Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Battle of the Bands - Mandolin Rain

Winter is just about here and I really wanted to use a Winter themed song. But so far this year, we have not been blessed (or cursed) with a lot of snow. In fact, we've had one snowfall which disappeared a few days later in 50° weather. Yes, this is Wisconsin, and if you blink, the weather is likely to change. What it has been doing is raining. A lot. So I may as well go with a rainy day themed song.(It was either this or Rainy Days and Mondays).

Mandolin Rain is a song I've loved since I first heard it in the 80's. It's sweet and it's sad. Two individuals are in love with each other, and they share a love of the rain and strolling in it. But when one leaves, the rain is a constant reminder of the others departure.

♪ Listen to the mandolin rain
Listen to the music on the lake
Ah, listen to my heart break every time she runs away
Oh, listen to the banjo wind
A sad song drifting low
Listen to the tears roll
Down my face as she turns to go ♫

I think we have all had a lost love where that 'one thing' is a constant reminder of them.
Even years later.

The two musical contenders for this Battle of the Bands are found below.
Please listen to both and let me know which you like best.

Pam Tillis


Bruce Hornsby


Those are the two contenders. Ignoring the actual videos, who do you think performs the song best? I collected the two bands to battle it out, now it's your job to vote on your favourite. Please list your preferred song choice in the comments. Additionally, let me know why you feel the way you do. Voting ends on the 8th when I'll cast my own vote and announce the winner in a separate posting.

Additional Questions:
Do you prefer rain or snow in Winter?
Do you prefer a soft and gentle rain, or a raging lightening storm best?
Do you have that "one thing" that is a constant reminder?

Did you enjoy this Battle of the Bands feature? Come back on 15th December when I'll have a new battle. Also, be sure to check out my friends below who have banded together to offer up their own musical battles.

FAR AWAY SERIES
STMcC PRESENTS 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS'
TOSSING IT OUT
JANIE JUNEBUG RIGHTING AND EDITING
YOUR DAILY DOSE
BOOK LOVER
MIKE'S RAMBLINGS
CURIOUS AS A CATHY
DCRELIEF - BATTLE OF THE BANDS
THE DOGLADY'S DEN
CHERDO ON THE FLIPSIDE
ANGELS BARK
NOVEL BREWS
QUIET LAUGHTER
HOLLI'S HOOTS AND HOLLERS
THE SOUND OF ONE HAND TYPING
JINGLE JANGLE JUNGLE

Are you currently in the BOTB and don't see your name in the list above? Let me know in comments and I'll include it.

53 comments:

  1. I have to go with the original...it's just so much more powerful. But I'm not a fan of country music. Pam Tillis's voice is beautiful, for sure, but I'm a sucker for 80s music!

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    1. Yea, so am I. I'm worried Bruce will get most or all of the votes. Perhaps I should have found another cover band.

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  2. Hi Jeffrey - I prefer Bruce Hornsby's version ... just easier for me to listen to. Great song though ... and I prefer snow - as long as it doesn't stay around ... it's so pretty. Rain of all sorts is wonderful and life-giving isn't ... storms are amazing - but I'd prefer they rushed on by without causing too much damage! I seem to like both ... but prefer their gentle side ... cheers Hilary

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    1. True, it's not the destruction I enjoy about a good storm, but the amazing power of the thunder and excitement of the lightening are a great natural show we can all enjoy. If it doesn't scare us.

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  3. Hi, Jeffrey!

    You wrote:

    << I think we have all had a lost love where that 'one thing' is a constant reminder of them. Even years later. >>

    STD

    Okay, now on to your BOTB, good buddy. You picked two excellent recordings of "Mandolin Rain." The version by Bruce Hornsby & the Range has that fully orchestrated, echo drenched 80s sound and his vocal is pleasing to my ears, but I liked the Pam Tillis version more. Like you, I have a weakness for a pretty female voice and Pam's got one. Her passionate vocal style conveys more feeling and better interprets the lyrics. I also appreciated the crossover country arrangement. I vote for Pam Tillis, good buddy!

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    1. I appreciate the vote. At least this won't be a shut-out. The one thing I don't like to happen in a BOTB instalment.
      I was thinking more along the line of a cherished song, the scent of a perfume, a particular food.

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    2. I forgot there were questions for extra credit, Jeffrey.

      * I hope it's not too late for me to vote for snow over rain in Winter.

      * Soft rain or drizzle is kinda aggravating. If it's gonna rain, then I would prefer a gully washer - a brief t-storm with a substantial yield of rain.

      * That one thing? That's an easy one for me - The Shady Dell. I met Mrs. Shady #1 on the Dell's dance floor on June 6, 1968, and we were married three years later. Pictures of the Dell along with the ENTRANCE sign that I received from Kathleen bring back memories of meeting my future wife at my old hangout when we were in our teens.

      Thanks, Jeffrey!

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    3. The Dell sounds like a lovely place. You should blog about it some time. ;) :D
      As for the questions, you know as well as I do, it's the best way to initiate conversation. And for writers and bloggers, who wouldn't encourage long discussions and/or debates about the subject they have just written about?
      PS - I agree about rain. If it's just going to rain, I wish it would just RAIN!

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  4. Previously I was only familiar with the Hornsby version of this song. Tillis does a nice job with this, but I still prefer the power of the Hornsby version and I like the way he sings it better.

    In the winter I prefer snow when it's cold. No fun being cold and drenching wet. I love a hard rain when I can safely watch it from indoors, but if I've got to be out in it then soft gentle rain is my preference. In my case of past relationships my "one thing" would have to be my children.

    Great song choice by the way.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

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    1. Good point about the rain and cold. I agree. Personally, I'd prefer the sun if it's going to be cold.

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  5. Jeffrey- super tough choice for me. I have always loved the Bruce version, but Pam Tillis puts it in another light! Tillis is a favorite - just as much as Bruce. I'm voting for her.

    Been there - done that. (smile).

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    1. Glad to know this will not be such a one sided battle.
      When people tell me I've made the choice tough for them, that's music to my ears.
      It's exactly what I like to do.

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  6. I actually own this Pam Tillis CD or maybe I bought it on cassette tape. I think it must be the tape. That album came out before I was CD operational. Really great record. I remember liking her version of Mandolin Rain way back then, BUT (there's always a but) Bruce Hornsby nails this song. I mean he freakin' nails it. I love everything about the Bruce Hornsby version. Just everything.

    As for your questions... I am not a snow lover. I've lived in the north, but now I live in Florida. Winter is a big part of that reason. Now, if it could drop to 32 degrees on Christmas Eve, snow, and then go back to 65 on December 26... it'd be a perfect world. As it is, I like to look at pretty pictures of snow in the wintertime. I'll take the rain in sunny ole Florida. I'm not a fan of the storm. A nice gentle rain is soothing. My dog agrees.

    When you really love someone I think darn near everything makes you think of that person. Every song on the radio. Every meal you've eaten together. It's the reason people sell their houses and move to another state. When it's that painful we need a clean slate.

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    1. That was a vote for Bruce Hornsby... in case there was confusion.

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    2. I may have to check out her CD. Before I put this battle together, I was unfamiliar with her. I did like her version too, which is why i decided to use this one against Bruce.

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    3. PS - I did figure it was a vote for Bruce. No worries.
      As for moving, as you mentioned, the same could be said for when someone dies. When my father died, it wasn't a year later my step-mom was looking to get out of that house. But as odd as it may sound, I'm still living in the same house I lived in when I was married. I'm not even a home owner. It'll be 10 years my un-anniversary on Saturday and I'm still there. I just hate moving that much.

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  7. Good one, Jeffrey! I didn't know this song, but now I love it... And my vote goes to Bruce. Loved-loved-loved his version.
    Guilie @ Quiet Laughter

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    1. Awesome! Always great when I introduce a new song and/or singer to someone else.

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  8. I love that song title: Mandolin Rain just rolls off the tongue like the two are supposed to be together. Pam Tillis did a fabulous version but I love Bruce Hornsby's version so much! His version is one of these songs that bring back a lot of memories.
    RE: Rain: I LOVE LOVE LOVE rain. Any kind of rain. I love thunderstorms and torrential rainstorms, but a nice light steady rain is nice too.
    I'm originally from Buffalo (NY) and was very used to heavy snow (like you are). Now I live in Austin TX and I miss the snow so much! I always bitch because it never gets cold enough for me here and it sure never snows. If it snows, it's a few flakes that shuts the whole city down. I don't know that I'd want to go back to live in the snow and deal with the long hard winters but I wish we could get some significant snow here, which will never happen.
    Back to rain, I'm happiest when it's raining. I know that sounds weird but rain brings me peace.

    Great battle Jeffrey!

    Michele at Angels Bark

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    1. Doesn't sound weird to me at all. I know a lot of people have differing tastes in weather. I have one friend who absolutely loves the cold. He wants to move to Alaska one day. Or at least I think he should. Personally, I don't get it. But I can certainly understand how one might love the rain. At times I love it. Other times, I crave the sun. I'd rather have rain than a dreary overcast day, (with no rain) any day.

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  9. They were both pleasant, but I like Bruce's version better.

    I definitely prefer snow in the winter, we just got through 3-4 days of cold rain and I am glad to see the sun again. I do like lightning storms in the summer as long as I'm inside and there's not a chance of a tornado.

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    1. The midwest has been doing nothing but raining lately. It's such an unusual time of year. I can barely even believe it's December already.

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  10. Hate to say it, I have to go with Bruce on this one. It's fuller.
    I'll take a full out thunderstorm as long as it's in winter. (Less chance of it becoming a tornado.)

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    1. I guess I never thought too much of weather getting to be too dangerous. Living in Milwaukee, we really have not had many tornadoes in the actual. In fact, none that I can think of off the top of my head.
      Anyway, you don't have to hate voting for Bruce, there is a good chance I may vote for him too, even if it's a major upset.

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  11. I don't like twangy country music. I prefer Bruce Hornsby's sound, so he gets my vote. It doesn't matter if I prefer rain or snow. We get a lot of heavy rain in northern Florida. It floods my backyard, so there's that. I've lived hear five and a half years. One year on Christmas Day we had a few snow flakes while I was still asleep. I don't miss blizzards.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. Flooding and blizzards are never a good thing. Well, I don't mind a blizzard if I've got nothing to do the next day. But that rarely happens.
      On a side note. I woke up this morning to snow. It was Milwaukee's way of poking me in the eye for making taunts about all the rain. But the snow's gone and it's raining again.

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  12. I like Bruce Hornsby and the Range. I grew up listening to that one! Classic! I love all kinds of weather and so any and all of these weather conditions are great. Just don't give me a hurricane, tornado, or flood, that's all I ask!

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    1. No I won't send any of those your way. Severe weather is one thing, a good lightening storm show is another. IMO

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  13. I love the Pam Tillis version much better. It is quiet and the mandolin is just perfect. I had to go to youtube to listen to the other version and I hope I found the right one. I didn;t care for his voice as much. Pam seemed perfect-she gets my vote

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    1. I hate when the videos don't work for certain people. It's the most frustrating thing of BOTB.
      Thanks for stopping by to vote. :)

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  14. Too bad! Bruce Hornsby's video is not available in Canada and all I could find is a live version
    Hope that's okay for voting purposes. I much prefer his vocals to Pam Tillis, in any case.

    Do you prefer rain or snow in Winter? Neither - I hate winter! LOL If I have to choose one, then snow, because it's cleaner. Rain makes mud and that's a nightmare, with dogs in the house.
    Do you prefer a soft and gentle rain, or a raging lightening storm best? Soft and gentle. Many dogs are terrified in storms
    Do you have that "one thing" that is a constant reminder? Sure; specific songs trigger those memories.

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    1. As I said to Birgit above, I hate when the videos don't work in a certain country or area. It doesn't make sense to make the restrictions, I've never understood it anyway.
      As for the video, I think the live performance gives you the general idea what the studio version was like. Ironically I almost went with this live version, but opted for the studio version because it's much crisper and cleaner. However, for your vote I'll allow your vote. Pam could use another vote, and the live version isn't that much different the version I presented.

      I'm not a big fan of Winter either. I hate the cold and I hate the sloppy mess snow makes after the initial beauty of it.

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  15. They were both really good but I'm voting for Pam. I like how her version was softer, slower. And her voice was lovely, a perfect match for the lyrics.

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    1. You're making me relisten to the song. I was certain I would vote for Bruce because I'm most familiar with it, but giving the country stylings of Pam another go. Listening carefully to the lyrics and how she sings it. Thanks for stopping by to vote.

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  16. I like this song and I like Pam Tillis, her version is lovely, but I'm gonna vote for Bruce and the fuller sound. I like it just a little bit better.

    I much prefer snow to rain in winter. I've lived in the tropics and the mountains (Tahoe currently) and it just isn't winter or especially Christmas without the white stuff. As for rain, I love to lay in bed at night and listen to a gentle rain on the roof, but for watching give me a good hard rain with plenty of thunder and a great light show.

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    1. I love either sort of rain for falling asleep too. In fact I use a sound app to play rainy weather for me when I'm really restless and can't sleep at night. But if I'm going to watch, like you, I want a good hearty downpour with lots of thunder and lightening.
      Wow! You've lived in some interesting places I've never even visited before.

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  17. To me, everything Bruce Hornsby does sounds like "That's Just The Way It Is," regardless of who wrote it. Not that it was a bad song, but to make everything sound like it... uh, no. Pam Tillis gets my vote here. Not only does she have a great voice, the performance was more appropriate.

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    1. I can certainly understand when someone says a certain singer has many songs that sound exactly alike. Many modern day artists have that as their forte. However this song I've always found to be very distinctive for Bruce. Out of all his songs, this is by far my favourite.

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  18. This is a tough battle Jeff. I love Pam Tillis, haven't heard her sing in years. I don't understand why her career was so short, she has an amazing voice, and displays her range well in this song.

    Hate to vote against her, but Bruce just captures the sentiment of the lyrics so much better.

    As for the bonus questions:
    I love a day or two of snow, but I think I prefer a winter of rain. And I love storms; thunder, lightning, big drops or hail. But the constant patter of a gentle rain is soothing, and so much easier to continue on about lifes business. And yes, I liked this battle, beautiful music, evoking the soothing tones of rain, commemorating lost love. Thanks for sharing this song, and your love of winter.

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    1. Before this battle, I was actually unaware of Pam. I think she does a great job with this song as well and I'll have to look into more of her work. Even though I'm not big on country, there are a few artists I do listen to.

      I'm glad I'm not the only person who likes when it rains hard and heavy or soft and light. I agree, it's very soothing.

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  19. Jeffrey, Ahhh I totally forgot about this beautiful song! Thanks for sharing it. I haven't heard it in years! I haven't heard of Pam Tillis, but she does a magnificent job and I'm a bit torn on who to give my vote to because I love Bruce's version. I think I'm gonna side with Pam Tillis because I love the music arrangement and her voice just went with it. She made her cover a bit more distinctive.
    In the winter I'm not sure which I prefer to have because Knoxville can't handle inclement weather very well. I guess between rain, which can turn to ice and often times does here in Tennessee which is far worse than snow, I guess I'll pick snow. I prefer a gentle rain to a hard angry rain any day. I'm sure it won't be long before you'll get snow that sticks around more than a few days and then you'll wish it would go away for good. lol Good battle!

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    1. Always glad to bring back a beautiful song to mind.
      Still waiting on that snow.
      Perhaps by Spring we'll get something.

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  20. JEFFREY ~
    To be honest, I really don't care for Bruce Hornsby nor this song. I don't hate his music... because there's not even enough of anything there to hate. Frankly, he kind of bores me, as his songs just seem to schlep along, never reaching any kind of emotional peak nor soulful low. It's like a kind of lukewarm flat line that just drones on. His music sounds to me like it should be soundtrack stuffs for some made-for-TV movie about an insomniac who walks the city all night but nuttin' ever happens. (And I swear, I got so sick 'n' tired of hearing 'The Way It Is' everywhere I went for about 20 years!)

    On the other hand, Pam Tillis has that high-pitched female soprano-type voice that I've never been able to enjoy. So, by default, I cast my vote for
    BRUCE [*Yawn!* ...Excuse me] HORNSBY.

    Do you prefer rain or snow in Winter?
    I prefer Hot Buttered Rum.

    Do you prefer a soft and gentle rain, or a raging lightening storm best?
    I prefer soft lightning and raging gentleness.

    Do you have that "one thing" that is a constant reminder?
    Yes. It's a scar across the tip of my right ring finger from the night I fell down in a Prescott, Arizona, street with a big rock in my hand while filled with Grand Marnier and Tequila.

    ~ D-FensDogG
    'Loyal American Underground'

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    1. Perhaps you are familiar with Dave Attell? Seems his TV series was pretty much as you described above.
      Wow! We just do not get along musically, do we? But sometimes that's just the way it is. And some things will never change.
      Still, your scathing remarks are hilarious, so there's that. :)
      As for your "one thing", haven't we all fallen over with a rock in our hand and filled with Grand Marnier and Tequila at one point or another?

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    2. Yes, JEFFREY, falling in a street with a rock in our hand while filled with Grand Marnier and Tequila is the "one thing" that we human beings all have in common. That and a birthmark on our left forearms.

      ~ D-FensDogG

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    3. Right! I forgot about the toenail.

      ~ D-FensDogG

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  21. Okay, this song takes me back to the 80's. I have the cassette. Listened to it frequently. My memory for this song is not romantic AT ALL. I was in my 20's, working for a beverage distributor. I remember walking between buildings at work. I had to walk past my bosses Volvo. Of course, I looked inside to see the interior and whatnot. To my surprise this Cassette was laying out in the open on the front seat. Boss earned some points in my book that day! My vote is for Bruce Hornsby 1000%. The song needs that male voice to do it justice.

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    1. Its so cool to see how different people remember this song. Ironically enough, I believe I still have a few cassette tapes someone in the house.

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  22. I really did enjoy Pam Tillis version of the song, but I still have to go with Bruce on this one. I prefer snow in winter. Of course I traded the snow in for warmer temperatures, but where I live now I get plenty of rain.

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    1. I do love rain. But only if it's going to RAIN. I don't mind the snow, unless its here and gone.

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  23. My vote is for Pam Tillis, I never heard her version of this song before. I love her songs "Shake the sugar tree" and "Maybe it was Memphis". I love snow and thunderstorms, just not driving in them!

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    1. I will have to check out those songs. Thanks for the song recommendations.

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