have worked was songs about Cadillacs (i.e., 'Tiburon' in the 4th of July parade) or songs about the 4th of July itself.
So, then I *instantly* thought about War's song 'WHO'S CADILLAC IS THAT?' (which shirley many parade attendees must have asked themselves, and asked other folks around them). This song *ALWAYS* makes me instantly think of The League!
Then I axed myself: "Myself, didn't Bruce Springsteen write a song that mentioned the 4th of July?"
"Yes! Yes!", says I, in response to myself. "By golly-gosh, gee-whiz, I thinks he did!"
10 seconds later, after a goo-goo search, I came up with this:
"Sandy, the fireworks are hailin' over little Eden tonight
Forcin' a light into all those stony faces left stranded on this Fourth of July"
~ '4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)'
Alright, alright!! I'll do this Battle on July 1st, 2024 (if'n you remind me... in advance... and if'n we're all still here).
~ 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/2023/07/botb-results-july-1-2023-plus-loneliest.html
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
Glenn Campbell if I have to pick either
ReplyDeleteHiYa, Christine!
DeleteActually... you aren't required to pick either.
I'm very much an American Constitutionalist, so I don't believe in forcing people to transgress their 1st, 4th, 5th, and 10th Amendment rights.
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Also... the Battle already ended and Campbell won by a blowout margin. But I'm sure he would have appreciated your support between July 1st and July 7th.
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I'll have a new Battle appearing here from August 1st through August 7th, and I'd *love* to see you exercise your 1st Amendment right in that contest. (Dr. John will be taking on a tough, young punk who just might whoop his posterior this time.)
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Y'all come back now, y'hear?
~ D-FensDogG