I'm running behind, as usual, so let's dispense with any extra yak and cut right to the chase.
You'll remember that the last time out with BATTLE OF THE BANDS Mr. McCarthy and I collaborated and used the same song with four different artists. Well, these were interesting BATTLES at both sites. Interesting in the fact that both BATTLES ended in what we like to call BLOW-OUTS, meaning one artist won by quite a large margin.
Today here at FAR AWAY SERIES we're gonna see just who the 'winner take all' will be. The tune Poinciana.
First let's hear from Mr. Ahmad Jamal the winner at Far Away Series on March 1:
Next up, Mr. Danny Gatton, the winner at STMcC Present BOTB on March 1:
Last time out Mr. McCarthy thought maybe Danny had the advantage of a live video as opposed to a static picture, audio only video, so, if you've gotten this far and not yet listened; why not give it the sound only test and don't watch the videos. But most likely you're reading this after you have already clicked on those links. No matter.
Once you have finished up here by leaving a comment with your vote in the comment box, please do head on over to the home of Mr. BOTB hisself; Stephen T. McCarthy At his site not only will you find a superb BATTLE, but he is the keeper of THE LIST. That LIST included all the official participants. Please try to visit all of the BATTLES and leave a vote.
I'll be back on the 21st with my vote, the final tally, and the Supreme Commander of Poinciana, in other words the winner.
Until then...Happy Trails!
I'l go with Danny Gatton on this one. It didn't have anything to do with the video. The other was just too bass-y for me. It wasn't bad, I just preferred Danny's version better.
ReplyDeleteFun culmination battle!
Michele at Angels Bark
OK, Michele, Danny Gatton right out of the gate.
DeleteDanny Gatton gets my vote. I like the cool rendition that they present. . .and I missed the last BOTBs.
ReplyDeleteWell, D.G. Glad you made it to this one, and Danny it is for you.
DeleteDanny Gatton. Has a lot more energy and he put a unique spin on it.
ReplyDeleteOK Alex, it's now 3 for 3.
DeleteBoth versions are super, but in the context of the song I'm going to go with Ahmad Jamal. I prefer it done with a more laid back sound like he performs it. It's that tropical exotica sound that gives the song a dreamier quality that I think is called for. Gatton on the other hand turns the song into a dynamic show piece which works in an outstanding way for his live performance. For just anytime listening, thinking, dreaming, I'd go with Jamal's sound.
ReplyDeleteI vote for Ahmad Jamal.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
Finally, a vote to Ahmad, but I fear he's gonna have to run real fast to try and catch up. Funny how he ran off with the BATTLE last time (but then so did Gatton) and he isn't getting much love this time around.
DeleteDanny gets my vote at my sea. Just seemed to really feel it more.
ReplyDeleteDanny for the feeling.
DeleteI'm sticking with Gatton - I like the tempo!!
ReplyDeleteWhen I think about it, I do believe you voted for Keith Jarrett at my BATTLE last time, so this vote makes perfect sense.
DeleteLooks like a little bit of a blowout so far. We hate to add to the pile, but... yeah, we both loved Gatton. Sorry Ahmad. His version was great, but Danny Gatton's stiff competition for even the best.
ReplyDeleteYe, yer helping to pile the shame on poor Ahmad. does that have anything to do with your current 'character'? Ha, ha, ha!
DeleteLove Gatto. Especially the bongos halfway through. They get my vote
ReplyDeleteOK, I'll give your vote to that cool 'cat ,Danny Gatton.
DeleteAlthough Gatton wows again with his virtuosity, Ahmad gets my vote. I am often more loquacious than this about my reasoning, I am not on my game tonight. I'm traveling, it has been a long day of driving (much of it through a literal BLINDING snowstorm) and I'm just gassed. But suffice to say that I just love that Jamal version.
ReplyDeleteNo problem what so ever. Be careful out there on the road, it can be treacherous (in more ways than one). Oh AND, I truly appreciate the vote for Ahmad.
DeleteI think these were the two I voted for, so this is tough, but I'm going with Ahmad Jamal this time. It just sounds righter on piano. Both versions are excellent.
ReplyDeleteMy battle: https://thesoundofonehandtyping.wordpress.com/2016/03/15/battle-of-the-bands-im-a-man/
Yeah, Gatton and Jamal both ran away with the BATTLES last time, so now, most you you guys really have to make a choice, but so far Gatton is clobbering Jamal. I'm sure he appreciates your vote as much as I do (hoping this isn't a total blow out),
DeleteI'll roll with the majority. Gratton.
ReplyDeleteOK, got you on 'their' side.
DeleteDanny Gatton! I'm a sucker for guitar virtuosity. ☺
ReplyDeleteGoin' with the guitar...OK, you got it.
DeleteDanny Gatton gets my vote for this battle.....just really liked the way his sounded more. Great battle!
ReplyDeleteKim (ReInVintaged)
Thanks Kim, and Danny logs in another vote.
DeleteDanny Gatton gets my vote
ReplyDeleteOne more vote in the many for Gatton.
DeleteDanny Gatton gets my vote, that is a tough Telecaster to beat!
ReplyDeleteAh, a vote for the telecaster and the man behind it, eh?
DeleteIn a perfect world, I'd be NEW! IMPROVED! I'd awake with a whole new take on music in general and chose someone different.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I'm still me. JAMAL still gets my vote, though both are awesome.
Blessings to you, FAE!
Thanks Cherdo. AND one more of the few for Jamal.
DeleteHello, FAE!
ReplyDeleteAfter listening to these I kinda wondered (but not enough to actually DO it... because I'm so behind with BoTB) how I'd feel about Glenn Miller vs Jamal. I had a tough time choosing between GM and DG on StMcC's blog. I kinda suspect I'd like Glenn Miller better than Jamal, which gives you a hint how I'm voting here. After much debate last time, I chose Gatton. So, this one was much easier for me.
It's still Gatton. But it might've been Glenn Miller if the match-up had been different. Now I know it sounds like I'm knocking Jamal. Not at all. His version was very good. The problem here is an overdose of talent!!!
OK, I get your personal preferance, but why would I post a BATTLE pitting the loser of such a blow-out BATTLE, against the winner of an equally blow-out BATTLE. Just wouldn't make any sense to me. But then, perhaps Jamal would have had more of a chance. Ha, ha, ha!
DeleteIf you had such a hard time deciding between Gatton and Miller, I can see that Jamal would not have had a chance in your voting.
Yeah, I agree with Girl Wonder's remark that what we've been dealing with in 'Poinciana' is "an overdose of talent".
ReplyDeleteIt hurts me a little bit to cast this vote because I SO LOVE the Ahmad Jamal version. It's absolutely terrific in EVERY way. But I especially dig that quirky Joe Morello-ish drumming. It's a fabulous classic Jazz track.
Unfortunately though, DANNY GATTON has so much going on - he's the ultimate improvisational guitarist and his recording is just loaded with so many clever little musical ideas tossed in here and there.
There's one point (starting at around 6:13) where Danny just tosses in this lick that's wonderful and works great within the context of the piece, and yet at the same time, it's stylistically different from all that came before it. Danny had a musically genius mind, and when he suddenly felt compelled to "go there" with that phrase, one of the musicians (out of the camera's view) must have laughed or said something because you can see Danny immediately look over at someone to his right and smile. It was as if the other performer indicated "I saw what you did there" and Danny's smile was like a "you caught me". It's a great moment in a recording that has too many great moments to count.
Great Battle. Too bad it's Gatton he's going against because Jamal and his band really deserves a lotta love.
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
While these BATTLES may have been 'an overdose of talent', I'm still surprised at the overwhelming response to Gatton here, after Jamal did so well in the previous BATTLE, one would think he would have made a little bit better showing here.
DeleteWell, back to the old adage; that there is no accounting for how things go in BOTB.
I'm voting for Ahmad Jamal. I had to listen four times to each... This was tough, FAE. Great, great battle. (And I'm sorry I missed the first round.)
ReplyDeleteGuilie @ Quiet Laughter
Well Guilie, glad you made it to THIS BATTLE, anyway. AND, I'm doubly glad to count another vote for Jamal, making this blow-out a little bit less severe.
Delete