Just in case you’re thinking I’m kind of late getting my BATTLE
OF THE BANDS post up today; think on this for a minute, I’m also posting my
results from the last BOTB (which, BTW, should have been posted on 1/7/16). To
say I’m running behind, might be the understatement of 2016, at least so far.
Without giving you all the gory details, let’s just say I came home from my
Christmas trip sick, really sick. Today is my first day back to work and I’ve
spent most of the past week and a half, in bed. I hope I’ve gotten my run with
pneumonia out of the way for 2016. We’ll see.
Let’s go with the results from the January 1 post first, shall
we? In case you don’t remember that far back I pitted Leon Russell against Jim
Morrison and The Doors with the song ‘Woman, Get Out of My Life’. I really,
Really, REALLY like both versions and had a hard time deciding which I would
vote for, but in the end I’m a die-hard Leon Russell fan. When he starts
banging on that piano in that honky-tonk style of his, I’m done for. Leon may not
have the sweetest voice, but you all know I’m a sucker for those raspy voiced
singers, now, don’t ya?
The final tally was:
Leon
Russell 14 votes (including
mine)
Jim/The
Doors 9 votes
A fairly close BATTLE, if I do say so myself.
OK, now that we have that out of the way; let’s get on with the
BATTLE for today.
My friend Mr. Sheboygan 6 had given me several very good
suggestions for BATTLES a few months back and I’ve been working my way through
them. Today, I’m writing this from work and I left his list at home, but I do
remember that he suggested I use some Reggae. OK, so here’s my very favorite
‘Bob’ tune.‘Three Little Birds’ or EGBOK (Everything gonna be alright/OK)
First let’s hear from the man himself – Mr. Bob Marley
Next up an interesting version I found by Connie Talbot (she’s 8
years old in this video – a winner of Britain's Got Talent, who snagged a recording
contract)
Alrighty, you guys know what to do and how to do it. Leave me
your vote in the comment section and tell me WHY. When you finish up here, head
on over to the home of Mr. BOTB himself, Stephen T. McCarthy where you can find a link to the
other participants. Please try to vote at all the BATTLES.
The Good Lord willin’ and the creek don’t rise…I’ll be back on
the 21st with the results. I promise! Until that time…H-A-P-P-Y
T-R-A-I-L-S!
So glad to finally see you here. I was really beginning to wonder if all was well. Glad you're starting to improve some.
ReplyDeleteI voted for Leon so I'm glad he won that round. It was a good outcome.
I'm going to vote for Connie since she reminds me of my granddaughter Marley (who was named in honor of Bob Marley). Marley has been singing "Three Little Birds" since she was about 2 or 3. Now she's 7 and taking lessons at a fairly well known rock music school in Asbury Park, NJ. This is one of the songs she sings with the "band" she works with at the school. I hope Marley can get some success with the singing. Her mother also has a beautiful singing voice.
Get better!
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
&
Wrote By Rote
Thank Lee. I really got 'kicked to the curb' this time. I've had pneumonia three times in 2015 and thought I was being so careful, but apparently not.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of your granddaughter, Marley, singing this song. Somehow I bet 'Bob' would think that's pretty cool too. There is an innocence about this song, IMO, that makes it seem perfectly logical to be sung by a child.
The first vote counted for little Connie Talbot.
FAE ~
ReplyDeleteI'm no great fan of BOB's (what about him?), but give "BOGART BOB" my (socially responsible) vote.
Connie's cute, but I oppose the idea of thrusting children into the public spotlight before they're mature enough to understand and handle the public acclaim.
Now that she's been artificially manufactured into an "instant star", what are the odds that 8-year-old Connie will become a well-adjusted, emotionally-stable adult?
Aside from that, there are a billion more talented, musically-knowledgeable, and worthy female singers than Connie is. I think one of their careers should be promoted first. The only real attraction about Connie is that she sings well for an 8-year-old.
I say, let the recording contract go to a more gifted singer who has paid her dues. Just one man's opinion.
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
POSTSCRIPT:
Delete>>... I'm going to vote for Connie since she reminds me of my granddaughter
I'm voting for BOB because he reminds me of Jamarkus, a kid I knew in high school who was killed in 1979 during a drug deal that went bad on Venice Boulevard in West Los Angeles.
I'm also voting for BOB because his recording of the song was better. But that particular reason for voting for him was just an afterthought. The main thing is that Bob makes me think of Jamarkus.
~ D-FensDogG
About all I can say here that at least I was saved from a shut out 'right out of the gate'. Apparently, I can count on you and Lee to always cast opposing votes. Shut outs be gone.
DeleteThe kid is cute and a great singer for her age, but Bob wins it for me. Just found his a better version. Hopefully the germs stay away at your sea too.
ReplyDeleteCute just doesn't quite cut it, eh?
DeleteAgree with Pat, although I was stunned by that kid's voice.
ReplyDeleteAt least the battle keeps you blogging.
So far that's a good thing. I have contemplated giving up blogging altogether in 2016. We'll see what happens. I really hate to abandon BOTB, but that's about all I seem to be able to do.
DeleteSo glad you're back in action! Pneumonia is rough: i've had it before and I know how it knocks the wind out of you. Glad you're on the mend.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Connie's version but I'm going to vote for Bob. Connie's voice was cute but it was too cute for me. I like a more adult sound therefore Bob gets my vote.
Get lots of rest!! It's easy to relapse after pneumonia. Hope you're feeling great and getting caught up...
Michele at Angels Bark
Thanks Michelle, I have been doing a lot of resting. I definitely did have the wind knocked out of me - literally.
DeleteGot you down as another vote for Bob.
Oooooo, this is an interesting combo. Generally, I can be swayed by overt cuteness into surrendering my vote rapudly and willingly BUT in this case, I gotta go with Bob Marley.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear you've been sick! Pneumonia got me one this winter, too. No fun, eh? Better days are coming, my friend. Hugs!
I'm anticipating those better days with everything I've got left.
DeleteNo cuteness for you this time around, eh? Another vote for Bob.
I give it to Bob Marley-with age comes more realization on how to sing the words with meaning behind them. Kid does have a set of pipes but I hope she doesn't turn into another Miley Cyrus. Tough to have this all at once when you are not even 10. I hope her parents are good parents which is key.
ReplyDeleteGood Parent? Ain't that the truth. I'm not sure anyone really knows how to handle something like this. So many stage parents have helped to make a real mess of their children's lives.
DeleteBob it is for you.
Dang-I meant to say-I am glad you are feeling better. Pneumonia is nothing to think light of. I am glad you are finally strong enough to be back at work but I am certain you are still knocked down by the end of the day. Take care of yourself
ReplyDeleteThanks Birgit; it is a slow process to get back into the swing of things.
DeleteSo glad you're feeling better! Here's hoping for continued good health.
ReplyDeleteInteresting match up here. Connie is an amazing singer for one so young, but I'll have to vote for Bob Marley, as I prefer mature voices.
Bob owns this one for sure. Thanks for the well wishes. I'll take all I can get.
DeleteOh my gosh - is little Connie adorable or what? What a voice. Still, my vote's going to Bob Marley. He's one of my very favorite artists, and I do like the sound of his voice, music, and slightly more mellow vibe.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been around as much lately as I would have liked, but am glad you are feeling better and hope your health continues to improve. This year needs to get better.
Just about everyone I know is hoping for a better year in 2016. I didn't really know 2015 was all that bad until I got to the end of it.
DeleteGot you down for Bob.
Pneumonia, ouch. We're both glad to hear you're feeling better. Hang in there.
ReplyDeleteConnie has a lot of talent. She has a great voice. And yet, she's a little kid, and that's almost like a novelty. It's just not something either of us can sit down and listen to and thoroughly enjoy. It's hard to rock out to a little kid voice. It's more like a really impressive school talent show. So we both give our votes to Bob, while taking a sip of his tasty, tasty coffee.
Ha, it is a novelty and apparently not a good enough one to sway many votes in this BATTLE. Oh well, hopefully I'll get better 'all around' by 2.1.16.
DeleteOK, now I need a cup of coffee.
What did you go and get pneumonia for? I do hope you're feeling much better now.
ReplyDeleteConnie has a sweet voice and it's a good song for a little girl to sing. But I have to go with the one and only original Bob Marley.
Yeah, that pneumonia was a real dumb move on my part. I'm gonna have to try real hard not to do that again.
DeleteIt is a song that is suited for a child to sing, but apparently not in a BATTLE to the death against Bob. Ha, ha, ha!
Congratulations to Leon, though I didn't vote for him.
ReplyDeleteIllness is the pits. I hope you continue improving :)
I think if I were a Reggae fan, I'd be more inclined to vote Bob - not sure. I do enjoy children singing and I think this song is simple enough that she carries it well. My vote goes to Connie.
Sweet song - sweet battle!
Thanks Dixie, I am feeling better. It's a slow process to get my life back, but I'm working on it.
DeleteGot you down as the second vote for Connie. I'm sure she appreciates it.
I'm very sorry to hear how under the weather you have been this last year! I knew you'd had some troubles, but I'd no idea how much it had been. I sincerely hope 2016-2349 is better for you. After that, you're on your own.
ReplyDeleteI feel a bit like a grinch voting for Bob, but I agree with others: his version is just better. Since this is such an unscientific, meaningless poll, I have no problem with someone supporting the little tyke with a token vote. But I don't have the sense that your intent with this botb was to put forth a real contest. It is just a fun song that most people like (me included) with a totally different sort of contestant.
A vote for Bob.
If I can stay 'good' until 2349 I'll be happy. Thanks for that wish.
DeleteThis wasna last minute thing. I've heard the song done by Peter Tosh and was going to pit him against Bob (thought that might be interesting), then I know a woman has done it and hear it all the time on the radio, but alas I couldn't find either Peter or said woman on YouTube. I was late and still in that 'recovery fog' of trying to get back to work, normal, and all that jazz when I ran across Connie's version. I liked the novelty of it and thought she might garner a few votes, and if it weren't for Lee and STMc consistently voting in opposition to each other, I might have a shut out n my hands, Oh wait, there was one other vote for Connie.
Such is life, and BOTB is only a small silly part of that when it's all said and done.
I do like this song, probably my favorite Bob tune, well I also like 'Buffalo Soldier' a lot, but it's not as happy and upbeat, not to mention that I don't think I've ever heard a cover.
Thanks for your continued support and well wishes.
I wanted to clarify my comment "this is such an unscientific, meaningless poll." I am sure you know what I meant, but just to be certain: I mean that how we all vote on these BOTBs means nothing, and choosing a "winner" in this way is kinda silly. I DO NOT mean that the BOTB blogfest is meaningless or silly! It has become so popular because it is fun, and it brings a lot of joy AND learning to us listeners. I wouldn't be back every time if that were not the case. I am not a blogger; I'm just a reader.
DeleteI hope that you find the peace you seem to be lacking. If ceasing to blog brings that, then so be it. But I personally hope that you can continue.
BTW - I like a lot of Bob Marley. And Tosh, and Ziggy and Jimmy Cliff, and older reggae and soca in general. I'm actually heading for the Caribbean next week, though not for pleasure. I'm sure I'll hear some reggae then.
I knew exactly what you meant and took no offense. Lately, so much has been a struggle for me, that I'm really trying to simply my life and concentrate on what's really important. Now the big task is to make the cuts in some of the things that I'm habituated to but not really enjoying. Does that make sense? I'm not sure if blogging is one of them or not.
DeleteHaving said all of that, I'm absolutely green with envy that you are going down to 'de islands'. Even if it was a working vacation I could use some of that warm salt air on my face, sand between my toes, and an hour or two neck deep in the ocean. I think much better and more clear in the water. Guess I go take a shower and console myself. Winter is seeming way too long this year. (Listen to me -- it's only January 20th. YIKES!)
Wow! That was just wrong. Putting the Reggae master up against an adorable little girl. Well, the truth is, I've tried to get into Reggae music, I really do. So many of my friends love it, but for some reason I can't. I keep trying to like it. Marley does great with his song, but I'm going to choose Connie. Those music talent shows are hard to win, so I'm giving her some credit for winning.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you are feeling better, I was starting to get worried.
Thanks Jeffrey, and a third vote for Connie. It seems Reggae is something you either like or you don't. Not much middle of the road on it. Me, I like it.
DeleteIt's not that I don't like it. My friends listen and if I'm there I like what I hear. It's just a matter of actually choosing it. I like TV jingles too, but I don't really sit down and listen to them. Does that make any sense?
DeleteThat makes perfect sense. I have a lot of thing I feel exactly the same way about.
DeleteI thought I would vote for the little girl because how can I not vote for a little girl, but then she opened her mouth and the voice of an adult came out. It doesn't feel right, so I vote for Bob Marley.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Interesting response. I have to agree that watching the video there are times when it just seems as though that voice cannot be coming from a child. Another vote for Bob.
DeleteI vote for Bob, however it is wonderful to hear a young person sing his songs. It keeps the music alive.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mike, got you down for Bob (like most others). I think the young and the old are all working to keep his music alive, but then there was so much life in his music that's not really too hard a task.
DeleteFAE, I listened to this in bed yesterday morning. Can't say I'm "sick" but the migraine has knocked me out. I thought I'd get to my computer yesterday to vote, but no. It's now 8pm Tuesday night and I'm only just now making it back here (and still have so many battles to listen to/vote on).
ReplyDeleteI was very impressed by little Miss Talbot. That kid can sing. I have no doubt that she will be a force in the music world as a teen/adult (assuming she can manage all that goes with celebrity) because she is chock full of talent.
All that said, she's still a kid and can't really compete with the likes of Bob Marley. So my vote goes to Bob, but I'm rooting for Connie Talbot to make it in this thing we call Life.
Thanks Robin, got you down for Bob. Feel better.
DeleteFae, It's hard to vote against Bob Marley, but that little Miss Talbot won my heart over. She's not only talented, but a darling sweetheart. Give the the kiddie pie my vote, please! ;)
ReplyDelete