Is the River Too Wide? ( # BOTB Results)

      Is the river too wide?  Are the waters too deep?  Is it worth it getting to the other side?   Or is it better to fade into oblivious sleep?

There was something I wanted to say, but it's something that has been already said.   Perhaps silence is a better way.   For now thoughts will stay in my head.

...but then of course I still have Twitter and Facebook...

I think there are times when we all need to just scream even if without a sound...

For now I give you--


Battle of the Bands Results




         In my most recent Battle I offered up two songs about crossing expanses of water as performed by the Kentucky duo The Other Years and British singer/songwriter Gaz Brookfield. While Gaz came up with the win in this Battle, the Other Years made a respectable showing.

        After reading my BOTB post some of you might have determined that my favorite in this contest was The Other Years.  After all, this duo was the initial inspiration for this Battle.  I thought Gaz Brookfield's song was pleasant enough with a decent performance, but I didn't find it to be exceptionally unique.  On the other hand, to me the song "Bridges" was more poetic with a deeper thought behind the message. The melody was haunting, evoking memory and contemplation.  I thought the hollow resonance of the recording location added to the feel.  I was captivated by the performance of the song "Bridges" and it has been echoing in my mind for weeks now.  I had to vote for The Other Years in this match-up.

        Then there was this comment from BOTB founder and mentor Stephen T. McCarthy:

     This is going to seem mean but... I'm being honest:
While watching the video of the female duo, I just couldn't shake from my mind the mental image of that boy in the "dueling banjos" scene from the movie 'Deliverance'. Uhm... is that singer his daughter? Sister? Mother? Kissing cousin?

     To which I replied:

STMcC, funny you should say this about Deliverance. In the PBS show I watched, the blond to whom you refer actually plays banjo much of the time and your connection was the first thing that struck me. I think she's kind of like the cute sister of the Deliverance guy--or the daughter.

      If you're not familiar with Deliverance and the Banjo Boy, here are some comparatives:so you can decide for yourself if you agree:

Billy Redden "Banjo Boy" from Deliverance

        (If you're missing the reference then you can watch the clip from the movie here)

          More songs from The Other Years featuring Heather Summers on banjo:

\


        I do see some resemblance, but I also think Heather is beautiful in her appearance as well as her musicality.  Keep on playing your wonderful music, Heather Summers.


Final Vote Tally

The Other Years          5 votes

Gaz Brookfield           8 votes


Next Battle on Saturday August 1

         Maybe I'll have more to say on that day or maybe nothing but music...