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Back at the end of March I had my April 1st BATTLE OF
THE BANDS all planned out. It was a great BATTLE for the kick-off of April and
it even fit in with an ‘A’ Theme fooler for the A to Z Challenge (which BTW, I
am not participating in). Anyway…at the last minute I changed my mind. Go figure!
Since its still April and this is such a great BATTLE, I’ve
decided to use it now; for my BATTLE on the 15th of April. Theme
still applies for the month, but it doesn’t quite fit with the ‘alphabet thing’,
but since I’m not doing it anyway, no matter.
I, like a lot of Americans, love the idea of Paris. I can’t say
that I am enamored with all things French, but the Idea of visiting Paris one
day really intrigues me. Perhaps because it is, or at least has been the center
of so much cultural experience, particularly in the ‘arts’. At any rate, if you
too are intrigued by things French, please take the time to visit the blog of
D.G. Hudson. For the A to Z Challenge her theme is ‘French Faves’. She has already
highlighted some fantastic music (Jazz), and her excellent photography is sure
to delight and entertain you to the max. Find a shortcut to her blog HERE D.G. has been a long time supporter of BOTB here, and at the other sites as well, and for that, I really appreciate her.
So, have you guessed my song for this BOTB? If not, I won’t keep
you in suspense any longer. I have chosen ‘April in Paris’. There are quite a
few great covers of this song. My selections are very different but both
G-R-E-A-T in their own right. So great, in fact, that I still haven’t decided
who I will be voting for. In other words, there is absolutely no wrong vote in
this BATTLE!
Let’s get on with it, shall we?
First up, count Basie and his Fabulous Orchestra;
Next, the wonderful Ella Fitzgerald and the indomitable Louis
Armstrong (Satchmo):
Now, I believe you know what to do and how to do it. If not, let
me clue you in. First, leave me a comment with your vote. Please tell me why
you chose as you did. Next, head on over to the site of Mr. BOTB himself,
Stephen T. McCarthy. You can find him HERE. Stephen will have posted a super
BATTLE for you, I’m sure. He will also provide the links to the other
participants in this bi-monthly endeavor. Please try to visit all of the BOTB
participants and cast a vote. Finally, return here (and to the other BATTLES) on
the 21st to see how I voted, and what the final tally is. That is, of
course, when I shall proclaim a winner to this BATTLE.
Until that time, Happy Trails to You!
Well, first, thanks for the mention, FAE! This was a hard choice, since I'm a Basie fan and a BIG Louis fan. So that's why the second version,although more understated, gets my vote! Louis' voice and his trumpet always win me over. I like Ella's voice too, but Louis can't be denied. . .and Louis seems to show the emotion of finding a place that gets into your heart. btw, next time we visit Paris, we wanted to go in April or May. . .
ReplyDeleteAs I type this I'm a couple of days behind on your posts, but I'll catch up. I am truly enjoying your 'French Faves', so, please keep up the good work. I hope my little shout-out will encourage a few of the folks who stop by here to take a look at what you have to say.
DeleteI'm sure April in Paris the time frame is as beautiful as this tune. I hope when you go you will take and post a tone of pictures; your photography is stunning.
So, right out of the box Ella and Louis take the lead.
Very different versions. I like the energy of the first one best.
ReplyDeleteYour vote surprised me a bit. To date I don't think you have voted 'big band' here, but I'm glad you did, cause with the first two votes, I know right away, 'I ain't got to shut-out today.
DeleteFAE ~
ReplyDeleteThis simply HAS to be my favorite BOTB you've yet put together. Two really fabulous versions of a great song, and so completely different from each other.
I've never been an Ella fan. Oh, she has a really pretty voice, but for whatever reason, I seem to gravitate more often to the less pretty voices that are heavier on character like, say, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Brenda Lee (to name someone outside of the Jazz genre).
But Ella's pretty voice went so well with Satchmo's gravelly, gritty voice on their numerous recordings together. It's like sugar and whiskey. And then, of course, as you know, I'm a big Satchmo fan - the most influential musician in American history.
Here we have a battle of the "trumpets" - Satchmo's trumpet versus Count Basie's "trumpet".
The Ella/Louis version captures the mood of the lyrics (and the imagery of an April romance - love blossoming in a Paris Spring), but the joyful Count Basie version is universally regarded as one of the greatest Big Band recordings of all time.
And you know what? Both of these are lush and romantic in their own way but... in the end... BASIE OWNS this tune.
You can give The Count a vote at least one more time. And one more once!
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
Glad you like this BATTLE. If it doesn't end up as one of my favorites (of my own) it will at least most likely, be the one where I have the hardest time choosing who I will vote for. I truly love both versions, different as they are.
DeleteI wholeheartedly agree about the complimentary paring of Ella and Satchmos vocal talents. Of course my vision is more of Gin and Roses, but that would simply be a matter of personal taste.
I also love joyous noise of the big band and nobody (well at least not too many) does is better than the Count.
No matter how many times, this will be a tough choice for me to make. It seems that many of the voters feel the same. To me that makes a GOOD BATTLE!
A tough one, for sure, but "April in Paris" was Count Basie's signature tune, and no one, but no one, does it like he does. He gets my vote.
ReplyDeleteMy battle is here...
Even though you're not split on your vote here, I'm glad that you appreciate it as a touch vote.
DeleteHello, F.A.E.! I swung over here from Stephen's site to participate in your band battle. These are two very different yet great renditions of "April in Paris." Count Basie and his orchestra engage in a vigorous instrumental workout that I truly enjoyed. However, as I mentioned on Stephen's blog, I have always favored vocals over straight instrumentals, and with two all time greats like Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong sharing the microphone in your second selection, the result was a sweet and tender ballad that left me misty eyed. Therefore, I cast my vote for video #2, the vocal performance by Ella and Satchmo.
ReplyDeleteI am now following you, dear farawayeyes, and look forward to voicing my choice in your next BOTB contest.
Mr Shady Del Knight, thank you for the kind words and your vote. with BOTB, everyone is welcome and truly in the voting department the more the merrier. After checking out your blog and your love and interest in music, I'm actually hoping that you might join us as more than a voter on the 1st and 15th of each month. No pressure, just jump in when you feel the inclination.
DeleteI'm happy that so many find this as a difficult choice as I do. I love the BATTLES where it is really hard to cast your vote. Thank again for stopping by, hope to see more of you in the future.
Definitely the second one! There is an atmosphere in Paris in Spring that opens slowly after winter ends. It is time for love. Ella Fitzgerald's voice conveys that perfectly, and Louis Armstrong's thoughtful phrasing gives that soft jazz smoothness.
ReplyDeleteAh, Susan, so well said. Thank you for this comment and your vote.
DeleteDefinitely the second one! There is an atmosphere in Paris in Spring that opens slowly after winter ends. It is time for love. Ella Fitzgerald's voice conveys that perfectly, and Louis Armstrong's thoughtful phrasing gives that soft jazz smoothness.
ReplyDeleteThis comment was so delicious, I'm happy to enjoy it a second time. Thanks again, Susan.
DeleteI have a little francophile that is obsessed with all things French...even her name is Franchesca. Her entire room is full of pics of the Eiffel Tower and Arch de Triumphe, the Louvre. Pretty much all things France. She even insists on wearing a berret everywhere she goes and speaking French whenever she can. It's crazy. I have no idea why she is so obsessed with France, but that's my kid. How could someone like me expect a "normal" kid. Ha.
ReplyDeleteAnd to me, there is no contest. But that's because I am and always have been a HUGE fan of Louis Armstrong. Nine times out of ten, when I'm home writing, that's what I have playing in my earbuds.
You daughter Franchesca sounds delightful, but then all of your daughters seem to be as fun and energetic as their mother. How could you expect anything less for these beautiful girls. I'm thinking they have definitely been raised right.
DeleteYou can't go wrong with Satchmo. Having him in your ear as you write gives me a new perspective on your work. Now I see where you get that spunky inspiration.
Thanks for coming by. I know your busy on any day, but now during A to Z things must be really crazy as your space. I'm behind again, but will spend the weekend catching up.
Big Band beats vocal for me. I'd rather swing, that's my thing!
ReplyDeleteIf ya ain't got that swing, ya ain't got a...
DeleteWell, apparently you got it, and so does the Count.
This was a tough challenge, as I like both versions. But Ella and Louis was an album my mother played all though my childhood, so it's such a memory trigger for me that it gets the vote for the warm fuzzy feeling it brings out.
ReplyDeleteA vote for the warm fuzzies. That's as good a reason to cast your vote as any I can think of. Now, wouldn't it be nice if we found a politician who could give us the warm fuzzies (feelings that is), so we could all have some confidence in voting his/her way. Ha, ha, ha!
DeleteThe first wins for me as it is more fun and fancy free
ReplyDeleteA vote for the Count with his fun and fancy free version.
DeleteCount Basie does it for me, Fae!
ReplyDeleteGot it, Dixie.
DeleteGreat battle featuring a wonderful song! And it is FRENCH!
ReplyDeleteI love Louis A., and particularly love Ella F., but Count Basie gets the slight nod. Why? It could be for any one of many small details since they all add together for the victory with me... but if I have to come up with a reason, I will think outside the box and attribute it to my enjoyment of the ending of "Blazing Saddles." And I don't mean "The French Mistake"!
Ah, French it is, Mon Ami! Your comment makes me smile (as they usually do). With this song and these two great versions no need to have a detailed reason for your vote other than 'Today I like this one, it speaks to mon coeur.'
DeleteCount Basie may win on any other day, but not this morning. I'm loving Ella & Louis on April in Paris. Ella's voice transports me to a dreamy state whereas Louis raspy vocals gives it a certain charm and I love Armstrong's touch of brass swag. Give my vote to Ella & Louis
ReplyDeleteThank you Cathy. I believe you're right in stating that this is one of those songs where on any particular date your vote my swing to the other selection. It is a song that definitely packs a lot of feeling whether the big band instrumental version or those smooth vocals of Ella and Louis.
DeleteI'm very familiar with and have always enjoyed the Count Basie version - and still do - but nothing compares to the great Ella. Add the smooth sound of Louie's horn and that duo has to get my vote..
ReplyDeleteAnother 'swing type vote'. Thanks LD, appreciate you stopping by and your delightful comment.
DeleteAs you know (because I've said it repeatedly) I tend to prefer a piece with vocals over an instrumental. So, I read your preface and suspected that I would be leaning toward Ella and Louis.
ReplyDeleteAnd that just goes to show you that you can't judge these things with your eyeballs. (My mother made the same reference to food when I was a child. If I wouldn't eat something it's because I tasted it with my eyeballs. Until I actually put it in my mouth I couldn't find it lacking... ha!)
The Count Basie version was very enjoyable and then went beyond enjoyable with his "one more time." I laughed out loud. But it didn't end there. One more time doesn't always mean one more time. "Let's try it one more once." I was really hooked now. But still I thought I'd just love the Ella?Louis pairing so much that it wouldn't matter.
Don't you know that just didn't happen. After the lively Basie version, Ella and Louis seemed to drag. Now, I know that in all fairness it wasn't actually dragging. It was a slow, sweet tempo meant to capture the love of Paris in April. It just felt draggy to me after listening to Basie romp through Paris.
It turns out that I prefer a good romp today. If you ask me tomorrow I might like a slow walk, but not today. Today I listened to Count Basie twice and loved it even more the second time around. So give me Count Basie and his orchestra on this one!
Got you down for the 'Count'. Ha! that's an interesting double entendre, totally by accident, I promise.
DeleteAnyway...I think you're not the only one who feels this way. This song could go either way for a lot of people depending on their needs/mood at the time they listen in. Heck, it might even have to do with the weather. I usually don't try to guess how my regular participants will vote, but I know that you are 'all about the vocals', so you did surprise me today.
Neat battle but Ella's vocals clinched my vote!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mike. Keep in mind, at least on this one, she couldn't have done it would Louis.
DeleteI could have sworn that I had voted on this one. Then a little while ago I was doing something and said to myself, "One more time" and at it immediately dawned on me that I had stopped here but got interrupted and never voted. Yikes! Better late than not at all.
ReplyDeleteI'm most familiar with the Count Basie version as my mother used to have it on an album that she played a lot. It's really a great arrangement for the most part, but it doesn't get my vote for two things that annoy me. First I don't like the little nursery rhyme riff they play during the piece. Sure it's a standard jazz ploy to do such a thing, but I'm no fan of that little gimmick. The other bigger factor of annoyance is the "One more time" codas at the end. Once again gimmicky and not necessary.
On the other hand the version by Ella and Satch has everything going for it. The pace captures the mood of the song properly. The sultry vocals are divine. The instrumental backing lopes along as an ideal accompaniment to it all.
A mighty yes vote for the vocal duet.
Excellent battle here.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
You know as i read your comment, I think maybe I neglected to vote on your BATTLE also. I read the post and even listened to the music, but most likely from my phone, which will not let me comment on most blogs. As soon as I finish up here, I'll stop by to check.
DeleteI have to say personally, I love the little gimmicks the Count uses in this number. They just seem to add a little extra 'spunk' to the overall feel of the tune. But, as with so much in music (and everything else), to each his own.
On the other hand, I can't fault you for a single second in casting your vote in a 'mighty' way for the awesome Ella and Satchmo. Their version truly sings to me with it's awesomeness.
Good ol' 180-DEGREE LEE.
DeleteI love the guy for many reasons, only one of them being his nearly flawless consistency. You wanna know in advance how I will vote on any BOTB?...
Check with Lee,
'Cause his vote is the Anti-Me.
The musical things he doesn't like,
I do.
The musical things he likes,
I doesn't.
When it comes to music,
NO ONE I've ever met is more
180-Degrees different from me
than Lee.
That doesn't mean I don't love the man (I do!)
but 19 out of 20 times
he opposes my rhymes.
Er, I mean, my votes.
~ D-FensDogG
My vote here had absolutely nothing to do with you. As I stated, Count's arrangement is truly great but it's one of those things that when I've listened to it over and over like I have the little "Pop Goes the Weasel" ditty just becomes kind of trite and the "One more time" ending becomes repetitious. Cute the first 100 times hearing it, but a little bit noveltyish after that. But it is a great arrangement and a classic. Give me something for repeated listening and I go for the sultry smooth laid back rendition by Ella and Louis for the next 100 listenings. Don't mind hearing the Count classic but it would be fine to hear it without the gimmick ending next time I hear it.
DeleteAnd that makes it all my opinion according to my taste and my history of having listened to the recording and that's as valid as whatever anybody else can come up with.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
LEE, take it easy McBuddy. I was just giving you "the business" - you know, teasin' ya a bit.
DeleteOf course I know that your vote here had nothing to do with me. None of your votes anywhere have ever had anything to do with me. As a matter of fact, the vast majority of the time, your votes get registered on BOTB installments BEFORE I come along and register my votes. So, I AIN'T implying that you deliberately vote opposite from me. I know you're just voting according to your tastes, and that's what we're all doing.
But... I actually find it humorous how little you and I agree on music, especially in light of the fact that we seem to agree a great deal on most other things.
In the early phase of BOTB, it had become evident to me that Sheboyganboy Six and I disagreed in our voting quite a bit, so I was joking with HIM about that back then. But over time I came to realize that your votes and mine disagree even more often than do Sheboyganboy's and mine. That's when I turned the joking more toward you.
If teasing you about our 180-Degree Music View bothers you, I will stop doing it. But I assure you it was not meant as something malicious. I genuinely find it amusing - I'm entertained by how consistently we disagree in Battles. Because I am not exaggerating when I say we probably vote alike on only 1 out of 20 BOTB installments. It's so commonplace that, truly, my vote can be accurately predicted in advance just by seeing how you voted first. And of course, that works just as well the other way, at those times when I get my vote registered before you do.
Man, if we could find a way to use this formula for making money, we'd both be rich in no time at all. Lee, you REALLY don't find anything at all even slightly amusing about how regularly (like Swiss clock work) our BOTB votes disagree? I think it's a hoot!
~ D-FensDogG
POSTSCRIPT:
I believe the "one more time" and "one more once" is actually a feature of this song that probably helped to establish it as a genuine Big Band classic. It was sort of its memorable calling card that listeners easily remembered. You could say "one more once" to anyone knowledgeable about Jazz music and they would instantly know which song you were referencing with those 3 little words. You don't like it though, and you have a right to that opinion, naturally.
I do find it a bit amusing, STMcC, and I don't think you're implying that I intentionally vote against you for the reason you state that my vote usually goes up before yours. What I'm implying is the possibility that you look at my vote and purposely vote oppositely.
DeleteThere are times when I'll vote and I'll think that my buddy McCarthy will certainly agree with my pick this time and sure enough you'll go the other way. Let's face it, you are a contrarian and like to stir the pot. I'm not saying that's bad--it's something I find entertaining much of the time.
I don't think we actually disagree much of the time, but may agree by degrees that don't exactly jibe in the music battles. Now movies is another thing. I don't think you've cared for any movies I've recommended, but then again you might just be playing the contrarian so as not to admit that I might have suggested something you actually like.
So yeah, it's kind of a hoot. Fortunately we've not be engaged with each other in any nasty debates like I've seen you get into with certain other bloggers. I wouldn't want to be in that pot of stew.
Re: Postscript
I agree that the "one more time" gimmick is a kind of signature thing that grabbed listeners' attentions. That's the top 40 methodology that stamps something into a listeners memory that endears them to a piece of music. There are other examples that I vaguely recollect but since remembering stuff becomes a bit of a time-consuming activity for me these days I can't immediately cite another example.
No problems on my side of the fence anyway. Still enjoy listening to you and you can poke all the fun you want. When I poke back it sometimes might sound more serious minded than it really is.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
Sorry we weren't here sooner. Been a very chaotic week. We listened earlier but didn't get a chance to comment yet.
ReplyDeleteBoth of these are enchanting in their own way. Count Basie's got that fantastic big band sound, and Ella and Satchmo are a match made in heaven. As fans of killer duos, we both voted for Ella and Satchmo... and even surprised ourselves. I don't think there's ever been a BOTB that I didn't vote for the Big Band.
I'm a tad bit surprised too. I really thought at least Bryan would be a Big Band vote for the Count.
DeleteNever worry about coming around late. Better late than never I say. And about having a chaotic life, believe me I can relate.
Got you down at two (count 'em two votes) for the fabulous Ella and the ever amazing Satchmo.
Ella and Satchmo all the way for me! Ella's vocals are simply sublime :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Kim, so glad you made it by.
DeleteWhy or why did you have to make this one so hard? This is the music I grew up hearing around the house? Count Basie actually came to St. Thomas and played at the Lionel Roberts Ball Field. My father took me and my grandmother to see/hear him. I actually heard this rendition of April in Paris LIVE!
ReplyDeleteBut Ella and Satchmo... I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Ella. When I sang in a jazz trio (only for a short time, but I did sing in a jazz trio) Ella was my idol, the singer I most wanted to sing like (which of course could never happen, still....) And my dad was given a handkerchief that had been used by Satchmo (long gone now, you know how hard the tropics can be on things, but still...)
Why oh why did you have to make this one so hard.
I'm going to have to dig deep into my bag of memories, remembering how my dad looked/acted when he heard and played certain songs. (He played trombone and was always in some kind of band or other...) That said, I can so clearly see his smile, see the sparkle in his eyes, see the movement of his hand as if conducting the band, feel the energy of his love for the music... So my vote is going to Count Basie.
This post has made me cry (good tears) remembering my father and the joy he took listening to music, the joy he took in educating my sister and me. Thank you.
Oh and I forgot... there's that nice little solo by the trombonist. (Chokes back tears...)
DeleteWow! What a great comment from BISH!
DeleteThat deserves an award of some kind.
~ D-FensDogG
Holy Carp, Bish! Stephen is right, that was a stellar comment. Thank you so much for sharing those memories. I appreciate hearing stories like this.
Delete