BOTB RESULTS: SEPT. 1, 2023 (Or, FRANK SINATRA VERSUS KENNY LOGGINS)

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First and foremost, as always, I sincerely thank you -- each and every one of youse who took the time to visit and drop "two bits" into my September 1st BATTLE OF THE BANDS slot machine here.
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Martin & Lewis in 'Hollywood Or Bust'

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We were playing with a Lady Luck (or, "Blow On The Dice") theme featuring 'Luck Be A Lady' by Frank Sinatra and 'Lady Luck' by Kenny Loggins. The conversation in the comment section was fun -- kind of like how Las Vegas used to be. The only thing missing was three olives surrounded by a Martini.
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My Spidey sense Doggy sense told me in advance that Ol' Blue Eyes was destined to win this contest, but I felt it could be a pretty tight horse race. As the Battle went along, it felt like Frankie was clobbering Kenny. But to my surprise & delight, after adding in my own vote for Kenny, I discovered that the end result was indeed a tight horse race:
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FINAL TALLY
Frank Sinatra = 7 votes
Kenny Loggins = 5 votes
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In my opinion, Kenny Loggins' 1977 debut solo album 'Celebrate Me Home' was the best music he ever recorded! I did like a little of what he recorded with Jim Messina. Kenny's massive hit, 'Footloose', got played regularly in Los Angeles clubs in 1984 & '85. I always liked 'Footloose', primarily because it was the *only* song that I thought I could actually dance to fairly well. (When 'Footloose' played, I'd ask a gal to dance and I'd get on down with muh bad self!)
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Sure, the title track, 'Celebrate Me Home', eventually became a Holiday staple. But otherwise, the album was completely ignored despite containing what I feel was Kenny's most impressive and expressive singing ever. It also included musical contributions by some exceptional players such as Bob James, Richard Tee, Lee Ritenour, Tommy Tedesco, Eric Gale, Robben Ford, Dean Parks, and Steve Gadd (one of my favorite drummers ever).
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Hiram Bullock's playing at the end of [link> 'Lady Luck' has always been on my short list of very favorite electric guitar solos! That guitar is so amped up that you can hear the crackling of electricity just before Hiram hits the first searing note of his searing solo! "Cranked up to twelve, Baby! TWELVE!!" (Play it LOUD or... eat your prunes, brush your teeth and go to bed!)
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I consider this album to be one of the all-time most underrated by anyone! Kenny's singing -- his control and range (sweet & guttural) -- *still* knocks me out, and 'Celebrate Me Home' remains one of my most frequently played compact discs. If I were going to recommend just *one* song from the recording to highlight the greatness of it -- Kenny's vocals & the terrific musicianship -- I think I would point people to 'Daddy's Back'.
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'Daddy's Back' by Kenny Loggins 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLVdA6l3S38

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Well, thanks again all y'all for giving me another successful BOTB installment. Daddy'll be back on October 1st for another round o' fun. Until then, may you all have The Best Of Luck and continue to...
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...Bless And Be Blessed!!
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~ Stephen
(D-FensDogG & The Joker Of Clubs)

BATTLE OF THE BANDS: SEPT. 1, 2023 (Or, FRANK SINATRA VERSUS KENNY LOGGINS)

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Two or so weeks ago, my Brother and I were returning from a trip to a small casino in our area, when today's Battle Of The Bands theme occurred to me. I feel a strong affinity for Las Vegas themes - the flash, the glitz, Old School "Rat Pack"-like casinos & lounges - because, according to my dear departed Ma, I was actually conceived in this historic Vegas Hotel / Casino:
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As I recently mentioned to Lee here, "I used to like Las Vegas a great deal and went there often in the 1970s through the early '90s. But 'Classic Vegas' probably disappeared in the mid-'90s and I have no desire to ever visit there again. The last few times I was driving in the area, I went right through Vegas without ever even considering getting off the highway. No thanks. Like everything else, it ain't what it used to be."
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Everything eventually deteriorates, but I sure do remember and miss Old School Las Vegas, doggone it! One of my favorite Vegas memories is of seeing my Pa cleaning up in a Blackjack tournament at downtown's Lady Luck casino in 1988. Sadly, today, my Pa is gone, and so is the Lady Luck.
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Also gone is [link> The Algiers, my all-time favorite Vegas establishment. What a trip back in time that place was! Even in 1990 the joint felt like 1956!
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Although I always loved the atmosphere of Vegas, I've never really been a big gambler. The ONLY thing I know about poker is this:

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Don't you draw the Queen of Diamonds, boy.
She'll beat you if she's able.
You know the Queen of Hearts is always your best bet.
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Well, speaking of my conception, Classic Vegas, The Algiers, and the Rat Pack, let's have some fun with a LADY LUCK (or "Blow On The Dice") music theme. Below are two songs for your voting consideration. Please vote for whichever of the songs you dig the most. And then please make sure you visit all of the other BOTBers (see participation list in the right column--->) and drop your two bits into their slot machines also.
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Alright, let's get on it. Let's get ON this thing!
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LUCK BE A LADY -- Frank Sinatra (1963)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfiKk4wxiVM

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LADY LUCK -- Kenny Loggins (1977)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClnyOy-xyeU

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I'll return on or around September 8th to announce the winner.

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~ Stephen T. McCarthy 

(a.k.a. The Joker Of Clubs)