BATTLE OF THE BANDS VII RESULTS AND MY CMA RANT

Well we have a first in these BATTLE OF THE BANDS contests. A SHUT-OUT. Every single vote cast was for the Glenn Miller version of 'Moonlight Serenade'. It doesn't really matter how I vote, but just so ya know (like that would have been hard for you to figure out after my introduction), I also cast my vote for Glenn Miller. That makes the final talley.

Glen Miller and his Orchestra 15 votes

Chicago 0

There was more than one comment about the lyrics. I admit that the Chicago version might have been better if they simply went with the in strumental version, but there is an interesting little bit of trivia about the tune and surrounding the lyrics:

The recording used a clarinet-led saxophone section, which is widely considered[citation needed] the classic Glenn Miller style. Miller studied the Schillinger technique with Joseph Schillinger,[3] who is credited with helping Miller create the "Miller sound", and under whose tutelage he himself composed "Moonlight Serenade".[4]

The song evolved from a 1935 version entitled "Now I Lay Me Down to Weep", with music by Glenn Miller and lyrics by Eddie Heyman to a version called "Gone with the Dawn" with lyrics by George Simon,[5] and "The Wind in the Trees" with lyrics by Mitchell Parish. In his biography of Glenn Miller, George T. Simon recounted how vocalist Al Bowlly of the Ray Noble Orchestra sang him the Eddie Heyman lyrics to the Glenn Miller music of "Now I Lay Me Down to Weep" in 1935. The Noble Orchestra never recorded the song. Finally it ended up as "Moonlight Serenade" because Robbins Music bought the music and learned that Miller was recording a cover of "Sunrise Serenade", a Frankie Carle associated song [2], for RCA Victor. They thought "Moonlight" would be a natural association for "Sunrise".[6]

"Now I Lay Me Down to Weep" was composed in 1935 with lyrics by Eddie Heyman and music by Glenn Miller. After "Moonlight Serenade", originally released solely as an instrumental, became a smash hit in 1939, Mitchell Parish wrote new lyrics for the music under that title.
(This note is courtesy of Wikikpedia, but had the reference to the Glenn Miller style had previously been made by Mr. Stephen T. McCarthy in his very first BOTB)


When I found that information on Wikipedia I thought; 'Mitchell Parish, that name sounds familiar', and sure enough he also complosed the lyrics for another 'old standard'; 'Stardust'; music written by Hogey Carmichael. Apparently, Mr. Parish was a noted lyricist of his time, known for adding words to beautiful haunting melodies.

I'll have to agree with most of you that this is one of the most haunting melodies I've ever heard. Pure Romance!

Just for fun here is a version of 'Moonlight Serenade' sung by the lovely Miss Ella Fitzgerald.

Now go on over to Ferret Faced Fascist Freinds The home of Mr.  Stephen T. McCarthy and Tossing It Out The home of Mr. Arlee Bird and see how their BATTLES turned out. Also, check out anyone else who participated in Battle VII.


NOW FOR SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT
I simply can't help myself. Last night after I finished watching a video I flipped on the TV. The local cable company (cable is included with my rent) recently just caught my landlord with an illegal connection, changed things over and I now only have the very basic of cable - read the basic networds and every shopping channel known to man, also three Spanish language channels. Anyway, there wasn't much on, but the CMA's (Country Music Awards). I really like Country Music, so I thought I would watch.

Holy Carp! What have they done to Country Music. I was assaulted, treated to hip hop and even some rap; sung by guys with baseball caps on backwards and enough facial armour (piercings) to set off a metal detector a mile away. Thank Goodness for a tribute to George Jones done by Alan Jackson and George Strait (who BTW, looked like Country Music performers from their jeans on up to the Stetsons on their heads) or I would have been sure this was some kind of joke.

At least the voters (Country Music performers) had the good sense to award George Strait the 'Entertainer of the Year' award. Upon reflection, I suppose some of these new guys with the backward baseball caps, facial armour, and tattoos are just the new 'outlaws' of country Music, but I wouldn't be surprised if Johnny, Waylon and Merle not to mention a few others, are rolling in their graves.

Now, please don't hate me because I like a little 'twang' with my Country Music. I seem to have offended a lot of folks lately and I don't mean to do that, but I still want my Cowboys back. Oh man, what must Roy (Rogers) and Gene (Autry) be thinking?

I'm still working on an unfamiliar computer, so I hope I've made sense and the errors aren't too great.