Sunday, March 15, 2015

Beware St. Paddy for 'tis the Ides of March - BATTLE OF THE BANDS



Today before we get to the business at hand, let’s talk a little bit about dates. ‘Fore today be ‘The Ides of March’. Do you have any idea what that be? Well, here’s what wacky-wachee has to say:

The Ides of March (Latin: Idus Martii or Idus Martiae) is a day on the Roman calendar that corresponds to 15 March. It was marked by several religious observances, and became notorious as the date of the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BC. The death of Caesar made the Ides of March a turning point in Roman history, as one of the events that marked the transition from the historical period known as the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire.[1]

Although March (Martius) was the third month of the Julian calendar, in the oldest Roman calendar it was the first month of the year. The holidays observed by the Romans from the first through the Ides often reflect their origin as new year celebrations.

Interesting little tid bit that, no? Well if you don’t really think so, think about the importance of a regime turning from a ‘Republic’ to an ‘Empire’. That should keep ya busy for awhile.

Anyway…for today’s BATTLE OF THE BANDS I want to celebrate a different Holiday. That bein’ St. Patrick’s Day. Know what wacky-wachee has to say about it:

Saint Patrick's Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick (Irish: Lá Fhéile Pádraig, "the Day of the Festival of Patrick"), is a cultural and religious celebration held on 17 March, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick (c. AD 385–461), the foremost patron saint of Ireland.
Saint Patrick's Day was made an official Christian feast day in the early 17th century and is observed by the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion (especially the Church of Ireland),[4] the Eastern Orthodox Church, and Lutheran Church. The day commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland,[3] as well as celebrating the heritage and culture of the Irish in general.[5] Celebrations generally involve public parades and festivals, céilithe, and the wearing of green attire or shamrocks.[6] Christians also attend church services[5][7] and the Lenten restrictions on eating and drinking alcohol are lifted for the day, which has encouraged and propagated the holiday's tradition of alcohol consumption.[5][6][8][9]

Saint Patrick's Day is a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland,[10] Northern Ireland,[11] the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the British Overseas Territory of Montserrat. It is also widely celebrated by the Irish diaspora around the world, especially in Great Britain, Canada, the United States, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand.



Its sometimes said that on St. Patrick’s Day, we all have a wee bit of Irish in us. Truth be told, my heritage doesn’t really show any links to Ireland, but I was married to a bona fide Irishman for a time, so one could say I had a wee bit of Irish in me. (OK, that was a really bad joke. If you didn’t get it just move along ‘cause I ain’t ‘splain nutting.)

At any rate…although it may seem unseemly for a lady to talk about alcohol 
consumption I thought it only appropriate to play ya some “Irish Drinking Songs’ (hey, are there any other kind), for this BATTLE OF THE BANDS.

This one’s for you Mike. On the 17th of March as we raise that shot of Jameson’s to ya, know for a fact that you have nay been forgotten and are close of my heart and the hearts of those who love you! 




First up, Flogging Molly with ‘If I Ever Leave this World Alive’




Next a cover that sounds kinda country, but is actually done by another Irishman, Ben Currie



OK, now you know what to do and how to do it, but just in case this I will ‘splain. Leave your vote and tell me why in the comment box. If you’re new to BOTB and posting your own BATTLE today tell me that also.

When you’ve finished up here, head on over to the home of Mr. BOTB himself (AKA TSMOTP) *****. Stephen (a fine Irishman, I’m sure) will post links to the other participants. Please join in the fun and visit/vote at everyone’s site.

I’ll be back on the 21st with my vote and the final tally. But don’t be shy, stop 
back before that because I have something new and special to post for you on my ‘Turning Over a New Leaf’ series, Wednesday the 18th.

Happy Trails!

45 comments:

  1. Currie did have a lot of spirit in his version, but thought Flogging Molly's was a bit more solid and gets my vote.
    My battle will be up early tomorrow!

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    1. Solid? That's an interesting term to apply here, but whatever; flogging Molly it is for you.

      I'll be by bright and early.

      Delete
  2. Well, that was a tough one. They're both nice. I was pretty sure that I'd go for Flogging Molly, but the more I listened to Currie's version the more I started liking it just a wee bit better. Currie has the more pleasing voice over all. The arrangements are both nice to hear and have a traditional sound, but the Currie version is grander.

    Ben Currie gets my vote in this contest.

    Arlee Bird
    A to Z Challenge Co-host
    Tossing It Out

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    1. 'Grander' is another term, that although appropriate for music, seems a little bit odd for this but, but again that's your venacular. So, a Grander vote for Ben Currie.

      Best thing about these first two votes is that, right out of the box I know I won't have a shut out on my hands.

      Delete
  3. My son turned me onto FM a while back. A bit tame for their standards, but tasty nonetheless. Seems more one of their songs than Currie's, so they get my vote.

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    1. I agree that for Flogging Molly this tune is a tad bit tame, but I likes it all the same and as I figured I would be introducing them to many of my readers, I thought it a better choice than say "Drunken Lullabies'. Also, is was a favorite of my Godson, Michael.

      Delete
  4. Currie has the better voice indeed, he gets my vote. My mind is always in the gutter so I got the "wee" joke too lol

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    1. Well, so far, and today is the 16th and I have collected about 15 or 16 comments, you are the only one to mention the joke. so what does that tell us about your mind, or mine for that matter.

      Got you down as another vote for Ben.

      Delete
  5. I give it to Currie because his voice is much better. As soon as the other guy sang, the game was over. Liked the style in the first but his voice just didn't do it for me

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    1. so you would really prefer Ben Currie singing with the back-up and style of Flogging Molly. Not the first time that has happened on a BOTB.

      Can't say that I argue with you over the quality of Ben's voice over the lead singer in FM.

      Delete
  6. It seems like every decade a new "punky" Irish band becomes popular. First there was the Pogues, in the 90's it was NYC's Black 47, then it was Dropkick Murphys, and now it seems like Flogging Molly has the heavyweight crown.

    They played in Tempe, AZ last year Saint Patrick's Day, and it was a fun show, but I kept thinking (it's the Pogues)

    I liked their version of the song-a little less amped up than their usual fare, but I think I am going to go with the Currie's version since for some reason the folksier arrangement appealed to me today.

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    1. I can only imagine how much fun a Flogging Molly concert on St Patr5icks Day could be, no matter who you thought they were.

      liked their version of the song-a little less amped up than their usual fare, but I think I am going to go with the Currie's version since for some reason the folksier arrangement appealed to me today.

      I agree this tune is somewhat toned down for FM, but 'Ya can't please everybody'. I admit to being surprised by your vote, but maybe it's that lazy Sunday kind of thing that has you voting the more mellow folksier/country version here, or maybe not.

      Either way, glad you stopped by.

      Delete
  7. Holy smokes, and pass me a frosty mug!
    Fae, I was tapping toes at Flogging Molly, but whoa! long came Ben Currie and the little dc icon was up, and doing a jig! No, it ain't a purdy sight, but I haz fun dancing! Fun, fun battle, and though I am torn, I know that Ben is going to get played more times... (yes, I'm taking the link with me!) Such a rich sound; touches that country part of me.

    Ode to the Ides - ooh, maybe not. Happy Saint Pat's. Thank you!
    My vote goes to Ben Currie.

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    1. Got you and your jib down as another vote for Ben.

      Beware those Ides!

      Delete
  8. My vote goes to Ben Currie, it livened my heart and I liked the upbeat tempo, even if it does have a slight country flavor. It still retains that Irish lilt which I like. The first song was nice, but just sounded a bit more melancholy.

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    1. The first song was nice, but just sounded a bit more melancholy.

      You did get that it was a song about being dead, didn't you?

      Ah well, even the dead have a right to have an upbeat tempo and a spring in their step. I guess.

      Delete
  9. My vote goes to flogging molly

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    1. And Flogging Molly gets another vote. Twice if I could your double comment here.

      Delete
  10. My vote goes to flogging molly

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  11. DC is right: Irish Punk bands keep coming along every 8 or 10 years, and Flogging Molly is the latest. And every time a new one comes along, I LIKE IT. I am a fan of the style, so my vote is going straight and emphatically to FM.

    Ben Currie is very very young (17, I think) and so he has his career ahead of him. But frankly I am not expecting huge success from the guy. He seems like a nice guy with a "meh-ishly" nice voice, but not distinctive. Nor is he photogenic.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I wholeheartedly agree with you about liking the Irish Punk band Style.

      I had no idea that Ben was so young. the unphotogenic part...well, unfortunately that's kinda obvious. I kinda get the sentiment in his video, but hey this song is about death, not a road trip. He could have done better using some of the pretty Irish scenery.

      Delete
  12. Currie's version was a little bland. As for Flogging Molly, I think that guy's voice is much better suited for their high energy, every-instrument-blasting type of song. In a slower one like this, he sounds a little... nails on chalkboard-ish? And yet, for all of that, I'd still pick theirs over Currie's, hands down. Sorry Ben.

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    1. And that high energy, every-instrument blasting type of song is truly more in FM's wheelhouse. I like the big finish they give here, but throughout it is a tad bit more sedate.

      I'm sure Ben appreciates your apology, but all in all he's holding his own in this BATTLE.

      Delete
  13. I love Flogging Molly! It's a no-brainer for me. :)

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    1. I knew this about you, so I'm real glad you made it by here today to enjoy some FM, on me.

      Delete
  14. Well, we are on the same page ~ Irish theme! Okay, great new-to-me tune and artists. I listened to a few bars of Flogging Molly before I stopped the video and switched to Ben Currie in which I listened to his song all the way through. Currie's upbeat version set my toes to tapping and my body boogin' in my chair this morning. Fae, please give my vote to Ben!

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    1. OK, got you own for Ben and his Irish Eyes. I'll be by your place in a bit to case my vote. (I read/listened yesterday, but just didn't have the time to make it back there.)

      Delete
  15. I prefer Ben's version - it's more Irish with a bit of country thrown in ...

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    1. Huh, interesting that you would call Ben's version 'more Irish', but either way I'll accept another vote in his behalf.

      Delete
  16. I think I was Irish in a past life. I simply love Celtic music. I really like Mumford and Sons (you heard them?). I only ask because this is such a diverse crowd musically that I never know who's heard what.

    Anyway, the Currie version was very pleasant to listen to (and I do love me that country music), but this is an Irish tune. And the Flogging Molly version actually sounds celtic. The instrumentation and even the raspy nature of the singer's voice. Man, I just love it all.

    Chalk an enthusiastic vote for Flogging Molly.

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    1. I have heard of and heard Mumford & Sons, but I also hear you about the diversity of the BOTB crowd and our personal tastes.

      If it weren't for that lead in with the DJ and Ben, I woulda thought him another country singer with a pleasant but not too exciting voice. I was a little surprised that a 'pure country' sound would be so big in Ireland, but then I was reminded of a personal friend from years ago. This guy had only been in the US for a short time and his favorite vocalists of all time was Marty Robbins.

      got you down as an 'enthusiastic' vote for FM.

      Delete
  17. Oh, my gosh! I really liked both versions, but I'm a Flogging Molly fan, and I really do love their version. So my vote goes to Flogging Molly :)

    And I think our calendar should start with March, too. Ending a year with winter and beginning another one with winter seems like punishment.

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    1. Another vote for FM.

      I never really thought about that end of year/beginning of year being a winter thing, for a lot of folks, but it makes sense. I would be much nicer to start the year off with the renewal of spring.

      Delete
  18. Ha, "an Irishman in me" too cool.

    Gotta love a band by the name Flogging Molly. But ya know I dig the country sound so my vote goes to Ben.

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    1. I knew I could count on you to get (comment on) my bad joke. Ha!

      So, an awesome name like that ain't enough to sway your vote. OK, I see how you are. And another one for Ben Currie.

      Delete
  19. They were both very good, but I have to go with Flogging Molly's more original sound. His passion and Irish brogue are a winning combination!

    Julie

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    1. AND, another vote for Flogging Molly. It's definitely an Irish sound.

      Thanks Julie for stopping by.

      Delete
  20. Flogging Molly, here's to you Mike!

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  21. Thanks, for stopping by to vote. No surprises here. ;-)

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  22. A friend of mine from County Mayo once told me that country music is huge in Ireland. Ben's version showed me why. He gets my vote.

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    1. Hey John, glad you made it by. Thanks for the vote. Ben chalks up another one.

      Delete
  23. FAE~
    I still has no Internet service and I can't really play the songs because I'm in a public library and they'd kick me out. But thanks to my immense musical knowledge (and a little help from a good friend) I'm able to cast a vote anyway...

    Give my vote to: BEN CURRIE.

    If I manage to get Internet service prior to the 21st, I will return and correct my vote (should I determine I got it wrong the first time... which is highly unlikely).

    Excuse the "copy & paste" job but at least I ain't totally AWOL in this installment of BOTB. I should be back at 100% before too long.

    ~ D-FensDogG
    'Loyal American Underground'

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    1. Copy and paste or whatever, a vote is a vote and this is one of note.

      And, Ben gets another one.

      Delete
    2. >>... I had a wee bit of Irish in me. (OK, that was a really bad joke. If you didn’t get it just move along ‘cause I ain’t ‘splain nutting.)

      Very similar to a remark Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy once (or more often) said from the stage. I'll 'splain it when I have my own Internet service.

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
  24. Can't help with the bands, but I love the little dog pics. ;-) #IWSG

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