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A great Jazz guitarist, a great Jazz drummer, and a great Blues harmonica player walk into a bar.
The bartender asks, "What'll ya have?"
All three great musicians simultaneously yell, "One mint julep!"
The bartender says, "Alright, fellas, make yourselves comfortable" and then commences to make three mint juleps.
"What's the punch line?", asks the confused reader.
And D-FensDogG responds, "There ain't no punch line, because this Battle Of The Bands contest ain't no joke!"
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| Ever been in a bar that looked this old & this cool? Built in 1861, "fellow babies!" I go there regularly to get Dr. Johnny Fever's prescriptions filled. (I gotta goot doctor!) |
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Welcome to my third and final installment of the 'One Mint Julep' series. This is going to be a rare 3-Way Battle because... 1) all three versions of the song are excellent, 2) radically different from each other, and 3) felly short-uh.
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I am of the opinion that 'One Mint Julep' likely has more really terrific versions of it recorded than any other oft-covered song. My BOTB series has used 7 renditions (all Jazz, Blues and R&B -- none by "overrated Commie Rockers!", as Les Nessman would call them), and there are still more goot juans out there. The original recording was by The Clovers & released in 1952. Other covers that you may bigly dig are by artists such as...
King Curtis
Count Basie
The Ventures (Rockers: Pish & Pshaw!)
Kenny Burrell
Poncho Sanchez
Freddie Hubbard
Louis Prima & Keely Smith
Check 'em out sometime & see what ya think.
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Alright, let's get on it.
Let's get ON this thing!
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Barney Kessel Trio
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Earl Palmer
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Yes, actually, 'One Mint Julep' does have lyrics. And this final entry in my 7-song series is the only one I've utilized which includes someone singin' the woids:
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I intend to return here on June 8th with mine own "bote" and the Final Tally. Until then, "move yer bloomin' arse" over to the other BOTBers' blogs, drop your two cents in their cups & support the cause. (List of BOTBers over there ~~>> somewhere.)
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~ Stephen T. McME
Definitely it's Barney Kessel for me. I like his rambling with the tune.
ReplyDeleteEarl Palmer's version sounded like a march to my Sunday morning ears and right now I'm in no mood for marching.
Musselwhite's version was kind of funny, but harmonica is a funny sounding instrument to me. I have mixed feelings about it. This one sounds pretty good, but still doesn't grab me like Kessel's style.
Lee
R. LEE BOID ~
DeleteYour remark about how you feel regarding the sound of the harmonica made me think of how I feel about the sound of bagpipes. And as a result, last night, I came up with a new saying: "It was like bagpipes on a chalkboard!"
Thanks for the inspiration, Bruhthuh Boid!
~ D-FensDogG
You made me laugh.
DeleteHa! Aw, shucks... All in a night's work, my friend. ;^D
Delete~ D'DogG
I enjoyed Barney and friends - and they really seemed to be having a good time. I couldn't help but be drawn to Earl - you know, drummers in the family and all - But then came Charlie, with the whole package! Charlie gets my vote ;-)
ReplyDeletedIEDRE ~
DeleteI'm pleased as spiked punch to know you dug the tunes. I'm with you, in that I think all 3 of these recordings are A-1 & E-Ticket!
~ D-FensDogG
What great choices, but I'm going with Palmer because it just sound cool! Very 60s vibe with go-go dancers and I dig the drums. I l9ved the 3rd one as well but love those 60s style.
ReplyDeleteHey, thanks, BIRGIT!
DeleteI appreciate the two bottles of rum that you brought for the community punch bowl. (Why rum? Because... you voted for the drumming of Earl Palmer, and I thought to myself: What booze, hooch, evidence seems to have the strongest connection to drumming? What's left of my mind replied: "Rum". So... there it is.)
~ D-FensDogG
Every version of this song has been good, and who knows who I'll vote down the line when the playoffs begin. For now, I LOVE the Earl Palmer drumming and am pleased as non-spiked punch (or a New Orleans Square Mint Julep) that you have featured a version based on drumming! Earl-baby gets the vote!
ReplyDeleteSIxgun McItchyfinger
>>... "pleased as non-spiked punch"
DeleteGuffaw-Out-Loud!
Why you plagiaristic punk! I outta sue you for defamation of character, or something along those lines.
[I can hear the judge already: "Defamation of Character?!! Do you remember, or have you ever even read, some of the things you've publically confessed about yourself? If you're going to sue anyone for defamation of your character, you should sue yourself!]
SIR SIX-A-LOT, I sincerely thank you for taking time while "on the road again" to participate in my BOTB shenanigans. Your continued loyalty is continually appreciated.
In my last 'One Mint Julep' Battle, you said, "Sam Butera's version is my favorite so far by far." Now it sounds like... Hmmm.... you ain't so sure anymore. I likes that! I likes that A LOT! ;^D
~ D-FensDogG
If stealing material is good enough for tenured Harvard professors and former "Presidents," it is good enough for me! Besides, I used it before you did in this blog post even though I guess I've heard it before somewhere. You only started writing it with the comment replies... AFTER reading MY using it, so who copied whom? I suppose I could have just gone with the Dizzyland Julep illustration and left it at that, but at least I got a guffaw out loud outta ya!
DeleteAnd yes, Earl's version may indeed challenge Sammy Butera in my earbuds for the win. Not sure yet, though. It will take listening back to back a couple of times to sort that out.
Six
SIR SIX ~
DeleteTo paraphrase and twist the words of Dutch Engstrom:
It ain't stealing material that counts! It's who you steal it from that counts!
You raised a good point that has always been a sore spot for me. Why, how come is it that one couldn't buy a mint julep in New Orleans Square?! That's horse pucky! How much mo' better Pirates Of The Caribbean & The Haunted Mansion would have been if mint juleps and Cruzan Black Strap Rum had been available in New Orleans Square. Man, talk about a missed opportunity! That Walt dude had no imagination whatsoever. Dumb Disney!!
~ D-FensDogG
I enjoyed all three versions. The vocal arrangement is my least favorite. I can go either way on the instrumental pieces. Each evoke a different mood in me. The first one is very laid back and relaxing and the second one sets my body in motion which I think moves me to vote for Earl Palmer in this round. The sound of brass and drums sure has that 60s vibe that I love! I noticed on YT, don't know how accurate it is, but it says Palmer's version is dated 1961. Ain't that special, that's the year I was born! Cool battle, my friend. If you haven't already, swing by my place when you get a chance to cast your vote in my BOTB. Have a bandtastic week, Stephen!
ReplyDeleteCAThy ~
DeleteYou were born in 1961?!
Dang. I was already mixing vodka into my RC colas by then. Later on, when I got into elementary school, I realized that the cola was adversely affecting my dodge ball skills, so I quit cold turkey and stuck just with chilled vodka.
I should have known that you were going to go with that funky jive drumming of Earl that makes the toes tap and the body bop. Thanks for visiting and voting, my friend!
~ D-FensDogG
I had a few sips of vodka in my early teen years. No mixers, nothing and Yuck, that stuff was awful! It burned going all the way to my stomach. I'm really glad I never took up with drinking. That's just another habit I'd find myself having to break, like cigarette smoking. Yep, I smoked for a few years as a youngster. Oh the stupid thing we do just to fit in. I'm happy that didn't last long and I hope no long term effects were done from my stupidity.
DeleteCAThy, other than in a Bloody Mary, I have never been a fan of vodka (nor scotch). And I've rarely consumed any booze straight. Only whiskey, when I've had "a shot and a beer", but a sip of beer helps the whiskey go down.
DeleteI doubt that your few years of smoking did any real long-term damage. God made our bodies amazingly resilient.
~ D-FensDogG
Without a doubt, Barney Kessel. Of the guitarists that came out of the '50's (Barney, Kenny Burrell, Jim Hall, Herb Ellis etc. etc,.) he's my favorite. He's a charter member of The Wrecking Crew, and, as evidenced here, can combine chord-melody and single-note lines, and he plays with a sort of reckless abandon.
ReplyDeleteSIR JOHN ~
DeleteFun Fact: Initially, this Battle was going to be Kenny Burrell's cool version of 'OMJ' against Charlie Musselwhite's rendition. I *knew* you would like both of them because... Jazz & Blues.
But then I discovered Barney's version, which was just more emphatic. So Kenny got bumped for Barney, and then I stumbled across Earl's recording (Earl, another Wrecking Crew member) and realized that this Battle HAD to be a 3-Way, or else the BOTB sprites, faeries and leprechauns were going to put a curse on me.
~ D-FensDogG
Well, I listened to each one two times, even though I thought I had my favorite after the first listening…I just wanted to make sure! Last week, I had listened to the Louis Prima & Keely Smith version. That one is really good!! Louis really sells the lyrics!! For this week’s three contenders, however, my vote goes to Earl Palmer. I love the 60’s vibe, and his drumming just added to the song in a great way, without being overpowering. Two thumbs up!! I really think One Mint Julep is a great tune, and it was great hearing all the different versions. You picked some great ones!!
ReplyDeleteCOUNTESS ~
DeleteThanks! I'm as pleased as spiked Yoo-Hoo ("Chocolate-flavored Action Drink", "Shake... It's Great!") that you enjoyed the contests.
Oh, yeah, 'One Mint Julep' is a terrific song, made even better by the fact that I can't read or hear the words "mint julep" without being instantly transported back to The Crystal Bar in Virginia City, that hilver sillside! Thank you so much for playing along in my 'OMJ' series; it wouldn't have been E-Ticket without your participation.
~ Ye Olde Bilge DogG
Having a hard time deciding between Earl and Charlie. Barney was good too, but didn't grab me. After listening a couple more times, I choose Earl. He had my toe tapping the most! ☺
ReplyDeleteDEBBIE D'DOGLADY ~
DeleteMany thanks for bringing a couple bottles of Crown Royal whiskey for the BOTB punch bowl. (Can I keep the purple bags?)
Yeah, Earl... that cat really knew how to play them drums. (He was probably even better'n Micky Dolenz. ;-) I've listened to his recording of 'OMJ' a good number of times, and I'm still asking myself: How did he know to do *that* right *there*?!
~ Stephen
Whoa, One Mint Julep has lyrics? That changes the song entirely for me, and it's not necessarily a good thing. Charlie ain't bad, but I kind of like the mystery of using my imagination to fill in the interpretation of the song rather than just being told what's going on.
ReplyDeleteAside from that, I absolutely love the sound of Barney and friends (the group, not the big purple dinosaur). They're clearly having a blast, and that's infectious. Give my bote to them, and then get me a doctor for this infection. I've got a killer case of earworm.
~Chief Julio (He who will be humming this all day now)
JULIO (Down By The Bird Cage Theatre) ~
DeleteWAIT! you don't like Barney, the big purple dinosaur? That's almost un-Americonned! Next thing I know, you'll be telling me you don't like Barney, the skinny deputy, either. Ha!
Yip! 'One Mint Julep' definitely has some earwormy qualities. Maybe not quite as earwormy as 'What Do You Hear (When You Walk Down Allen Street)', but still pert-dern wormy.
Psst! I've found that Wild Turkey 101 is the best medicine for earworm. It may not eradicate the worm infection, but if you drink enough of it, you won't even care about the worm anymore. In fact, you might even embrace it!
~ D-FensDogG
VOTE = CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE
ReplyDeleteBarney and Earl did great, but the combination of the harmonica, the honky-tonk piano, and Charlie's near-perfect blues vocals won the day for me. ~Ed.
Hey, whaddaya know, Ed, I got this one right!
DeleteFor the first time ever (methinx), before posting this Battle I tried to guess how every one of my regular voters would vote. Gotta admit, I ain't doing so good. However, I did have you down as a vote for Charlie. How come that? Because I was thinking, since you are very much into singing, the vocals in his recording might give Charlie an edge.
~ D-FensDogG
Hmmm. Didn't know I had become so predictable! LOL. I do enjoy good instrumental music; but you are right, I am partial to good vocals.
Delete"Predictable"? Ha!
DeleteI wouldn't go nearly that far. More like... understandable.
~ D'DogG
OK, but... well, dang. That was not particularly on my list of attributes to improve upon. LOL.
DeleteI used to have a list of attributes to improve upon, but I spent so much time trying to improve the list that I never got anything else done.
Delete~ D'DogG
Al Bondigas here. As of late, every battle you’ve put together has been very difficult to make a rulin’ on, this one especially!! Man, I could make this one a three way tie, but I know the rules and as a pseudo, phony, and semi- corrupt judge I have an example to set. Rulin’ fer Charlie Musselwhite!! That’s it, that’s muh rulin’!!
ReplyDeleteJUDGE AL BONDIGAS ~
DeleteFunny thing is...
right now, all I can hear is the voice of Earl Palmer in my mind, saying, "Where's muh rulin'? Gimme muh rulin'!"
Chalk up another missed guess for me. My prognosticatin' skills are not too felly good-uh! (But thanks for yer rulin', nonetheless.)
~ D-FensDogG
++++++++++++++++++++++++
ReplyDeleteBATTLE OF THE BANDS
Results For 2025, June 1st
'ONE MINT JULEP'
by Barney Kessel (Trio)
Versus
'ONE MINT JULEP'
by Earl Palmer
Versus
'ONE MINT JULEP'
by Charlie Musselwhite
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Muchas graciases to EVERY ONE O' YOUSE who took the time to visit and vote (a.k.a. "bote") in this Battle. I rarely do 3-Way BOTBs because I know they require more time and patience on the part of my (beautiful & macho) readers. For me to do a 3-Way, a few different requirements must first be met. I felt that this Battle checked all of the necessary boxes to make this 3-Way defensible.
Well, when the first 3 votes came in (1 for Barney, 1 for Earl, and 1 for Charlie) I knew that I had a goot juan, and that the 3-Way was justifiable.
Needless to say, I really dig all 3 of these recordings, and this seemed to be a common feeling amongst the voters. (Don'tcha hate it when a BOTBer does a 3-Way? But don'tcha love it when all 3 songs are "goot juans"?)
Although all 3 o' these cats dun goot, mine own ears bopped the most while listening to Earl Palmer. Mang!... that dude had a way with the drums the way my lips have a way with bourbon bottles! Earl got my vote, which gave us an outcome that looks somewhat exactly like this:
FINAL TALLY:
Barney Kessel = 3 votes
Earl Palmer = 6 votes
Charlie Musselwhite = 3 votes
F3 (Final Fun Fact) On Sunday, April 5, 2009, I attended the Gibson Jazz & Blues Festival in Glendale, Airheadzona, and this pert-near killed me: at the same time Charlie Musselwhite was appearing on the Blues stage, Brian Auger was appearing on the Jazz stage. Of course, I settled in for Brian Auger (my all-time favorite musician who is a truly great guy!), but I did sneak away once, just long enough to see/hear Charlie perform a song on the Blues stage. There's no way I could have lived with myself if I had ignored Charlie completely, when he was only a hundred-ish yards away!
Again, my sincerest thanks to ALL of you friends, brothers & sisters for taking part in this Battle. God willing, I will return with a new BOTB Booze-A-Palooza on June 15th! Until then...
TTFN and WP&Z.
~ STMcC
DogGtor of Alcohology &
King of Inebriation Nation
3-way battles are tough but you did all right with this one and I came out on the winning side which is the important thing here. :D That's pretty cool that you got to see Brian Auger and Charlie Musselwhite perform the same evening. Thanks for sharing the outcome. Mine can be found in my June 1st post comments as well. Have a bandtastic week, Stephen!
DeleteThanks, CAThy!
DeleteYes, I was pleased with how this Battle went, although I did predict Charlie Musselwhite was likely going to win. "WRONG!" (to quote Waylon Jennings). It should come as no surprise to anyone that my career as a horse player at Hollywood Park was so very short-lived. :^D
~ D-FensDogG