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This is my favorite time of year for EVERYTHING, but especially BATTLE OF THE BANDS. I don’t know about you,
but for me the music of Christmastime seems to set the mood perfectly. I love
it all, from the secular to the hymns. From the goofy (think; braking dogs
doing ‘Jingle Bells’) to the most reverent (Handel’s ‘Messiah’, comes to mind).
I actually start planning and looking up music as soon as the leaves begin to turn, so let’s get on with it.
I had a couple of different tunes in mind
for December 1, but in the end I decided to kick the Christmas BOTB off with a
tune that is not a traditional Christmas hymn but not quite a secular song
either.
First up let’s hear from that amazing a
Capella group The Pentatonix with ‘Mary Did You Know’.
Next, a more traditional version by a
non-traditional kind of guy Mr. CeeLo Green or Gnarls Barkley or however you may
know him. As a side note; I usually tell you not to let the video influence
your vote. In this case I hope the video won’t influence your vote, but if it
influences your life…well, I think that would be great.
Mr. CeeLo Green with ‘Mary Did You Know’
Now, you guys know what to do, how to do it
and where. Once you’ve finished up here head on over to the home of TSMOTP, Mr.
Stephen T. McCarthy and see what he has cooked up for us on his BOTB this
Christmas Season. You can find him at STMcC Presents Battle of the Bands Mr. McCarthy will provide links to
the other participants. Please try to visit everyone and vote on their BATTLES.
I’ll be back on the 7th with my
vote and the final tally AND another Christmas tune. In the meantime please enjoy this season as we lead up to
one of the most holy and most enjoyable of all Holidays Christmas!
FAE ~
ReplyDeleteThis is the song I've been planning to use on December 15th. I think I might still use it because I've got two different singers lined up for it.
Years ago (maybe in the late 1990s) I saw a movie about Jesus, and I believe it was a made for TV special. It was... SO BAD! ...I found myself laughing at the awful acting of the dude trying to play Jesus. But the most memorable scene for me (memorable in a laughingly awful way) was when He raised Lazarus from the dead. Jesus is standing before the tomb and He's grimacing and straining, as if He's constipated but trying to go Number Two.
Finally, Lazarus emerges from the...
tomb...
in his death wipers-- er, I mean, his death wrappings.
I had to laugh. As if Jesus had to do anything but calmly will Lazarus to return to life and it wouldn't be instantly done.
Anyway, in this Battle, I gotta vote PENTATONIX, even if their name sounds like it's a 21st Century digital camera. What they did with this song was really nice.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
Sorry to beat you to the punch on this song (not really, cause with BOTB, that's just how it goes). Since you are considering using .
Deletedifferent artists, I don't know why you shouldn't just go ahead as planned. As I've told you before, I've often entertained the idea of having a BOTB where we all use the same song and come up with different artists (that might have worked back when this was smaller, but today - I don't think so).
When it comes to film versions of the life of Jesus Christ not all actors and or directors are created equal. Some of those guys do not have a clue as to who He is.
You're the first vote for Pentatonix.
I'm going with the second version, not because of the video but because of the voice. Pentatonix is wonderful, but several of the men have the same sounding voices as the woman... I also really like Kethy Mattea's version, but I can't vote for her.
ReplyDeleteWell bish, you have the honor of casting the first vote for CeeLo here. It's my opinion that both versions are wonderful, so there can be no wrong vote. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteBTW - I do like, and did consider using Cathy Maatea's version, but thought these two presented a greater contrast.
I've been seeing that Pentatonix video all over the innerwebs lately, and it is so, so good. I have to vote for it. I love the dynamics and the harmonies and the arrangement -- as someone who can't sing at all, I am amazed and awed.
ReplyDeleteBut -- all that being said -- even though I didn't vote for CeeLo, I really enjoyed his version, and I have much more respect for him now. It was a very strong rendition against an incredibly moving video.
So I vote Pentatonix for the song, but commend CeeLo for the message.
I'm sure CeeLo would be happy to read your comment. It certainly was a departure from some of his normal stuff...
DeletePentatonix seems to be pretty popular right now (even saw them in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade) and rightly so. They are pretty amazing.
Going with number one at my sea and yeah a good time of year indeed, minus the crummy cold weather.
ReplyDeletePentatonix it is for you. Bundle up and try to stay warm up there.
DeleteI liked both versions, but all vocals is really amazing. Voting for the first one. Even if they do sound like a brand of camera.
ReplyDeleteAnother vote for the group that sings like the entire band, and has a name that sounds like a camera.
DeleteI want to like Pentatonix, but it's just not my thing. I can't describe it, but I can't get into their sound. Meanwhile, I loves me some CeeLo. And he doesn't need 5 voices to make that song sound good. I vote CeeLo easily.
ReplyDeletePersonally I don't think there's a wrong vote in this Battle, because I like both versions. I do thank you for saving me from what was shaping up to be a shut-out here.
DeleteFinally, a vote for CeeLo.
I really love Pentatonix. As a singer, I fully appreciate the difficulty of sing acapella well. These folks are simply outstanding... all of the time. So, my vote goes to them. Their version... just wow.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I liked the CeeLo version a lot (and the music video footage) was extremely touching. Well done.
I admit that I had no doubt that you would vote Pentatonix. Seems it's a common sentiment that people liked CeeLo's version, but not as well as Pentatonix.
DeleteHahahaha. It's a funny thing when you KNOW how someone will vote before you even post. I guess I really am transparent. Maybe I should send lessons to the White House (since they're failing so miserable at 'transparency.")
DeleteFirst I'm going to tell you why I'm not voting for CeeLo Green. His voice is strong, mellow, soothing and very much in the background of the video. (The video was nice but was the main focus.) When I found myself no longer hearing Green, that was my first clue. Still not enough for me.
ReplyDeletePentatonix is a totally different ballgame. They never cease to amaze me with their creativity... skill... harmonies... instrumentation. But then I enjoy acapella and know also the difficulty of that singular performance. In fact I need to get a copy of this - gift from PTX. Thanks Robin!
I see what you mean. since CeeLo's version is from the soundtrack of a movie, I think it's supposed to be in the background, but not the best situation when you're trying to showcase a song.
DeletePersonally, I don't think there can be a wrong vote here, because I do like both versions. But, Pentatonix certainly knocks this out of the park especially if you're a fan of a capella.
I totally agree!!
DeleteI was having problems playing both on my computer, but I heard enough to make my call. Cee-lo was a bit slow for my taste. I'm a fan of harmony so it's Pentatonix for my vote.
ReplyDeleteLee
Tossing It Out
Another vote for Pentatonix. Sorry you had problems playing these videos. I don't know what that's about, but sometimes I have the same problem on various sites. go figure.
DeleteI think it was mostly my internet and my computer. It's hit and miss here where I am.
DeleteThe Pentatonix CD should be in my mailbox when I get home, and while I tike Green's take, the dialogue from the film in the video was a bit distracting.
ReplyDeletePentatonix gets my vote..
I bet that will be a great CD. Is it the Christmas one?
Deletegot you down with the rest of 'em voting for Pentatonix.
I hear what you're saying abut the dialogue in CeeLo's version. It's because it was from the soundtrack of a movie.
ReplyDeleteI'll bet that Pentatonix Cd will be great. And, they get another vote.
I enjoyed Pentatonix-I loved the different voices giving the song its style and it felt uplifting. Cee-lo has a great voice but I did not find it as clear as the first version and I don't mean the voices of the actors interjecting. He sang it more sad which goes with the film montage but for Christmas I prefer a more upbeat hopeful version
ReplyDeleteThanks Birgit for your vote for the more upbeat Pentatonix.
DeleteFAE- A short and sweet-intentioned comment this time. I much prefer the CeeLo version to the first one!
ReplyDeleteAh, a sweet vote for the mellow sound of CeeLo.
DeleteI always think of the old Pentax camera when I see/hear Pentatonix. Stephen just said what I was already thinking, which I found especially funny this morning. I have become a ginormous fan of this group and I love their version of one of my most favorite songs, but I prefer the quiet, softly reverent tone of CeeLo. The tradition style actually makes me to feel what I can only imagine Mary must have felt. Maybe all mothers sense this, too. I don't know, but it is definitely a humbling experience every time I listen to this song. So...I give my vote to CeeLo!
ReplyDeleteInteresting that you gave a kind of reverse comment to what most are saying. I agree with you about the 'mother thing'. It's hard to think of what it must have been like for Mary. This song is so appropriate to what I believe she must have felt watching the Savior grow up and accept his mission on earth. Thanks for your comment and vote for CeeLo. I think he's making a come-back.
DeleteEven though I introduced Pentatonix - I love the version that CeeLo created.
ReplyDeleteWhoa! This si one vote that really surprised me. I was sure you would go with Pentatonix. But then, maybe I'mnot so surprised after all.
Delete1- I wasn't watching the videos- at first. Then I started watching the second one, and I concur in your hopes.
ReplyDelete2- Gnarles Barkley= Cee-lo. Learn something new every day (sorry, out of genre for me.)
3- Cee-lo did a knockout job. My vote is his.
I mentioned that thing about Gnarles because I used his song 'Crazy' just a short time ago. Thanks for your continued support and your vote for CeeLo, he is definitely making a come-back and although he may not win this BATTLE,he will at least have a decent showing.
DeleteWow, I really liked both of these. I've got to admit thought that I got caught up in watching the video on the second one and forgot to concentrate on the audio. I think I'll go with Pentatonix for their amazing vocals. But my favorite version of this song is sung by Michael Crawford on his Christmas album. It's worth a listen if you've never heard it.
ReplyDeleteGot your vote. I'll head on over to YouTube and check out the Michael Crawford version. There are many nice versions of this song, which, BTW I love. I chose these two versions, because I thought they were each rather unique and sounded very different from each other.
DeleteThese took my breath away and brought tears.
ReplyDeleteI will also go with Pentatonix for the vocals and for the showing of the Christ through their harmonics.
They are both very lovely, aren't they? Got you down for the Pentatonix.
DeleteNo question, Pentatonix, although CeeLo's version was wonderful. Pentatonix's version was breathtaking.
ReplyDeleteThanks John, got you down as ANOTHER vote for Pentatonix.
DeletePentatonix gets my vote
ReplyDeleteThanks Mike. You just made it under the wire.
ReplyDelete