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Welcome back, my friends, to the "Battle" that never ends.
We're so glad you could attend. Come inside! Come inside!
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This is 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS' ('BOTB') where you listen to different recordings and vote for the one you like best. A new Battle gets posted on the 1st of each month and on the 7th, I place my own vote, tally 'em all up and announce the winner.
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Friend? Foe? Stranger? No matter, ALL are welcome. So pull up a chair, pour yourself 24 oz. of DOG BITE High Gravity Lager (or the poison of your choice) and turn it up to Eleven!
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[NOTE: Links to the first year of 'BOTB' (#1 - #24) can be found at the very bottom of this page.]

Sunday, May 15, 2016

2016, MAY 15: BATTLE OF THE BANDS (Or, EDDIE COCHRAN VS. THE WHO)

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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’)


Shoop-Shooby –
Shooby-duh-Dooby-Doop-Dooby-Dooby-Doo-Wah –
Buh-Doo-Wah!

Yes, it’s time once again for ‘Battle Of The Bands’ (‘BOTB’)

Alright, let’s get on it...
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EUGENE  MARTONE  VS.  JACK  BUTLER
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I'm a little late getting it up, but better late than never, right? (That's not what she said!) OK, I'm a few hours latter'n usual but... I'm butt in the saddle again.

The problem is that I went to my favorite Reno casino ('The Peppermill') yesterday for lunch/dinner and to play a little video poker, but the only thing I won was a cold.

Yep, it seems I was playing a poker machine that some sick beeztard before me had played and now I've got the sore throat, the stuffy nose, the empty wallet... 
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GOODNIKS  VS.  NO-GOODNIKS
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From time to time I return over and over again to ponder certain mysteries, such as "Why did N.A.S.A. come to mean 'Never A Straight Answer' and how did they lose all of the Moon landing knowledge and evidence?"

Or "What constitutes an actual 'sport'?" I mean, for instance, we know golf is a game and not a sport, because if golf is a sport then so is bowling... and we know it ain't.

Running is not a sport unless hurdles are involved. If Beer-Drinking were a sport it would be in the Olympics and I'd be a Gold Medalist. Someone once said that anything you can do while drinking beer is not a sport. Is Race Car Driving a sport? You can drink and drive, can't you? No, you're not going to win the race but you could still compete. OK, my mind is tired. I quit... for now.

Here's one I've contemplated for decades: "What was the first Punk Rock song?" I'm not sure there's a definitive answer because Punk as we think of it is comprised of Angry Arrogance and Acne. When did they first come together with loud, poorly played electric guitars?

For some time I've thought that in the "sound" department a good argument could be made for Elton John's 'Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting' (1973). That "buzzsaw" guitar is, musically, the foundation of Punk Rock.

OK, but what about the cornerstone of Punk? The "attitude"? I would describe it foremost as "hopelessness in the face of the system or machine" plus "anger and rebellion against 'the man' who upholds the system". Until recently I'd been thinking that maybe the first good example was 'Roadhouse Blues' by The Doors (1970). When Jim Morrison sings "I woke up this morning and I got myself a beer; the future's uncertain and the end is always near" that really encapsulates the Punk Rock sensibility.

[FUN FACT: It's been said that Alice Cooper inspired Jim Morrison to write that lyric above. During his drinking years, Cooper would place an ice chest full of beer beside his bed before going to sleep at night so he could crack a cold one the moment he awoke in the morning.]

But within the last couple years I've begun to think that perhaps that Punk Rock attitude appeared much earlier, in the form of that famous song about Summer depression.

In 1958, Rock 'N' Roll pioneer Eddie Cochran recorded 'Summertime Blues' which has gone on to become a classic that's been covered by every singer and singer-wannabe who's ever played in a bar. The song expresses youthful hopelessness against the system maintained by parents, employers, and even the United Nations - an evil organization if there ever was one! And since Summer is now here, I've decided to run with 'Summertime Blues' in this BOTB installment.

What? You don't think Summer has started yet? Tell that to my Brother in Phoenix! Have you seen THIS one?...
 
Phoenix, Airheadzona, May 2016 temperatures: 9th/86, 10th/91, 11th/95, 12th/101, 13th/102, 14th/101, Today/666?
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GODZILLA  VS.  KING  KONG
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'SUMMERTIME BLUES' by Eddie Cochran
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=In7z7B87Puc

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RIDDLER  VS.  BATMAN
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'SUMMERTIME BLUES' (from 'Live At Leeds') by The Who
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQpiv2vNmV8

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Alright now, “you know the gig”... I welcome you (whoever you are) 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 @ ‘FAR AWAY SERIES’ by clicking HERE.
@ ‘TOSSING IT OUT’ by clicking HERE.
@ ‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’ 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.
@ 'DCRELIEF - BATTLE OF THE BANDS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE DOGLADY'S DEN' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CHERDO ON THE FLIPSIDE' by clicking HERE
@ 'ANGELS BARK' by clicking HERE.
@ 'JINGLE JANGLE JUNGLE' by clicking HERE.
@ 'JANIE JUNEBUG, RIGHTING & EDITINGby clicking HERE.
@ 'J.A. SCOTT' by clicking HERE.
@ 'QUIET LAUGHTER' by clicking HERE
@ 'REINVINTAGED' by clicking HERE.
@ 'HOLLI'S HOOTS & HOLLERS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'EVIL POP TART' by clicking HERE. 
And OH DONNA! (the 'Wild Thing' who "makes everything groovy") is joining us today right 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

77 comments:

  1. Summer is kind of here in L.A. but not like Phoenix. We've been getting nice "June Gloom" mornings, but mostly topping off in the 70's. I guess we've been hitting some 80's, but no need to turn on the AC yet.

    The Alice Cooper story reminded me of an old friend of mine now deceased who had to start off his mornings with a beer and a cigarette and, if he had one, a joint. There was a brief period for me back in the 80's when I'd add some Kahlua to my coffee in the mornings, but that was about as wild as I got.

    I'd agree that the punk sensibilities stem from the music of the 50's. I'd say the punkers of the 70's and 80's harken back to the 50's more than any other decade. But it's all so close in the span of time that I guess a lot of it flows together.

    I was never much of a fan of the Who's version of this song. I definitely prefer the Eddie Cochran version. It's more pure music with all the show-off antics of the overly loud Who version.

    Give my vote to Eddie Cochran.

    Arlee Bird
    A to Z Challenge Co-host
    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LEE ~
      Oh, yeah, the "June Gloom" mornings in L.A. I remember them very well.

      I have certainly had a beer or two on some mornings of my life but not for a long time, and that was always "medicinal" - Hair O' De Dog. If I ever woke up without a hangover and cracked a beer, I can't recall it.

      Yeah, the PUNK QUESTION really does flow without any clearly defined points of demarcation. That's one thing I really like about it.

      Vote: EDDIE COCHRAN

      ~ D-FensDogG
      'Loyal American Underground'

      Delete
  2. It might be summer in Arizona and Nevada, Stephen, but today it's only 40F in the Toronto area. Bloody cold for May!

    That's an interesting anecdote about Alice Cooper inspiring Jim Morrison.

    Aren't The Sonics considered the first Punk band? They formed in 1960.

    The Who's rendition of "Summertime Blues" has always been my favourite, so I'm voting for that one. Seeing them perform it live was a great experience.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. DEBBIE ~
      Here in Northern Nevada we're still getting down to around 40 but that's in the mornings and probably our lows now. The temp fluctuates widely here, like over 40 degree shifts from the highs and lows.

      The Sonics do get mentioned as the first Punk band at times. I think of them more as Garage Rock, which absolutely played a role in the development of Punk Rock (if we can use the word "development" in conjunction with that genre).

      The Troggs, The Standells and all those Garage bands are part of the story. Iggy And The Stooges are part of it somehow, even the surf guitar sound of Dick Dale plays a part in the background story. In fact, Dick Dale had the guitar sound I mentioned in 'Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting' and he had it much earlier than '73. So, I think we can forget about Elton John, now that I reconsider it.

      Many have made an argument for The Ramones as the first fully developed [sic?] Punk band. Their Wikipedia page begins with this...

      The Ramones were an American punk rock band that formed in the New York City neighborhood of Forest Hills, Queens, in 1974. They are often cited as the first band to define the punk rock sound.

      To me, that sound already existed prior to The Ramones, but they may have been the band to sort of codify the look - torn jeans, T-shirts, leather jackets, unruly hair. In which case, perhaps they were the first band to put the entire Punk Rock thing together, all elements of it in one package.

      I've always been more interested in looking for that first Punk song, or the earliest prototype for it. Not so much trying to identify the first band, but the first recording.

      The funny thing is that I don't even like Punk Rock. I think the question appeals to me precisely because it seems to have no answers, only possibilities. So one can come back to it again and again, considering new insights without ever really resolving anything.

      Vote: THE WHO

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
    2. I guess The Ramones are considered the "quintessential" punk band. As for the first punk song, that's likely open to interpretation. You make a good case for "Summertime Blues".

      Delete
  3. My favorite version of "Summertime Blues" is Blue Cheer's. A bit noisy and psychedelic, but that was the Sixties.

    Anyway, between Eddie Cochran, who gave his original an almost country feel, and The Who, who did as a straight-ahead rocker, I'll give my vote to Pete Townshend and crew. It's a nice compromise between Cochran and Blue Cheer.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. JOHN ~
      Yeah, there's a little Country undertone to be found in Eddie's version. And that makes total sense of course, as I know you know, because he was really first a Rockabilly artist - that hybrid thing with some Country Western elements to it which later became Rock 'N' Roll and then Rock.

      I love Rockabilly!

      Vote: THE WHO

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
  4. I think running is a sport; but I ran the mile and 880 in h.s. (Frankly, I think that cheerleading is a sport too. Swimsuit wearing is not. (Sorry, SI).

    NASA likes to krrp us in the dark.

    As for the BOTB, I go with Eddie Cochran. The Who is a bunch of poseurs.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. [She didn't really mean that, Sheboyganboy! I'm sure she was just joking, son. And I'm listening to 'WHO'S NEXT' as I type this, in order to appease the angry Sheboygan gods.]

      POP TART ~
      The Sports question is one that my Brother and I have gone 'round and 'round about over the decades. I can't even remember all of the facets we've explored in debating this question. But I do know that we've never come to a final conclusion - nor even total agreement with each - on what is and what is not a sport.

      We do concur, however, that body control is a major part of the equation. He and I have both discounted running because our dear old friend Pooh is a runner, and although there are many positive things one can say about him, Pooh is decidedly not an athlete (and I strongly suspect even he would agree with that).

      Now running AND hurdling requires a great degree of timing and body control, and that's why I consider that form of running a possibility.

      Race Car Drivers surely need exceptional eye-hand coordination and a sense of timing, BUT... pressing down on an accelerator and turning a steering wheel isn't my idea of an exhibition of great body control. Brother Nappy and I used to play Ping Pong that seemed to be more of an athletic sport than NASCAR. Heck, we played Ping Pong like it was almost a contact sport.

      Cheerleading? I consider that a form of dance. It requires body control and timing, but no one's keeping score. And I suspect most athletes could be taught to do it, but could most cheerleaders make a running catch in the gap to save a double off the wall?

      NASA... Yeah, well, when you admit a bunch of former Nazi scientists into an organization I don't think you can expect much in the way of transparency.

      Vote: EDDIE COCHRAN

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
    2. HA HA HA!
      "The Who is a bunch of poseurs."

      You may choose to not vote for them... but you stand alone with a silly statement like that! You must be REAL young! Back in the day those poseurs would have kicked your ass and set your house on fire... just for fun.

      Delete
    3. Well, that wouldn't have been very nice of them. What a bunch of punks.

      HEY! Maybe it's The Who! Maybe 'My Generation' was the very first Punk song.

      Well... truth be told, I've already considered that and, as is always the case, I came to no conclusions.

      Guess my playing of 'WHO'S NEXT' did not appease the angry Sheboygan gods. Shoulda sacrificed Nappy with fire, I guess.

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
    4. Race car driving....isn't that really just "traffic?"

      Delete
    5. Yep. Congested traffic where everyone is late to the same meeting.

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
  5. Eddie Cochran gets my vote - he has a vibrancy that is missing from The Who's slightly slowed down version. I like The Who a lot, but Eddie has this one for me!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. D.G. ~
      Lovely to see you here again. Thanks!

      "Vibrancy"... hmmm... OK, good word. Lemme give that some thought.

      Vote: EDDIE COCHRAN

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
  6. I always loved the original by Eddie Cochran because it evoked the beach feel for me with the days of swimming and drinking without a care in the world. I love the Who but always found this a bit too heavy for my taste. Now if you'll excuse me I'm on my way to the moon to have some tea with the cat women:)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. HiYa, BIRGIT! ~
      Hmmm... I never really got "beach" imagery from the Eddie Cochran recording, but I guess it fits, if you were young, full of spit 'n' vinegar and had some "wheels" you probably WOULD go to the beach... if you also had a beach.

      BTW, the Catwomen aren't on the Moon. Didn't you never hear that "Catwomen are from Venus and Dogmen are from Mars"?

      Thanks for your vote, as always!

      Vote: EDDIE COCHRAN

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
    2. I was never into the Venus/Mars thing but I do recall watching a 1950's flick called Catwomen from the Moon which was very campy and fun. Yes....having drinks at the beach and hearing this song...memories

      Delete
  7. In my mind I thought The Who was who I remembered doing this one and so figured they were basically 'the original' or at least the one I would be most familiar with, but when I listened both Eddie and The Who seemed like they were dragging around compared to the version my ears remembered. So anyway, I did the unthinkable; I read the other comments before I said a word. Oh, bad girl. When someone mentioned Blue Cheer, methinks, ah, that's the one I remember, but not so fast, or at least that was another one that seemed to be draggin' around. What gives? Anyway, after much longer than I planned at YouTube, I found Alan Jackson's version and he kinda pepped it up a bit and that's what I remember, but I bet you really didn't need to know all of that carp, now did you?

    After listening to all of these version I'm totally confused, but I think I like Eddie Cochran better than The Who. Yeah, give Eddie Cock-A-Doodle-Doo (he's kinda got that rooster comb think going on with his hair) my vote on this one.

    Those are some deep stuffs you been ponderin'. I mean from NASA to Punk rock and a few other things in between. YIKES! Must be the stuffy nose that's got to ya.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. FAE ~
      Hmmm.... Well, probably of all the covers, the one by The Who is most famous, which is why I chose it for this BOTB. They also did a studio version, but I (and I believe most other freaks, too) prefer the 'Live At Leeds' recording.

      Interestingly though, the Blue Cheer cover charted higher than The Who's (#14 to #27), but Cochran's original went highest (#8).

      You know you've got a good song when 3 different artists have taken it to the Top 40 and it's also covered by Country artists many decades later.

      I just now listened to the Alan Jackson version for the first time. It's good! I might've BOTBed that had I known of it.

      Alan Jackson against The Who might've been an interesting Battle. As it is now, it looks like Eddie's starting to put some serious space between himself and The Who already. Well, when Mike gets here, he'll give The Who some help.

      You know Country, girl. Were you the queen of the hop? Or the queen of the Fall squash pageant?

      >>... Eddie Cock-A-Doodle-Doo (he's kinda got that rooster comb think going on with his hair)

      Honey, that's called a "Rockabilly Pompadour". Don't make Brian Setzer have to come over here!

      >>... I mean from NASA to Punk rock and a few other things in between.

      I think about these things... SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO!

      Vote: COCK A. DOODLEDOO

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
  8. Al Bondigas here. Our many debates were about who is an athlete, not what is a sport. Direct competition was one of the criteria. Anyone can slap a puck into a net, but, try it while someone is hell bent on preventing it. Now, anyone who can drink a pint of So-Co and a twelve pack of beer and walk into a Jack in The Box, hang their ass out and yell "Bring back the clown", and do it without falling and passing out is an athlete. Eye hand coordination to open the door; The door itself being direct competition, and the reflexes necessary to.... Hmmm, I'll get back to you on that one. Haven't listened to the songs yet, but I'll do so and make a rulin' protly tonight.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. No! We were debating on what was a sport! You see that?! We can't even agree on what we're debating!

      Ha!-Ha! But no, but no, but no... You're absolutely right! The debates were about "Who is an athlete" NOT "What is a sport". I stand corrected.

      However, I'll add that I think there's a relationship here because to my mind only "athletes" compete in "sports". Those things that non-athletes compete in are games (golf, bowling, etc.) or just contests (long distance running, NASCAR, etc.), not sporting events.

      But, yes, the Q is: Who Is An Athlete?

      And, BY GOBS!, you've nearly convinced me that Pooh was an athlete.

      >>... "...and the reflexes necessary to.... Hmmm, I'll get back to you on that one.

      Find your tighty-whitey Baby Huey undies, get 'em down, get 'em back up again, and get gone before the police arrive?

      C'mon, y'all, give it up for the Pooh! An athlete if there ever was one. Gold Medalist at the 1982 Jack-In-The-Box Moon 'Em 'N' Run Games.

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
  9. Wow, I've already been bitching about the heat here in Austin but I'm damn glad I'm not in Phoenix! (luckily we had a nice cool-down rain yesterday and today it's in the 60s. Nice!).

    Re: your battle, I'm most familiar with The Who's version but I like Eddie Cochran's version much better. Please give my vote to Eddie!

    Hope that cold doesn't catch! Next time you go to the casino, take some of those sanitizing wipes with you to wipe down those gross pulls.
    Feel better Stephen... And take the day off tomorrow!

    Michele at Angels Bark

    ReplyDelete
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    1. MICHELE ~
      Yes, this morning while tossing and turning in bed I was thinking how I ought to take some sanitizing wipes to The Peppermill next time.

      Can you believe this? They have all this... stuffs... in the gift shop with "The Peppermill" printed on them. You know, all the usual: T-shirts, sweatshirts, cups, glasses, keychain fobs, etc.

      But I noticed that one thing they DON'T HAVE is a Pepper mill etched with the words "The Peppermill - Reno, Nevada". WTH?! How would that not sell? A salt shaker and pepper mill souvenir from "The Peppermill"?

      I'm in the wrong bidnizz.

      Phoenix is the hottest place, overall, in the entire country. I know, because I spent 20 of the last 21 years there. Las Vegas is a close second.

      They're both brutal during the 7 months of Summer. In Phoenix, it's very, very common that you could walk out of your house at 3AM into 97/98-degree heat. From June into late October, the A/C is running almost 24/7. Horrible! The only reason Hell is worse is because they don't let you wear sunglasses in Hell.

      Vote: EDDIE COCHRAN

      Alright, this is getting ugly quickly. I figured Eddie would win, but I DID think it would be a contest up until the end.

      Well, The Who have at least two more votes coming in: Sheboyganboy Six and Mike.

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
  10. Did I ever tell you about The Great Fire Walk? By Gobbs it should be an Olympic event!! Me and Pooh and a couple other guys went camping, I think it might have been Lake Piru. Anyway, at night, we had this bonfire going and of course there was alcohol involved when the Mighty Pooh stood up, started staggering, and his momentum took him stumbling through the fire and into our parked truck. He went thud and then kind of, in slow motion slid down the truck and onto his ass. Its called The great fire walk to this day.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. YES!!!
      I remember hearing that story several times! (I'm literally Guffawing-Out-Loud as I type these words!)

      I see it so clearly in my mind. I guess because it was a kind of "repeat performance" that he repeated so many times (without the fire) through the years.

      And don't tell me that while he was staggering through the middle of the fire he wasn't yelling, "Uggggghhhhhhh...!"

      We had the most athletic Court Jester of all times. Woo-Woo-Woo!

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
    2. POSTSCRIPT:
      And you know what we ALWAYS said:

      If there was ANYTHING to fall into - a fire, a pool, a pit, a gutter, a hole, a half-frozen pond - Pooh would find it!

      "Discovered by Pooh. Pooh found it."
      ~ 'Winnie-The-Pooh'
      Chapter 8; 'Expotition To The North Pole'


      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
  11. Stephen, we've gotten some pretty warm temperatures here in the south east mid-80s. At the moment we're under a cool spell. It got down in the upper 30 last night! That's not uncommon for our weather to do odd stuff like this, this late in spring. Oh well, I'm sorry you got the sniffles and sore throat. A rule of thumb is to keep your hands away from your face while in public until you can give your hands a good washing. That definitely minimizes germs. Now on to your song. I like The Who, but they can't do Summertime Blues like Eddie Cochran. I just love his quirky funkiness with cut that The Who fails to touch on. Give my vote to Cochran! Oh, if you have trouble with my blog again, just shoot me an email curiousasacathy@gmail.com. I hope you feel better soon, my friend!

    Urgent #BoTB showdown

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CATHY ~
      I've been in Reno for only 14 or 15 months, but this is the weirdest weather I've ever experienced.

      Every place in the country, there are people who say, "If you don't like the weather, just wait ten minutes". But in Reno, that's actually TRUE very often!! Never seen anything like it. There was one day about a year ago that, weather-wise, was positively SUPERNATURAL!!!

      OK, I'm on my way to your blog right now to see what happens with my commenting ability. Will E you if it don't work for poop.

      Vote: EDDIE COCHRAN

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
  12. Well, given my druthers I'd write-in Alan Jackson on this here contest. But, that ain't how this game is played. So, I'll cash my check for Eddie Cochran. What do I get for playing fair????

    ReplyDelete
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    1. >>... What do I get for playing fair????

      GOIL WONDER, I'm glad you asked me that!

      Well, what do you want?

      Someone to love
      And somebody you can trust?
      What do you want from life?
      To try and be happy
      While you do the nasty things you must?

      Well, you can't have that, but
      If you're an American citizen you are entitled to:

      A heated kidney-shaped pool
      A microwave oven - don't watch the food cook
      A Dyna-Gym--I'll personally demonstrate it in the privacy of your own home
      A kingsize Titanic unsinkable Molly Brown waterbed with polybendum
      A foolproof plan and an airtight alibi
      Real simulated Indian jewelry!
      A Gucci shoetree!
      A year's supply of antibiotics
      A personally autographed picture of Randy Mantooth
      And Bob Dylan's new unlisted phone number
      A beautifully restored 3rd Reich swizzle stick
      Rosemary's baby!
      A dream date in kneepads with Paul Williams
      A new Matador
      A new mastadon
      A Maverick
      A Mustang
      A Montego
      A Merc Montclair
      A Mark IV
      A meteor
      A Mercedes
      An MG
      Or a Malibu?
      A Mort Moriarty
      A Maserati
      A Mac truck
      A Mazda
      A new Monza
      Or a moped
      A Winnebago
      Hell, a herd of Winnebago's, we're giving 'em away.

      Or how about a McCulloch chainsaw?
      A Las Vegas wedding?
      A Mexican divorce?
      A solid gold Kama Sutra coffee pot.
      Or...
      A baby's arm holding an apple?

      Well? I'm waiting. What do you want from life?

      ~ D-FensDogG
      'Loyal American Underground'

      Delete
    2. Choices. Choices. I didn't know this blog was also Make A Wish Land. I think I'll take a pass. Some of these wishes look freakishly like nightmares. Who wants just a baby's arm???

      Delete
    3. NOT JUST a baby's arm! But a baby's arm HOLDING AN APPLE!

      We don't spare any expenses here on THIS game show! We give ya the full treatment.

      You DID remember where I got that list from, I hope.(?)

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
  13. Hiya Mac-a-rooney!

    This is one of those times I listened to both and knew which one I wanted. However, and hmm, I (confess) to having read all of the comments and laughing my tail off... I er, simply forgot which version I chose. Arrggh, back to square one.

    Btw, I was never into 'Puke Rock,' as I refer to it. The Ramones were simply a good lesson on how NOT to wear your hair!!

    Did you know... you catch a cold via the ear canal? Yep.. we touch an object or someone sneezes... Wash you hands next time, after you play and don't put your fingers in your ears!! You might use a small amount of peroxide to clean out your ears. (I know... it's a bit late).

    Ok - battle vote? I remember the Eddie Cochran pretty well but I didn't like when it came out.

    That said... once upon a time in Charlotte, The Who played a street concert during the Nascar Race Week. It was one super concert and I really liked their version. Thus, in summation... I vote for THE WHO.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. PIGTAIL POLKA ~
      It's been said (more than once) that the comment sections are the best parts of my posts. I don't doubt it. Me, working alone, I be limited. But when I get to interact with others, that's when the fun begins.

      Ha! I'm glad you found this insanity amusing. That Brother of mine, I ought to ban him from my blog. When he's not contradicting me, he's stealing my thunder, and when he's not stealing my thunder, he's just saying derogatory things about Pooh. Poor Pooh. Po', po' Pooh.

      [The truth? Pooh was the funnest toy for any girl or boy! Remember Weebles? (sp?) "Weebles wobble but they don't fall down!" Well, Pooh was better'n a Weeble because he not only wobbled but also fell down... often. More fun than a barrel of Monkees.]

      Yep, I did know that the cold virus enters via the ear canal. And that's the reason why I NEVER put my finger in my ear and go "Ting-A-Ling-A-Lou"!"

      http://www.letssingit.com/benny-hill-lyrics-ting-a-ling-a-loo-477v2pl#axzz48vgUxeQU

      You must be a gun owner, eh? I know that because Guns are the gateway drug that lead to NASCAR-viewing.

      Vote: THE WHO

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
    2. >>..."You must be a gun owner, eh? I know that because Guns are the gateway drug that lead to NASCAR-viewing."

      Ha, ha, ha... No to guns, and I never watch NASCAR or other racing. I simply jumped at the opportunity to see The Who in live concert.

      Delete
  14. Al Bondigas here. Easy win for Eddie Cochran. The Who's version was ok, but not even close to Cochran's. Eddie Cochran was my kinda guy. He basically epitomizes my favorite time period. If I was around back then, Eddie Cochran, me, and Milner would have been hanging out together. That's it. That's my rulin'.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I saw this vote coming before I even saw that "wicked Chevy" coming.

      >>... If I was around back then, Eddie Cochran, me, and Milner would have been hanging out together.

      I have NO doubt!
      BUT!... who would be the Alpha Male in your group? Hmmm....? Answer me THAT!

      And don't say, "Carol".
      Oh, no, not ol' Carol.

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
  15. Meanwhile I'm just pondering the age old question: "When will Sierra Nevada Summerfest return?"

    That's a great fun fact about Alice Cooper, by the way. I don't think either of us have ever been that hardcore, unless you count camping, but in that scenario A) the beer's always in the cooler right beside you and B) drinking first thing in the morning is not just acceptable but expected.

    Look at us - actually here to vote on opening day. And while it was easy for me to vote Cochran, it was just as easy for the other B to vote for The Who. Guess we'll just have to stick to agreeing over beer this week.

    ~6B

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 6-B ~
      Sheesh! No SN 'Summerfest' yet? I've lost respect for CO. as a Craft Beer center. 'Summerfest' is all over the place here, even in the Mexican grocery store next to me (which only has a "C" grade Craft Beer section).

      Well, the good news is that you'll have some great stuffs to quaff the day after tomorrow. (Don't you just love that word "quaff"?) But I wish I'd known. I could've jammed a couple 'Summerfests' into that box before I sent it.

      Drink first thing in the morning at your campsite or lose your "Man Card". That's just the way it is, the way it's always been, and the way it should be.

      I guessed right x 2. (Although I thought your vote might not be an easy one for ya.)

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
    2. Colorado is so serious about its craft beer that it's become literal with its brews. Remember last year's SN Oktoberfest? (Of course you do, who could forget that?) Well, as you might recall, it wasn't stocked in stores in Colorado until immediately after September 17th. So I expect that SN Summerfest will be here... in summer. Starting on June 21st, no sooner, no later. So... I'll get there soon enough. Just not... well, soon enough.

      I look forward to quaffing the goods with other B, and yes, quaff is one of our favorite drinking-related words. Second only to "Another."

      And I guess after last time's incredibly difficult BOTB decision, making this one was a walk in the park. It wasn't easy in the way of saying that I didn't like the other, just easy in knowing which one I preferred without having to consult the bottom of a few more beer bottles for help.

      ~6B

      Delete
    3. Yeah, that's gettin' a wittle too witewal fow my twaste! Bwing back the clown, and bwing back da Summewfest!

      Believe it or not, at this moment, I can't even remember what my last BOTB was. Gee, I hope it was a nice one. I meant to show up for it, really I did. (You know you've put together a lot of Battles when you can't even recall yer last one.)

      Oh, yeah, the BOBBY VINTON / CLIFF RICHARD Tie. (I cheated and looked.)

      Well, this one's definitely not ending in a tie.

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
    4. Not having any Summewfest isn't even the wowst pawt, beew bwothew. My wife was in the Cawwibean and she weft me for a Wastafawian!

      Delete
    5. Oh, thowse wascally Wastafawians!

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
  16. Steph-0-rama:

    You might not realize this, but Cathy Kennedy and I live really close to each other - so everything she said about the weather: ditto. Surprisingly chilly at the moment and we're debating whether or not we should turn on the heat or put on more clothes. No, we're not naked.

    Meanwhile, back in my Ohio stomping grounds, they had snow and a bit of hail today - no joke!

    Now, fer de musik: I like both of these versions and I've listened to them more than once. Pete Townsend's guitar is tops on this tune, but that doesn't mean the Who gets my vote this time. Eddie Cochran just has a tighter sound; more balanced. And, last but not least, he's EDDIE COCHRAN.

    Now tell me, whatcha doing trollin' fer germs in the wilds of Reno? You don't want those cooties. All the hip young men carry personal hand sanitizer in a dayglo belt clip, especially in the casinos. If you've lost yours, let me know and I'll send you another one.

    Meanwhile: Fluids, Tylenol every 4-6 hrs., cough suppressant if necessary, get some rest and let your carcass heal. We're not spring chickens, ya know.

    Rah Rah Class of 77,
    Cherdo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DOC CHERDO ~
      The Class of '77 "Rah-ks"!

      There are several of youz in Tennessee! I forget who the others are but I think there are at least 2 more BOTBers out TN-way.

      I'm already cured of my cold. Donna hollered at it and it fled like fleas on a submerged dog.

      Yeah, Eddie was cool, huh? I used to have a neat little black and white Eddie Cochran pin that I wore on a leather jacket. How cool is that?

      >>... All the hip young men carry personal hand sanitizer in a dayglo belt clip, especially in the casinos. If you've lost yours...

      That made me laugh! Somehow... that doesn't seem to be my style. Besides, when it comes to fanny packs and dayglow ANYTHING, Eddie Cochran sez: "Just say NO!"

      Vote: COOL COCHRAN

      ~ Stephen

      Delete
  17. I'm a big Who fan, but I have to go with Eddie on this one. Now let me go fill that ice chest...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww, MIKE, you trickster you! I probably have a 95% success rate in guessing how you will vote. And not just on my Battles but on all Battles. And I'd have bet $100.00 that you were gonna vote for The Who here.

      Is it because I wrote so confidently that's how you'd vote? Are you just hitting me with a big ol' stick?

      Now I'm the one in need of Alice Cooper's ice chest.

      Vote: EDDIE DALTREY & PETER COCHRAN

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
  18. Yeah... um. OK. Eddie's is good for sure.

    But I cannot help but think... no, I KNOW that you put this one together to stick it in my eye! You know your listeners and count your votes ahead of time. Put this same contest up to MY friends, and The Who would win going away.

    Once science finally is able to dissect all the elements of music into its atomic components, to extract the DNA of a song and create and re-create the joy and rage of The Who, it will be empirically proven that The Who's version is superior. Until then, apparently only a few of us enlightened individuals know it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SBB-6 ~
      Sir, whenever I have a hankerin' to poke a person in the eye, I scratch that itch immediately. I mean, why wait, right? Why delay that feeling of satisfaction?

      The truth is, I've had this exact match-up on my 'TO BOTB' list since the beginning - since the Summer of 2013. You see how long it took me to get to it. If I wanted to poke you in the eye with Eddie Cochran, I'd-a done it years ago.

      Also, I thought you'd enjoy seeing your band in BOTB, win, lose, or draw. (For this round it was between 'Summertime Blues' and a certain song from the album 'The Wildest Show At Tahoe'. I went with this because I was afraid someone else might snag it if I waited any longer.)

      And, no, I really DON'T count my votes ahead of time. There are a few regulars whom I try to guess how they'll vote in advance, but that's the extent of it.

      It would be pointless to try to count votes beforehand anyway because, as every BOTBer knows, BOTB is full of surprises and unexpected outcomes.

      I usually have a basic assumption about how a contest will end, but I'm wrong a significant amount of the time.

      In this one, I thought maybe Eddie would win with a 3-vote margin. I expected a close Battle, and it still could be fairly close. (I'm sure Pooh will vote WHO when he gets here.)

      I think I cost The Who a vote though by saying Mike would vote for them. I think he poked ME in the eye for that! (Ha!)

      >>... Once science finally is able to dissect all the elements of music into its atomic components...

      You better hope that never happens. If it does, you'll have to finally admit what I told you from the beginning. That 'Green Day' is a bunch of poseur pseudo-music losers, and you'll have to toss their albums where they belong.
      C'mon, scientists, get buzy!
      [:o)}

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
    2. >>You better hope that never happens. If it does, you'll have to finally admit what I told you from the beginning. That 'Green Day' is a bunch of poseur pseudo-music losers, and you'll have to toss their albums where they belong.
      C'mon, scientists, get buzy!
      [:o)}

      You know, you are right about that!! But, God help me, I like them anyway!

      And my previous comments would have been more accurately stated: "You can take a pretty good guess at how your readers will vote on this one, so an ancillary benefit will be that The Who will lose... thus sticking it in SBB6's eye! Heh, heh!"

      Does that sound mo' better?

      Delete
    3. 6 ~
      Yeah, that's mo' better.

      However, I'll add that with BOTB, an anticipated 3-vote win is really almost like a 50/50 proposition. Any Battle I think will end THAT closely could very easily be won by the "other" contestant. That's how hard some of these are to predict.

      And several of these folks who voted for EDDIE, I fully expected they would be WHO voters instead.

      Mike
      FAE
      Michele
      Donna
      Cherdo
      I thought all of those were likely WHO votes.

      And Dixie, who voted for THE WHO, I would have guessed to be an EDDIE voter.

      So, that goes to illustrate how impossible it is to predict BOTB outcomes much of the time.

      Green Day...
      Well, I guess I have to overlook that. I mean, we all have our Tiny Tims, right?

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
  19. Well, The Who's version certainly embodies that "incomprehensible" sound (shudders). I may be biased though; I love Cochran, and the only other competitor is Alan Jackson. Hard to say who would have won in that battle.

    When you talked about Punk Rock I was expecting The Sex Pistols to make an appearance. Not sure if I'm disappointed or not. And I think some thought of KISS as a punk bank because of their outrageousness - but I liked them, so, guess not, lol.

    Poor boy, feeling all sicky. And I thought I'd cured you, hmmm? What a blo to my ego. Guess I'm not as charming as I was in the 80's. Good thing there was no "tongue" for for this battle, we might all be losing our wallet.

    I was in AZ with the onset of that heat wave - and then it started raining as I left, and I took that rain to my supposedly fun-filled weekend in Vegas. Not so cool to be broke and hanging out in a casino. But hey, I managed to have some good times. I escaped with everything (except cash) I went to Vegas with (bless my virgin - everything). And who needs cash in Vegas anyway to get blitzed.

    Feel better Baby . . .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. WILD THING ~
      I'm already better. All you had to do was demand it. Thanks for exorcising that mean ol' germ.

      Yeah, I think Jackson against Cochran may have made an even better Battle. But I used The Who just to try pleasing my friend Sheboyganboy (and you see how I'm rewarded for it!)

      For a few years in my time of trouble (teenage phase), I actually did like some Punk Rock. But I grew up and out of it.

      The first Punk band I got into was indeed The Sex Pistols, but of course, though they were perhaps the most famous, they were definitely not the first. (To this day I still really do like their song 'SUBMISSION' - that's the only one that stood the test of time for me.)

      And KISS... Ha! Was never really a fan, and I would say that they were the exact antithesis of Punk Rock. Rather than being all stripped down, they were all dressed up.

      Under any circumstances, the wholesome atmosphere of Las Vegas makes for a good vacation.

      I'll get to your Battle before the time runs out. Promise. (But no audio at work, consarn it!)

      Vote: EDDIE C.

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
  20. Hey There BossMan!

    Didn't anyone tell you that you aren't supposed to lick the machines for luck? I sure hope you are feeling better soon.

    I do believe in college, beer drinkin' can be considered a sport.
    About your statement "running isn't a sport unless hurdles are involved" - does it count if you are running from the po po and jumping fences? Would those fences be considered hurdles, and this now be a sport?

    Summertime. It's a lovely rainy day here in Portland - must be getting close to parade season. It's just not a real parade here without the rain.

    Punks - My good friend, Mr Eastwood once said "Get off my lawn, punk!" I wonder if the Ramones paid him a visit?

    Alright, time for me to make my decision about this battle here.

    While I have heard several versions of this song - I felt that Eddie Cochran gave it a good go, but in the end... my heart belongs to The Who. So, please give my vote to Roger Daltrey & his buddies.

    Mary
    Jingle Jangle Jungle

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MARY ~
      Thanks! I'm happy to report that the sore throat and stuffy nose did not last long. (They were already gone before I finished my first bottle of wine.) I think it was due more to lack of sleep than anything else.

      Regardless, I am definitely going to stop licking slot machines for luck. I mean, why take chances, right?

      Running from the po po and hurdling fences in the process is most definitely a sport which requires athleticism. I think this should be an Olympic event! It could even include two categories: with and without K9s.

      And I always thought "raining on my parade" was mostly just an expression.

      Thanks for your vote, M'dear.

      Vote: THE WHO

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
  21. Live At Leeds was one of the albums I inherited from my oldest brother when he moved out...OK, I may have swiped it...and was my introduction to the song. While I have come to appreciate the original, I actually heard that third (a Springsteen cover was #2).

    So in a rare case of me voting against the original, I'm voting for The Who.

    And it's only 92 in AZ today (Monday)...a cold spell...

    LC

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LC ~
      Yeah, I kinda had you figured as a Who voter.

      Springsteen should stick to his own Commie songs, comrade.

      92 in Phoenix? Brrrr..... Bundle up!

      Vote: THE WHO

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
  22. Summer, we haven't even seen spring yet, it got down in the 30's last night. So tired of being cold. And yet it was the hottest April on record. Damn, the world is upside down. I vote for the original here! Good battle though!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, YOLANDA! ~
      This weather here in Reno is really odd too, but I don't miss the 7 months of three-digit heat in Phoenix almost 24/7.

      Thanks for stopping by with a vote!

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
  23. it sure feels like Summer. It's 54° here in Milwaukee. NOT!!!
    As for my song selection; I do love the Who, but for this song I prefer the rendition of Eddie Cochran

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ooohh... 54. I like that! 54 is good.

      I would have guessed you to be a WHO voter here, also. I'm all turned around in this elttaB.

      Thanks for the vote, JEFFY. Hope to see ya back in the player's circle again on June 1.

      Vote: EDDIE

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
  24. Who's on first, but I vote for Eddie because he owns this song.

    Love,
    Janie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! I hate to admit this (especially publicly) but... it took me a good ten seconds to understand the meaning of your "first" three words. Uhp! I'm an idiot! (And I love that skit, BTW.)

      Vote: EDDIE

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
  25. Oh, man... This was tough. Eddie does a great, great job—and his is the iconic version that everyone else has been trying to emulate for half a century, after all. So it feels wrong to be voting against him. So, so wrong. But... it's The Who. And there's something about Daltrey's vocals (and, of course, Townshend's guitar) that... No, I can't vote against them. I can't. Sorry, Eddie. I'm going with The Who.
    Guilie @ Quiet Laughter

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, thanks, GUILIE. And don't feel bad, because The Who need all the help they can get right now.

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
  26. Pooh Lynth
    on 5/17/16


    Stephen, Another tough choice here my friend. And Stephen, that's not all, you see you've got your acousticy version with what I would call a much stronger voice by someone who did indeed die before he got old versus the Who who must have had 10 last tours by now.

    I do like the Who's version and the electric guitar is good and energetic but for some reason any way any how I'm a voting for Eddie Cocharan. Probably because you can see the Who every other year. I'm not fallin' for this farewell tour like I did in the 80's at the Colliseum. Actually was a pretty good show with the Clash completely selling out and joining hte stadium tour. Pitty about Joe Strummer, actually liked some of his later stuff. But that's another battle I'm sure.

    Love the SOML League series by the way. Now there I'm pretty sure you had me pegged for the Who.
    JW, Pooooooooooooooooooooooh!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ...And, POOH, that's not all...
      Yer dern tootin' I had you pegged as a vote for The Who. And I was countin' on it, too.

      You let Paul, John, George, and Ringo down, boy! Let 'em down when they needed you most.

      Ha! I liked your observation that Eddie was REALLY the one who died before he got old. The Who, they may not be poseurs but they're protly jealous that Eddie's immortalized with the first Punk(ish) song and a youthful face to go with it, while they're just a bunch of old geezers on their farewell tour for the 500th time (or something like that).

      Dude, I grind my own coffee at the WinCo grocery store. So, this last time I went with the Rocket Java. But apparently someone left some sort of fruity raspberry coffee beans in the grinder and they got ground up with mine, damn-it!

      I only like coffee-flavored coffee and beer-flavored beer. This is terrible, but I'm too poor to buy more.

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
    2. Raspberry coffee, YUCK, I'm with ya, coffee flavored coffee all the way. Go to Bed Bath & Beyond and buy your self a Braun grinder cuze those hipsters sipping raspberrry beret coffee in honor or Prince ain't goin' nowheres. And that's not all, you'll have freshly ground beans to make the coffee like you like your women......BITTER!
      Poohregard

      Delete
    3. ....AND POOH, THAT'S NOT ALL...

      Ha! Well, you know bitter gravitates to bitter.

      Yeah, ya know, if I wanted to drink Raspberry Coffee, I'd just listen to Strawberry Tea:

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxYVVB_B8vA

      Actually, I have no problem grinding my coffee beans right there in the WinCo grocery store. But, lesson learned: From now on I will play it safe and before pouring my coffee beans into the grinder, I'll stick my fingers into it to make sure it's empty. Maybe run it for a couple seconds...

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
  27. 72 degrees and sunny here but the weatherman says chance of scattered MassHoles with an occasional Baltimoron. Maybe Mr Mojo Risen was right…the west is the best.

    I always assumed Jerry Lee Lewis was the original punker rocker. I remember seeing him on a local morning show banging out some song. When he was done and just before they went to a commercial I heard the anchorwoman exclaim, “Oh my God! Is that blood on the piano!?!” Didn’t Jerry also try to throw a bottle at Elvis Presley’s house from his car but forgot the car window was still rolled up? And he broke both. LMAO… or is it LSHIADMW (Laughed So Hard I Almost Dropped My Wallet).

    I listened to the Who’s version of ‘Summertime Blues’ once and Eddie Cochran’s version one and a half times so that each had equal “ear time”. Right ear likes the Who, left ear liked the Cochran version. It’s a little too early to vote Trump, and might be too late for this BOTB but if not I’ll go with the "Elvis" Cochran version.

    Sig Viscous Sig Viscous

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. :o)
      Ha! Only you would have "an ear for each artist". (Too bad you don't have a third, as Van Gogh might have paid you handsomely for it. A little time travel, a deal struck, and you'd be set for life. You could even give Vincent the idea that you were practically GIVING him the ear: "Look, Vince, ol' pal, I know you're short on cash and what little you have is necessary for absinthe. I'll tell you what, I'll give you this ear and in exchange, I'll just take a couple of these paintings you made, which no one is interested in buying anyway. Deal?")

      I used to think Mr Mojo Risin' was right, but now I'm thinkin' it stinks ever'where.

      Jerry Lee Lewis is an interesting thought. I believe if we isolate it to attitude or demeanor he'd be a contender. I mean, as you illustrated, that man ATTACKED a piano more than he played it.

      But musically, wrong instrument. I think Punk must be electric guitar-driven. Played loud and fast. Has there ever even been a piano player in any universally acknowledged Punk band? I can't think of one.

      And lyrically, I don't think it's Jerry Lee. Eddie's a better match in that department. Hmmm.... I believe Eddie and his 'Summertime Blues' is gonna be tough to beat. This one may stick... for a few years.

      I never heard that story about Lewis, Presley's house, and the thrown bottle. Ha! That's funny. That seems like something Pooh would do. Only if Pooh did it, he'd wind up going to the hospital with slivers of glass in his eyes. No dumb deed went unpunished... severely.

      Thanks for the vote Punk Too!

      ~ D-FensDogG
      'Loyal American Underground'

      Delete
  28. STMcC’s Vote On '2016, May. 15th:
    Battle Of The Bands' (Or, 'Eddie Cochran Vs. The Who')
    And The Final Tally


    My sincere thanks to everyone who voted here on my 67th BOTB installment. For whatever reason (beats me), I think this matched my personal record for best BOTB voter turnout. 27 visitors put in their two cents worth.

    I wish the Battle had been better, especially considering the amount of participation.

    This was another example of how difficult it can sometimes be attempting to predict BOTB outcomes. I think that I've probably got as good a handle on that as is possible because of my experience, but even I get thrown for a big loop occasionally. As I mentioned to SBB-6 in one of the comments above, when I put this Battle together (which is one I've been intending to do since the very beginning of BOTB) my general sense was that it would be a tight race all the way to the end with EDDIE COCHRAN winning by perhaps 3 votes. And any contest THAT CLOSE can realistically be won by either participant.

    But as it went along, I saw that Eddie was going to win this convincingly. For one thing, a couple of dudes I was sure would vote for THE WHO, didn't. (Probably only because I openly stated that they WOULD. I won't make THAT mistake again.) And as the Battle got increasingly lopsided, I kind of lost interest in it.

    But what I DIDN'T lose interest in was the comment section. These comment exchanges were A REAL HOOT (all the way to the end, with Sig Vicious bringing the icing to the cake). Y'all were IN TOP FORM in this comment section, and I thank you for that. It saved what was otherwise an ill-conceived, rather humdrum competition.

    I had high hopes for this installment, but surprisingly (to me, anyway) it was decidedly NOT one of my finer moments as a BOTBer. The yak was fun though.

    I also voted for EDDIE COCHRAN. He has always been my very favorite 1950s rocker, and I used to have a small black & white Eddie Cochran pin on my black leather jacket. (I don't know what ever happened to that pin. I must have given it to a friend. It was later replaced on my jacket by a wolf pin, and that was eventually replaced by the black & white pin that my dear friend Marty made for me: a promo picture from 'East Of Eden' of James Dean kissing Julie Harris.)

    Although Cochran was obviously influenced by Elvis, and Elvis is undeniably "the king of Rock 'N' Roll" - no one is even close to dethroning him - I always preferred Eddie Cochran. Eddie had a sense of humor that came through in so much of his music, never taking himself as seriously as Elvis did. And although 'SUMMERTIME BLUES' was Eddie's most famous and influential song, it's not even close to being my favorite by him. Off the top of my rattling head I could rattle off at least 6 that I like even better (one or two that might well be used in my future BOTBs).

    I really love Chuck Berry, too (met him and got his autograph once) and also Rickie Nelson who had such a good, smooth voice. But EDDIE COCHRAN has always been my '50s rocker of choice.

    Well, here's the sad final result of the voting:

    Eddie Cochran = 19 votes
    The Who = 8 votes


    Thanks again, all y'all who took time to listen and vote. I hope to see you here again for my June 1st 'Battle Of The Bands' installment. As Ed Wood once said after making one of his many atrocious movies: "My next one will be better". (Of course, in Ed Wood's case, it wasn't.)

    ~ D-FensDogG
    'Loyal American Underground'

    ReplyDelete
  29. Actually I'm a little confused. You like Eddie, etc., we get that... but you're not happy he smashed The Who?? Like you wanted a final count of say, um, 14 to 13?

    I think this is really good. You pitted a 1950's song and artist against a 70's group - say who, er what?

    I knew I was voting for the losing team when I left here. But it had little to do with Eddie. I'm not into that style of song. Yep, hard to believe... but considering I was a Motown Kid. I probably would have liked Chuck Berry better.

    That's almost all I gotz to say. Wait! You got 71 comments??? Do you really have any complaints? I'll return for your answer... count on it!

    DP envy (Mr. 71 comments)Ha!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DIXIE POLKA ~
      Yes, I like Eddie much more than I like The Who. (In fact, the only Who songs I like can all be found on the 'WHO'S NEXT' album.) So I'm glad Eddie won, but...

      For me, BOTB isn't really about my likes and dislikes; I'm not personally / emotionally wrapped up in it like perhaps some people are. I don't mind in the least if people say that they didn't like the song I chose, and I don't mind in the least if my preferred recording loses the Battle. I'm confident enough in my own tastes and in my own reasons for liking what I do that I am never bothered by strong opposing viewpoints or bothered by who wins a Battle.

      My only real interest is in putting together a close contest using a song I like and two recordings of it that I can appreciate. That's all.

      [The only time I was ever seriously irked by a BOTB outcome, it wasn't even MY own Battle, but FAE's. However, I'll add that I thought that outcome at Evil Pop Tart's this time was also pretty ridiculous.]

      >>... You like Eddie, etc., we get that... but you're not happy he smashed The Who?? Like you wanted a final count of say, um, 14 to 13?

      Believe it or not, I would have rather seen EDDIE LOSE TO THE WHO 14 to 13, than have seen Eddie beat them 19 to 8. A blowout's no fun, but a tight race to the finish line is exciting, even if the horse I'm rooting for loses in a photo finish.

      Thanks for your kind comment though. And I agree that on paper this really LOOKED like an A-list Battle. '50s rocker against famous '70s rockers on a classic song of youthful rebellion, and both recordings were very well known. This had all the indications of being a close contest. But, as you know, with BOTB, even when you have all the elements in place for a memorable competition, things don't always go like you think they will and should.

      This outcome came as a major surprise to me (since there are so many fans of electric guitars and Hard Rock who vote in BOTB) but it's good that I have unexpected blowouts every so often. It keeps me from believing I've completely mastered the art of BOTB and then becoming bored with it.

      ~ D-FensDogG
      'Loyal American Underground'

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  30. Congratulations on getting such a great turnout! That's a lot of comments. Personally, I'm disappointed The Who, one of my favourite bands, got beaten so badly, but them's the breaks. On the other hand, my contest was a real nailbiter!

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    1. DEBBIE D. DOGLADY ~
      Thanks for stopping by. Yeah, the voter turnout and comment exchanges were good. Sorta-kinda helps ease the discomfort of a major blowout.

      ~ Stephen

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