'2016, APRIL 1: BATTLE OF THE BANDS' (Or, 'ZZ TOP VS. HANK "BOCEPHUS" WILLIAMS, JR.')

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...

EUGENE  MARTONE  VS.  JACK  BUTLER

In 1975, ZZ TOP released their album 'FANDANGO!' which included the song 'BLUE JEAN BLUES'. The song was not a hit but it did become a staple of ZZ Top's live repertoire. Incidentally, Fun Fact: The name ZZ Top was the band's way of honoring their musical hero B.B. King. "B.B." became "ZZ" and "King" became "the Top".

Let's hear the original recording... 

GOODNIKS  VS.  NO-GOODNIKS

'Blue Jean Blues' by ZZ Top
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b76kjd5nvMg

GODZILLA  VS.  KING  KONG

HANK WILLIAMS, JR. (nicknamed "BOCEPHUS" by his famous father after a ventriloquist's dummy) is not only one of the very, Very, VERY most successful musicians in Country music history (destroying his legendary dad in record sales and awards), but he has been known to frequently step way outside of mainstream Country and play Blues and even Hard Rock!

As Hank Junior himself sang in one of the most ass-kicking songs of all time (HERE)... 

Not everybody loves me 
but those that do will fight...
right to the end.
I got some guitar friends from legendary Saturday nights.
I learned some from Lynyrd Skynyrd, sugar
from Daddy, and Ernest Tubb, too.
This is the platinum boy that does the Rock and Roll Country Blues!
Now I'm looking for a lover, and I'm going to have some fun.
Oh, my daddy called me Bocephus - hell, I'm a son of a gun.

Yep, he knows Lynyrd Skynyrd. He knows ZZ Top, too. Bocephus proved that on his album 'STRONG STUFF' where he covered ZZ's 'Blue Jean Blues'.

Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to listen to both versions and - putting familiarity and brand name aside - tell us which one you HONESTLY like better. Vote for your personal preference. 
  

'Blue Jean Blues' by Hank "Bocephus" Williams, Jr.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eu7_RmWYuk4

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RIDDLER  VS.  BATMAN

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 & EDITING' by 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. 

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

A JOYFUL EASTER TO YOU AND YOURN (Or, CHOCOLATE BUNNIES TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!)

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Seriously, a Happy Easter to everyone of ya! Rejoice, for He has risen! And I hope you got the chocolate bunny you asked Santa for. [Don't worry, this is not blasphemy. This blog bit has the Jesus Christ seal of approval. Or did you not know that Jesus has a sense of humor, even on a glorious day such as this?]

It's been a part of my tradition since I was a child - a tradition started by Pa & Ma - to eat a chocolate bunny on Easter Sunday. (Proper etiquette dictates that you ALWAYS start with the ears and eat down to the big ol' floppy feet.) Of course I always make sure to buy my chocolate bunny before Easter Sunday because I refuse to conduct any commerce on this Holy Day. And that applies to Christmas also.

One year (1983?) I was in New York City on Easter Sunday. It took me FOREVER to find a chocolate bunny. And when I did, the guy wanted some outrageous price for it. I paid the price. Jesus paid "THE Price", but I paid "the price".

This year I bought me a "Whacky Wabbit"...

 
I want to share a couple songs and a photograph with y'all today. After which we will resume our regularly scheduled programming.

Let's start with "The Queen Of Gospel", shall we? Here's Mahalia Jackson singing 'My God Is Real (Yes, God Is Real)' - and you'd better believe He is, too!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGxFE6rqNpg


Now here's a short song that I dedicate to my brother Napoleon (Nappy) whom I love. (John Wayne! John Wayne!) There's a little "inside joke" here but only Nappy can get it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ99JChlobA


One of the most unusual and beautiful Gospel albums I've ever heard is 'LIVING WATER: The Surfer's Mass' by The Malibooz (including Walter Egan of 'Magnet And Steel' fame). You can hear the entire inspired album at YouTube by clicking HERE.

Alright, would anybody here like to see me, D-FensDogG, when I was just a little puppy? Thanks to my dear friend Nitro Wilbury Babskiddo who photographed this old photograph for me, I am able to post it on this Easter Sunday.

You are about to see my #1 all-time favorite photograph of my family. This was taken on March 29, 1964 in front of our house at 8551 Jennrich Avenue in Westminster (Orange County), California. We're all dressed up for church on Easter Sunday. [Sadly, my parents couldn't keep up with the payments and we lost that house. It broke my Ma's heart.]

This was the first photograph ever taken of the entire family, all 5 of us - my Ma, Pa, Sister Bonehead (who was just an infant), me (looking like I've been contemplating the meaning of life and didn't like what I found), and the crowning thing that really elevates this photograph to "Classic" status is my brother... just Nappy being Nappy! (Only God remembers what Nappy was pissed about that time.)

Let me leave you with something that sincerely inspires me every time I hear it:

Listen to the voice of Greer Garson when she quotes Jesus in saying "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God." It gives me chills every time and really makes me want to be pure in heart!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZvjPCcHI4g


Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished. For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.”

And, yes, He did! It was the greatest comeback in history!

Have a joyful Easter, all y'all!

~ Stephen T. McCarthy
 

RESULTS: BOTB 2016, 3/15 (OR, BOBBY "BLUE" BLAND VS. VAN MORRISON)

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STMcC’s Vote On '2016, March 15th: Battle Of The Bands'

(Or, 'Bobby "Blue" Bland Vs. Van Morrison')
 And The Final Tally:

First of all, I want to thank each and every single one of you (and, yes, YOU too!) for taking the time to listen and vote here. All y'all made this a really super Battle Of The Bands (BOTB) contest.

I'll tell you the truth: In creating this Battle (which was almost just an excuse for me to yak about my love of Mexican food), even though BOBBY "BLUE" BLAND is justifiably a legend in the annals of R&B / Soul music, I figured the greater name recognition was going to give VAN "THE MAN" MORRISON a huge advantage. But it seems everyone voted with their ears rather than by "reputation" and y'all turned this into one helluva BOTB installment. So, I thank you for that.

How close was this thang? After 10 votes were in, the Battle was tied 5 to 5. After 20 votes were in, the Battle was tied 10 to 10. At the dawn of the final day for voting, 23 votes were in and Van Morrison was holding on to a tenuous 1-vote lead. I was genuinely concerned about having another tie.

But then 3 more votes came in, Gem Julie's, Doc Cherdo's, and my own...

How did I vote? The same way Gem Julie and Doc Cherdo did. I think both recordings are top-notch. (As a side note, I'm not really absolutely crazy about the song. I like it but would grade it a "B" which for me equates to "Basically Good". There are songs I like better that I could have used for this Battle but I saw the potential here for a classic contest, an exciting dogfight between two legends.)

Truthfully, on this song I prefer Van's band and Bland's tan voice. Had this been Van's more mature, deeper, richer voice, I perhaps would have given him the nod in the "Voice" department as well. But as it was, I had divided feelings on this one. But since in most cases, for me, music trumps vocals, I ultimately sided with VAN "The Man".

Bobby "Blue" Bland = 11 votes
Van "The Man" Morrison = 15 votes

Van Morrison's voice deepened and got a great deal richer over the decades, and although I've always loved the material, I prefer the more mature voice. 'AIN'T NOTHIN' YOU CAN DO' (recorded in 1974) found his voice in that "period of transition". 

You can compare the change in his vocal tone by listening to 'ASTRAL WEEKS' and 'IN THE GARDEN' back-to-back. 'Astral Weeks' is the title track of Van's incredible 1968 solo debut (one of the greatest "Solitarily-Drinking-Myself-Into-A-Mystical-Mess" albums of all time), and 'In The Garden' was released in 1986.

Link: 'ASTRAL WEEKS'
Link: 'IN THE GARDEN'

'AIN'T NOTHIN' YOU CAN DO' was the first track on Van Morrison's 1974 live album 'IT'S TOO LATE TO STOP NOW'. 

The following comes from 'The Complete Guide To The Music Of Van Morrison' by Patrick Humphries:

As far as Van live on disc is concerned, his first live set, 'It's Too Late To Stop Now', is unquestionably one of the best-ever live rock 'n' roll recordings. Van was cooking when he came to record these 18 songs. 

'It's Too Late To Stop Now' had Van fronting The Caledonia Soul Orchestra, arguably his finest ever ensemble. ... the orchestra also boasted a five person string section and a two man horn duo ... On it's original release, 'It's Too Late To Stop Now' was soon cemented as one of the great rock 'n' roll double albums ... every note you hear was recorded live - there was not one overdub.

Looking back on the album, guitarist John Platania told 'Mojo': "I would say that tour represented the height of his confidence as a performer", while bassist David Hayes recalled: "When I speak to Van about that album he still talks about it as having marked the peak of his career. He really feels he was on to something very special."

Recorded in Los Angeles at the intimate Troubadour club and the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, as well as at North London's Rainbow. [Side note: I saw my first Rock concert at the Santa Monica Civic, and I spent many nights of my youth watching bands play on the Troubadour's stage.]

In my opinion, every single song on the live album is better'n its studio counterpart, with the sole exception of 'Listen To The Lion'. My favorite track is 'I'VE BEEN WORKING'. Pretty dang funky for a White bloke from Ireland. Listen to the amazing interplay between the musicians on this, the way they come in and then drop out for another musician to take the spotlight. It's like a trade-off of white-hot funky licks... [Play it LOUD!]

'I've Been Working' - Van Morrison
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3hkAWqmICI


Yeah, that's some ass-kicking Funk! But the whole album is loaded with great Rock, Blues, Jazzy R&B and lovely ballads. In my opinion, one of the truly essential Van "The Man" albums.

Thanks again, All, for making this such a good Battle, and I hope to see you here again on April 1st. I've got something a wee bit o' surprising lined up for ya. 

~ Stephen T. McCarthy

2016, MARCH 15: 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS' (Or, 'BOBBY "BLUE" BLAND VERSUS VAN MORRISON')

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Most of this blog bit is actually being composed on Sunday, March 13th. This marks exactly one year to the day that I moved to Reno, Nevada, from Phoenix, Airheadzona. It's been a mixed bag, but mostly a massive disappointment. (Don't get me started, y'all.) 

However, there are two areas in which Reno has offered more than I anticipated. Two things I really love are 1) old buildings with vintage signs, and 2) Mexican food.
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I like my food bold and spicy, which is why Mexican has always been my favorite. I'm sure I could eat it every day and never grow tired of it. I'm an Angeleno - born and raised - so I consider myself a connoisseur of excellent 'South Of The Border' food.

Surprisingly, I think, overall, Reno may have more top-notch Mexican restaurants than Phoenix has. I've found five I really like, but two are too expensive.

Believe it or not, my #1 choice can actually be found in a casino. For food quality, great atmosphere, lowest prices, and good service, you can't beat 'PANCHO & WILLIE'S CANTINA' in the Western Village casino:
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But what's cooler than old buildings with old-style signs? And Reno has a plethora of 'em. (Eventually I'll do a blog bit that highlights my favorites.)
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However, there's one place where my love of vintage buildings and signs and excellent Mexican food come together, and that's 'CARLILLO'S COCINA' (aka 'CARLITO'S COCINA').

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It's located in a tiny, authentic 1950s diner. The place seats only 25 customers at the counter, from which you will be only a few feet away from the owner while he cooks your meal. His wife will wait on you and his Pa puts all the finishing touches on the plates - everything arranged with an eye toward color and design. I'm not kidding! The food is excellent but Carlillo's is only open for breakfast and lunch and is closed on Sundays. (I asked the owner / cook once which Mexican restaurants he liked best in Reno, outside of his own. He said that he cooks so much Mexican food during the week that he prefers to eat Pizzas and Hamburgers. Ha! I un'erstan' that.)

WILL  THIS  SATISFY  YOUR  APPETITE?

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I found the place one day by accident. I was driving by and saw that miniature 1950s style diner, looking like it was a set for the movie 'AMERICAN GRAFFITI'. I had to park so I could get a closer look. From the street, it appeared to be out of business, but pressing my nose to a window I could see that it was truly a functioning restaurant that was merely closed for the day. I made it a point to return when it was open.

I've probably eaten there about 7 or 8 times now, and in those visits I've heard at least 4 other customers say that it was their first time and they were definitely coming back again. It does a lot of repeat business. You can read local reviews by clicking HERE.  One of my favorite dishes at 'CARLILLO'S' is the Chilaquiles Con Salsa Verde, but I've enjoyed everything I've tired thus far. (You gotta sneak in your own Margaritas spiked with Habanero sauce because 'Carlillo's' serves no booze, and Mexican cerveza is no bueno anyway.)

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I hear ya. You're asking: "OK, but what does all this have to do with 'Battle Of The Bands', DogG?" 
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Well, on one wall in 'CARLILLO'S COCINA' there's a video jukebox that sometimes plays old Rock 'N' Roll. You know, stuffs like 'Runaround Sue' by Dion And The Belmonts.
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I was in there having breakfast one morning when the biggest hit song for legendary Rhythm & Blues singer Bobby "Blue" Bland, 'Ain't Nothing You Can Do', played on the jukebox. I  immediately thought that might make a good 'Battle Of The Bands' match-up with Van Morrison.
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So, even if you can't dig into the food at 'CARLILLO'S COCINA' while rubbing elbows with a cool, sexy, charismatic guy like me at the counter, you can still vote on the music.

BATTLE OF THE BANDS! (‘BOTB’)

Alright, let's get on it...

'AIN'T NOTHING YOU CAN DO' - BOBBY "BLUE" BLAND
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CZMEctxtwE  


'AIN'T NOTHING YOU CAN DO' - VAN MORRISON
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vtn4ufLtCvE


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 & EDITING' by clicking HERE.
@ 'J.A. SCOTT' by clicking HERE.
@ 'NOVELBREWS' 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.

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