Here we are at the start of ‘Something
Big’ (I hope) it’s the very first of the
BATTLE OF THE BANDS. I tried to warn
inform you yesterday that this is going to be a bi-monthly program here at the
Far Away Series. I gave this concept a test drive a few weeks ago. You can view
that BotB Preview HERE. But starting today and on the first and fifteenth of
every month, until further notice, I will be posting a BotB for you listening
pleasure and asking for your vote and comments on my selections.
To add to this fun, this will be a joint effort with Mr. Stephen T.
McCarthy of FERRET-FACED FASCIST FRIENDS , so when you finish
voting here, pop on over to his space and see what melodious selections he has
posted and vote there also.
One week from today both Stephen and I
will tally up the votes and let you know who won this premiere BotB, on each site, and then we
will also give you our choice and comments.
So, let’s get started.
For my first
selection I have chosen a tune written by Leonard Cohen and Sharon Robinson. I
found some interesting information regarding this piece, but I’ll save that for
next week.
First up is an instrumental version by
Chris Botti. This is probably the most sensual piece of music I have ever
heard. If you live alone, you might not want to listen in right before bedtime.
If you don’t live alone, your significant other can thank me in the comments
box.
The second contender is by none other
than Leonard Cohen himself. This version includes the lyrics. I will admit the
lyrics are a little dark and might take away from the general aura of sexiness
about this song, but that haunting melody is still present.
OK, those are the choices. Give me your
vote and tell me why. Then go on over to FERRET-FACED FASCIST FREINDS and see what Mr. McCarthy has
chosen for us.
Very famous tune. I didn't like the voice in the second one, so the first one gets my vote.
ReplyDeleteOk- have I mentioned to you how much I'm loving this? Cause I'm really seriously loving this! So fun.
ReplyDeleteMy vote is for the instrumental. Normally, I'm all about the lyrics. But not with this one.
I'm just not a big fan of Leonard Cohen's voice, so I'm gonna give it to the first one. It does the song much better justice.
ReplyDeleteFirst one for me too!
ReplyDeleteI am a fan of Leonard Cohen, and as a poet, he's unstoppable. His dark and grating voice suits his style. He's the mature man stating what he observes in this song.
ReplyDeleteAs for Chris Botti - excellent trumpet! Those scenes seem to be mostly of young love and the music suits it well.
My vote goes to Leonard Cohen, and not just because I'm Canadian as he is. I have loved his voice since I heard The Famous Blue Raincoat and Suzanne.
Not a huge fan of saxophone, not sure why. Actually, not a huge fan of most brass instruments. (Maybe I have an aversion to metal.) Still, I think #1 wins.
ReplyDeleteI gotta go with Cohen....
ReplyDeleteI'm a lyric guy....
Larry
So I can't play the music b/c it will wake my baby up but I like the second video better.
ReplyDeleteHi, Came over from 4 F's place. Gut instinct was the instrumental, but not by a lot.
ReplyDeleteThis was a close race. I am calling it for Chris Botti, but it was neck and neck.
ReplyDeleteFAE ~
ReplyDeleteWow! Wow! (Two witnesses.)
First of all, despite being the title track, 'A Thousand Kisses Deep' is definitely NOT my favorite tune on the Chris Botti album (and you know it gives me "those" kinds of dreams).
And although I had heard OF Leonard Cohen, and had seen him credited as the songwriter of a number of covers I have owned by other artists, I believe this is the first time I have ever actually HEARD a Leonard Cohen track.
You were right... if I didn't already know better, I would have sworn that Leonard Cohen was the post-1982 Tom Waits.
Yeah, the lyrics are dark... but GREAT! The guy could WRITE!
I'll have to deduct a star from the Cohen version because he makes the same mistake that Bob Dylan occasionally made: You can't have a song that long, continuing at the same beat throughout, without including a musical bridge or instrumental solo to break it up.
Yes, at about the 4:20 or 4:30 point he has a musical passage, but it doesn't add any new sonic texture to the song. A faraway tenor sax lead, or maybe a muted trumpet or mournful harmonica lead would have really added to the mood and supplied an additional, needed texture to the sound.
Because, in my opinion, "something" was missing in Leonard Cohen's 6-minute song - it just plodded along, despite a great melody and great lyrics - I'm going to vote for the Chris Botti version.
However, I agree with Robin... Much to my tremendous surprise, this was a very close "race", but Botti wins by the nose of a trumpet.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
POSTSCRIPT: It seems I did pass that initial (timed) job test, because I was sent another one, which I completed tonight (see my comment at the Beer Boys blog).
There's a part of me, however, that hopes I failed tonight's (long-assed online) test, because then I could just move to Reno and be done with Airheadzona! "UNCLE!"
Just want you all to know that I'm listening and enjoying the heck out of your comments, BUT I'm savingine for next eek. Keep em coming and send your friends over. Be sure y'all go over at vote at STMc's blog also. Just click one the link in the blog.
ReplyDeleteThat comment up there is what I get for trying to post from my phone. The problem with having a smart phone,is that often it's way smarter than me.
ReplyDeleteWhat I meant to say is that I'm saving my comments for next week. And, click on the link above (in the body of the blog) to visit Mr. McCarthy's site and vote there.
I have to pick the first one. The instrumental is mmmmmm, fluid and sexy. When the second one started, I thought I was gonna like it better, and I would have, if the fella hadn't started singing. Now, David Bowie singing that song... that would've worked for me. But this voice was as abrasive as sandpaper on sunburned skin.
ReplyDeleteLove them both, could see me writing passionate scenes to them.
ReplyDeletebut the sax is a bit nerve wracking in the first, and the second would allow me to listen to the music without actually hearing it. Know what I mean?
Leonard gets this vote.
......dhole
I'm going to go with the first one because of the sound. The voice seems to just distract from the music.
ReplyDeletewww.modernworld4.blogspot.com
Dang. My iPad won't show the videos. Grrrr
ReplyDeleteAlthough I love Cohen's songs, the depth of his poetry, I agree this version is a bit slow and plodding. The melody stands solidly on its own as Chris Botti has proved with his clear and beautiful trumpet, followed by guitar. Lovely. So... I'm going with #1.
ReplyDeleteI vote for #2. I like his low, raspy voice. It's kinda sexy, kinda asthmatic like he's been smoking way too much. The first one's too slow for my taste.
ReplyDeleteBe well, Farawayeyes.
xoRobyn
Love the battle, tough one to pick but...I really like the lyrics you know me gotta love the dark, desperate types. So I'm going with Cohen!!
ReplyDeleteGood thing you got a small place.