Monday, November 9, 2015

Lions & Tigers & White Rabbits, Oh MY! - I'm Late Again








YIKES! Life has actually overtaken me. I keep saying I think it’s going to happen and now it has. I’m two days behind on posting my BATTLE OF THE BANDS results and I won’t even begin to list everything else in my life that is running late.

So…let’s get on with it, shall we?

I had a lot of fun with this BATTLE. It was interesting to work with Mr. McCarthy and see these four worthy contestants (one not so much, in my opinion) battle it out. I am of the thinking that in both BATTLES, the best man won.

I love Nina Simone. First, she reminds me of a very dear friend from St. Croix, Miss Iotha Thomas. They are similar in every way except for their vocal talents. Iotha loves to sing and does so with as much gusto as Nina, but when it comes to staying on key and having a perfect pitch, not so much.

Anyway…I’m not sure if any of you remember my very first BOTB (Mr. McCarthy was kind enough to link you to this BATTLE at his blog), at that time I pitted Miss Simone against the band Muse with the song ‘Summertime’. Nina won handily, as she should have. Her rendition of ‘The Look of Love’ is wonderful and I really enjoy it. It seems many of you felt the same. But, as your comments show, she just wasn’t up to the task of taking on Mr. Sergio Mendes and the marvelous Brazil ’66.

As much as I like Nina, there are not adequate words to describe how I feel about Sergio and Brazil. I don’t think I have heard anything by them that isn’t superb. Man, they probably have the best version of ‘Happy Birthday’ every heard. But, I digress. There is no doubt that Sergio Mendes and Brazil ’66 simply own this one and are hard to beat.  No doubt about it, my vote goes to them.

The final tally:
                         Nina Simone                                 6 votes            
                        Sergio Mendes and Brazil ’66        16 votes (including mine)

All things considered, I think Nina made a pretty fine showing here. I was warned that this could have been a shut-out, or at the very least a blow-out. You may feel differently, but I think Nina getting 38% of the vote qualifies this as a valid BATTLE.

I’ll be back on the 15th of November with something fun for my next BATTLE OF THE BANDS. Until that time, Happy Trails.

Here is my favorite SM & B’66 tune for your enjoyment.


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17 comments:

  1. Alex J. CavanaughNovember 9, 2015 at 8:02 AM

    You pitted them against Muse? I recently discovered how much I like that band so I'll have to listen to their version.

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  2. Arlee BirdNovember 9, 2015 at 8:22 AM

    I agree with you about Sergio Mendes and his recordings with the various incarnations of his bands--they do some great stuff that's hard to beat. Nothing wrong with their version of "Look of Love", but still I think the instrumentation on Simone's version is superior. Her voice probably was the most off-putting part of the recording for most listeners, but I managed to get used to it and vote for Simone anyway.

    Nice Battle.

    Arlee Bird
    Wrote By Rote

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    Replies
    1. farawayeyesNovember 11, 2015 at 9:42 AM

      I liked everything about Simone's version, just not as well as Serior's.

      Delete
  3. Pat HattNovember 9, 2015 at 8:47 AM

    Just proved they are hard to beat indeed

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  4. A Beer for the ShowerNovember 9, 2015 at 8:53 AM

    I searched for Brazil 66 Happy Birthday to see if they had recorded that but they didn't. I'm kinda disappointed. But I suppose Mas Que Nada is an acceptable substitute. Cheers to a great battle!

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    Replies
    1. farawayeyesNovember 11, 2015 at 9:43 AM

      I should have known you would look for that. Thanks for the compliment. I love 'Mas Que Nada', so much you could sing it at my birthday.

      Delete
  5. Stephen T. McCarthyNovember 9, 2015 at 9:48 AM

    I love S.M. & BRASIL '66, and I love that song, too. I have a recording of it on CD by Tamba Trio, and it sounds nearly identical. I wonder who recorded it first.

    Well, this was indeed a blowout - ain't no question about it - but for a blowout it wasn't too horribly lopsided. I'm glad Nina put up some kind of a fight.

    Yak Later...

    ~ D-FensDogG
    'Loyal American Underground'

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    Replies
    1. farawayeyesNovember 11, 2015 at 9:46 AM

      I think a blowout would have been only one or two votes, but...you say tomato, I say TOMATO. What are ya gonna do? Or, should we call the whole thing off?

      Delete
    2. farawayeyesNovember 11, 2015 at 9:47 AM

      It's kinda like that 'leg o lamb' thing.

      Delete
  6. ~Sia McKye~November 9, 2015 at 11:25 AM

    My dad and mom like Sergio and I have to admit this is also one of my favorites. :-)

    Sia McKye Over Coffee

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  7. CherdoNovember 11, 2015 at 5:36 PM

    You're late? Sister, I'm the Queen of Late! But it's looking like I'll be able to sit and read while Gonzo goes to PT three times a week - so I might be downright prolific!

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    Replies
    1. farawayeyesNovember 14, 2015 at 8:57 PM

      Ha, ha, ha! Well then, I'm at least the princess.

      Delete
  8. RobinNovember 12, 2015 at 6:44 AM

    You're not the only one who can't keep up. Shall we start a club???

    I really liked both versions in your last battle. It was one of those cases that I'd have been okay with either outcome... and I am!

    Can you believe the next battle is just three days away???

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    Replies
    1. farawayeyesNovember 14, 2015 at 8:58 PM

      Not exactly sure who would want to join that club, eh?

      Three days? Actually it's about three hours away for me, and if I'm right, it's already the 15th in your time zone, right now! HA!

      Delete

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