Thursday, August 15, 2013

‘BATTLE OF THE BANDS’ NUMBER 2 (Or, ‘FLEETWOOD MAC VS. THE ROCKETS’)

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Republican Vs. Democrat, Male Vs. Female, War Vs. Peace, Light Vs. Dark, Good Vs. Evil, Man Vs. Machine, Love Vs. Hate, Dog Vs. Cat, Sun Vs. Moon, Brain Vs. Brawn, Oscar Vs. Grammy, Angel Vs. Demon, Laurel Vs. Hardy, Beer Vs. Wine, TV Vs. Radio, Pitcher Vs. Batter, Paper Vs. Plastic, Reality Vs. Fantasy, Yeshua Vs. Beelzebub, Conservative Vs. Liberal, You Vs. Me, House Vs. Senate, Offense Vs. Defense, Kramer Vs. Kramer, Spy Vs. Spy, Fischer Vs. Spassky, W.C. Fields Vs. Sobriety, Harold Gimpy, Jr. Vs. Sheldon J. Pismire, Rock Vs. Paper Vs. Scissors, Islam Vs. Everything, Singer Vs. Singer, Band Vs. Band...
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THE  BATTLE  OF  THE  BANDS!



Shoop-Shooby –
Shooby-duh-Dooby-Doop-Dooby-Dooby-Doo-Wah –
Buh-Doo-Wah!

Yes, it’s time once again for ‘Battle Of The Bands’ (BOTB). 

EUGENE MARTONE VS. JACK BUTLER

This time we have the original 1969 Fleetwood Mac song 
OH WELL going up against the 1979 cover version of that song by The Rockets.

GODZILLA VS. KING KONG
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Few bands have survived as many line-up changes as Fleetwood Mac, and probably only The Eagles and Elton John (and perhaps Steve Miller) get played as often on ‘Classic Rock’ radio stations today as does Fleetwood Mac.

But ‘The Mac’ was not born as the Pop Music Hit-Making Machine it became. In fact, Fleetwood Mac started out as a late 1960s British Blues-Rock band whose major creative force was Peter Green, a former guitarist of John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers band. Along with the likes of Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix, Peter Green was considered one of Rock music’s original ‘Guitar Gods’. Blues legend B.B. King once said of Peter Green: "He has the sweetest tone I ever heard; he was the only one who gave me the cold sweats."

Many years and musicians later, in 1975/’76, Fleetwood Mac (Peter Green was 5-years gone) scored 3 ‘Top 40’ hits. In 1977, they released their ‘Rumours’ album which yielded 4 Billboard ‘Top Ten’ hit songs, and the recording is still the third best-selling album of all time.

[Personal Note: I went to see Fleetwood Mac perform just North of Los Angeles in the Winter of 1976. My best buddy Eric was pretty much in love with Stevie Nicks and he and I attended many Rock concerts together. It was an outdoor “festival-style” seating scenario (meaning: the sooner you arrive, the better seats you’ll get). We got there very early, so Eric could get as close as possible to Stevie Nicks. ...

The newspaper ad said that The Mac would play “rain or shine”. For a couple hours we stood there in line, while the sky periodically rained on us. And then came the announcement: “Due to the weather, Fleetwood Mac will not be performing. Your ticket costs will be refunded to you.” The reason I know for sure that this occurred in ’76, just before The Mac’s massive commercial break-out in 1977, is because while in line, all I could talk about was the new Styx album, ‘Crystal Ball’, which had been released no more than a week earlier, on October 1, 1976.]

Fleetwood Mac @ Wikipedia:


Anyway, in 1969, long before Fleetwood Mac changed personnel and became Pop Music superstars, they released the Blues-based Rock song ‘OH WELL’, written and sung by their ‘Guitar God’ Peter Green. Listen:



In the 1970s, some songs were known as “Album Cuts”, “Deep Cuts”, or “FM Hits”. These were songs that did not make the Billboard ‘Top 40’ charts (i.e., AM Radio Hits) but were well-known to FM Radio listeners (e.g., Led Zeppelin’s ‘Stairway To Heaven’ is pretty universally regarded as the “anthem” of my generation and it is known to every single person my age, but ‘Stairway To Heaven’ was an “FM Hit” and never charted on Billboard’s ‘Top 40’).


In 1979, a Detroit, Michigan, band called The Rockets released a cover version of the old Fleetwood Mac song ‘OH WELL’ on their album ‘Turn Up The Radio’. I was under the impression that The Rockets’ version was strictly an “FM Hit”, but in doing a wee bit o’ research for this BOTB blog bit, I discovered that ‘Oh Well’ by The Rockets actually got to #30 on Billboard’s ‘Top 40’ chart, making The Rockets an official “One-Hit Wonder”.

The Rockets @ Wikipedia:

Listen to The Rockets’ cover of the Fleetwood Mac original and decide which version you like best:



I welcome EVERYONE – whether I know you or not -  to vote for your favorite of these two songs in the comment section below. And feel free to tell us WHY you chose one song over the other. (NOTE: Comment Moderation is activated. All submitted comments that do not transgress "Ye Olde Comment Policy" will be posted as soon as possible. Thanks for taking the time to comment.)
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After voting here, I suggest - actually I insist - you pop over to FAE’s ‘Far Away Series’ blog and see which songs she has chosen and vote there also. (If her BOTB blog bit isn’t posted yet, pour yourself two shots of ‘Grand Marnier’ over ice – do it twice – and then return to ‘Far Away Series’ to vice your voice ...vote your vice ...voice your vote.)

Voice Your Vote @ ‘FAR AWAY SERIES’ by clicking HERE.

RIDDLER VS. BATMAN

Find The True Meaning Of Christmas: Win Money!-Money!-Money! Spectacular, Super-Colossal Neighborhood Christmas Lights And Display Contest!

Find The True Purpose For Voting On ‘Battle Of The Bands’ Installments: Win Compact Discs!-Compact Discs!-Compact Discs! Spectacular, Super-Colossal Blogosphere ‘Battle Of The Bands’ Voting Contest!

Here’s The Deal: By voting on the ‘Battle Of The Bands’ blog bits here and at the ‘FAR AWAY SERIES’ blog, you can win the compact disc of your choice. Every 4 months, FarAwayEyes and I will add up how many times you voted on our blogs, and the person who has participated most often (i.e., submitted the most eligible votes) will get to select one compact disc that contains any one of the songs that were included in either of our ‘Battle Of The Bands’ installments (“Super-Colossal” expensive boxed-sets, imports, and ‘out-of-print’ compact discs not included). In the event of a tie, the names will be put in a Stetson and the name drawn from the cowboy hat will win the CD.

Rules For Voting: FAE and I post new ‘Battle Of The Bands’ blog bits on the 1st and 15th of each month. We also post our own personal votes for the respective blog bits on the 7th and 21st of each month (i.e., six days later). For your vote to be counted, it must be submitted in our comment sections BEFORE we post our own votes (BEFORE we make our own votes known on the 7th and the 21st).

Every 4 months there will be a new compact disc winner. In other words, ‘Battle Of The Bands’ #1 was posted on August 1, 2013, so at the end of November, one of you lucky voters is going to win a CD that includes one of the songs we’ve featured in our ‘Battle Of The Bands’ installments (you get to choose, and it doesn’t matter if the song won or lost its battle – if you like it, it’s YOURS!)

Alright, now... VOTE ON and ROCK ON! (while we 
‘Count On...’)


~ Stephen T. McCarthy

Links To Previous 'BOTB' Installments:
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YE OLDE COMMENT POLICY: All comments, pro and con, are welcome. However, ad hominem attacks and disrespectful epithets will not be tolerated (read: "posted"). After all, this isn’t Amazon.com, so I don’t have to put up with that kind of bovine excrement. 

39 comments:

  1. I prefer the Fleetwood Mac version with the blues sound. I also liked Peter Green's voice better. The guitar riffs were amazing on the first version. The outro was wonderful. ::sigh::

    That is not to say that I don't like The Rockets version. They went for a more Rock feel and inserted keyboards and percussion that the original song didn't have. However, without the extra material, the sound became a bit boring. Or maybe it is just that Peter Green's guitar work is so amazing that a person doesn't mind listening to something go on and on. The Rockets - not bad, but next to the original... the song pales, IMHO.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Fleetwood Mac, because of the stellar guitar.

    Never heard of the Rockets before, but then there used to be a LOT of bands.

    I have already voted on farawayeyes's blog. I like the idea of Battle of the Bands.

    ReplyDelete
  3. For the record, Stephen, the sites I went to show Rumors at ten (RIAA site) or six (Wikipedia). I'd be curious to know where you looked.

    Mac did a live version in the late seventies (I heard that version before I knew of the Peter Green incarnation of the band).

    The Rockets were formed by former Detroit Wheels members, and reunited a couple of years ago...rumor has it they are recording a new album. Better late than never....

    As for my vote... the Mac version!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Actually, I had heard the Rockets version first ( never missed Casey Casem). But like most things in life, the original is better. I can't say I've dug deep into old FMac, but I do love Hypnotized and Albatross. I think I used to have Mystery To Me, but don't recall listening to it much and lost track of it after the divorce.

    ReplyDelete
  5. OK, I’m the proven ‘dumb blonde’(see the comments section on MY blog), and un-intelligent woman who not only listened to the entire recording of that horrible version of ‘Aganju’ at the last ‘Battle’, but admitted it, in print. But, then you know me; it’s that redemption thing. Oh well, don’t ask me what I think of ‘anything’. I might not give the answers that you want me to.

    Anyway, in this battle if you were ‘skimming’ and did not listen to the entire version by both bands you would have missed some of the best stuffs. I really like the juxtaposition of the hard driving rock sound with the simple mellow ending in the Fleetwood Mac version. I didn’t care for the more metallic sound of The Rockets, even if we were only comparing the first part.

    Obviously, my vote goes to Fleetwood Mac

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks, All Y'all, for voting and commenting. I will be posting my vote in this Comment Section on Aug. 21st, at which point the voting for this particular BOTB contest will be closed. (People can still vote, and I encourage them to do so, but the votes posted after my own vote won't count toward the 'Compact Disc' prize.)

    ROBIN --- To me, the Outro bit that you mentioned has a sort of 'Western' flavor to it. I could easily imagine hearing that in the soundtrack of some Western movie - like just before the big gunfight or something.

    D.G. HUDSON --- Thanks for checking in here. Yeah, I'm really digging the BOTB concept too! FarAwayEyes gets all the credit for that; I just sort of grabbed it when I started to imagine all the entertaining possibilities of the thing.

    DISCDUDE --- Yeah, I actually knew about the Detroit Wheels/Rockets connection. I just didn't mention it in the blog bit, thinking not too many people would know the Detroit Wheels any better than they do The Rockets.

    I got the 'Rumours' at #3 info from the Fleetwood Mac Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleetwood_Mac (But being Wikipedia, it's probably very unreliable!)

    BROTHER MARTIN - My old buddy Eric owned the 'Mystery To Me' album and even today, I'm never able to say, "It's a mystery to me" without simultaneously seeing the image of that album cover in my mind. Seriously.

    FAE --- Glad you corrected that mistake in your BOTB #2. (That was a case of "instant karma" for having stolen a future BOTB blog bit from me. See? God is watching! Don't steal ideas from me or your Eagles will become Turkeys.)

    ~ D-FensDogg
    'Loyal American Underground'

    ReplyDelete
  7. This took a while for me to decide because I do like both versions. The Rockets' version has that Southern twangy hard rock sound that really gets it going out the gate, and I like that. But then... it just kinda stays there, never moving. It's good, but just not as good as the original.

    The original feels like it has more passion to it. It also seems to be a bit more creative, to have more substance, and I say that not just because of that outro (aka Part II aka Showdown at High Noon), which really caters to my love of the killer progressive rock song that lasts 10 minutes and just goes all over the damn place.

    As for the post itself, that sucks about the Fleetwood Mac concert being 'rained out.' Here in Colorado we have the Red Rocks Amphitheater, which is one of the best concert venues I've ever been to (natural acoustics = amazing sound). Their concerts are advertised as rain or shine, and they stick to it. Best concert I've ever been to was at that venue August of last year, and it was pouring the whole time. Musician didn't care. He played some great music and sang amazingly, and even joked that some of his equipment probably wasn't going to work very well after the show. By the time he sang his last song, there were maybe 100 people left (out of thousands). It was a blast. Most fun the wife and I had all summer.

    Also, I love the incentive you and FAE have added. I'd love to win a CD. What bank will you be opening it with? You're talking about a Certificate of Deposit, right? Otherwise, this youngin' might not know what you're talking about. That's one of those ancient things like a cassette tape, right? :)

    ~4B

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 4-BOLDSOUL

      Thanks for votin' and yakkin'.

      >>... Here in Colorado we have the Red Rocks Amphitheater

      I've heard of it. Never been there, although I HAVE driven through CO., where I toured the COors brewery. (Long ago, before Craft Beer, and when COors was still thought of as something special because it was available only in Western states.)

      Incidentally, I noticed that 'SN PA' captured the "Beer" category on today's blog bit. (That's a first!) I was just over there about half an hour and eleventy minutes ago, and then discovered your comment here. It's always nice to honor those middle-ground heroes (who came before 'SUCKS' but after 'COors').

      >>... Musician didn't care. He played some great music and sang amazingly...

      Uh... is the musician secretly working undercover for the NSA or somethin'? Why can I not know his name?

      >>... You're talking about a Certificate of Deposit, right?

      Sure... if I can open it with $20. or less.

      >>... That's one of those ancient things like a cassette tape, right?

      A cassette tape? How forward-thinking you are! I've got news for you, Mr. Youngoldsoul J. Smartass, I can still remember weekends cruising - yes, "CRUISING" (like in 'American Graffiti') - the streets of Westwood Village in Los Angeles while in high school, in my buddy's 'Bronco', listening to Emerson, Lake & Palmer on his vehicle's 8-track tape - yes, "8-TRACK TAPE" - sound system.

      I STILL think compact discs are modern marvels! And I still catch myself turning 'em over to the "B" side when they come to a stop. (Old habits die hard, Brother.)

      ~ D-FensDogg
      'Loyal American Underground'

      Delete
  8. Ha,ha,ha! Bryan-you win and I'll see that you get a 'download'. You 'Spain it to McCarthy.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Funny, I've heard the Mac version of this song countless times and never knew who done it. I can't ever recall hearing the Rockets version.

    The Rockets do a credible version and there's nothing wrong with it. Their version rocks and has slick production. But I'll have to go with the Mac version for the rootsy sound and better instrumentation and vocals.

    My preferred incarnation of Mac has always been the pre-Nicks/Buckingham line-up that included Bob Welch. That's when I really first started listening to the group. I recall back around 1970 when the Bijou Theater in Knoxville, which at that time was a porno purveyor, used the Mac song "Albatross" in their promo radio ads. That always struck me kind of funny. Not to mention a porno theater advertising on Knoxville, TN radio.

    I'm not very familiar with the recordings of the Detroit "Rockets" though I used to be a fan of Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels.. The "Rockets" group that I prefer was the California version that went on to become Neil Young's back-up group Crazy Horse. Those Rockets recorded one album that was very much to my taste in music.

    I always enjoy your insight on music and welcome this new endeavor that you and FAE are embarking on.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete
  10. Fleetwood Mac hands down...childhood memories believe it or not!!!! Love the guitar, love the depth in the music.

    ReplyDelete
  11. LEE --- That IS kinda funny/odd about the Bijou Theater in Knoxville using The Mac in their porno promo radio ads. And circa 1970? Man, that's hard to believe. I was living in Los Angeles up through 1992, and I don't think I EVER heard a radio ad for a porno theatre.

    Did I even mention Bob Welch in my text above? I don't think I did, but I was well aware that he had been a "MACker" before his big solo hit 'Sentimental Lady' scored on Billboard. (I always liked that song. In fact, I really liked that entire album, 'French Kiss'.)

    LUMA13 --- Thanks for voting! You are well on your way to a new CD ("Compact Disc", that is!)

    ~ D-FensDogg
    'Loyal American Underground'

    ReplyDelete
  12. Like Beer-boy, I like both versions. And I will also cast my vote ultimately for Mac's bluesy style. The Rockets version sounds just a little too garage-band like for me to have a "winna winna, chicken dinna."

    However, (and I know you must have seen this, since your chosen Mac vid was on page TEN of the YouTube search, and this was much earlier) my favorite version is by THESE GUYS:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=735dXdC7i9A

    By the way, I am currently in Beer Territory: Denver. No beers for me, though.

    ~ Teetotaler Six

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SHEBOYGAN(BEER)BOY (NO)6(PACK) ~

      Thanks for checkin' in from ...'On The Road'. (Now where's that other brainiac, Sig 2?)

      Your vote has been recorded, Brother.

      And you're RIGHT, I did see that other version while scrolling an' trolling for the desired Mac video. I had never heard that version before, and didn't even pause to listen because my mind was already made up: BOTB #2 was going to pit The Mac (original recording) against The Rockets (Billboard Top 40).

      But thanks 2 U, I have now heard the Pom Tetty version. (It wouldn't have changed my upcoming Aug. 21st vote though.)

      We B 1 4 2 (Klu 4 U).

      Keep an I on y'r E.

      ~ D-FensDogg
      'Loyal American Ebonix Skolr' Pee-H-Dee

      Delete
  13. FAE - I must apologize for voting over here again. I still don't have the appropriate documentation for voting in St. Croix. TSA has body-scanned me, and found me lacking.

    However, I have definite opinions about your offerings this month.

    Surprisingly, StMcC and I are now two for two. That is truly shocking, since you offered up a Karen Carpenter selection. He LOVES KC (sans the Sunshine Boys), and I cannot stand her. I know I am in the minority. Virtually everyone I know sings songs of praise for her. Never liked her music one teeny weeny bit. At least in this case she is covering the Eagles, which helps.

    I much prefer their version. I like Linda "Pinko" Ronstadt's version too, though still not as well as the Eagles.

    Those first couple of Eagles albums were great; they went down in quality with each release. I love "Peaceful Easy Feeling", "Take It Easy," "Desperado," and "Already Gone."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. S B6-

      No worries your vote is welcome, no matter where you choose to lay it down.

      For your Information and safety, I now quench my 'Blue Water Fever' on the north shore of Lake Tahoe. Flew the coop of the Caribbean a few months ago.

      Delete
    2. SHEBOYGANBOY SIX ~

      I sometimes find it very curious how our minds select some little nuttin's to remember, while simultaneously forgetting a lot of far more important details.

      I could come up with nearly countless examples to illustrate what I'm referring to, but I think just two will do:

      In this blog bit, I mentioned the fact that I remember yakking about how great I thought the new Styx album 'Crystal Ball' was while I was standing in the rain in 1976, waiting to see Fleetwood Mac.

      Why do I still remember that, when I ceased really liking Styx in 1979, and fully hated them by 1981?

      In 1977, I was on my high school's varsity wrestling team. They had me wrestling well below my natural weight class because they really needed someone to occupy that spot. So, most nights before a match, I was at the nearby park jogging in a rubber suit, trying to sweat so I would "make weight".

      At lunchtime, I could rarely eat much of anything for fear of "not making weight" and letting the team down.

      I can still recall one particular day before a big match, at lunchtime (hungry but couldn't eat) I was walking South on 4th Street, near the Pico Blvd. intersection, and I was humming The Eagles' song 'Peaceful, Easy Feeling", in an attempt to un-amp myself, and settle my nerves and calm my hunger pangs.

      Now, why do I have a mental image of that 4-second slice of my life, but I can't tell you right off the top of my head what year my maternal Grandfather and Grandmother died?

      The mind is... WEIRD!

      ~ D-FensDogg
      'Loyal American Underground'

      Delete
    3. SHEBOYGANBOY 6 ~
      Addendum:


      Incidenally... HOKEY-SMOKE and HOO-WEE! I was wrong (We B NOT 1 4 2) and you were RIGHT (We Do B 2 4 2)!

      Apparently, while I was writing my Aug. 16th 10:37 PM comment, you were at FAE's place listening to her BOTB #2 post.

      I remembered you having told me long ago that you disliked The Eagles (and thought 'Hotel California' was the most overplayed song of all time). I thought you disliked The Eagles PERIOD; I did not know that you actually liked the very, very young Eagles (The Eaglets).

      Therefore, I believed you were going to vote Karen Carpenter, and when you saw I'd voted for The Eagles, you'd discover that we are now 1 4 2. But... whoops!...

      SBB-6 & STMcC B 2 4 2.
      Son The Pitch! Who-da thunk it?

      I s'pose you might as well ignore any of my future "Kluz 4 U".

      ~ D-FensDogg
      'Loyal American Underground'

      Delete
  14. I think that there is often confusion in communication, especially when discussing detailed subjects via email.

    I do indeed really loathe "Hotel California" and I turn it off whenever it comes on the radio (I did that again just two days ago,) but I love early Eagles. I recall in our discussions saying that I like that whole Buffalo Springfield/Poco/CSNY branch of rock. I consider early Eagles to fall in that same branch. As I recall, you DON'T like that entire style much.

    Later Eagles often leave me feeling a little slimy for some reason. I always had the feeling that they sort of went "Don Johnson on us, with a poser-tee-shirt-with-a-yellow-blazer-wearin' vibe. They seemed to be aiming at just raking in the dough rather than the very unique and authentic style they started with.

    It would be interesting to discuss what we consider all those branches of earlier rock to be. Blues-rock, southern rock, folk, folk-rock, acid-rock, metal, etc. etc. Certainly fewer than now.

    These days kids discuss nuances of division I cannot distinguish, like metalcore, Deathcore, mathcore, thrash metal, grindcore, alternative, alternative rock, indie rock, emo indie folk, alternative folk, blah, blah, blah. TOO MANY supposed divisions.

    Like the "Judean People's Front" vs. "The People's Front of Judea" vs. "The Judean Popular People's Front" in Life of Brian. "The ONLY thing we hate more than the Romans is "The People's Front of Judea!"

    There is often little musical difference that I can tell. They are just "splitters."

    BTW - weren't we 2 4 2 last BOB? Aren't we now 4 4 4?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SHEBOYGANBOY 6 ~

      >>... that whole Buffalo Springfield/Poco/CSNY branch of rock. I consider early Eagles to fall in that same branch. As I recall, you DON'T like that entire style much.

      Actually, my friend, I wouldn't say that I particularly like or dislike that branch; that's very much a song-by-song judgment for me. It's true that I do have general feelings about some music genres (e.g., like Blues-Rock and Jazz-Rock; dislike Prog-Rock and Punk Rock).

      But when it comes to Country-Rock or that "Countrified Rock" branch, well... I don't care for Buffalo Springfield or The Byrds; I like some Poco and CSN & CSNY. So... wherever that leaves me on that "branch" I don't know.

      But I agree with you that The Eaglets belong to that branch, and their later "Eagles" stuffs veered more toward urban themes and sounds ('Take It Easy' Vs. 'Life In The Fast Lane'). I don't own a single Eagles recording today, but I do like some of their tunes from both eras, Eaglets and Eagles.

      Their first 'Greatest Hits' album (cow skull on blue cover) was probably one of the first 15 LPs I ever purchased. I owned a few more, including 'The Long Run', but I don't think I ever even had 'Hotel California'. (I believe Nappy may have had that one though, because he liked 'New Kid In Town'.)

      My two favorite Eagles songs represent BOTH of their eras: 'Desperado' and 'I Can't Tell You Why'. Like you, I prefer Eaglets to Eagles, but I've always liked 'In The City' too. I dig 'Hotel California' (some great lines and great guitar work) but I don't ever need to hear it again. [We can retire that one from the radio, along with The Doobies' 'Black Water' and Elton's 'Your Song'. Hearing them six and a half million times was enough for me!]

      >>... These days kids discuss nuances of division I cannot distinguish, like metalcore, Deathcore, mathcore, thrash metal, grindcore, alternative, alternative rock, indie rock, emo indie folk, alternative folk, blah, blah, blah.

      I'm just grateful that I don't know any kids these days. Kids should be killed and not heard.

      >>... Like the "Judean People's Front" vs. "The People's Front of Judea" vs. ...

      HA!-HA! :-) (-:
      Oh, man, what a perfect analogy!
      (I has the best commenters!)

      >>... BTW - weren't we 2 4 2 last BOB? Aren't we now 4 4 4?

      HEY! Are U questioning my math?!
      (Always a good idea!)

      I don't know what I was thinking, but it wuz wrong. But you weren't much better either! In your comment to FAE you wrote: "Surprisingly, StMcC and I are now two for two."

      OK, I've now done some seriously in-depth research, and as of THIS moment in time, our OFFICIAL tally is: 3 4 3. (I haven't yet voted on THIS 'BOTB' blog bit. I'll post my vote on the 21st so, technically, we're only 3 for 3 on 8/17/'13.)

      You and me 4 4 4, wouldn't that be a sign of the Apocalypse? Oh, no, wait... that would be 6 4 6, or 6 6 6... alright, the confusion is setting in again. I needs to play some "mathcore".

      ~ D-FensDogg
      'Loyal American Underground'

      Delete
  15. And Far Away Eyes:

    hope the move back to here was a good one. Seems like a retrograde step, but I know nothing of the circumstances. I like Tahoe, but would only live on the NV side. CA has become too blindingly collectivist and restrictive. Tahoe is mighty close to Reno. Maybe you and StMcC can share a beer next time he visits.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SB6

      Ha, ha, ha! That may happen yet.

      I'm with you regarding CA. I live in NV, but just barely. Never could imagine my mug on a CA drivers license. Of course, I'm resisting seeing it on a NV DL, as they say I have an Intl. license now and want me to completely retest. Sheesh! I haven't had to do the driving with the instructor thing since I was 16. It's kinda freakin' me out.

      I don't see Tahoe as retrograde, but then that's me. At one time I had thought the 'next adventure' would be the Greek Isles, Ios in particular. I was so partial to that place - done all the research and have two full length novels, in a drawer somewhere based in part in the Caribbean and in part there. BUT, under the current circumstances, I think I'm probably better off and safer back in the US, such as that might be.

      Living on the shores of Lake Tahoe has been a dream for about a decade, no matter what STMc says.

      Thanks for the well wishes.

      Delete
    2. >>... Living on the shores of Lake Tahoe has been a dream for about a decade, no matter what STMc says.

      BULLSHIT!

      As 'Muddy' said [in Chapter 6: 'Troubles Under Construction'; page 39], you simply... "follow me in front of me".
      :-)

      Tell the damned truth to these damned people, FAE!

      ~ D-FensDogg
      'Loyal American Underground'

      Delete
    3. As Pilate said: "What is the damned truth?"

      And HEY! Who's a "damned people???"

      ---

      FAE: I am sure that the Caribbean dream was not as idyllic as it SHOULD be. I have a certain amount of experience in that dept. as well, and frankly, it has been a massive failure.

      Delete
    4. Well, I'm telling the truth to you, mcCarthy and the horse he rode in on.

      You're right about the Caribbean.

      Delete
    5. >>... As Pilate said: "What is the damned truth?"

      Hmmm... Oddly, that's not EXACTLY how that verse reads in ANY of the Bible translations I own.

      >>... And HEY! Who's a "damned people???"

      All the Japanese "SBB5s" B a damned peoples! ...You know how those Fives b God(zilla)-damned peoples! (To hell with them... but God save the Sake!)

      ~ D-FensDogg
      'Loyal American Underground'

      Delete
  16. I thought I was gonna be in trouble with this one. Of course, I LOVED the Fleetwood Mac version. Who can resist that masterful guitar playing? THEN, I started listening to the second version. The Rockets. Uh-oh. Never even heard of them before, but from the first few notes, I knew I was gonna like that version, too. (Go figure... an old lady who likes hard rock?) But in the end, even though I liked the second version, I still have to cast my vote for the original.

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    1. SUSAN ~
      Thanks for voting and commenting!

      The Rockets, "Hard Rock"? Yeah. Uh... but wait. Maybe that's Country-Rock. Or R&B-Rock? White, Rolling Stones Wannabe Funk-Rock? What R 'Rockets'? Oh... maybe Space-Rock?

      Hmmm... not an easy band to classify. (Definitely not Prog-Rock though.)

      ~ D-FensDogg
      'Loyal American Underground'

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  17. Another good selection. Can't believe it's the middle of the month already.

    That's a pretty good one hit for a one hit wonder band. Much better than "Boogie Oogie Oogie" from A Taste of Honey, although can they be considered a one hit wonder if they are known for a cover of an original?

    The Rockets almost won me over with the scratchy guitar thing; sort of reminds me of the beginning of Donovan's "Season of the Witch" or something else that I can't quite jog loose from the cranium.

    In the end, Fleetwood Mac is still the favorite only because of that drumstick and MadDog 20/20 bottle combo that can be heard throughout and especially at 1:33. I don't drink much so can you tell what kind of beverage that bottle held or if there was any of the contents remaining by the tone?

    SigToo



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    1. MadDog 20/20-Too ~

      "Welcome back, my friend, to the show that never ends..."

      That sound you're referring to is a MadDog 20/20 bottle one-third full, in combination with a Thunderbird bottle containing two ounces, and an entirely empty Night Train bottle. Well, I'm not an expert, but that's what it sounded like to me upon my first listening (give or take an ounce in the Thunderbird bottle).

      I've got something I think will be particularly interesting lined up for BOTB #3, and then FAE and I have a groovy surprise in store for all y'all in BOTB #4. I'm thinking of a particular Male Vs. Female thang for #5, and after that... my list of about 55 potential match-ups is the limit.

      Thanks for checking in, McSigg!

      ~ Stephen

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  18. STMcC's Vote On 'BOTB #2', And The Final Tally:

    A few commenters above stated that deciding which version of 'OH WELL' to vote for - Fleetwood Mac's or The Rockets' - was not an easy decision to make. For me, it was as easy as eating bread.

    The version of 'OH WELL' that I prefer, I like better in every single conceivable way. In fact, for me, this contest was declared "OVER" after the first six seconds of the song. I vote for The Rockets.

    It starts right out of the chute with that "chicken scratch" rhythm guitar riff which just shouts "Funk!" Then the song adds various sonic textures with the piano and percussion, and the whole thing just ROCKS like crazy with a sound that somehow seems simultaneously tight but loose.

    The Rockets were founded by guitarist Jimmy McCarty and drummer Johnny Badanjek, who were former members of the group 'Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels'. So, it's easy to see where The Rockets' funky R&B roots came from. As noted by a couple of the voters, they sound almost like an amalgamation of R&B, Southern Rock, and Rolling Stones-like Blues-Rock, and yet they always sounded like... The Rockets. When I was a teenager, I owned their album 'Turn Up The Radio' (which contained 'Oh Well') and I played the bejabbers out of it, and felt there were several songs on the LP that could have been and should have been hits.

    There's no question that Peter Green could play guitar, but to my ears, on 'Oh Well' his playing seems unmusical and unpleasant. In fact, his guitar work, to me, sounds like several cats fighting in my backyard at midnight. Whereas Jimmy McCarty's guitar, for The Rockets, sounds like a tiger roaring!

    Then there's the singing... Peter Green's vocals are acceptable, but David Gilbert has, I think, a much stronger voice with better vocal technique.

    I do like the stop/start percussion bit that Fleetwood Mac uses, but it kind of lets the song's tension drain out. (I think only Barry Sanders could really stop and start without losing power.)

    I do enjoy the 'Outro' instrumental section at the end of The Mac's version, but it really doesn't sound organic to the song; it sounds almost as if it's part of some other song that they just tacked onto the end of 'Oh Well' and I don't see how it has anything to do with what came before it.

    I would have preferred the 'Outro' was used as the introduction or basis of some other song. In fact, it kind of reminds me of the song 'LAYLA' by Derek And The Dominoes (Eric Clapton). You've got this powerfully charged-up song that later just sort of lazily meanders off into the sunset due to a slow instrumental section at the end; it's just not a satisfying final act to my ears. (I prefer a song that starts slow and mellow and builds in tempo and electricity, rather than a song that comes ripping out of the chute and then just sort of fades away at the conclusion.)

    At any rate, I was greatly surprised that Fleetwood Mac beat The Rockets in 'BOTB #2'; I really expected The Rockets would run away with it, leaving The Mac with only one or two votes. I'm shocked that The Rockets would have actually gotten shut-out in this contest if not for my own vote.

    The Final Tally was...
    Fleetwood Mac: 10 votes
    The Rockets: 1 vote

    Note To Sheboyganboy Six:
    We are now 3 4 4, and on our way to 'The Great Separation' (Ha!)

    Thanks again, Everyone, for voting and yakking. I'll see you again at 'BOTB #3' (which will be posted on August 30 instead of September 1, due to the Labor Day Weekend).

    Yak Later...

    ~ D-FensDogg
    'Loyal American Underground'

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  19. I'm kind of surprised by your preference, but since both versions are so good it is a tough one. I think that meandering fade out "outro" might just me a marijuana/druggie thing that a lot of songs back then had. Kind of you're in the song, but ending up wandering in a haze until the thing just drifts away to let the listener go on to something else. I kind of like a lot of those endings, but some of them do become a bit drawn out and indulgent.

    Lee
    A Faraway View

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    1. ARLEE BOID ~
      I was REALLY surprised that The Mac's version won this Battle, and downright stunned how convincingly it trounced The Rockets version! I did NOT see that coming.

      I do like both versions, but I like the latter version better by a large margin.

      I probably wouldn't mind the "outro" instrumental section so much if it sounded thematically like it belonged with this song. But we have a pretty loose, untamed Blues-based Rock number here, and then at the end it's like, "I'm just gonna strum my guitar a little bit until I get tired of doing that... then I'll just stop."

      And like I said to Robin above, to me it was reminiscent of something I might expect to hear in a 'Western' movie, just before a gunfight or something. And I'm left thinking: Well, I like the way it sounds, but what's it doing at the end of a Blues-Rock song?

      Anyway, that's part of what makes the 'BOTB' idea so much fun - there's no way of predicting for sure how someone will vote or which tune will win.

      Thanks for your vote and your comments, my Brother.

      ~ D-FensDogg
      'Loyal American Underground'

      Delete
  20. WOW.

    I did NOT see YOUR VOTE coming!

    In fact... I STILL don't see it. I agree with what you said about the outro on the Mac version, but the rest of the version is clearly superior, as all your readers have told you.

    Are you sure you REALLY think the Rockets version is superior? Or are you just exercising your contrarian tendencies? Or, even more likely, are you trying to keep your record intact in opposing Sheboyganboy's excellent musical choices?

    I think you're pulling our chains!

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    1. SBB-6 ~

      Ha!-Ha! Actually, I was simply trying to prevent The Apocalypse and The Second Coming of Christ! I just saved the world, Brother! You KNOW 444 spelled "The End", man! You and me, 4 for 4? That can only mean big trouble.

      Seriously, I guess this is what makes "a horse race" - no one should be too sure of anything. There are times I will vote for the original and times I will vote for the cover, and sometimes I'll be confused about which way to vote.

      But 'OH WELL' was truly a "no-brainer" for me right from the get-go (and not a simple exercise of my now legendary "contrarian" viewpoints). By no means do I DISlike The Mac version, but The Rockets' version is EXACTLY the sort of song I will crank the volume "up to eleven" for when I hear it played.

      And I certainly would NEVER second-guess any of the other voters - I'm assuming everyone is listening and voting as honestly as I am - but I must admit that, being as surprised as I was by it, when the votes started rolling in for Fleetwood Mac, there was a moment when I wondered to myself:

      Is everyone hearing these songs with impartial ears? Is Fleetwood Mac winning this battle by the notes or by the reputation and "name recognition"? I momentarily wondered if all that yakking about Peter Green being one of the original "guitar gods" and the praise from B.B. King was helping to fuel the victory.

      Because... I wasn't kidding when I said that, to my ears, the guitar break in The Mac version sounds like cats fighting in my backyard at midnight. By comparison, McCarty's guitar lines in the cover sound long and sleek, yet ominous with all that jagged electrical sustain.

      I was genuinely stunned by this BOTB outcome. But being stunned is part of the fun.

      As for us... Ha! My dear Brother 6, there are few things so certain in life as how much we will disagree on music, musicians, and songs. And it's a safe bet that we have just begun to see "The Great Separation" (Music Gap) to come. (What was the name you previously gave to our disagreements over music? I remember I thought it was funny.)

      Anyway, 3 for 3 agreement with you was already starting to feel surreal to me.
      :-)

      ~ D-FensDogg
      'Loyal American Underground'

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  21. Hmmm...

    Your arguments are very convincing. SO much so, in fact, that I am changing my vote.

    We are now 4 4 4. You can't stop the Apocalypse, my friend!

    (and I called it "The Great McCarthy-Sheboyganboy Musical Divine... which is as consistent as Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle. You either see the divide itself, or see the specific divisions... but not both at the same time.)

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    1. Ha!-Ha!-Ha!

      No such luck, Shebrokenearsboy Six! You had a big Mac attack and now you're stuck with it. Learn to love it, boy. You and Blues Boy King be high on crack with the Mac, jack!
      :-)

      And best of all... I have SAVED THE WORLD! (Uh... actually... that's not really so good, is it? Damn me! I shoulda agreed with you and B.B. and brought "this world" to a close.)

      Yeah, that's it: "The Great McCarthy-Sheboyganboy Musical Divide". And to think that I thought The Grand Canyon was a great divide the first time I saw it. The Grand Canyon is muy poquito compared to 'La Gran McCarthy-Sheboyganboy Musical Desacuerdo'.

      ~ D-FensDogg
      'Loyal American Underground'

      Delete
  22. DOH!

    "DIVIDE," not "Divine!!!"

    Trying to be funny does not come off as well with typos!

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    1. More like "demonic" than "Divine" anyway.

      ~ D-FensDogg
      'Loyal American Underground'

      Delete

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