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| Pensioners Cottage, Ballygowan. This quaint old cottage in original condition is located near Lammy crossroads. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Home Sweet Home
Settled in for a few days, it's almost like we never left. The miles behind us, the places we've been and people we spent time with almost seem like a dream now that I'm nestled back into the familiarity of the house we've lived in for the past nineteen years. A vacation is nice, but in some ways being home in familiar surroundings is equally so. In many ways it's better.
From the vantage point of this modest place we call home, we've seen our girls finish school, leave home, and start families and careers as I've settled into retirement and my wife will soon follow. Will we stay in this dwelling in the years to come? We have been pondering that decision in recent years and the decision is one that will likely be made within the next few years. I have some dreams in mind, but the act of moving is not something I particularly relish.
For now I'll keep this decision of relocation in the back of my mind. The thought will creep frequently into the forefront of my thinking as the quandary looms ever larger over my shoulder. I love this place I call home, but it is a mere physical abode. This is the place my wife and I think of as home, but this place can be replaced in my worldview. I don't have to be here forever and come to think of it I won't.
The structure where I keep my stuff is merely a storage room and a shelter for my physical being. Eventually this situation will pass and my spirit will move on. But until that time comes, I hope I can find that near perfect structure in that near perfect geographical location where life can be lived in peace, comfort, and as much happiness as circumstances will allow.
Battle of the Bands
"You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To"
This 1943 song by Cole Porter has been in my BOTB song queue for a couple of years and coming home from vacation seemed like the ideal time to unleash it. Though I've heard this song many times since childhood, I was first drawn to it several years ago when I bought the CD Sinatra Sings Cole Porter. The haunting version on this album came from The Frank Sinatra Show which was broadcast on television on February 3, 1951--four days after I was born. I had planned on using his duet with June Hutton for my battle, but I could not find a video that was unrestricted in all countries. However I offer it here for anyone who is interested in hearing it (but please don't vote on this version).
The song has been recorded by numerous artists since first appearing in the film Something to Shout About where it was introduced by Don Ameche and Janet Blair. For my battle I have chosen two very short recordings which came from live performances in the 1960's, both done in Japan.
Anita O'Day "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To" (1963)
Internationally proclaimed for her jazz singing style, Anita O'Day was nicknamed "The Jezebel of Jazz." Throughout her life she struggled with drug addiction though she lived until age 87 still recording until near the time of her death. Her smooth song styling is showcased in this following performance with some fine Japanese jazz musicians.
Julie London "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To" (1964)
The prolific Julie London had a popular career as a singer, actress, and television personality through four decades starting with her first film role in 1944 and up to her recurring role on the television show Emergency! which ended in 1978 after six seasons. Her sultry singing style led to the recording of 29 studio albums with 29 singles hitting the charts. Her version of this battle's song by Cole Porter is from the laser disc "Julie London Show", with the Bobby Troup Quintet, recorded on May 28, 1964 in Japan.
Time to Vote!
Hope you've enjoyed this trip back in time with a Cole Porter classic. Maybe it's not your style of music, but hopefully you'll keep a musically open mind in assessing the two versions. Let us know what you think about these two recordings. Is there one that you prefer over the other? If you're visiting a Battle of the Bands post for the first time then let me briefly explain. Please give each song version a fair listen to decide which one you enjoy the most. If you don't like either then at least tell us which recording was least innocuous to you. This comes down to your preference and it's as easy as that.
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
‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’
'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS'
'Curious as a Cathy'
Sound of One Hand Typing
DC Relief Battle of the Bands
The Doglady's Den
Angel's Bark
Cherdo on the Flipside
Jingle, Jangle, Jungle
Janie Junebug Righting & Editing.
J. A. Scott
Quiet Laughter
Holli's Hoots and Hollers
Be ReInVintaged
Winner Announced on Monday August 22nd
I don't plan to post on this blog until next Monday, but who knows what wild things might come to my mind that will lead to another post this week. I'm just saying that another post this week is not in my plans for the time being. That's the way it is. And actually I need to do some recouping after our long trip away from home. See you when I see you.
Are you happy with where you currently live? Do you think you will ever move to another home? What is your dream location for a home and what would you like to see in another home if you were to move?
Hi Lee,
ReplyDeleteI love your thoughts about how you see your home. They are very similar to mine. I see my house as a storage place for where I am right now, but it doesn't mean that I am going to stay here for the rest of my life. In fact, I am not, at least I hope not.
So now to the vote.
I listened to both and without a doubt for me ANITA O'DAY is simply great. I like the smoothness. It's easy going. I can imagine myself coming in from a long trip, and pouring myself a glass of red wine or a good cognac, as I released the stress of the drive back home. And the musicians accompanying her were excellent.
So it's Anita for me.
Have a great week.
Shalom aleichem,
Patricia
Pat, some people stay in their houses for all or most of their lives and I guess that is fine as well. Our age has become far more mobile than previous generations and I think moving is part of adapting to our stages of life.
DeleteFirst vote goes to Anita O'Day
Lee
Welcome home!
ReplyDeleteIf you're considering moving out East to be closer to your daughters, that would be a smart choice. Besides, California is expensive. Move closer to your kids.
Julie London added her own touch to the song and updated it more than the year difference suggests. She gets my vote.
Alex, their are advantages to both places. Gas is more here because of the stupid laws about the type of gas we have to use.
DeleteA vote for Julie London.
Lee
After listening to all I will vote for Frank Sinatra.
ReplyDeleteHope you had a great time but it is lovely to return home.
Enjoy your week.
Yvonne.
Yvonne, it was a great time, but I'd be ready to go in a month if I could.
DeleteFrank Sinatra doesn't count here. Too bad I couldn't use his version like I wanted to.
Lee
Karen, now to deal with the hassles of home ownership.
ReplyDeleteLee
Lee, I'm glad you're home again. Moving to another home here in Knoxville is always in the forefront of my mind. We out grew our humble abode years ago. I listened to both vids and I felt neither did the artists justice, so I went to YouTube and found two others where I could focus on the gals vocals better. I'm glad I did, too. Both women have exceptional voices with sultry jazzy sounds. I think I may prefer Julie slightly over Anita, so give my vote to JL! Good battle!
ReplyDeleteCathy, we probably have too much house space for the two of us right now, but I like having the extra space for when the kids visit which is not that often, but it does happen.
DeleteGlad you went the extra mile to listen to other versions. I liked the ones I used since they were both very short and they were very similar in era and presentation.
An edge vote for Julie London.
Lee
I hear you about moving... I suppose one day our yard will get to be too much for hubby and me and we'll have to move into some place simple, and, it will be daunting to say the least.
ReplyDeleteI'm going with Anita all the way. I much preferred the pace and styling of the song. It was sexier, which is what the song is about. And the trumpet playing... excellent. Julie's version was too fast.
Bish, we don't have much of a yard to speak of where we now live. I have a landscaper come to mow twice a month. That part is simple for me though I could probably use some yard work exercise.
DeleteAnother vote for Anita O'Day
Lee
I thought pre-listening I'd choose Julie London, but I was wrong... again. Funny how that happens! I preferred darn near everything in the O'Day version. The only thing I didn't like was the way she moved her mouth, so I closed my eyes. And that was only an issue at the end... so a very small thing. Otherwise an excellent bit of musicianship. O'Day for me please.
ReplyDeleteRobin, glad you didn't let the visuals sway you.
DeleteA vote for Anita O'Day
Lee
Hi, Lee!
ReplyDeleteThese competing performances took place within a year of each other, an occurrence that seems surprisingly rare in these band battles. While jazz singers are not my favorite, I didn't have any difficulty voting. That's because, for some reason, I have never been overly impressed with Julie London as a songstress or as an actress, and her version of "Home" did nothing to alter that impression. I never heard of Anita O'Day but I like her. To my ears Anita's was the more interesting interpretation of the song. I appreciated her nuanced vocals and expressive yet controlled gesturing.
I hereby cast my vote for "The Jezebel of Jazz," Anita O'Day!
Thanks, Lee, and thank you for your continued support of Shady Dell Music & Memories!
Shady, I aimed to keep the performances in the same era so these recordings were ideal for my purposes.
DeleteAnother vote for Anita O'Day.
Lee
Julie gets my vote. I will move to a different house. The plan is to stay in the same area for a while. But, who knows.
ReplyDeleteMike, life is full of surprises. My move to Los Angeles over 20 years ago was unexpected, but now here I am.
DeleteA vote for Julie London
Lee
Welcome back! I can appreciate your sentiments on coming home, Arlee. Stars aren’t really brighter just because they’re shared; in the comfort found in company our views are unimpaired. “Home is where the heart is” and soulmates can relish a sunset from any viewpoint. Just don’t forget your laptop if you go. We’d all miss you ;-)
ReplyDeleteInteresting battle; remarkable Japanese musicians with Anita, and recorded by Julie only a year later in Japan. It’s a shame the two had to follow Sinatra since he kind of blows away the competition – ha! Julie did a fine job, made me wish for the millionth time that I could snap my fingers. But my vote goes to Anita for a steamier version.
Diedre, the grass isn't always greener, but sometimes it is. A lot of grass is turning brown in Los Angeles while back east things are so lush.
DeleteA vote for Anita O'Day.
Lee
Welcome back. It's true, home is just a place to hold our stuff and to sleep at night, but at a certain point, it also becomes a part of who we are. My grandmother has lived in the same house since 1943, and at this point, I couldn't imagine her living anywhere else. She's happy with where she is, though. I couldn't imagine living in this same house for 70 years.
ReplyDeleteAs for the battle, I much preferred Anita O'Day.
Beer, a house can be part of a heritage. My memories of my grandparents are connected strongly to the house they lived in--I wish it was still in the family. Newer houses somehow don't seem conducive to living in them for decades.
DeleteA vote for Anita O'Day
Lee
I loved Julie London in Emergency. Funny that I had no idea she was a musical artist! And then I found that some people knew her for her music career and had no idea she ever acted.
ReplyDeleteBut for this song, I'm voting for Anita O'Day. I like her vocals much better.
Glad you're back home safe and sound. Vacations are great but there's no place like home!
Michele at Angels Bark
Michele, I didn't realize until recently that Julie London had so many acting roles behind her. I grew up listening to her as a musical artist.
DeleteAnother vote for Anita O'Day
Lee
Julie London has just the right touch. She gets my vote!
ReplyDeletePop Tart, simply stated...
DeleteIt's a vote for Julie London
Lee
The following comment and vote comes from Sheboyganboy Six:
ReplyDeleteYour theme strikes a chord with me. We are currently packing things up and preparing to sell our home. It is huge... too big for my wife and I now that our son grew up and moved out. When he was in high school he was the drummer in several bands, and we often had 10-20 kids over here playing, listening and visiting. That ship has sailed, and we need to downsize. I'll miss this place, but I'll carry my sense of home with me.
BOTB:
My dad liked both Anita O'Day and Julie London, and I often heard both these artists playing on his stereo when I was a kid. I think O'Day was one of his favorites, though.
To me, O'Day's version has: slightly better voice and better pace. London's version has: better musicians (IMO) and London's looks (always a winner.)
O'Day just sounds right to me. A very authentic "jazzy" rendition. ANITA O.
******
A vote for Anita O'Day
Lee
If Russell could have moved west, I would have stayed in Washington. That will always be 'home' to me even though I am from here. We can't afford to buy anything...we rent this place. I suppose we'll move to my mom's when she dies but I don't see us staying there except temporarily. The house is just too old and not set up the way I'd like. I want a one story, maybe prefab or double wide.
ReplyDeleteJoJo, I'm also thinking in terms of a one story in the future or at least a house with a master bedroom on the first floor. My wife and I get around just fine now, but no telling how we'll be doing in the future.
DeleteLee
When I was a kid, my parents' house and my grandparents' house were amazing and irreplaceable places. I mean, they seemed really special. I did not understand how any of them could move from such special places.
ReplyDeleteI like my current house, but if I moved, I know I'd get used to the new place in 3 weeks.
It's just not the same when you grow up, I guess. Once the place you live isn't hard wired into your brain.
Oh, and Anita O'Day. It's not even close.
Nasreen, maybe it's a matter of perception. Our family moved several times when I was growing up, but the house we ended up in was the one that stuck with me the most. Selling it after my mother died was really sad, but we didn't have that much choice in the matter.
DeleteA vote for Anita O'Day.
Lee
Love the Julie London version; she gets my vote this time.
ReplyDeleteI'm pondering the notion of home almost daily, Lee. In past years, I would have called my great grandmother's house my home on equal footing with the house I grew up in (where my mother still lives). My mom's mental decline is going shed a dark shadow on all that, I fear. Now, ever thought of that home leads to another crisis with her dementia.
On the upside, Hubzam and I are in love with our current house (just moved into this one in July). I wouldn't mind if I lived out my days here. It's perfect for us and we consider ourselves lucky. The homey feel is creeping in and I love it.
Cherdo, if it feels like home I'd say it is. Although a structure that serves as home can be an ephemeral state.
DeleteA vote for Julie London
Lee
Giving my vote to Anita, it was a close decision for me, but ultimately I liked her version just a little bit more.
ReplyDeleteGreat battle!
Mary
Jingle Jangle Jungle
Mary, I agree that this is a tough choice.
DeleteYour vote? Anita O'Day
Lee
Welcome home, Lee. isn't it funny how we always need a vacation from our vacations? ☺ Hope you get some rest!
ReplyDeleteBoth of these singers have great voices, but I preferred the musical arrangement of Anita O'Day's version. Please give my vote to her.
This is a great place to live and I want to stay here, but it would be nice to be able to afford a winter home in San Diego. Dream on, dream, on....
Debbie D., I definitely needed to rest a bit, but my mind is already roving. No vacation trips for a while I guess.
DeleteA vote for Anita O'Day.
Lee
To leave a place where you have lived and made so many memories is always tough. I am always looking for a permanent place to live... but as the fate may be have moved about 7 times in the past 10 years.
ReplyDeleteLoved the songs... reminds me of my parent's home.
Rajlakshmi, sometimes I think we must try many places before we can find that place in which to settle into as home. Often though it's a matter of economics and circumstance. A roof over one's head is good.
DeleteLee
This is tough-I like the O'Day arrangement but London's voice knocks me out!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to go with the arrangement and vote O'Day, but this is one that could change from day to day for me depending on my mood.
VOTE O'DAY
Larry
Larry, I hear ya! I'm still pondering my own vote on this one.
DeleteI'll give your vote to Anita O'Day
Lee
There's that horrible question about moving or staying put -- we decided to stay in our home a few more years but are starting to do the things we need to get done before eventually selling. New carpet so we can enjoy it while we're still, painting the outside of the house...and de-cluttering, a massive job that will take many, many months.
ReplyDeletePatricia, we have similar things on our agenda. De-cluttering is an ongoing monster of a job that I've been kind of working on for years.
DeleteLee
Gosh both are great and love their individual styling of this song but I will go with Julie London. She seems to a twinkle in her eye when singing this song as if their is something subliminal she is saying:) it's always nice to come home and as for moving.....the biggest thing is always getting rid of stuff. One day, I know I will have to size down and that is just reality.
ReplyDeleteBirgit, I'm forever trying to get rid of stuff, but it's hard to let go of much of it.
DeleteA vote for Julie London.
Lee
Anita O'Day gets my vote because her voice seems better suited to this song, and because Julie London seems to have trouble with the low notes. The upbeat is nice in Julie's version, but so is the horn in the first version! For this song, Anita nails it, the Julie version seems to highlight her style not the song so much. Go Anita! As for moving and downsizing, I've done that and it gets easier. I had to move when hubs became ill and like you said, it's just an abode and you may have good memories, but life rolls on.
ReplyDeleteDG, I get rid of something but then my wife or I replace it with something else. We need to make a better effort with this.
DeleteA vote for Anita O'Day.
Lee
After moving to Atlanta, Mary made it quite clear she wasn't going to move again, and I'm fine with that.
ReplyDeleteOn to the Battle: Both Anita and Julie were in fine voice, but I liked Julie's better because, well, I like Julie London. I had never heard her with Bobby Troup's quintet, though I knew he and Julie were married and both appeared on *Emergency!*, a show produced by her first husband, Jack Webb. They sound good together!
John, I don't like the prospect of moving, but one day I'd like to in order to relocate nearer to our children. One more move I hope and that will be it--I hope.
DeleteTroup and Julie make a fine pairing indeed.
A vote for Julie London.
Lee
Ironically, Laurie just discovered Emergency! is on Netflix this week. An omen for sure, but I'd have voted for Julie anyway.
ReplyDeleteCW, I see Emergency! on MeTV now and then, but rarely have I watched an entire episode. Actually I never knew Julie London was in this show until I read about it recently.
DeleteA vote for Julie London.
Lee
Real nice song choice, LEE!
ReplyDeleteBack around 1991 or so, I won free tickets from an L.A. Jazz radio station to see Anita O'Day perform at a small club called The Vine Street Bar & Grill, on Vine just south of Hollywood Boulevard. I wonder if it's still there.
In this Battle, I liked the musicianship on both. Especially that trumpet player on the first one. He wasn't doing anything new, but what he did play had great tone and feeling.
I much preferred Anita's vocals and the overall tempo better than Julie's version. Julie's was a bit more raucous while Anita's really captured the romantic mood of the lyrics.
I enjoyed both (listened to each one twice) but it was still a pretty easy vote on my part for ANITA O'DAY.
Excellent Battle again, Lee.
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
STMcC, I'm still torn on which version I'm going to choose.
DeleteGot you down for Anita O'Day.
Lee
I know I'm not allowed to vote for Sinatra, but I would like to do so because of the pace of the song. It deserves to be slow the way Sinatra does it. The two versions in contention are too fast and jazzy. However, I happily vote for Anita O'Day's whiskey and cigarettes voice, though I'm sorry she had substance abuse problems.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Janie, most of the Sinatra versions I found on YouTube were faster paced. I wish I could have used the duet that I wanted to since I also like the slower pace.
DeleteI'll record a vote for Anita O'Day.
Lee
Home is where the people you want to be with are, the rest of it is just walls and a roof. Although nice walls and a roof are always grand haha.
ReplyDeleteJulie London gets my vote.
Pat, I'd prefer "nice" when it comes to where I live or anything else for that matter. But the people count the most as you say.
DeleteA vote for Julie London.
Lee
My husband's parents live in Arkansas. Been there, done that, never moving back. We'll just relocated them to NC if need be.
ReplyDeleteYou could move somewhere in between where your kids live.
L.Diane, I've seen some nice places in Arkansas, but nothing draws me to live there. As long as we are at least a relatively easy day or less drive to our kids house that would be nice.
DeleteLee
If I had gotten this traveling job prior to purchasing my home I may never have bought it. I never liked being on the road, now I'm used to it, like it, and start getting antsy to get gone when I'm here too long. Traveling keeps me from needing to move every few years I guess.
ReplyDeleteI think I liked Anita's voice just a smidge better than Julie. Its softer. They both looked so normal; I always think of jazz singers in flashy dresses and shoes, lots of mobility during the song.
Welcome home Lee.
Dolorah, traveling is in my blood. It's not for everyone I guess, but those who get used to it are hard to keep in one place for long.
DeleteA vote for Anita O'Day.
Lee
Welcome home. Moving is such a hard decision and home is where your heart and family reside. Your body just needs the roof over its head and some walls. Of course, being a woman I prefer mine decorated a bit and I would love to live on the beach, but that's not happening. I don't think I will be following my kids to school either since one is at Tulane ( in state) one is headed to Pepperdine (hopefully) in a year and I could never afford to live in Malibu - hell I hope I can afford to visit, one will be off to Ole miss, - undecided and the younger has all four years of high school and will end up wherever his athletic scholarship takes him. I get nostalgic about our home sometimes when I think about how empty its getting.
ReplyDeleteBattle of the Bands: both had lovely voices. Anita's was really sexy, but my vote is for Julie. I just liked the upbeat temp a tad more and her facial expression sold me. She had more pizzaz and sparkle.
Melissa, following kids to school doesn't make sense because it's usually such a temporary location. It's great that your kids are having those educational opportunities.
DeleteAnother vote for Julie London.
Lee
Lee, I agree with Robin. There was something odd about the way Anita O'Day moved her mouth when she sang. Julie London had more stage presence, but I'll still vote for O'Day as I liked her distinctive voice. Welcome back!
ReplyDeleteJulie