This was a fun BATTLE for me. I was a bit worried that it could
be a complete blow out. I figured that most of you would vote for the version
by Don Henley. It’s more modern and that reggae beat is pretty catchy. BUT, as
usual you guys surprised me and quite a few of you enjoyed the Stubby Kaye
version. Before we get to my choice and the final vote let me tell you a few
things about these two versions.
The original is from the Broadway Play ‘Guys and Dolls’, which
was later made into a movie; hence the Stubby Kaye version. Stubby was more of a
character actor than a singer, so his voice isn’t as pleasant as Don’s, but as
a few of you mentioned, this song is more conversational.
Songs in musicals were meant to be conversational; this is so
they can keep telling the story. I’ve felt a little irritated in some musicals,
when they just break into song, for the sake of adding a song, and not
necessarily moving the story along. ‘Guys and Dolls’ is NOT this type of
musical. All of the songs are appropriate and work to move the story along. It’s
a great story and the movie version has some really big names of the time. I
encourage you to rent it sometime.
Don Henley’s version comes from the movie ‘Leap of Faith’, a
quirky movie starring Steve Martin as a swindler type tent preacher, who ends
up having a real spiritual experience. It’s a pretty good movie and again I
encourage you rent it sometime. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen it, so I can’t
really tell you where this song comes into play, but it does fit the story.
I’m a little torn about my vote. I really like both versions. For
just simply listening pleasure I like the Don Henley version, but for real ‘content’
Stubby wins me over, hands down. Either way that I might vote wouldn’t change
the outcome whatsoever. Here’s the final tally without my vote:
Don
Henley 16 votes
Stubby
Kaye 9 votes
Mr. Henley is the clear winner here. You guys liked the
modern/reggae sound of his version. Maybe the familiarity of it had something
to do with it (Don’s version did get some radio play.), who is to say.
I’ll be back on the 15th with another BATTLE. I appreciate
your support and votes. I really appreciate all of the new participants. You
guys make me smile.
Until the 15th – Happy Trails!
I agree that familiarity had a role in my vote. Nice battle.
ReplyDeleteAnd you are not alone, on this BATTLE or others. I think a lot of people vote that way, a lot of the time.
DeleteFAE ~
ReplyDelete>>... I’ve felt a little irritated in some musicals, when they just break into song, for the sake of adding a song, and not necessarily moving the story along.
Actually, that's what turned me off of musicals for a long time. It seems most of those I saw earlier on were the sorts of musicals where the song is there simply to entertain the audience and serves no real purpose in advancing the story, providing backstory info, or insight into the character.
Later, as I saw more musicals, I began to encounter many that used the songs the way they ought to be employed and I changed my mind about musicals. (However, I still like the Roy Rogers musicals, even if the songs were there usually in order to simply include Country-Western songs to make the movie a "musical".)
Funny, I don't think I have EVER heard Don Henley's version on the radio. I know it solely from the 'Leap Of Faith' movie soundtrack album which I've owned for many years. (Good movie, by the way. Maybe a tad formulaic, but still plenty good enough that I purchased the DVD. It was an inventive storyline, and Steve Martin's enthusiasm at the end makes it a true WINNER!)
For being "not really a singer", Stubby made a good showing for himself here and acquired more of the votes than I'd have anticipated.
So... where's your vote? You pulling a "Doc Cherdo" on us? Ha! C'mon! Out wid it, you weaselette.
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
POSTSCRIPT:
Got another hurricane happening as I type. But then this IS Reno, where it rarely rains. HA! Biggest load of bullshit I've ever encountered. Damn, I hate this place!
Hey, no "Doc Cherdo" finger pointing on other blogs....ha ha ha. Don't make me come out there, Stephen.
DeleteIs there another move in your future?
Ha! I was sure you'd see my comment and figured it might light a fire under yer butt to... out wid yer own BOTB vote. (I'm devious that way :-)
Delete~ D-FensDogG
Makes me feel kind of bad that you hate it in Reno so much. I tend to like it, but then I don't live there. I've got the best of both worlds; close enough to visit, but I don't have to put up with the 'biggest little city' full time. Of course, I think you would hate it even more where I live.
DeleteYeah, I didn't vote. It's hard for me to decide as I really like both of these versions. As I said in my post, if it's just for listening to on a day to day basis; I would definitely go with Don, but as for how the song was intended and how perfectly it fits in the musical it's Stubby all the way. So...does that answer your burning question. Probably not, but then 'you know me'.
Crap, I think I missed it...
ReplyDeleteThat you did, but don't feel too bad; I completely left my IWSG post off on the first. Got rolling and completely forgot about it.
DeleteI've got to admit that I've always liked Don Henley...I don't want to, but I do...
ReplyDeleteGreat match-up.
Ha, ha, ha! 'You don't want to like Don, but you do. I tend to think a lot of people feel the very same way.
DeleteWe saw the Steve Martin movie (years ago) and were surprised that he was almost serious, esp. at the end.
ReplyDeleteStubby Kaye.
There was a serious subtext to the movie, even though Martin did his best 'funny man'. I really like the ending.
DeleteWasn't a complete blowout indeed, closer than i would have guessed too.
ReplyDeleteSeems most people feel the same way.
DeleteNot surprised with this outcome, but turned out to be fairly competitive... :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, Stubby and the movie musical version did do pretty well, considering.
DeleteAlthough I picked Don Henley, it was nice to see that Stubby still got quite a few votes. Guilty of going with the more familiar.
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of people vote for the more familiar sound, not like there's anything wrong with that.
DeleteThis turned out as I had expected.
ReplyDeleteI used to have that same problem about musicals and people breaking out into song until I started appreciating the music itself better. I think the musical film that really turned me around on this thinking was Cabaret. After that one I started paying more attention to the pleasure of enjoying a musical without thinking about the singing popping up unrealistically. Suspension of disbelief I guess it is.
Lee
Wrote By Rote
Glad to hear it. It's always nice when that happens.
DeleteI think a lot of people have problems with musicals for this very reason
You didn't want to rock the boat by casting your vote huh?
ReplyDeleteHa, ha, ha! Yeah, something like that.
DeleteWell I have to concede to the winner, but that doesn't mean I have to agree with it! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd that's a fact ;-)
DeleteWell, we still stand by our guns, but at least we didn't get blown completely out of the water. And perhaps familiarity did play a part in the vote, but the other way around, as neither of us had ever heard the Henley version.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate your professional approach. These are pieces of very useful information that will be of great use for me in future.
ReplyDelete