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| Random photo that kind of relates to this post but not really. |
Battle of the Bands
From the Land of Sky Blue Water
No, this song is not from the Hamm's beer commercial that I recall hearing when I was a kid. If you weren't around before 1970 or so, you likely don't remember that jingle which was indeed inspired by the original popular song from 1909.
This song first caught my attention a while back when I saw the Marx Brothers' film Go West and immediately wondered, "Is there a Battle of the Bands somewhere in this?" As things tend to go in this BOTB phase of my blog, yes, there is a Battle to be played starting with the Harpo Marx version of the tune.
Harpo Marx "From the Land of Sky Blue Water" (1940)
I always thought Harpo's harp routines were so clever and well performed from a musical standpoint. Now this clip might be seen as inappropriate in some ways, but that's what the Marx Brothers were all about, weren't they? Enjoy this first entry...
Robert Maxwell "From the Land of Sky Blue Water" (1962)
Space-pop novelty jazz artist Robert Maxwell wrote or performed a lot of stuff that you've heard but didn't know what you were listening to. One of my favorites was the "Song of the Nairobi Trio" which was used in a recurring sketch on "The Ernie Kovacs Show" in the early sixties. Even though some of the more sophisticated comedy went over my 10 year old head, that show was a big favorite of mine back then. Recently I saw some episodes on TCM when they were promoting a newly released DVD set that is still available. I was tempted to get it, but then I look at all the various media I have now and figure I don't need more stuff.
But enough rambling. Must be the space age pop music. Get ready for take off...
Time to Vote!
Like I said, this is kind of a weird Battle perhaps, but give it a shot if you will. The video might weigh things in a certain direction, but it's worth watching. Or just listen to each tune and judge solely on what you hear. Which artist do you like best? Pick one and have some fun! You don't have to know about music to have an opinion since it all comes down to your own personal taste.
Please vote on your favorite by letting us know your choice in the comment section and tell us why you prefer the version you chose. Then after you've finished here, please visit the other blogs listed below who may or may not be participating this time around. And if you've put up your own BOTB contest let us know that as well so we can vote on yours.
Here are some other places where you might find BOTB posts:
StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands
'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS'
'Curious as a Cathy'
Sound of One Hand Typing
Angel's Bark
Debbie Doglady's Den
Jingle, Jangle, Jungle
Cherdo on the Flipside
A I Love Music
Winner of this Battle Announced on Wednesday August 7th
This will also be my next posting for The Insecure Writers Support Group. At the moment though I'm not thinking much about writing. I'm keeping my eyes on the road and my hands upon the wheel and enjoying my last couple days coming home.
Is coming home one of your favorite parts of a vacation? Are you an Ernie Kovacs fan? Do you enjoy zany humor like Kovacs and the Marx Brothers?
Hope you're enjoying your vacation Lee,
ReplyDeleteI prefer the Robert Maxwell version. A song I hadn't heard before.
Yvonne.
Yvonne, back home again and trying to catch up.
DeleteFirst vote goes to Robert Maxwell.
Lee
Lee,
ReplyDeleteI didn't see any naked people in the Marx Brother's video clip, so all is good, in my opinion. Yeah, I know what you're getting at but I'm not biting. We're a society of easily offender people because we of our past but not this gal. It is what it was and it's time to get over it, I say.
Alrighty, movin' on to your battle songs. First off, I've gotta know did you and Mary conspire on come up with similar themed songs. You both used songs with the keywords blue + sky.
At first I thought these were different songs but I believe they're the same. Am I right? The arrangment of each is unique from the other and both move me differently. As much as I enjoyed Harpo's harp playing which I always do I think it's the second version that makes me feel a little more light-hearted and happy, so give my vote to Robert Maxwell.
I always like coming home after any extended time away from home, even a very long day trip. :) I don't think I've watched Ernie Kovac but yes, I'm a fan of zany humor like the Marx Brothers which is always great fun and sure to make me laugh out loud.
Have a good day and upcoming weekend. I can't believe it's August already!
Cathy, the "Blue" connection between mine and Mary's Battle eluded me until now. Seems like collusion doesn't it!
DeleteKovacs seems more cultish than mainstream--kind of like the Marx Bros were back in the seventies.
Another vote for Robert Maxwell.
Lee
I certainly remember! That commercial jingle is practically hard-wired in my head. :)
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I was never a fan of the Marx Bros. humor. While I didn't find anything offensive about Harpo's clip, Robert Maxwell gets my vote.
Myra, seems like that Hamm's commercial was on a lot in prime time. Not sure that I ever saw any Hamm's beer in our refrigerator though.
DeleteAgain it's Robert Maxell.
Lee
The Marx bros. were brilliant.
ReplyDeleteGoing home is not part of a vacation. It is more of a pilgrimage. Seeing old places and family is a renewal of who I am and who I was.
Robert Maxwell gets my vote. I did not have to see the physical humor to enjoy it. I have to say we never watched Ernie Kovac at our house. Don't know why, but I was not in control of evening time TV.
Hope you have wonderful adventures.
Susan K., going home indeed has a sort of ritualistic quality. It's good to get away now and then.
DeleteRobert Maxwell.
Lee
Ha! "And now for something completely different..."
ReplyDeleteI remember that Hamm's beer jingle so well. Of course, by the time I was old enough to try it, I'd already come to realize that Hamm's was pretty much the bottom of the (beer) barrel. :^D
I liked this one, LEE. Very, very unique Battle. For me, though, it's an easy vote for ROBERT MAXWELL. A little harp goes a long way for me.
That Maxwell piece was a novelty recording, but it was a pretty interesting novelty recording (and I like many novelty songs to begin with, anyway). It almost had a little "Chinese Water Torture" mixed in their, too. A pretty clever, amusing recording that put a smile on my face!
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS
STMcC, I've always had a penchant for novelty music. Glad you liked this one.
DeleteRobert Maxwell.
Lee
This is a hard one, because I like both songs about the same for totally different reasons. On the one hand, Harpo Marx was a genius with the harp and could just about play anything on it. The parts in the Marx Brothers movies where he got to play were some of my favorites. (On another topic, anyone who wants to bad-mouth the Marx Brothers movies because elements in them offend their delicate sensibilities needs to get a life.) Robert Maxwell's song captures the essence of the Nairobi Trio and is just plain silly, which is why it worked so well. Since I need more laughs today (no reason, just that it's gloomy out in preparation for the inevitable rain), I'm going with Maxwell.
ReplyDeleteJohn, The Nairobi Trio was such a great concept. The music is still fun.
DeleteRobert Maxwell.
Lee
This is a different kind of battle and that's great, in my humble opinion.
ReplyDeleteThe Marx Brothers, in general, always amused me...Ernie Kovacs, too, but I saw a lot less of him. Once again, I'll put the blame for that minimalist exposure to some aspects of pop culture on a West Virginia childhood and limited television and theater options.
I think I like the Marx Brothers because I love snark, in any package. Groucho stole the show for me.
Zany stuff? BRING IT. I love crazy.
As for the battle: ROBERT MAXWELL, hands down.
Thanks, Lee!
Cherdo, summertime blogging gets to such a lull that I decided to use an odder sort of Battle. Thanks to TCM I've been able to see Marx Bros films on a pretty regular basis. I saw some in college when they would have free films at the Student Center.
DeleteAgain it's Robert Maxwell.
Lee
Lee
ReplyDeleteI apologize for being so slow to comment here, especially since you seem to be johnny on the spot with my posts. I'm here now :)
I like unique. I like the comedy of the Marx brothers, but I really enjoyed Robert Maxwell's take on this tune.
My vote: Robert Maxwell
~Mary
Mary B, you made it well before vote tally time so that's okay.
DeleteAnother one for Robert Maxwell.
Lee
Robert Maxwell gets my vote, there was more to the musicalscape on his version
ReplyDeleteMike, the variety certainly is there...
DeleteRobert Maxwell.
Lee
Hi Lee -
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting botb you have this time!
I enjoyed the staccato feel of the Nairobi trio. Lot of diverse (and who doesn't love diversity JUST for its own sake these days) instruments. They even threw in the kitchen sink!
But I am voting for the virtuosity of Harpo. I am not a big fan of harp music, but Harpo makes it very enjoyable - for about four minutes. After that I am ready for a less angelic instrument. I especially like it when he gets jazzy at around the 2:28 mark.
6-Gun, I hear ya on that jazzy interlude.
DeleteFinally a vote for Harpo Marx.
Lee
I remember watching Marx movies as a kid. Thats about all I remember though, lol. Except that Harpo was my fav. Loved his Harp playing. But for this battle, I'm voting for Robert Maxwell - so clever with all the different instruments and sounds.
ReplyDeleteI love traveling around, but yes, I enjoy even more coming home. The familiar has its appeal too.
Dolorah, a balance between the travel and time spent at home would be ideal in my eyes.
DeleteA vote for Robert Maxwell.
Lee
I think we have become too PC and apologize for everything. Heck, good white heterosexual men should just apologize for being them. The old Hollywood would showcase people that, now, is considered, many times quite rightly, prejudiced but, at that time, they thought they were doing good( case in point, Fred Astaire phi g tribute to Bill Bojangles Robinson). I do go love on....anyhoo, I vote for Harpo Marx even though I love that other song. Harpo Marx was self taught! Later on, he took lessons to learn more but the harp is a difficult instrument to say the least. I love zany comedy and the Marx Brothers are great. Did you know that Irving Thalberg, creative head of MGM, asked them to come to his office. When they came, they waited for over 2 hours but he was a no show. He apologized and asked them again, only to stand them up again. The third time, the Marx Brothers would have none 9f that. They bi-passed the secretary and went into his office. When Thalberg finally came back to his office' there were the Marx Brother, nude, roasting marshmallows in his fireplace. Hahahaaaaa. I love going on vacation and love coming home but it is bittersweet because I love being away especially when I am in Europe.
ReplyDeleteBirgit, thanks for the laugh. I needed that.
DeleteI've decided to stop being apologetic for being me. But I also try to keep a low profile for now.
A needed vote for Harpo Marx.
Lee
Not that the other wasn't pretty- it was- but I fell in love with harps watching Harpo. No brainer for me.
ReplyDeleteCW, all the Marx brothers thank you for voting for...
DeleteHarpo Marx.
Lee
From my Cousin Tom on Facebook a vote for...
ReplyDeleteRobert Maxwell.
Lee
I was tempted to vote for the weirdness of Maxwell, but Harpo's harp playing wins this one and banishes the unsettling elements of the video.
ReplyDeleteRoland, Harpo was a wonder at playing his instrument.
DeleteA vote for Harpo Marx.
Lee
I hope you had enjoyed a lot in your trip. I would just like to have a small suggestion from you about different songs that can be heard for refreshment during trip.
ReplyDeleteThomas, it was a great trip. Music of course is a matter of personal preference. I like good fast paced rock and roll sometimes when I'm driving. "Radar Love" by Golden Earring can keep a driver stimulated and focused on the road. These days I might prefer some stimulating classical music such as a Beethoven symphony. It's mostly a matter of the mood I'm in.
DeleteLee