This Is Me--2024 A to Z Theme

My A to Z Themes in the past have covered a range of topics and for 2024 the theme is a personal retrospective that I call "I Coulda Been" which is in reference to my job and career arc over my lifetime. I'll be looking at all sorts of occupations that I have done or could have done. Maybe you've done some of these too!

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Memphis Train ( #BOTB #AtoZChallenge )

Middle of the month means we're halfway to the end of A to Z and time for another round of Battle of the Bands.   Hop on board the music train and have some musical fun...



#AtoZChallenge 2020 Blogging from A to Z Challenge letter M





Battle of the Bands
        Battle of the Bands is the blogging event started by Far Away Series and now hosted by StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands.   This event happens each month on the 15th and on some there is also a Battle on the 1st of the month.  My blog is one of those with a second Battle excepting over these summer months.   The premise is simple:  Listen to the songs presented below and then in the comments vote for your favorite and tell us why you liked it.  Then visit the links listed near the bottom of this post for more Battle action.





Buddy Miles   "Memphis Train"   (1970)

     Buddy Miles had a long music career playing with many legendary musicians such as Jimi Hendrix and Carlos Santana to name a couple.  He also released a number of solo albums.  His version of "Memphis Train" is very similar to the original by Rufus Thomas (click on the link to hear that original but please don't vote on it).  Check out Buddy Miles...





Zoo   "Memphis Train"  (1969)

        I discovered this rather obscure French jazz rock group in the early seventies when I found their album in a cut-out bin.  I still have the album in fact.  Their version of this song is more in the vein of psychedelic jazz rock reminiscent of Blood Sweat and Tears.  See how you do with this version...








Time to Vote!

         How about hopping on the music train!   Which song version do you prefer?   Hopefully you have an opinion of some kind.  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

 ‘Storms and Stardust’ 

  'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS'

'Curious as a Cathy'

Sound of One Hand Typing

The Doglady's Den 

Angel's Bark  

Jingle, Jangle, Jungle 

Cherdo on the Flipside 

A I Love Music


Winner of this Battle Announced on Wednesday April 22

           Blogging the alphabet everyday continues on so I hope you'll drop in now and then for that, but by all means be sure to come back next Wednesday to see who came out on top in this Battle.  


    


















Posted by Arlee Bird at 2:00 AM
Labels: , , , ,

26 comments:

  1. CWMartinApril 15, 2020 at 6:55 AM

    No question, Zoo on this one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Arlee BirdApril 16, 2020 at 7:56 AM

      CW, starting off with a solid vote for...

      Zoo.

      Lee

      Delete
  2. Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork AppliquéApril 15, 2020 at 9:39 AM

    I vote for Buddy Miles!
    M is for Modern Quilts

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Arlee BirdApril 16, 2020 at 7:57 AM

      Frederique, thank you for your vote for...

      Buddy Miles.

      Lee

      Delete
  3. Stephen T. McCarthyApril 15, 2020 at 11:08 AM

    LEE ~

    I'll go with Buddy on this one. Downright funky, and I loved the horns. (How much do you suppose his hair weighed?)

    That opening blast of organ certainly got my attention immediately in the Zoo version. But then the song just got too frenetic. This is about a train, and I think of trains as having an insistent rhythm to their movement. Buddy's version had "train rhythm", while Zoo's train sounded like it had jumped the track was crashing in every which direction.

    ~ D-FensDogG
    STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Arlee BirdApril 16, 2020 at 8:02 AM

      STMcC, so Zoo sounded kind of like what their name implies? I get what you're saying about the train rhythm and all. Zoo still has a funky rhythm but not so much like a train, but don't forget: The Zoo train is from France. Make what you will of that.

      A vote for Buddy Miles.

      Lee

      Lee

      Delete
  4. John HoltonApril 15, 2020 at 12:48 PM

    Buddy Miles was with Electric Flag with Mike Bloomfield and Nick Gravenites, and I think he backed Muddy Waters on a couple of occasions. That's not why I'm voting for him, of course. I felt s Stephen did, that Zoo's version was a little too frenetic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Arlee BirdApril 16, 2020 at 8:05 AM

      John H, I know I've heard of Buddy Miles back to my late high school days of the sixties, but I was never very familiar with his work.

      Another vote for Buddy Miles.

      Lee

      Delete
  5. JanetApril 15, 2020 at 1:08 PM

    I vote for Buddy MIles on this one. I agree with Stephen's take on the Zoo version. I've also heard Melissa Etheridge's version which is pretty good. Stay safe!

    Janet’s Smiles

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Arlee BirdApril 16, 2020 at 8:07 AM

      Janet, I'd never heard Melissa's version, but it's a good one.

      But in this round another vote for...

      Buddy Miles.

      Lee

      Delete
  6. Arlee BirdApril 15, 2020 at 9:08 PM

    From my Cousin Tom on Facebook comes a vote for...

    Buddy Miles.

    Lee

    ReplyDelete
  7. J Lenni DornerApril 15, 2020 at 9:44 PM

    Good choices!
    Zoo had a better vibe for my ear, so that's my vote. Happy A to Z!

    ReplyDelete
  8. CAACApril 16, 2020 at 6:13 AM

    Lee,

    I can't believe it's mid-month already. I'm not doing well with A2Z this year. I don't know if it's a mind-set or if it's because I have more than usual on my plate keeping me busy but whatever the reason I'm miserably behind these days.

    My vote goes to BUDDY MILES! Stay safe and well, my friend!

    Cathy's Pinup Girl Art Sketch Series 'M'

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Arlee BirdApril 16, 2020 at 10:30 AM

      Cathy, I'm not doing all that well with A to Z this year, but so far on my blog I've kept up even though in a spirit of mediocrity.

      A vote for Buddy Miles

      Lee

      Delete
    2. CAACApril 23, 2020 at 2:51 AM

      Lee,

      Although I'm getting around to everyone who visits me, I'm feeling like I'm not doing well at it either. I'm sure you and I aren't alone. The mood COVID-19 has left hanging in the air is hold to avoid completely even when you say you're okay, but inside you know things are off a wee bit. I have to remind myself God is bigger than all of this and everything is going to be alright and I believe this, it's just pushing my humanness aside that's a challenge. Stay strong, be healthy, my friend!

      Delete
  9. Sixgun McItchyfingerApril 16, 2020 at 9:17 AM

    I never was much of a Buddy Miles fan. When Hendrix came out with the album with Miles minus Mitch Mitchell, I was massively disappointed and thought it was a big step down. I know some people personally who will disagree with that opinion, but... obviously I think they're full 'o prunes.

    His version here is indeed funky. And it isn't bad. But if you like Mitch Mitchell as a drummer you're going to like Zoo's drumming better here. I'll grant that Zoo's version sounds too long to me. In spite of that minor complaint, I'm voting for the Zoo.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Arlee BirdApril 16, 2020 at 10:32 AM

      6-Gun, I never kept up with Buddy Miles and was never much of a Hendrix fan. Both are okay but I like Buddy better than Jimi.

      A vote for Zoo.

      Lee

      Delete
  10. MikeApril 16, 2020 at 10:04 AM

    Buddy Miles gets my vote! Funky song

    ReplyDelete
  11. Arlee BirdApril 17, 2020 at 8:12 AM

    From my friend Lonnie on Facebook comes a vote for...

    Buddy Miles.

    Lee

    ReplyDelete
  12. BirgitApril 17, 2020 at 10:05 AM

    Zoo gets my vote..I like the uniqueness.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Mary BApril 18, 2020 at 10:51 AM

    Buddy Miles gets my vote this time around. Sorry to be late to the voting process - it's been quite the week for me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Arlee BirdApril 18, 2020 at 11:37 AM

      Mary B, voting doesn't close until Tuesday so you're not late. A vote for...

      Buddy Miles.

      Lee

      Delete
  14. Arlee BirdApril 22, 2020 at 8:57 AM

    Attention!! Results for this Battle now posted at:

    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete

Go ahead and say something. Don't be afraid to speak your mind.
I normally try to respond to all comments in the comment section so please remember to check the "Email follow-up comments" box if you want to participate in the comment conversation.

For Battle of the Bands voting the "Anonymous" commenting option has been made available though this version is the least preferred. If voting using "anonymous" please include in your comment your name (first only is okay) and city you are voting from and the reason you chose the artist you did.

If you know me and want to comment but don't want to do it here, then you can send me an email @ jacksonlee51 at aol dot com.

Lee

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