Friday, February 7, 2014

'Sentimental Journey' - Results for BATTLE OF THE BANDS XIII






This has been my all-time favorite BATTLE OF THE BANDS post. I love this song and as far as I’m concerned there was no wrong choice. All four of the versions posted here are great. Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever heard a bad one.

So, let me give you my impressions about each version.

Hoagy Carmichael – I love this type of piano playing. My daddy played in this style. He used to call it a ‘honky-tonk' piano. Hoagy’s version- the original here – is a little more upbeat, mid-tempo, than what we’ve become used to, but that's how he wrote it.

If you didn’t catch it the comment section – I read somewhere that Hoagy initially wasn’t too fond of the slowed down version or the lyrics, but eventually they grew on him and he later re-recorded it.

Nat King Cole – Wikipedia calls this the most popular version of Stardust. A quick glance at the voting here and it appears that you guys agree. Nat voice is so deep and smooth, he lends a dreamy quality to these beautiful lyrics. You really can’t rely on Wikipedia for much, but this is one of the times when they may have gotten is right
 
Willie Nelson – Need I say more, it's Willie. His album ‘Stardust’ is one of my favorites. I’m not sure I can put my finger on it but with this and all of the old standards included, he quite simply ‘nails it’. I love Willie’s version of Stardust and I may as well tell you right now, he gets my vote.

Satchmo – Another great version that this ‘jazz man’ has made his own. That horn, that voice laced with just the right amount of gravel, it’s perfect. His version reminds me more of the original, a little bit faster, more jazzy. Superb!

This song is so great that Woody Allen devoted a whole movie to it. If you’ve never seen “Stardust Memories’, rent it immediately. (Thank you STMc)

OK, now here is how the voting went:
Hoagy Carmichael        1 vote
Nat King Cole              9 votes
Willie Nelson               4 votes (including mine)
Louis Armstrong          1 vote

It was nice to see that nobody was shut out in this BATTLE. The majority of you agree with Wikipedia, and Nat King Cole is the undisputed winner. Even though he didn’t receive my personal vote, I’m not disappointed. His is a beautiful version.

A few notes: One of the commenters included two votes in their one comment (actually two of you did, if I count the vote phoned in to STMc by Woody Allen, but since Mr. Allen didn’t listen in person, I didn’t count his vote). Because I have no precedent for this, I counted both votes this time. In the future, I will only count one vote per comment. If your significant other, cat, or neighbor want to cast a vote, let them come back with a comment of their own.

Finally, I’m gonna leave you with one more version of ‘Stardust’. Here’s Spanky and Our Gang  with an entertaining video and their wonderful rendition of this great song.

Enjoy!


25 comments:

  1. Woody Allen never shows up when he wins anyway.

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    1. I guess celebrity status gives you the right to do whatever it is you want. Ha!

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  2. LOVE that version by Spanky And Our Gang! I love that kind of singing, that kind of harmonizing! And as if that weren't enough... the horn arrangement is great too, and then it segues into 'Like To Get To Know You' which I am falling-down drunkenly in love with. Ahhh, what's not to be crazy about when it comes to that take on 'Stardust'?

    >>... You really can’t rely on Wikipedia for much...

    Ha! Did you see what I said to Brother Beer Boy Bryan in my comment section? That you can count on Wikipedia for two things and two things ONLY: correct dates and the correct spelling of names.

    Yeah, Woody Allen's 'Stardust Memories' is pretty good but... [wait for it...] ..."I like his older, funny movies better." (Ha!)

    Your 13th BOTB was your favorite, and I just got done saying the same thing on my blog about my 13th BOTB. Good ol' Lucky Number 13, eh?

    ~ D-FensDogg
    'Loyal American Underground'

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    1. I have to admit, I had no idea how much fun it would be to post several version of the same song, where I liked each and every one of them. Of course when you start out with a great song like 'Stardust', how could ya go wrong.

      I agree the SAOG version is amazing. It was completely new to me until you had sent it only a few weeks ago, or I might have included it in this BATTLE, but I can just imagine what LC would have to say about my posting five versions. Even for me, that would have been overkill.

      So, even though you forgot, you won the side bet about the 'silly little love songs'. Not a person gave me flack over that statement. Expect the 3 foot purple stuffed hippo to arrive on your doorstep any day now. Ha, ha, ha. You may have to build an addition out back for him. (don't get excited, I'm kidding - but about which part?)

      I have another great song planned for the next BATTLE - I can hardly wait. I found two versions that I like equally and a third that I feel obligated to post. Expect something steamy - music a little more conducive to doing 'it' to than a big band sound (OK probably not fair, because I have never heard 'Ellingtons Indigos', but I still have a hard time thinking of that big band sound {as much as I might love it} and lovemaking. Anyway...

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  3. Wow, so many versions of the song. My pick won too, yippee for my zoo

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  4. I was just adding that extra "vote" as a tag along since she listened with me. Sorry to cause a problem.

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    1. No problem caused here for me. Stop being so sensitive. I just decided it was time to clear this up and state my objectives. After all how am I going to look 'popular' if I can't devise hew ways to pad the comment section of my blog.

      You really don't want me to have to offer up a 'cheese platter' every time, no do you?

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    2. Apologize for the tone. A cheese platter would always be welcome, though.

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  5. Since I voted for Nat, I am not at all surprised by the outcome:) Just kidding. I agree with you that all versions are wonderful. It was tough choosing.

    Now about that Woody Allen....

    http://kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/02/01/an-open-letter-from-dylan-farrow/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    3. As I've said before, there was no wrong choice here. Glad you were satisfied with the outcome.

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    4. Awww! DISAPPOINTMENT CITY!

      Why'd you go and delete 'em?

      Well, I still have Email copies because I had subscribed to be notified. So, if you change your mind and decide to re-post your 2-part comment, let me know and I'll copy, paste, and send them back to you again.

      ~ D-FensDogg
      'Loyal American Underground'

      POSTSCRIPT:
      "D.B."

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    5. Sorry to disappoint, but then you DO know me!

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  6. The Spanky and Our Gang album that "Stardust" is a truly incredible and wonderful album. I'm fortunate to have a vinyl copy that a departed friend gave to me nearly 40 years ago. I've been listening again to it and it still plays excellently. It's a difficult album to find in other formats. I think it was recently rereleased on CD, but I'm not sure.

    Nat deserved the win in your contest.

    Lee
    A Few Words

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    1. Aww, you know I included that version by SAOG here just for STMc and you, don't ya?

      My faith in your musical taste is restored (you don't think you're going to live down that slasher/stalker 'noise' so easily, now do you? At least not around here, Ha, ha, ha.).

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  7. Awww yeah, my vote was the only one! I like being unique like that. Or so I tell myself.

    I really liked that Spanky and Our Gang version. Mr. McCarthy beat me to it, but that harmonizing is heavenly.

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  8. Just wanted to pop in and say HI. Hope all is well with you. Things have been nuts with me but I wanted to thank you for all of the kind comments you have left on my blog/email. I haven't had the opportunity to write all that much over the past couple of months, but I am always available to look at anything you need me to. Hopefully, I will have time after my surgery to take it easy and get some quality writing done. Who knows, I might even wind up writing about my whole health journey...

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    1. You are in my prayers. Thanks for stopping by. I know things have been really hectic for you.

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  9. Wow. Thanks so much for the Spanky and Our Gang clip. I love their music but never heard that one. Can I change my vote?

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