Saturday, August 1, 2015

BATTLE OF THE BANDS - SUMMERTIME IS 'SO NICE'



It’s the first of August and you know what that means. Yeah, yeah, it means it’s time for another BATTLE OF THE BANDS, but unfortunately, August 1 also signals the beginning of the end of summer. Every stinkin’ year I hate to see summer go. Except for five years of my life, I’ve lived places where you could easily experience all four seasons. While I really love a ‘White Christmas’; Summer is undoubtedly my favorite time of year and I feel sad every August anticipating its demise.

It’s my opinion that summer is ‘So Nice’. So…let’s celebrate it with a little ‘Summer Samba’ or ‘So Nice’. Now some of you might be wondering what song this is. The title is not necessarily readily recognizable, but once you hear those first few notes, I’m sure you’ll say…’Ahhh, I’ve heard that one before’.

The two versions I’ve chosen for you today are not all that different. The instrumentation varies so you’ll have to listen closely to see which tickles your fancy.


First up, Sergio Mendes and Wanda De Sah:



Next, let’s hear from Miss Astrud Gilberto:



I’ve noticed that some of you publish the lyrics in your BOTB. I have not felt that necessary before, but personally I love the lyrics to this one. They touch my heart in a special way. So, I’ve decided to give ‘em to you, just in case.

Someone to hold me tight
That would be very nice
Someone to love me right
That would be very nice
Someone to understand
Each little dream in me
Someone to take my hand
To be a team with me

So nice, life would be so nice
If one day I'd find
Someone who would take my hand
And samba through life with me

Someone to cling to me
Stay with me right or wrong
Someone to sing to me
Some little samba song
Someone to take my heart
And give his heart to me
Someone who's ready to
Give love a start with me

Oh yes, that would be so nice
Should it be you and me
I can see it would be nice

Someone to cling to me
Stay with me right or wrong
Someone to sing to me
Some little samba song
Someone to take my heart
And give his heart to me
Someone who's ready to
Give love a start with me

So nice, that would be so nice
Should it be you and me
I can see it could be nice

OK, you guys know what to do and how to do it. Leave me your vote in the comment box and tell me why your chose as you did. When you’re finished up here head on over the home of 'The Supreme Ninja Captain of the Universe and BOTB'; Mr. Stephen T. McCarthy and see what he has cooked up for us this month. Also, Stephen will post a link to all of the other participants. Please try to visit everyone and cast a vote.

I’ll be back on the 7th (The good Lord willin’ and the creek don’t rise) with my vote and the final tally. Until that time…Happy Trails!

41 comments:

  1. Interesting selection. I really have no opinion on either, other than I liked Sergio Mendes and Wanda De Sah just a smidge better. So my vote goes to them.

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    1. So, it's Sergio and Wanda by a smidge for you. Got you down.

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  2. You're right---the title "So Nice" wasn't familiar to me, but I've heard the song often. I was thinking Astrud's version was the one I'd heard most and would be voting for, but it didn't sound like I remember it. Maybe it's this tinny sounding small computer I'm using.

    The Sergio Mendes version didn't seem familiar to me either, but I liked it a bit better. I love Astrud's voice, but Wanda's sounded more clear and the sax solo just sounded better to me than the organ.

    As I say it might be the fault of how it sounds on my equipment, but my vote goes to Sergio Mendes and his group.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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    1. Sergio, Wanda and some sax does it for you,eh? Not a problem. counted your vote in that order.

      Computers probably don't lend themselves to the best sound for music, but what are ya gonna do?

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  3. I thought the second version was smoother, as was her voice. It gets my vote.

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  4. The lyrics are great indeed. I liked number 1 the best. Sergio it is.

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    1. And, Sergio and Wanda for you. Thanks Pat for coming by and casting a vote.

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  5. I feel the same way about summer as you do, FAE.. Shocking how quickly it passes! ::(
    Give my vote to Sergio, Wanda and the sax! Astrud wasn't bad, but the arrangement didn't sound as good, IMO.

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    1. Seems that sax is getting to several of you guys. I did warn you that these two were pretty similar and it seems the arrangement is the deciding vote. So far, sax is winning out over the organ.

      Yep, summer...gone much too quickly.

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  6. So here it is: I love Sergio Mendes, and Astrud sang Girl From Ipanema with Stan Getz, and I always thought until a couple years ago that IT was also Sergio Mendes! As I hate to just throw my hands in the air and call a tie, I liked Sergio's arrangement a tad better. Great songs!

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    1. Now we have Sergio by a tad. they are similar enough that you're probably not the only person to make that mistake.

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  7. FAE -
    This is a great battle! Well known song to people of a certain era, this is one of those that shoots you right back in time to those days... like smelling the "perfume" of an old bottle of Halo shampoo, or seeingl a certain angle of the sun while walking through tall grass at just the right temperature on a summer's day.

    Both versions are excellent and fun. I like the clearer voice of Wanda, plus the sax and guitar work with Sergio's version.

    However, the sound of the organ and the relaxed voice and subtle "flatness" of Astrud's presentation truly brings back the feeling of the era. I can viscerally sense the time: big cars, cigarette smoke... all of it.

    My vote is for Astrud. thanks FAE!

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    1. Glad to see that I finally got one that you really like (not another vote for the lesser of two weevils, eh?) I love the visual memories this conjured up for you - thanks for sharing. I agree both are excellent, and I'm loving it that so many folks seem to be having a hard time deciding. It will be interesting to see how this BATTLE turns out.

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  8. I was a big fan of Summer when I was young. (It meant no school and 5 or 6 days a week at the beach, doing all those great "beachy" things.) But after I graduated from school and had to go to work, Summer pretty much lost most of its appeal for me. Now it was just hot, and I was at work, sweating while trying to earn my bread 'n' beer.

    I love Christmastime, but without a doubt, FALL is my favorite time of the year now. The weather is cool, the leaves are colorful, and there just seems to be a peaceful, calming expectation of Christmas to come.

    However, THIS SUMMER SONG I have adored for many, many years. It's truly one of my very favorite Bossa-Nova recordings.

    And as much as I like Sergio Mendes (pretty much EVERYTHING he's ever done), there's simply no way Wanda's voice can compete with that unique, beautiful voice of the great ASTRUD GILBERTO (one of my all-time Top 3 female vocalists). And then when you add to Astrud's singing, that jaunty electric organ playing by Walter Wanderley, well, this one is simply a no-brainer for me.

    Both are topnotch recordings, but ASTRUD & WALTER are beyond that... they are HEAVENLY! What a gorgeously romantic song with an almost innocent, dream-like presentation! (I own the version I'm voting for on a fantastic compilation CD titled 'Bossa Nova For Lovers'.)

    Great BOTB, FAE! What a nice way to start my morning. Thanks!

    ~ D-FensDogG
    'Loyal American Underground'

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    1. I too really like the Fall, but now that I'm living somewhere where there is plenty of winter, add the fact that my personal thermostat no longer works, and I can not seem to ever get warm enough, plus having lived in a place of perpetual summer for three years...well, I think you can see why summer is now my favorite time of year. BUT, nothing compares with Christmas!

      I agree that both of these versions are wonderful. I also agree that this is truly an amazing romantic song. I love the lyrics as well as the music. Each version has great things about it, but I pretty much knew that the organ would be your preferred instrumentation.(BTW, that compilation CD you mentioned does sound fantastic.)

      Not really surprised in your vote and glad to have it; bringing Astrud up to a tie with Sergio and Wanda; I think.

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  9. This choice is tough. I vote for Sergio Mendes and Wanda De Sah. I just like their sound a bit better. Maybe Astrud's voice seems a little too sweet. We're not anywhere near the end of summer in Florida. It will start to end during October, most likely.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. I spent two years in Florida, hated almost every minute of it. Funny thing though, I spent three years living in the Caribbean and loved it...go figure. Anyway, summer in Florida was waaay too long for me.

      Glad to hear this was a tough decision, to me, that means a good BATTLE.

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  10. Sergio Mendes and Wanda De Sah get my vote. Astrud's version sounded a bit dated at first then it flowed and made it close. I just liked the first one a bit more.

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    1. So, its Sergio and Wanda by a bit for you. They are edging out Astrud by those little bitty bits on more than one vote.

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  11. Oh boy. I really like both of these. I've listened twice now and am still undecided.

    Since I have to choose one I'll go with the first one. I liked the sax solo a lot.

    Great battle!

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    1. That sax is getting more than a few of you. Glad you also had a hard time deciding. You know me...Tough choice=good BATTLE.

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  12. I know both versions well but I prefer Mendes version over Astrud's. I like Wanda's voice a little better but I am not one for that organ and the xylophone.

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    1. Another vote against the organ, several of you also seem to like Wanda's voice a little bit better. Got you down. Thanks again for coming by to vote.

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  13. Hey Guys, just a quick note to let you all know 'I'm here and enjoying the heck out of your comments'. I'm glad that although these two versions are very similar, it's a hard decision for most of you.

    I have to run out the door this morning (Mondays @#%^*), but I'll be back soon with a reply of each of your lovely comments.

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  14. Usually, I'd go for Sergio and _________. I'm a big fan of Sergio's work.

    But you put him up against ASTRUD GILBERTO and I love her voice. It's almost fragile sounding, if that makes sense. It lightly trips over the music. Claudine Longet had that kind of voice.

    Thanks, FAE!

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    1. Fragile' sounding, is a really good way to describe Astrud's voice. I think of it as almost having a little girl quality, but not that high and tinny little girl sound. I've not known how to describe it. Good comparison to Claudine Longet...YIKES! That's a name I haven't heard in years. Isn't she the one who was married to Andy Williams and left him for that skier Spyder something or other and then went on to kill him. Maybe, I'm thinking of someone else.

      Anyway...I kind of drifted off there, sorry about that. You were a little vague, but I'm taking this as a vote for Astrud. Let me know if I got that wrong.

      Anyway...

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    2. Yessiree, a vote for ASTRUD GILBERTO.

      And yes - CL married Andy Williams. Now that you mention it, there was something about Claudine and a skier...I'd forgotten about that.

      Take care! Thanks for a good battle!

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  15. Sergio and Wanda's version sounded more like a samba. Although I do like Astrud's voice better, the organ just made it seem a bit to hokey. So, I'm going with Wanda.

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    1. Ha, that organ seems to be getting to a lot of folks and not in a good way. So, it's Sergio and Wanda for you.

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  16. I LOVE this song. But my favourite artist performing this one is Diana Krall. Had she been an option, she would have won no questions asked.
    Out of the two versions you have provided, I would have to pick the first version, with Wanda de Sah singing. Wasn't a fan of the organ sound in the second.

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    1. Jeffrey you are not alone in loving this song, there are more than a few of us. I did listen to and like the Diana Krall version, but I liked the idea of pitting the two Latina Ladies against each other. Again, that organ takes a hit. Got you down for Sergio and Wanda.

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  17. I like Sergio and Wanda's version better than Astrud's. I normally like organ but I don't think it was suited for this song. So your first contender gets my vote.
    Michele at Angels Bark

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    1. Well, Michele, at least you normally like the organ sound, it seems to be making the decision for some folks here and not in a favorable way. Got you down as another vote for Sergio and Wanda.

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  18. Fae, summer is not my favorite season. I hate the heat and humidity. BLAH!! I'm ready for fall to get here no question about it. Now, this is a great oldie and you're right I did not recognize the title, but after a few notes its familiarity turned on a light on upstairs. Sergio Mendes & Wanda De Sah did a nice job. Definitely fun and made me wanna do the samba. However, I think I prefer the smoother vocals of Astrud Gilberto, so give her my vote! Good summertime battle!

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    1. I admit that while I like the heat, you can keep the humidity. It's pretty dry here, so I don't have to deal with that drippy feeling.

      I knew that title would trick a few of you guys.

      Smooth is another good way to describe Astrud's voice.

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  19. I've been in love with Astrud Gilberto since "The Girl From Ipanema." Wanda De Sa did a creditable job with this, and I liked it; let's say it's my second-favorite version after Astrud's. Astrud Gilberto.

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    1. I think Astrud has that effect on a lot of you guys. Which ever way you put it these two are probably the top two versions of this great song. At least in my opinion.

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  20. What an awesome battle. I loved this one. So both of them were very captivating, but Sergio Mendes and Wanda De Sah blew us both away. Two out of two beer brothers agree - Wanda's voice was so much more enchanting.

    Also, the heroine of the new tale that we're wrapping up right now is named Wanda, so it's no mere coincidence - we both vote for Wanda! (Sergio can come too, I guess)

    Cheers to summer, my favorite season! Bring on the ice cold beer and the warm weather!

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    1. I'm loving it that you two guys love this BATTLE, What? with you two being a tad bit younger than some of the other folks. HA! They are captivating, aren't they. The song is marvelous no matter who does it, but these two?...Superb.

      And, how cool is that; Wanda being the heroine of your newest tale. It's a cool name that conjures up a whole series of images for me.

      As for summer; I agree, bring on the warm weather and icy Mojitos.

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  21. Hey keep posting such good and meaningful articles.

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