So the Lord said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the
city, then I.. will spare the whole place
on their account.” ... Then Abraham said, “Oh may..the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once;
suppose ten are..found there?” And God said,
“I will not destroy it on account of the ten.”..
~ Genesis 18..
.
[If you enjoy my ‘BATTLE OF THE BANDS’
(‘BOTB’) installments, please be sure to vote before the cutoff dates
(the 7th and 21st of each month), and maybe encourage a
friend or two to vote as well. Because I also like the ‘BOTB’
installments, but the submitted votes have dropped off considerably and my last
installment only received 9 of them (after adding in my own). I’ve made up my
mind that THE VERY NEXT
TIME a ‘BOTB’ installment fails to get double digit votes
(after adding in my own), that will be my FINAL
‘BOTB’ post. So, if you like them, please be sure to vote on them... and bring
a friend.]
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...
.
THE BATTLE OF THE
BANDS! (‘BOTB’)
.
.jpeg)
.
Shoop-Shooby
–
Shooby-duh-Dooby-Doop-Dooby-Dooby-Doo-Wah
–
Buh-Doo-Wah!
.
 |
| EUGENE MARTONE VS. JACK BUTLER |
.
The song ‘MAKIN’ WHOOPEE’, written in
1928, has become a Jazz standard. Wackypedia sez: The title is a
euphemism for sexual intimacy and the song itself has been called a "dire
warning", largely to men ... "Makin' Whoopee" begins with the
celebration of a wedding, honeymoon and marital bliss, but moves on to babies
and responsibilities, and ultimately on to affairs and possible divorce, ending
with a judge's... ruling.
My Ma was
a huge Frank Sinatra fan, and probably the very last album I played for her
before she moved up to Heaven from the hospice facility she’d spent a few days
in was Sinatra’s ‘Songs For Swingin’ Lovers’.
.
 |
| CONSIDERED BY MANY TO BE SINATRA'S GREATEST ALBUM |
.
I am not
really an enthusiastic Sinatra fan (although his Nelson Riddle backing was always
superb), but I do think ‘Songs For Swingin’ Lovers’ is an especially good album
which includes a fine version of ‘Makin’ Whoopee’.
However, for
this ‘BOTB’ installment, I wanted to stick with duets. I found only two that I
thought were worthy of inclusion. The first one is a duet with Doctor John
and Rickie Lee Jones (1989), and the second is actually a ménage à trois
featuring Elton John, Diana Krall, and her husband Elvis
Costello, and it comes from an episode of the show ‘SPECTACLE: Elvis Costello With...’ from 2009.
Alright,
let’s get this party started...
Dr. John & Rickie Lee Jones –
‘Makin' Whoopee’
.
 |
| GODZILLA VS. KING KONG |
.
Elton John, Diana Krall, & Elvis Costello - ‘Makin’ Whoopee’
.
 |
| RIDDLER VS. BATMAN |
.
Alright now, “you know the gig”... I welcome EVERYONE to
vote for their favorite of these 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.)
.
After
voting here, I suggest - actually I insist - you
pop over to FAE’s ‘Far Away Series’,
Arlee Bird’s ‘Tossing It Out’,
Robin’s ‘Your Daily Dose’, LC’s ‘DiscConnected’, and Chris' 'The
Creative Outlet Of StratPlayer' blogs to see which songs they have chosen
and vote there also. (If their ‘BOTB’ blog bits aren’t posted yet, pour
yourself two shots of ‘Grand Marnier’ over ice – do it twice – and then
return to their blogs to vice your voice ...vote your vice
...voice your vote.)
.
Voice Your Vote @ ‘FAR
AWAY SERIES’ by clicking HERE.
Voice Your Vote @ ‘TOSSING
IT OUT’ by clicking HERE.
Voice Your Vote @ ‘YOUR
DAILY DOSE’ by clicking HERE.
Voice Your Vote @ ‘DISCCONNECTED’
by clicking HERE.
.
As I've
done in the past, I will continue to return to my 'BOTB' blog bits on the 7th
and 21st of each month to post my own votes and announce the winners in the
comment sections.
.
Links To Previous 'BOTB'
Installments:
.
~ Stephen T. McCarthy
.
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.
.
I liked Dr John's voodoo stuff he did back in the 60's. Haven't listened to much of his music since. He's kind of like Tom Waits for me--I have to be in the mood to listen to him otherwise I find him rather grating. Jones is kind of the same for me. That strangely affectated singing style is too performy jazzy for my usual listening taste. The glitzy big band sound with those voices makes for a good show production in the big room old Las Vegas style with a cover charge and a two drink minimum with overly expensive watered down drinks. Good show but too many people too much pizzazz.
ReplyDeleteI'd rather be in the small lounge with cheaper stronger drinks where the small band and the singers sound more down to earth, more real, less hyped. I like Krall's piano riffing and the vocals are smoother and more listenable too my ears.
Krall, Costello, and John get my vote in this pairing since I could listen to this on more different types of occasions than the first version.
Lee
An A to Z Co-Host
Tossing It Out
Thanks for the vote and the analysis, BOIDLEE.
DeleteNow, me, I prefer to hear my music through a Walkman while lying in the gutter with a nicely aged bottle of 'Night Train' or 'Thunderbird' clutched in my grimy grip.
But, hey, to each their own, eh?
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
First off, I must say that this is an excellent Battle of the Bands. I am conflicted and that means it was great!!!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the bluesy sound of the first very much. I know that I shouldn't watch the video, but I enjoyed the byplay among Costello, Kraull, and John SO MUCH. Elton John couldn't help but "play" the piano while Kraull actually played the piano. Ha! I laughed out loud.
I enjoyed the performance so much on the last version so much that I had to go back and listen to the first one again. And that clinched it for Dr. John and Rickie Lee. I like the arrangement better and the vocals are just top-notch. So they get my vote. But, I still have to nod at the trio... they were darn good!!!!
Thanks, ROBIN!
DeleteGlad ya like this match-up. I think it's a pretty solid contest too, and so far the votes indicate that this one could go either way. I'm very curious to see who will come out on top.
I can imagine that my own vote could even become the deciding factor in this one. We'll see.
I'm looking forward to next month when you will be rejoining us BOTBers.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
Rather than start a new thread, I will just reply here.
DeleteYay! So glad that you got your ten votes. See you on May 1...:D
GIRL WONDER ~
DeleteI got ten and then some!
Will be back on May 1st with (I think) a pretty interesting competition. I always like it when I have a 'BOTB' installment where I really have no clue who is going to win it.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
I'm a big fan of Krall's singing and own some of her music. I think the trio's version is fantastic. I do like Dr. John very much, but Krall has that certain oomph. .
ReplyDelete.so my vote is for Krall, Costello, and Elton. And I'll try not to miss your BOTBs, since Music is a good thing. Don't stop.
Thanks, D.G.!
DeleteI really don't want to stop because I greatly enjoy this whole concept that FAE came up with way back when. But it's not really worth my time and effort if I can't even manage to get double digit votes (counting my own).
But as long as I wind up with at least 10 votes, I will continue with the BOTBs, because I still have A LOT of really great songs on my list that I hope to get to eventually.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
Stephen T-
ReplyDeleteFunny, my comment would be the exact opposite of D.G.'s...
While I like Krall, and am a big EC fan (Elton John not as much), I have always loved the DJ/RLJ version and thought it had more oomph.
By the way, "oomph" is a technical musical term.
It would be sad to see you stop these posts-you come up with some pretty creative selections.
Speaking of Rickie Lee Jones, she is in town this Friday night...
LC
LC ~
Delete>>... By the way, "oomph" is a technical musical term.
Oh, hell, I knew THAT! Who do you think you're dealing with here, a music neophyte?
>>... you come up with some pretty creative selections.
Well, thanks a lot, Brother! I really don't want to quit, but it must be worth my time and attention. So, by all means, bring me some new voters if ya can.
>>... Speaking of Rickie Lee Jones, she is in town this Friday night...
Dude, I know, and I am so looking forward to it. We'll have to Email each other in the next couple days and decide on a plan. (I will have your money for my ticket when we get together.)
Now, I'll letcha in on a little secret: I've had 'MAKIN' WHOOPEE' on my Future BOTBs List from the time I first started compiling it. It was only a matter of time before I got to this song. BUT... I deliberately decided to use it NOW, for 'BOTB #18' very specifically because of the Rickie Lee Jones concert we'll be attending at the end of this week. I thought: What a perfect time to use this fun song.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
I like Diana Krall, and Reggie, Elvis not so much, BUT I was pleasantly surprised by their version of "Makin Whoopee". It's light, fun and their three voices each lend a special character to this tune.
ReplyDeleteBUT, I can't help myself and I have to vote for Dr.John and RLJ. I love their version. Dr. John (another one of those gravelly voices guys) really pulls this one off and and RLJ whom I like very much, blends here' highly affected vocal's to his gravel crusted tones perfectly.
Thanks for your vote and for 'splainin' it, FAE.
DeleteGotcha scheduled to see The Doctor and his nurse, Rickie.
If you must cancel the appointment, please give us 24 hours notice, otherwise you will be charged for the office visit regardless.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
First of all, good luck with the ten votes. I'll take the over and say it'll be a 15-spot.
ReplyDeleteThe vote here? I'm not lovin' EJ's or EC's vocals. Gimme the DR and Ricky Lee. Dr John is much easier and more fun to listen to.
BROTHER MARTIN ~
DeleteThe most number of votes I've ever had on a 'BOTB' installment was 16. I would happily accept 15, but all I need is 10 (counting my own) to feel it's worth my time and effort.
Thanks for voting. (And, incidentally, feel free to voice Laurie's vote here as well, anytime she wants to put in her two cents. You can speak for her and voice both your votes in one comment if you'd like. I'm fine with that.)
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
What an interesting couple of songs! You had nothing to do with the pairings (except selecting them from YouTube), but each version features a combination of people I like a lot or am not so fond of.
ReplyDeleteAs you might imagine, since you like Rickie so much, she obviously will not be amongst my favorites. She's "OK," in my book. If you asked: "Do you like her?" I would say "weeeelll, yes... a bit." But I like Dr. John a LOT.
In the second version, I cannot imagine someone more inappropriate for this song than Elton John. Some of his own songs I like, but even then only a small percentage and all early stuffs. Diana Krall is at least a jazz singer... but not a good one. She has a very weak voice, and she is only popular because the younger generation had to choose SOMEONE to be their token young female jazz singer. Elvis Costello, I like.
Listening to this version was a very up and down experience. I went from thinking "ARRGH! ELTON JOHN?? You've GOT to be kidding me!" To: "Hmm... Elvis. Not his genre, but not bad. To: "Krall!! Blech! What do people see in her?"
But the first version it was "Oh, cool! Dr. John. Oh, and Rickie Lee is pretty good on this one." Obviously, the performance by Rickie and the Doctor is far superior to my ears.
What?!?! Is that FIVE IN A ROW??? I guess we'll see.
SHEBOYGANBOY SIX ~
ReplyDeleteYep, it sure sounds like this 'BOTB' installment was a musical roller-coaster ride for ya. (Please mail your 'E ticket' to me at once.)
And, yes, I did like Rickie Lee Jones A LOT, on her first two albums. Even the third one had a few decent moments on it. But after that, I lost interest in her music entirely, because she went in a different, very opaque way.
However, even if I did vote for Doctor John & Rickie Lee Jones in this 'Battle', it still wouldn't be five consecutive votes in which you and I agreed, because in the last 'BOTB', you voted for The Doors while I voted for Tiny Tim.
Hope to see ya back here on the 21st, when I cast my own vote. And... I hope a couple more votes get submitted here before then, because I'm still 2 votes short of the necessary 9 votes I need in order to post another 'Battle Of The Bands' installment on May 1st.
If I can get 2 more votes, mine will make the total 10, and then I can begin thinking about what to post for 'Battle Of The Bands #19'.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
You need to add "Share" buttons to appear at the bottom of your posts. Since you don't do that much commenting on blogs where the bloggers might come over to vote, we who do come here and want you to get your votes could at least share your posts in attempt to lure more voters to your site.
ReplyDeleteLee
Wrote By Rote
An A to Z Co-host blog
LEE ~
DeleteI'll remind you that my blog is buggy (thank you, Blogspot, for your fine system!)
For instance, I cannot schedule my blog bits for automatic posting. I do EVERYTHING right (according to you, who tried helping me with that once about a year ago) but regardless, the damned blog bits NEVER post - not at the time they're scheduled for posting, and not at all at ANY time.
And I think I tried to set up the "Share" format a couple times before as well, and it simply wouldn't install on my blog. The ONLY thing I managed to wind up with is that "Twitter" button in the left column.
If you want to send an Email and try walking me through that process again (I've forgotten how to attempt it), I will try it again. But I'm pretty certain that it's not going to take.
By the way, FAE has tons of problems with her blog also. The automatic posting bit does NOT work for her either. And she says her Dashboard is totally messed up and she doesn't even receive updated notifications of new blog bits posted on blogs she follows.
And LC's sports blog was screwed up too because it wouldn't allow readers to leave comments on his installments no matter how many times he went back into the system and tried to adjust his Comment Sections feature.
The bottom line is that Blogspot is and always has been extremely buggy, and each blogger seems to encounter different problems with it. And good damn luck trying to contact a Blogspot employee / I.T. nerd to help ya out.
But, again, if you want to Email me at some point and try explaining again how to install the "Share" feature, I will try it once again... for all the good it will do me.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
I think you should re-think your line in the sand. After all, who are you writing for? THE MASSES? Heck no! You write for the Magnificent Seven (a couple of whom have taken a bullet and are elsewhere, recovering.) These are enjoyable excursions into new musical territory for me, and besides, you have some other musical battles up your sleeve, ready to go.
ReplyDeleteIf you come up short, Do it for US! Do it for.... THE CHILDREN!
>>... Do it for.... THE CHILDREN!
DeleteOh, damn it, SIX! Why'd you have to put it [*sniffle*] THAT way for?
Anyone have a... a... tissue?
WAAAAAAA!...
Why ya wanna go and make a grown man cry for, Six?!
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
Hmmm, did you say you needed 2 more votes? Because Brandon's sitting here right now, and we're taking a break from working on next week's post, so we've both decided to vote.
ReplyDeleteOne of us votes for the Doctor y Jones, the other is voting for Costello y Krall y John. Any idea who is voting for whom?
Keep in mind we're each 2 La Fin Du Mondes into the day, so I can't speak for Brandon's bad taste... or hell, maybe even my own.
~6B
Thanks, BROTHER BEER BOY BRYAN BODYGUARD BETTY! And thanks to BBBBBBRANDON, too!
DeleteYou two fine beer blokes just made a 'BOTB #19' a certainty. And I already know the song and the contestants. Should be an interesting showdown - so interesting that I can't even attempt to guess the winner.
Let's see... I don't really know Brandon like I know you 6-B. So trying to determine which way you two fine Beer Boys voted rests solely on what I know about you.
I'm going to say that... Damn! This is hard!
I'm going to say that... 6-B voted for John y Jones, and Beer Boy Brandon voted for John, Krall, y Costello.
If that's incorrect, then my second guess would be that 6-B voted for John, Krall, y Costello, and Beer Boy Brandon voted for John y Jones.
How'd I do?
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
Either I'm getting too predictable or you know me better than I thought, because you guessed it right on the money. The first time around, that is.
DeleteSo you win! What do you win? Uh, one or two more votes for BotB #19!
~6B-Votin'
6-B ~
DeleteActually, I wasn't joshin' when I said it was difficult. My first thought was of you voting for John y Jones (or, Johnny Jones). But then I started second guessing myself and coming up with reasons why it MIGHT be the other way around.
In the end, I did the intelligent thing, and went with my very first impression. Because that maxim is true, a person's first impression is more likely to be the correct one.
Axe Brandon to vote again next time, too, please. 'Cause I wants to keep this thing up and running, and SigToo don't come around and vote no mo'.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
Yay! You made it. We get to keep you. For another go round.
ReplyDeleteFAE ~
DeleteIf I ever do wind up dropping out, I think I want my final 'BOTB' to be that one I offered to you way back when, early on.
You know which one I'm yakkin' about? If so, don't say it, 'cause I want to keep it under wraps. (Clue: It's a song on that CD you sent to me some time ago. Yeah, I've decided I definitely want to use that one in a 'BOTB' someday. And I think it would be a good one to end with, because in a certain way, it's similar to what I did with my very first 'BOTB' installment. You catch my meaning?)
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
First, I’d like to say that the original sung by Franky is head and shoulders above these two. But that’s why you didn’t include it in the battle, isn’t it? Because you knew it would win.
ReplyDeleteAs to the winner between these two, I’m gonna have to give it to the Rocket Man and his two friends. I don’t like the guy’s voice in the first video. In fact, it’s kind of annoying. Also, the piano playing is slightly better in the second video.
PW ~
DeleteThanks for the vote, Bro!
And, incidentally, in my opinion, Ol' Blue Eyes did not record the best version. The one I will be voting for is the "superiorist".
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
John and Jones. Easy pick; slam dunk. To quote Judge Roy Bean, "That's my rulin'."
ReplyDeleteAl Bondigas
OK, thanks for voicing your vote, Judge Meatball.
Delete~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
Elton, Krall, Costello for me. Sorry I've been AWOL but this was definitely worth swinging in to vote for love me some whoopee!!!!
ReplyDeleteLUMA13 ~
DeleteYeah, I missed ya. Glad you came by for this one. (If you like Steve Miller, be sure to come back again for the May 1st 'BOTB'. I'm not saying that I will be including Steve Miller. I'm just saying that if you like Steve Miller, be sure to come back again for the May 1st 'BOTB'. That's ALL I'm sayin' :-)
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
STMcC’s Vote On ‘BOTB #18’
ReplyDeleteAnd The Final Tally:
Wow! It completely slipped my mind yesterday that I was supposed to add up the votes for this installment of ‘Battle Of The Bands’ and post the results.
Well, first I want to thank everyone who participated. This was a nice voter turnout this time, and it ensures that I’ll be back again on May 1st for ‘BOTB #19’.
This was a pretty competitive Battle.
For my own vote, this was simply a no-brainer. I love the Big Band arrangement of the Dr. John & Rickie Lee Jones version. And I think the contrast of their voices – Dr. John’s deep and growling voice playing against Rickie’s sly, sex kitten purring – is just wonderful and a great deal of fun to listen to.
I do like Diana Krall’s piano playing on the second version. Although it’s not particularly original in any way, it really provides a little excitement and Jazzy texture to Elton’s and Elvis’s cover. However, I really don’t care for ANY of the vocals on that second rendition.
I loved the Dr. John / Rickie Lee Jones version from the very first time I heard it a whole lotta years ago. And, yes, Mr. Wheatstraw, I think the Doctor & Rickie’s take on this song is also a lot better than Frank Sinatra’s older version – although I do like Frank’s recording. In fact, I like Frank’s ‘Makin’ Whoopee’ a great deal better than John, Krall, & Costello’s version.
I briefly toyed with the idea of using Sinatra’s recording here, but because I was definitely going to use (and vote for) the Doctor & Rickie’s duet, I decided I’d rather use two duets with both male and female voices. The only other one I could find to fit that requirement was a recording by Doris Day & Danny Thomas. But since Thomas isn’t “really” a singer, the John, Krall & Costello version was chosen by default. So, it truly wasn’t the thought that Sinatra might run away with the Battle that I neglected to use his recording.
Well, here’s how ‘BOTB #18’ turned out...
Vote Total:
Doctor John & Rickie Lee Jones = 8 Votes.
John, Krall & Costello = 5 Votes.
My thanks again to all of you who voted! I hope to see you all here again on May 1st for ‘BOTB #19’.
~ D-FensDogg
‘Loyal American Underground’
I posted my results today and last I looked FAE hadn't posted hers so I think today was the right day for results.
DeleteI'm not surprised by your preference but this old man still prefers the more mellow sound of the trio with the small combo accompaniment.
Glad you'll be staying on for at least one more battle. I hope there will many more. May the votes be with you.
Lee
Wrote By Rote
An A to Z Co-host blog
BOIDLEE ~
DeleteHa! Nice the way you worked a little 'Star Wars' into your comment.
Yep, I'm very pleased to announce I'm returning for 'BOTB #19', and I also hope the votes continue to justify many, many more 'Battle Of The Bands' installments, because I've barely even scratched my list of potential Battles. I've got a bunch of REALLY GOOD ONES all lined up for the future.
Yak later, McBuddy.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
Not one bit surprised by your vote. It is a nice contrast.
DeleteSo...are you gonna tell me about the RLJ concert?
FAE ~
DeleteI can... but not right this moment.
Brushing my teeth and preparing for prison. Uhm... I mean, work. Six straight nights of it.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
Is it too late to vote for Krall and Costello? ;)
ReplyDeleteHa!-Ha! Man, I'm terribly sorry but the window for voting just closed eight hours and twelve minutes ago. Oh, you were so close...
Delete[:-)}
~ D-FensDogG