This was a fun BATTLE for me. I was a bit worried that it could
be a complete blow out. I figured that most of you would vote for the version
by Don Henley. It’s more modern and that reggae beat is pretty catchy. BUT, as
usual you guys surprised me and quite a few of you enjoyed the Stubby Kaye
version. Before we get to my choice and the final vote let me tell you a few
things about these two versions.
The original is from the Broadway Play ‘Guys and Dolls’, which
was later made into a movie; hence the Stubby Kaye version. Stubby was more of a
character actor than a singer, so his voice isn’t as pleasant as Don’s, but as
a few of you mentioned, this song is more conversational.
Songs in musicals were meant to be conversational; this is so
they can keep telling the story. I’ve felt a little irritated in some musicals,
when they just break into song, for the sake of adding a song, and not
necessarily moving the story along. ‘Guys and Dolls’ is NOT this type of
musical. All of the songs are appropriate and work to move the story along. It’s
a great story and the movie version has some really big names of the time. I
encourage you to rent it sometime.
Don Henley’s version comes from the movie ‘Leap of Faith’, a
quirky movie starring Steve Martin as a swindler type tent preacher, who ends
up having a real spiritual experience. It’s a pretty good movie and again I
encourage you rent it sometime. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen it, so I can’t
really tell you where this song comes into play, but it does fit the story.
I’m a little torn about my vote. I really like both versions. For
just simply listening pleasure I like the Don Henley version, but for real ‘content’
Stubby wins me over, hands down. Either way that I might vote wouldn’t change
the outcome whatsoever. Here’s the final tally without my vote:
Don
Henley16 votes
Stubby
Kaye9 votes
Mr. Henley is the clear winner here. You guys liked the
modern/reggae sound of his version. Maybe the familiarity of it had something
to do with it (Don’s version did get some radio play.), who is to say.
I’ll be back on the 15th with another BATTLE. I appreciate
your support and votes. I really appreciate all of the new participants. You
guys make me smile.
Are ya feeling patriotic? If you live in the US you probably
should be, cause it’s almost the 4th of July. The big summer holiday
where we celebrate gaining our independence from foreign rule. Ha! Maybe it’s
time for another revolution…
Anyway, it’s also time for another BATTLE of a different sort
and by that I mean; BATTLE OF THE BANDS, but before we get into that I have a
little something I want to share with you.
My good friend Bish Denham over at bish-randomthoughts.blogspot.com bestowed upon little
ole me the ‘CRETIVE BLOGGER AWARD’. Her reasoning was because I started BATTLE
OF THE BANDS and in her words ‘that’s pretty creative’. Well, Bish, I thank you
very much and appreciate the kind thoughts and words. I encourage you guys to
stop over at Bish’s place. She is only posting on Mondays right now, but she
has some interesting ‘alternatives’ that can be a big help for all of us, but
especially you writers out there. She also posts a weekly ‘What I’m thankful
for’ statement. I really like that. In a world where there is so much negative
it’s nice to see someone publicly express what they are thankful for. Bish is a published author of several delightful children's books. She was born and raised in the Virgin Islands and often posts some amazing pictures and stories about he life there.
This award has a few simple rules.
1.Thank and post a link to
the person who nominated you.
2.Share five (5) facts about
yourself
3.Nominate 5-10-20 blogs and
notify them
4.Pass on the rules
I think I have successfully taken care of rule number one in the
paragraph above, but thanks again Bish, I do appreciate it.
Now for the five facts about me.
1.
I often refer to myself as
a ‘dumb blonde’ but I’m not really dumb or blonde. Actually, I'm a ginger and I’m smarter than I look, or act, most of the time.
2.I’m older than I guess
most of you think, but I’m not telling exactly how old.
3.I’ve traveled to forty of
the lower forty-eight states of the US and lived in quite a few of them, as
well as having lived outside of the country.
4.I’m what you would call a ‘water
person’ and love just about all water sports. I’m definitely more graceful in
the water than on dry land and would spend most of my time there if I could.
Maybe I’m a mermaid after all.
5.I have written three full
length novels (two that are part of a trilogy), and have a memoir in the hopper,
as well as a screenplay. I’m constantly looking for critique partners and need
a kick in the rear to finish up my editing and get something out there for
sale.
OK, that takes care of number 2 and believe me, for someone who
is intensely personal, that was a teeny bit hard for me.
Now number 4 of the rules – NOMINATIONS. Well, I’m gonna take
what might look like the easy way out, but I NOMINATE each and every participant
in BOTB. You guys are the best and all very creative. When I see some of the
BATTLES posted I’m in awe of the ideas and posts you come up with. Give yourselves
a collective pat on the back. Pick up this award and pass it on. Ifyou have recently received it from someone
else, I don’t expect you to go through the whole thing again, but please pick
up this one and display it at your blog, letting everyone know what you
received it for. I want you to be recognized for your CREATIVITY in BATTLE OF
THE BANDS as well as your other blogging endeavors.
You other BOTBers who have just been nominated, please consider
the rules passed on.
NOW, let the BATTLE commence.
I’ve already yakked yer head off, so I’m gonna get right to it
and I’ll give you a little more info on the artists and this song in my results
post. But, I wanted to dedicate this song to one of my blogger friends and
fellow BOTBer. I’m not mentioning any names, (they may know who they are, but I’m
not telling). You guys are free to guess, if you like.
I wanted to change up the genre a little bit, so I’m going with
a show tune. This little ditty was featured in two different movies, one originally
a Broadway play. I’ll let you guys also give a guess to the movies that each
came from. Now no cheating and googling for the answer. I’ll reveal that in my
results post also.
First up, Mr. Stubby Kaye:
Second, Mr. Don Henly:
OK now, you guys know what to do and how to do it. Leave me your
vote with a comment as to why you chose as you did. Also, I would love to hear
your guesses on what movies these two versions came from. As usual I’ll be back
on the 7th, probably sunburned and worn out after the weekend
festivities, but I’ll give you my vote, the results and clear up any confusion
about where each song came from.
Now, get yerself on over to the home of Mr. BOTB himself, (AKA
the TSMOTP) STMcC Presents Battle of the Bands and check out the link for the other participants. Please try
to visit everyone this time, and cast a vote.
Have a fun and safe 4th of July, and until the 7th
; Happy Trails!
This seven day period really went by fast for me. I finally made it around to vote in all the BATTLES taking place. With all the new members it is no longer a task that can be completed in a few hours, but I do enjoy it. I want to take a minute and welcome the new newest participants Jeffrey Scott and Madilyn Quinn. Glad you decided to join us and I hope you had a good time. I'll look forward to your BATTLES on July 1.
Before we get to the results, I wanted to let everyone know how much I appreciate you continued support of BATTLE OF THE BANDS and particularly your support of MY BOTB. While I was traveling over the first of June I had intended to post a BATTLE and then some health issues kept me from doing so. That and a few other incidents recently had me contemplating giving up blogging. Thank goodness for a freind who talked me out of THAT.
I am going to only be posting BATTLE OF THE BANDS on the first and the fifteenth of July and August with the results posts on the following seventh and twenty-first respectively. I also plan to post for the IWSG on the first Wednesday of the month, but I think that's about all I can manage during the summer. We'll see what happens during the fall.
I've noticed that a lot of you are cutting back during the summer months so you probably won't even notice, but please forgive me in advance if I miss a post or two of yours, as I'm trying desperately to catch up and even get some writing done.
NOW, onto the business at hand. Poor ole Kris Kristofferson didn't get much love in this BATTLE. In fact, Johnny Cash, a buddy of his, beat him out by four to one.
I cast my vote for Kris and I'll tell you why. Personally, I'm not a big fan of either of these guys vocal talents. I think Johnny usually talks through most of his songs, and in a monotone at that. Kris did a lot of talking on this one too, and the tempo was slowed down to almost a crawl, but I really liked the instrumentation in his version. That overall slowness was at least a departure from the original, as though he was trying to make it something different.
This was certainly a BATTLE of the geratrics. Johnny was 68 when he recorded 'I Won't Back down, and Kris, who recorded it only recently for the TV series 'Texas Rising', is 78, so what do you expect. I gotta give them both credit for still putting themselves out there and doing what they love, even if that love isn't returned. As a side note Kris also has a role in 'Texas Rising' playing President Andy Jackson. How many of us will still be in the workforce of our chosen field at 78 years of age?
At any rate, it appears to be the opinion of at least one voter (I'm looking at you Mr. Six), that Kris should retire, or maybe he thinks he should have chosen a different career path altogether. It's kind of hard to tell as Mr. Six doesn't actually come right out and tell us exactly how he feels. Ha, ha, ha! (I love my commenters!)
The final tally was:
Johnny 20 votes Kris 5 votes (including mine) Have a happy and safe rest of June. I'll see you back on Wednesday, July 1st with a double whammy of a post. Until that time; Happy Trails!
If you have been paying any attention around here you would know that I've been posting a lot of Tom Petty. Tom and I go way back and he sings for me a lot. Anyway, a great big THANK YOU TO Pat Hatt and Stephen T. McCarthy for keeping Tom and me company this past week. The two of you made every post.
Today's BATTLE features another tune by my ole friend Tom, BUT he ain't one of the contestants, cause if he was and you didn't vote for ole Tom, I just might have to block you from my blog. Not like I would ever do something like that. Is that even possible? Anyway...
Anybody been watching 'Texas Rising' on the History Channel. I had planned to and then life go in the way. Oh and, by the way, never trust the History Channel for yer History, cause they seem to like to rewrite things. Sheesh!
Now where was I...oh yeah, 'Texas Rising' well the theme song for the show seems to be a Tom Petty tune. Kinda like one of my theme songs too. So let's get on with it shall we.
First up. Mr. Kris Kristofferson from 'Texas Rising' with a Tom Petty favorite 'o mine.
Next, let's hear from one of them Highwaymen friends of Kris' the Man in Black, Mr. Johnny Cash.
Hey Donna; your boyfriends are back!
Now the rest of you know the drill go on and vote for your favorite and whatever you do, don't vote for Tom (I know you want to, but consider him a winner anyway, cause nobody does it better). This race is between Kris and Johnny.
When you finish up here head on over to STMCC Presents Battle of the Bands cast your vote in his BATTLE, and then follow the list of links to other participants. Please try to vote in all the BATTLES taking place today. I'll be back on the 21st to cast my vote and present you with the results from this BATTLE.
