Forget Waldo. Where am I now? No matter--at least I've managed some attempt at another band Battle...
Battle of the Bands
Fly Like an Eagle
Since I'm out here on vacation all across America I've been doing a lot of flying with my wheels on the ground. As this current Battle of the Bands round takes place, I'm at the midway point of my annual pilgrimage back East and then back again to wacky L.A. Perhaps though not literally "flying" I'm still metaphorically up in the air in more ways than one. So let's just fly into this Battle with that old song from Steve Miller Band...
Trini Lopez "Fly Like an Eagle" (2014)
As I do, some of you might recall Trini Lopez from his sixties hit "Lemon Tree" which was his cover of a song that had been released a few years before his version. I don't recall hearing much about Lopez since then, but it looks like the guy is still around. Here's his version of "Fly Like an Eagle" set against some California scenery...
Rus Reppart "Fly Like an Eagle" (2016)
With a video shot in Clarksburg, WV where my father was from, Rus Reppart takes the song with an indoor shoot and some fine guitar playing. How does this compare with Trini's version? Take a listen and decide for yourself...
Time to Vote!
From the desert of California to a warehouse in West Virginia we have two artists flying like eagles in the musically metaphorical sense. 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 Monday July 22
I should be able to manage this announcement post okay despite a busy activity schedule with family. Ain't it fun being a grandparent? I should also have no trouble making the rounds to everyone else's Battles. I've been mostly offline while on vacation, but I do manage an hour or so each morning before the kids get up. But it's vacation so I'm going to just do what I can. Hope you all are having a great summer.
Are you anyplace special right now? Is where you live special? Do you wish you could actually fly like an eagle?
The state of LA right now, I don't think I'd go back.
ReplyDeleteI kinda liked Rus Reppart's version. Very soulful.
L.Diane, I wish I could stay back east but my house and stuff is in CA. As long as the govt and wackos leave me alone I'll be okay.
DeleteFirst vote goes to Rus Reppert.
Lee
Hope your road trip is going well! ☺ I do remember Trini Lopez, especially his version of IF I HAD A HAMMER. Glad to see he's still with us and rocking out! Both covers were good, but Trini really brought joy to it, so he gets my vote.
ReplyDeleteDebbie D, having a fantastic trip!
DeleteI didn't know whether Trini was still alive or not until I found this video.
A vote for Trini Lopez.
Lee
Geddy LEE ~
ReplyDeleteI've heard some older Trini Lopez music and that recording sure didn't sound like what I'd have expected from him!
I thought both versions were pretty good. I feel that the style of Rus was more in keeping with the sentiment expressed in the song but, nevertheless, I enjoyed listening to TRINI's more exuberant, more heavily produced recording slightly more. Once in awhile, my reaction to music is kind of counterintuitive, and this is one of those occasions.
This was a good Battle, with two different approaches to the same song.
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS
STMcC, I too was bit surprised by Trini's sound here. I always thought of "Lemon Tree" and other folkish tunes.
DeleteA vote for Trini Lopez.
Lee
I had no idea Trini was still alive, but I'm glad to hear it.
ReplyDeleteMy earliest REAL phono album - after some children's albums - was a Trini album. I loved that thing and played the heck outta his version of La Bamba. I am voting for Trini for sentimental reasons.
6-Gun, actually I hadn't thought much of Trini in recent decades, but I wasn't a fan of his music either. Never owned any of his music.
DeleteA vote for Trini Lopez.
Lee
So a few things here:
ReplyDeleteYour lead in about flying with wheels on the ground reminded me of a song I wonder if you know- the Guess Who, Flying On The Ground, written by Neil Young...
Trini: We had his If I Had A Hammer back when we were little. Got almost as much play at 78 as 45, lol...
Both songs really good, with a lot of difference in the takes. I'm gonna go with Trini, though.
CW, I don't recall that song by Young. I'll have to check it out.
DeleteA vote for Trini Lopez.
Lee
I, too, had no idea Trini was still living. Great memories! With a nod to sentimentality, he gets my vote.
ReplyDeleteMyra, some artists seem to quietly slip out of view yet remain active. I'm glad to see that he's kept up with times.
DeleteTrini Lopez.
Lee
Excellent battle here. I enjoyed Trini. I don't recall hearing anything from him earlier, but that doesn't mean that I haven't. It was Rus' rendition that I got lost in. Completely forgot that it was a battle. I'm going to have to give my vote to Rus.
ReplyDeleteMary, Trini's been around since I was a kid over 50 years ago. You've likely heard something by him since he was fairly popular back then and his music still probably gets played here and there.
DeleteA vote for Rus Reppert.
Lee
I bet you are having a great time on your vacation. I must give it to Rus who was very engaging and wonderful to listen to whereas Trini got a bit on my nerves by the end. We were gone to St. Jean Quebec for a week staying at hubby’ Aunt and Uncle’s place right on the Richelieu River which was very peaceful. Going back to work tomorrow and wish I could stay retired instead of vacation ending.
ReplyDeleteBirgit, yes, a great time with over two weeks to go. A riverside stay sounds rather nice.
DeleteA vote for Rus Reppert.
Lee
Rus Reppert has my vote. I hate voting for someone simply for nostalgia like Trina who was annoying. Reppert was soulful and engaging.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I can understand your reasoning and...
DeleteA vote for Rus Reppert.
Lee
Lee,
ReplyDeleteI'm home which isn't purrfect but it's my special place and my home is located in very special part of the country - east Tennessee. You know how much I love it here. When I was a kid, I dreamed of flying like an eagle but not so much anymore. I'm going to give my vote to my homestate artist, Rus Ruppert. I preferred everything about his cover just a little better than his contender, not that he was bad or anything. Trini version was too fast for me to really get into the groove. Have a bandtastic week, my friend. Time surely does keep on sliping, sliping!
Cathy, home is where we make it.
DeleteA vote for Rus Reppert.
Lee
Trini for me. Love the faster beat. Have fun with the grandkids (and their parents too!)
ReplyDeleteJanet’s Smiles
Janet, having a ball!
DeleteA vote for Trini Lopez.
Lee
Hi Lee!
ReplyDeleteAnother Trini Lopez song you might well be thinking of is "This Land is Your Land.." along your current journey ;-) Hope you're enjoying!
Just returned from a stay in the woods - loved it! Coming home is always good too ;-)
Both were nice renditions. Easy listening. For some reason, I couldn't get the Lemon Tree out of my head until I listened to Rus Reppert - then my mind flew off to pleasant scenes and smiling faces. Rus gets my vote!
Happy trails out there!
Diedre, I'm sure I've heard the Lopez version of "This Land", but "Lemon Tree" is the standout song for me.
DeleteA vote for Rus Reppert.
Lee
Hope your travels are going well! Rus Reppart gets my vote.
ReplyDeleteLoni, now languishing in the heat of NJ. So hot!
DeleteRus Reppert.
Lee
A wavering vote as I enjoyed both. A sentimental decision that goes for Trini - even though I loved Rus's guitar playing.
ReplyDeleteRoland, the sentimental favorite is understandable to me...
DeleteTrini Lopez.
Lee
Hope you have fun with the grandkids and their parents too.
ReplyDeleteI go with number two, the first was get but a bit annoying at points I found.
*good
DeletePat, having a great time! Got the "good".
DeleteA vote for Rus Reppert.
Lee
Dang, Lee! I didn't know we had a Knoxville AND a West-by-God Virginia connection in common?
ReplyDeleteGive my vote to RUE! Good battle, great song.
Cherdo, Isn't it cool what we find out from each other? Both my parents came from WV.
DeleteVote for Rus Reppert.
Lee
Rus Reppert gets my vote!
ReplyDeleteMike, in at the last minute!
DeleteRus Reppert.
Lee