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!

Monday, September 23, 2019

A Poke in the Eye ( #BOTB results )


You've probably heard of a "pig in a poke" and a poke in the eye is not a pleasant experience, but getting a pig in a poke in the eye must be a very bad thing...

Image result for pig eyes


Battle of the Bands Results




       Keeping things simple in this post.  For my most recent Battle of the Bands  I used versions of the Frankie Valli hit "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" as performed by Contemporary Christian group Daniel Amos and hip-hop artist Lauryn Hill.

        I wasn't too sure how this match up would go and the outcome caught me somewhat by surprise.  Even though labeled "hip hop", I thought the smooth production and laid back sound of Lauryn Hill might land her more votes than she ended up with.   The new wave/punk sound of DA on the other hand I thought might be a bit more jarring even though the arrangement was rather similar to the original version.   

        Some of you indicated that the DA recording sounded noisy, but it was preferable to the Hip Hop sound of Lauryn Hill.   Guess that "Hip Hop" label is just a turn-off to many of my readers.  As I mentioned in that post, Daniel Amos has been a longtime favorite band of mine so that's where my vote went.  And like many of you said, they play in a style that is preferable to me.  I do like The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill album and purchased it when it first came out, but I just like Daniel Amos better.

         This match was headed toward a devastating shut-out until some voters came through to save the day,  Not that all of those voters liked Hill, they just preferred her sound to that noisy Daniel Amos sound.   
  
           Another unexpected outcome for me...



Final Vote Tally

Daniel Amos               15 votes

Lauryn Hill                    4 votes



Next Battle on Tuesday October 1st!

       I'll likely combine that post with my next #IWSG post.  Better to do it that way than post two days in a row.   That's how I see it at least.  Besides, I'm having some work done on our house so I don't need to spend too much time on the blog this week.  That's seems to be the story of my life of late.


           











19 comments:

  1. Got the winner Lee, lovely song. Look forward to the next BOTB.Have a good week.

    Yvonne.

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  2. Replies
    1. Alex, if you hadn't voted Lauryn Hill would have been closer to a win.

      Lee

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  3. I'm glad that one won.

    How about a pig in a puppy? That's a sausage in a hush puppy. It's a big thing around here.

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    Replies
    1. L.Diane, I've heard of pigs in a blanket (sausage wrapped in pancakes), but in a hush puppy? I guess it might be good if I were in the mood, but I've never heard of that one. Well, it's kind of like a corn dog in a way.

      Lee

      Delete
  4. Fascinating, how different we all are, the styles that appeal to us. My husband is a brass band enthusiast, with me, having become too old to listen to the lovelorn ballads, it is popular classics. However, you can't forget certain tunes that bring back personal memories, can you, and I always tap my feet when I hear a a bar or two from Glenn Miller 😊

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    Replies
    1. Lost, I've expressed my theories about this in past blogs, but what causes us to like what we like can indeed be a bit of a mystery. That big band music evokes a special feeling within me as well--it's good stuff.

      Lee

      Delete
  5. I did not choose well, in accordance with the plan. Still, this was a fun tilt, Arlee.

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    Replies
    1. Michael, you did choose well as both were good choices in my opinion. Your vote was just different from the majority which makes BOTB what it is.

      Lee

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  6. Funny that you bring up the eye-poking thing after a weekend UFC fight that ended 15 seconds in as a no contest after one fighter got poked in the eye and couldn't get it back open...

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    Replies
    1. CW, I missed that fight, but then I've missed all of them.

      Lee

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  7. I didn't choose the winner, but then with this song no one loses.

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  8. Lee,

    Holy smoke that was a huge landslide victory for Daniel but I'm not at all surprised. Thanks for sharing, my friend!

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    Replies
    1. Cathy, since I'm a big Daniel Amos fan then I'm happy with the outcome.

      Lee

      Delete
  9. LEE ~
    We've all had our BOTB blowouts. Sometimes they surprise the heck out of us the way they end up.

    Unfortunately, although I like the song 'Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You', this was one of those contests where I just wasn't enthused about either recording and posted a "Lesser Of Two..." votes. But that happens to all of us, too.

    As I'm typing this comment, I'm listening to my CD copy of [Link> ON THE BLUE SIDE by Hank Crawford and Jimmy McGriff.

    I hadn't listened to this in quite awhile and had forgotten how fantastic it is! Six of the eight instrumental tracks are covers that I could use in future BOTBs. And at this moment, I'm thinking about how I should probably principally move away from the heavy Rock / Pop leaning of BOTB and try to introduce listeners to what I personally consider to be much better, more interesting music. I mean, *really*, there is great music out there that doesn't involve loud electric guitars and long-haired, unemployed hippies screaming into a microphone for pimpled peoples. ;-).

    ~ D-FensDogG
    'Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...'

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  10. STMcC, as we've tossed about over the years, music is so subjective that one really cannot make an absolutely fair assessment of what music is better than others. I am among those (probably rare) people who embrace a wide range of styles and presentations of music approaching nearly all new music with a sense of curiosity as well as appreciation for the efforts of the musicians playing the music.

    I enjoy a wide range of rock, jazz, country, and classical as well as what lies in between and on the periphery. This has been true for me since childhood, and especially once I began playing (or attempting to play) musical instrument and became aware of the skill and feeling required to perform music that is hopefully listenable.

    Not everyone likes the same thing and even someone like me doesn't always like the same music all the time. However I do like a variety of different music on my aural buffet.

    Whatever you wish to present in your BOTB posts I will approach with interest and hopefully others will do the same. I'm all for musical education that broadens our listening horizons. I will be looking forward to whatever Battles you will be delivering in the future.

    Lee

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    Replies
    1. >>... as we've tossed about over the years, music is so subjective that one really cannot make an absolutely fair assessment of what music is better than others.

      Lee, that's mostly true. I concur. Which is the reason I wrote: "I should probably ... try to introduce listeners to what I personally consider to be much better, more interesting music."

      The "I personally" part was meant to clarify that I was speaking subjectively, according to my own personal tastes, and was not attempting to make an objective statement or judgment.

      ~ D-FensDogG
      'Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...'

      Delete

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