Before I get into my Battle of the Bands contest, I want to address this month's...
Question of the Month
The Question of the Month is hosted by Michael G D'Agostino from A Life Examined. The first Monday of each month I'll be answering a question posed by Michael prior to event day. Click on the link to his blog for more participants. This month's question:
“What’s a decision you’ve made in the past that you know, logically, was the right decision to make, but which you still feel guilty or regretful about?”
In all honesty I can't think of any decisions that I would categorize in the way described by this question. But then I have the philosophy of what's happened is done and over with so I have essentially conditioned myself not to experience feelings of regret in regards to things I can't change. Really, what's the point of lamenting the past? Oh, sure, sometimes I'm sorry for things I've done, but sorry shouldn't be an ongoing process as far as I'm concerned. Same thing with extended guilt feelings. If I can fix anything then I'll do what I can and hope that remedies the situation. Thinking about it doesn't repair any damages and one has to move on into the future.
One decision that I was glad I made was to participate in Battle of the Bands. That is coming up soon in this post, but first another question...
One decision that I was glad I made was to participate in Battle of the Bands. That is coming up soon in this post, but first another question...
A Question about Familiarity
The two main competitors for the 2016 United States presidential race, Hillary Clinton and Donald J. Trump, are faces which the public has been familiar with for many years. Most of us likely know about the candidates from hearing about them over the years and decades. Proverbial wisdom suggests that familiarity breeds contempt, while others might feel a sense of affection and comfort in the face of their chosen candidate.
Over the years we've seen well-known faces like World War Two general Dwight Eisenhower, the retry run of Richard Nixon in 1968, and a famous Hollywood actor in Ronald Reagan ascend to the White House--they were all pretty recognizable to American voters when they ran for office.
Do you think American voters feel more comfortable voting for someone whose face they readily recognize?
Over the years we've seen well-known faces like World War Two general Dwight Eisenhower, the retry run of Richard Nixon in 1968, and a famous Hollywood actor in Ronald Reagan ascend to the White House--they were all pretty recognizable to American voters when they ran for office.
Do you think American voters feel more comfortable voting for someone whose face they readily recognize?
Battle of the Bands
"I've Seen That Face Before" (1981)
A while back I watched the Roman Polanski film Frantic (1988) which stars Harrison Ford. It's a decent thriller about an American doctor whose wife disappears while they are visiting Paris, France. The Grace Jones version of "I've Seen That Face Before" is a song that particularly stood out for me while I was watching the film. Curious, I later researched the song on YouTube where I was pleased to find a number of interesting versions well suited for a Battle of the Bands match.
The melody comes from an Astor Piazzolla tango called "Libertango" with added lyrics co-written by Jamaican model and singer Grace Jones. The haunting nature of the song fits ideally into the somber Polanski film. You can hear the original version by Grace Jones HERE, but please don't vote on this version--it's for the reference of those who are curious.
Brady Harris Band "I've Seen That Face Before" (2013)
This band lives up the road from me according to their Facebook page. I don't know anything more than what's online, but for more info visit their website. I'll just let the music do the talking.
Kovacs "I've Seen That Face Before" (2014)
From Europe we have the Danish singer Sharon Kovacs with her jazzy take on this battle's song choice. Her website is here (music plays after you open so be aware). And here's her version of "I've Seen That Face Before". Enjoy.
Time to Vote!
I hope that you've enjoyed these two different takes on this haunting song. 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
the pedestrian writer
Winner Announced on Friday October 7th
I'll be skipping a post this coming Monday so this one stays current until my post for Insecure Writer's Support Group on Wednesday October 5th. Then next Friday I will announce who won the current Battle of the Bands. Please vote on one of the above song versions!
I agree - Trump and Clinton have been in the public eye as long as anyone but Reagan. And Secretary Clinton has had her every political move analyzed and over-analyzed for a quarter century. I don't believe there's ever been a Presidential candidate like that.
ReplyDeleteWhich isn't a plus: We usually elect the person with no record at all, don't we?
It's certainly weird to have two nominees who have been famous for so long.
As soon as I get on a computer with better audio, I'll have a listen to you battle of the bands. I always love them!
Nasreen, in many ways the fame of these candidates seems to be a detriment. We are so focused on the past that we are losing site of the future.
DeletePlease do come back and vote.
Le
Excellent post. Decisions that have altered my life are many some good some not so good, Intuition plays a big part.
ReplyDeleteI vote for Brady Harris Band, after listening to all three. It was a hard decision but I made my choice.
Yvonne.
Yvonne, fortunately the decision of the vote you cast here will be a minor one.
DeleteFirst vote goes to Brady Harris
Lee
Agreed, I don't dwell on the past either. Just learn from it, fix it if you can, and move on. #1 gets the win from my sea.
ReplyDeletePat, moving forward gets where we are going faster and easier.
DeleteAnother vote for Brady Harris
Lee
I've just seen a face
ReplyDeleteI can't forget the time or place
Where we just met
She's just the girl for me
And I want all the world to see
We've met, mmm-mmm-mmm-m'mmm-mmm
Hi, Lee!
I know I can always count on you to present artists and songs that are new to me. Here we have two excellent recordings, making it hard for me to choose one over the other. I like the dreamy quality of version #1 by the Brady Harris Band along with the interjected spoken passages. In a battle against a different artist I would have no problem voting for Brady Harris, but jazz zinger Kovacs excites me even more with her distinctively European recording which features Sharon's sultry, soulful vocals accompanied by acoustic guitar and accordion. In a close race like this one I usually pick the female artist and that's what I am doing in this battle. Please give my vote to Kovacs.
Thanks, Lee!
Shady, thanks for breaking a shut-out run of votes. Both versions are very good in my opinion and you've argued your case well.
DeleteA first vote for Kovacs
Lee
Maybe there's something to this 'Political Dynasty' thing. Although The Clintons are included here: http://socawlege.com/the-10-most-powerful-political-family-dynasties-in-american-history/.
ReplyDeleteMy choice for I've Seen That Face Before is..... Kovacs 2014 ~ I like the Jazzy sound. :)
https://meinthemiddlewrites.com/
MLQ, dynasty rule can be bad as history has shown, but sometimes it works well. I'm not very fond of powerful political families or groups as they take away a lot of the philosophy of our system.
DeleteA vote for Kovacs
Lee
Good morning Lee. Not an easy decision this morning in terms of your battle. Not heard this song before but I can imagine it working well for a scene in Paris (particularly for a movie thriller). I'm going to give the edge to the Kovacs.
ReplyDeleteRobin, the song has been used in two movies that I am aware of but I'm not sure where the other movie took place. The song is very Paris to my ears as well.
DeleteA vote for Kovacs
Lee
Familiarity certainly can't hurt. I actually kind of wonder, in an election like this, where both candidates are strongly disliked by so many, if someone like Gary Johnson might actually have a chance if he was more familiar. As it stands, people are ignoring the hell out of him, and yet complaining they don't like either Dem/Rep candidate.
ReplyDeleteAnd no, I'm not voting Johnson. It just fascinates me. My vote is going toward the candidate that counts... and that candidate is Kovacs.
Beer, I only think Gary Johnson is ignored because of the media. If that ticket was getting full-blown wall to wall favorable media coverage then their numbers would skyrocket. The voter base is highly swayed by what they hear in the media and I don't think the Libs have a chance at anything more that a very small percentile showing.
DeleteIt fascinates me too, but it is starting to disturb me as well. Well, not starting--I've been disturbed about the political scene for a number of years now.
A vote for Kovacs
Lee
Sharon Kovacs' voice does it for me. Sounds like she had a beer and a bump with a cigarette before she sang and I like that sound. I don't know if voters prefer a face that's familiar to them. That's probably true for some people. It would make an interesting study. As for your Question of the Month response, good for you for not lamenting. I do it enough for two people, but at least it's not enough for everyone.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Janie, a lament might console and commiserate for a time, but it should last for long. New days keep coming and those should be happy as much as they can be.
DeleteA vote for Kovacs and for an acceptable reason.
Lee
Can't stand either candidate. Ugh. I sort of regret Russell not finding me sooner, like if he'd come to my dad's funeral in 2003 and we got together while I was in town to catch up. Maybe I would've moved back here then. But if I had, I never would've gotten the chance to go to Victoria & Vancouver, and do/see other things in the PNW before I actually did move back in 2011.
ReplyDeleteJoJo, your reasoning is one reason I don't like to harbor regrets and wish something else would have happened instead. I'm happy with my life as it is now and I'm here because of the way my history has progressed.
DeleteLee
Brady Harris gets my vote. It had a very smooth sound to it. The vocals on the second didn't do it for me.
ReplyDeleteMike, I think his group needed some votes.
DeleteIt's a vote for Brady Harris
Lee
From Facebook a vote from my cousin Tom...
ReplyDeletefor Kovacs.
Lee
You know what I like about this battle? It's that the winner will be chosen by popular vote, and not electoral vote. I don't need a third party person to speak for me when it comes to my vote!
ReplyDeleteI thought that Kovacs sounded very much like Amy Winehouse. I really enjoyed the vibe of the song that she gave. Please assign my vote to Kovacs.
~Mary
Jingle Jangle Jungle
Mary, the vote that comes in will be seen by the world. No trickery here.
DeleteA vote for Amy, er, I mean Kovacs
Lee
Familiarity of someone you vote for can be a problem; as we see here, it's all too easy for the best marketing campaign, the best schmoozer, to gain people's votes. It's the main reason why I don't want the UK to become a republic. Leadership is not a popularity contest. Either that, or a President is a just a figurehead, and there's nothing wrong with that. We have one of those - we just don't have to spend billions every four years voting for her!
ReplyDeleteJemima, appearance, personality, and schmoozing are what much of politics is about. The leadership is the main aspect and it should be assessed in the course of the campaign. There should maybe be more limitations on spending, but in the U.S. at least marketing is the real name of the game.
DeleteLee
I have a version of that song on one of my Sinatra CDs. I didn't remember hearing it before although I had the CD for a number of years. The versions you have here I have never heard of the artists before.
ReplyDeleteNow had a chance to play your selections. Not the same song and honestly I can't say I like either.
DeleteJo, I think the tango melody by Piazzolla is grand and the lyrics by Jones top it off nicely. Maybe after a few listens it would grow on you. Or maybe you don't like tango music like I do.
DeleteLee
Piazzolla? Which one is that?
DeleteThe song "I've Seen That Face Before" used the melody of Piazzolla's "Libertango" with lyrics added by Grace Jones.
DeleteLee
They are certainly old faces but I guess Trump is not an old face in terms of politics - his 'train wreck' approach has certainly made things different
ReplyDeleteDavid, our system needs a "trainwreck" now and then to shake things up. The politicians we've had in recent decades have made a mess in my opinion.
DeleteLee
>>... Do you think American voters feel more comfortable voting for someone whose face they readily recognize?
ReplyDeleteYeah, of course. Because most Americonned voters know-nuttin' and their votes are based on superficial things like that and on propaganda from the mainstream media.
I used to believe that EVERYONE should have a right to cast a vote in determining who would rule over them. I no longer feel that way. Now, I strongly think: Why should people who don't care enough to even research the history of their country and its principles have a say in determining who will rule over me, a person who DOES care?
I also believe you should have some skin in the game if you're going to get a say about who sleeps in the White House. In other words, no one who's been on welfare for 2 consecutive years should get to vote until they're off welfare again. Why should people living off my tax dollars have the opportunity to vote more of my tax dollars for themselves?
I'd also like to see a series of very basic 10-question tests devised, and in order to vote you must answer all 10 questions correctly. A very easy test that probably 80% of the Americonned Sheeple voting in this upcoming election could NOT pass. Questions such as...
The USA was founded as...
A) An Aristocracy
B) An Oligarchy
C) A Socialist State
D) A Democracy
E) None of the above
What year was the United States Constitution signed? ____.
Name the two bodies that form Congress. _____ & _____.
Any person who cannot answer simple questions like these is an irresponsible citizen and should not have a say in how the rest of us will be governed.
OK, off my soap box now and onto the Battle...
I'm voting for the BRADY HARRIS BAND. I really liked that haunting element it contained. The "haunting" was mostly missing from the Sharon Kovacs version, plus I did not care for her voice much.
~ D'plorable D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
POSTSCRIPT:
DeleteHere's another question I'd meant to type but forgot to in a rush to get all my BOTB votes in.
In one sentence, explain what the Bill Of Rights is and where it can be found: ________.
How many voters could answer that question? Pathetically few, and yet it's an essential part of "Americanism".
Just thinking about the mess this country is in depresses me, and I blame the sleeping sheeple even more than I blame the evil people at the top.
Freedom is valuable and must be safeguarded against those who would steal it from you.
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC, nothing I can find to argue with you about the points and suggestions you've made. So many are concerned that some place require an ID because they are hard for some people to get. Maybe that's a good reason for those people to not be voting. I'm not sure about the questions you pose as a voters' test, but I agree that some kind of competency for voting test should be required. And definitely government issued ID's that prove citizenship. Driver's Licenses aren't good because in many places like CA even illegals can get a driver's license which in itself should not be legal or permitted.
DeleteOur election process is very screwed up. When a person who has engaged in the type of criminal activity such as Hillary has can still run for president we are becoming a banana republic where anything goes for the folks at the top while we cram prisons full of people who have done far lesser things.
Just the other day I went to a gun range with Jack Eiden--I've never been to a gun range let alone shot a gun other than a few times--and everyone who was going to be in proximity to shooting areas whether they were shooting or just watching had to take a test to see if they understood gun safety rules. One bullet can kill someone while one president can kill and destroy the lives of millions. Voters should not be allowed to vote blindly on whim without the knowledge of what their actions can be responsible for.
This was a thoughtful response. Wish there was more thinking going on where it comes to voting.
A vote for Brady Harris.
Lee
I think looks can make a change in someone's opinion( we have Justin Trudeau) but, in your election, this is not the case:) I just wish it was between Cruz and Sanders but oh well. Soon this whole thing will finally be over...or just the beginning?? I am like you I don't look back and, if I k ow I made the right decision, then I don't look back. I love that movie Frantic and I love that song! It is very unique. I'm not sure it's because a woman sings it but I am going for Kovacs because her voice seems to suit the song more and held my attention more.
ReplyDeleteBirgit, Cruz and Sanders would have been an unlikely race to ever happen. I'm fearful of the outcome of the upcoming election, but I'll just have to wait and see what happens.
DeleteGlad you know the movie Frantic--it's a good one.
Your vote goes to Kovacs.
Lee
In answer to the QOTM: Not unless you count my Doctor Who fantasies.
ReplyDeleteIn answer to the other question: I think we'll see that more and more in this dumbed-down America we live in.
BOTB:Brady Harris band. Both good, but I too like the more haunting melody.
CW, I think in elections to come we'll see more celebs running for president. Someday someone really outrageous might end up in the White House--someone like a rapper or rock star. We are heading downward I think.
DeleteAnother Brady Harris vote.
Lee
This political season is depressing me terribly. I was a Bernie supporter but have switched to Hillary just because I think Trump is completely nuts. But I'm not real happy about this.
ReplyDeleteKathleen, hope you take a close logical look at the choices. I think the media and other political spokespeople have portrayed Trump as nuts and it's very dishonest. There is a lot of bias and Trump has overcome so much during his run. Any typical candidate would have been long out of the running with what Trump has had thrust upon him, but Trump is far from typical. Bernie sold-out and Hillary and her goons cheated him out of his rightful win. The Clintons have such a long history of scandal and shady dealings.
DeleteLee
Omgoodness I'm not sure what is going to happen with this election because neither face really gives either side the warm and fuzzies.
ReplyDeleteI regret leaving a job I loved because I was feeling bullied. I should have trusted the process because that person was out a few weeks after I left.
Doreen, I'm not talking about "warm and fuzzies" necessarily. Just a recognizable face often gets the attention and has fans.
DeleteHopefully you have not used your regret to form a self-identity. So many people refuse to move on and cling stubbornly to their past and wave the victim flag. Too bad you did leave under those circumstances.
Lee
Not so very different versions of the two songs. Guitar work was beautiful in both. But I really liked the laid back sound of Brady Harris Band. Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteI have a few right choices decisions that I feel guilty about; but like you, I don't let them wear me down. No sense living in a moment that I can't change - and probably wouldn't even if I could.
No public face is ever what it seems. Familiar or not, I still have to look at the issues. Neither of these faces bring any emotion but disgust to me. I'm looking more at who the VP running mates are. The VP will likely be president within a few months after the election.
Its all terrible.
Dolorah, as they say "You can't judge a book by its cover", but sadly a good many folks vote according to very superficial criteria and never look deep. They also let the media sway their judgement too much and the media is very biased.
DeleteA vote for Brady Harris.
Lee
I loved StMcC's comment above. Ditto to all of it. I believe, as did the Founders, the I possess certain NATURAL rights given by GOD. These are not subject to debate, trespass, barter, theft, compromise, or even judicial "authority." The only purpose of judicial authority is to make sure nobody TRAMMELS on my rights of life, liberty, and happiness. Hillary is a criminal, a liar, and only one thing is important to her: power. That is the opposite of what you want in a leader. You want a George Washington: someone who really does NOT want to lead, but feels that he/she must for the public good. I am not sure Trump's motive's are that high... but they MIGHT be. I only know for sure HER's are NOT. To quote Frodo Baggins and apply it to Trump: "I think a servant of the Enemy would look fairer and feel fouler." Hellery feels as foul as is can get. And if only people would actually examine what she has done! Her record is deplorable (where have I heard that before?) But most people simply give her a pass. Incredible how stupid the American people have become. The Dems deserve what they will get. The trouble is, I don't deserve it.
ReplyDeleteAs for the music: Harris again. None of it rings my chimes, but Harris' version wins.
SBB6, You've used the word "deplorable" in the correct way. More good points from your side.
DeleteAnother vote for Brady Harris.
Lee
I liked Sharon Kovacs version but I really liked Brady Harris. I played his version three times, I liked it so well. Nice guitar. The sound is very pleasing to my ears. Please give my vote to Brady.
ReplyDeleteAs for regrets, I like your philosophy of not letting past regrets weigh you down. Hindsight is always 20/20 but you can't do anything about past decisions, other than live with them.
Michele at Angels Bark
Michele, there are plenty of things we have to live with due to our own decisions and those of others. If we let the consequences pile up on our shoulders, eventually they will be too heavy to carry.
DeleteI think your reasoning about your BOTB vote makes sense..
Brady Harris
Lee
That's an interesting question about whether we're more comfortable voting for someone whose face is familiar. Not sure I know the answer to that, but wonder if that's part of the reason why third party candidates struggle. The question about regrets was thought provoking. There are definitely decisions I regret, but I try not to dwell on them as it's too late to go back and change them. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteEllen, not only are most 3rd party candidates essentially unknown to most voters, they don't have the funds to advertise, organize events, and get media access in order to become better known. The big parties rarely take a virtual unknown to put them in the running. Barack Obama was an exception.
DeleteLee
The voting question is a good one. How about Obama? Was he truly familiar to the voting public the year he won?
ReplyDeleteTamara, as I indicated in my response to Ellen, Obama is a notable exception to the familiarity rule. His emergence on the scene is very mysterious I think and probably good cause for so many to have been suspicious about his ascent to the White House. Maybe we'll never know exactly how he made it to the presidency.
DeleteLee
I think we're really looking at a lot of contempt from voters for both candidates this year. I'm like you, I have tend to move on when I do something that I regret.
ReplyDeleteSusan GK, I have contempt for one candidate. This country needs a drastic change and I think it's worth taking a chance for something completely different. If nothing else maybe we could have four years of Monty Pythonesque change.
DeleteLee
I didn't know how to answer this question either, so I passed on it.
ReplyDeleteI do know which candidate I'll be voting.
Chrys, hope your choice is the right one.
DeleteLee
Now here's a welcome twist - I love both candidates in this battle! But as Robert Frost once said - "A liberal is one too broad-minded to take his own side in a quarrel", so I'm voting for Kovacs:-) Her seductive voice made me think of Eartha Kitt.
ReplyDeleteI think in terms of politics, people need to feel at least some familiarity with their candidate so as not to hand the reigns to a rabid dog just because it didn't look sick at the time. I can hear grandma saying "Put that down, you don't know where it's been!"
Diedre, your political theory makes sense most of the time, but I think there have been some exceptions.
DeleteI was thinking Eartha Kitt as well when I heard the Kovacs rendition...
Kovacs
Lee
Interesting song. I like both versions, but I will have to go with the Kovacs on this one.
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the day, I think some people will vote for the 'evil they know', if one name is more recognizable to them. If not, there is the Harvey Dent method.
Jeffrey, not exactly sure what the "Harvey Dent" method is, but okay.
DeleteKovacs
Lee
Havey Dent, Batman's Two-Face.
DeleteHe makes all his decisions by flipping a coin.
Sorry for the confusion.
Jeffrey, I guess I'm not up on my comic book trivia, but a coin flip is the standard when one choice is as good as another.
DeleteLee
Didn't like the first version much-was never a fan of Ms. Jones, and I thought the song sounded like a novelty song rather than a serious effort.
ReplyDeleteKovacs had good vocals, good melody and a nice jazzy arrangement-easy vote for KOVACS.
Larry, I'm not sure about the novelty song comparison. It's nothing like Ray Stevens or anything, but okay.
DeleteKovacs
Lee
My vote is for Kovacs.
ReplyDeleteAs for familiarity... I have very little faith in the average American anymore. It's saddens me that so many people realy do make all their decisions based on what's popular, what's edgy, what's in the media the most. Have you ever seen the movie Idiocracy? I fear for the future.
Toinette, yes, I've seen Idiocracy. Many people are unwilling to think things out and would rather someone else tell them what to think. That is very scary indeed--well, unless they're listening to the right voices. But still that's not good.
DeleteA vote for Kovacs
Lee
I preferred the overall presentation and more uptempo sound of Kovacs. With a surname like that, I assume she has some Hungarian ancestry, or is married to a Hungarian.
ReplyDeleteChoosing a political candidate based merely on recognizability factor and other superficial reasons is kind of like marrying someone only because s/he has a hot body and gorgeous face. That won't do anything when the real work of a marriage begins, just as an elected official needs to do the serious task of governing after Inauguration Day. I do wish the current U.S. political system made it possible for third party candidates to stand a chance, but the model doesn't seem unlikely to change anytime soon. Though it would be nice if the top three or four candidates in an election got to have a run-off to decide the ultimate winner, as happened in Russia's 1996 presidential election (where I supported the guy who came in third).
Carrie-Anne, this might be the election year that changes elections to come. We'll see what happens.
DeleteA vote for Kovacs
Lee
I'm going with BHB on this one. They are both good but I appreciate the care taken on the recording and arrangement in the BHB version.
ReplyDeleteSean, thank you for your vote and analysis...
DeleteBrady Harris
Lee
Lee, Interesting question. I'm not sure how most Americans feel regarding familiarity of a candidate. It really shouldn't matter at all. As responsible people, we should learn where the nominees stand on key issues to see which is the best representation of oneself. I don't care about the nominees color, sex, or religion. I'm just looking for the best person to run this country. Now, moving on to the BoTB. I remember this song from Frantic. It's a very sexy sounding number. After listening to both covers my ear liked the vocals and music arrangement best by Brady Harris Band, so I'm giving them my vote. Gr8 battle and I'm sorry for lagging behind on my visit. It's been a hectic week. Have a tunetastic weekend!
ReplyDeleteCathy, barely made it!
DeleteA vote for Brady Harris
Lee