tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043167264059951487.post7288436119365340246..comments2024-03-26T20:35:39.291-07:00Comments on STMcC Presents 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS': 2017, JULY 15: BATTLE OF THE BANDS (Or, NAT KING COLE VS. SPANKY AND OUR GANG)Stephen T. McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00249125637725791567noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043167264059951487.post-69170045298040121422017-07-22T23:04:42.778-07:002017-07-22T23:04:42.778-07:00MICHELE ~
From 1975 - 1977, my favorite band in th...MICHELE ~<br />From 1975 - 1977, my favorite band in the world was Styx. The first Rock concert I ever attended was in '75 or '76 and it was Styx opening for Journey at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium.<br /><br />The second Rock concert I ever attended was Mink DeVille opening for Styx at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in 1977.<br /><br />And the third Rock concert I ever saw was, again in '77 at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium: Journey opening for Styx.<br /><br />All the concerts become a blur in my mind after that. Mr. Al Coe Hall is to blame.<br /><br />But today, I HATE Styx. I always hated Journey. And the best of those three bands (IMO) was Mink DeVille. By far!<br /><br />Ha! Time has a way of changing us, eh?<br /><br />~ D-FensDogG<br />[Link:) <b><a href="http://xtremelyun-pcandunrepentant.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends</a></b>Stephen T. McCarthyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00249125637725791567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043167264059951487.post-44513392951200429112017-07-22T15:21:26.129-07:002017-07-22T15:21:26.129-07:00Hey, Tough Guys is good! I forgot about that one.....Hey, Tough Guys is good! I forgot about that one...and I love REO, especially the You Can Tune a Piano but You Can't Tuna Fish album (I always thought that was the best album title -- and to think it made the list of the Worst Album Titles in History!)<br />I love your "corporate stadium rock" groups: that should be no surprise to you though, knowing me. I never saw Styx in concert. Saw Journey and REO. Styx's Man in the Wilderness is probably my favorite Styx song. <br /><br />I was just over at your battle results post and came back to the battle here to listen to the Spanky & Our Gang version of Stardust. It is quite good and I can see why it amazes you so. <br /><br />Okay, going back to leave a comment on that post. See you over there... :)Michele at Angels Bark https://www.blogger.com/profile/15891713963440451090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043167264059951487.post-75047005534644733702017-07-21T09:18:10.585-07:002017-07-21T09:18:10.585-07:00ATTENTION PEOPLES!
If you are interested in seeing...<b>ATTENTION PEOPLES!</b><br />If 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:<br /><br />https://stmccpresentsbattleofthebands.blogspot.com/2017/07/botb-results-for-2017-july-15-or-nat.html<br /><br />~ D-FensDogG<br />'Loyal American Underground'Stephen T. McCarthyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00249125637725791567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043167264059951487.post-71795984186012319292017-07-19T20:44:52.097-07:002017-07-19T20:44:52.097-07:00Got it. Thanks, MIKE!
~ D-FensDogG
[Link:) Ferret...Got it. Thanks, MIKE!<br /><br />~ D-FensDogG<br />[Link:) <b><a href="http://xtremelyun-pcandunrepentant.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends</a></b>Stephen T. McCarthyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00249125637725791567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043167264059951487.post-3821432144462906942017-07-19T19:53:23.752-07:002017-07-19T19:53:23.752-07:00The four part harmony was a nice touch, but Nat Ki...The four part harmony was a nice touch, but Nat King Cole earns my voteMikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08000518512016364412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043167264059951487.post-90216169540097731732017-07-19T13:11:51.814-07:002017-07-19T13:11:51.814-07:00>>... I really need to get better insulation...<i>>>... I really need to get better insulation for my basement.</i><br /><br />Yeah. Either that, or get out of the Millennial mindset AND get out of your parents' basement.<br /><br />Glad to learn your Pa is doing fine... upstairs. (As opposed to the "Great Upstairs".)<br /><br />Thanks for the bote, Brother!<br /><br />~ D-FensDogG<br />(link:] <b><a href="http://stephentmccarthyreviews.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...</a></b>Stephen T. McCarthyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00249125637725791567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043167264059951487.post-89229002879514543472017-07-19T12:12:51.726-07:002017-07-19T12:12:51.726-07:00I guess I'll just get it out of the way right ...I guess I'll just get it out of the way right now and say nothing can top Nat King Cole's rendition. Pure perfection. Spanky and Our Gang is still great, but can't compare to Nat.<br /><br />Fantastic stories about your Pa and how he lets you know he's doing okay. My dad often lets me know he's doing okay. I'll be sitting there, and I can swear I hear his voice, calling out to me. It's faint, but it's there.<br /><br />I really need to get better insulation for my basement.<br /><br />~JSAA Beer for the Showerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17029139745335325356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043167264059951487.post-20655556976452416162017-07-19T05:07:01.661-07:002017-07-19T05:07:01.661-07:00...AND POOH, THAT'S NOT ALL!!...
Thanks for th......AND POOH, THAT'S NOT ALL!!...<br />Thanks for the vote.<br /><br />I got your post card the other day, and I totally get that triad of personalities, Brother. Ha! But without Nappy's gyrations, which come across perfectly in those hands, it would just be another bearded guy with wild hair. Gotta have the Napster's drunken epilepsy. :o)<br /><br />That was great. "The madness of Summers spent together" -- you said it, Pooh!<br /><br />Thanks for the vote AND the POST CARD. Now Baretta Roll yer ass back to work. Your troops are lost without you, aimlessly wandering the concrete parking structure jungles.<br /><br />~ D-FensDogG<br />[Link:) <b><a href="http://stephentmccarthyreviews.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...</a></b><br /><br />POSTSCRIPT: When you have a chance, check out my latest review at the site linked above. It's about both Robert Johnson's music AND "The League".Stephen T. McCarthyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00249125637725791567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043167264059951487.post-78187257520015153282017-07-19T02:30:37.473-07:002017-07-19T02:30:37.473-07:00And Stephen,
Good battle, good song...My vote go...And Stephen, <br /><br />Good battle, good song...My vote goes to Nat King Cole just a bit classier. I do like Spanky's harmony but Nat gets my vote. Now for a Baretta Roll over the ottoman because "It's Saturday! It's Saturday!"<br /><br />JW, <br />PoohPooh Lynthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12105973977534065414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043167264059951487.post-64789860544046336102017-07-18T18:01:38.979-07:002017-07-18T18:01:38.979-07:00JUDGE AL ~
No one cares about the middle child. C&...JUDGE AL ~<br />No one cares about the middle child. C'mon, man, you know that!<br /><br />Besides, Pa did contact you on that Christmas Day, just like I said he would. Crossword puzzle, remember?<br /><br />Yer vote really surprises me here. I know how much you like vocal groups such as the Beach Boys, Mamas & Papas, 5th Dimension, etc. So I figured your vote for Spanky & Our Gang was in the bag.<br /><br />BOTB -- still full of surprises.<br /><br />Thanks for the vote, Bro.<br /><br />~ D-FensDogG<br />(link:] <b><a href="http://stephentmccarthyreviews.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...</a></b>Stephen T. McCarthyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00249125637725791567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043167264059951487.post-37680195770160073202017-07-18T17:41:15.363-07:002017-07-18T17:41:15.363-07:00Al Bondigas here. Hmmmmm, you done picked a goot ...Al Bondigas here. Hmmmmm, you done picked a goot juan here. Im a big fan of Spanky and our Gang as I am The Mammas and the Pappas. Probably even more so than Nat King Cole. But, with this song I'm going to have to make a rulin' fer The Nat Man. Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of Nat's as well, but, you know how I am with my less than sophisticated taste in music. Gotta have my hooks, right? Anyway, rulin' fer Nat King Cole over the hippies. That's it, that's my rulin'. Ohh, and tell pa he's more than welcome to contact me as well. You know, ME, the middle child. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043167264059951487.post-41829814192340735412017-07-17T13:44:59.161-07:002017-07-17T13:44:59.161-07:00Thanks, JOHN! It's hard to go wrong when you s...Thanks, JOHN! It's hard to go wrong when you start with a genuine classic of a tune.<br /><br />Yes, sir, that arrangement by S&OG is really something else. Somewhere, while putting this Battle together, I ran across a comment where a person stated that it was actually S&OG's version of 'STARDUST' that was the inspiration behind the formation of The Manhattan Transfer. I can't confirm that, but it seems possible.<br /><br />And I'm glad to see S&OG get another vote, because this Battle has not been close, as I (mistakenly) thought it would be.<br /><br />~ D-FensDogG<br />(link:] <b><a href="http://stephentmccarthyreviews.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...</a></b>Stephen T. McCarthyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00249125637725791567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043167264059951487.post-68854920287414188222017-07-17T13:39:47.072-07:002017-07-17T13:39:47.072-07:00BIRGIT ~
Thanks for checking in with your vote. I ...BIRGIT ~<br />Thanks for checking in with your vote. I appreciate it.<br /><br />I haven't heard from my Pa in awhile, but I know he's still watching, and I expect he's got another trick up his sleeve. <br /><br />~ D-FensDogG<br />(link:] <b><a href="http://stephentmccarthyreviews.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...</a></b>Stephen T. McCarthyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00249125637725791567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043167264059951487.post-49719861008365363302017-07-17T12:47:58.874-07:002017-07-17T12:47:58.874-07:00First: great choice of songs. Hoagy Carmichael, li...First: great choice of songs. Hoagy Carmichael, like the Gershwins and Irving Berlin, was a national treasure. <br /><br />Nat King Cole gave this song his always-great treatment. He had a gorgeous voice, and kudos to him for including the verse at the beginning of the song that so many songs from this era had. Under most circumstances, he would run away with this.<br /><br />But Spanky and Our Gang damn near knocked me out of my chair with that four-part harmony that was always so great in the big-band era. Think The Modernaires, or their latter-day equivalent, The Manhattan Transfer. I love that kind of harmony, mostly because there are so few performers that do it anymore. And the way they slipped from "Stardust" to "Like To Get To Know You" in the last minute as the song faded was just wonderful.<br /><br />Put me down for Spanky & Our Gang!John Holtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00545030511941957804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043167264059951487.post-21710801612745133212017-07-17T07:38:08.561-07:002017-07-17T07:38:08.561-07:00I love the Little Rascals and used to watch them a...I love the Little Rascals and used to watch them all the time. Darla was such a tease. As for the battle, I give it to Nat King Cole who sang this so beautifully. I could really stand the Sparky Gang singers and could never listen to that style even though the trumpet section was excellent. You dad is always sending you messages which is very nice indeedBirgithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09439720285857050428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043167264059951487.post-59237977135934082012017-07-16T09:05:15.027-07:002017-07-16T09:05:15.027-07:00MICHELE ~
In the early '80s, when I was a memb...MICHELE ~<br />In the early '80s, when I was a member of that drinking gang, The League Of Soul Crusaders, we used to have a nickname for all those bands we considered to be "Corporate Stadium Rock". We called them all "REOJOURNEYSTYXWAGON".<br /><br />Truth be told though, I've always liked REO Speedwagon, especially their HI-inFIdelity album. Here's a song from that album and, in my book, it has the best intro to a Rock song ever:<br /><br />[Link:) <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0mhLbJJ9Ao" rel="nofollow">TOUGH GUYS</a></b><br /><br />How clever was that?<br /><br />Yes, I'm so glad I kept that notebook all those years. It's divided into two sections: Dreams & Dream Interpretations / Meditation Visions.<br /><br />Flipping around in it the other day, my own mind was blown. I'd forgotten to remember a lot of it (because it's huge and densely packed with stuffs) and I'd forgotten how locked into The Holy Spirit's guidance I once was. I would LOVE to get back to the Spiritual state I was in then. I would probably need to give up the Internet to do that, though.<br /><br />Someday, after God has called me Home, someone going through my belongings is going to look in that notebook and be astounded -- be VERY ASTOUNDED!<br /><br />Thanks for the vote. For sure, the 8-Ball has gotten his "Magic" back. He's now officially on a roll.<br /><br />~ D-FensDogG<br />[Link:) <b><a href="http://stephentmccarthyreviews.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...</a></b>Stephen T. McCarthyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00249125637725791567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043167264059951487.post-71643044008072703102017-07-16T08:48:26.477-07:002017-07-16T08:48:26.477-07:00Thanks for the vote, and I'm glad you found th...Thanks for the vote, and I'm glad you found the story interesting. I have so many more of them written up in my Spiritual Notebook. I was flipping through it the other day for the first time in many years and I was shocked at how many of them there were which I had not even remembered.<br /><br />Fun Fact: I used to automatically think of the spelling of your name as Debby. If someone told me to write that name, the spelling I'd have naturally used would have ended in "y". But since meeting you, I've gotten so used to writing it as "Debbie" that it's now my "go-to" spelling.<br /><br />Case In Point: I noticed after the fact that on Cherdo's BOTB installment, I wrote Debby Boone as "Debbie". And I see that everyone else is following suit. <br /><br />I guess this goes to show that sometimes an OLD DOG (me) really can learn a NEW TRICK. ;^)<br /><br />~ Stephen<br />[Link:) <b><a href="http://stephentmccarthyreviews.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...</a></b>Stephen T. McCarthyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00249125637725791567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043167264059951487.post-17208412448900593922017-07-16T08:38:34.797-07:002017-07-16T08:38:34.797-07:00SHEBOYGANBOY SIX ~
It's true and there's n...SHEBOYGANBOY SIX ~<br />It's true and there's no denying it -- as you said -- you've developed a reputation for being the BOTBPP (Battle Of The Bands Party Pooper). It's that vast "Musical Divide" which you astutely recognized and named years ago.<br /><br />I came to accept it long ago, and it sounds like you've finally come around to accepting it as well, rather then letting it frustrate you as you once did. That's healthy. It's only Rock 'N' Roll but... it's OK if you don't like it (to paraphrase that manly Mick).<br /><br />However, every other blue Moon, you like my selections, and that's always a surprisingly nice treat. (If I recall correctly, I think you actually liked all three of the recordings in my last Battle, the 3-Way between Clayton, Collins & Franky Perez. So, statistically speaking, there was no way you could like THIS Battle.)<br /><br />Unfortunately, though, your vote for Nat leaves me in a quandary, since Lee voted for Spanky. Looks like I'm going to be forced to agree with one of you guys this time. Don't we hate it when that happens? [;^)}<br /><br />~ D-FensDogG<br />[Link:) <b><a href="http://xtremelyun-pcandunrepentant.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends</a></b>Stephen T. McCarthyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00249125637725791567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043167264059951487.post-34432868880112514242017-07-15T21:55:48.887-07:002017-07-15T21:55:48.887-07:00Hi Stephen,
First of all, that was one very adorab...Hi Stephen,<br />First of all, that was one very adorable Spanky & Our Gang segment!! So cute they were. That really made me giggle. Thanks for that!<br /><br />And thanks for sharing your encounters with your Pa on those occasions. Like you, I have no doubt that he was contacting you. Aren't you so glad that you recorded the experience with such vivid detail? When things like that happen, you often think "Oh I'll never forget any of this!" but then the years pass and the memory fades and well, you do forget some of the details. I'm thrilled for you that you kept such a complete accounting of the experiences so that you can re-live them many times over. And share them with us! Long live your Pa in the music of Nat King Cole!<br /><br />As for your battle: I never heard of the group Spanky & Our Gang from the 60s. I enjoyed their Stardust song. Really nice harmonies.<br />But, to my ear, it's no match for Nat King Cole's Stardust. His version is far superior. And his voice, along with that music, made me float. It was beautiful. <br />Nat King Cole gets my vote. And I'm going to venture a guess here that your 8-Ball is right on!<br /><br />Enjoy your Sunday. talk soon,<br /><br />Michele at <a href="http://angelsbark.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow">Angels Bark</a><br />Michele at Angels Bark https://www.blogger.com/profile/15891713963440451090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043167264059951487.post-90225215834328154052017-07-15T21:53:17.765-07:002017-07-15T21:53:17.765-07:00Interesting story about the connection to your dad...Interesting story about the connection to your dad and Nat King Cole. Thanks for sharing it! Nat really is the 'King' here, in my opinion. I'm voting for him, but also enjoyed the other choice. Thanks for the smile brought on by the Little Rascals video!Debbie D. https://www.blogger.com/profile/13153118405565035071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043167264059951487.post-59508793488473442492017-07-15T18:37:22.924-07:002017-07-15T18:37:22.924-07:00I vote for Spanky and Our Gang... the Valentine...I vote for Spanky and Our Gang... the Valentine's Day version.<br /><br />I'm (as usual) a party pooper. I have never been a fan of NKC, nor S&OG. I think they were all talented and can see why someone might like 'em... just not me.<br /><br />But with this song and these two performers, Nat's version is way more pleasant and listenable, so I guess my real vote needs to go there.<br /><br />I wish you guys were still doing two BOTBs a month. My natural disagreeableness would be less noticeable because I'd have more opportunities to occasionally like sumpin!Sixgun McItchyfingernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043167264059951487.post-48786684740249023002017-07-15T13:43:57.574-07:002017-07-15T13:43:57.574-07:00MMQE ~
As a matter of fact, on one of my Nat King ...MMQE ~<br />As a matter of fact, on one of my Nat King Cole compact discs there's a recording of him singing the phone book, from "Carlson to Davenport", and it sounds pretty darn good.<br /><br />~ D-FensDogG<br />[Link:) <b><a href="http://xtremelyun-pcandunrepentant.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends</a></b>Stephen T. McCarthyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00249125637725791567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043167264059951487.post-49270623723778986442017-07-15T13:41:28.569-07:002017-07-15T13:41:28.569-07:00CHERDO ~
Why da noive of him! Playin' Nat King...CHERDO ~<br />Why da noive of him! Playin' Nat King Cole when you coulda had da Monkees!<br /><br />Doh! You coulda had a V8, too.<br /><br />So nice to see you back in the BOTB circus, my friend. We missed you while you were away.<br /><br />Jump forward to "2107"? That's more like a gigantic Superman leap. ;^)<br /><br />~ D-FensDogG<br />[Link:) <b><a href="http://xtremelyun-pcandunrepentant.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends</a></b>Stephen T. McCarthyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00249125637725791567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043167264059951487.post-40677547492145315452017-07-15T13:37:04.342-07:002017-07-15T13:37:04.342-07:00FAE ~
Ain't no way you were gonna get the firs...FAE ~<br />Ain't no way you were gonna get the first vote in with Lee up and making the rounds at 5:20 AM.<br /><br />That's a great story about how your Pa and Ma met. Very funny. I'll bet that didn't do anything positive for the friendship between your Ma and her gal pal.<br /><br />Thanks for the vote and the story, FAE!<br /><br />~ D-FensDogG<br />[Link:) <b><a href="http://xtremelyun-pcandunrepentant.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends</a></b>Stephen T. McCarthyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00249125637725791567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043167264059951487.post-48536536168802756192017-07-15T13:32:22.809-07:002017-07-15T13:32:22.809-07:00Thanks, LEE.
Shutout avoided with the very first v...Thanks, LEE.<br />Shutout avoided with the very first vote registered. (Because, of course, ain't no way King Cole wasn't gonna get some votes.)<br /><br />~ D-FensDogG<br />[Link:) <b><a href="http://xtremelyun-pcandunrepentant.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends</a></b>Stephen T. McCarthyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00249125637725791567noreply@blogger.com