BOTB RESULTS: 2018, JUNE 1 (Or, BROADWAY HAIR VS HOLLYWOOD HAIR)

.

.
STMcC’s Vote On '2018, June 1st: Battle Of The Bands' (Or, Broadway 'Hair' Versus Hollywood 'Hair') And The Final Tally:
.
To the best of my recollection, only twice in the nearly 5 years of Battle Of The Bands have I not known how I would cast my own vote prior to posting my BOTB installment. I almost always make up my mind how I'm going to vote in advance, BEFORE any of you have even seen what my Battle is, and this contest was no exception.
.
The song this time was 'GOOD MORNING, STARSHINE' from 'Hair' -- the Original Broadway Cast recording versus the Hollywood Movie Soundtrack recording -- and the Battle took place [link> HERE. I knew all along that I would be casting my vote for the Hollywood version. Therefore, despite the fact that the Broadway recording got the first 9 votes submitted in the contest, I was never truly in fear of a dreaded BOTB shutout. I knew that I'd be saving myself from a shutout even if no one else saved me from one sooner.
.
Nevertheless, I was hoping someone would vote for Hollywood Hair before I did, just so it wouldn't appear that I was doing so solely to save myself from a shutout. I would accept a BOTB shutout before I would lie about which recording of a song I preferred. But how do I KNOW that YOU KNOW that's true?
.
I have always liked the song 'GOOD MORNING, STARSHINE' for the sense of joyful exuberance that it conveys, and I genuinely liked BOTH of the versions I used in this Battle. (However, I feel Oliver's hit version is the best recording of it.)
.
From a purely musical standpoint, I probably prefer the Broadway recording a wee bit (everything goes better with trumpet!) But both versions are musically sparse -- rightly choosing to focus primarily on the vocals to express the song's happiness. Therefore, in my decision about which to vote for, I give more weight to the singing, and I definitely prefer the singing in the Hollywood rendition, which used some nice counterpoint background vocals in the arrangement. The Broadway version's background vocals were more straightforward and thus less interesting to me. Hollywood's slightly quicker pace also appeals to me.
.
Lynn Kellogg was the lead vocalist in the Broadway recording, and her voice was a shade too high-pitched for my tastes. Although I don't think much of her as an actress (well, truthfully, I don't think anything of her as an actress), it was Beverly D'Angelo who provided the lead vocals in the Hollywood version, and I'll take her singing over her acting any day! I certainly liked Beverly's voice better'n Lynn's.
.
Incidentally, I really dig the movie [link> 'HAIR', and if this clip below had been filmed with the intention of being a music video, rather than a movie scene, it would be one of my favorite music videos of all time! In my opinion, EVERYTHING about these images perfectly matches the joyful exuberance expressed by the song. (It's also evidence for why I think Milos Forman is probably my #1 favorite movie director.)
.
This, below, is the same recording of the song that the majority of you voted against in this edition of BOTB. Had I used this video, do you think the images might have swayed how you voted?:
.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmZqb2VVc48

.
Despite my personal opinion, the Broadway recording beat the Hollywood recording somewhat easily (meaning that The Amazing Sixwell also beat The Magic 8-Ball  somewhat easily)...
.
Broadway 'Hair' = 10 votes
Hollywood 'Hair' = 6 votes
.
6 of the final 7 votes went to Hollywood. It was a good comeback, but it didn't come back quite enough to achieve a monumental upset.
.
The Magic 8-Ball = 4-1
The Amazing Sixwell = 3-2
.
I have now used Broadway 'Hair' versus Hollywood 'Hair' against each other in 2 BOTB matches and they are both 1-1. I think this means that a future rubber match is in order. I'd said that I would relate to you a very odd "Fun Fact" about how The 5th Dimension scored their biggest hit song, 'Aquarius', but I think I'll save that story for the future Broadway / Hollywood 'Hair' rubber match.
.
I thank every one of you who came by and submitted your $0.02. Without you, there'd be no BOTB.
.
I hope to see Y'All again here on June 15th, when I will be presenting my next Battle Of The Bands contest.
.
~ Stephen T. McCarthy
.
POSTSCRIPT: Hey, where was the dog?
Oh... there it was.
.

2018, JUNE 1: BATTLE OF THE BANDS (Or, BROADWAY HAIR VS. HOLLYWOOD HAIR)

.
Tie Vs. Tie-Dyed, Suit Vs. Freak, Pot Vs. Pigs, Acid Vs. Magic Mushrooms, Counter-Culture Vs. "The Man", Batman & Robin Vs. Catwoman & Lesley Gore, Sergeant Standanko Vs. The Boys & Girls Of Our Lady Of 115th Street, Cheech y Chong Vs. My Mom y Dad, and so on and so forth...
.
'BATTLE OF THE BANDS' ('BOTB')
.

.
DIG IT! It's "The Summer Of Love, 2.0" and time for 'Battle Of The Bands' ('BOTB'). WHAT IT IS, WHAT IT IS!
.
FAR OUT! GROOVY! Alright, let's get on it. Let's get RIGHT ON(!) this thing...
.

.
When the idea of doing regular "Battle Of The Bands" blog installments first occurred to me nearly 5 years ago, I immediately began compiling a list of songs to be used in future Battles. Believe it or not, the 7th song I wrote on that list was 'GOOD MORNING, STARSHINE', a composition from the 1968 Broadway musical 'HAIR', which was a #3 Billboard hit for Oliver in '69. 
.

.
I used a song from 'HAIR' in the hoary past: My 4th BOTB installment in 2013 featured the song 'EASY TO BE HARD', and I used the Original Broadway Cast recording against the recording from Hollywood's movie version of the play. (At that time, there were only 3 BOTBers, and Hollywood beat Broadway 6-5.) 
.
So, if using HAIR's famous 'Good Morning, Starshine' was one of the very earliest BOTB song ideas I ever had, why am I only just now gettin' 'round to it?...

.

.

.

.

The Red Dog Saloon, [link> Where Rock Music And Psychedelic Drugs First Met Onstage.

.
I agonized over this Battle like no Battle I've previously presented these past 5 years of BOTB. There were so many recording choices and I just couldn't find that match-up that instantly "clicked" in my mind, giving me that "Eureka! I have found it!" feeling which I always experience when I know I've struck the right artist combination.
.
I mean, seriously, I could have put Roger Whittaker up against The Strawberry Alarm Clock. I could have put John Denver up against Gary Lewis & The Playboys. I could have used Andy Williams & The Osmond Brothers against Bob McGrath & The Muppets. Talk about "BAd ACiD TRiPs"!
.

.
'GOOD MORNING, STARSHINE' sent me through an endless maze of confusing possibilities -- none of which seemed (as Goldilocks would say) "Just right". So, I finally threw up my hands (which is horribly hard on one's throat!) and said... well... "Screw it!... I'm just going with Broadway versus Hollywood -- exactly like I did with the song 'Easy To Be Hard' in 2013!" 
.
And so that's what you're getting, whether you like it or not -- and regardless of the fact that the two versions are pretty similar. Nuance is going to play a big factor in your decision of who to vote for in this Battle. Concentrate now. (Or as Pooh Bear would say: "Think!... Think!... Think!...") The vocalists are different, the tempos and musical backing are slightly different, too. How do you evaluate those things? Overall, which version do you prefer, and why?
.

.

GOOD MORNING, STARSHINE - Original Broadway Cast

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

.

GOOD MORNING, STARSHINE - Hollywood Cast

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncyp-aGKnRE

.

Yeah, I know the photo is out of focus. When I took it, I was out of focus, too!

.
NOTE: In my Results post for this Battle on June 7th, I will tell you a very FUN FACT about how, by a weird coincidence, The 5th Dimension scored their biggest song ever and first #1 Billboard hit, 'Aquarius', in 1969. So, don't forget to return here on the 7th. (I'll be at the Red Dog Saloon in Virginia City on the 7th, but will respond to your comments ASAP.)
.

The Battle Within The Battle

.

.

VERSUS

.

.

Question: "Will Hollywood HAIR lose to Broadway HAIR?"

.

The Magic 8-Ball (4-0) sez:  "Don't Count On It"

.

The Amazing Sixwell (2-2) sez:  "As I See It, Yes."

.
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.
.
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. (If their ‘BOTB’ blog bits aren’t posted yet, pour yourself two shots of ‘Grand Marnier’ over ice – do it twice – and then return to their blogs to vice your voice ...vote your vice ...voice your vote.)
.
Voice Your Vote...
@ ‘TOSSING IT OUT’ by clicking HERE.
@ 'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CURIOUS AS A CATHY' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE SOUND OF ONE HAND TYPING' by clicking HERE
@ 'JINGLE JANGLE JUNGLE' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CHERDO ON THE FLIPSIDE' by clicking HERE.
@ 'ANGELS BARK' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE DOGLADY'S DEN' by clicking HERE.
.
As I've done in the past, I will continue to return to my 'BOTB' blog bits on the 7th and 21st of each month to post my own votes and announce the winners in the comment sections.
.
~ Stephen T. McCarthy
.

BOTB RESULTS: 2018, MAY 15 (Or, LOU REED VERSUS MINK DeVILLE)

.
STMcC’s Vote On . . .
'2018, May 15th: Battle Of The Bands' (Or, 'Lou Reed Versus Mink DeVille') And The Final Tally:
.

.
This BOTB installment turned out fantabulous, especially considering it was something I just kind of tossed together based on an "artists" suggestion from my ol' friend Lelly.
.
The Battle took place [link> HERE, and it was a back-and-forth affair with both artists holding the lead at different times. In fact, this contest was tied 8 to 8 until just two hours ago, when three final votes gave Mink DeVille's 'Cadillac Walk' the win over Lou Reed's much more famous 'Walk On The Wild Side'.
.
As I said on the Battle page, back in the LP era, I owned both of the albums that contained these two songs. I purchased the Lou Reed LP specifically because of the song 'Walk On The Wild Side', and I bought the Mink DeVille album 'Cabretta' after seeing them live in concert, opening for Styx in 1977.
.
But my musical tastes changed drastically over time, and just 11 years later, I was listening almost exclusively to Jazz. Today, if I heard 'Cadillac Walk' on the radio, I would turn it "up to eleven". If 'Walk On The Wild Side' started playing through my radio, I'd probably see what was on at 87.9 -- my Christian radio station. So, I s'pose that tells ya where my own vote landed.
.
Lou Reed = 8 votes
.
Mink DeVille = 11 votes
.
This was an excellent turnout and I THANK EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU WHO VOTED! You make BOTB what it is!! (And it was nice to see a couple of BOTB old-timers -- Michele & Debbie -- return to the flock in this round.)
.
I mentioned that my old pal Lelly (aka LarryR) suggested that I use Lou Reed against Mink DeVille in a BOTB contest, and that got me thinking about this "Walking" theme that I used. But, FUN FACT:
.
From the time their debut album 'Cabretta' was being recorded through 1979, LarryR (Lelly) managed Mink DeVille's stage shows. That's him in the checkered cowboy shirt below (lower left corner) during the recording of the 'Cabretta' album:
.

.
On the back cover of Mink DeVille's second album, 'Return To Magenta', Lelly was credited as [link> "Larry (Lord Logar) Rosen". (But some of his UCLA friends still call him "Lelly".)
.
In 'The Battle Within The Battle', both of our competitors accurately predicted the winner of this contest, with both of them coincidentally using the exact same phraseology in making their prediction. That brings their records to...
.

The Magic 8-Ball (4-0) 

.

The Amazing Sixwell (2-2) 

.
I find it doggone amusing that The Magic 8-Ball has not missed a prediction ever since we hired The Amazing Sixwell to provide it with some competition. I don't think the 8-Ball EVER got 4 in a row right before! Hmmm.... So, competition equals improved quality of output? This doesn't look good for the theology of Communism, does it?

.
Until my next Battle Of The Bands contest on June 1st, I'll leave you with my #1 favorite Mink DeVille song. (I would rank 'Cadillac Walk' at #2.)
.
SHE'S SO TOUGH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6cZZtYL3H4

.
~ Stephen T. McCarthy
.
POSTSCRIPT:
You may recall that Lelly (aka LarryR, aka Larry "Lord Logar" Rosen) is a guitarist and songwriter who has also won a Battle Of The Bands contest against Van Morrison. Click HERE.
.

2018, MAY 15: BATTLE OF THE BANDS (Or, LOU REED VERSUS MINK DeVILLE)

.
Republican Vs. Democrat, Male Vs. Female, War Vs. Peace, Light Vs. Dark, Good Vs. Evil, Man Vs. Machine, Love Vs. Hate, Dog Vs. Cat, Sun Vs. Moon, Brain Vs. Brawn, Oscar Vs. Grammy, Angel Vs. Demon, Laurel Vs. Hardy, Beer Vs. Wine, TV Vs. Radio, Pitcher Vs. Batter, Paper Vs. Plastic, Reality Vs. Fantasy, Yeshua Vs. Beelzebub, Conservative Vs. Liberal, You Vs. Me, House Vs. Senate, Offense Vs. Defense, Kramer Vs. Kramer, Spy Vs. Spy, Fischer Vs. Spassky, W.C. Fields Vs. Sobriety, Harold Gimpy, Jr. Vs. Sheldon J. Pismire, Rock Vs. Paper Vs. Scissors, Islam Vs. Everything, Singer Vs. Singer, Band Vs. Band...
.
'BATTLE OF THE BANDS' ('BOTB')
.

.
Yes, it's time once again for 'Battle Of The Bands' ('BOTB').
.
Alright, let's get on it. Let's get ON this thing!...
.

EUGENE  MARTONE  VS.  JACK  BUTLER

.
Recently, I was having an Email conversation with my old friend and co-worker, Lelly, or LarryR. (More about him and his connection to this Battle in my BOTB Results post.) Lelly wrote: "Might I suggest a Willy DeVille versus Lou Reed battle as Willy was often compared to Lou Reed."
.
My first thought was that it might not be easy finding a clean recording of a song that both of them had covered. But my next thought was about Lou Reed's most famous song, 'Walk On The Wild Side'. And my third thought was: 'Cadillac Walk' by Mink DeVille. ...A BOTB "Walking" theme!! Would you rather do the "Cadillac Walk" or "Walk On The Wild Side"?
.
And that's how this Battle was born.
.

GOODNIKS  VS.  NO-GOODNIKS

.
I'm sure most of you voters know that Lou Reed was the primary force behind 'The Velvet Underground'. Wackypedia sez: The band's integration of rock and the avant-garde achieved little commercial success during their existence, but they are now recognized as one of the most influential bands in rock, underground, experimental, and alternative music. The provocative subject matter, musical experimentation, and often nihilistic attitudes explored in the band's work would prove influential in the development of punk rock and new wave music.
.
Reed has sometimes been referred to as "The Godfather of Punk".
.

GODZILLA  VS.  KING  KONG

.
I have a distinct memory of listening to The Velvet Underground's live album while driving through the Arizona desert in 1980 with my buddy Eric, on our way to see "the Sun rise over the Grand Canyon". I suppose the main reason that memory lodged in my mind so concretely is because listening to urban, New York-inspired Rock music while driving through the Arizona desert is significantly "incongrutiating". (If you don't know the meaning of that word, ask G DogG -- he can 'splain it to ya.)
.
As a solo artist, Lou Reed scored a #16 Billboard hit in 1973 with his song 'Walk On The Wild Side'. 
.

.
I also have a connection to lead singer Willy DeVille's band Mink DeVille: In 1976, at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, I attended my first Rock concert. Styx opened for Journey. The following year, at the same venue, I attended my second Rock concert: Mink DeVille opened for Styx.
.
I'd never heard of Mink DeVille at that point, but very soon after that concert, I went out and purchased their debut LP titled 'Cabretta'. One of the songs on that album that I particularly liked was 'Cadillac Walk'.
.
Wackypedia sez: From 1975 to 1977, Mink DeVille was one of the original house bands at CBGB, the New York City nightclub where punk rock music was born in the mid 1970s. "We auditioned along with hundreds of others, but they liked us and took us on. We played for three years..." In 1975, CBGB was the epicenter of punk rock and what would later be called new wave... 
.

.
So, today, I present you with 'Walk On The Wild Side' versus 'Cadillac Walk'. Which Walk do you like best?
.
Remember, unless you're asked to do otherwise, you're meant to evaluate the songs musically ONLY -- not taking into account the video images or stage performances. And, no, I'm NOT asking you to do otherwise.
.

WALK ON THE WILD SIDE -- Lou Reed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0coSOXa2n38

.

RIDDLER  VS.  BATMAN

.

CADILLAC WALK -- Mink DeVille

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyNpdbWNV98

.

The Battle Within The Battle:

.

.

VERSUS

.

.

Question: "Will Mink DeVille Lose To Lou Reed?"

.

The Magic 8-Ball (3-0) sez:  "My Sources Say No"

.

The Amazing Sixwell (1-2) sez:  "My Sources Say No"

.
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.
.
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. (If their ‘BOTB’ blog bits aren’t posted yet, pour yourself two shots of ‘Grand Marnier’ over ice – do it twice – and then return to their blogs to vice your voice ...vote your vice ...voice your vote.)
.
Voice Your Vote...
@ ‘TOSSING IT OUT’ by clicking HERE.
@ 'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CURIOUS AS A CATHY' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE SOUND OF ONE HAND TYPING' by clicking HERE
@ 'JINGLE JANGLE JUNGLE' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CHERDO ON THE FLIPSIDE' by clicking HERE.
@ 'ANGELS BARK' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE DOGLADY'S DEN' by clicking HERE.
.
As I've done in the past, I will continue to return to my 'BOTB' blog bits on the 7th and 21st of each month to post my own votes and announce the winners in the comment sections.
.
~ Stephen T. McCarthy
.

BOTB RESULTS: 2018, MAY 1 (Or, PERCY FAITH VERSUS CHET ATKINS)

.

.
MY FRIENDS, MY FRIENDS ~
I am dog-tired! I don't think I got a minute of sleep last night, so this is going to be short and right to the point.
.
First, I thank EVERYONE who showed up to vote in my most recent Battle Of The Bands (BOTB) installment [link> HERE.
.
The song was 'Theme From A SUMMER PLACE' and the contestants were Percy Faith & His Orchestra versus Chet Atkins (with Floyd Cramer on the piano).
.
It was a really nice turnout and I appreciate that. Also, I had a lot of fun with y'all in the comment section. Quite often it's the comment section interaction that I like best of all about BOTB! And this was one of those times. I dig the banter.
.
Without a doubt, Percy Faith was the favorite going in, and not surprisingly, he prevailed. There are reasons that Percy's recording of the song holds the all-time Billboard Chart record for most number of weeks at #1 for an Instrumental. It can elicit an indescribable feeling, which many of us tried to describe in the comment section. Also, if one intently focuses on every instrument in the recording, from beginning to end, it's a bit of a revelation how much is actually occurring in Percy's recording. This is definitely not just "a lot of sawing away on violins". My own vote went to Percy Faith & His Orchestra.
.
Of course, the Chet Atkins version was also terrific because... Chet Atkins! How could it not be terrific? And I was pleased to see it garner a number of votes. There was no way to "mis-vote" unless one missed voting altogether.
.
The Final Tally:
.
Percy Faith = 13 votes
.
Chet Atkins = 7 votes
.
And as for "The Battle Within The Battle", The Magic 8-Ball (3-0) and The Amazing Sixwell (1-2) BOTH predicted this Battle's outcome accurately.
.
Thanks again for being here, all y'all. I will be back with a brand new Battle on Tuesday, May 15th. I hope you will return for that one. ...And I also hope the comment section action is as fun as it was this time.
.
Bless And Be Blessed!
.
~ Stephen T. McCarthy
.