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OK, boys and girls it’s well into the PM’s
on the first of May and here I am late to my own party. Well, you’re not really
surprised are you? This dumb blonde thought she had one more day to post, so
last night slipped into a televised delirium. YIKES! This morning I had to be
out the door and head down to Reno, pronto. BUT, I’m back, now.
I had originally planned a different tune
for today, but due to a rather strange but somewhat ‘Spiritual Experience’
yesterday, this song just kept running through my brain and I knew it had to be
my BATTLE for today.
Due to the tardiness of this post, I’m
going to dispense with the YAK and get right on with it. Maybe on the seventh,
when I post my vote and the final tally, I’ll tell ya a little bit more about
the song.
First up, let’s here from that manly man,
one quarter of the Highwaymen quartet, half of a rather famous country duo
(could be one of two); Mr. Waylon Jennings.
For our next contender let me take you back
to 1969, as we head on over to Max Yasgur’s farm. Any of you guys been ‘down on
the farm’? How ‘bout you Mr. Bird, or perhaps Mr. Knight. Seems to me either of
you might have been in the neighborhood in ’69 and old enough to participate.
Well, anyway I’ll just let you guess who this ‘lady’ is.
Alrighty then, you should know what to do
and how to do it. After to vote here
and tell me why you chose as wisely as you
did, please head on over to STMcC Presents Battle of the Bands. There STMcC will provide you with the link
to other participants in BOTB. I understand we have a newbie with us this time. Welcome aboard Mr. Shady Dell Knight!
Should you decide to join in, please tell me so in the comment section, and
also let Stephen know, so he can add you to the list.
I ask you to please, try to visit all of
the participants. I listened to some of the songs earlier today and this
promises to be a really good gig.
I’ll be back on the 7th with my
vote and the final results. Until that time –
Happy Trails to You!
HOKEY-SMOKE & HOO-WEE! ~
ReplyDeleteFAE! Well... first of all, you don't need to worry 'bout no stinkin' shutout this time. I've gotcher back on this one!
Not a fan of Janis Joplin, however, I will say that 'Me And Bobby McGee' is the one song of hers I like. Yep. I likes it, and I likes nuttin' else I can think of by that dirty, screeching, Southern-Comfort, breast-displaying hippie. But she did NAIL this song.
Oh, but, But, BUT... I had never heard THIS version by Ol' Waymore before. Yes, I have heard a DIFFERENT version of this song by the founder of Outlaw Country, but it was a shorter, more subdued take. THIS ONE though, has that great thumping bass and the rumbling guitar trademark of Waylon's sound charging through it. Where did you find this? HOW did you find this? How come I never heard it before? I knows mo' Waylon than YOU! Don't I?
WAYLON KICKS ASS ON THIS!
Janis used to "own" this song, but the Country Outlaw just stole it from her, the po', dirty li'l hippie. Well, outlaws will be outlaws, eh? And don't cry for Janis - she'll always have Southern Comfort to comfort her and warm her lonely heart.
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
I'm glad to see you so excited abut this 'Waylon' version here. I found two and I liiked this one better, it seemed a little rougher, more raw, kind of like that 'garage band' sound. The other version was more 'produced'. Somehow this seemed like a better fit for Janis' live 'Woodstock' version, which BTW, I like better than her studio recording of M&BMG.
DeleteNever been a real big fan of Janis either, but I always did kind of like her version of this one and her take on 'Summertime', although there are several versions of 'summertime' that I like way better than JJ.
I never thought this BATTLE would be a shut out. I knew I could count on you to vote for Waylon and I figured someone, somewhere, sometime would cast a vote for Janis. I'm a tad bit late getting back to everyone and I haven't counted up the votes or anything controversial like that, but I actually think they are running neck and neck, or at least very close. Course, it's only day 2 in this BATTLE so anything could happen.
Don't place no bets on either Waylon or Janis just yet, don't want you carrying around no mo 'good fiber' in yer wallet.
Hi, dear FAE! Thank you again, my sweet friend, for all the wonderful things you wrote about me in the previous post and in your replies to comments, and for giving me such a warm welcome as I hang out my shingle and open my blog for business as a BOTB affiliate.
ReplyDeleteTruth be told I was never that big of a fan of Janis Joplin. She was a bit too incendiary for my taste. I preferred the "controlled burn" that I found in the person of Lydia Pense, front woman of the San Francisco rock/jazz/blue-eyed soul band Cold Blood. Lydia Pense has often been compared to Janis Joplin in voice and style, but her delivery is more refined and I like that.
I like the husky, masculine voice of Waylon Jennings and enjoyed his take on "Me and Bobby McGee." Yet, when all is sung and done, I need to cast my vote for Janis Joplin's version because it's the one I remember, a #1 hit in the spring of 1971.
Yessum, I was 19 when the Woodstock festival was held and I often regret that I didn't go to it. Surely it was for many an incredible, life changing experience.
We were so close, there was no room
We bled inside each other's wounds
We all had caught the same disease
And we all sang the songs of peace
Some came to sing, some came to pray
Some came to keep the dark away
I give thanks every day that I was born at just the right point in time to experience the excitement and wonder that was the Sixties - 14 when the Beatles invaded America - 19 during Woodstock, etc. etc.
Thank you for a great match-up tonight, dear friend FAE. I am eager to see which of these artists collects the most votes.
My what an interesting perspective you present on every piece of music and all related topics.
Delete"I give thanks every day that I was born at just the right point in time to experience the excitement and wonder that was the Sixties..."
You are the first person I have met to express their feelings about that turbulent time in such a way. I truly marvel as your ability to look positively on every aspect of your life. 'The sixties - what a long strange trip that was.' BUT, you can't refute that the musical genius that came out of that time, the collaborations, the pure sound was something to behold.
'Incendiary' what an appropriate word for Janis. I'm not familiar with Lydia Pense and Cold Blood, but when I finish up here I will give her/them a look up. You have yet to steer me in the wrong direction of some really good music.
Thank you so much for the fun 'Blast from the past!" - Melanie, I had forgotten all about that song. I can see that having you as a regular participant in BOTB is going to be a 'barrel of monkeys F-U-N!
A hard choice, I like Waylon's version, but Janis swept my mind back to the first few times I heard that song. . .she wins my vote. That girl could sing the blues, and there were many reasons why. , , No hard feelings, Waylon. . .
ReplyDeleteHey DG, I'm sure Waylon will let this little slight slide...this time.
DeleteThat JJ tune seems to be bringing back memories for a lot of people. I wasn't sure how this BATTLE would be received, but I just had to post it. From the looks of it, it's actually working out quite well. I think Janis and Waylon are running pretty close. I really like a close race and a tie wouldn't bother me one little bit.
Thanks for stopping by so soon after finishing up the A to Z Challenge. I did a marvelous job and deserve a little break.
Waylon Jennings version is the second male version of this song I heard. The first was one of the songwriters who penned this song Kris Kristofferson. I love the contrast of the two artists you have pitted against each other. If it was which artist do I like better it would probably be Janis. However, on this song Janis slow start hurts her, she finishes strong. However, in this case Jennings gets my vote.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mike. Waylon is holding on strong here. I was a little concerned that the familarity vote would go to Janis, but looks like that's not a problem.
DeleteFunny you should mention Janis' slow start as hurting her, that's the part I like the best. Just goes to show how different we all feel about these BOTB songs. Guess we'll all just have to wait until the 7th to see who takes this prize.
Vote wisely? Hmmm, so the cat is wise? Too much pressure lol
ReplyDeleteJanis gets my vote by an inch, both are really good versions though
Of course the cat is wise, he's got nine lives doesn't he, all the more time to grow and groom his mind in wisdom. Ha, ha, ha!
DeleteSo, Janis only gets an inch. That'll teach Waylon...you know that old give an inch and they take a mile. ;-)
Thanks for your vote Pat. I appreciate your continued support of BOTB.
Never liked Joplin's voice, so will go with Waylon.
ReplyDeleteHey Alex, I'm a little surprised to see you give a 'country vote', but then I guess it was pretty much by default.
DeleteThanks for taking the time to stop by. I'm sure you're worn pretty thin after A to Z. I really do appreciate your and everyone's support of BOTB.
This is another of those songs that I've never been a fan of. Joplin's famous version was always just OK with me, and Kristofferson's version (as was everything that guy did) absolutely unlistenable. I don't have the gravelly-voice of anti-breast-displaying bias of McCarthy, and I always thought Joplin was able to belt out a song pretty well... I just didn't like many of the songs. And I never came even CLOSE to buying one of her albums.
ReplyDeleteSince country music is my second-least favorite genre, I have spent little time listening to Waylon. I will say that he has a very manly voice and dangerous look about him. I was surprised to find that I liked his version of "Me and Bobby McGee." It struck me while listening that this song is really a country song, not the - whatever-the-heck-it-became after the Joplin treatment made it famous.
The Waylon version is WAY better to my ears, so he gets the vote.
Hold yer horses, Buckaroos!
DeleteSheboyganboy Six and I be agreein'? He's voting my way... AGAIN?! Better get yer affairs in order, Peoples, 'cause the end is near!
FAE, I want to correct something I said above. (No, not that part about Janis bein' a dirty, li'l hippie:-) I said that 'Me And Bobby McGee' was the only song she ever recorded that I liked/like. I remembered a second one: She did an excellent version of 'SUMMERTIME', too. ...Alright, now I'm dun yakkin' 'bout Janis and moving on to...
KRIS KRISTOFFERSON... and yet again I agree with SBB-6. The guy could write songs but he was no singer! Everything he sang sounded flat and boring to me. No lilt in his voice at all, just this flat... nothingness. Lousy singer and without question the weakest link in The Highwaymen.
Shoot! I was planning to clip my fingernails today, but why bother? This world as we know it is just about done.
~ D-FensDogG
Must be something in the air since I voted the same as these boys did.
DeleteLee
Holy carp, folks! The end is definitely near. STMcC, SB6, and Mr. Bird all on the same page musically. Be still my heart. Is that the sound of the earth's roation grinding to a halt, or is it the ice crystals forming as 'hell freezes over'.
DeleteHa, ha, ha! You guys! I knows yer all pretty good friends, who enjoy each others company, at least on the 'screen', so all of the adversarial stuffs, is just a big fat joke.
Sheboyganboy Six - thank you good sir for stopping by and casting a vote, even if it is for 'another' song yer not too fond of. I know you don't like 'country', so I'm as shocked as STMcC by your vote, but real glad you took the time out of your busy schedule to pay me a visit.
Neither this song, nor these artists warrant the speaking of any 'Francais', but if you'll mosey on over to Mr. Bird's space, did manage leave a little note there. Now, I only hope it makes sense in the translation.
STMcC - Yeah, yeah, yeah. I think I already mentioned 'SUMMERTIME' in a comment above.
I do want to credit you with finally telling me what it was I didn't like about Kristoferson. He has that gravelly voice that I do tend to like, but somehow he always fell kind of flat for me too. You are absolutely correct, he's boring no 'lilt' no nothing exciting, he's not really monotone, but almost. Thanks for clearing that up for me. Now I can get some sleep tonight, knowing that Kris is just plain boring, not really bad, but bland. He did write some pretty good ones, though.
Lee, yeah but you came in late, I'll bet your just trying to cash in on that 'end o days' stuff. Ha, ha, ha!
Hi FAE... this is interesting. I've never been a fan of either artists. Both were unique in performance but not enough to hold my attention. Maybe I was too young or more interested in other music. It's even possible that music wasn't a big interest for me, at the time they came out. Waylon's recording here sounds really clear and obviously country. Reminds me of the highwaymen stuff. Janis has a gruffness or growl sound that's grating but I like the music background more. So I'm thinking... such a tiny edge to hang on and vote with... but my vote goes to Janis. (smile).
ReplyDeleteHi Dixie, thanks for your vote. You're the second person ( or maybe the third) to vote by a tiny margin. I'm really likin' that it's that close for some people. To me that makes for a good BATTLE.
DeleteYou do know that Waylon was one quarter of The Highwaymen, don't you? That would account for him reminding you of their stuff.
So, the lovely (ahem) Ms. Joplin gets another vote.
Shady, I knew that lyric line you posted- from Lay Down (Candles In The Rain) by Melanie! Anyway, I've never got past the gender thing on this song. Gimme Janis.
ReplyDeleteWay to go, Chris! The lyrics to that song and Melanie's passionate vocals always give me goose bumps.
DeleteChris, you're the first one to comment on Mr. Knight's lyrical posting. I was wondering who was gonna pick up on that. The song is haunting and definitely one of the many anthems of the era.
DeleteNow, I'm a teeny bit confused as to what yer talkin' 'bout on that gender thing. See the comment STMcC left below. That's what I always thought about Bobby McGee's gender, but with one of them 'transgender' names like 'Bobby', it kinda makes it easy for just about anybody to sing this song with no modifications whatsoever.
Regardless, you're giving yer vote to Janis. Got it.
Never made it to any of the big music festivals. In the summer of '69 I'd just graduated from high school and was working my first 8 hour a day job prior to starting college that fall. I certainly followed Woodstock on the news though.
ReplyDeleteJanis Joplin has never been a big favorite for me though I do own a few CD's of her music. After all she's an era classic. I just never cared for when she got into the screaming stuff which was often.
I have to go with Waylon on his must tastier recording of the song. He brings it smooth and the band is tight and crisp while keeping a laid back feel to it all. Over the years I've been Janised out on this song and hearing Waylon is a much fresher experience.
I vote Waylon.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Join us on May 4 with your post of Reflections about this year's A to Z.
Tossing It Out
If any of my followers were to say they actually attended 'Woodstock', I would have put my money on it being you. What with your love of music, being about the right age, and living in the general area (I think) at the time. Of course, it's said that so many people lie about having been at Woodstock, the attendance numbers would swell to about ten times what they were, if you believed them all. And, who would ever know for sure. I mean between the overall crowds and the mind altering experiences going on, I would bet that at least 75% of the 'real' attendees aren't even sure they were there.
DeleteYou're the first to admit to having Janis in your CD collection, but like you said she was an icon of the times. It's my opinion that she ruined more songs than those that she made popular by her screaming and screeching, but she had a few good moments.
Once again, the world stands still in amazement, by the fact that you and McCarthy are in musical agreement. Ha, ha, ha!
Thanks for making it here and the rounds in general. You have got to be completely worn out after another successful year of A to Zing through April. Good job, my man!
At the time of Woodstock I was living in East Tennessee which was probably almost 1000 miles away. No one in my circle of friends went to that event. Quite a number of them did go to the big music event in Atlanta in 1970 where they saw Hendrix, the Allmans, and a slew of others. I was on a hitchhiking journey at that time and missed out.
DeleteArlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
Funny, some of the things we pass up thinking; 'no big deal, I'll make the next on', eh? Then we find out it was a once in a lifetime affair. I doubt anybody thought that Woodstock would be such a 'turning point', on so many levels.
DeleteI also meant to say, but hit that publish button before I was through thinking ( I'm on my phone, which miraculously is letting me comment on my own blog, because of my new policy 'no computer on Sunday).
DeleteI've traveled back and forth across the country so many times, I've lost all special relationship. If you were Rast of the Missisdippi, you were in the general area, in my mind. I mean, what's a thousand miles or so. Ha!
Spacial not special, you dumb persistent auto correct!!!
Delete'ME AND BOBBY McGEE' was written by Kris Kristofferson, which means the "Bobby" in his mind when he wrote it was female. Janis made it a male "Bobby" in order to sing it from her perspective.
ReplyDelete~ D-FensDogG
That's what I thought. Thanks for clearing this up for all of us!
DeleteI had never heard Waylon do this one, though I've heard Janis's version about a million times. I definitely like Waylon on this one better, so he gets my vote on this one.
ReplyDeleteThanks John. I guess Janis did get the 'over-play' on M&BM. Kristoferson's version is probably next, but I never really thought of the Waylon version as being obscure. Course, I was always a fan of his, so maybe I just sought it out.
DeleteI go with Janis all the way. I am not one for country much so I didn't care for the country style of the instruments. I love how Janis makes it her own with that raw voice and blues style tone
ReplyDeleteHi Birgit, glad you made it by to cast a vote.
DeleteAs I'm sure you know, this song was written by Kris Kristoferson and his version has a decidedly country 'bent'. Waylon expanded that and gave it his own style (and IMO, did a much better version).
Janis on the other hand, turns it into a bluesy tale of love, loss, and regret (hey throw in a dog, pick-up truck, train and yer ma, and you got the perfect country song according to Merle). Can't argue with the fact that Janis does have a raw voice that conveys the emotions sung about here in a very real way. I do like her humming and la de da-ing, in there, but when it reaches the screechy part, well, not so much.
See you on the 7th, when we'll all know who the favorite was in this BATTLE. By my recollections so far, I think their running pretty close, but I don't actually count 'em up until the 7th.
Fae, to me there was no competition here. I'm not a Waylon Jennings fan and I felt his version lacked the emotion of Janis Joplin. I grew up hearing Joplin's recording. I was really young when she died, so every time I heard Bobby McGee I feel a little sad. Give my vote to the incredible Janis Joplin! Nice BoTB addition!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cathy ( a double thank you for stopping back and another apology for being so late with this post).
DeleteIf you read through the comments you're not the only one who felt 'there was no competition here'. This song originally written and performed by a country artist, Kris Kristoferson, was just about completely taken over by Janis and turned into a gutsy, blusey, tune strongly associated with her style.
I suppose there is some 'sympathy' factor in her early death, but heck, this woman lived hard and fast and probably crammed more than a lifetime of experiences into those short 27 years. One would have to wonder what drives a person like this. Well do the research on her, no matter what you think, there is denying she had an interesting yet tortured life.
It's no secret that we're both big fans of Waylon. On top of that, I've never cared much for Janis's screeching, but as Stephen mentioned, she did a really good job with this one. More so than I expected. But that still wasn't enough to save her.
ReplyDeleteTwo very emphatic votes from the beer brothers for some outlaw country. Yeehah!
Well anyone who is a fan of Waylon, is no only a friend of mine, but has simply got to love his rendition of 'Me and Bobby McGee'. It seems that just about everyone who voted here for Waylon, credited Janis with doing a fantastic job, even though they voted WJ.
DeleteSo, I got you both down and emphatically for that Manly man, Mr, Waylon Jennings. Thanks guys!
Lots of tough battles this go-round. Yours is really tough. Me and Bobby McGee is one JJ song I really like. I'd never heard Waylon sing it. As StMc would say, "Hokey Smoke!" I really like the Waylon version. And then I listened to Janis and I really liked it, too. I could do with a bit less of the screeching, though. I liked the romp her band was making, though.
ReplyDeleteIn the end, I think that Waylon takes it. His band also does a bang-up job and the vocals are just so much better. Chalk one more for Waylon!
I'm surprised at the number of people who state that they never heard Waylon sing M&BM, I thought it was one of his staples. If you read his comment, even STMc said he had never heard THIS version. Jeez, where have you guys been. Ha, ha, ha!
DeleteYou are not the only one to state that they really like Janis on this one, even if they are not an 'over-all' fan of hers. I'm glad it was a tough BATTLE. Not because I want to make it hard or make anyone uncomfortable, but because the tougher the BATTLE the better I've done my job.
If you remember, at the very beginning of my post, I stated that this was not the planned BATTLE for 5-1, but an outside experience had this song creeping through my brain until I just threw my hands up in the air in surrender.
Thanks for coming by and casting your vote.
I came close to going to Woodstock but... didn't make it. (I guess THAT dates me!) I've heard both these versions and I gotta tell you, I'm still going with Janis.
ReplyDeleteAll the shouda, woulda, coulda's in the world. Do you ever wonder if that would have been a life altering event for you? Of course, it could have been life altering for the worse, YIKES! Admitting that you came close to going to Woodstock might 'date you', but in a good way, right?
DeleteYou seem to be one of the few who HAD heard both of these versions. glad to hear it. got you down as a vote for Janis.
Thanks for stopping by and casting a vote.
I love that country twang! This song is suited for both the country and the blues. I grew up listening to this song by Janis, and she really wails it out. Probably the only thing I like by her.
ReplyDeleteI consider the 4 Horsemen my boyfriends. Can't just pick one, ya know. Love anything that is a Waylon and Willie duo. Even though his partners are missing in this song, Waylon gets my vote. Love his husky bit of bro love.
I agree with you that the song works well either way; country/blues, depending on the singer/interpretation. I also like this one by Janis and I think she did a good interpretation on 'Summertime' other than that, it's pretty much all a lot of screeching.
DeleteI LOLed at the 4 Horsemen being your boyfriends. Lucky Goil! I too love the Four Horsemen, but Waylon and Willie as a duo or alone are definitely my fav's.n Love your description of Waylon's rendition as 'his husky bit of bro love', I may have to steal that one and use it sometime.
Thanks for stopping by Donna. I look forward to you joining us on the fifteenth with your own BATTLE.