NO GRUPO GROUPIES HERE or BOTB RESULTS XXII

Time for the results post of BATTLE OF THE BANDS XXII – already. My time sure flies when you having…something.

As you can see I’m back; pretty much. I now have six out of the ten digits on my hands working. My thumbs and pinky fingers think they are working but, 9 out of 10 times they don’t strike the keys on my keyboard with enough pressure to make a difference. Makes typing pretty slow going, but at least I am typing, and mostly using both hands - all six digits.

Just so you know…I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia a few years ago and it has gotten progressively worse. I have started seeing a group of doctors in Reno, who believe they can help with the Fibro. They have also determined that I suffer from an Auto Immune Disease (which they are also hoping to turn around) that has yet to be pin pointed. (hopefully, my blood test will rule out Lupus or MS-my biggest fear) The long and short of all that is - I have a lot of pain, most of which is centralized in my back and legs, but occasionally it travels around to areas like my hands and fingers. OK, now you’ve got the basics.

I appreciate the well wishes and I DO believe that they help (especially the prayers). I also have a new appreciation for anyone who suffers with Auto Immune problems. If you don’t know; that’s when basically your body turns on itself and begins destroying healthy organs and tissue. Just what I needed, eh?

OK enough about me.

In the comments section of my BOTB Sheboygan Six said ‘No Grupo Groupies here.” Boy, oh Boy, did he ever hit the nail on the head. They only managed to garner two votes from you guys. Most of you complained about the percussion. Interesting that the two votes they did get, singled out the percussion as something they liked.

I have always like Stevie Wonder. It never really bothered me that he could get pretty smaltzy at times. I really like the sentiment of this song. The fact that someone would call up JUST to say I LOVE YOU. Who doesn’t want to hear that? (Maybe one day when I have more time and space, I’ll tell you exactly what made me think of Little Stevie Wonder, and then led me to use this match-up.)

I used this match-up, not because I have a sense of humor, as Mr. Bird suggested, but because I wanted to give you a taste of some island music of the Caribbean. These ‘fellas’ are from the Dominican Republic. Their style is called ‘bachatta’.

Here’s what Wiki-watchee has to say about Bachata:

Bachata is a Latino genre of music that originated in the Dominican Republic in the early parts of the 20th century with the African descendants in the country and spread to other parts of Latin America and Mediterranean Europe. It became widely popular in the countryside and the rural neighborhoods of the Dominican Republic. Its subjects are often romantic; especially prevalent are tales of heartbreak and sadness. The original term used to name the genre was amargue ("bitterness", "bitter music", or "blues music"), until the rather ambiguous (and mood-neutral) term bachata became popular. The form of dance, Bachata, also developed with the music.^[1]

Anyway, just another attempt to eukate yous guys to what really plays down in the Caribbean. Most of the music you hear in the states with an ‘island sound’ (steel pan or marimba) is only played in the tourists bars. The real sounds of the islands as still most definitely African – even Reggae has its roots in Africa, although a lot of what you hear is toned down.

So, in the end I’m gonna give my vote to Grupo Rush, if for nothing else that it reminds me of home. Sorry Stevie, I love youse a lot, but…

The final tally is:

                        

                        Grupo Rush        3 votes

                        Stevie Wonder   10 votes

Come back on the first of July when I have a patriotic match-up planned. Well, maybe calling it patriotic is a bit tongue ‘n cheek, but then you know me.