Exactly one year ago I joined the Battle of the Bands community. I've seen members come and go, but one thing has remained constant, the battles have continued to be interesting, inspiring, informative and fun.
Special thanks go out to:
FAE / Far Away Eyes - For starting all this madness. (She has since stepped down from the music battles).
Stephen T. McCarthy - For keeping and maintaining the battles. What would we do without him?
And the Arlee Bird - Who, whether he realizes it or not, was a big encouragement for me to join in on the fun.
But! The biggest thanks goes to YOU. Without so many stopping by to listen and vote, this feature would not have lasted as long as it has.
So on to the battle!
Last year, I began my music battles with the song 'Giving It All Up For Love'. It was the version from Huey Lewis I was most familiar with but it was actually Philip Lynott's song.
This year, I decided to use Huey Lewis covering another song.
Last year, Huey failed to beat the original artist. Can he do better this year?
YOU DECIDE!
For reference only: (MY FIRST BOTB)
Huey Lewis vs Philip Lynott - Giving It All Up For Love
BATTLE OF THE BANDS
The two musical contenders for this Battle of the Bands are below.
Please listen to both and tell me who you like best.
Nick Lowe
Huey Lewis
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 22nd when I'll cast my vote (if needed) and announce the winner in a separate posting.
Additional Questions for BOTBers:
What was your first music battle? Who won?
What inspired you to join?
What date/year did you join?
Additional Questions for everyone else:
Besides a wedding or birthday, what anniversary to you pay special attention to?
Have you ever considered joining BOTB? (We would love to have you).
When you hear a well known song being performed by someone else, do you immediately dislike it or do you try and give it it's own merit?
If you enjoyed this Battle of the Bands feature, don't forget to visit the other participants in the Battle of the Band to see what sort of music they are featuring. You will certainly be entertained, so click on their links below.
FAR AWAY SERIES No longer providing, but shall remain at the top of the list in honour of what she has started.
STMcC PRESENTS 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS'
TOSSING IT OUT
JANIE JUNEBUG RIGHTING AND EDITING
YOUR DAILY DOSE
MIKE'S RAMBLINGS
CURIOUS AS A CATHY
DCRELIEF - BATTLE OF THE BANDS
THE DOGLADY'S DEN
CHERDO ON THE FLIPSIDE
ANGELS BARK
QUIET LAUGHTER
BE_REINVINTAGED
THE SOUND OF ONE HAND TYPING
JINGLE JANGLE JUNGLE
eViL pOp TaRt
HOLLI'S HOOTS AND HOLLERS
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.
My first Battle of the Bands was September 1, 2014. Arlee invited me. The song was "You Really Got A Hold On Me," and the competitors were Smokey Robinson and the Miracles (the original group), The Beatles, and She & Him (Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward). There was one vote for She & Him, and the rest went to Smokey Robinson.
ReplyDeleteAs for the current battle, I liked the sound of Huey Lewis and the News a whole lot better than that of Nick Lowe, so they get my vote.
Thanks for sharing your first battle. Hard to believe I've been doing this for one year already.
DeleteVote - Huey Lewis.
I'm glad you joined us in the fun. Having more Battles makes for more fun! And it gives us all more voters for our own battles.
ReplyDeleteI don't recall ever hearing this song before. I bet I can guess who your pick is. Sorry, but I tend to prefer the original by Nick Lowe (gosh, I keep saying "sorry"--sorry), but the Huey Lewis version is really good though.
Give my vote to Nick Lowe.
When I saw STMcC and FAE doing BOTB I asked if they minded if I joined in since this is something big in my realm of interests. BOTB is now my favorite thing to do on my blog. Well that and A to Z.
Without looking I think my first BOTB was "Down By the River" between Neil Young and McKendree Spring. I would have to look to see who won, so excuse me while I peek. Okay, I checked and Neil Young won that round. That post was on August 30 of 2013. Wow, going on 3 years at this now!
Someday I need to set up a page for all of my BOTB posts.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
I do have a page for my BOTB, but I don't have the winner posted, I simply link to the result post. Just in case someone were to try their hand at a battle and give it a go.
DeleteI appreciate you sharing your first battle.
Vote for Nick Lowe.
LEE, your memory is just slightly off.
DeleteThat may have been your second BATTLE, but your first featured a song from the musical 'HAIR'. I can't recall which song you used, but I remember that FAE and I were already planning to do a 'HAIR' theme for Battle #4 when you asked to join.
We said yes, of course, but FAE wanted to keep the 'HAIR' idea consistent, so we asked you to select something from that soundtrack for your debut Battle. After that, the world of music was yours to choose from. Remember?
~ D-FensDogG
There are many things for which my memory is deficient, but in this case I'm spot on. I went back and checked. I do remember the "Hair" battle, but I did participate in round 3 as well. Here's the link as a reminder: BOTB "Down By the River"
DeleteMy contribution to the "Hair" battle included Brian Auger with Julie Driscoll and the Trinity.
The rest of my life is a hazy memory of one run on thing upon the other. My first battle would have been the same had it not been for my ability to access past posts in archives.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Looks like the above hyperlink doesn't work so here's the cut-and-paste link:
Deletehttps://tossingitout.blogspot.com/2013/08/battle-of-bands-im-jumping-in-song.html
Huh... So it was I who "unremembered". Apparently FAE and I had that 'HAIR' theme planned for a couple weeks in advance then. Because I recall that she thought it would look dumb if 2 out of 3 BOTBers used a 'HAIR' song. She wanted the theme consistent, and so I asked you to keep it with us.
DeleteI just didn't remember that you'd posted a Battle prior to that one though.
The date is weird on that. August 30th? I wonder why we started Battle #3 on August 30th instead of Sept. 1st. It's always been on the 1st and 15th. Something must have been going on so we moved it up two days, but damned if I can remember why.
~ D-FensDogG
Since it was my first BOTB post and I was probably trying to keep to my regular blogging schedule it was probably only me who jumped the gun on the posting date. After that I probably said to hell with my schedule and decided to play by BOTB rules.
DeleteArlee Bird
Tossing It Out
No, I posted on 8/30 also.
Delete~ D-FensDogG
Oh, then that is strange. You were just getting adapted to BOTB I guess. I'm sure you had your reason. You always do.
DeleteArlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Now THIS is exactly what I encourage on my blog. Actually conversations. LOL
DeleteThanks guys for the interesting discussion. :)
Even if I wasn't involved. :p
What's great about a conversation happening in the comments is that it gives you an idea of who actually is checking the "Notify Me" box and following the comment thread. Often I think our responses go unnoticed and might make a blogger feel like they're wasting time even leaving a response. Now you know that at least McCarthy and I are actually engaged in your (and others') comment thread.
DeleteI love it when this happens on my site as well.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
I think most people check back, I do. But I'm not so sure many people engage more than once. I do if it's needed. At least I try to. Like now, for example. Here, or at anyone else's blog.
DeleteCongratulations, Jeffrey on your anniversary!
ReplyDeleteToday's battle is really good. I like both versions but love Huey's voice and of course, that horn work! My vote goes to Huey.
Additional Questions for BOTBers:
What was your first music battle? Who won?
"I Open My Mouth to the Lord," won by an unknown choir.
What inspired you to join?
Pressure from "the sexiest man alive" (namely, Stephen T. McCarthy!) Really!!!
What date/year did you join?
January 01, 2015
Ahh, so I was only half a year behind you joining. But it's so cool you started on the first of the year. Never have to go back and check when you started.
DeleteThanks for sharing your first battle.
Vote - Huey Lewis
DIXIE POLKA ~
DeleteI am NOT "the sexiest man alive"!!!
I am "the sexiest man on the planet" ("TSMOTP").
C'mon, Pigtails, GET IT RIGHT! [:O)
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
Well, maybe he'll win this time because I'm voting for Huey. His beat and vibe was more fun, and I liked his voice much better.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on a full year of BOTB! :)
Thanks Chrys!
DeleteVote - Huey Lewis
Well, your questions sparked a whole lot of scrolling through old blog posts. I knew my first Battle of the Bands was The Star Spangled Banner, but it didn't come up when I searched it. Don't ask. I don't know why. I did indeed tag it. Turns out that was September 1, 2013. I don't recall how exactly I joined. I think I left comments on FAE's and StMc's blogs about joining in. I really don't remember any longer. Anyway, the contenders were Madison Rising and Jose Feliciano and Madison Rising whooped poor Jose. I could've chosen much better. I like to think I've learned a lot about picking better footage, but I still have contests like that... so I don't know.
ReplyDeleteIn your contest, this was hard. I really liked both of them. I give the edge to Huey Lewis. I could understand his vocals better. I didn't know I couldn't understand the words to the first one until Huey sang it. Then I was like, "Oh, those were the words." Enunciate, people, enunciate. Plus, I've always liked Huey. Big fan.
Vote for Huey Lewis. Just in case there was a doubt in your mind.
One thing I love to do in my blog posts, spark conversations and get people thinking. i.e. the questions. I love when a blog post can be interactive like that. Thanks for checking on the past battles.
DeleteAnother thing I find interesting is seeing how much things have changed from our first battles. My BOTB format looks so much different now than when I first began one year ago.
Last year it was a close battle with Huey Lewis, I hope it's another close battle. But with a Huey win. ;) :D
Vote - Huey Lewis
Oh Jeffrey... I knew my love for spreadsheets would come in handy one day! See, I started blogging Oct 1, 2014 and I really love my niche. I didn't follow any blogs before I started, I just jumped in blind with both feet. After I got started, I sought out other blogs to build up my readership. I found a few blog challenges along the way, and quickly learned about the A to Z Challenge thankfully just before April. I had done some random 'who sang it best' features on my blog, but it was shortly after the A to Z Challenge that I discovered the BOTB. I honestly don't recall exactly who's blog it was that it was, but I fired off a message begging the BossMan (Mr McCarthy) to let me join in all the fun. Not wanting to duplicate someone's battle, I opened up my excel and went back to the very beginning of time - the very first battles that FAE and BossMan held, and started tracking all the songs and contestants, adding in new participants as they came along. I didn't track winners or losers (except for my own personal battles). This spreadsheet has come in handy for me. When I have a thought about using a particular song or artist in a battle I consult my spreadsheet to see if it's been done before. Of course, I'm not able to predict or see who is in upcoming battles and such, but it has proven to be helpful to me when planning my own battles, as I like to have them written in advance. (for example - I've got my battles written up and scheduled through end of July right now)
ReplyDeleteMy first battle took place June 1, 2015. The song was "Baker Street". I really wanted the Foo Fighters to be a contestant, but for some bizarre reason I was not able to find a video that was playable in the USA at that time. So my contestants ended up being Game Theory and Waylon Jennings. Waylon received 11 votes, while Game Theory received 8.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane :)
I bet by now you are wondering who I am going to vote for today. My vote today goes to the boys that I loved so much during the 80s and part of the 90s - Huey Lewis!
Mary
Jingle Jangle Jungle
I've been meaning to do a spreadsheet myself. Sometimes it's good to know who battled when.
DeleteHey, your anniversary was the beginning of the month. Seems a lot of us joined up about the same time.
Vote - Huey Lewis
Wow, Happy BOTB Anniversary Jeffrey! I had to go back in my blog archives to find my first battle and guess what? I missed my 1 year anniversary! I didn't even realize I'd been doing this for a full year already -- I started on May 15th 2015. My battle was the song Without You pitting Badfinger against Mariah Carey. Interestingly, the votes came in at a tie so my vote was the tie-breaker and I voted for Mariah (though it pained me to vote against Badfinger). Thanks for taking me back in time and making me realize my one year milestone here with you all. Arlee Bird was the one who invited me to participate too!
ReplyDeleteAs for your battle, I do like Huey Lewis and the News but I'm going to have to give my vote to Nick Lowe. I liked his sound better.
(and I went back to your original BOTB and I voted for Philip Lynot).
Hard to believe we've been doing this a year already, huh?! It's been a blast. Again, Happy Anniversary!
Michele at Angels Bark
Glad you appreciate the trip back in time. I seem to be doing that a lot lately with my readers.
DeleteHappy Anniversary to you too!
Vote - Nick Lowe
(Just not a Huey fan, huh?) LOL
(Major typos in previous comment; trying again....)
ReplyDeleteHappy 1st BOTB anniversary, Jeffrey! ☺ You joined exactly one month after I did. Arlee got me hooked as well. First BOTB was "House of the Rising Sun". The White Buffalo beat out Frijid Pink. There's a BOTB compilation page under "Music Muse".
Getting back to your battle, both choices were good and I had to listen twice. In the end, Huey Lewis and his band gave it more energy. Put me down for Huey, please.
Arlee seems to have been the inspiration behind many of us joining. I'm glad he did. Thanks for sharing your first battle. :)
DeleteVote - Huey Lewis
Hi,
ReplyDeleteMy choice was taken out of my hands because the GEMA blocked the first video. However, I love the second video and am voting for it. I am not a member of the BOTB crowd because I just don't have the time. However, I love music. I am a musician and singer and music is a constant in my life everyday.
I love listening to the original song and the cover versions. There are some really great cover versions out there and I cover some songs also. So I give the cover version a chance.
Shalom aleichem,
Patricia
I really hate all the video restrictions. If a video I post is not being blocked by someone in Germany, it's being blocked in Canada. If it's not being in Canada it's being blocked in England. *Sigh* I hate that. Thanks for stopping in to check despite that.
DeleteVote - Huey Lewis* (With the asterisk included)
Hi, Jeffrey!
ReplyDeleteIt hardly seems possible that you and I have been buddies for a whole year. Thanks for all the songs and artists you have introduced me to in that time (especially Diana Krall - the object of a creepy shrine I have created in my man cave). I remember Nick Lowe's 1979 biggie "Cruel to Be Kind" which offered a refreshing change from Disco. While I enjoyed Nick's version of "Book," the clear choice for me in your battle is Huey Lewis. Huey is a longtime blue-eyed soul man and I always respond favorably to his vocal style. In addition, Huey's recording packs more punch, featuring a horn section and organ reminiscent of the Memphis session musicians during the glory years of Stax and Hi Records in the 60s and 70s.
News flash: Give my vote to Huey Lewis!
When I hear a cover of a well known song that I like, I keep an open mind and open ears. Sometimes, not often, I consider the cover better and, in my mind, it becomes the new definitive. For example, "Grapevine" belongs to Gladys Knight in the Pips. Their version will always be my favorite, but both Marvin Gaye and CCR recorded outstanding covers that are classics in their own right.
My first battle took place May 1, 2015, and was a three way contest with Petula Clark, Peggy Lipton and Billie Davis performing "Wasn't It You." Pet Clark won the contest by a three vote margin.
Thanks, good buddy Jeffrey, and enjoy the rest of your week!
The closest I have to a Diana Krall shrine in my Diana Krall collection. A peak into my "shrine" can be found in the poem I also wrote her. Which, if you are so inclined, can be found here:
Deletehttp://jeffreyascott.blogspot.com/2012/04/krall.html
It's a rather tongue-in-cheek poem which also incorporates many of her song titles.
Anyway, thanks for going back and refreshing us on your first song battle.
I appreciate your continued visits and votes.
Vote - Huey Lewis
Huey all the way. I always loved the rasp in his voice. Plus, he's genuinely a super-nice guy, or so I've heard. Good guys for the WIN!
ReplyDeleteFrom all the interviews I've seen, he's a very nice guy. I think the videos he makes where he's 'stand-offish' are done rather tongue-in-cheek.
DeleteVote - Huey Lewis
Huey Lewis for me as well! He and his band rocked it right out of the gate, and I've always admired his distinctive voice.
ReplyDeleteI'll listen to a new version of an old or existing song any time, but I do listen with a "we'll see" attitude. Of late, I've been pleasantly surprised more than not :-)
It was Arlee who introduced me to these battles, as I was already following him when he did one a couple of years ago. Now there are more than a handful I enjoy visiting. Though time and technological challenges (I don't even know how to post a video yet - ha!) prevent me from actively participating, I do love that I can still vote! Thanks, Jeffrey:-)
Perhaps one day, I shall post a blog post on how to upload videos. ;)
DeleteI'm so glad you find the music battles fun and that you actually take the time to vote. It's always appreciated.
Vote - Huey Lewis
The song fit Huey Lewis, but I liked Nick's better. My first battle was a day late on 7.16.14. The song was Dead Flowers by the Rolling Stones. They won against Blues singer Samantha Fish and songwriter Townes Van Zandt.
ReplyDeleteA day late for your first battle is a little like showing up late for your first day of work. ;)
DeleteJust kidding. Thanks for the info, always fun to see first battles.
Vote - Nick Lowe
HAPPY BOTBVERSARY, JEFFY!
ReplyDeleteIt was fun for me to read through all the comments left here about how people got BOTB'd and what their first Battles were.
MARY'S comment was particularly interesting because I had no idea how much work she'd put in prior to posting her first Battle. All that research to make sure she didn't repeat a Battle. Wow! Now that's a seriously dedicated BOTBer!
For the longest time - maybe 1.5 to 2 years - I could tell you with certainty whether or not a song had been used before in BOTB. In fact, on a few occasions, BOTBers did indeed ask me if it "was safe" to use such-and-such song. But now there have been so many Battles, and the ranks have grown, that I don't have that "Song Catalog Memory" like I did. There are some I could state with certainty, but plenty I'd be hazy about now.
>>... What was your first music battle? Who won?
It was BEBEL GILBERTO Vs. BEBEL GILBERTO on the song 'AGANJU'. And Bebel Gilberto won. And lost.
She had recorded the song twice with two drastically different arrangements. I wanted to illustrate how important arrangements can be in making or breaking a song. So my very first Battle was designed more as an "object lesson" than it was designed to be competitive (which it wasn't, no surprise to me).
http://tinyurl.com/z6mepht
>>... What inspired you to join?
HA! Well, I didn't really "join". I "began". But everyone already knows that story.
>>... What date/year did you join?
Started on August 1, 2013.
You know, another good question that I would love to read the answers to would be: Of all your BOTB contests, which one is your favorite so far, and why?
Maybe you can axe that one in your Results post?
Good Battle here, JEFFY. I liked the Nick Lowe original, but HUEY LEWIS & THE NEWTS get my vote easily! I really liked the horns in their cover and, as others here have said, Huey has the much better and more distinctive voice.
I even listened to Huey's version a second time, just for the pleasure of it. (Yup! Suhprize-Suhprize-Suhprize! Huey & The Newts are one of the very few '80s bands I actually dig.)
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
Are you sure your information is correct? Or should I have Lee double check it? ;)
DeleteI was equally impressed with Mary's hard work. I kind of want that spreadsheet.
That's a good question. Perhaps I'll save it for an upcoming battle as the results generally see less traffic.
Somehow I thought for sure you would pick Nick Lowe. Just goes to show you, you never truly know who each member of the BOTB is going to select.
Vote - Huey Lewis
PS - once again thanks for the banter above. It's exactly the reason I post questions, I like to get a good discussion going.
In re: to celebrating an anniversary besides b-day & wedding, strangely enough I also celebrate when I was laid off from work. In 2003 I was laid off from my state job. I came back six months later and the decisions that I made short after I came back put me on the path where I am now commenting on your blog.
ReplyDeleteI daresay that if I wasn't laid off, I wouldn't be here commenting on your blog, I wouldn't know thing one about blogging, and I definitely wouldn't be writing.
Father Nature's Corner
I hope your writing continues to soar. It's good you are taking something negative and making use of it. I don't know what I'd do if I were laid off, but I imagine I'd be writing more too.
Delete