Friday, April 8, 2016

THE RESULTS ARE IN



Apologies are in order AGAIN! I’m a day behind with my results post and for that I apologize. My doctor changed some of my meds on Tuesday and I'm having a dill of a reaction. You gotta love it when the medication that's supposed to make you better, makes you sick. I expect that a lot of you are so busy with the A to Z Challenge that you didn’t even notice, but none the less, I like to adhere to the regular schedule when I can.

This was another BATTLE that I was afraid could have been a blow-out. When the first six votes came in it was 5 to 1 in favor of Hank Williams Jr. Certainly looked like ole Bocephus was fixin’ to run off with this BATTLE, but that was not to be. Subsequent votes went resoundingly to the bearded boys from Texas, ZZ Top.

I’ve been a fan of ZZ for quite some time. I’ve seen in concert and they really put on a terrific show. They probably hold a special place in my heart of concerts I’ve attended, because as I was waiting to enter the venue for one of their shows, right in broad daylight on the midway of the southeast Idaho State Fair, I had a rather profound Spiritual experience. YIKES! Just goes to prove that when the Spirit is strong and there is a message you need, no matter where you are or what you might be doing. My advice to you and myself, is; do your best to always be prepared.

Anyway, even after all of that I cast my vote for Hank Williams Jr.

Yeah, I’m going with Bocephus. I’ve not been a big fan of his music. Some of it like quite a bit and some, not so much. When Mr. McCarthy proposed this joint venture he gave me the choice of which song to use. When I heard Hank’s version of ‘La Grange’ I was blown away. Frankly, I could not have imagined anyone even trying to cover that notorious ZZ Top number, but Bocephus not only covered it, but managed to one up those guys at the Top

In the end it was not enough to put him over the Top, but all in all this was a real horse race, with each contender taking the lead for a day or two.

The final tally:

                Hank Williams Jr./Bocephus   9 votes including mine
                ZZ Top                               11 votes

By my reckoning and your voting both here and at STMcC Presents BOTB, it would appear the bearded boys from Texas – ZZ Top, reign supreme, at least when it comes to their own music. These two BATTLES have certainly proved my theory that it’s a hard choice to pit the original against a cover. Maybe it’s best to let two covers battle it out in the future.

I’m going to be moving over the weekend of April 15. My WiFi service will be turned off at the old place on the 15th and won’t be turned on at the new house until the 18th, so, I’m going to sit out the next BATTLE. Besides most of you guys will be just rounding the bend of the A to Z thing and will most likely be worn to a frazzle. Having one less BOTB to visit, should be a ‘good thing’.

I’ll be back on May 1st with another BATTLE and most likely a tale of woe with respect to yet another move. Until that time, HAPPY TRAILS!


25 comments:

  1. Well, I must say this shocks me. I really thought Bocephus has this one in the bag. His version of La Grange was Tops!!! But, I guess 11 folks forgot to put their hearing aids in, and heard it differently. Dang it!!!

    Best of luck with your move, and I hope your feeling Top-Notch real soon.

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    1. As you can see from my post, I was pretty disappointed, but that's BOTB for ya.

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  2. That was a close one.
    Good luck with the move!

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  3. Come to think of it, I may need to sit out the 15th as well. I'll be out of town from Friday till Monday. My internet access will be spotty at best. Which means I likely won't be able to get back to people for a few days.

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    1. It5's pretty hard to play catch up. And, if you're also doing the A to Z thingy, it would be murder.

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  4. FAE ~
    I think your Battle was a flippin' travesty. This result actually disturbs me a bit, and I don't normally take BOTB seriously enough to feel anything negative from it.

    I was SURE Hank would win this one, and he damn sure SHOULD HAVE! He blew ZZ Top's ass right outta da water on 'LA GRANGE'.

    I guess it takes a certain knack to listen to two songs and pretend that you're hearing them both for the first time, so you can judge on a level playing field. If one of the recordings is a well known hit, some folks can't escape the notion that THAT'S the way it's SUPPOSED to sound.

    Too much familiarity and reputation corrupted this Battle, IMO. If no one had heard either of those recordings before, I believe HANK would have trounced ZZ Top. And if Hank's version had actually been the hit, and ZZ Top's recording had been the cover, I believe Hank would have shut them out completely. The "Bocephus" version had EVERYTHING the ZZ Top version had AND MORE! This was a sad ending to what I thought was going to be a really surprising match-up for a lot of people. (Well, it WAS surprising for some, as was expressed.)

    I give my brother Nappy (aka Judge Al Bondigas) credit for admitting that the familiarity factor was probably the main reason he voted for ZZ Top.

    Your Battle has likely changed how I will do BOTB in the future. It's obvious to me now that a hit song by the original artist will almost always beat a cover by someone else, even if the cover is a lot better'n the original in every respect.

    Sorry to be so outspoken about a fun, silly game ('BOTB'), but this one was sheer bullshittery! At least I can learn from it and adjust my BOTB concept going forward.

    ~ D-FensDogG
    'Loyal American Underground'

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    1. Well, whether you like the outcome or not, you have to admit that it was at least close. It's kind of hard to pit the original against a cover, no matter how good the cover might be. I think I'll steer clear of that in the future. I'm also learning not to get to invested in the outcome (the reason why I don't post of my very most favorites in BOTB).

      Sometimes it's hard to be objective. I thought I did pretty good this time out, considering I'm a much bigger fan of ZZ than Bocephus, but still thought he was better 'an them, but then that's me, and we all know I'm at the very least unusual.

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    2. Today is June 3rd, 2019, and your ZZ Top versus Bocephus BOTB outcome is *STILL* utter BULLSHIT!

      I admit and confess: I'm definitely not as smart as I sometimes think I am. If I were, I'd learn from my past mistakes. But, as [Link> THIS MISTAKE proves, I am incapable of learning.

      Color me: "Retarded".

      ~ D-FensDogG

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  5. A close battle. I will miss you on the 15th but look forward to what you will come up with on May 1st.

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  6. Close one indeed. Hopefully the move goes swell. Worn out? Bah, the cat posts every day any way haha

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    1. Yu are surely a real blogging machine. Thanks for the well wishes, I may need them.

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  7. Moving? That terrifies me to even think about. It would be easier for me to set a fire and drive off than pack all my stuff. Good luck.

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    1. Believe me I've thought about that 'set fire and drive off' thing.

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  8. Fae, that was a close battle. I voted against ZZ Top because I was blown away by Hank Jr's version. I'm surprised more people didn't see it that way. But most folks are just more familiar with ZZ's version and, especially when they dearly love the version, it's hard to vote against it.

    I don't envy you moving. Moving is a bitch! OMG. I feel for you. Good luck. I hope it's a seamless move with no stress!

    See you in May...

    Michele at Angels Bark

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    1. Thanks Michele, at least this was a close BATTLE and not another blow-out. for that I'm grateful

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  9. A 2 vote separation! Great job - nothing to be upset about. I'd love it if my battle were this close, but the year's battles, so far, leave me wondering if I lost my touch!?

    Sure, I voted for the loser, Hank, but I've no regrets. A CD on him will be on my Christmas list this year!! Thank you for sharing this song choice, as well.

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    1. Thanks Dixie. I am grateful for the close BATTLE. I've had several blow-out in a row and I was really beginning to doubt myself at this BOTB thing.

      Well, we're in the same boat - voting for the loser -, but you just gotta do what your ears tell you to do.

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  10. I'll miss you in the next Battle, but I can understand. I didn't catch this post until today because yesterday I was driving over half the day, eating for a small part of it, sleeping most of the afternoon (after that 3 day drive I was worn out), and then relaxing watching a movie last night.

    This Battle was so close for me that I guess the familiarity factor did enter into it a great deal. I was a bit put off by Hank's opening spiel and preferred the funky vocal in the ZZ version. The piano in Hank's version should have won me over, but the hard bluesy punch of ZZ really grabs me as well as that ticky ticky drum sound at the beginning--don't know why I like that so much. Over all it was kind of a draw for me and judging by the outcome of the voting I think this was the case for all the voters.

    Great contest nonetheless. Both versions are solid winners.

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

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    1. Hard to believe that you're on the road during the A to Z Challenge. I suppose that only serves to make it more challenging.

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    2. Seems like every year after my first Challenge I've had to take a trip for some reason or another. This time it was because the first week of April was my wife's spring break and she wanted to go to Houston and she wanted me to drive her. Simple as that, but we had a heck of a good time. And yes it was an added Challenge.

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

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  11. An interesting result on this one. I missed your voting period, but cast my ballot after the fact. Enjoy your break.

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    1. Thanks. Not sure how much enjoying I'll be doing, but something had to give. I just could not do it all.

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